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[Sep 24, 2019] Sigal Mandelker, the Zionist Under Secretary of the Treasury in charge of enforcing sanctions and boycotts, was one of the high-ranking Department of Justice officials who signed off on the nonprosecution agreement with Jeffrey Epstein in 2008

Sep 24, 2019 | www.unz.com

lysias , says: September 23, 2019 at 3:00 pm GMT

Sigal Mandelker , the Zionist Under Secretary of the Treasury in charge of enforcing sanctions and boycotts, was one of the high-ranking Department of Justice officials who signed off on the nonprosecution agreement with Jeffrey Epstein in 2008.

Was she the one who told Acosta to back off on Epstein, as he belonged to intelligence and was above Acosta's pay grade?

[Sep 13, 2019] Wallace against the USA neocolonialism

Leopard can't change its spots...
Notable quotes:
"... After he became vice president in 1940, as Roosevelt was increasingly ill, Wallace promoted a new vision for America's role in the world that suggested that rather than playing catch up with the imperial powers, the United States should work with partners to establish a new world order that eliminated militarism, colonialism and imperialism. ..."
"... In diplomacy, Wallace imagined a multi-polar world founded on the United Nations Charter with a focus on peaceful cooperation. In contrast, in 1941 Henry Luce, publisher of Time Magazine, had called for an 'American century,' suggesting that victory in war would allow the United States to "exert upon the world the full impact of our influence, for such purposes as we see fit and by such means as we see fit." ..."
"... Foreign aid for Wallace was not a tool to foster economic dominance as it was to become, but rather "economic assistance without political conditions to further the independent economic development of the Latin American and Caribbean countries." He held high "the principle of self-determination for the peoples of Africa, Asia, the West Indies, and other colonial areas." He saw the key policy for the United States to be based on "the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations and acceptance of the right of peoples to choose their own form of government and economic system." ..."
"... The United States should be emulating China, its Belt and Road Initiative and Community of Common Destiny, as a means of revitalizing its political culture and kicking its addiction to a neo-colonial concept of economic development and growth. Rather than relying on militarization and its attendant wars to spark the economy, progressives should demand that the US work in conjunction with nations such as China and Russia in building a sustainable future rather than creating one failed state after another. ..."
Sep 13, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

Stephen M , September 10, 2019 at 15:14

This is as good a time as any to point to an alternative vision of foreign policy. One based on the principle of non-interference, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and, above all, international law. One based on peaceful coexistence and mutual cooperation. A vision of the world at peace and undivided by arbitrary distinctions. Such a world is possible and even though there are currently players around the world who are striving in that direction we need look no further than our own history for inspiration. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you one Henry A. Wallace, for your consideration.

(The following excerpts from an article by Dr. Dennis Etler. Link to the full article provided below.) --

The highest profile figure who articulated an alternative vision for American foreign policy was the politician Henry Wallace, who served as vice president under Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1940-1944 and ran for president in 1948 as the candidate of the Progressive Party.

After he became vice president in 1940, as Roosevelt was increasingly ill, Wallace promoted a new vision for America's role in the world that suggested that rather than playing catch up with the imperial powers, the United States should work with partners to establish a new world order that eliminated militarism, colonialism and imperialism.

Wallace gave a speech in 1942 that declared a "Century of the Common Man." He described a post-war world that offered "freedom from want," a new order in which ordinary citizens, rather than the rich and powerful, would play a decisive role in politics.

That speech made direct analogy between the Second World War and the Civil War, suggesting that the Second World War was being fought to end economic slavery and to create a more equal society. Wallace demanded that the imperialist powers like Britain and France give up their colonies at the end of the war.

In diplomacy, Wallace imagined a multi-polar world founded on the United Nations Charter with a focus on peaceful cooperation. In contrast, in 1941 Henry Luce, publisher of Time Magazine, had called for an 'American century,' suggesting that victory in war would allow the United States to "exert upon the world the full impact of our influence, for such purposes as we see fit and by such means as we see fit."

Wallace responded to Luce with a demand to create a world in which "no nation will have the God-given right to exploit other nations. Older nations will have the privilege to help younger nations get started on the path to industrialization, but there must be neither military nor economic imperialism." Wallace took the New Deal global. His foreign policy was to be based on non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Sadly, since then, despite occasional efforts to head in a new direction, the core constituency for US foreign policy has been corporations, rather than the "common man" either in the United States, or the other nations of the world, and United States foreign relations have been dominated by interference in the political affairs of other nations. As a result the military was transformed from an "arsenal for democracy" during the Second World War into a defender of privilege at home and abroad afterwards.

-- -
Foreign aid for Wallace was not a tool to foster economic dominance as it was to become, but rather "economic assistance without political conditions to further the independent economic development of the Latin American and Caribbean countries." He held high "the principle of self-determination for the peoples of Africa, Asia, the West Indies, and other colonial areas." He saw the key policy for the United States to be based on "the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations and acceptance of the right of peoples to choose their own form of government and economic system."

--

Wallace's legacy suggests that it is possible to put forth a vision of an honest internationalism in US foreign policy that is in essence American. His approach was proactive not reactive. It would go far beyond anything Democrats propose today, who can only suggest that the United States should not start an unprovoked war with Iran or North Korea, but who embrace sanctions and propagandist reports that demonize those countries.

Rather than ridiculing Trump's overtures to North Korea, they should go further to reduce tensions between the North and the South by pushing for the eventual withdrawal of troops from South Korea and Japan (a position fully in line with Wallace and many other politicians of that age).
Rather than demonizing and isolating Russia (as a means to score political points against Trump), progressives should call for a real détente, that recognizes Russia's core interests, proposes that NATO withdraw troops from Russia's borders, ends sanctions and reintegrates Russia into the greater European economy. They could even call for an end to NATO and the perpetuation of the dangerous global rift between East and West that it perpetuates.
Rather than attempt to thwart China's rise, and attack Trump for not punishing it enough, progressives should seek to create new synergies between China and the US economically, politically and socioculturally.
-- -
In contrast to the US policy of perpetual war and "destroying nations in order to save them," China's BRI proposes an open plan for development that is not grounded in the models of French and British imperialism. It has proposed global infrastructure and science projects that include participants from nations in Africa, Asia, South and Central America previously ignored by American and European elites -- much as Wallace proposed an equal engagement with Latin America. When offering developmental aid and investment China does not demand that free market principles be adopted or that the public sector be privatized and opened up for global investment banks to ravish.
--
The United States should be emulating China, its Belt and Road Initiative and Community of Common Destiny, as a means of revitalizing its political culture and kicking its addiction to a neo-colonial concept of economic development and growth. Rather than relying on militarization and its attendant wars to spark the economy, progressives should demand that the US work in conjunction with nations such as China and Russia in building a sustainable future rather than creating one failed state after another.

Link to the full article provided below.

https://www.globalresearch.ca/henry-wallaces-internationalism-path-american-foreign-policy-could-have-taken-still-can/5683683

[Sep 13, 2019] Epstein, like Maxwell, was laying the groundwork for Israeli espionage activities

Sep 13, 2019 | www.counterpunch.org

Media tycoon and former Labour MP Robert Maxwell (father of Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's partner in crime) was given a state funeral in Jerusalem after *accidentally* falling off his yacht – the unluckily named "Lady Ghislaine". Later it was revealed Maxwell Sr was a Mossad asset who used his vast network of connections and publishing platforms to run editorial interference over his purchased assets to influence enemies and friends alike, ensuring their fealty to the foreign government that had enlisted him for its espionage work.

His tabloid empire was the piss-colored propaganda organ of the interests he served, overseeing its rapid growth and tentacled reach across the globe. More ominously, he was behind the spy agency's successful attempt to install a trapdoor in software intended for government use, allowing the Israelis a direct pipeline into a vast network of computers installed with undectable malware.

At the time of his death, the disgraced magnate was under investigation for raiding his companies' pension funds to cover the losses incurred from his multiple and reckless takeovers, and finance a luxury lifestyle he enjoyed sharing with high profile pals like Henry Kissinger and Barbara Walters. Curiously, many of these fossilized specimens from Robert Maxwell's roster of friends from the Reagan era would circle around Epstein, most notably Donald Trump whose Mar-a-Lago resort would later become a recruiting center for employer Epstein's underage "massage therapists".

Fast forward a couple of decades since the days a casino mogul was gobbling down canapés with the old guard denizens of the 'swamp'. Notice a similar, if not identical MO in both Maxwell and Epstein's role in procuring technology for the Israelis, who in turn sold it with undisclosed add-ons, providing an open window into its users' databases.

Like his predecessor, Epstein had a financial stake in a startup (headed by former Israeli Defense Minister and later Prime Minister Ehud Barak) connected to Israel's defense industry that provides infrastructure for emergency services as a call handling platform. Considering the company's connection to military intelligence, it wouldn't be a stretch to speculate on some of this software's other 'special' features. A variation of the early technology that Maxwell was able to procure for his Israeli bosses was later sold to the Saudis, who leveraged its sophisticated tracking features to assassinate Jamal Khashoggi.

Epstein, like Maxwell, was laying the groundwork for Israeli espionage activities through his interests in companies with a political agenda concealed in products intended for international export. If true, the playboy philanthropist feted and flattered his high profile friends to ensnare them as complicit partners in what amounts to the legal definition of treason. Epstein's covert activities have undiminished real world consequences for anyone on Israel's international radar, especially those challenging the status quo policies in place that prioritize "The Jewish State's" political and financial objectives over actual justice and global stability.

If you have ever asked yourself why Israel's war crimes and settlement expansion go unchallenged by US lawmakers, consider the career destroying consequences contained within those dossiers compiled by the braintrust behind Epstein's 'suicide'. "We'll trade you one US Embassy in Jerusalem for 10 minutes of hidden camera footage of you . . . let's say 'enjoying' a rolled up Forbes magazine".

Were the surveillance apparatuses installed throughout Epstein's properties merely a voyeur's tools, or did he use them to leverage the moral failings of his former friends for purposes that might have risked exposure of more than the nether regions of wealthy pedo-punters? Considering his connections to Israeli defense industries and his own Achilles penis that required, by his own admission, "three orgasms a day", the answer points to an unslakable addiction that dovetailed conveniently with his state-sponsored sex crimes.

Did Epstein make the same mistake of Maxwell (who had asked for nearly half a billion dollar in "loans" from his Israeli backers to relieve him of his mounting debts) believing the dirt he had in his possession would prove radioactive if released? By this time, the corpulent tycoon was nicknamed the 'Bouncing Czech' a reference in most part to his worsening money woes. The implication of this request, if turned down, was the exposure of Israel's state secrets. Epstein could have also attempted to collateralize the cache of damning evidence still in his possession to secure his his freedom with the same fatal consequences.

Both Maxwell and Epstein somehow evaded the electronics that linked them to the outside world at the time of their deaths, even though the latter had reportedly made an attempt on his own life while in custody. Both men, facing ruination and serious prison time gave their executioners an alibi: They had nothing to left to live for. The establishment media is already trotting out ancient, ding-a-ling conspiracy theories from obscure right wing sources (attributed to Russia, of course) to highlight the absurdity and futility of questioning the official story of Epstein's death. Verdict: Nothing to see here.

By now, it's a given that the parasitic and preferred daughter of the deceased tycoon, made the fateful introduction between her new boyfriend and the Israeli operatives seeking an entry level plutocrat to carry out their blackmail operations after the untimely death of his predecessor. An impoverished socialite has to survive in pricey Manhattan somehow, and that somehow was re-establishing the shady connections to the espionage underworld that had recruited Maxwell Sr.

Ghislaine's later role as Epstein's Chief Procurement Officer (or pimp for short) gives more credence to the rumors that she is more than just a debased, barnacle-like appendage to a billionaire, desperate to please her platonic partner by "organizing his social life", but a fully cognizant co-conspirator in an operation aimed at strengthening Israel's hand in all matters pertaining to its national security interests, or more accurately, its overseas criminal enterprises.

The recent raid on Epstein's Manhattan apartment was not the result of a so-called Justice Department righting the egregious wrong it committed by letting Epstein off with a slap on the wrist after his initial conviction that allowed him to serve his sentence largely outside the minimum-security facility with an open door policy for its billionaire guest. More likely, the reversal of Epstein's "sweetheart" deal was a joint operation between the oligarch cabal informally known as the Mega-Group, and the state security apparatuses that do their bidding.

It's seems likely that this sudden pivot towards justice from a Justice Department initially spooked into inaction by the spook in his custody, was motivated by the need to remove the most damning bits among Epstein's vast trove of physical evidence against the pervy punters who visited his island getaway for unintended photo ops with underage girls.

Perhaps his own abuse of these minors was a perk he felt entitled to, and one that would be overlooked in the service of "national security". It's hard for most people to differentiate between the government he actually worked for and the ruling establishment on his home turf.

It's possible that Epstein felt his serial transgressions were merely par for the plutocracy and justified in the service of a higher calling.

The 'Israel First' philanthropist shared an unyielding ideological justification for his own criminality as Robert Maxwell, whom the British Home Office had considered recruiting for its own intelligence gathering in the mid 1960's. Having determined that the well-connected, multilingual, rising star politician was strictly "Zionist", the spy agency withdrew his candidacy.

Epstein's real crimes had little to do with raping children, despite the overturned plea deal that came about when a federal judge ruled that prosecutors had violated the victims rights by by concealing the agreement from them. The one time teflon-coated "member of intelligence" who was "above the pay grade" of a powerful District Attorney (now a now scandal-tainted former Labor Secretary) was ultimately (and lethally) penalized for not destroying the contents of his secret-laden safes, leaving his handlers still vulnerable to their explosive contents.

Had the doomed financier divested himself of the toxic assets still in his possession, he might still be roaming the earth today, scouring it for new specimens to populate his underage petting zoo. As a result of the Justice Department's decision to reverse the non-prosecution deal meant to bury the most incendiary facts of the case, lower-rung punters like former governor Bill Richardson and Senator George Mitchell are being publicly named for their part in the sordid scandal. Someone has to take the fall. (Rule number one of PR crisis management: Crucify the insignificant and let them hang out to dry until the public tires of watching the slow motion spectacle of their undoing.) Meanwhile, documented and/or photographic evidence against more powerful players like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump will have already been destroyed in the pursuit of selective justice.

The fallout of Epstein's spectacular downfall predictably miss the mark as scandals involving the rich and powerful tend to do. Much of the controversy will dissolve into a Cheetoh dust maelstrom of disinformation, disseminated on Reddit and 4Chan by incel info-warriors before shooting up a shopping mall or playground.

Subsequent reporting of the case will overlook decades of the elite-driven state craft that elevated corrupt and ruthless entities like Epstein and Trump, both ring-kissing acolytes in their youth of influential mob fixer/politcal power broker Roy Cohn – himself a serial sexual predator who similarly caught the fancy of fellow deviants Joe McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover. Follow the money trail from Tel Aviv and you'll discover an ancestral link between the corpse of Epstein and his ghostly godfathers waiting with his rewards in hell.

Along with the other disgraced and expendable patsies left in the wake of this ongoing scandal is Alan Dershowitz, Epstein's octogenarian chief legal counsel and 'wing man' aboard the Lolita Express. The now unemployable cable news pundit will live out the remainder of his pointless life under a cloud of suspicion. Despite all the damning testimony against him, the statutory rape allegations never quite stick, but follow him around like a sneaky fart, forcing a distance between himself and the rest of humanity that will last until he is engulfed by the sulfurous fumes of his own making.

The former Harvard law professor's lifelong service to Israel will go unrewarded – not as a result of victim testimony placing him at multiple crime scenes, but in consideration of his own inept self-defense strategy: "I'm a scurvy rat aboard a sinking ship eating its own tail to stay alive. Pity me"! Dershowitz at this point will be lucky if he can achieve the same pay grade and social status of Lindsay Lohan. Ditto for Prince Andrew who can at least be relied on to expire slowly of gout in his time-out corner at Windsor Castle.

The moral of this story could be "Lie down with dogs and never wake up again with a prison-issued sheet around your neck". A variation of the old "Lie down with dogs and and wake up as fish food". Join the debate on Facebook More articles by: Jennifer Matsui

Jennifer Matsui is a writer living in Tokyo and a columnist for the print edition of CounterPunch magazine .

[Sep 13, 2019] Several women procured girls for Epstein, then were granted immunity. Why ?

Sep 13, 2019 | www.unz.com

Bumpkin , says: September 11, 2019 at 10:52 am GMT

Seen some good Epstein links that commenters throw up here, thought I'd add some that I read recently:

– A literary agent named John Brockman was pushing Epstein fairly brazenly:

"Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire science philanthropist showed up at this weekend's event by helicopter (with his beautiful young assistant from Belarus) He also got into trouble and spent a year in jail in Florida. If he contacts you it's probably worth your time to meet him as he's extremely bright and interesting the cover of the NYpost had a full-page photo of Jeffrey and Andrew walking in Central Park under the headline: 'The Prince and the Perv.' (That was the end of Andrew's role at the UK trade ambassador.)"
https://newrepublic.com/article/154826/jeffrey-epsteins-intellectual-enabler

– Two sisters reported Epstein decades ago, nothing happened, even after one got death threats from Ghislaine Maxwell:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/26/us/epstein-farmer-sisters-maxwell.html

– Scientist Steven Pinker and head of MIT Media lab Joi Ito caught up in it:

https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2019/07/12/tarring-steve-pinker-and-others-with-jeffrey-epstein/
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-an-elite-university-research-center-concealed-its-relationship-with-jeffrey-epstein

– Several women procured girls for Epstein, then were granted immunity:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epsteins-alleged-accomplices-where-are-sarah-kellen-nadia-marcinkova-adriana-ross-and-lesley-groff

As for the above piece, interesting stuff and probably mostly true, but needs to be edited better.

[Sep 13, 2019] Gordon Thomas on Robert Maxwell/Mossad Espionage Project in the USA and Beyond

Sep 13, 2019 | www.unz.com

wesmouch , says: September 11, 2019 at 5:23 pm GMT

@Wally Read the complete 4 part series at mint press. She outlines Israeli/Mossad connections to the Mega group, organized crime connections to the mega group, Epstein connections to the Mega group, Les Wexner connections to organized crime and CIA, Mossad spying on Clinton, attempts by Mossad to install backdoor software to spy via PROMIS which was sold by Robert Maxwell and was installed in Los Alamos nuclear laboratory, etc.

Also the connections of Epstein and Barak to Calybr software which is a potential spy application.

Even more so is the attempt by Paul Singer to populate US technology firms with former Israeli intelligence assets.

... ... ...

anon [113] Disclaimer , says: September 12, 2019 at 6:30 am GMT
@wesmouch Agreed. Their obsessions blind them to the huge story unfolding before our eyes. Have you looked at Gilad Atzmon's post about Gordon Thomas?

His interview is in the last 25 minutes of the TruNews video.

The beauty of Epstein is that they're only hiding the deeper story. They haven't created some heroic counter-narrative. So everyone knows Epstein's name, and they know he was a creep.

Gordon Thomas on Robert Maxwell/Mossad Espionage Project in the USA and Beyond

http://www.unz.com/gatzmon/gordon-thomas-on-robert-maxwell-mossad-espionage-project-in-the-usa-and-beyond/

[Sep 11, 2019] Joe Biden's Son Blames Russian Agents For Ashley Madison Profile

See also "Amorality and criminality of neoliberal elite"
Notable quotes:
"... "due diligence." ..."
"... Biden thinks international agents, possibly Russian, who objected to his board membership with a Ukrainian gas company set up a fake account to discredit him. ..."
"... As Breitbart reports, ..."
Aug 29, 2015 | Zero Hedge
Last night we heard the best 'excuse' yet if you are caught with an Ashley Madison account, from Dan Loeb - "due diligence." Today, not to be outdone by a married hedge fund manager, Vice-President Joe Biden's son "Hunter" has unleashed his own set of excuses for member ship of the extramarital affairs website, as Breitbart reports - Biden thinks international agents, possibly Russian, who objected to his board membership with a Ukrainian gas company set up a fake account to discredit him. However, IP mapping suggests otherwise...

As Breitbart reports,

Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden's account on the extramarital dating website Ashley Madison was used and likely created on the Georgetown University campus while Biden was teaching there.

Business executive Robert "Hunter" Biden, reportedly an adviser to his father's political career, told Breitbart News Monday that he suspected his enemies of creating a fake Ashley Madison account for him in order to discredit him. The email address provided for "Robert Biden's" account matched a personal email address once used by Biden, the vice president's son confirmed.

Biden thinks international agents, possibly Russian, who objected to his board membership with a Ukrainian gas company set up a fake account to discredit him. A source close to Biden told People Magazine after the first Breitbart story ran that the IP address for the account traces to Jacksonville, Florida.

But account information shows that the profile, which was confirmed by a credit card purchase in 2014, was used at the latitude/longitude point of 38.912682, -77.071704.

That latitude-longitude point just happens to exist on the Georgetown University campus, at an administrative building on Reservoir Road. And Hunter Biden just happened to be teaching there around the time the account was set up.

* * *
Faced with the new information, representatives for Biden said that the vice president's son would not comment on the story beyond his original statements to Breitbart News denying that the account was his.

hedgeless_horseman

Biden's son discharged from Navy after testing positive for cocaine

He could be head of the ethics committee for the House of Lords.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11763582/Lord-Sewel-filmed-snor...


knukles

At least his character flaws are in no way reflective of his father.
You know, apples never fall too far from the trees, stuff.

Hunter says: Hey, quit pickin' on me. Everybody has to try to get a head somehow!

jcaz

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait until they find Joe's profile....

Manthong

"The truth about the conflict with Russia"

Aw c'mon..

Chevron, Shell, Monsanto, Cargill and others all had deals worth hundreds of billions with Ukraine prior to the Nuland putsch.

When Yanukovych swung toward Russia's Trade Union instead of the EU, Nuland used the $5 billion of NGO and western sympathizers she bought over the years, spent a little more and engineered the violent coup and subsequent civil warfare.

The US sought to marginalize Russia and kick them out of Sevastopol but surprise, surprise the locals would have none of that. Neither would Russia and the next thing you know Crimea voted to be absorbed once again by Russia and Nuland is left with crap on her face. Since the Donbass would have none of that either, 6,000 people are now dead and the Ukraine is a basket case that the west will have to pay for.

There may be some ethnic animosities in play too, but the real motivations are geo-political and economical.

ThanksChump

The most-credible bits of information I've found support your summary.

It's sad.

I doubt the West will pay for the cleanup in Ukraine without some form of ROI. That expense will fall on their non-Russian neighbors who will be directly affected by starving neighbors this winter, with Poland carrying the bulk.

I doubt the ethnic problems will play a significant role, aside from pro-Russia Ukrainians feeling less charitable than otherwise.

ThanksChump

The most-credible bits of information I've found support your summary.

It's sad.

I doubt the West will pay for the cleanup in Ukraine without some form of ROI. That expense will fall on their non-Russian neighbors who will be directly affected by starving neighbors this winter, with Poland carrying the bulk.

I doubt the ethnic problems will play a significant role, aside from pro-Russia Ukrainians feeling less charitable than otherwise.

JustObserving

Demented mass-murderer Putin is also a hacker and a blackmailer?

Since the beginning of the week, the three most influential mass circulation newsmagazines of the United States, Britain, and Germany-Time, The Economist, and Der Spiegel-have published cover stories that combine wild accusations against Vladimir Putin with demands for a showdown with Russia.

The most striking and obvious characteristic of these cover stories is that they are virtually identical. The CIA has scripted them all. The stories employ the same insults and the same fabrications. They denounce Putin's "web of lies." The Russian president is portrayed as a "depraved" mass murderer.

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/07/30/pers-j30.html

[Sep 10, 2019] Being called a narcissist by Jim Comey is akin to being accused of having sex with underage girls by the late Jeffrey Epstein by Larry C Johnsons

Highly recommended!
Sep 04, 2019 | turcopolier.typepad.com

Diana C ,

"Being called a narcissist by Jim Comey is akin to being accused of having sex with underage girls by the late Jeffrey Epstein."

As usual, your analogy here is spot on. I'm still giggling.

[Sep 10, 2019] How Deep Is the Rot in America s Institutions by Charles Hugh Smith

Highly recommended!
The question why the USA intelligence agencies were "unaware" about Epstein activities is an interesting one. Similar question can be asked about Hillary "activities" related to "Clinton cash".
Actually the way the USA elite deal with scandals is to ostracize any whistleblower and silence any media that tryt to dig the story. Open repression including physical elimination is seldom used those days as indirect methods are quite effective.
Notable quotes:
"... Either we root out every last source of rot by investigating, indicting and jailing every wrong-doer and everyone who conspired to protect the guilty in the Epstein case, or America will have sealed its final fall. ..."
"... If you doubt this, then please explain how 1) the NSA, CIA and FBI didn't know what Jeffrey Epstein was up to, and with whom; 2) Epstein was free to pursue his sexual exploitation of minors for years prior to his wrist-slap conviction and for years afterward; 3) Epstein, the highest profile and most at-risk prisoner in the nation, was left alone and the security cameras recording his cell and surroundings were "broken." ..."
"... America's ruling class has crucified whistleblowers , especially those uncovering fraud in the defense (military-industrial-security) and financial (tax evasion) sectors and blatant violations of public trust, civil liberties and privacy. ..."
"... Needless to say, a factual accounting of corruption, cronyism, incompetence, self-serving exploitation of the many by the few, etc. is not welcome in America. Look at the dearth of investigative resources America's corporate media is devoting to digging down to the deepest levels of rot in the Epstein case. ..."
Sep 09, 2019 | www.oftwominds.com

Either we root out every last source of rot by investigating, indicting and jailing every wrong-doer and everyone who conspired to protect the guilty in the Epstein case, or America will have sealed its final fall.

When you discover rot in an apparently sound structure, the first question is: how far has the rot penetrated? If the rot has reached the foundation and turned it to mush, the structure is one wind-storm from collapse.

How deep has the rot of corruption, fraud, abuse of power, betrayal of the public trust, blatant criminality and insiders protecting the guilty penetrated America's key public and private institutions? It's difficult to tell, as the law-enforcement and security agencies are themselves hopelessly compromised.

If you doubt this, then please explain how 1) the NSA, CIA and FBI didn't know what Jeffrey Epstein was up to, and with whom; 2) Epstein was free to pursue his sexual exploitation of minors for years prior to his wrist-slap conviction and for years afterward; 3) Epstein, the highest profile and most at-risk prisoner in the nation, was left alone and the security cameras recording his cell and surroundings were "broken."

If this all strikes you as evidence that America's security and law-enforcement institutions are functioning at a level that's above reproach, then 1) you're a well-paid shill who's protecting the guilty lest your own misdeeds come to light or 2) your consumption of mind-bending meds is off the charts.

How deep has the rot gone in America's ruling elite? One way to measure the depth of the rot is to ask how whistleblowers who've exposed the ugly realities of insider dealing, malfeasance, tax evasion, cover-ups, etc. have fared.

America's ruling class has crucified whistleblowers , especially those uncovering fraud in the defense (military-industrial-security) and financial (tax evasion) sectors and blatant violations of public trust, civil liberties and privacy.

Needless to say, a factual accounting of corruption, cronyism, incompetence, self-serving exploitation of the many by the few, etc. is not welcome in America. Look at the dearth of investigative resources America's corporate media is devoting to digging down to the deepest levels of rot in the Epstein case.

The closer wrong-doing and wrong-doers are to protected power-elites, the less attention the mass media devotes to them.

... ... ...

Here are America's media, law enforcement/security agencies and "leadership" class: they speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil, in the misguided belief that their misdirection, self-service and protection of the guilty will make us buy the narrative that America's ruling elite and all the core institutions they manage aren't rotten to the foundations.

Either we root out every last source of rot by investigating, indicting and jailing every wrong-doer and everyone who conspired to protect the guilty in the Epstein case, or America will have sealed its final fall.

[Sep 09, 2019] So what had happened in 2014? I guess, some people had decided that Epstein needed to be taken out.

Definitely there is lack of facts regarding Epstein, only plausible hypothesis. But it does not make Epstein affair less dangerous or less sordid. For example, the role of Wexner in it.
Notable quotes:
"... The issue is never whether Epstein was a criminal. The issue is whether Epstein was the mastermind of a vast pedophile conspiracy masquerading as the Democrat Party, whether he made his fortune as a pimp selling pre-pubescent little girls to Democrats, whether his extortion made him millions or even tens of millions, whether Epstein's services to the pedophile conspiracy of the Democrat Party turned the Democrat Party into a bunch a Zionist traitors. Those are the issues. Saying it's about minimizing the crime is a lie meant to ram through everything else. ..."
"... I am not convinced its Jews, I propose situs to be within the inter-sanctum of Economic Zionism, Jewishness is not required for admission... ..."
"... Epstein never took on young women with resources, he recruited those who had none. This whole scene has little to do with sexual norms and everything to do with the power of money over poverty, privilege over disenfranchisement, resource over hollowness. ..."
"... It's a class struggle, as with everything else. ..."
"... Whitney Webb at mintpressnews.com has described how Jewish gangsters provided blackmail services to CIA/FBI and how Epstein was connected to the 'Mega Group' of billionaire Jewish philanthropists (some with gangster pasts) as well as other groups and individuals that are likely to have connections to Mossad. ..."
"... People were talking about trafficking young women, most of them from impoverished backgrounds or dysfunctional families afflicted by violence or alcoholism, and recruited with promises of easy wealth and security, as prostitutes / sex slaves for wealthy men. No-one was talking about consent laws. ..."
"... Michael Chertoff, who ran Homeland Security under former president George W. Bush, serves on Carbyne's advisory board. Chertoff wrote the Patriot Act, which authorised sweeping digital surveillance of Americans. ..."
"... Given that Epstein spent only 13 months in jail for what appears to be a 38-year crime-spree, how did Epstein evade justice? The answer may lie in a gentlemen's agreement shaping the Israeli-US intelligence relationship. Essentially, spies can operate with impunity when both countries agree on the same security objectives. ..."
"... With a technology and espionage sector rife with criminals like Epstein, Chinese and Russian oligarch investors; there is more than meets the eye to Israel's intelligence. More critically, its security industry may be more compromised and unrestricted than the rest of the world is able to recognise. ..."
"... Victims' lawyers Lisa Bloom and David Boies used to work for Harvey Weinstein involving Black Cube - Lisa Bloom advised on how to smear the accusers. ..."
"... MIT establishes the trends in terms of nowadays Academia. US prestige. What is funded. Result: European and Arab sheeps aka decision makers going 100% technology, hard science and hyper-specialization. ..."
"... ben@67 somehow thinks that if I remind anyone that the goal of the Epstein re-run is to paint the Democratic Party, almost officially known as the Democrat Party by Republicans, as a monstrous pedophile conspiracy operated by Jew gangsters, I am endorsing this madness. ..."
"... Witney Webb at mintpressnews.com has described a history of blackmail ops by Jews in USA that preceded Epstein (Lewis Rosenstiel, Meyer Lansky, Roy Cohn). It's not antisemitic to take note of this anymore than it would be anti-Italian to note that the mafia is run by Italian families. And this history has nothing to do with partisan politics. ..."
Sep 09, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org
somebody , Sep 8 2019 20:35 utc | 42
Posted by: b | Sep 8 2019 18:47 utc | 36

BTW - the whole Epstein issue only creeped up again because one reporter at McClatchy dug into the old files, spent some shoe lather and talked to witnesses. It had exactly zero to do with Trump.

Journalists don't just "dig up" issues that had been closed 10 years ago. Julie K. Brown worked for the Miami Herald in 2008 when the sweet deal was done. She did not start digging then. Journalists (and photographers) go to work because someone gives them a tip that this will be a huge story. The context is always political.

For ten years the Epstein issue had been successfully kept out of the news.
What had changed ?

When Julie K Brown of the Miami Herald approached a former police chief of Palm Beach, Florida, in 2017, hoping to get him to open up about his investigation of the child sex crimes for which the wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein had been fleetingly jailed a decade earlier, she was surprised by how unresponsive he was.

Michael Reiter told Brown he had been down this road many times and was sick of it. As Brown recalled in a WNYC interview last month, Reiter said he had talked to many reporters and told them precisely where to find damning evidence against Epstein. But nothing ever came of it.

"He was convinced that a lot of media had squashed the story and he was fed up," she said. Reiter warned Brown what would happen were she to continue digging: "Somebody's going to call your publisher and the next thing you know you are going to be assigned to the obituaries department."

Julie K. Brown obviously had the support from her paper in doing what she was doing. Something seems to have happened in 2014 when Virginia Giuffre got a first class pro bono lawyer . Successful pro bono cases are PR for law firms, so David Boies likely had a hunch something was going to happen and this was before Trump and before the Weinstein case.

So what had happened in 2014? I guess, some people had decided that Epstein needed to be taken out.

That he was part of a (Israel run) blackmail campaign becomes obvious when one looks at the connections.

Connections are to Iran-Contra.


AuGold , Sep 8 2019 21:01 utc | 46

@4 steven t johnson - check out some of George Webb's youtube videos pertaining to Epstein .. he believe the pedophile angle is largely missing the point and that Epstein represented a drug / weapons trade more than anything if i recall correctly.. interesting take at the very least
steven t johnson , Sep 8 2019 22:04 utc | 50
"Connection" are Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. No, it is not at all certain Epstein was a spy.

Nor is it certain Epstein was pimping an army of girls or an extortionist, much less that he made hundreds of millions from it. The allegations are that the girls were recruited by other girls, who would be the ones turning their friends into prostitutes. It is amazingly unclear that the recruiters were paid. It is clear Epstein was a customer, which is indeed criminal.

I have no idea how you can honestly excuse the alleged accomplices (which you and everyone else really do.) The girls were reportedly neglected and abused by their families but the families get excused too, because apparently sexual purity is far more important than anything else about these girls.

The issue is never whether Epstein was a criminal. The issue is whether Epstein was the mastermind of a vast pedophile conspiracy masquerading as the Democrat Party, whether he made his fortune as a pimp selling pre-pubescent little girls to Democrats, whether his extortion made him millions or even tens of millions, whether Epstein's services to the pedophile conspiracy of the Democrat Party turned the Democrat Party into a bunch a Zionist traitors. Those are the issues. Saying it's about minimizing the crime is a lie meant to ram through everything else.

Last the notion that Trump has nothing to do with the Justice Department as it started what may have been a violation of double jeopardy to attack the Democrats for the upcoming election is excessively naive. Acost wasn't even on good ground with Trump at the Labor Department, either. The notion that Acosta wasn't concerned with Republican Party politics in 2008 is about as dubious.

snake | Sep 8 2019 15:25 utc | 7

Mr. Steven t Johnson.@4.. Epstein affairs may expose CIA and others throughout world.. people are dying and retiring and hiding..

AFAICT.. deep state <=> CIA <=> Epstein <=> Universities <=>foundations <=> NGOs <=> Bureaucracies <=> monopoly powered private corporations

I am not convinced its Jews, I propose situs to be within the inter-sanctum of Economic Zionism, Jewishness is not required for admission...

Grieved , Sep 8 2019 22:41 utc | 51

@36 b - "It is solely the grown up..."

Thank you for pouring some cold water on the "Jailbait Nostalgia Hour" discussion that was simmering. Jesus...

~~

@ 42 dh - "...well brought up but ultimately one can only hope they are immune"

Of course they are immune - they have resources that you and your family have given them to operate in this world. They are thus not helpless and vulnerable.

Epstein never took on young women with resources, he recruited those who had none. This whole scene has little to do with sexual norms and everything to do with the power of money over poverty, privilege over disenfranchisement, resource over hollowness.

It's a class struggle, as with everything else.

Jackrabbit , Sep 8 2019 23:02 utc | 53
somebody @42

So what had happened in 2014?

Maybe Israel/Mossad tried to use their blackmail material after Russia blocked Obama from bombing Syria? Isn't that when calls for a 'No-fly Zone' started?

Connections are to Iran-Contra.

The "connections" go well beyond Iran-Contra. Whitney Webb at mintpressnews.com has described how Jewish gangsters provided blackmail services to CIA/FBI and how Epstein was connected to the 'Mega Group' of billionaire Jewish philanthropists (some with gangster pasts) as well as other groups and individuals that are likely to have connections to Mossad.

Her latest: How the CIA, Mossad and "the Epstein Network" are Exploiting Mass Shootings to Create an Orwellian Nightmare .

Jackrabbit , Sep 8 2019 23:19 utc | 55
steven t johnson @50

Possibly the most disturbing whataboutism I've ever seen.

<> <> <> <> <> <>

It is amazingly unclear that the recruiters were paid.

How stupid do you think we are?

The girls were reportedly neglected and abused by their families ...

Epstein chose to victimize those that he could most easily control.

The issue is never whether Epstein was a criminal.

Epstein is a convicted sex offender.

somebody , Sep 9 2019 0:03 utc | 60
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 8 2019 23:02 utc | 53

A lot of this is conjecture. Epstein's funding a certain type of research certainly looks like him acting as a kind of front possibly a CIA front.

The way he was shielded from the law in 2008 suggests he was a US secret service asset for what other agencies he might have worked for or not.

It looks like Victoria Giuffre moving from Australia back to the United States made all the difference .

Giuffre said she contacted the FBI in April 2014, months after she moved back to the United States. "But, it seemed like the hands of [assistant U.S. Attorney Marie] Villafaña and the FBI were always tied by someone else with more authority," she said.
.
Jen , Sep 9 2019 0:28 utc | 63
Bevin @ 61:

No-one was talking about paedophilia on this comments thread until you decided to butt in and mention it. What are you trying to insinuate?

People were talking about trafficking young women, most of them from impoverished backgrounds or dysfunctional families afflicted by violence or alcoholism, and recruited with promises of easy wealth and security, as prostitutes / sex slaves for wealthy men. No-one was talking about consent laws.

The more you pontificate on this issue in the way you have done on past MoA comments forums and elsewhere, as though to muddy the conversation with irrelevant information about age of consent laws and how to slice-n-dice the definition of paedophilia, encourages people to suspect you have a hidden agenda, and perhaps not a pleasant one at that.

Jackrabbit , Sep 9 2019 0:44 utc | 64
bevin defends perversity with circular logic that will make your head spin.

40 year olds with 14 year olds? Its only natural, he claims. To think otherwise is defending the wealthy who have imposed this outrage upon us . Yeah, the old scumbags that want to bed 14 year olds TRICKED us into enacting bizarre laws that protect our children from them. LOL.

It would all be devilishly clever, if we were stupid enough to believe bevin's outlandish drivel.

Jackrabbit , Sep 9 2019 2:41 utc | 68
Why are 4 or 5 MoA regulars defending Epstein - weeks after his demise?

Who would defend Epstein except hasbara propagandists? They know that Epstein is Jewish and believed to be (with good reason!) a key member of a Mossad blackmail op.

It's almost comical to see them in action. @4 steven t johnson wraps his pro-Epstein views in the colors of democracy but his STFU message comes through loud and clear.

ben , Sep 9 2019 3:12 utc | 72
I don't get the confusion over the Pimp Epstein, perverse purveyor of young women to the rich and famous.

Ain't rocket science, it's as old as humanity..

uncle tungsten , Sep 9 2019 3:21 utc | 73
Thank you jackrabbit #68, the combined effort of the apologist team is disgusting and totally exposes their ulterior motive - to excuse the Maxwell and Wexner complicity in this ongoing crime. THESE TWO above all else must be protected by lowering the Maxwell Smart cone of silence.

Your succinct rebuttal is welcome as are the sane words of jen.

A User , Sep 9 2019 3:25 utc | 74
When I stumbled across the New Yorker article about the Epstein rock spider's control over MIT Media Labs, the first thing which occurred to me was "that's interesting, WTF does this MIT Media Labs thing do?"
After googling, duckduck going and yandexing this joint I am still none the wiser.
eg Check out this sleazy operation's wikipedia page & see if you become enlightened.

No? Same here, I particularly like this piece of what used to be called guff:

"Some recurring themes of work at the Media Lab include human adaptability,[18] human computer interaction, education and communication, artistic creation and visualization, and designing technology for the developing world. Other research focus includes machines with common sense, sociable robots, prosthetics, sensor networks, musical devices, city design, and public health. Research programs all include iterative development of prototypes which are tested and displayed for visitors"
.

Hmm not good, the news media is saturated with articles about how the rock spider would turn up to meetings with a female child on each arm, a couple of scientist virtue signalled how they would rescuse the children although none did, yet there isn't anything anywhere in any article which specifically deals with what was discussed. Isn't that rather odd?

I thought so then I came across this list of Media Lab spin off corporations .

Nearly all the corporations listed had links to their web site conveniently included which was handy since apart from Buzz Feed News I was unfamiliar with most.
I Haven't included any links altho the 'about page of Buzz Feed is an indication of their propaganda bent and the Crowd Supply page had me wondering if MIT Media Labs was about developing spy ware.
Well spyware and a lot of other nefarious shit I would say. No wonder MIT bosses rid themselves of Joi Ito so fast, not doing so would almost certainly have caused investigation of the Media Labs and could have caused some otherwise dutiful believers to wonder if MIT really was into 'academic objectivity'.

Peter AU 1 , Sep 9 2019 3:45 utc | 78
"WTF does this MIT Media Labs thing do?"

A good guess would be research regime change and population control, foreign and domestic.
From your wiki link ..
"The Media Lab was founded in 1985 by Nicholas Negroponte and former MIT President Jerome Wiesner, and is housed in the Wiesner Building (designed by I. M. Pei), also known as Building E15. The Lab has been written about in the popular press since 1988, when Stewart Brand published The Media Lab: Inventing the Future at M.I.T., and its work was a regular feature of technology journals in the 1990s. In 2009, it expanded into a second building"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Negroponte
"In August 2007, he was appointed to a five-member special committee with the objective of assuring the continued journalistic and editorial integrity and independence of the Wall Street Journal and other Dow Jones & Company publications and services"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal
"August 1, 2007, News Corporation and Dow Jones entered into a definitive merger agreement.[31] The US$5 billion sale added The Wall Street Journal to Rupert Murdoch's news empire, ..."

A User , Sep 9 2019 5:48 utc | 93
Well that is interesting as it seems many posters prefer discussing tabloid gossip whose effect is pretty much confined to the participants, than issues which could effect all of us.

Peter AU, one of the few who considered this highly relevant issue, has interpreted the Media Lab mission statement or WTF it is as, "research regime change and population control, foreign and domestic ", which it may well be that open ended guff at the site certainly doesn't preclude it but it also doesn't satisfy my point about how it is that everyone in journalism appears completely untroubled by the complete paucity of information that an organisation which troubles them because of its close relationship with a notorious rock spider, has been permitted to blithely skate through upon.
If this organisation is shady because it enabled Epstein's reprehensible behaviour surely that organ of democracy, a free press would also check out what it was that this organisation did to attract the largesse of a pedophile.
Incidentally FWIW, I have no doubt that the Epstein gang committed genuinely evil acts against children.

There was a link here a coupla months back to a Whitney Webb article which detailed how one of Epstein's 'girls' had been kidnapped off a NJ street when her mother went into a store to pay for some takeaway pizza. That 'young adult' was 11 years old and she had to endure an argument between Epstein & one of his clients about which one had the 'right'
to take her vaginal virginity after both had just sodomized her.
Tell me again this was just a bit of fun between some high spirited fellas.

I have known a few women 'on the game' in the course of my life and too many of them had horror stories of pre-teen rape and other abuse in their past for me to believe that it is all jolly hockeysticks and bluebells. I should also point out that where I live prostitution has been legal for more than 20 years.
It makes no difference because although some women are smart and self-motivated enough to dealt with the hypocrisy of a society which allows prostitution while is disparages the prostitutes, reality is that a majority of women hawk their forks because they have been made to feel that their vaginas are their sole marketable feature, and the disparagement they cop from nearly every part of society reinforces that.
People who have been subjected to abuse as a child frequently have a substandard education because for example, at the time other kids are asking their Dads to lend a hand with a science project, they are having to devote their time and energy to ensuring that they are never alone in a room with 'Dad'.

Peter AU 1 , Sep 9 2019 6:30 utc | 96
The MIT founder is associated with Murdoch who was a founding member of Reagan's perception management. The MIT's founder was put in charge of Murdoch's propaganda purchase to ensure editorial integrity.
MIT researches perception management.
The wheel revolves.
phiw13 , Sep 9 2019 6:54 utc | 97
@ A User | Sep 9 2019 5:48 utc | 94

MIT are the techbros par excellence . From the very early days of the "internet" and personal computers, they were at the forefront to popularises this thing (and making all its surveillance / spying / controlling origins.

See Yasha Levine's "Surveillance valley".

chu teh , Sep 9 2019 9:21 utc | 100
somebody | Sep 9 2019 7:58 utc | 100

..."We will develop a scenario for obtaining private funding," ...

Drug trade + weapons trade + energy prime sources trade [petroleum and U235 + nuclear reactors] operating under "cover of law" using "national security" as perfect cover to enable secret/off-the-books operations by private groups without actual government oversight. The surveillance/assassination state.

A. McCoy [Politics of Heroin in S Asia] explained how, under DeGaulle, France was able to covertly fund secret operations after WW2 using opiate drugs. The above is the natural extension of that successful policy.

That is Epstien's world. His pedophilia is a sensational attention grabber [Hey! Look at that red herring!] albeit despicable, so we do not see the rest.

All of us have been programmed, some more spinny than others but most unable to confront the utter lies of the collapse of WorkdTradeCenter Bldg. #7 or the JFK Magic Bullet or What were we doing killing millions in Viet Nam and leaving the legacy of unexploded bomblets and Agent Orange.

somebody , Sep 9 2019 9:32 utc | 101
Posted by: chu teh | Sep 9 2019 9:21 utc | 102

More Epstein's world

Jeffery Epstein was arrested on July 6 for the sex trafficking of minors within the US.

The billionaire shared the same personal network that included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, infamous Blackwater founder Erik Prince, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.

Israeli ties notwithstanding, the Carbyne investor and advisory board brought strong ties to the US military-industrial complex.

Michael Chertoff, who ran Homeland Security under former president George W. Bush, serves on Carbyne's advisory board. Chertoff wrote the Patriot Act, which authorised sweeping digital surveillance of Americans.

Peter Thiel, one of the founders of Paypal, Facebook and Palantir, is also a Carbyne investor.

Thiel is an avid Trump supporter, and is heavily invested in military and intelligence companies. Thiel's Palantir is described as making use of "war on terror tools to track American citizens".

Trae Stephens, another co-founder of Palantir, is on Carbyne's advisory board. Stephens also served as the head of Trump's Department of Defense transition team.

....


Given that Epstein spent only 13 months in jail for what appears to be a 38-year crime-spree, how did Epstein evade justice? The answer may lie in a gentlemen's agreement shaping the Israeli-US intelligence relationship. Essentially, spies can operate with impunity when both countries agree on the same security objectives.

With a technology and espionage sector rife with criminals like Epstein, Chinese and Russian oligarch investors; there is more than meets the eye to Israel's intelligence. More critically, its security industry may be more compromised and unrestricted than the rest of the world is able to recognise.

For nations not in the know, it could mean their security and privacy. For authoritarian leaders, the no-qualms approach Israel offers could be the opportunity of a lifetime.

somebody , Sep 9 2019 9:37 utc | 102
It is all a small world where everybody trades across party lines and countries.

Victims' lawyers Lisa Bloom and David Boies used to work for Harvey Weinstein involving Black Cube - Lisa Bloom advised on how to smear the accusers.

Mina , Sep 9 2019 10:50 utc | 105
Ref MIT lab
MIT establishes the trends in terms of nowadays Academia. US prestige. What is funded. Result: European and Arab sheeps aka decision makers going 100% technology, hard science and hyper-specialization.

Best way to avoid dissent, critical reflection, creativity.

You taxpayers did not wonder where has all the education money gone? Why were social sciences left deriving neuro? or humanities deriving statistics and computing?

steven t johnson , Sep 9 2019 14:18 utc | 109
ben@67 somehow thinks that if I remind anyone that the goal of the Epstein re-run is to paint the Democratic Party, almost officially known as the Democrat Party by Republicans, as a monstrous pedophile conspiracy operated by Jew gangsters, I am endorsing this madness.

It is of course people who excuse all the accomplices and all the families in this, tacitly insisting Epstein had demonic powers, while falsely equating rejection of this insane vicious scheme with defense of pedophilia who are promoting antisemitic pedophile=Democrat Party allegations. There is no decent motive for this. It is as contemptible as insisting the Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a real expose.

The horrible story about kidnapping an eleven year old girl off the street after the mom went into a pizzeria? This is an excellent example of the filthy hypocrites excusing all sorts of criminals so they can Jew bait pedophile Democrat Party monsters. When the mother walks out of the store, she reports a missing child.

Which police commander suppressed the report? When the girl resurfaces with this hideous tale, which police commander suppressed the investigation into the kidnapping? If the mother didn't report the rape at all, why not? Who transported the girl across state lines (the revised Mann Act is what the "new" charges are supposed to be about?) Instead of even wondering who did all these things---which Epstein didn't personally do---instead of caring about these criminals also going to jail at all, these dirtbags only want to talk about Trump's enemies being monsters and international Jewry, pretending that none of this can be investigated because Epstein's files have been disappeared. This is despicable.

b , Sep 9 2019 14:19 utc | 110

Jackrabbit , Sep 9 2019 15:34 utc | 111

steven t johnson @109:
... people ... who are promoting antisemitic pedophile=Democrat Party allegations.
The only one associating the Democratic Party with Epstein is YOU. You appear to be doing so as a device to intimidate and silence us.

But your bullshit doesn't work because:

>> Intelligence agencies don't care about political divisions. A large-scale blackmail op like Epstein's would ensnare people across the political spectrum.

>> There are still suspicions regarding Trump despite no direct evidence that he got "massages". The video of him scoping out girls with Epstein (and Ghislaine in the background) is damning enough.

>> Jews are significant donors to BOTH parties.

>> US establishment support for Israel is bi-partisan.

>> Epstein, Ghislaine, Wexner, and Dershowitz are all Jewish. They are the principals and most prominent people involved. I'd guess that billionaire Wexner is republican while we know that Dershowitz is a Democrat.

>> Witney Webb at mintpressnews.com has described a history of blackmail ops by Jews in USA that preceded Epstein (Lewis Rosenstiel, Meyer Lansky, Roy Cohn). It's not antisemitic to take note of this anymore than it would be anti-Italian to note that the mafia is run by Italian families. And this history has nothing to do with partisan politics.

Mina , Sep 9 2019 17:12 utc | 117
How funds end up in 'trending labs' that 'research' nothing else but marketing.
https://slate.com/technology/2019/09/mit-media-lab-jeffrey-epstein-joi-ito-moral-rot.html?via=gdpr-consent
and how the US impose a model of 'money has no smell'
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/08/opinion/joichi-ito.html

[Sep 09, 2019] Epstein Connection to CIA and DynCorp

Notable quotes:
"... Epstein's arrest has been a shock really. I never thought the day would come where he would actually face the rest of his life in prison. Perhaps, as others have suggested, he's being thrown under the bus to protect the un-named co-conspirators who also received blanket immunity in his sweet-heart plea deal. (Clintons? Trump? Podesta? Hastert? Dershowitz? Summers? Spacey?...) ..."
Sep 09, 2019 | steemit.com

Disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein is being charged as a child molester molestation involving "dozens of minor girls" as young as 14 between 2002 and 2005, according to an unsealed indictment released by prosecutors.

This is a separate from last weeks court order for documents which may contain the names of high-level individuals. The indictment says he "sexually exploited and abused dozens of minor girls at his homes in Manhattan... and Palm Beach."

Epstein apparently used recruiters to help him create "a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit in locations including New York and Palm Beach" . Receruiters are how these sex trafficking groups and sex cults like NXIVM work. Miami Herald Investigative Reporter Julie K. Brown mentioned how there are many more victims who she hopes come forward.

"They were taken advantage of by someone who knew how to prey upon them and groom them to do things he wanted them to do."

The Miami Herald previously exposed how the current U.S. labor secretary Alex Acosta violated federal law he swore to uphold when he gave Epstein the deal without clearing it with his victims.

"The Miami Herald last year published a series of articles reporting that the top federal prosecutor in southern Florida at the time, Alex Acosta, worked with Epstein's lawyers to fashion the deal. Acosta, now the U.S. labor secretary, violated federal law when he failed to clear the federal non-prosecution agreement with many of Epstein's alleged victims, a federal judge ruled in February."

The Herald apparently found 60 victims, some who were 14 and 15 years old, who were also trafficked with 25 to 30 others.

The sex trafficking network has connections to the CIA and DynCorp. A special report on Occurrences: Foreign and Domestic identified Epstein's suspected trafficking vehicle, a small plane, which had the "same tail number as a State department Bronco used under contract by DynCorp." This is the same plane that was involve din DynCorp sex trafficking of minors in the Balkans.

Most of the business DynCorp had by 2003 came from the CIA. Wired wrote of the importance of DynCorp in 2003:

DynCorp represents nothing less than the future of national security. While outfits like Raytheon make their money developing weapons systems, DynCorp offers the military an alternative to itself. In 2002, the company took in $2.3 billion doing what you probably thought was Pentagon work. DynCorp planes and pilots fly the defoliation missions that are the centerpiece of Plan Colombia.

Armed DynCorp employees constitute the core of the police force in Bosnia. DynCorp troops protect Afghan president Hamid Karzai. DynCorp manages the border posts between the US and Mexico, many of the Pentagon's weapons-testing ranges, and the entire Air Force One fleet of presidential planes and helicopters. During the Persian Gulf War, it was DynCorp employees, not soldiers, who serviced and rearmed American combat choppers, and it's DynCorp's people, not military personnel, who late last year began "forward deploying" equipment and ammunition to the Middle East in preparation for war with Iraq.

DynCorp inventories everything seized by the Justice Department's Asset Forfeiture Program, runs the Naval Air Warfare Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, and is producing the smallpox and anthrax vaccines the government may use to inoculate everyone in the United States.

It stands to reason that the CIA was involved in sex trafficking as part of their operations at the time, possibly for their own operatives or other soldiers who had these perverted predilections. The operation may have been multi-national, with who knows how many planes trafficking girls in various areas of the world for sexual exploitation by the powerful rich or military men.


References:


Thank you for your time and attention. Peace. v4vapid ( 72 ) · 2 months ago (edited) Fun Fact: my very first post on Steemit was about Epstein and his connections to America's oligarchy. Epstein is/was also a member of the Trilateral Commission, the CFR and very closely connected to Harvard law school.

The connections to Dyncorp are tangible - for anyone interested in this connection fellow steemian @rebelskum wrote a self published e-book on the subject from his investigation into the contractor.

dyn1.png

The Epstein case is a giant iceberg with much more below the surface, with tentacles connecting a seemingly unconnected network of child abuse rings on an international scale.

Epstein's arrest has been a shock really. I never thought the day would come where he would actually face the rest of his life in prison. Perhaps, as others have suggested, he's being thrown under the bus to protect the un-named co-conspirators who also received blanket immunity in his sweet-heart plea deal. (Clintons? Trump? Podesta? Hastert? Dershowitz? Summers? Spacey?...)

Will be following this very closely, thanks for keeping us up to date!

theouterlight ( 72 ) · 2 months ago I forgot about that story about the tail number and the airplane, otherwise would have talked about that in my last vid. Great article btw!

[Sep 09, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein His Accomplices, His Victims, His Powerful and Possibly Official Entanglements

Epstein scandal does not begin and does not ends with Epstein. It was pioneers by Meyer Lansky and OSS. It was continued by J. Edgar Hoover and
Sep 08, 2019 | jessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.com
Jeffrey Epstein: His Accomplices, His Victims, His Powerful and Possibly Official Entanglements
"Yet, as this report will show, all of these rings -- and more -- were connected to the same network that involved key figures linked to the Reagan White House and linked to Roy Cohn -- revealing the true scope of the sordid sexual blackmail operations and sex rings that involved the trafficking of children within the U.S. and even in Central America for their exploitation by dangerous and powerful pedophiles in the United States.

Appalling for both the villainous abuse of children itself and the chilling implications of government by blackmail, this tangled web of unsavory alliances casts a lurid light on the political history of the United States from the Prohibition Era right up to the present day and the Age of Trump, a fact made increasingly clear as more and more information comes to light in relation to the Jeffrey Epstein case."

Whitney Webb, Too Big to Fail: Government By Blackmail

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Ephesians 6:12

Posted by Jesse at 6:09 PM Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest

Category: blackmail , bullet or the bribe , political corruption

[Sep 08, 2019] Kidnapping as a tool of imperial statecraft by The Saker

Sep 08, 2019 | www.unz.com

There is nothing new about empires taking hostages and using them to put pressure on whatever rebel group needs to reminded "who is boss". The recent arrest in Italy of Alexander Korshunov , the director for business development at Russia's United Engine Corporation (UEC), is really nothing new but just the latest in a long string of kidnappings. And, as I already mentioned in distant 2017 , that kind of thuggery is not a sign of strength but, in fact, a sign of weakness. Remember Michael Ledeen's immortal words about how "" Every ten years or so, the United States needs to pick up some small crappy little country and throw it against the wall, just to show the world we mean business "? Well, you could say that this latest spat of kidnappings is indicative of the same mindset and goal, just on a much smaller, individual, scale. And, finally, it ain't just Russia, we all know about the kidnapping of Huawei's CFO Meng Wanzhou by the Canadian authorities .

By the way, you might wonder how can I speak of "kidnapping" when, in reality, these were legal arrests made by the legitimate authorities of the countries in which these arrests were made? Simple! As I mentioned last week , words matter and to speak of an "arrest" in this case wrongly suggest that 1) some crime was committed (when in reality there is ZERO evidence of that, hence the talk of "conspiracy" to do something illegal) 2) that this crime was investigated and that the authorities have gathered enough evidence to justify an arrest and 3) that the accused will have a fair trial. None of that applies to the cases of Viktor Bout , Konstantin Iaroshenko , Marina Butina or, for that matter, Meng Wanzhou or Wang Weijing . The truth is that these so-called "arrests" are simple kidnappings, the goal is hostage taking with the goal to either 1) try to force Russia (and China) to yield to US demands or 2) try to "get back" at Russia (and China) following some humiliating climb down by the US Administration (this was also the real reason behind the uncivilized seizure of Russian diplomatic buildings in the USA).

This is not unlike what the Gestapo and the SS liked to do during WWII and their kidnapping of hostages was also called "arrest" by the then state propaganda machine. By the way, the Bolsheviks also did a lot of that during the civil war, but on a much larger scale. In reality, both in the case of the Nazi authorities and in the case of the imperial USA, as soon as a person is arrested he/she is subjected to solitary confinement and other forms of psychological torture (Manning or Assange anybody?!) in order to either make them break or to at least show Russia and China that the US, being the World Hegemon gets to seize anybody worldwide, be it by a CIA kidnapping team or by using local colonial law enforcement authorities (aka local police forces).

US politicians love to "send messages" and this metaphor is used on a daily basis by US officials in all sorts of circumstances. Here the message is simple: we can do whatever the hell we want, and there ain't nothing you can do about it!

But is that last statement really true?

Well, in order to reply to this we should look at the basic options available to Russia (this also applies to China, but here I want to focus on the Russian side of the issue). I guess the basic list of options is pretty straightforward:

Publicly protest and denounce these kidnappings as completely illegal (and immoral to boot!) Retaliate by using legal means (sanctions, cancellation of agreements, etc.) Retaliate by using extra-legal means (counter-kidnappings, not unlike what China allegedly decided to do in the case of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor )

Frankly, in the case of the USA, options one and two are useless: the AngloZionist leaders have long given up any hope of not being hated and despised by 99% of mankind and they have long dropped any pretense of legality, nevermind morality: they don't give a damn what anybody thinks. Their main concern is to conceal their immense weakness, but they fail to do so time and time again. Truly, when wannabe "empires" can't even bring an extremely weakened country such as Venezuela to heel, there ain't much they can do to boot their credibility. If anything, this thuggery is nothing more than the evidence of a mind-blowing weakness of the Empire.

But that weakness in no way implies that Russia and China have good options. Sadly, they don't.

Russia can engage in various types of sanctions, ranging from the petty bureaucratic harassment of US representations, diplomats, businessmen and the like to economic and political retaliations. But let's not kid ourselves, there is very little Russia can do to seriously hurt the USA with such retaliations. Many would advocate retaliation in kind, but that poses a double problem for the Kremlin:

some are more equal than others " and that that which is "allowed" to the World Hegemon is categorically forbidden to everybody else. Thus if Russia retaliates in kind, there will be an explosion of hysterical protests not only by the western legacy corporate and state ziomedia, but also from the 5 th columnist in the Russian "liberal" press.

And yes, unlike the USA, Russia does have a vibrant, diverse and pluralistic media and each time when Putin agrees to a press conference (especially one several hours long) he knows that he will be asked the tough, unpleasant, questions. But since he, unlike most western leaders, can intelligently answer them he does not fear them. As for Dmitrii Peskov and Maria Zakharova, they have heard it all a gazillion during the past years, including often the most ridiculously biased, mis-informed and outright ridiculous "questions" (accusations, really) from the western presstitute corps in Russia.

So yes, Russia could, in theory, retaliate by arresting US citizens in Russia (or by staging Cold War type provocations) or by kidnapping them abroad (Russia does have special forces trained for this kind of operation). But this is most unlikely to yield any meaningful results and it would create a PR nightmare for the Kremlin.

ORDER IT NOW

The truth is that in most of these cases we always come down to the fundamental dichotomy: on one hand we have a rogue state gone bonkers with imperial hubris, arrogance and crass ignorance (say, the USA and/or Israel) while on the other we have states which try to uphold a civilized international order (Russia, China, Iran, etc.). This is by logical necessity a lop-sided struggle in which the thugs will almost always have the advantage.

Kevin Frost , says: September 7, 2019 at 12:05 pm GMT

I see that not everyone believes in an eye for an eye. Bless your religion sir. If I had the power to call down blessings, which I don't, I'd have to make that a double order. You are twice blessed for saying, out loud, publicly and all, that the Soviet Union did not fall, nor did anyone push it over. It was not about the price of oil or the cost of wheat or even the darkness that lurks in the depths of mens souls. It was dismantled by its own chief executive officers and it fell apart precisely because its officials still did their jobs. People have all sorts of strong feelings about this, understandably so, yet is it well to stick to the truth. I agree with you on this matter thought it's difficult to endure such provocative and insulting evils. In past struggles with Europe, Russia has proven itself capable and willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve its aims. A determined stance on the part of the leaders puts a burden on the people. But as well, it empowers them to. In this way they succeed.
renfro , says: September 8, 2019 at 4:37 am GMT
Captain Hook to Captain Kumar of the runaway oil tanker lol peter pan clowns running the State Department.

"This is Brian Hook . . . I work for secretary of state Mike Pompeo and serve as the US Representative for Iran," Mr Hook wrote to Akhilesh Kumar on August 26, according to several emails seen by the Financial Times. "I am writing with good news."

"With this money you can have any life you wish and be well-off in old age," Mr Hook wrote in a second email to Mr Kumar that also included a warning. "If you choose not to take this easy path, life will be much harder for you."

[Sep 06, 2019] 9-11 and Jeffrey Epstein Media Malfeasance on Steroids by Kevin Barrett

It is not vey clear for whom Epstein used to work. Mossad connection is just one hypothesis. What sovereign state would allow compromising politician by a foreign intelligence service. This just does not compute.
But the whole tone of discussion below clearly point to the crisis of legitimacy of neoliberal elite. And Russiagate had shown that the elite cares about it and tried to patch the cracks.
Sep 06, 2019 | www.unz.com

As Eric Rasmusen writes: "Everybody, it seems, in New York society knew by 2000 that Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were corrupting teenage girls, but the press wouldn't cover it." Likewise, everybody in New York society has long known that Larry Silverstein, who bought the asbestos-riddled white elephant World Trade Center in July 2001 and immediately doubled the insurance, is a mobbed-up friend of Netanyahu and a confessed participant in the controlled demolition of Building 7 , from which he earned over 700 million insurance dollars on the pretext that al-Qaeda had somehow brought it down. But the press won't cover that either.

The New York Times , America's newspaper of record, has the investigative talent and resources to expose major corruption in New York. Why did the Times spend almost two decades ignoring the all-too-obvious antics of Epstein and Silverstein? Why is it letting the absurd tale of Epstein's alleged suicide stand? Why hasn't it used the work of Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth -- including the brand-new University of Alaska study on the controlled demolition of WTC-7 -- to expose the biggest scandal of the 21 st century, if not all of American history?

The only conceivable answer is that The New York Times is somehow complicit in these monstrous crimes. It must be protecting its friends in high places. So who are those friends, and where are those high places?

One thing Epstein and Silverstein have in common, besides names ending in "-stein," is alleged involvement in the illicit sex industry. Epstein's antics, or at least some of them, are by now well-known. Not so for Silverstein, who apparently began his rags-to-9/11-riches story as a pimp supplying prostitutes and nude dancers to the shadier venues of NYC, alongside other illicit activities including "the heroin trade, money laundering and New York Police corruption." All of this was exposed in a mid-1990s lawsuit. But good luck finding any investigative reports in The New York Times .

Another Epstein-Silverstein connection is their relationships to major American Jewish organizations. Even while he was allegedly pimping girls and running heroin, Larry Silverstein served as president for United Jewish Appeal of New York. As for Epstein, he was the boy toy and protégé of Les Wexner, co-founder of the Mega Group of Jewish billionaires associated with the World Jewish Congress, the Anti-Defamation League, and other pro-Israel groups. Indeed, there is no evidence that "self-made billionaire" Epstein ever earned significant amounts of money; his only investment "client" was Les Wexner. Epstein, a professional sexual blackmailer, used his supposed billionaire status as a cover story. In fact, he was just an employee working for Wexner and associated criminal/intelligence networks.

Which brings us to the third and most important Epstein-Silverstein similarity: They were both close to the government of Israel. Jeffrey Epstein's handler was Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of Mossad super-spy Robert Maxwell; among his friends was Ehud Barak, who is currently challenging Netanyahu for leadership of Israel. Larry Silverstein, too, has friends in high Israeli places. According to Haaretz , Silverstein has "close ties with Netanyahu" (speaking to him on the phone every weekend) as well as with Ehud Barak, "whom Silverstein in the past offered a job as his representative in Israel" and who called Silverstein immediately after 9/11.

We may reasonably surmise that both Jeffrey Epstein and Larry Silverstein have been carrying on very important work on behalf of the state of Israel. And we may also surmise that this is the reason The New York Times has been covering up the scandals associated with both Israeli agents for almost two decades. The Times , though it pretends to be America's newspaper of record, has always been Jewish-owned-and-operated. Its coverage has always been grotesquely distorted in favor of Israel . It has no interest in exposing the way Israel controls the United States by blackmailing its leaders (Epstein) and staging a fake "Arab-Muslim attack on America" (Silverstein). The awful truth is that The New York Times is part of the same Jewish-Zionist " we control America " network as Jeffrey Epstein and Larry Silverstein.

Epstein "Suicide" Illustrates Zionist Control of USA -- and the Decadence and Depravity of Western Secularism

Since The New York Times and other mainstream media won't go there, let's reflect on the facts and lessons of the Jeffrey Epstein suicide scandal -- a national disgrace that ought to shock Americans into rethinking their worldviews in general, and their views on the official myth of 9/11 in particular.

On Saturday, August 10, 2019, convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was allegedly found dead in his cell at Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York City, one of America's most corrupt prisons. The authorities claim Epstein hanged himself. But nobody, not even the presstitutes of America's corporate propaganda media, convincingly pretends to believe the official story.

Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile pimp to presidents and potentates. His job was recruiting young girls for sex, then offering them to powerful men -- in settings outfitted with hidden video cameras. When police raided his New York townhouse on July 6-7 2019 they found locked safes full of pornographic pictures of underage girls, along with piles of compact discs labeled "young (name of girl) + (name of VIP)." Epstein had been openly and brazenly carrying on such activities for more than two decades, as reported throughout most of that period by alternative media outlets including my own Truth Jihad Radio and False Flag Weekly News . (Even before the 2016 elections, my audience knew that both Bill Clinton and Donald Trump were blackmailed clients of Jeffrey Epstein, that Clinton was a frequent flyer on Epstein's "Lolita Express" private jet, and that Trump had been credibly accused in a lawsuit of joining Epstein in the brutal rape of a 13-year-old, to whom Trump then allegedly issued death threats.) It was only in the summer of 2019 that mainstream media and New York City prosecutors started talking about what used to be consigned to the world of "conspiracy theories."

So who was Epstein working for? His primary employer was undoubtedly the Israeli Mossad and its worldwide Zionist crime network. Epstein's handler was Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of Mossad super-spy Robert Maxwell. According to sworn depositions, Ghislaine Maxwell recruited underage girls for Epstein and oversaw his sex trafficking operations. As the New Yorker reported August 16: "In court papers that were unsealed on August 9th, it was alleged that Maxwell had been Epstein's central accomplice, first as his girlfriend, and, later, as his trusted friend and procuress, grooming a steady stream of girls, some as young as fourteen, coercing them to have sex with Epstein at his various residences around the world, and occasionally participating in the sexual abuse herself." Alongside Maxwell, Epstein's other Mossad handler was Les Wexner, co-founder of the notorious Mega Group of billionaire Israeli spies , who appears to have originally recruited the penniless Epstein and handed him a phony fortune so Epstein could pose as a billionaire playboy.

Even after Epstein's shady "suicide" mega-Mossadnik Maxwell continued to flaunt her impunity from American justice. She no doubt conspired to publicize the August 15 New York Post photograph of herself smiling and looking "chillingly serene" at In-And-Out-Burger in Los Angeles, reading The Book of Honor: The Secret Lives and Deaths of C.I.A. Operatives . That nauseating photo inspired the New Yorker to accuse her of having "gall" -- a euphemism for the Yiddish chutzpah , a quality that flourishes in the overlapping Zionist and Kosher Nostra communities.

Maxwell and The New York Post , both Kosher Nostra/Mossad assets, were obviously sending a message to the CIA: Don't mess with us or we will expose your complicity in these scandalous crimes. That is the Mossad's standard operating procedure: Infiltrate and compromise Western intelligence services in order to prevent them from interfering with the Zionists' over-the-top atrocities. According to French historian Laurent Guyénot's hypothesis, the CIA's false flag fake assassination attempt on President John F. Kennedy, designed to be blamed on Cuba, was transformed by Mossad into a real assassination -- and the CIA couldn't expose it due to its own complicity. (The motive: Stop JFK from ending Israel's nuclear program.) The same scenario, Guyénot argues, explains the anomalies of the Mohamed Merah affair , the Charlie Hebdo killings, and the 9/11 false flag operation. It would not be surprising if Zionist-infiltrated elements of the CIA were made complicit in Jeffrey Epstein's sexual blackmail activities, in order to protect Israel in the event Epstein had to be "burned" (which is apparently what has finally occurred).

So what really happened to Epstein? Perhaps the most likely scenario is that the Kosher Nostra, which owns New York in general and the mobbed-up MCC prison in particular, allowed the Mossad to exfiltrate Epstein to Occupied Palestine, where he will be given a facelift, a pension, a luxury suite overlooking the Mediterranean, and a steady stream of young sex slaves (Israel is the world's capital of human trafficking, an honor it claimed from the Kosher Nostra enclaves of Odessa after World War II). Once the media heat wave blows over, Epstein will undoubtedly enjoy visits from his former Mossad handler Ghislaine Maxwell, his good friend Ehud Barak, and various other Zionist VIPs. He may even offer fresh sex slaves to visiting American congressmen.

This is not just a paranoid fantasy scenario. According to Eric Rasmusen : "The Justice Dept. had better not have let Epstein's body be cremated. And they'd better give us convincing evidence that it's his body. If I had $100 million to get out of jail with, acquiring a corpse and bribing a few people to switch fingerprints and DNA wouldn't be hard. I find it worrying that the government has not released proof that Epstein is dead or a copy of the autopsy."

But didn't the alleged autopsy reportedly find broken neck bones that are more commonly associated with strangulation murders than suicides? That controversy may have been scripted to distract the public from an insider report on 4chan , first published before the news of Epstein's "suicide" broke, that Epstein had been "switched out" of MCC. If so, the body with the broken neck bones wasn't Epstein's.

The Epstein affair (like 9/11) illustrates two critically important truths about Western secularism: there is no truth, and there are no limits. A society that no longer believes in God no longer believes in truth, since God is al-haqq, THE truth, without Whom the whole notion of truth has no metaphysical basis. The postmodern philosophers understand this perfectly well. They taught a whole generation of Western humanities scholars that truth is merely a function of power: people accept something as "true" to the extent that they are forced by power to accept it. So when the most powerful people in the world insist that three enormous steel-frame skyscrapers were blown to smithereens by relatively modest office fires on 9/11, that absurd assertion becomes the official "truth" as constructed by such Western institutions as governments, courts, media, and academia. Likewise, the assertion that Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide under circumstances that render that assertion absurd will probably become the official "truth" as recorded and promulgated by the West's ruling institutions, even though nobody will ever really believe it.

Epstein's career as a shameless, openly-operating Mossad sexual blackmailer -- like the in-your-face 9/11 coup -- also illustrates another core truth of Western secularism: If there is no God, there are no limits (in this case, to human depravity and what it can get away with). Or as Dostoevsky famously put it: "If God does not exist, everything is permitted." Since God alone can establish metaphysically-grounded limits between what is permitted and what is forbidden, a world without God will feature no such limits; in such a world Aleister Crowley's satanic motto "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law" becomes the one and only commandment. In today's Godless West, why should men not "do what they wilt" and indulge their libidos by raping young girls if they can get away with it? After all, all the other sexual taboos are being broken, one by one. Fornication, adultery, homosexuality, sadomasochism, gender-bending all of these have been transformed during my lifetime from crimes and vices to "human rights" enjoyed by the most liberal and fashionable right-thinking Western secularists. Even bestiality and necrophilia are poised to become normalized "sexual identities" whose practitioners will soon be proudly marching in "bestiality pride" and "necrophilia pride" parades. So why not normalize pedophilia and other forms of rape perpetrated by the strong against the weak? And why not add torture and murder in service to sexual gratification? After all, the secret bible of the sexual identity movement is the collected works of the Marquis de Sade, the satanic prophet of sexual liberation, with whom the liberal progressivist secular West is finally catching up. It will not be surprising if, just a few years after the Jeffrey Epstein "suicide" is consigned to the memory hole, we will be witnessing LGBTQBNPR parades, with the BNPR standing for bestiality, necrophilia, pedophilia, and rape. (It would have been LGBTQBNPRG, with the final G standing for Gropers like President Trump, except that the G was already taken by the gays.) The P's, pioneers of pedophile pride parades, will undoubtedly celebrate Jeffrey Epstein as an ahead-of-his-time misunderstood hero who was unjustly persecuted on the basis of his unusual sexual orientation.

It is getting harder and harder to satirize the decadence and depravity of the secular West, which insists on parodying itself with ever-increasing outlandishness. When the book on this once-mighty civilization is written, and the ink is dry, readers will be astounded by the limitless lies of the drunk-on-chutzpah psychopaths who ran it into the ground.


NoseytheDuke , says: September 5, 2019 at 4:30 am GMT

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought Lucky Larry only leased the WTC buildings rather than actually purchased them. I think I have read that his investment was in the region of 150 mill for which he has recouped a whopping 4 bill.
Wizard of Oz , says: September 5, 2019 at 4:42 am GMT
Would you please answer a preliminary question before I put finishing this on my busy agenda? You stake a fair bit of your credit on what you say about Larry Silverstein and insurance. My present understanding is that the insurance cover for WTC 1 and 2 was increased as a routine part of the financing deal he had made for a purchase which was only months old. Not true? Not the full story? Convince us.

As to WTC 7 my understanding is that he had owned the building for some years and had not recently increased the insurance. Not true? And when did any clause get into his WTC7 insurance contract which might have had some effect on inflating the payout?

Fozzy Bear , says: September 5, 2019 at 4:55 am GMT
“Trump had been credibly accused in a lawsuit of joining Epstein in the brutal rape of a 13-year-old, to whom Trump then allegedly issued death threats.)”
The “Katie Johnson” case collapsed in 2016 when it was revealed that “she” was in fact a middle-aged man, a stringer for the Jerry Springer show. Just another Gloria Allred fraud.
nsa , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:26 am GMT
“a society that no longer believes in god no longer believes in the truth, since god is the truth….blah blah blah”
This is thin gruel indeed…..just silly platitudes from a muzzie convert. There are at least 100 billion galaxies in the universe with each galaxy containing as many as 100 billion stars. And there is no telling how many universes there are. Does anyone really believe Barrett’s preferred deity takes a time out from running this vast empire to service Barrett’s yearning for “truth”? Just goes to prove that humans will believe almost any idea as long as it’s sufficiently idiotic.
utu , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:47 am GMT
The release of Prof. J. Leroy Hulsey report on the finite element analysis of the WTC7 collapse should be a big news.

http://ine.uaf.edu/wtc7

http://ine.uaf.edu/media/222439/uaf_wtc7_draft_report_09-03-2019.pdf

Conclusion form the EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

“The principal conclusion of our study is that fire did not cause the collapse of WTC 7 on 9/11, contrary to the conclusions of NIST and private engineering firms that studied the collapse.”

“It is our conclusion based upon these findings that the collapse of WTC 7 was a global failure involving the near-simultaneous failure of all columns in the building and not a progressive collapse involving the sequential failure of columns throughout the building.”

WorkingClass , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:47 am GMT
Trump is Israel’s best friend. Right? So why is the Jew York Times trying to destroy him? I don’t get it.
Mark James , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:52 am GMT
Speaking of the truth v. parody I’d really rather work on the cause of Epstein’s death –yes I think he’s dead– suicide or strangulation ?
There are some things the Justice Dept. could do if they wanted to. Why they apparently didn’t want to expose the corpse in greater detail, let media view the cell, have correspondent(s) interview the ex- cellmate of Epstein, et.al just leads to suspicions. This is something they should have to answer for . That includes AG Barr. Trump could make it happen–like every thing else– if Barr says no. The President won’t.

... ... ...

utu , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:58 am GMT
Dostoyevsky with his “If God does not exist, everything is permitted.” overlooked the Jewish God who permits much more when it comes to Jewish gentile relations. The Jewish God is not limited by the Kant’s First Moral Imperative. The Jewish God’s moral laws are not universal. They are context dependent according to the Leninist Who, whom rule.
utu , says: September 5, 2019 at 6:00 am GMT

Not so for Silverstein, who apparently began his rags-to-9/11-riches story as a pimp supplying prostitutes and nude dancers to the shadier venues of NYC, alongside other illicit activities including “the heroin trade, money laundering and New York Police corruption.”

I would like to see more about the beginnings of Silverstein’s career.

BlackDragon , says: September 5, 2019 at 6:19 am GMT
Good work Kevin, Irrelevant exactly what Silverstein did in way of insurance.The FACT is that WTC7 DID NOT FALL due to fires. Neither did WTC1 or 2. The 6 million dollar question is ‘WHO put the ‘bang’ in the building?’ to bring them down, by what ever means. Im in favour of nukes for 1 and 2.
Answer that! Why isnt Silverstein arrested? I think Kevin provided the answer in the article..
Antares , says: September 5, 2019 at 6:27 am GMT
I liked the article but skipped the part about some god. Nothing matches intellectual integrity.

“It is getting harder and harder to satirize the decadence and depravity of the secular West”

This is the same line of reasoning as Vltchek’s but then from a(nother) religious point of view.

The Duke of Dork , says: September 5, 2019 at 6:28 am GMT
I just stumbled onto your article from a link on reddit, r/epstein. You make some convincing arguments. I was thrilled that you brought 9/11 into this – because the Epstein “suicide” and how it is being covered reminds me so much of how I felt after 9/11 and the run-up to the war. -But you lost me at the end with the stuff about Godless secularism. I’ve read the bible and it is not the answer to what’s wrong with the world.
Sean , says: September 5, 2019 at 6:31 am GMT

Why did the Times spend almost two decades ignoring the all-too-obvious antics of Epstein and Silverstein? Why is it letting the absurd tale of Epstein’s alleged suicide stand?

One thing cannot be denied : Epstein was arrested, denied bail and jailed awaiting trail on a Federal indictment for much the same offence he had pleaded guilty to a decade ago, which did not involve even a single homicide yet made him universally reviled and in as much trouble with the legal system as a man could be (almost certain never to get out again). Epstein was in far more trouble that anyone of his financial resources has ever been, but then that was for paying for sex acts with young teen girls.

What an awesomely impressive testament to the impunity enjoyed by the Jewish elite Epstein is. It is no wonder that Larry Silverstein was insouciant about the risks of a Jewish lightning fraud controlled demolition killing thousands of people in a building he had just bought and increased the insurance coverage of. After all, it wasn’t anything serious like paying for getting hundreds of handjobs from underage girls. And it is not like someone like the Pizzagate nut that fired his AR15 into underground child molestation complex beneath the Dems restaurant/pedophile centre would take all those WTC deaths seriously enough to shoot at him just because of inevitable internet accusations of mass murder. Mr Barrett, why don’t you step up and do it, thereby proving you believe the things you say .

Macon Richardson , says: September 5, 2019 at 7:11 am GMT
@NoseytheDuke Yes, he leased the World Trade Center buildings one and two from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He built World Trade Center building seven, having acquired a ground lease from Port Authority.

I can’t imagine why you ask this question in a public venue. I found the answer in less than one minute on the internet.

I assume the insurance policies were for the present value of his net profits for the duration of the leases.

Lastoknow , says: September 5, 2019 at 7:26 am GMT
I recall reading about this guy prior to the event. I believe it was USATODAY . He and a silent partner had bought the complex with a down of 63million and had it insured for 7billion. I thought it odd that the port authority would let go of the property at the time.
As the building deficiencies became known afterwards,my thoughts were along the line of insurance fraud.
I came across a copy of the rand Corp “state of the world 2000” which accurately describes the scenario and resulting culture of terror as “one possible future “…. funny how it’s taken all these years to discover this website.
Sean , says: September 5, 2019 at 9:08 am GMT

Indeed, there is no evidence that “self-made billionaire” Epstein ever earned significant amounts of money.

Good thing that Wexner is Jewish so we can discount the possibility that he was telling the truth the other month when he said that Epstein stole vast amounts of Wexner money

his only investment “client” was Les Wexner

Clever of Wexner to give Epstein 80 million dollars to deliberately lose.
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/07/jeffrey-epstein-lost-usd80-million-in-hedge-fund-bet-gone-bad.html

Alongside Maxwell, Epstein’s other Mossad handler was Les Wexner, co-founder of the notorious Mega Group of billionaire Israeli spies

Wexner and his fellow Mossad spy Maxwell leaving Virginia Roberts alive to repeatedly sue them, and use the world”s media to accuse them of sexually abusing, trafficking, pimping her out to VIPs, and fiming the trysts was a brilliant way to keep everything a secret.

Mossad handler Ghislaine Maxwell, his good friend Ehud Barak, and various other Zionist VIPs.

Yes, they are the greatest covert operatives ever.

Just another serf , says: September 5, 2019 at 9:45 am GMT
Epstein’s crimes are simple breaches of etiquette when compared to Silverstein. I believe the term “Silverstein valleys” has been used to describe the melted granite discovered beneath the former towers, Silverstein grins widely in interviews, while so many suffered horribly.

One might even consider the 9/11 deaths to be something of a “holocaust”. Certainly one of the most evil human beings to have walked the Earth.

Whitewolf , says: September 5, 2019 at 10:11 am GMT
@Wizard of Oz Silverstein said he gave the okay for wtc 7 to be “pulled”. The building was on fire at the time. Either someone wired it to be pulled while it was on fire and already damaged or it was wired for demolition beforehand. The second scenario seems a lot more likely. In that case all the insurance contract details are largely irrelevant to the bigger picture.
Twodees Partain , says: September 5, 2019 at 10:54 am GMT
The idea that the CIA is somehow independent of Mossad and that Mossad would have to warn the CIA off of the Epstein matter is implausible to me. Guyenot’s hypothesis tends to give cover to the CIA in the assassination of JFK by claiming that the CIA plot was set in motion as some sort of attempt to control JFK and that it was hijacked into an actual assassination by Mossad. That just isn’t credible.

It’s much more accurate to observe that the CIA was erected by the same zionists who oversaw the creation of Israel and later the forming of Mossad, and that the two agencies have been joined at the hip ever since.

anon [383] • Disclaimer , says: September 5, 2019 at 11:33 am GMT
@WorkingClass Bad cop good cop. NYT is trying to destroy him . Israel says to him :” send this , do this ,allow us to do this , increase this by this amount , and we will make sure that in final analysis you don’t get hurt ”
Trump possibly knows that the only people who could hurt him is the Jewish people of power .

Has NYT ever criticized Trump for relocating embassy , recognizing Golan, for allowing Israel use Anerican resources to hit Syria or Gaza , for allowing Israel drag US into more military involvement. for allowing Israel wage war against Gaza ,? Has NYT ever explored the dynamics behind abrogation of JCPOA and application of more sanctions?

NYT has focused on Russia gate knowing in advance that it has no merit and no public traction, Is it hurting Trump or itself ?

Kevin Barrett , says: • Website September 5, 2019 at 12:25 pm GMT
@NoseytheDuke It was a 100 year lease, which is better described by the word purchase .
anon [383] • Disclaimer , says: September 5, 2019 at 12:28 pm GMT
People with normal IQ would believe that Epstein killed himself, if the following took place –

Media day and night asking questions about him from 360 degree of inquiries

1 why the surveillance video were not functioning despite the serious nature of the charges against a man who could rat out a lot in court against powerful people
2 why the coroner initially thought that Epstein was murdered
3 how many guards and how many fell asleep?
4 who and why allowed the spin story around Epstein brilliance and high IQ build up over the years ?
5 how does Epstein come to get linked to non -Jews people who have absolute loyalty to Israel
6 how did Epstein get involved with Jewish leaders ?
7 How did Epstein continue to enjoy seat on Harvard and enjoy social celebrity status after plea deal ?
8 Why did Wexner allow this man so much control over his asset ?
9 Media felt if terrorism were unique Muslim thing , why media is not alluding to the fact that pedophilia is a unique Jewish thing ?
10 why the angle of Israel being sex slavery capital and Epstein being sex slave pimp not being connected ?
11 how death in prison in foreign unfriendly countries often become causus celebre by US media , politicians , NGO and US treasury – why not this death ?

Kevin Barrett , says: • Website September 5, 2019 at 12:37 pm GMT
@Fozzy Bear Not true. A respectable civil rights attorney, Lisa Bloom, handled Katie Johnson’s case. Shortly before the scheduled press conference at which Johnson was to appear publicly, she received multiple death threats: “Bloom said that her firm’s website was hacked, that Anonymous had claimed responsibility, and that death threats and a bomb threat came in afterwards.” https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/3/13501364/trump-rape-13-year-old-lawsuit-katie-johnson-allegation Johnson folded because she was terrified (and perhaps paid off).
DaveE , says: September 5, 2019 at 12:51 pm GMT
@Twodees Partain In “Body of Secrets” by James Bamford, a newspaper article from the Truman era is referenced where the OSS, predecessor of the CIA, is described as “a converted vault in Washington used as an office space for 5 or 6 Jews working to protect our national secrets” (or similar wording).

Going from memory and gave away my copy of the book….. sorry for the vague reference, but you can look it up.

DanFromCT , says: September 5, 2019 at 1:24 pm GMT
@nsa An atheist like “nsa” must concede Dosteovsky’s point from his novel The Possessed that even for the atheist the concept of God represents the collective consciousness, highest principles, and ontological aspirations of believers. Given this sense, “nsa’s” real animus is more than likely an atavistic hatred of Christians and Muslims, probably for just being alive in his paranoid mind. What imbecility when this clown cites a multiverse of universes that has no proof and less plausibility for its existence than the tooth fairy. I’d also bet “nsa” speaks algebra, too, like the recently deceased mathematical genius, Jeffrey Epstein.

What’s Mr. Wexner’s, Mega’s, and Mossad/CIA’s involvement? That’s the real question trolls like “nsa” and the Dems and Republicans alike are crapping in their pants we’ll find out. When evidence starts to cascade out of their ability to spin or suppress it, things will get interesting. Meanwhile, Fox News is still doing its best from what I can tell to run cover for 911, now extended to the suspiciously related perps in the Epstein affair.

Patrikios Stetsonis , says: September 5, 2019 at 1:24 pm GMT
“The Epstein affair (like 9/11) illustrates two critically important truths about Western secularism: there is no truth, and there are no limits. A society that no longer believes in God no longer believes in truth…..”

You said it ALL Kevin.

... ... ...

Mulegino1 , says: September 5, 2019 at 1:37 pm GMT

“While the Zionists try to make the rest of the World believe that the national consciousness of the Jew finds its satisfaction in the creation of a Palestinian state, the Jews again slyly dupe the dumb Goyim. It doesn’t even enter their heads to build up a Jewish state in Palestine for the purpose of living there; all they want is a central organisation for their international world swindler, endowed with its own sovereign rights and removed from the intervention of other states: a haven for convicted scoundrels and a university for budding crooks.
It is a sign of their rising confidence and sense of security that at a time when one section is still playing the German, French-man, or Englishman, the other with open effrontery comes out as the Jewish race.”

More prophetic words were ever spoken or written by any of the statesmen of the Twentieth Century than these, even though they themselves were insufficient to describe the horrors that the Zionist state would bring upon the world if left unchecked- and its power and influence have been unchecked since the 1960’s. The last time that the world stood up to Zionist power in an appreciable way was during the Suez Crisis.

renfro , says: September 5, 2019 at 1:41 pm GMT
@Wizard of Oz

Not the full story? Convince us.

Connect the dots….

DOT.. Port loses claim for asbestos removal | Business Insurance
https://www.businessinsurance.com › article › ISSUE01 › port-loses-claim-…
May 13, 2001 – The suit sought claim of the Port Authority’s huge cost of removing asbestos from hundreds of properties ranging from the enormous World Trade Center complex

DOT…Silverstein knew when he leased WTC 7 that he would have to pay out of pocket for asbestos abatement removal in WTC 7, multiple millions, which is why the Port Authority leased it so cheaply.

DOT…In May, 2000, a year before, signing the lease, he already had the design drawn for a new WTC building. Silverstein had no plans to remove the asbestos as he already had plans to replace it.

DOT… Larry Silverstein signs the lease just six weeks before the WTC’s twin towers were brought to the ground by terrorists in the September 11, 2001, attacks.

DOT….After leasing the complex, Silverstein negotiated with 24 insurance companies for a maximum coverage of $3.55 billion per catastrophic occurrence. However, the agreements had not been finalized before 9/11.

DOT…..Silverstein tries to sue insurers for double the payout claiming 2 catastrophic occurrences because of 2 planes involved.

DOT….Silver loses that lawsuit but sues the air lines and settles for almost another billion, $ 750,000,000.

Just another Jew insurance fire folks. He planned on tearing down WTC 7 to begin with. The only missing DOT is who he hired to set the demolition explosives in WTC 7. Were they imported from our ME ally?

[Sep 06, 2019] A Deeper Dive Into The Epstein-Dubin Wall Street Connection

Sep 06, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Jeffrey Epstein may be dead, but there are still many stones to turn over while investigators sift through his network of high-profile friends, some of whom may be guilty of sex crimes themselves.

The wealthy pedophile, transhumanist, and financier's circle of friends included Bill Clinton, Ehud Barack, Prince Andrew, and Victoria's Secret boss Les Wexner.

It also included billionaire hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin and his wife, Dr. Eva Andersson-Dubin - a former Miss Sweden who dated Epstein for three years before she and Dubin married in 1994.

The Dubins and Epstein were close, and remained close after his 2008 conviction for pedophilia - inviting him to their Palm Beach home for Thanksgiving the following year. Eva even wrote an email to Epstein's probation officer insisting that she was "100% comfortable" with the pedophile and registered sex-offender being around her minor children.

According to Vanity Fair ' s William Cohan, several sources said that Epstein was the godfather to the Dubins' three children - a claim which the family disputed ("The Dubins are Jewish and Jewish people do not typically do godparents," said a spokesman).

Epstein, Dubin and Wall Street

In 2004, Epstein reportedly received a $15 million fee after JPMorgan Chase bought control of Dubin's hedge fund, Highbridge Capital. Epstein had introduced Dubin to then-JPM Exec Jes Staley, who is now CEO of Barclays. According to Bloomberg , Staley "visited Epstein on the private island, accompanied by his wife Debora." He also visited Epstein at his Palm Beach office while the Epstein was on prison work-release.

Dubin, meanwhile, also directed some of Epstein's money to at least two hedge fund mangers; Dan Zwirn and Joseph Kusnan - both former Highbridge employees who left to start their own firms.

"Glenn Dubin introduced me to Epstein as a new manager that he was familiar with and thought highly of," Kusnan told Vanity Fair - insisting that he and Epstein only met once, and never communicated again . Notably, Kusnan delivered "a good rate of return on his modest investment."

The relationship between Epstein and Dubin also ventured into more controversial realms, if one believes the depositions recently unsealed in an old court case between one of Epstein's alleged victims, Virginia Giuffre, and Epstein's longtime companion and alleged madam, Ghislaine Maxwell. According to Giuffre's May 2016 deposition, Dubin was the "first" powerful person that Maxwell sent her to have sex with "after my training." She also said that she was instructed by Maxwell to have sex with, among others, Alan Dershowitz, the Harvard Law professor; George Mitchell, the former U.S. senator; Bill Richardson, the former New Mexico governor; and Jean-Luc Brunel, a French model scout. "My whole life revolved around just pleasing these men and keeping Ghislaine and Jeffrey happy," Giuffre said in her deposition. "[Maxwell and Epstein's] whole entire lives revolved around sex. They call massages sex. They call modeling sex." She said Maxwell told her to give Dubin "a massage." (The Dubins categorically deny Giuffre's allegations. Their spokesperson also provided evidence they say disproves Giuffre's account. Dershowitz, Mitchell, Richardson, and Brunel have also denied her allegations.) - Vanity Fair

Did the Dubins bring in a 15-year-old girl?

Former Dubin chef and assistant Rinaldo Rizzo claimed in a recently unsealed June 2016 deposition that when he and his wife Debra worked for the Dubins, Andersson-Dubin brought home a 15-year-old Swedish girl who had been with Epstein and Maxwell during a visit to the Dubins' home.

The girl was "distraught," "upset," and "she was shaking" said Rizzo, who added that the girl seemed "on the verge of crying."

According to the report, "[T]he girl told him and his wife that she worked for Epstein as his "executive personal assistant," and when Rizzo expressed shock that such a young girl could have that job, "she just breaks down hysterically." Rizzo stated that the girl told him she was involved in some forced sexual activity at Epstein's Caribbean island and was told by Maxwell and Epstein not to discuss it. "

But about a month later, according to Rizzo, the Dubins, along with the girl and the Rizzos, were on Dubin's private jet back to Sweden and the girl was returned home . "We flew to Sweden," Rizzo said in his deposition, "we stopped at an airport we didn't usually stop at and she got off the plane." The Rizzos left the Dubins' employ in October 2005, following those events, he said in his deposition. " My wife and I had discussed these incidents, and this last one was just, we couldn't deal with it, " he said. - Vanity Fair

The Dubins have denied everything - stating through a spokesman who shared flight records "There was never a 15-year-old Swedish nanny in the Dubins' home and flight records for trips to Sweden on the Dubins' plane do not include any minors other than family members." The Dubins' longtime live-in nanny also attested "with certainty" that they had never employed an underage nanny.

That said, the Dubins did confirm having traveled with Epstein on his private jet - occasionally flying between Palm Beach and New York, where they all had homes. Maxwell, meanwhile, flew on Dubin's plane twice along with his children; once in 2004 and again in 2010.

Pilot Jim Dowd who flew for both Epstein and the Dubins said that both men were "friends" who liked "vacationing together."

Meanwhile, a Russian model who worked for French modeling exec and accused rapist Jean-Luc Brunel was reportedly "friendly" with Andersson-Dubin. The model, Lana Pozhidaeva, recently made headlines for having received a $55,000 donation from Epstein for her New York-based nonprofit.

Dubins and Wexner

Last but not least, Vanity Fair 's Cohan notes that the Dubins were close enough to Victoria's Secret boss (and former Epstein pal) Leslie Wexner, the billionaire founder and CEO of L Brands. Wexner - Epstein's only known financial client - allowed the Dubins and their children to use their 316-foot, $100 million yacht, Limitless, for a Mediterranean vacation .

"Wexner's wife, Abigail, "graciously invited the Dubins to use their boat for four days while Eva Dubin was recovering from breast cancer surgery," Dubin's spokesperson explained," according to the report - which adds that it was "quite unusual for Wexner to let anyone use Limitless when he was not on board."

Interestingly - all parties have denied all wrongdoing, and many claim to have had no knowledge of Epstein's proclivities despite hanging out with him during and following his conviction for pedophilia . What's wrong with these people?


Mr. Pain , 11 minutes ago link

"Interestingly - all parties have denied all wrongdoing, and many claim to have had no knowledge of Epstein's proclivities despite hanging out with him during and following his conviction for pedophilia . What's wrong with these people"

It is the same as to why parents let their kids hang around with Micheal Jackson. They get something from the relationship which seems to be much more important than their kids mental and emotional wellbeing.

LetThemEatRand , 18 minutes ago link

I suppose they need to continue trotting out stories like this to make it appear that someone is actually investigating something, before the whole thing winds up in the memory hole.

yaright , 19 minutes ago link

Key indicator here people, if nothing happens then justice is for the "sheep" only.

Bill of Rights , 16 minutes ago link

Its not about Justice, its about how deep your wallet is...Everyone has a price.

wokegoy , 23 minutes ago link

Lots of (((connections)))

Snippy21 , 16 minutes ago link

(((cohencidence)))

[Sep 06, 2019] A possible role of Sigal Mandelker in obstructing justice in the first Epstein investigation

See also Gilsinan, Kathy (July 20, 2019). "The Woman at the Center of Trump's Iran Policy". The Atlantic.
Sep 06, 2019 | www.unz.com

annamaria , says: September 5, 2019 at 6:16 pm GMT

"It must be protecting its friends in high places." -- Occam razor in action.

From here, the question is, who had guided the Israel-firster Sigal Mandelker in 2008 to protect Epstein from any real punishment for his gross crimes? And who has awarded Sigal Mandelker with the job of Under Secretary of Treasury as a reward for protecting Epstein? https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-epstein-bail-hearing-20190715-x2oztbwjkbcdrho7ae73vhmzvy-story.html

"From her influential post at the Treasury Department, Sigal Mandelker has vowed to defend "our great partner, Israel" by sanctioning Iran: https://thegrayzone.com/2019/09/03/pro-israel-sigal-mandelker-fbi-americans-iran/

Who is Sigal Mandelker? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigal_Mandelker

A child of Holocaust survivors...he was born in Tel Aviv, Israel.

She worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York as Assistant U.S. Attorney before becoming Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, where she worked on national security and counterterrorism. She was Counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security before she worked in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice as Deputy Assistant Attorney General.

What are Sigal Mandelker' connections to this illustrious group?

Even while he was allegedly pimping girls and running heroin, Larry Silverstein served as president for United Jewish Appeal of New York.

As for Epstein, he was the boy toy and protégé of Les Wexner, co-founder of the Mega Group of Jewish billionaires associated with the World Jewish Congress, the Anti-Defamation League, and other pro-Israel groups.

Reads like the best of the best among Israel-firsters: Pimps, drug-dealers, thugs from the ADL, major mafioso-philanthropists for Israel, WJC activists with a special fondness for the illegal settlers' terrorism against native Palestinians, and the most active promoters of the Wars for Eretz Israel, including a war-in-making against Iran.

[Sep 06, 2019] US State Dept Program Offers $15 Million to Iran Revolutionary Guards

While people do not agree of detail the main theme is common: government stories explaining both 9/11 and Epstein death are not credible. And that government tried to create an "artificial reality" to hide real events and real culprits.
Absence of credible information create fertile ground for creation of myths and rumors, sometimes absurd. But that'a well known sociaological phenomenon studies by late Tamotsu Shibutani in the context of WWII rumors ( Improvised News: A Sociological Study of Rumor (1966)).
Now we can interpret famous quote of William Casey "We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false as an admission of the fact that the government can create artificial reality" much like in film Matrix and due to thick smoke of propaganda people are simply unable to discern the truth.
Sep 06, 2019 | www.unz.com

renfro , says: September 5, 2019 at 2:31 pm GMT

A foreign policy of "maximum pressure" and swagger: tawdry bribes, heavy-handed threats, and complete failure ..now what group does this remind me of?

US State Dept Program Offers $15 Million to Iran Revolutionary Guards September 4, 2019

The US State Department has unveiled a new $15 million "reward program" for anyone who provides information on the financial inner workings of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, in an attempt to further disrupt them.
The program comes after the US declared the Revolutionary Guards "terrorists," but remains very unusual, in as much as it targets an agency of a national government instead of just some random militant group.

The Financial Times reports on the farce that is our government's Iran policy:

Four days before the US imposed sanctions on an Iranian tanker suspected of shipping oil to Syria, the vessel's Indian captain received an unusual email from the top Iran official at the Department of State.
"This is Brian Hook . . . I work for secretary of state Mike Pompeo and serve as the US Representative for Iran," Mr Hook wrote to Akhilesh Kumar on August 26, according to several emails seen by the Financial Times. "I am writing with good news."
The "good news" was that the Trump administration was offering Mr Kumar several million dollars to pilot the ship -- until recently known as the Grace 1 -- to a country that would impound the vessel on behalf of the US. To make sure Mr Kumar did not mistake the email for a scam, it included an official state department phone number.
The administration's Iran obsession has reached a point where they are now trying to bribe people to act as pirates on their behalf. When the U.S. was blocked by a court in Gibraltar from taking the ship, they sought to buy the loyalty of the captain in order to steal it. Failing that, they resorted to their favorite tool of sanctions to punish the captain and his crew for ignoring their illegitimate demand. The captain didn't respond to the first message, so Hook persisted with his embarrassing scheme:
"With this money you can have any life you wish and be well-off in old age," Mr Hook wrote in a second email to Mr Kumar that also included a warning. "If you choose not to take this easy path, life will be much harder for you."
Many people have already mocked Hook's message for its resemblance to a Nigerian prince e-mail scam, and I might add that he comes across here sounding like a B-movie gangster. Hook's contact was not an isolated incident, but part of a series of e-mails and texts that he has sent to various ships' captains in a vain effort to intimidate them into falling in line with the administration's economic war. This is what comes of a foreign policy of "maximum pressure" and swagger: tawdry bribes, heavy-handed threats, and complete failure.

independent109 , says: September 5, 2019 at 2:53 pm GMT
The Committee of 300 is an evolution of the British East Indies Company Council of 300. The list personally last seen included many Windsors (Prince Andrew), Rothchilds, other Royals. Some of the Americans included some now dead and other still living: George HW Bush, Bill Clinton Tom Steyer, Al Gore, John Kerry, Netanyahu, lots of bankers, Woolsey (ex CIA), journalists like Michael Bloomberg, Paul Krugman, activists and politians like Tony Blair, now dead Zbigniew Brzezinski, CEOs Charles and Edgar Bronfman. The list is long and out of date but these people control much of what goes on whether good or bad. Their hands are everywhere doing good and maybe some of this bad stuff.
Irish Savant , says: Website September 5, 2019 at 2:56 pm GMT
Given the facts a 10 year-old child could see that the official 911 explanation was totally flawed. Just three of these facts are sufficient, the 'dancing Israelis', Silverstein admitting to the 'pull (demolish) it' order and the collapse of steel-framed WTC 7 in freefall despite not being hit. It is not hyperbole to say that America is a failed state given that the known perpetrators were never even charged. ZOG indeed.
Junior , says: September 5, 2019 at 4:08 pm GMT
@Kevin Barrett

A respectable civil rights attorney, Lisa Bloom, handled Katie Johnson's case.

"Respectable"?
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
You do realize that Lisa Bloom is the daughter of Glora Allred and defender of Harvey Weinstein do you not?

You people are so desperate to try to link Trump to Epstein it's pathetic.

I suggest you go back to your gatekeeping nonsense of trying to discredit the 9/11 Truth Movement by spreading misinformation about nukes in the towers.

Tony Hall , says: September 5, 2019 at 4:20 pm GMT
This article stakes out much important ground of information and interpretation Kevin Barrett. The essay resonates as a historic statement of some of our current predicaments. What about the comparisons that might be made concerning the mysteries attending the disappearing corpses of Osama bin Laden and Jeffrey Epstein. And according to Christopher Ketcham, the release of the High Fivin' Urban Movers back to Israel was partially negotiated by Alan Dershowitz who played a big role in defending Epstein over a long period.
Tony Hall , says: September 5, 2019 at 4:29 pm GMT
@anon The ultimate "nutjob quackery" of 9/11 is Phillip Zelikow's 9/11 Commission Report, a document that stands as a testimony and marker signifying the USA's descent into a mad hatter's imperium of lies. legend and illusion.
restless94110 , says: September 5, 2019 at 4:40 pm GMT
Has someone (hint: the author of this article) got a real bad case of TDS? Yes, someone has.

Does someone think the pedophilia means consensual relations with 17 year olds? Yes, someone does.

Ronald Thomas West , says: Website September 5, 2019 at 4:58 pm GMT

It is getting harder and harder to satirize the decadence and depravity of the secular West, which insists on parodying itself with ever-increasing outlandishness. When the book on this once-mighty civilization is written, and the ink is dry, readers will be astounded by the limitless lies of the drunk-on-chutzpah psychopaths who ran it into the ground

You might try:

https://ronaldthomaswest.com/2019/07/29/gina-haspel-wild-indians/

'Believers' aren't exactly innocent in the criminal history of the disintegrating Western culture

follyofwar , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:02 pm GMT
@Kevin Barrett Adding to Junior's comment, I quit reading after you wrote of "credible accusations" of Mr. Trump being involved "in the brutal rape of a 13 year old." And feminist shakedown artist Lisa Bloom, daughter of the even more infamous feminist shakedown artist G. Allred, is your "credible source?" Bloom has about as much credibility as the sicko democrat women who tried to derail Judge Kavanaugh.

Regardless of how much one might hate Trump (and I'm no Trump supporter) levelling such unfounded accusations is journalistic malfeasance. Did we elect the Devil Incarnate? Mr. Barrett, I'm done reading you.

9/11 Inside job , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:09 pm GMT
The special relationship between the CIA and the Mossad was driven partly by the efforts of CIA officer James Angleton . Philip Weiss in his article in Mondoweiss entitled "The goy and the golem: James Angleton and the rise of Israel." states that Angleton's " greatest service to Israel was his willingness no to say a word about the apparent diversion of highly enriched plutonium from a plant in Western Pennsylvania to Israel's nascent nuclear program " The same program which JFK tried to curtail which efforts may have led to his assassination .

... ... ...

Intelligent Dasein , says: Website September 5, 2019 at 5:22 pm GMT

a confessed participant in the controlled demolition of Building 7,

For the love of God, this is stupid. Larry Silverstein was talking about the Fire Commander , for fuck's sake. The Fire Commander made the decision to pull the firefighters out of the building because they could not put the fire out and were in unnecessary danger. That's all he meant. There is not one word in this that has anything to do with a controlled demolition whatsoever.

In order to believe what the 9/11 Douchers would have you believe about this comment, you would have to believe that 1) Building 7 was wired for demolition beforehand; 2) That the NYC Fire Commander somehow knew about this; 3) That the NYC Fire Commander was perfectly okay with allowing his men to spend hours inside a burning building in which he knew that explosive charges had already been rigged to blow; 4) That the NYC Fire Commander had the authority to decide when the charges should be blown and had access to the master switch that would blow them all; 5) That after 7 hours of attempting to fight the fire, the NYC Fire Commander (who by now can be nothing but a full-fledged member of the conspiracy) decides, after briefly consulting with Larry Silverstein, "Oh, the hell with this! Let's just blow up the building now!", to which Larry Silverstein agrees; 6) That after spending 7 hours in a burning building that had fires burning randomly throughout it and that had been struck by multiple pieces of debris, all of the explosive charges and their detonators were still in perfect working order; 7) That none of the firefighters extensively searching the building for survivors happened to notice any of the pre-placed explosive charges nor thought it necessary to report about such; 8) That the NYC Fire Commander then proceeds to "pull" the building after presumably giving some other order for the men to evacuate, which order was never recorded because the "pull" order must have meant "blow up the building"; 9) And that Larry Silverstein, after being part of a massive conspiracy involving insurance fraud, murder, and arson which, if exposed, would send him to a federal death sentence, just decides to casually mention all of this in a television interview for all and sundry to see, but it is only the 9/11 Douchers who pick up on the significance of it.

Does any of this sound remotely believable? Did anyone subscribing to this nonsense stop to think about the context in which this conversation took place? Do any of you 9/11 Douchers even care that you're being completely ridiculous and grasping at nonexistent straws in your vain attempt to establish some sort of case for controlled demolition? Do you even care that everybody can see that what you are saying makes no sense at all? It is perfectly obvious that Larry Silverstein is NOT talking about controlled demolition here. To believe otherwise would require you to literally be insane, to not understand the plain meaning of words and to have no awareness of conversational contexts; yet not only have you swallowed all of this, you have been beating the drum of this insanity for nearly 20 years.

There is no point in reasoning with an insane person. There is, however, the possibility that you don't really believe what you are saying and are just flogging a hobbyhorse, in which case it is you who are engaging in mendacious journalism and trafficking in lies. In either case, you need to be silenced. Neither lies nor insanity have any "right" to be uttered in the public square. You 9/11 Douchers are really the ones doing everything you accuse the mainstream media of doing, and worse. You have become a danger to the public weal and must be stopped. Your conspiratorial nonsense just isn't cute anymore.

Major1 , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:31 pm GMT
Let's recap:

The official stories about the Kennedy assassination, Epstein's death, and 9/11 are clearly suspect. No one with the capacity for critical thinking can seriously deny this. Which elements of these stories are true and which are false will never be resolved.

Because:
The mainstream media including Fox News have abdicated their mission as fact finders and truth tellers. They peddle entertainment and sell ad space. Rachel Maddow foaming at the mouth about Trump's pee tape and Hannity fulminating about FISA abuse are the same product, simply aimed at different demographics.

Nothing in the above two paragraphs is even remotely novel. It's all been said before twenty bazillion times.

... ... ...

Kevin Barrett , says: Website September 5, 2019 at 5:39 pm GMT
Being a feminist or Democrat (or nonfeminist or Republican) is irrelevant to a person's credibility. It's possible that Lisa Bloom was part of a conspiracy to invent a fictitious Katy Johnson story, in which case Bloom is guilty of criminal fraud as well as civil libel. That would be quite a risk for her to take, to say the least. It's also possible that she was somehow duped by others, in which case they would be running the civil and criminal liabilities, while she would just get disbarred for negligence.

The same is true of Johnson's attorney Thomas Meagher.

It is also possible that Johnson's story is at least roughly accurate. There is supporting testimony from another Epstein victim.

If you set aside your prejudices about Democrats-Republicans, feminists-antifeminists, Trump-Hillary, etc., and just look at what's been reported, you'll agree with me that the allegations are credible (but of course unproven). If you suffer emotional blocks against thinking such things about a President, as so many did when similar things were reported about Bill Clinton, I sympathize but also urge you to get psychiatric treatment so you can learn to face unpleasant facts and then get to work cleaning up this country.

CanSpeccy , says: Website September 5, 2019 at 5:42 pm GMT
@utu

The release of Prof. J. Leroy Hulsey report on the finite element analysis of the WTC7 collapse should be a big news.

But won't be.

Democracy works this way. The ruling elite, via the media, Hollywood, etc., tell the people what to think, the people then vote according to the way they think.

Ensuring such top-down control was a primary objective of the bankers, j0urnalists -- including doyen of American journalism, Walter Lippman, and politicians who established the Council on Foreign Relations , America's ruling political establishment.

So the truth of 9/11 will never be known to the majority unless we have a public statement from George W. Bush acknowledging that he personally lit the fuse that set off the explosions that brought WTC 7 down at free-fall speed .

This is fortunate for the intrepid Dr. Hulsey* who would, presumably, otherwise have had to be dispatched by a sudden heart attack, traffic accident, weight-lifting accident suicide with a bullet to the back of the head. As it is, hardly anyone will ever know what he will say or what it means.

* Fortunate also for those who so rashly advocate for truth here and elsewhere on the yet to be fully controlled Internets.

Durruti , says: September 5, 2019 at 5:45 pm GMT
Kevin Barrett

Nicely done. Article will not be featured on front page NYT & discussed on TV.

There are many highlights in your article. This is one.

Epstein's career as a shameless, openly-operating Mossad sexual blackmailer -- like the in-your-face 9/11 coup -- also illustrates another core truth of Western secularism: If there is no God, there are no limits (in this case, to human depravity and what it can get away with). Or as Dostoevsky famously put it: "If God does not exist, everything is permitted."

Morality is officially out of style.

Durruti

anonymous [307] Disclaimer , says: September 5, 2019 at 6:11 pm GMT
Please consult the following papers about the CIA/Mossad crimes against humanity and their pimps who pose as 'politicians' of the fake Western 'democracy' where Epstein was their agent serving their interest as a PIMP.

{from being the work of a single political party, intelligence agency or country, the power structure revealed by the network connected to Epstein is nothing less than a criminal enterprise that is willing to use and abuse children in the pursuit of ever more power, wealth and control.}

https://www.mintpressnews.com/genesis-jeffrey-epstein-bill-clinton-relationship/261455/

[Government by Blackmail: Jeffrey Epstein, Trump's Mentor and the Dark Secrets of the Reagan Era]

https://www.mintpressnews.com/blackmail-jeffrey-epstein-trump-mentor-reagan-era/260760/

Mega Group, Maxwells and Mossad: The Spy Story at the Heart of the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal

https://www.mintpressnews.com/mega-group-maxwells-mossad-spy-story-jeffrey-epstein-scandal/261172/

[Sep 04, 2019] Standard procedure was not following in case of Epstein: the fact the Maxwell was not arrested tells a lot

Notable quotes:
"... Absolutely standard procedure in this case where the conduct took place openly over years would include: a. informants wearing wires; b. securing the crime scenes, including all the properties and the planes; c. simultaneous arrests of 20-50 co-defendants/conspirators ranging from Maxwell and Wexner at the top to most all staff at the properties where the crimes occurred, the pilots, etc. None of this happened. ..."
"... The Bureau of Prisons has two main operations: prisons for convicted offenders and "federal jails". They are completely separate lines of business. The purpose of the "jails" in the federal system, where each District has its own, is to obtain convictions from the detainees. The BOP staff in the jails are members of the prosecution team for all practical purposes. All mail in and out is read and copied. All calls are monitored and recorded. Detainees are placed in units after consultations among the BOP, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Attorneys for the District. ..."
"... Cooperating codefendants may all be placed on the same unit, for example, so that they get their stories straight, while those fighting cases are elsewhere. ..."
"... Snitching is rampant and good information is rewarded by downgrading of charges, lenient sentencing and assignment to sweet spots in the prison system. Berman and his team were involved in formulating and were continuously aware of the most minute details of the conditions of Epstein's confinement. ..."
Sep 04, 2019 | www.unz.com

skeptic23 says: September 3, 2019 at 1:00 am GMT 400 Words Geoffrey Berman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is the only government official who is clearly trustworthy , because he could have stopped the 2019 Epstein indictment and he didn't. I don't think Attorney-General Barr could have blocked it, and I don't think President Trump could have except by firing Berman. I do trust Attorney-General Barr, however, from what I've heard of him and because he instantly and publicly said he would have not just the FBI but the Justice Dept. Inspector-General investigate Epstein's death, and he quickly fired the federal prison head honcho.

The above statement re: Berman is exactly wrong. He is a Trump Appointee and transition team member.

1. There was no real Epstein indictment/investigation , just a piece of paper sufficient to take him into custody and institute a criminal proceeding.

Absolutely standard procedure in this case where the conduct took place openly over years would include: a. informants wearing wires; b. securing the crime scenes, including all the properties and the planes; c. simultaneous arrests of 20-50 co-defendants/conspirators ranging from Maxwell and Wexner at the top to most all staff at the properties where the crimes occurred, the pilots, etc. None of this happened.

They took computers and records from NY and visited Little St. James for a few hours 30 days after the arrest. see Rusty Shackleford videos. The way they always build a case like this is to get the little guys to talk and then move up the food chain to the big boys (and girls).

2. The Bureau of Prisons has two main operations: prisons for convicted offenders and "federal jails". They are completely separate lines of business. The purpose of the "jails" in the federal system, where each District has its own, is to obtain convictions from the detainees. The BOP staff in the jails are members of the prosecution team for all practical purposes. All mail in and out is read and copied. All calls are monitored and recorded. Detainees are placed in units after consultations among the BOP, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Attorneys for the District.

Cooperating codefendants may all be placed on the same unit, for example, so that they get their stories straight, while those fighting cases are elsewhere.

Snitching is rampant and good information is rewarded by downgrading of charges, lenient sentencing and assignment to sweet spots in the prison system. Berman and his team were involved in formulating and were continuously aware of the most minute details of the conditions of Epstein's confinement.

Berman was at the center of whatever it was that happened.

[Sep 04, 2019] A Debauched Culture Leads to a Debauched Foreign Policy

The author should use the word "neoliberal" instead of "debauched"
Notable quotes:
"... When talking about politics, we should be careful not to define "debauched" too narrowly. While debauchery is typically associated with over-indulgence of the sensual pleasures, a more fitting political definition is a general loss of self-control. ..."
"... In the political realm, debauchery is less characterized by the sensual vices than by an overzealous desire for power. ..."
"... The ghost of Jeffrey Epstein is all one needs to see that many elites are very debauched as regards social mores. Yet how might a debauched culture be reflected in the realms of domestic and foreign policy? ..."
"... Class warfare tends to resonate most broadly when the wealthy become self-indulgent and unworthy, and dissolute plutocracies are oft times defended by "conservatives." In the terminal phase of a democracy, this can portend domestic revolution. ..."
"... Belligerent intervention is not nationalism! It is Neocon Texas - Harvard Redneckism ..."
"... I'm not sure I agree with the author's thesis: that debauchery or gratuitous political leadership results in immoral foreign policy. Were the highly-disciplined and self-sacrificing Japanese militarists who bombed Pearl Harbor and aligned with the Axis (Hitler, Mussolini) guided by any more virtuous foreign policy than say, "debauched" Churchill and Roosevelt? I doubt it. ..."
"... The article lacks specifics on how America's leaders are debauched and how this debauchery influences foreign policy, other than to say they are "unrestrained". But is non-restraint debauchery? Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was running a gratuitous non-profit institute to shake down foreign rulers in return for promising political favors if elected. She was going to sell the country out. ..."
"... We stole Venezuela's assets in the U.S. and even denied their baseball players the ability to send money back to their families, we really love them. We have an oil embargo on Syria and we are the only reason the Saudis are able to starve Yemen. None of these countries have ever done anything to us but it feels good that we can do this and even get most of the world to support us. ..."
"... It drives me crazy that devout Protestants in govt who believe that human nature is corrupt act as if they are standing in the gap while being belligerent and never questioning their own judgment. ..."
"... The problem is that we are led by sociopaths. ..."
"... This current round of unprovoked aggression against small countries started when Clinton attacked Serbia even though he did not have authorization from the UN. He did it because he could -- Russia had collapsed by then so they were powerless to prevent NATO from attacking their ally. No one had the power to stop the hegemon so it was a short journey from the relative restraint of George W. Bush to going beserk all over the world (of course in the name of stopping genocide, ecocide, insecticide or whatever). Get absolute power, get corrupted. ..."
"... I think people like Epstein are state sponsored to use the warped values of the elites to gain political advantage for their masters. Destroying historic value sets is part of this package. ..."
Sep 04, 2019 | www.theamericanconservative.com
TAC are no doubt familiar with the truism that "politics is downstream of culture." This maxim, which is undoubtedly true, should not, however, only be applied to social issues. In fact, culture shapes our public policy very broadly, far more than do dispassionate "policymakers" exercising careful reason and judgment. The nature of our governance tends to reflect the cultural and philosophical orientation of our elites, and this orientation is increasingly debauched.

When talking about politics, we should be careful not to define "debauched" too narrowly. While debauchery is typically associated with over-indulgence of the sensual pleasures, a more fitting political definition is a general loss of self-control.

All the great religious and philosophical traditions understood that there is a part of our nature that can get out of control and a divine part that can exert control. A culture thus becomes debauched when elites lose the sense that they need to rein themselves in, that "there is an immortal essence presiding like a king over" their appetites, as Walter Lippmann put it. In the political realm, debauchery is less characterized by the sensual vices than by an overzealous desire for power.

The ghost of Jeffrey Epstein is all one needs to see that many elites are very debauched as regards social mores. Yet how might a debauched culture be reflected in the realms of domestic and foreign policy?

Let's start with domestic policy. How would debauched elites govern a democracy at home? One might surmise, for example, that their lack of self-control might cause them to spend federal money as a means of keeping themselves in power. They might also attempt to bribe their constituents by promising a variety of domestic programs while also pledging that the programs will be funded out of the pockets of others. If they were really debauched, they might even borrow money from future generations to pay for these incumbency protection initiatives. They might run up staggering debt for the sake of their expedient political needs and promise that "the rich" can provide for it all. In short, the hallmark domestic policy of a debauched democracy is, and has always been, class warfare.

It should be pointed out that class warfare is not simply a creation of demagogues on the left. Class warfare tends to resonate most broadly when the wealthy become self-indulgent and unworthy, and dissolute plutocracies are oft times defended by "conservatives." In the terminal phase of a democracy, this can portend domestic revolution.

While most conservatives might agree about the dangers of class warfare, it is on the foreign policy front where they seem most debauched themselves. They remain stuck in a vortex of GOP clichés, with standard references to Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill, leaders who were closer in their time to the American Civil War than we are to them now. For many of these "conservatives," every contemporary authoritarian leader is the progeny of Hitler and any attempt to establish cordial relations is a rerun of Munich 1938.

As with domestic policy, the true sign of a debauched foreign policy is a loss of self-control and an excessive will to power reflected in attempts to exert dominion over others with no particular nexus to the national interest. A debauched foreign policy might just look like the decision to invade Iraq -- a war whose supporters offered numerous justifications, including alleged weapons of mass destruction, democracy promotion, and anti-terrorism. Yet in hindsight, its real cause seems to have been the simple desire by our leaders to impose their will. In a debauched democracy, class warfare is the paradigmatic domestic policy and profligate war making is the paradigmatic foreign policy.

Given that self-control and restraint are the hallmarks of a genuinely conservative foreign policy -- because they remain humble about what human nature can actually achieve -- one should receive the recent conference on national conservatism with some skepticism . The retinue of experts who spoke generally espoused a foreign policy that sought dominion over others -- in other words, a continuation of the belligerent interventionism that characterized the second Bush administration. This may be nationalism, but it seems not to be conservatism.

One hopes that the leaders of this new movement will re-consider their foreign policy orientation as they have increasingly formidable resources to draw upon. The creation of the Quincy Institute and the rise of an intellectually formidable network of foreign policy "restrainers" provide hope.

Given that culture is king, however, these intellectuals may want to keep top of mind that restraint is not simply a policy option but a character trait -- a virtue -- that needs to be developed in leaders who are then elevated. Prudent policies are no doubt essential but the most important challenge in politics is, and always will be, attracting and encouraging the best leaders to rule. Our system often does the opposite. This is at root a cultural problem.

William S. Smith is research fellow and managing director at the Center for the Study of Statesmanship at the Catholic University of America, and author of the new book Democracy and Imperialism .


Chris in Appalachia 21 hours ago

Belligerent intervention is not nationalism! It is Neocon Texas - Harvard Redneckism. The two opposing teams loathe each other.

Other than that, a good analysis.

Wayne Lusvardi 19 hours ago
I'm not sure I agree with the author's thesis: that debauchery or gratuitous political leadership results in immoral foreign policy. Were the highly-disciplined and self-sacrificing Japanese militarists who bombed Pearl Harbor and aligned with the Axis (Hitler, Mussolini) guided by any more virtuous foreign policy than say, "debauched" Churchill and Roosevelt? I doubt it.

Moreover, has the author never heard of the concept "reasons of state"?: a purely political reason for action on the part of a ruler or government, especially where a departure from openness, justice, or honesty is involved (e.g. "the king returned that he had reasons of state for all he did"). In an existential emergency, would the leader of a nation be justified in using amoral means to save his nation; but in all other circumstances should rely on conventional Christian morality as the default position? This is what Pres. Truman apparently did when he dropped a-bombs on two Japanese cities. What Dietrich Bonhoeffer was apparently involved with in the assassination attempt on Hitler. What Moses was embroiled with when he slayed 3,000 of his "debauched" followers in the Exodus from Egypt.

The article lacks specifics on how America's leaders are debauched and how this debauchery influences foreign policy, other than to say they are "unrestrained". But is non-restraint debauchery? Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was running a gratuitous non-profit institute to shake down foreign rulers in return for promising political favors if elected. She was going to sell the country out.

The opponent who beat her in the election promised the opposite and pretty much has delivered on his promises. Just how is the current administration "unrestrained" other than he has not fulfilled pacifist's fantasies of pulling out of every foreign country and conflict? Such pull outs have to be weighed on a case by case basis to determine the cost to human life and world order. If the current administration has a policy it is that our allies have to fight and fund their own wars and conflicts rather than rely on the U.S. to fight their wars for them.

The article is full of inflationary clichés ('politics is downstream of culture', 'class warfare', etc. And just how does the author connect the dots between pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who was elected to nothing and held no power over anyone, and our "debauched' foreign policy? Correlation is not causation but there isn't even a correlation there.

tweets21 12 hours ago
The more one reads opinions of Intellectuals , and as anyone with half a brain knows, to never believe a Politician, I am always reminded, after considerable research why I personally choose Realism . Realism is certainly not new and has some varied forms. Realism re-surfaced leading up to and during WW 2.
chris chuba 11 hours ago
"...the true sign of a debauched foreign policy is a loss of self-control and an excessive will to power reflected in attempts to exert dominion over others"


I love this.

We stole Venezuela's assets in the U.S. and even denied their baseball players the ability to send money back to their families, we really love them. We have an oil embargo on Syria and we are the only reason the Saudis are able to starve Yemen. None of these countries have ever done anything to us but it feels good that we can do this and even get most of the world to support us.

This reminds me of a Nick Pemberton article when he wrote ...

"We still play the victim. And amazingly we believe it ... We believe we can take whatever we want. We believe that this world does not contain differences to be negotiated, but foes to be defeated."

I could never get this out of my head.

It drives me crazy that devout Protestants in govt who believe that human nature is corrupt act as if they are standing in the gap while being belligerent and never questioning their own judgment.

Trump the adulterer was the one who decided against bombing because he did not have a taste for blood while the pious were eager for it.

TruthsRonin 10 hours ago
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the Earth."
-Matthew 5:5

"Meek" is the wrong word/translation. In the original Greek, the word is "preais" and it does not mean docile and submissive. Rather the word means gentleness blended with restrained strength/power.

The passage should read, "Blessed are those who have swords and know how to use them but keep them sheathed: for they shall inherit the Earth."

Sid Finster 10 hours ago
The problem is that we are led by sociopaths.
fedupindian 10 hours ago
There is a simpler explanation of what has happened to the US. When it comes to human beings, the only thing you need to remember is Lord Acton's dictum: power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

This current round of unprovoked aggression against small countries started when Clinton attacked Serbia even though he did not have authorization from the UN. He did it because he could -- Russia had collapsed by then so they were powerless to prevent NATO from attacking their ally. No one had the power to stop the hegemon so it was a short journey from the relative restraint of George W. Bush to going beserk all over the world (of course in the name of stopping genocide, ecocide, insecticide or whatever). Get absolute power, get corrupted.

The same thing is true domestically in the US. A small ethnic minority gave 50% and 25% of the money spent by the Democrats and Republicans in the last presidential election. That gives them huge influence over the foreign policy of the country. Best of all, no one else can question what is going on because classic tropes etc. Give a small group absolute power, get the swamp.

PAX 9 hours ago
I think people like Epstein are state sponsored to use the warped values of the elites to gain political advantage for their masters. Destroying historic value sets is part of this package.

The destruction of main core Christianity has not helped stem this tide (subtle Happy Holidays, CE, BCE, etc.) . Brave women and men must arise and sewerize (drain the swamp) this mob of miscreants defiling our belief system. .They have a right to exist but not dictate by subterfuge and fake news our values as they have been doing.

NotCatholic 11 hours ago
I find it interesting the author is at Catholic u. I wonder how he feels about the Crusades or the Inquisition as an example of debauchery of power.
Joe R. 8 hours ago
Remove the OP pic of the Marines NOW, and fix the rest of your whine later.

This is America, we have no "betters" and our "gov't" has never, and will never, be comprised of anything other than our idiot ay-whole neighbors who needed a job, whose sole job it is to govern the machinations of gov't and not us, as an un-self-governed Society is otherwise un-governable.

And [due to human nature and physics (of which neither has or will change in the entire history of humanity)] sometimes you have to go to war at the slightest of hints of provocation in order to achieve "illimitably sustainable conflict" of "Society" [J.M. Thomas R., TERMS, 2012] not have to haphazardly fight minute to minute of every day.

If when Political objects are unimportant, motives weak, the excitement of forces small, a cautious commander tries in all kinds of ways, without great crises and bloody solutions, to twist himself skillfully into peace through the characteristic weakness of his enemy in the field and in the cabinet, we have no right to find fault with him, if the premise on which he acts are well founded and justified by success;

still we must require him to remember that he only travels on forbidden tracks, where the God of War may surprise him; that he ought always to keep his eye on the enemy, in order that he may not have to defend himself with a dress rapier if the enemy takes up a sharp sword ”.

(Clausewitz, “On War” pg. 137)

Loosely paraphrased: " peaceable resolution to conflict is only effective, and should only be sought and relied upon, when it is certain that the other party will never resort to arms, with the implication that that is never " [J.M.Thomas R., TERMS, 2012 Pg. 80]

Weakness is provocative don't provoke your enemies. Quit whining.

LFC 8 hours ago
Let’s start with domestic policy. How would debauched elites govern a democracy at home?

Let's see. They'd likely repeatedly cut taxes on the wealthiest and on corporations and skyrocket deficits. They'd likely increase military spending to insane levels to the benefit of the military industrial complex. They'd likely perform wide scale deregulation on polluting industries. They'd ignore all inconvenient science, especially that which didn't support the fossil fuel industry. They'd likely avoid meaningful action on a healthcare system that is more broken and expensive than any other OECD nation. Then they'd look for targets, the "others", to bash and attack in attempt to hide the real world consequences of what they were doing.

Why would they do this? They do it for campaign contributions, "a means of keeping themselves in power."

Clyde Schechter 6 hours ago
"...in other words, a continuation of the belligerent interventionism that characterized the second Bush administration. "

And the Clinton administration before it, and the Obama and Trump administrations following it.

Stephen J. 5 hours ago
I believe we are in the hands of:
The Demons of “Democracy”

The demons of “democracy” speak of “peace”
While their selling of weapons does not cease
Hypocrites from hell who posture on the world stage
When they should be in a gigantic prison cage

Evil reprobates in positions of power
Anything that’s good they devour
Destroying countries and families too
This is the satanic work they do

Fancy titles are given to their names
Such is the state of a system insane
Madness and filth has become “normal”
Nobody speaks or asks: “Is it moral”?

Principals and ethics, they are of them, devoid
Speaking of decency and truth has them annoyed
Pimping for war is their diabolical expertise
Killing and bombing is the forte of this demonic sleaze

Training and supporting terrorists, they do this as well
Will nobody arrest this treacherous crew from hell?
These people are devils and full of hypocrisy
We need to be freed from these, demons of “democracy”...

[much more info on this at link below]

http://graysinfo.blogspot.c...

[Sep 04, 2019] Lawyer For Epstein's 'Madam' Says 'Hundreds Of Names' Contained In Upcoming Records Dump

Sep 04, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Lawyer For Epstein's 'Madam' Says 'Hundreds Of Names' Contained In Upcoming Records Dump

by Tyler Durden Wed, 09/04/2019 - 10:45 0 SHARES

An attorney for Jeffrey Epstein confidant (and alleged groomer) Ghislaine Maxwell told a judge on Wednesday that there are "hundreds" of people named in what is expected to be approximately 2,000 pages of documents ordered unsealed by the federal appeals court in New York, according to Bloomberg .

The lawyer, Jeffrey Pagliuca, told U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska Wednesday that the materials also include an address book with about 1,000 names . Preska is considering how to carry out a ruling by the federal appeals court in New York that she must consider unsealing some of the documents. There was no detail at the hearing as to the identity of the people are named in the documents, and they may include women who say they are victims of Epstein, his friends and others . - Bloomberg

According to court filings, Maxwell was said to have hired, supervised and fired household staff, while directing the visits of dozens of "massage therapists" to Epstein's residence , according to the Journal .

In depositions taken in 2009 and 2010 as part of civil lawsuits against Mr. Epstein, household employees said Ms. Maxwell was a central figure in Mr. Epstein's private life . Several said Ms. Maxwell hired, supervised, and fired household staff, while directing the visits of dozens of "massage therapists" -- typically young women.

Juan Alessi, who said in one of the depositions that he served as the Palm Beach house manager from around 1992 through 2002, described a basket of sex toys in Ms. Maxwell's bathroom closet . He said he would find them around when he cleaned up after visits from the young women. - WSJ

The document release stems from a 2015 defamation lawsuit in New York brought by Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre against Maxwell. Giuffre says Maxwell helped Epstein traffic herself and other underage girls to sex parties at the billionaire pedophile's many residences. Maxwell has denied any wrongdoing and called Giuffre a liar.

The case was settled in 2017 and the records were sealed - however appeals by the Miami Herald, Harvard Law professor (and former Epstein pal) Alan Dershowitz and right-wing blogger Mike Cernovich were successful.

In August, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has ordered the partial release of Epstein documents, which revealed that Giuffre said that President Trump was a "good friend of Jeffrey's," but that Trump 'didn't partake in any sex with any of us," adding "Donald Trump never flirted with me."

Epstein was found dead in federal lockup last month after his arrest on child sex-trafficking charges. While the case was dismissed against Epstein, Judge Preska must now consider how to release the sealed records - and from the looks of it, the possibility remains that they may not be released at all.


Son of Loki , 31 minutes ago link

You can be sure there is a **** storm of fierce fights amongst the pedos going on behind the scenes NOT to release the info.

Prince Andrew is already being "disinvited" from many events in the UK and ireland for fear he'll "change the conversation of the event."

M_Mulligan , 1 hour ago link

The real question about that name list, and why it may or may not be released is:

How many other 'Epsteins' are still active? Observing that Epstein was a hedge fund trader, one might posit that he 'traded' and 'hedged' with other 'non-financial traders' so...

spiderbite , 1 hour ago link

This was the same question I had for Penn State/Jerry Sandusky. My suspicion was there was a vast network across sports with elite alums sponsoring these nefarious activities. Paterno was sacked, an investigator killed and everything got very quiet.

Emergency Ward , 1 hour ago link

The other unasked question in this whole affair:

Who told Acosta to back off Epstein? Reddington probably knows, but isn't saying.

"I was told to back off, he belonged to intelligence."

[Sep 04, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein Was Just Another Stooge For The Elite By Richard Enos

This is just a hypothesis. Where are the facts ? The only facts that we have is that Epstein always got a "special treatment" and the Maxwell and other accomplices were not arrested as is usually ion such cases -- when prosecution tries to find "the weakest link" that starts telling the story and will implicate others.
Aug 30, 2019 | crushlimbraw.blogspot.com

In most circles, the mystery of exactly how Epstein made his fortune was shrugged off as simply part of his personal mystique. Epstein played the role of enigmatic billionaire 'to a T', able to exude the persona of a man who could use his charm and wit to get anything he wanted without revealing many of the nuts and bolts of how he rose to that position. He claimed that he would only advise people whose personal wealth was over a billion, yet any 'evidence' that he moved money around and made investments within the established industry markets were small-time and insignificant.

... ... ...

Steve Pieczenik, who has a storied history as a psychiatrist and a terrorism expert with important roles in foreign affairs with many U.S. administrations said the following about Jeffrey Epstein in the video below:

I want to talk about the Epstein pedophilia ring, what it really is, is a Mossad Israeli operative ring which goes back decades and decades. Jeff Epstein was picked out by the Mossad as the proper agent of influence, because, number one, he was grandiose, two, he had some intelligence and he was so narcissistic that they could manipulate him up and down and create a false front for him, which involved the fact that he had multi-million dollars, multi-billion dollars. But to make sure that Jeffrey Epstein was working properly, they had an operative from the Mossad who was named Maxwell, the daughter of Robert Maxwell, one of the greatest crooks in the world, who was an Israeli Mossad operative. When he died in 1991, he was either killed or he died, he was one of the biggest contributors to Israeli national security than anybody else. What the Israelis did, under the tutelage of two brilliant Mossad chiefs, both of whom used pedophilia as a honey trap to encapsulate any one of our operatives in America. Jeff Epstein was a willing operative.

He willingly was involved in pedophilia, the Israelis knew that, they created his story line, they made believe he was a billionaire, Wexner was the theoretical backup man to him. Acosta, the Secretary of Labor, was correct when he said that Epstein got off of the prosecutor's indictment in Florida because he worked in the intelligence service. And it was not only the Mossad who was involved, clearly the CIA was involved.

Blackmailer And Intelligence Operative

In the clip below from the Collective Evolution Show on CETV (you can watch the full episode as part of your free 7-day trial here ), Joe and I discussed not only Epstein's role as a blackmailer and intelligence operative, but the fact that he is nothing more than one person in a long line of people who have stepped in to play a role in these child sex blackmailing operations.

Connecting Epstein's operations to current CIA and Mossad programs and then further back even before the CIA existed, where these operations were formally being run by the American mafia and other powerful figures, reveals important patterns that help us piece together more accurately exactly what is happening in our world. If there is anything to pay attention to regarding Epstein's death, it is the level of desperation on the part of these powerful forces to squelch public attention around their very real organized criminal conspiracy that operates between intelligence, government, law enforcement, mainstream media and others, in which innocent women and children are taken, raped, and sometimes even tortured and killed as mere casualties of the self-serving power struggles amongst factions of world power.

[Sep 04, 2019] It's clear that the Epstein story is about much more than young girls and political blackmail.

Sep 04, 2019 | www.unz.com

Miro23 , says: September 3, 2019 at 5:37 am GMT

@Taras77

Whitney Webb has done a ton of research on these issues: Barr, Mena airport, Iran-Contra, guns and dope, and Clinton; he worked for Casey, CIA director under Reagan, as they say, there are no ex-spies.

https://www.sott.net/article/419114-From-Spook-Air-to-The-Lolita-Express-The-Genesis-And-Evolution-of-The-Jeffrey-Epstein-Bill-Clinton-Relationship

Thanks for that unbelievably good link.

Epstein has a "history" that explains a lot. When you run through it, it's clear that the Epstein story is about much more than young girls and political blackmail. In fact CIA airfields, drug running, Clintons, money laundering, assassinations etc. The conclusion is that Epstein is only the visible tip of the iceberg.

The Sott.net article is a 100% necessary article to print out and read carefully. It explains better than anything else I've read about how and why the US is in the place it is today.

[Sep 04, 2019] Jean-Luc Brunel is Jewish. He had a nasty reputation for drugging young women and raping them once they became helpless

Sep 04, 2019 | www.unz.com

Flo , says: September 3, 2019 at 5:33 pm GMT

@utu Jean-Luc Brunel is Jewish. He had a nasty reputation for drugging young women and raping them once they became helpless. His "modeling agency" had offices in Paris, N.Y., and Tel Aviv. He's in Israel right now, laying low.

[Sep 02, 2019] Questions Nobody Is Asking About Jeffrey Epstein by Eric Rasmusen

Highly recommended!
While details on Epstein death are not interesting (he ended like a regular pimp) the corruption of high level officials his case revealed in more troubling.
Notable quotes:
"... Epstein was released, and various lawsuits were filed against him and settled out of court, presumably in exchange for silence. The media was quiet or complimentary as Epstein worked his way back into high society. ..."
"... What would I do if I were Epstein? I'd try to get the President, the Attorney-General, or the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to shut down the investigation before it went public. I'd have all my friends and all my money try to pressure them. If it failed and I were arrested, it would be time for the backup plan -- the Deal. I'd try to minimize my prison time, and, just as important, to be put in one of the nicer federal prisons where I could associate with financial wizards and drug lords instead of serial killers, black nationalists, and people with bad breath. ..."
"... What about the powerful people Epstein would turn in to get his deal? They aren't as smart as Epstein, but they would know the Deal was coming -- that Epstein would be quite happy to sacrifice them in exchange for a prison with a slightly better golf course. What could they do? There's only one good option -- to kill Epstein, and do it quickly, before he could start giving information samples to the U. S. Attorney. ..."
"... Trying to kill informers is absolutely routine in the mafia, or indeed, for gangs of any kind. ..."
"... Famous politicians, unlike gangsters, don't have full-time professional hit men on their staffs, but that's just common sense -- politicians rarely need hit men, so it makes more sense to hire them on a piecework basis than as full-time employees. How would they find hit men? You or I wouldn't know how to start, but it would be easy for them. Rich powerful people have bodyguards. Bodyguards are for defense, but the guys who do defense know guys who do offense. And Epstein's friends are professional networkers. One reporter said of Ghislaine Maxwell, "Her Rolodex would blow away almost anyone else's I can think of -- probably even Rupert Murdoch's." They know people who know people. Maybe I'm six degrees of separation from a mafia hit man, but not Ghislaine Maxwell. I bet she knows at least one mafioso personally who knows more than one hit man. ..."
"... Or, if you can hire a New York Times reporter for $30,000 ( as Epstein famously did a couple of years ago), you can spend $200,000 on a competent hit man to make double sure. Government incompetence does not lend support to the suicide theory; quite the opposite. ..."
"... Statutory rape is not a federal crime ..."
"... At any time from 2008 to the present, Florida and New York prosecutors could have gone after Epstein and easily convicted him. The federal nonprosecution agreement did not bind them. And, of course, it is not just Epstein who should have been prosecuted. Other culprits such as Prince Andrew are still at large. ..."
"... Why isn't anybody but Ann Coulter talking about Barry Krischer and Ric Bradshaw, the Florida state prosecutor and sheriff who went easy on Epstein, or the New York City police who let him violate the sex offender regulations? ..."
"... Krischer refused to use the evidence the Palm Beach police gave him except to file a no-jail-time prostitution charge (they eventually went to Acosta, the federal prosecutor, instead, who got a guilty plea with an 18-month sentence). Bradshaw let him spend his days at home instead of at jail. ..."
"... In New York State, the county prosecutor, Cyrus Vance, fought to prevent Epstein from being classified as a Level III sex offender. Once he was, the police didn't enforce the rule that required him to check in every 90 days. ..."
"... Trafficking is a federal offense, so it would have to involve commerce across state lines. It also must involve sale and profit, not just personal pleasure. ..."
"... Here, the publicity and investigative lead is what is most important, because these are reputable and rich offenders for whom publicity is a bigger threat than losing in court. They have very good lawyers, and probably aren't guilty of federal crimes anyway, just state crimes, in corrupt states where they can use clout more effectively. Thus, killing potential informants before they tell the public is more important than killing informants to prevent their testimony at trial, a much more leisurely task. ..."
"... Geoffrey Berman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is the only government official who is clearly trustworthy, because he could have stopped the 2019 Epstein indictment and he didn't. I don't think Attorney-General Barr could have blocked it, and I don't think President Trump could have except by firing Berman. ..."
"... "It was that heart-wrenching series that caught the attention of Congress. Ben Sasse, the Republican senator from Nebraska, joined with his Democratic colleagues and demanded to know how justice had been so miscarried. ..."
"... President Trump didn't have anything personally to fear from Epstein. He is too canny to have gotten involved with him, and the press has been eagerly at work to find the slightest connection between him and Epstein and have come up dry as far as anything but acquaintanceship. But we must worry about a cover-up anyway, because rich and important people would be willing to pay Trump a lot in money or, more likely, in political support, if he does a cover-up. ..."
"... he sealing was completely illegal, as the appeals court politely but devastatingly noted in 2019, and the documents were released a day or two before Epstein died. Someone should check into Judge Sweet's finance and death. He was an ultra-Establishment figure -- a Yale man, alas, like me, and Taft School -- so he might just have been protecting what he considered good people, but his decision to seal the court records was grossly improper. ..."
"... Did Epstein have any dealings in sex, favors, or investments with any Republican except Wexner? ..."
"... Dershowitz, Mitchell, Clinton, Richardson, Dubin, George Stephanopolous, Lawrence Krauss, Katie Couric, Mortimer Zuckerman, Chelsea Handler, Cyrus Vance, and Woody Allen, are all Democrats. Did Epstein ever make use of Republicans? Don't count Trump, who has not been implicated despite the media's best efforts and was probably not even a Republican back in the 90's. Don't count Ken Starr– he's just one of Epstein's lawyers. Don't count scientists who just took money gifts from him. (By the way, Epstein made very little in the way of political contributions , though that little went mostly to Democrats ( $139,000 vs. $18,000 . I bet he extracted more from politicians than he gave to them. ..."
"... What role did Israeli politician Ehud Barak play in all this? ..."
"... Remember Marc Rich? He was a billionaire who fled the country to avoid a possible 300 years prison term, and was pardoned by Bill Clinton in 2001. Ehud Barak, one of Epstein's friends, was one of the people who asked for Rich to be pardoned . Epstein, his killers, and other rich people know that as a last resort they can flee the country and wait for someone like Clinton to come to office and pardon them. ..."
"... "intelligence" is also the kind of excuse people make up so they don't have to say "political pressure." ..."
"... James Patterson and John Connolly published Filthy Rich: A Powerful Billionaire, the Sex Scandal that Undid Him , and All the Justice that Money Can Buy: The Shocking True Story of Jeffrey Epstein . Conchita Sarnoff published TrafficKing: The Jeffrey Epstein Case. I never heard of these before 2019. Did the media bury them? ..."
"... There seems to have been an orchestrated attempt to divert attention to the issue of suicides in prison. Subtle differences in phrasing might help reveal who's been paid off. National Review had an article, "The Conspiracy Theories about Jeffrey Epstein's Death Don't Make Much Sense." The article contains no evidence or argument to support the headline's assertion, just bluster about "madness" and "conspiracy theories". Who else publishes stuff like this? ..."
"... The New York Times was, to its credit, willing to embarrass other publications by 2019. But the Times itself had been part of the cover-up in previous years . Who else was? ..."
"... Not one question involving Maurene Comey, then? She was one of the SDNY prosecutors assigned to this case, and her name has been significantly played down (if at all visible) in the reportage before or after Epstein's death. That she just "happened" to be on this case at all is quite an eyebrow raiser especially with her father under the ongoing "Spygate" investigation ..."
"... As important as it is to go on asking questions about the life and death of Jeffrey Epstein, I have to admit that personally I'm just not interested. I've always found people of his social class to be vaguely repulsive even without the sordid sex allegations. Just their demanding personalities, just the thought of them hanging around in their terrycloth jogging suits, sneering at the world with their irrefrangible arrogance, is enough to make me shudder. I want nothing of their nightmare world; and when they die, I couldn't care less. ..."
"... We are supposed to have faith in this rubbish? The cameras malfunctioned. He didn't have a cellmate. The guards were tired and forced to work overtime. ..."
"... One tiny mention of Jewish magnate Les Wexner but no mention how he & the Bronfmans founded the 'Mega Group' of ultra-Zionist billionaires regularly meeting as to how they could prop up the Jewish state by any & all means, Wexner being the source of many Epstein millions, the original buyer of the NYC mansion he transferred to Epstein etc the excellent Epstein series by Whitney Webb on Mint Press covering all this https://www.mintpressnews.com/author/whitney-webb/ ..."
"... ex-OSS father Donald Barr had written a 'fantasy novel' on sex slavery with scenes of rape of underage teens, 'Space Relations', written whilst Don Barr was headmaster of the Dalton school, which gave Epstein his first job, teaching teens ..."
Sep 02, 2019 | www.unz.com

The Jeffrey Epstein case is notable for the ups and downs in media coverage it's gotten over the years. Everybody, it seems, in New York society knew by 2000 that Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were corrupting teenage girls, but the press wouldn't cover it. Articles by New York in 2002 and Vanity Fair in 2003 alluded to it gently, while probing Epstein's finances more closely. In 2005, the Palm Beach police investigated. The county prosecutor, Democrat Barry Krischer, wouldn't prosecute for more than prostitution, so they went to the federal prosecutor, Republican Alexander Acosta, and got the FBI involved. Acosta's office prepared an indictment, but before it was filed, he made a deal: Epstein agreed to plead guilty to a state law felony and receive a prison term of 18 months. In exchange, the federal interstate sex trafficking charges would not be prosecuted by Acosta's office. Epstein was officially at the county jail for 13 months, where the county officials under Democratic Sheriff Ric Bradshaw gave him scandalously easy treatment , letting him spend his days outside, and letting him serve a year of probation in place of the last 5 months of his sentence. Acosta's office complained, but it was a county jail, not a federal jail, so he was powerless.

Epstein was released, and various lawsuits were filed against him and settled out of court, presumably in exchange for silence. The media was quiet or complimentary as Epstein worked his way back into high society. Two books were written about the affair, and fell flat. The FBI became interested again around 2011 ( a little known fact ) and maybe things were happening behind the scenes, but the next big event was in 2018 when the Miami Herald published a series of investigative articles rehashing what had happened.

In 2019 federal prosecutors indicted Epstein, he was put in jail, and he mysteriously died. Now, after much complaining in the press about how awful jails are and how many people commit suicide, things are quiet again, at least until the Justice Department and the State of Florida finish their investigation a few years from now. (For details and more links, see " Investigation: Jeffrey Epstein "at Medium.com and " Jeffrey Epstein " at Wikipedia .)

I'm an expert in the field of "game theory", strategic thinking. What would I do if I were Epstein? I'd try to get the President, the Attorney-General, or the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to shut down the investigation before it went public. I'd have all my friends and all my money try to pressure them. If it failed and I were arrested, it would be time for the backup plan -- the Deal. I'd try to minimize my prison time, and, just as important, to be put in one of the nicer federal prisons where I could associate with financial wizards and drug lords instead of serial killers, black nationalists, and people with bad breath.

That's what Epstein would do. What about the powerful people Epstein would turn in to get his deal? They aren't as smart as Epstein, but they would know the Deal was coming -- that Epstein would be quite happy to sacrifice them in exchange for a prison with a slightly better golf course. What could they do? There's only one good option -- to kill Epstein, and do it quickly, before he could start giving information samples to the U. S. Attorney.

Trying to kill informers is absolutely routine in the mafia, or indeed, for gangs of any kind. The reason people call such talk "conspiracy theories" when it comes to Epstein is that his friends are WASPs and Jews, not Italians and Mexicans. But WASPs and Jews are human too. They want to protect themselves. Famous politicians, unlike gangsters, don't have full-time professional hit men on their staffs, but that's just common sense -- politicians rarely need hit men, so it makes more sense to hire them on a piecework basis than as full-time employees. How would they find hit men? You or I wouldn't know how to start, but it would be easy for them. Rich powerful people have bodyguards. Bodyguards are for defense, but the guys who do defense know guys who do offense. And Epstein's friends are professional networkers. One reporter said of Ghislaine Maxwell, "Her Rolodex would blow away almost anyone else's I can think of -- probably even Rupert Murdoch's." They know people who know people. Maybe I'm six degrees of separation from a mafia hit man, but not Ghislaine Maxwell. I bet she knows at least one mafioso personally who knows more than one hit man.

In light of this, it would be very surprising if someone with a spare $50 million to spend to solve the Epstein problem didn't give it a try. A lot of people can be bribed for $50 million. Thus, we should have expected to see bribery attempts. If none were detected, it must have been because prison workers are not reporting they'd been approached.

Some people say that government incompetence is always a better explanation than government malfeasance. That's obviously wrong -- when an undeserving business gets a contract, it's not always because the government official in charge was just not paying attention. I can well believe that prisons often take prisoners off of suicide watch too soon, have guards who go to sleep and falsify records, remove cellmates from prisoners at risk of suicide or murder, let the TV cameras watching their most important prisoners go on the blink, and so forth. But that cuts both ways.

Remember, in the case of Epstein, we'd expect a murder attempt whether the warden of the most important federal jail in the country is competent or not. If the warden is incompetent, we should expect that murder attempt to succeed. Murder becomes all the more more plausible. Instead of spending $50 million to bribe 20 guards and the warden, you just pay some thug $30,000 to walk in past the snoring guards, open the cell door, and strangle the sleeping prisoner, no fancy James Bond necessary. Or, if you can hire a New York Times reporter for $30,000 ( as Epstein famously did a couple of years ago), you can spend $200,000 on a competent hit man to make double sure. Government incompetence does not lend support to the suicide theory; quite the opposite.

Now to my questions.

Why is nobody blaming the Florida and New York state prosecutors for not prosecuting Epstein and others for statutory rape?

Statutory rape is not a federal crime, so it is not something the Justice Dept. is supposed to investigate or prosecute. They are going after things like interstate sex trafficking. Interstate sex trafficking is generally much harder to prove than statutory rape, which is very easy if the victims will testify.

At any time from 2008 to the present, Florida and New York prosecutors could have gone after Epstein and easily convicted him. The federal nonprosecution agreement did not bind them. And, of course, it is not just Epstein who should have been prosecuted. Other culprits such as Prince Andrew are still at large.

Note that if even if the evidence is just the girl's word against Ghislaine Maxwell's or Prince Andrew's, it's still quite possible to get a jury to convict. After all, who would you believe, in a choice between Maxwell, Andrew, and Anyone Else in the World? For an example of what can be done if the government is eager to convict, instead of eager to protect important people, see the 2019 Cardinal Pell case in Australia. He was convicted by the secret testimony of a former choirboy, the only complainant, who claimed Pell had committed indecent acts during a chance encounter after Mass before Pell had even unrobed. Naturally, the only cardinal to be convicted of anything in the Catholic Church scandals is also the one who's done the most to fight corruption. Where there's a will, there's a way to prosecute. It's even easier to convict someone if he's actually guilty.

Why isn't anybody but Ann Coulter talking about Barry Krischer and Ric Bradshaw, the Florida state prosecutor and sheriff who went easy on Epstein, or the New York City police who let him violate the sex offender regulations?

Krischer refused to use the evidence the Palm Beach police gave him except to file a no-jail-time prostitution charge (they eventually went to Acosta, the federal prosecutor, instead, who got a guilty plea with an 18-month sentence). Bradshaw let him spend his days at home instead of at jail.

In New York State, the county prosecutor, Cyrus Vance, fought to prevent Epstein from being classified as a Level III sex offender. Once he was, the police didn't enforce the rule that required him to check in every 90 days.

How easy would it have been to prove in 2016 or 2019 that Epstein and his people were guilty of federal sex trafficking?

Not easy, I should think. It wouldn't be enough to prove that Epstein debauched teenagers. Trafficking is a federal offense, so it would have to involve commerce across state lines. It also must involve sale and profit, not just personal pleasure. The 2019 indictment is weak on this. The "interstate commerce" looks like it's limited to Epstein making phone calls between Florida and New York. This is why I am not completely skeptical when former U.S. Attorney Acosta says that the 2008 nonprosecution deal was reasonable. He had strong evidence the Epstein violated Florida state law -- but that wasn't relevant. He had to prove violations of federal law.

Why didn't Epstein ask the Court, or the Justice Dept., for permission to have an unarmed guard share his cell with him?

Epstein had no chance at bail without bribing the judge, but this request would have been reasonable. That he didn't request a guard is, I think, the strongest evidence that he wanted to die. If he didn't commit suicide himself, he was sure making it easy for someone else to kill him.

Could Epstein have used the safeguard of leaving a trove of photos with a friend or lawyer to be published if he died an unnatural death?

Well, think about it -- Epstein's lawyer was Alan Dershowitz. If he left photos with someone like Dershowitz, that someone could earn a lot more by using the photos for blackmail himself than by dutifully carrying out his perverted customer's instructions. The evidence is just too valuable, and Epstein was someone whose friends weren't the kind of people he could trust. Probably not even his brother.

Who is in danger of dying next?

Prison workers from guard to warden should be told that if they took bribes, their lives are now in danger. Prison guards may not be bright enough to realize this. Anybody who knows anything important about Epstein should be advised to publicize their information immediately. That is the best way to stay alive.

This is not like a typical case where witnesses get killed so they won't testify. It's not like with gangsters. Here, the publicity and investigative lead is what is most important, because these are reputable and rich offenders for whom publicity is a bigger threat than losing in court. They have very good lawyers, and probably aren't guilty of federal crimes anyway, just state crimes, in corrupt states where they can use clout more effectively. Thus, killing potential informants before they tell the public is more important than killing informants to prevent their testimony at trial, a much more leisurely task.

What happened to Epstein's body?

The Justice Dept. had better not have let Epstein's body be cremated. And they'd better give us convincing evidence that it's his body. If I had $100 million to get out of jail with, acquiring a corpse and bribing a few people to switch fingerprints and DNA wouldn't be hard. I find it worrying that the government has not released proof that Epstein is dead or a copy of the autopsy.

Was Epstein's jail really full of mice?

The New York Times says,

"Beyond its isolation, the wing is infested with rodents and cockroaches, and inmates often have to navigate standing water -- as well as urine and fecal matter -- that spills from faulty plumbing, accounts from former inmates and lawyers said. One lawyer said mice often eat his clients' papers."

" Often have to navigate standing water"? "Mice often eat his clients' papers?" Really? I'm skeptical. What do the vermin eat -- do inmates leave Snickers bars open in their cells? Has anyone checked on what the prison conditions really like?

Is it just a coincidence that Epstein made a new will two days before he died?

I can answer this one. Yes, it is coincidence, though it's not a coincidence that he rewrote the will shortly after being denied bail. The will leaves everything to a trust, and it is the trust document (which is confidential), not the will (which is public), that determines who gets the money. Probably the only thing that Epstein changed in his will was the listing of assets, and he probably changed that because he'd just updated his list of assets for the bail hearing anyway, so it was a convenient time to update the will.

Did Epstein's veiled threat against DOJ officials in his bail filing backfire?

Epstein's lawyers wrote in his bail request,

"If the government is correct that the NPA does not, and never did, preclude a prosecution in this district, then the government will likely have to explain why it purposefully delayed a prosecution of someone like Mr. Epstein, who registered as a sex offender 10 years ago and was certainly no stranger to law enforcement. There is no legitimate explanation for the delay."

I see this as a veiled threat. The threat is that Epstein would subpoena people and documents from the Justice Department relevant to the question of why there was a ten-year delay before prosecution, to expose the illegitimate explanation for the delay. Somebody is to blame for that delay, and court-ordered disclosure is a bigger threat than an internal federal investigation.

Who can we trust?

Geoffrey Berman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is the only government official who is clearly trustworthy, because he could have stopped the 2019 Epstein indictment and he didn't. I don't think Attorney-General Barr could have blocked it, and I don't think President Trump could have except by firing Berman. I do trust Attorney-General Barr, however, from what I've heard of him and because he instantly and publicly said he would have not just the FBI but the Justice Dept. Inspector-General investigate Epstein's death, and he quickly fired the federal prison head honcho. The FBI is untrustworthy, but Inspector-Generals are often honorable.

Someone else who may be a hero in this is Senator Ben Sasse. Vicki Ward writes in the Daily Beast :

"It was that heart-wrenching series that caught the attention of Congress. Ben Sasse, the Republican senator from Nebraska, joined with his Democratic colleagues and demanded to know how justice had been so miscarried.

Given the political sentiment, it's unsurprising that the FBI should feel newly emboldened to investigate Epstein -- basing some of their work on Brown's excellent reporting."

Will President Trump Cover Up Epstein's Death in Exchange for Political Leverage?

President Trump didn't have anything personally to fear from Epstein. He is too canny to have gotten involved with him, and the press has been eagerly at work to find the slightest connection between him and Epstein and have come up dry as far as anything but acquaintanceship. But we must worry about a cover-up anyway, because rich and important people would be willing to pay Trump a lot in money or, more likely, in political support, if he does a cover-up.

Why did Judge Sweet order Epstein documents sealed in 2017. Did he die naturally in 2019?

Judge Robert Sweet in 2017 ordered all documents in an Epstein-related case sealed. He died in May 2019 at age 96, at home in Idaho. The sealing was completely illegal, as the appeals court politely but devastatingly noted in 2019, and the documents were released a day or two before Epstein died. Someone should check into Judge Sweet's finance and death. He was an ultra-Establishment figure -- a Yale man, alas, like me, and Taft School -- so he might just have been protecting what he considered good people, but his decision to seal the court records was grossly improper.

Did Epstein have any dealings in sex, favors, or investments with any Republican except Wexner?

Dershowitz, Mitchell, Clinton, Richardson, Dubin, George Stephanopolous, Lawrence Krauss, Katie Couric, Mortimer Zuckerman, Chelsea Handler, Cyrus Vance, and Woody Allen, are all Democrats. Did Epstein ever make use of Republicans? Don't count Trump, who has not been implicated despite the media's best efforts and was probably not even a Republican back in the 90's. Don't count Ken Starr– he's just one of Epstein's lawyers. Don't count scientists who just took money gifts from him. (By the way, Epstein made very little in the way of political contributions , though that little went mostly to Democrats ( $139,000 vs. $18,000 . I bet he extracted more from politicians than he gave to them.

What role did Israeli politician Ehud Barak play in all this?

Remember Marc Rich? He was a billionaire who fled the country to avoid a possible 300 years prison term, and was pardoned by Bill Clinton in 2001. Ehud Barak, one of Epstein's friends, was one of the people who asked for Rich to be pardoned . Epstein, his killers, and other rich people know that as a last resort they can flee the country and wait for someone like Clinton to come to office and pardon them.

Acosta said that Washington Bush Administration people told him to go easy on Epstein because he was an intelligence source. That is plausible. Epstein had info and blackmailing ability with people like Ehud Barak, leader of Israel's Labor Party. But "intelligence" is also the kind of excuse people make up so they don't have to say "political pressure."

Why did nobody pay attention to the two 2016 books on Epstein?

James Patterson and John Connolly published Filthy Rich: A Powerful Billionaire, the Sex Scandal that Undid Him , and All the Justice that Money Can Buy: The Shocking True Story of Jeffrey Epstein . Conchita Sarnoff published TrafficKing: The Jeffrey Epstein Case. I never heard of these before 2019. Did the media bury them?

Which newspapers reported Epstein's death as "suicide" and which as "apparent suicide"?

More generally, which media outlets seem to be trying to brush Epstein's death under the rug? There seems to have been an orchestrated attempt to divert attention to the issue of suicides in prison. Subtle differences in phrasing might help reveal who's been paid off. National Review had an article, "The Conspiracy Theories about Jeffrey Epstein's Death Don't Make Much Sense." The article contains no evidence or argument to support the headline's assertion, just bluster about "madness" and "conspiracy theories". Who else publishes stuff like this?

How much did Epstein corrupt the media from 2008 to 2019?

Even outlets that generally publish good articles must be suspected of corruption. Epstein made an effort to get good publicity. The New York Times wrote,

"The effort led to the publication of articles describing him as a selfless and forward-thinking philanthropist with an interest in science on websites like Forbes, National Review and HuffPost .

All three articles have been removed from their sites in recent days, after inquiries from The New York Times .

The National Review piece, from the same year, called him "a smart businessman" with a "passion for cutting-edge science."

Ms. Galbraith was also a publicist for Mr. Epstein, according to several news releases promoting Mr. Epstein's foundations In the article that appeared on the National Review site, she described him as having "given thoughtfully to countless organizations that help educate underprivileged children."

"We took down the piece, and regret publishing it," Rich Lowry, the editor of National Review since 1997, said in an email. He added that the publication had "had a process in place for a while now to weed out such commercially self-interested pieces from lobbyists and PR flacks.""

The New York Times was, to its credit, willing to embarrass other publications by 2019. But the Times itself had been part of the cover-up in previous years . Who else was?

Eric Rasmusen is an economist who has held an endowed chair at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business and visiting positions at Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, the Harvard Economics Department, Chicago's Booth School of Business, Nuffield College/Oxford, and the University of Tokyo Economics Department. He is best known for his book Games and Information. He has published extensively in law and economics, including recent articles on the burakumin outcastes in Japan, the use of game theory in jurisprudence, and quasi-concave functions. The views expressed here are his personal views and are not intended to represent the views of the Kelley School of Business or Indiana University. His vitae is at http://www.rasmusen.org/vita.htm .


Paul.Martin , says: September 2, 2019 at 3:54 am GMT

Not one question involving Maurene Comey, then? She was one of the SDNY prosecutors assigned to this case, and her name has been significantly played down (if at all visible) in the reportage before or after Epstein's death. That she just "happened" to be on this case at all is quite an eyebrow raiser especially with her father under the ongoing "Spygate" investigation

Apparently, there will always be many players on the field, and many ways to do damage control.

utu , says: September 2, 2019 at 4:43 am GMT

How easy would it have been to prove in 2016 or 2019 that Epstein and his people were guilty of federal sex trafficking?

It would be very easy for a motivated prosecutor.

Mann Act: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mann_Act The Mann Act was successfully used to prosecute several Christian preachers in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

So the problem was finding a motivated prosecutor in case of Jewish predator with very likely links to intelligence services of several countries. The motivation was obviously lacking.

Your "expertise" in game theory would be greatly improved if you let yourself consider the Jewish factor.

Intelligent Dasein , says: Website September 2, 2019 at 4:44 am GMT
As important as it is to go on asking questions about the life and death of Jeffrey Epstein, I have to admit that personally I'm just not interested. I've always found people of his social class to be vaguely repulsive even without the sordid sex allegations. Just their demanding personalities, just the thought of them hanging around in their terrycloth jogging suits, sneering at the world with their irrefrangible arrogance, is enough to make me shudder. I want nothing of their nightmare world; and when they die, I couldn't care less.
utu , says: September 2, 2019 at 4:46 am GMT

More generally, which media outlets seem to be trying to brush Epstein's death under the rug?

Not the National Enquirer:

Jeffrey Epstein Murder Cover-up Exposed!
Death Scene Staged to Look Like Suicide
Billionaire's Screams Ignored by Guards!
Fatal Attack Caught on Jail Cameras!
Autopsy is Hiding the Truth!

National Enquirer, Sept 2. 2019
https://reader.magzter.com/preview/7l5c5vd5t28thcmigloxel3670370/367037

Mark James , says: September 2, 2019 at 6:33 am GMT
I don't hold AG Barr in the high regard this piece does. While I'm not suggesting he had anything to do with Epstein's death I do think he's corrupt. I doubt he will do anything that leads to the truth. As for him relieving the warden of his duties, I would hope that was to be expected, wasn't it? I mean he only had two attempts on Epstein's life with the second being a success. Apparently the first didn't jolt the warden into some kind of action as it appears he was guilty of a number of sins including 'Sloth.'

As for the publications that don't like conspiracy theories –like the National Review -- they are a hoot. We are supposed to have faith in this rubbish? The cameras malfunctioned. He didn't have a cellmate. The guards were tired and forced to work overtime. There was no camera specifically in the cell with Epstein.
In the end I think Epstein probably was allowed to kill himself but I'm not confident in that scenario at all. And yes the media should pressure Barr to hav e a look in the cell and see exactly how a suicide attempt might have succeeded or if it was a long-shot at best, given the materiel and conditions.

SafeNow , says: September 2, 2019 at 6:49 am GMT
19. Why is the non-prosecution agreement ambiguous ("globally" binding), when it was written by the best lawyers in the country for a very wealthy client? Was the ambiguity bargained-for? If so, what are the implications?

20. With "globally" still being unresolved (to the bail judge's first-paragraph astonishment), why commit suicide now?

21. The "it was malfeasance" components are specified. For mere malfeasance to have been the cause, all of the components would have to be true; it would be a multiplicative function of the several components. Is no one sufficiently quantitative to estimate the magnitude?

22. What is the best single takeaway phrase that emerges from all of this? My nomination is: "In your face." The brazen, shameless, unprecedented, turning-point, in-your-faceness of it.

sally , says: September 2, 2019 at 7:32 am GMT
ER the answer is easy to you list of questions .. there is no law in the world when violations are not prosecuted and fair open for all to see trials are not held and judges do not deliver the appropriate penalties upon convictions. .. in cases involving the CIA prosecution it is unheard of that a open for all to see trial takes place.

This is why we the governed masses need a parallel government..

such an oversight government would allow to pick out the negligent or wilful misconduct of persons in functional government and prosecute such persons in the independent people's court.. Without a second government to oversee the first government there is no democracy; democracy cannot stand and the governed masses will never see the light of a fair day .. unless the masses have oversight authority on what is to be made into law, and are given without prejudice to their standing in America the right to charge those associated to government with negligent or wilful misconduct.

mypoint

Anonymous [425] Disclaimer , says: Website September 2, 2019 at 7:33 am GMT

https://www.youtube.com/embed/fMG8SVrqstg?feature=oembed

Brabantian , says: September 2, 2019 at 8:31 am GMT
There are big questions this article is not asking either

The words 'Mossad' seems not to appear above, and just a brief mention of 'Israel' with Ehud Barak

One tiny mention of Jewish magnate Les Wexner but no mention how he & the Bronfmans founded the 'Mega Group' of ultra-Zionist billionaires regularly meeting as to how they could prop up the Jewish state by any & all means, Wexner being the source of many Epstein millions, the original buyer of the NYC mansion he transferred to Epstein etc the excellent Epstein series by Whitney Webb on Mint Press covering all this
https://www.mintpressnews.com/author/whitney-webb/

Was escape to freedom & Israe,l the ultimate payoff for Epstein's decades of work for Mossad, grooming and abusing young teens, filmed in flagrante delicto with prominent people for political blackmail?

Is it not likely this was a Mossad jailbreak covered by fake 'suicide', with Epstein alive now, with US gov now also in possession of the assumed Epstein sexual blackmail video tapes?

We have the Epstein 'death in jail' under the US Attorney General Bill Barr, a former CIA officer 1973-77, the CIA supporting him thru night law school, Bill Barr's later law firm Kirkland Ellis representing Epstein

Whose Jewish-born ex-OSS father Donald Barr had written a 'fantasy novel' on sex slavery with scenes of rape of underage teens, 'Space Relations', written whilst Don Barr was headmaster of the Dalton school, which gave Epstein his first job, teaching teens

So would a crypto-Jewish 'former' CIA officer who is now USA Attorney General, possibly help a Mossad political blackmailer escape to Israel after a fake 'jail suicide'?

An intriguing 4chan post a few hours after Epstein's 'body was discovered', says Epstein was put in a wheelchair and driven out of the jail in a van, accompanied by a man in a green military uniform – timestamp is USA Pacific on the screencap apparently, so about 10:44 NYC time Sat.10 Aug

FWIW, drone video of Epstein's Little St James island from Friday 30 August, shows a man who could be Epstein himself, on the left by one vehicle, talking to a black man sitting on a quad all-terrain unit

Close up of Epstein-like man between vehicles, from video note 'pale finger' match-up to archive photo Epstein

Anon [261] Disclaimer , says: September 2, 2019 at 8:34 am GMT
The thing that sticks out for me is that Epstein was caught, charged, and went to jail previously, but he didn't die . The second time, it appears he was murdered. I strongly suspect that the person who murdered Epstein was someone who only met Epstein after 2008, or was someone Epstein only procured for after 2008. Otherwise, this person would have killed Epstein back when Epstein was charged by the cops the first time.

Either that, or the killer is someone who is an opponent of Trump, and this person was genuinely terrified that Trump would pressure the Feds to avoid any deals and to squeeze all the important names out of Epstein and prosecute them, too.

anonymous [340] Disclaimer , says: September 2, 2019 at 8:37 am GMT
The author professes himself "expert in the field of "game theory", strategic thinking," but he doesn't say how his 18 questions were arrived at to the exclusion of hundreds of others. Instead, the column includes several casual assumptions and speculation. For example:

As to this last, isn't "quickly [firing] the federal prison head honcho" consistent with a failure-to-prevent-suicide deflection strategy? And has Mr. Rasmusen not "heard" of the hiring of Mr. Epstein by Mr. Barr's father? Or of the father's own Establishment background?

I hope to be wrong, but my own hunch is that these investigations, like the parallel investigations of the RussiaGate hoax, will leave the elite unscathed. I also hope that in the meantime we see more rigorous columns here than this one.

Miro23 , says: September 2, 2019 at 9:45 am GMT

...Also, subsequently, it should have been a top priority to arrest Ghislaine Maxwell but the government, justice and media lack interest . Apparently, they don't know where she is, and they're not making any special efforts to find out.

Sick of Orcs , says: September 2, 2019 at 9:45 am GMT
Epstein had no "dead man's switch" which would release what he knew to media? C'mon! This is basic Villainy 101.

[Sep 01, 2019] What Jeffrey Epstein 'could not buy, he forcibly took' His accusers speak out in court

Epstein was strategic in recruiting girls and he selected those who badly need money and were ready for moral compromises to get to modeling career, or acting or massage therapy.
In a was this was a replay of how Hollywood treats starlets but a different set of "customers" for the girls. What is unclear why Maxwell was in this dirty business. Was it for money ?
Sep 01, 2019 | www.nbcnews.com

"The investigation into those matters has been ongoing, is ongoing, and will continue," a prosecutor for the Southern District of New York said.

Several accusers who spoke in court Tuesday named Epstein's former longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

"We all know he did not act alone," Sarah Ransome said, asking prosecutors to "finish what you have started."

Theresa Helm said that Maxwell needs to be "held accountable."

https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-35/html/container.html?n=0

Another accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, said she was 17 when Maxwell allegedly recruited her. Giuffre said she was told that she could have a career as a massage therapist, but she instead became "a victim of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and the horrible acts they committed against me."

"I commend the prosecutors for the Southern District of New York for their ongoing pursuit of justice," she said.

Maxwell, a British socialite, has been named in some court filings by women alleging abuse by Epstein.

A cache of court papers relating to a separate 2015 federal defamation lawsuit filed by Giuffre against Maxwell shows that she claimed in a 2016 deposition that Epstein and Maxwell groomed her to become a "sex slave" for high-powered men starting when she was 16.

Maxwell has not been charged with a crime and has not commented publicly since the papers were released earlier this month. Her lawyer also has not previously returned a request for comment upon release of the documents Friday and could not be immediately reached on Tuesday.

Previously, in a motion to dismiss the suit, Maxwell's lawyers said Giuffre "produced no evidence substantiating any of her fantastical claims that she had been trafficked by Epstein, or by Maxwell."

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said Epstein's death was "a rather stunning turn of events" and that giving the women a chance to speak was a matter of law and "respect."

"I believe it is the court's responsibility and in its purview that the victims in the case are dealt with, with dignity and with humanity," he said.

[Aug 30, 2019] Jeffrey Zwi Epstein Migdal by Gilad Atzmon

That version does not explain presence of cameras in multiple Esptein homes. And the past that in his NYC home their installation predate his acquisition (actually the house was gifted to him by Wexner, who is the person who installed the cameras.) Camera is what is used to compromise politicians. Is this a typical mafia activity, or a typical intelligence agencies activity. I think the latter is more plausible.
Notable quotes:
"... Epstein wasn't the first Jewish sex trafficker. This seems like a good time to look back at Zwi Migdal, a Jewish global crime syndicate that operated a century ago and trafficked tens of thousands of Jewish women and under age girls as sex slaves. According to contemporary Jewish writer Giulia Morpurgo the Zwi Migdal had turned Argentina, "into a nightmare of prostitution and exploitation." ..."
"... The Zwi Migdal ..."
"... The Zwi Migdal organization operated from the 1860s to 1939. In its heyday, after the First World War, it had four hundred members in Argentina alone. Its annual turnover was fifty million dollars in the early 1900s. ..."
"... The recently released documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein affair suggest that Epstein and Maxwell were to be charged with child sex trafficking, and as the alleged procurer of underage girls. ..."
"... A very well-mannered and elegant-looking man would appear in a poor Jewish village in places such as Poland or Russia. He would advertise his search for young women to work in the homes of wealthy Jews in Argentina by posting an ad in the local synagogue. Fearful of pogroms and often in desperate economic circumstances, the trusting parents would send their naïve daughters away with these men, hoping to give them a fresh start." ..."
"... The last line recalls Virginia Giuffre's account of her encounter with the elegant British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell who allegedly lured her victims to 'escape' their misery. ..."
"... The Zwi Migdal Organization reached its peak in the 1920s when some 430 rufianos, or pimps, controlled 2,000 brothels trafficking around 30.000 Jewish women and girls in Argentina alone. "The largest brothels of Buenos Aires housed 60 to 80 female sex slaves. There were brothels all over Argentina, but most of them were in the big city, in the Jewish quarter, on Junin Street." ..."
"... One may wonder how all of that fit with Judaic tradition and Talmudic law. "In one brothel," the ACACA reports, "the Madam, an observant Jewish woman, would not let her women work on Fridays but instructed them herself in the art of lovemaking." ..."
"... Many commentators on the Epstein affair are amazed by the incapacity of America's law enforcement, legal system and federal agencies to bring justice to Epstein's victims and its failure to lock him away. Once again, that is not new. The JCACA writes of the Zwi Migdal criminality: "These activities went on undisturbed because they were frequented by government officials, judges, and reporters. City officials, politicians, and police officers were paid off. The pimps had powerful connections everywhere." ..."
"... The Jewish community didn't rush to save their abused daughters. "The prostitutes, who were mostly illiterate, destitute and despised by the mainstream Jewish community, banded together to form their own mutual-aid societies." However, rarely, some Jewish ethnic activists stood for the abused women and girls. "One night Nahum Sorkin, a well-known Zionist activist, stood outside the theatre and physically stopped the rufianos (Jewish pimps) from entering. Next, they were banned from the synagogues, and to top it all, they were refused burial in the Jewish cemetery." ..."
"... Her testimony led to an extensive investigation. The findings reached Dr. Rodriguez Ocampo, a judge who would not take Zwi Migdal bribes either. ..."
"... The lengthy trial ended in September 1930, with 108 detainees. "The very existence of the Zwi Migdal Organization directly threatens our society," the judge wrote in his verdict, handing down long prison terms." ..."
"... As with Epstein and his mobsters friends, things changed quickly and not in favour of justice let alone guided by ethical principles. The Zwi Migdal mobsters were at least as well connected as Epstein to politicians, judges and prosecutors. "While in prison, the pimps pulled some old strings, appealed their sentences in January 1931, and senior Justice Ministry officials left only three of the convicts in jail, discharging the rest." ..."
"... The JCACA sums up the Zwi Migdal saga by stating that the Jewish crime syndicate was "an organization that traded in women while its members wore tefillin (a Jewish religious garment) and built themselves a synagogue." I guess the same can be said about Epstein's ring. They may not be religious, they may not wear Tefillin but they are self identified Jewish Zionists who donate to Israel and vocally support Israel's criminal politics. ..."
"... The Wandering Who ..."
Aug 29, 2019 | dissidentvoice.org

The story of Jeffrey Epstein has lost its mystery as more and more commentators allow themselves to express the thought that it is a strong possibility that Epstein was connected to a crime syndicate affiliated with a Zionist political organisation or Israel and/or at least a few compromised intelligence agencies. Whitney Web and others have produced superb studies of possible scenarios, I would instead like to attack the topic from a cultural perspective. Epstein wasn't the first Jewish sex trafficker. This seems like a good time to look back at Zwi Migdal, a Jewish global crime syndicate that operated a century ago and trafficked tens of thousands of Jewish women and under age girls as sex slaves. According to contemporary Jewish writer Giulia Morpurgo the Zwi Migdal had turned Argentina, "into a nightmare of prostitution and exploitation."

During the first three decades of the 20th century Argentina was a rich country. It outgrew Canada and Australia in population, total income, and per capita income. Just before the first world war Argentina was the world's 10th wealthiest state per capita. When Argentina was a rich country, large parts of its economy, culture and politics were controlled by crime syndicates and particularly a Jewish organised crime apparatus named 'Zwi Migdal.'

In 2009 The International Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault (JCACA) published a comprehensive article about the Zwi Migdal titled Understanding the Zwi Migdal Society which I am about to quote from extensively.

The Zwi Migdal , was an association of Jewish mobsters who were involved in the "sexual exploitation of Jewish women and children, which operated globally." Apparently the Zwi Migdal originally picked a pretty innocent sounding name: "Warsaw Jewish Mutual Aid Society." It does indeed sound almost as innocent, humane and charitable as 'Anti Defamation League,' 'Jews against Breast Cancer,' or even 'Jewish Voice for Peace' but the Warsaw Jewish Mutual Aid Society wasn't innocent at all. It forced thousands of women and girls to become sex slaves and destroyed their lives.

On May 7, 1906, the Jewish syndicate had to change its title after the Polish ambassador to Argentina filed an official complaint to the Argentine authorities regarding the use of the name 'Warsaw.' Clearly, the Polish government did not want to be associated with a Jewish crime syndicate. In that line, it would be appropriate to ask how long is it going to take before the American government and its politicians insist that AIPAC drop its first 'A' or before The Neocon Project of the New American Century are ordered to drop American from their title.

"Zwi Migdal means 'strong power' in Yiddish and it also honoured Zvi Migdal, known as Luis Migdal, one of the founders of the crime organization."

The Zwi Migdal organization operated from the 1860s to 1939. In its heyday, after the First World War, it had four hundred members in Argentina alone. Its annual turnover was fifty million dollars in the early 1900s.

Unlike Epstein and Maxwell who allegedly recruited non-Jewish underage women, the Zwi Migdal specialised in trafficking Jewish women. "Most of the Jewish women and children who were kidnapped were taken from impoverished shtetls (Jewish small towns) and brought to Buenos Aires."

The recently released documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein affair suggest that Epstein and Maxwell were to be charged with child sex trafficking, and as the alleged procurer of underage girls. It seems none of that is really novel in the Jewish world: "The Zwi Migdal Society lured decent girls and young women from Europe in many inventive and deceitful ways. A very well-mannered and elegant-looking man would appear in a poor Jewish village in places such as Poland or Russia. He would advertise his search for young women to work in the homes of wealthy Jews in Argentina by posting an ad in the local synagogue. Fearful of pogroms and often in desperate economic circumstances, the trusting parents would send their naïve daughters away with these men, hoping to give them a fresh start."

The last line recalls Virginia Giuffre's account of her encounter with the elegant British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell who allegedly lured her victims to 'escape' their misery.

The JCACA continues "The girls, aged mostly 13 to 16, packed a small bag, bade their families farewell and boarded ships to Argentina, believing that they were on their way toward a better future. However, they soon learned the bitter truth. Their period of training as sex slaves, which began on the ship, was cruel and brutal. The young virgins were "broken in" ~ raped, beaten, starved and locked in cages."

The Zwi Migdal Organization reached its peak in the 1920s when some 430 rufianos, or pimps, controlled 2,000 brothels trafficking around 30.000 Jewish women and girls in Argentina alone. "The largest brothels of Buenos Aires housed 60 to 80 female sex slaves. There were brothels all over Argentina, but most of them were in the big city, in the Jewish quarter, on Junin Street."

Apparently "Prostitutes who failed to satisfy their clients were beaten, fined, or taken to work in provincial houses. Every business transaction was logged. The rufianos 'held a meat market' where newly arrived girls were paraded naked in front of traders in places such as Hotel Palestina or Cafe Parisienne."

One may wonder how all of that fit with Judaic tradition and Talmudic law. "In one brothel," the ACACA reports, "the Madam, an observant Jewish woman, would not let her women work on Fridays but instructed them herself in the art of lovemaking."

Many commentators on the Epstein affair are amazed by the incapacity of America's law enforcement, legal system and federal agencies to bring justice to Epstein's victims and its failure to lock him away. Once again, that is not new. The JCACA writes of the Zwi Migdal criminality: "These activities went on undisturbed because they were frequented by government officials, judges, and reporters. City officials, politicians, and police officers were paid off. The pimps had powerful connections everywhere."

The Jewish community didn't rush to save their abused daughters. "The prostitutes, who were mostly illiterate, destitute and despised by the mainstream Jewish community, banded together to form their own mutual-aid societies." However, rarely, some Jewish ethnic activists stood for the abused women and girls. "One night Nahum Sorkin, a well-known Zionist activist, stood outside the theatre and physically stopped the rufianos (Jewish pimps) from entering. Next, they were banned from the synagogues, and to top it all, they were refused burial in the Jewish cemetery."

From Rachel (Raquel) Lieberman to Virginia Roberts Giuffre

We learn that the rufianos' audacity eventually led to their demise. "It happened when they refused to forgo their income from the work of one woman, Rachel Lieberman from Lódž, Poland. She, like so many others, was tempted to travel to Buenos Aires answering a matrimonial ad, but was taken to Jonin Street where she was forced to prostitute."

"After five years she had enough money to go into the antique furniture business to support herself and her sons but the rufianos made it impossible for her. They did not want her to set an example for their other slaves. But this woman had not been broken."

As was the case for Virginia Giuffre, it needed brave Rachel to come forward.

https://vimeo.com/124652938 In desperation, Rachel Lieberman "contacted Superintendent Julio Elsogray. She had heard his name mentioned on the street as one who would not take Zwi Migdal's money and was actually looking for ways to destroy the organization. She slipped into his office one day and gave a detailed account of the connections among the various pimps in the organization management.

Her testimony led to an extensive investigation. The findings reached Dr. Rodriguez Ocampo, a judge who would not take Zwi Migdal bribes either.

The lengthy trial ended in September 1930, with 108 detainees. "The very existence of the Zwi Migdal Organization directly threatens our society," the judge wrote in his verdict, handing down long prison terms."

As with Epstein and his mobsters friends, things changed quickly and not in favour of justice let alone guided by ethical principles. The Zwi Migdal mobsters were at least as well connected as Epstein to politicians, judges and prosecutors. "While in prison, the pimps pulled some old strings, appealed their sentences in January 1931, and senior Justice Ministry officials left only three of the convicts in jail, discharging the rest."

As was the case with The Miami Herald's Julie Brown and many of us in the alternative media who didn't allow the rotten. Epstein and his pedophile ring's crimes to be shoved under the carpet, the 1930s Argentinian media didn't agree to turn a blind eye to the Jewish syndicate's impunity.

When the media reported the release of the Zwi Migdal's mobsters from jail, "the public was very upset and pressured the authorities to reverse the discharge decision. Thereafter, hundreds of pimps were deported to Uruguay. "Over the years, they slowly returned one by one, but the era of the huge brothels ended."

The JCACA sums up the Zwi Migdal saga by stating that the Jewish crime syndicate was "an organization that traded in women while its members wore tefillin (a Jewish religious garment) and built themselves a synagogue." I guess the same can be said about Epstein's ring. They may not be religious, they may not wear Tefillin but they are self identified Jewish Zionists who donate to Israel and vocally support Israel's criminal politics.

The JCACA proclaims that the Zwi Migdal's "history is an embarrassment to all decent Jews. It involved loads of money, corrupt politicians, violent sex, international women trade, hard brutality, rape, and cheating, all lightly spiced with yiddishkeit and God-fearing traditions. Among those traditions, according to Jewish beliefs as expressed in the Torah, is that it is perfectly fine to keep slaves so long as they are not Jewish. Yet these Zwi Migdal also enslaved Jewish girls and a great many who ran the bordellos were Jewish women."

I find myself admitting that except for Benjamin Netanyahu who denounced Ehud Barak for his ties with Epstein for political opportunist reasons, I have yet to see a single Jewish organisation express any embarrassment in regard to Epstein and his sex trafficking operation.

On the contrary, Epstein's lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, announced that he is actually a victim of the #metoo movement . He also occasionally insists that Jews should never apologise for using their strength. Maxwell has kept quiet.

Wexner has yet to apologise. Like Dershowitz, he adopted the victim path announcing that Epstein 'misappropriated' a few shekels from his family and he regret being associated with the sex trafficker. JVP that cares so much for Palestinians must be slightly less bothered by Guiffre's plight.

I am left wondering, is it the fact that Zwi Migdal abused Jewish women and girls that provoked Jewish discomfiture? I guess that, at least for the time being, it seems as if Jews do not posses the cultural or psychological means to look refectively into Epstein and his ring. The only question left open is whether the FBI has the cojones to do its job.

Gilad Atzmon, now living in London, was born in Israel and served in the Israeli military. He is the author of The Wandering Who and one of the most accomplished jazz saxophonists in Europe. He can be reached at: [email protected] . Read other articles by Gilad , or visit Gilad's website .

[Aug 26, 2019] US and Israeli spy agency activities in the United States are by no means limited to sex trafficking and compromising politicians

Some links and pictures deleted...
Notable quotes:
"... “According to Nigel Rosser, a British journalist who wrote in the Evening Standard in 2001, Epstein apparently for much of the 1990s claimed that he used to work for the CIA.” ..."
"... The Times of Israel reported that Epstein was an “active business partner with former prime minister Ehud Barak” until 2015, adding: “Barak formed a limited partnership company in Israel in 2015, called Sum (E.B.) to invest in a high-tech startup…. A large part of the money used by Sum to buy the start-up stock was supplied by Epstein.” Webb wrote he “was a long-time friend of Barak, who has long-standing and deep ties to Israel’s intelligence community.” On the board of their company sat Pinchas Bukhris, a former commander of the IDF cyber unit 8200 ..."
Aug 26, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

The protection of sex traffickers by intelligence agencies is especially interesting in the wake of Epstein’s death. Like others, Epstein had long been purported to have links with spy agencies. Such allegations documented by Whitney Webb in her multi-part series were recently published in Mintpress News.

Webb states that Epstein was the current face of an extensive system of abuse with ties to both organized crime and intelligence interests. She told CNLive!that: “According to Nigel Rosser, a British journalist who wrote in the Evening Standard in 2001, Epstein apparently for much of the 1990s claimed that he used to work for the CIA.”

Vicky Ward,, who wrote on Epstein for Vanity Fair before his first arrest, and claimed the magazine killed one of her pieces after Epstein intervened with editor Graydon Carter, said in a Tweet that one of Epstein’s clients was Adnan Khashoggi, an arms dealer who was pivotal in the Iran Contra scandal and was on the Mossad (the Israeli intelligence agency) payroll. This was also noted in a book “By Way of Deception” by former Mossad agent Victor Ostrovsky.

The Times of Israel reported that Epstein was an “active business partner with former prime minister Ehud Barak” until 2015, adding: “Barak formed a limited partnership company in Israel in 2015, called Sum (E.B.) to invest in a high-tech startup…. A large part of the money used by Sum to buy the start-up stock was supplied by Epstein.” Webb wrote he “was a long-time friend of Barak, who has long-standing and deep ties to Israel’s intelligence community.” On the board of their company sat Pinchas Bukhris, a former commander of the IDF cyber unit 8200.

Epstein’s allegedly protected status was revealed by Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in Miami who gave Epstein an infamously lenient plea deal in 2007. Acosta, who was forced to resign as President Donald Trump’s labor secretary because of that deal, reportedly said of the case: “I was told Epstein ‘belonged to intelligence’ and to leave it alone.”


Abe , August 25, 2019 at 22:09

US and Israeli spy agency activities in the United States are by no means limited to sex trafficking.

Details about CIA and NSA surveillance activities conducted in the United States were revealed in the disclosure by Edward Snowden in June 2013.

A top-secret document provided by Snowden also revealed that the SIGINT National Unit of Israel routinely receives raw intelligence data (including those of U.S. citizens) from the NSA.

An agreement between the NSA and its Israeli counterpart places no legally binding limits on the use of the data by the Israelis.

Billions of dollars per year are spent by US government agencies to purchase software systems, including intelligence programs developed by private companies with direct links to Israeli intelligence agencies such as cyber warfare Unit 8200, which is subordinate to the Israel Military Intelligence directorate.

In addition to enormous security risks embedded in US government tech platforms, commercial systems and software produced by Israeli companies linked to Israeli intelligence put US citizens at significant risk.

The political implications of these government and consumer tech security vulnerabilities are staggering.

The fact that Israeli intelligence agencies have been given the means to spy on American citizens is of major concern. Surveillance of US citizens by Israel, and the potential for political blackmail of US government officials by Israel, should prompt immediate investigation.

In addition, many pro-Israel Lobby organizations trying to influence US politics have direct links to Israeli government ministries, military, and intelligence agencies.

In 2016, Al Jareeza installed an undercover journalist inside several Washington–based pro-Israel Lobby propaganda organizations, including the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), Stand With Us, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the Israel on Campus Coalition, the Zionist Organization of America's (ZOA) Fuel For Truth, and The Israel Project (TIP).

https://www.youtube.com/user/electronicIntifada

The Al Jareeza documentary series, "The Lobby – USA" exposed a covert war waged by the pro-Israel Lobby in America. News of the controversial documentary in October 2017 prompted efforts to censor its broadcast.

In February 2018, it was reported that Qatari leaders had reassured the leaders of Jewish American organisations that Al Jazeera would not be airing the documentary series on the Israel lobby in the United States.

According to Haaretz, the Qatari government had reportedly hired Republican Senator Ted Cruz's former aide Nicolas Muzin to open communications channels with Jewish American organisations. Earlier, the network had sent letters to several American pro-Israel organisations informing them that their employees would appear in the documentary. These letters generated speculation that the Qatari government had reneged on its earlier promise to block Al Jazeera from screening the controversial documentary which, like the earlier British series, had utilized clandestine footage and recordings of pro-Israel Lobby propaganda activities.

In March 2018, a group of US lawmakers including Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, and Ted Cruz penned a letter urging United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions to investigate whether Al Jazeera should register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. They also urged the Justice Department to investigate reports that the network had infiltrated non-profit organisations and accused Al Jazeera of broadcasting "antisemitic", "anti-Israel", and "anti-American" content.

In April 2018, the Zionist Organization of America's president Morton Klein claimed credit for lobbying the Qatari government not to screen Al Jazeera's documentary series focusing on American pro-Israel Lobby.

In late August and early September 2018, leaked portions of the documentary series were aired by several outlets including The Electronic Intifada. In early November, The Electronic Intifada released the four episodes of "The Lobby – USA".

Larry Shea , August 25, 2019 at 12:17

Adnan Khashoggi was not only an arms dealer, he was also a money launderer and a cocaine kingpin who worked with and for the CIA. Please, see the article: "The Jeffrey Epstein Social Network & the Container Ship Crime Wave." This excellent article can be found online at Daniel Hopsicker's Madcow Productions. So, let's see; Donald Barr was former OSS, William Barr (aka Robert Johnson) was CIA, Adnan Khashoggi was an asset of the CIA, and Jeffrey Epstein Epstein claimed that he worked for the CIA in the 90's. Please, also see, "Creating a Crime: How the CIA Commandeered the DEA." This article, which was written by Douglas Valentine for Counterpunch (counterpunch.org), was published on September 11, 2015. Dennis Dayle, who was the former chief of an elite DEA enforcement unit made the following statement for the record: "In my thirty-year history in the Drug Enforcement Agency and related agencies, the major targets of my investigations almost invariably turned out to be working for the CIA." The quote is from "Causes and Cures National Campaign on the Narcotics Epidemic: Final Report, (Washington, D.C., 1991) 9.

JOHN CHUCKMAN , August 25, 2019 at 10:30

Epstein's private island was wired for video, literally everywhere, so that couples could not take off somewhere for a private get-together. If that doesn't sound like an intelligence service's elaborate "honey trap," I don't know what does.

Hard to see why Epstein and Company would record literally everyone, unless they were creating compromising material for potential blackmail or political pressure. Who would be interested in videos of a number homely, older men making love to young women, other than a blackmailer or a spy agency? But we have no evidence or even suggestion of blackmail. Many of Epstein's big-shot friends remained his friends for many years, returning for visits again and again.

But there are suggestions, in the way his case was handled by prosecutors for his conviction in 2008 and the highly unorthodox sentencing he received, of some kind of powerful outside influence at work. There's just no question about that. And, of course, his sentence allowed a complete return to the same arrangements he had had in New York to just continue on a private island, perhaps only adding a certain new sense of exotic adventure for visitors.

polistra , August 25, 2019 at 08:01

It's really automatic. Spy agencies recruit using blackmail, so their recruited members are going to have unfashionable and illegal habits. Spy agencies know a lot of secrets, so they have the material to engage in blackmail against leaders who try to subdue the agency. Vicious circle.

CitizenOne , August 24, 2019 at 23:03

Well researched article on one of the key tactics that intelligence uses to blackmail their targets they want to neutralize or hold a sword over their heads. Not only that but it does not nor does it always involve children. Adults that are tools for anyone trying to gain control over another person often use seduction and illicit sex as blackmail when the target is confronted with evidence that the relationship is known about and that the details of it if revealed would tarnish and perhaps severely damage the reputation of the targeted individual. It is a tool used by not just intelligence agencies but also the mob and any underhanded organization that hits below the belt.

That was the strategy of the FBI and its attempts to control MLK. They wiretapped his telephone, bugged his hotel rooms and eventually got a sex tape. When nobody in the press would publish it without sources that the FBI was unwilling to disclose they mailed the tape with a suicide note to MLK saying he would be destroyed by the tape and rather than facing his impending character assassination he should consider suicide to preserve his honor and legacy.

The FBI told MLK to kill himself.

On April 3 1968 MLK delivered his last speech. Part of that speech was an open recognition of the ruthless forces that tried to convince him he should kill himself rather than be shamed by sexual indiscretions. In the speech he said the following, "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live – a long life; longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord"

The next day April 4th he was assassinated. The rest of the history of that crime is also mired in controversy. James Earl Ray was arrested and convicted but tried many times from jail to change his plea to innocent. His requests for a trial were never granted and he died in prison. The King family believes that MLKs death was at the hands of the government to this day.

Is it not feasible that the FBI upon failing to convince MLK to commit suicide would take matters into their own hands?

The whole unraveling of events begins with information obtained by wiretapping and bugging that King had committed illicit sex acts. The attempts to derail King and end his career or in the end his life stemmed from the initial dirt the FBI had on him about sex.

Initially Hoover approached Bobby Kennedy with his demands that Bobby Kennedy should authorize the wiretapping and bugging of King, which as Attorney General, Bobby Kennedy could do. He initially refused Hoover's demands until Hoover produced evidence of JFK's sexual improprieties and threatened to go public with the information in his possession. Upon examining the evidence and fearing the damage it could do to the presidency, he changed his mind and begrudgingly authorized the FBI to use whatever spy technology they had to eavesdrop on every private conversation MLK had.

MLK was assassinated April 4th 1968 and Bobby Kennedy was assassinated June 8th 1968 two months later. Mopping up operations for those who knew too much.

The point is that sex has been used as a tool by the powerful since the beginning of time as a way to completely control individuals over allegations of sexual impropriety. It is one of the most powerful means to control others and to get them to bend to ones will as are many blackmail situations.

Given what we know of history, there is motive and opportunity for those who would like to see a compromised and vulnerable Jeffery Epstein's voice silenced as he was one who knew too much about the methods used by powerful people in high places to exercise control over others.

That is why his activities were allowed for so many years and also why he is now dead.

Gregory Herr , August 25, 2019 at 01:03

I recommend William Pepper's research on the MLK assassination.

Also illuminating:
https://ratical.org/ratville/JFK/Unspeakable/MLKconExp.html

One of MLK's finest hours was a speech he gave exactly a year prior to his assassination. Margaret Kimberley and Joanne Leon discuss:
http://aroundtheempire.com/2019/01/31/ep88-beyond-vietnam-feat-margaret-kimberley-2/

Sally Mitcheell , August 24, 2019 at 19:49

Monsters in suits they are the chosen ones and they can make their fantasies into reality that allow abuse to happen on any unfortunate child they want their sickness to choose. .We certainly do have a problem with mental illness in the world This is what the sick in power have become and the rest of us are too busy struggling for survival to want to know or believe or care. The disinterest is heartbreaking.we must mass socially to help human nature turn this behaviour around. Thank you for making me to never forget

Spike , August 24, 2019 at 18:16

This is an astonishing piece. If true, that actual pedophilia -- the sexual molestation of children who have not yet reached puberty -- is so common that it involves stunning numbers of people in high positions, then the world is an even worse place than I thought it was.

But what has mostly been going through my mind these past few weeks is how taboos on behaviors that really should not be so taboo have been used over the decades to extort, blackmail and hold in check powerful figures. J. Edgar Hoover's famous files that presumably noted adultery and homosexuality were used to hold and increase Hoover's power, and yet he couldn't touch the Mafia because they had evidence of Hoover's own homosexual activity. So the cost to society has been considerable.

It is not accurate to describe Epstein as a pedophile. Those girls were teenagers, reproductively viable young adults. Need I say that when the entire history of the human race is considered, most people were born to adolescents, because the luxury did not yet exist of living beyond the age of 20 or 30, so if one wanted to procreate, one had to do it early. Civilization has brought with it an extended period of preparation for adulthood, but that has not changed human physiology or delayed the onset of sexual behavior. It has only been since the 1980s that this fierce taboo against sex with teenagers has been a part of cultural hysteria.

I, along with everyone else in the general public, have only the vaguest knowledge of what transpired within the residences of Jeffrey Epstein. But it sounds like these girls were paid generously for their services and they kept coming back week after week. I think I read that one girl said she had been raped by Epstein twenty times. Did she not, after the first 'rape', go home to her parents, where she was presumably housed, fed, and clothed, where she did not tell her parents what happened, and then the next week returned to chez Epstein a second time, and then a third, and so forth? If that was the case, then every episode after the first was not a rape, which means that the first episode was not a rape also.

Every sanctimonious hypocrite who refers to the infamous Epstein parties as 'sex trafficking' 'pedophilia' should admit that, barring the need for discipline to avoid cheating on one's wife or to protect an elite reputation, they would have been happy to be given a consenting teenage girl as a party favor.

The point being made is that were there not this regressive cultural hysteria against teen sex then this whole mess, with it's likely extortions, would not have happened. There is a price society pays for this, and it's quite a bit more than just the death of one unscrupulous billionaire.

Alan Ross , August 25, 2019 at 09:23

" should admit that, barring the need for discipline to avoid cheating on one's wife or to protect an elite reputation, they would have been happy to be given a consenting teenage girl as a party favor."

I think many men would have reservations about having sex with 13 year old girls. Just because, at an earlier time in civilization it might have been necessary to procreate by having sex with very young women does not justify it now. Does the reservation have to do with the fact that 13 year-olds do not have fully developed personalities? Our criminal justice systems are beginning to recognize that young men and women under 18 are not really adults.

ML , August 25, 2019 at 12:07

Thank you, Alan Ross. I have made similar comments several times in the reply sections of these articles. Thearche begins before menarche, often a couple years or more before menarche. It can begin at 8, 9, or 10. That is puberty- therache followed by menarche. Children's bodies are not completely matured enough at the young end of the teen years to have sex. And of course, their minds, their judgement, their ability to see through deceit is extremely compromised at young ages. That's why teens are generally so dangerous behind the wheel of a car- lack of good judgment. The brain is still developing. When you add in the poverty some of these kids experienced and the promises of money, clothing, food, you get exploitation which people like "Spike" don't seem to see. Any person who thinks like he does isn't safe around children- be they 7 or 17.

Taras77 , August 24, 2019 at 14:16

This is an excellent article.

The author mentions Whitney Webb and her excellent series on Mint Press; here is the last of a four part serious:

https://www.mintpressnews.com/genesis-jeffrey-epstein-bill-clinton-relationship/261455/sl

Very long but well worth the read; as is well known, Bill clinton (slick) is up to his eyeballs in mena drug traffic, etc.
Also, to state the obvious, current AG Barr does not come off as a leading charger on a white horse for justice and accountability during his previous stint as AG under bush I. Could cause some to link to reasons for long delay of doj in releasing fbi,doj files, now over 90 days since trump gave the go ahead to release.

Amanda , August 24, 2019 at 12:38

Excellent article. Yes, this seems to be standard operating procedure and how our politicians are controlled behind the scenes.

Dave McGowan referred to this as the "Pedophocracy" in his book Programmed to Kill here: https://www.docdroid.net/riM594s/david-mcgowan-programmed-to-kill.pdf and here: http://www.whale.to/b/pedophocracy.html He also gets into the Dutroux case in Belguim, which you wrote about here: https://consortiumnews.com/2019/07/11/the-revelations-of-wikileaks-no-4-the-haunting-case-of-a-belgian-child-killer-and-how-wikileaks-helped-crack-it/

michael , August 24, 2019 at 08:27

The naive days of Joe McCarthy and the Lavender Scare are long over. Homosexuality and marital affairs no longer serve as effective blackmail materials, replaced by the leverage of filmed pedophilia, and torture and killing of sex objects.
Whitney Webb's coverage both historical through Epstein shows what America, or at least, its Intelligence Agencies have become, closely invested in the Mafia and Israel, as well as our financiers and politicians. Her last in her Epstein coverage: https://www.mintpressnews.com/genesis-jeffrey-epstein-bill-clinton-relationship/261455/

Zhu , August 24, 2019 at 03:25

A lot of "alleged" and "it is possible" here.

bardamu , August 23, 2019 at 23:29

Fine article.

Given that "intelligence" agencies with no functional oversight and regularly involved in black ops use these things, and that a fresh use surfaces every few years, it seems parsimonious to conclude that they are a regular part of some subsection of intelligence community and, by extension, government operation. It makes little sense that this sort of of business is forever starting and stopping: that would be difficult to do.

Given that neither of the two major US parties have shown any interest in pursuing such connections, it seems clear that neither see any political advantage in pursuing it. A parsimonious conclusion is that at least some powerful members of media and both parties are involved, and that the connections are enough of an open secret that people know not to pursue it.

By extension, do we avoid the conclusion that this is in some way a mafia-run government?

Arby , August 24, 2019 at 19:45

Well, Criminal is criminal. No organization can match the war-making State for criminality. As long as that's clear, make any comparison you like. The war-making State is a terror organization and, as such, it's not going to shock us when we find it involved in widespread abuse of children or anything criminal. War, then, isn't alone the health of the State (Randolph Bourne.) Any darkness you may wish to think of will be found committed by the State and its worshippers. This is the thought behind the expression that aggression of one State toward another (par for the course with the United States) is the supreme crime, including within that crime all others.

Edward Herman's thoughts about terrorism:

=== =
The really massive and significant growth of terrorism since World War II has been that carried out by states Contrary to [Claire] Sterling's foolish remark about the "colossal" armaments of retail terrorists, state military resources are vastly larger State terrorism is also much more important than non-state violence because it is rooted in relatively permanent structures that allow terror to be institutionalized ." -pg 83 of "The Real Terror Network" by Edward Herman
= ===

Substitute "child abuse" for "terrorism" in the above quote and you'll find that it works. Is the 'institutionalization' of child abuse not what we are seeing here?

John Wright , August 25, 2019 at 16:43

The Deep State is simply an international mafia of smaller mafias, the center of which is the international banking cabal. While their various alliances may shift over time, their primary interest, to remain in power, stays the same.

The vast global Ponzi scam that is international banking has swelled to its bursting point and the current chapter of that fraud needs to be closed and restarted. Much of what we are now seeing are the end games of the various mafias scrambling for the best positions as this round of the game comes to a close.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the consent of the mostly ignorant masses.

Most people just don't want to know.

Larry Shea , August 23, 2019 at 18:21

Yup, Check out former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert. See the video clip on NewsBud, "The Hastert Scandal: What the Media Isn't Telling You." The title of the piece is, The People's Campaign: The Real Hastert Case All in One Place. The above-mentioned video clip can be accessed within this article. More elite deviance!

Amanda , August 24, 2019 at 12:54

Larry Shea-

Yes, Sibel Edmonds has spoken about the FBI having blackmail information on Denny Hastert being a pedophile. No doubt, this is why he was given the position of Speaker of the House, since he was completely controlled. Sibel Edmonds has also spoken about Jan Shakowsky getting caught in some kind of lesbian honey trap by either Turkish or Israeli intelligence https://www.newsbud.com/2010/10/19/%e2%80%98kosher%e2%80%99-schakowsky-still-aipac%e2%80%99s-number-one-darling/ More on Shakowsky and her husband and Hastert is here: https://www.newsbud.com/2017/02/17/newsbud-special-report-state-secrets-sibel-edmonds-uncovers-the-untouchables/

I've also heard Cynthia McKinney reference blackmail files.

[Aug 26, 2019] On the board of their company sat Pinchas Bukhris, a former commander of the IDF cyber unit 8200.

Aug 26, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

The Times of Israel reported that Epstein was an "active business partner with former prime minister Ehud Barak" until 2015, adding: "Barak formed a limited partnership company in Israel in 2015, called Sum (E.B.) to invest in a high-tech startup . A large part of the money used by Sum to buy the start-up stock was supplied by Epstein."

Webb wrote he "was a long-time friend of Barak, who has long-standing and deep ties to Israel's intelligence community." On the board of their company sat Pinchas Bukhris, a former commander of the IDF cyber unit 8200.

Epstein's allegedly protected status was revealed by Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in Miami who gave Epstein an infamously lenient plea deal in 2007. Acosta, who was forced to resign as President Donald Trump's labor secretary because of that deal, reportedly said of the case: "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone."

[Aug 25, 2019] Is Virginia Giuffre exaggerating things to get more money

Notable quotes:
"... Now she has set her sights on many millions and has a top notch team of lawyers behind her. ..."
"... The tens of millions in compensation that were paid out by Epstein to the schoolgirls in restitution has to be taken into account when considering if they got justice, or the system failed them in 2007. ..."
Aug 25, 2019 | www.unz.com

Sean , says: August 24, 2019 at 8:49 pm GMT

@Jeff Stryker Epstein was never married to Maxwell although she desperately wanted him to make her his wife (she could not have been forced to give evidence against him if she had been his wife of course)...

Incidentally, Laing was 17 years old when she started in the business. Virginia Roberts/ Giuffre started working for Epstein at 17 and Tony Figueroa is described by court documents as Epstein's former bodyguard who was dating Virginia Roberts/ Giuffre when she was employed by Epstein, and being handsomely paid.

Now she has set her sights on many millions and has a top notch team of lawyers behind her. Do not mix her and her lurid blackmail of prime ministers and presidents yarns (in which she is the breathtakingly sexy centre of international Jet Set attention that no man can resist of course) up with the thirty odd early teens from from Palm Beach High School that Epstein's legal troubles stemmed from, none of who said they had sexual contact with anyone but Epstein or saw anyone else there.

The tens of millions in compensation that were paid out by Epstein to the schoolgirls in restitution has to be taken into account when considering if they got justice, or the system failed them in 2007.

If he had beat the case, which Michael Jackson had just done with something not too different, the girls would have got nothing. That would have been failing them totally I think.

[Aug 25, 2019] Supposed talk between Bill Clinton and Netanyahu

Aug 25, 2019 | www.unz.com

Sean O'Farrell , says: August 24, 2019 at 6:56 am GMT

Netanyahu: "Bill, can I have a word with you?"

Clinton: "Sure, Bibi, what's up?"

Netanyahu: "Listen, I've got a bit of bad news. A tape recording has recently surfaced of you and Monica having phone sex. The good news is that one of my most trusted lieutenants has tracked it down. He assures me that he has the original tape and that there are no known copies. No one else knows about the tape but my lieutenant and me. Of course, I ordered him to destroy the tape and to never speak of it again. It will be like it never even happened. All that remains is our friendship."

Clinton: "Thank you, Bibi. Your friendship means the world to me."

Netanyahu: "I know, Bill. I feel the same way about you."

[Aug 25, 2019] Treatment of Maxwell makes sence only if we assume that she was an informant

Aug 25, 2019 | www.unz.com

Mark James , says: August 24, 2019 at 6:52 pm GMT

It's likely G-Max spent the spring in Manchester BTS, Ma. She left and where she is this summer isn't public (yet). It does make sense in some minds that she is an informant.

And for that reason, private but not on the run from law enforcement.

After Epstein's death you would have thought that she would have moved to the top of the list of people to be charged with related crimes to JE? If she has it's been very quiet.

[Aug 25, 2019] Ghislaine Maxwell father possible connections with intelligence services

Aug 25, 2019 | www.unz.com

Tony Ryals , says: August 24, 2019 at 8:31 pm GMT

MAXWELL, MOSSAD and the JEWISH MAFIA

http://aanirfan.blogspot.com/2019/08/maxwell-mossad-and-jewish-mafia.html

[Aug 25, 2019] Don't forget that Maxwell's publishing empire started by getting publishing rights to much of Germany's scientific papers.

Aug 25, 2019 | www.unz.com

Alfred , says: August 24, 2019 at 12:19 pm GMT

@Tony Ryals Don't forget that Maxwell's publishing empire started by getting publishing rights to much of Germany's scientific papers.

As a British intelligence officer in Occupied Germany, he was in an excellent position to blackmail or threaten any number of people in order to get his way. Shooting people himself is not the easiest way of doing things. There are better ways in a country where people are starving.

What is the way that media king Robert Maxwell created a science publishing system that squeezes huge wealth from "science"?

[Aug 25, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein 'Friend' Ghislaine Maxwell Has More Skeletons in Her Family Closet Than a House of Horrors

Aug 25, 2019 | www.unz.com

Tony Ryals says: August 25, 2019 at 12:06 am GMT 600 Words

... ... ...


But about Ghislaine's brother-in-law. Where's the body ? What tragi-comedy.

Jeffrey Epstein 'Friend' Ghislaine Maxwell Has More Skeletons in Her Family Closet Than a House of Horrors

https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-friend-ghislaine-maxwell-has-more-skeletons-in-her-family-closet-than-a-house-of-horrors

Curiously, Isabel followed in the family tradition of filing for bankruptcy in December 2015 despite having been a multi-millionaire. That move may have been related to the untimely demise at age 56 of her third husband, the infamous con man Al Seckel who, she later found out, was not legally her husband since he was still married to his first wife. In 2015, when he reportedly died, he was potentially on the hook for millions

Seckel befriended and bewitched the Nobel Prize-winning physicists Richard Feynman and Murray Gell-Mann among other neuroscientists, as well as academics and even magicians like James Randi.

Seckel then used those contacts to sell rare books to prestigious customers who were often hoodwinked out of thousands in bad deals. He moved on to co-opt the burgeoning field of optical illusion, popularizing the art of manipulating images by using research from others in books he wrote.

(His daughter, Elizabeth Seckel, has built on her father's work in optical illusion by pioneering something called "mirror box therapy." Seckel brought her method, sponsored by the Clinton Global Initiative, to Haiti after the earthquake in 2012 to help recent amputees with their phantom limb pain.)

In 2010, Seckel hosted a scientific conference on Jeffrey Epstein's infamous private island with Gell-Mann, Leonard Mlodinow, who was Stephen Hawking's co-author, and MIT's Gerald Sussman.

Oppenheimer told The Daily Beast this week that there was "no evidence" that Seckel or any of the scientists at the island party were involved in any sexual activity with young girls.

In 2004 Seckel gave a TED talk that's been viewed almost 2.5 million times about "perceptual illusions that fool our brains."

Because of Seckel's shady past, it was not surprising that vague reports of his death -- a perceptual illusion perhaps? -- began popping up just weeks after Oppenheimer's July 2015 story exposed him to hordes of creditors.

A paid obituary was published on Legacy.com, supposedly after appearing in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, but it does not appear on the paper's website. One report has circulated around various Seckel-obsessed corners of the internet that his body was found at the bottom of a cliff near the home in France where he had moved with Isabel.

But The Daily Beast could not locate any officials in the town where Seckel was last known to live who had any report of his death. Oppenheimer and others said they have not yet found proof, either. The Daily Beast was unable to reach Isabel Maxwell or Elizabeth Secker for comment.

[Aug 25, 2019] Can you really take Wexner's excuses at face value?

Wexner, owner of Bath and Body Works, Victorias Secret and The Limited, heads a group of politically active Jewish billionaires intent on solving Israel's issues with American military lives.
Aug 25, 2019 | www.unz.com

Issar , says: August 25, 2019 at 2:04 am GMT

@Sean Good questions. Answer: Chutzpah? Alternate answer: Dersh didn't find it radioactive when he went down to Palm Springs and started digging up dirt on Epstein's accusers. At what point would he find it radioactive?

After all, Jeff and Jizzaline were on a free pass for the next 15 years scooting about on a magic carpet– ie.– they were accepted. Also, the recent Labor Secretary openly stated he, as a prosecutor, was told to leave it alone– 'Epstein belonged to intelligence.' What's not to like?

The only real surprise was the recent indictment. Why now? (needs research) NOW Dersh finds it radioactive.

Comment on Wexner– Can you really take Wexner's excuses at face value? We recently found out from Whitney Webb that Wexler installed monitoring equipment throughout the Upper East Side mansion he then 'gave' to Epstein. There's evidently more to this case than Epstein himself. Webb then connects Wexler to organized crime and well-heeled organized Zionism– both sponsors of multi-farious sex/blackmail schemes stretching back decades (as in Meyer Lansky and Roy Cohn). Jizzaline wasn't considered radioactive at Chelsea Clinton's wedding. Looks like pedophilia is as Zio-American as apple pie.

[Aug 25, 2019] It's just not typical for someone of such enormous wealth to all of a sudden give his money to some guy most people have never heard of

Sep 07, 2019 | observer.com

Originally from: Observer by By Sissi Cao

... ... ...

Wexner, 81, is the only known client of Epstein's mysterious money management firm registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He is also the former owner of Epstein's 45,000-square-foot residence on Manhattan's "Museum Mile."

Wexner hired Epstein to manage his multi-billion-dollar fortune in 1987. The relationship was seen as highly unusual per Wall Street standards. "It's just not typical for someone of such enormous wealth to all of a sudden give his money to some guy most people have never heard of," a person who knew Epstein told the New York magazine in 2002.

But Wexner has said that he severed ties with Epstein a decade ago after he faced allegations of sexually assaulting dozens of underage girls and running a sex trafficking scheme targeting minors. Those accusations led to a criminal case in 2008, but a team of skilled attorneys helped Epstein strike a controversially lenient plea deal with prosecutors.

In February, a federal judge in Flordia (where Epstein has a large home) appealed the verdict, saying prosecutors in the 2008 case had violated laws by allowing Epstein to plead guilty before notifying victims.

Last Saturday, Epstein was arrested at a New Jersey airport on newly unsealed indictments related to sex trafficking.

L Brands and the Wexner family haven't publicly commented on the new case against Epstein.

[Aug 25, 2019] The Mega Group's role in the Epstein case

Aug 25, 2019 | michaelruark.blog

In April 2003, a research report for the Wexner Foundation was leaked which was entitled Wexner Analysis: Israeli Communication Priorities 2003 . The document was prepared by the Luntz Research Companies and Israel Project. The document was a public relationship document which provided communication strategies for American supporters of Israel, especially those in the media, on how to sway U.S. public opinion in favor of Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and how to link Israel's interests with those of the United States. It was considered controversial since it was seen as a covert communication campaign for swaying the American public and showed a lack of good faith in resolving the conflict.

In October 2018, Israeli reporter Erel Segal and news outlets such as mida had reported that US$2.3 million had been transferred to Ehud Barak for unknown work between 2004 and 2006 by the Wexner foundation, which had described the money transfer as payment for research.

On October 29th Maariv (through its Israeli radio station) reported that Ehud Barak had been given the funds while he was a private citizen and the fund transfer is under investigation.

However, on November 6 a call for investigation by the attorney general of Israel had been filed. The following day, it was reported that contrary to initial claims, the Wexner funds had been transferred to Ehud Barak while he may not have been a private person.

The Mega Group's role in the Epstein case has garnered some attention, as Epstein's main financial patron for decades, billionaire Leslie Wexner, was a co-founder of the group that unites several well-known businessmen with a penchant for pro-Israel and ethno-philanthropy (i.e., philanthropy benefiting a single ethnic or ethno-religious group). However, another uniting factor among Mega Group members is deep ties to organized crime, specifically the organized crime network, which was largely led by notorious American mobster Meyer Lansky.

[Aug 25, 2019] Who in the US goverment was protecting Epstein and facilitiating Epstein activities

Aug 25, 2019 | off-guardian.org

DunGroanin

Even when he was 'sent down' to the cushy jail – he had it made easy. He was able to buy all he wanted. Including kiddie size girl panties! In prison!!

His charitable work was supposed to be at a charity set up just before he went in prison guards accompanying him on his daily escapades and multi 'chiropractory' appointments per day were paid by him and had to dress in business suits the records of who met have been destroyed.

But the prison has had to release a whole bunch of records that still exist.

This is a exploding can of worms that doesn't look like stopping anytime soon.

[Aug 25, 2019] Conspiracy Theories: Jeffrey Epstein's Uniquely American Death in Jail

Aug 25, 2019 | www.mintpressnews.com

The deal, which former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta struck with Epstein's attorney, ensured Epstein only served 13 months in county jail. According to a Miami Herald investigation , "potential co-conspirators" were granted immunity. Details of the deal were sealed until the judge approved the deal. Plus, the non-prosecution agreement effectively ended an FBI probe into "whether there were more victims and other powerful people who took part in Epstein's sex crimes."

"This is the story of how Epstein, bolstered by unlimited funds and represented by a powerhouse legal team, was able to manipulate the criminal justice system, and how his accusers, still traumatized by their pasts, believe they were betrayed by the very prosecutors who pledged to protect them," the Miami Herald's Julie K. Brown wrote.

Acosta was President Donald Trump's Labor Secretary until he was forced out in disgrace for his role in cementing the Epstein deal.

At one time or another, Epstein's social circle intersected with former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Trump.

Documents unsealed on Friday contained allegations from one of Epstein's most well-known accusers, Virginia Giuffre. They implicated "former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, Hyatt hotels magnate Tom Pritzker, hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, the late Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientist Marvin Minsky, modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, Dershowitz, Prince Andrew, another unnamed prince, plus 'a well-known Prime Minister.'"

America's criminal punishment system operates with one system for the wealthy and powerful and one for the underclasses, especially people of color. Elites prevented a wide-ranging probe but in 2019, the publicity along with the # MeToo -inspired shift in consciousness meant they were no longer likely to escape accountability.

None of the above proves a conspiracy. However, it should give space to citizens to express their reservations about what happened until authorities involved in an investigation can transparently account for Epstein's death.

[Aug 25, 2019] The Genesis and Evolution of the Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Clinton Relationship

Some wild speculation which looks like third rate fiction. For example the episode describes as Barr meeting with Clinton looks like pure fiction: " During the meeting, William Barr, who represented himself as the emissary of then-CIA Director Bill Casey told Clinton: "The deal we made was to launder our money through your bond business but what we didn't plan on was you and your n****r here start taking yourselves seriously and purposely shrinking our laundry."
In such talks only two people are present and there are no notes...
But still Wexner emerges as a very strange semi-criminal figure who mingled with some people closely connected to organized crime and possibly intelligence agencies.
An interesting detail that is mentioned in this article is that Ghislaine Maxwell used to be closely connected with Chelsea Clinton.
Notable quotes:
"... Columbus Dispatch ..."
"... Epstein who orchestrated logistics for Wexner's business operations, including The Limited. As was revealed in the Arthur Shapiro murder file and in ties between SAT and The Limited, much of The Limited's logistics involved figures and companies connected to organized crime and U.S. intelligence. ..."
"... In addition, during this time period, Epstein had already begun to live in the now infamous New York penthouse that had first been purchased by Wexner in 1989. Wexner had apparently installed CCTV and recording equipment in an odd bathroom in the home after his purchase, and never lived in the home, as was noted in Part III of this series. ..."
"... In an exclusive interview, Bob Fitrakis told MintPress that Epstein and Wexner's involvement with SAT's relocation to Ohio had caused suspicion among some prominent state and local officials that the two were working with U.S. intelligence. ..."
"... Fitrakis specifically stated that then-Ohio Inspector General David Strutz and then-Sheriff of Franklin County Earl Smith had personally told him that they believed that both Epstein and Wexner had ties to the CIA. These claims further corroborate what was first reported by Nigel Rosser in the Evening Standard that Epstein had claimed to have worked for the CIA in the past. ..."
"... he believed that Wexner's association with SAT was related to his ties to elements of organized crime that were connected to the Lansky-created National Crime Syndicate. ..."
"... Catherine Austin Fitts -- the former investment banker and government official, who has extensively investigated the intersection of organized crime, black markets, Wall Street and the government in the U.S. economy -- was told by an ex-CIA employee that Wexner was one of five key managers of organized crime cash flows in the United States. ..."
"... As this series has noted in previous reports, Meyer Lansky was a pioneer of sexual blackmail operations and was deeply connected to both U.S. intelligence and Israel's Mossad. Furthermore, many members of the so-called Mega Group, which Wexner co-founded, had direct ties to the Lansky crime syndicate. ..."
"... Whitney Webb is a MintPress News journalist based in Chile. She has contributed to several independent media outlets including Global Research, EcoWatch, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire, among others. She has made several radio and television appearances and is the 2019 winner of the Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism. ..."
Aug 25, 2019 | www.mintpressnews.com

During that same period of time, Epstein had already forged close ties to important Clinton White House officials and prominent Clinton donors like Lynn Forester de Rothschild and made several personal visits to the official presidential residence.

Despite the involvement of these CIA-linked men, as well as the organized crime-linked Leslie Wexner, the then-president of SAT told the Columbus Dispatch that the airline was "no longer connected to the CIA."

Notably, It was during this same time that Epstein exerted substantial control over Wexner's finances; and, according to Fitrakis and his extensive reporting on Wexner from this period, it was Epstein who orchestrated logistics for Wexner's business operations, including The Limited. As was revealed in the Arthur Shapiro murder file and in ties between SAT and The Limited, much of The Limited's logistics involved figures and companies connected to organized crime and U.S. intelligence.

It is also important to note that SAT was well-known for being a CIA front company prior to the efforts of Wexner et al. to bring the airline to Columbus, and that, a few years prior, Epstein himself had previously worked for intelligence-linked figures also involved in Iran-Contra, such as Adnan Khashoggi.

In addition, during this time period, Epstein had already begun to live in the now infamous New York penthouse that had first been purchased by Wexner in 1989. Wexner had apparently installed CCTV and recording equipment in an odd bathroom in the home after his purchase, and never lived in the home, as was noted in Part III of this series.

In an exclusive interview, Bob Fitrakis told MintPress that Epstein and Wexner's involvement with SAT's relocation to Ohio had caused suspicion among some prominent state and local officials that the two were working with U.S. intelligence.

Fitrakis specifically stated that then-Ohio Inspector General David Strutz and then-Sheriff of Franklin County Earl Smith had personally told him that they believed that both Epstein and Wexner had ties to the CIA. These claims further corroborate what was first reported by Nigel Rosser in the Evening Standard that Epstein had claimed to have worked for the CIA in the past.

Fitrakis also told MintPress that Strutz had referred to SAT's route between Hong Kong and Columbus on behalf of Wexner's company The Limited as "the Meyer Lansky run," as he believed that Wexner's association with SAT was related to his ties to elements of organized crime that were connected to the Lansky-created National Crime Syndicate. In addition, Catherine Austin Fitts -- the former investment banker and government official, who has extensively investigated the intersection of organized crime, black markets, Wall Street and the government in the U.S. economy -- was told by an ex-CIA employee that Wexner was one of five key managers of organized crime cash flows in the United States.

As this series has noted in previous reports, Meyer Lansky was a pioneer of sexual blackmail operations and was deeply connected to both U.S. intelligence and Israel's Mossad. Furthermore, many members of the so-called Mega Group, which Wexner co-founded, had direct ties to the Lansky crime syndicate.

... ... ...

The Israel lobbying effort had considerable help from Mega Group member Michael Steinhardt as well as Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which was at the time heavily funded by Mega Group members, including Ronald Lauder and Edgar Bronfman.

There has been speculation for years that Clinton's decision to pardon Rich may have been the result of "leverage" or blackmail that Israel had acquired on the then-president's activities. As was noted in Part III of this report, the Mossad-linked "Mega" spy scandal broke in 1997, whereby Israeli intelligence had been targeting Clinton's effort to broker a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine and had sought to go to "Mega," likely a reference to the Mega Group, to obtain a sensitive document.

In addition, Israel is known to have acquired phone conversations between Clinton and Monica Lewinsky before their affair was made public. Author Daniel Halper -- relying on on-the-record interviews with former officials and hundreds of pages of documents compiled in the event that Lewinsky took legal action against Clinton -- determined that Benjamin Netanyahu told Clinton that he had obtained recordings of the sexually-tinged phone conversations during the Wye Plantation talks between Israel and Palestine in 1998. Netanyahu attempted to use this information to get Clinton to pardon convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard. Clinton considered pardoning Pollard but decided against it after CIA Director George Tenet threatened to resign if the pardon was given.

... ... ...

Whitney Webb is a MintPress News journalist based in Chile. She has contributed to several independent media outlets including Global Research, EcoWatch, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire, among others. She has made several radio and television appearances and is the 2019 winner of the Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism.

Taras77 10 hours ago ,

To state the obvious, current AG Barr does not come off in this excellent report as a stalwart defender of justice and accountability. May explain why the DOJ is not exactly leading the charge in disclosing the pile of steaming ____ that is RussiaGate and the Brennan coup attempt.

[Aug 25, 2019] Living Amongst Others by Gilad Atzmon

Notable quotes:
"... A few days ago Vanity Fair , the same outlet that once attempted to block the exposé of monster pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, published an article by Venessa Grigoriadis that provides some details of Epstein's friend and alleged 'co-conspirator' Ghislaine Maxwell. ..."
"... She would claim she had a phone job for them, 'and you'll make lots of money, meet everyone, and I'll change your life .'" Vanity Fair's source added: "When I asked what she thought of the underage girls, she looked at me and said, 'they're nothing, these girls. They are trash." ..."
"... The disregard of others and the dismissal of human life, symptomatic of the Epstein Orbit, extends beyond ethnicity, religious barriers and class. Indeed, we read in various outlets that Leslie Wexner, long standing patron of Epstein, is accused by some of having some connection to the murder of Arthur Shapiro -- a Jewish lawyer who was killed in a 1985 'mob-style murder ..."
"... According to Halper, Israel attempted to use tapes of former US president Bill Clinton's steamy sex chats with intern Monica Lewinsky to leverage the release of Jonathan Pollard. ..."
"... This horrific narrative of how Israel allegedly blackmailed an American president initially surfaced in 1999. In his book Gideon's Spies , author Gordon Thomas claimed that the Mossad had collected some 30 hours' worth of phone sex conversations between Lewinsky and Clinton and was using them to blackmail the US or to protect a deeply-embedded mole in the White House. ..."
"... I now believe that Epstein was just a player in a huge crime syndicate that often seems to operate in large parts of American life, its politics, culture, academia and, of course, finance. In such a vile apparatus Epstein ran an amusement park. He was never 'a financier.' He specialized in accumulating filth that could be used to extract dollars or other favours. ..."
"... In America in 2019 just about every politician at any level except probably Ilhan Omar and Rashida Talib has been reduced into a Zionist puppet. Every prominent American is subject to direct or indirect Zionist pressure of one kind or another. ..."
"... "they're nothing, these girls. They are trash." ..."
"... This is another example of "the virtue of hate." These psychotic posers who insist on improving the world have given themselves carte blanche to perform any evil deed they like because they believe that their cognitive abilities are superior. ..."
"... The Epstein drama has instilled in me substantial doubt about the moral character of U.S. and Israeli elites which will probably come as no surprise to those reading this post who reached the same point I'm currently at some years or even decades ago. ..."
"... What we always see since inception of the CIA regime is that they keep their puppet rulers under tight control. Of course they use foreign intelligence assets to lower the boom. That gives CIA operational control protected by eyes-only intelligence liaison agreements, which are "compacts" judicially deemed* beyond the treaty-making powers of Congress. ..."
"... We have two criminal enterprises: the USG and the Jewish State. Reasonable people can differ about which is the henchman and which is the mastermind. But the crimes, in this case VIP kompromat, are indisputably collaborative efforts. Elected officials in the USA are puppets. But not Zionist puppets. They are puppets of Mossad and CIA. ..."
"... I understand what you are saying (because I have heard it so often) but I have a much different view of the CIA. I truly believe the CIA is a tool of statecraft, no different in its own way, than the marines or the special forces. If the CIA is guilty of doing lots of nasty stuff (which it is), it is only because it has been instructed to do so .by the powers that be. ..."
"... If you stop to think about it, it makes no sense, whatsoever, for the CIA to be allowed to act in an autonomous fashion. It does act with shadowy impunity, but the instructions for its all its "shadowy misdeeds" come from above. If you want to blame the CIA for all the dirty things it does, it is , in my perspective, a lot like blaming the "9 mm with silencer" for all the people it kills. ..."
"... One of the most fascinating aspect of Jewish culture and ID politics is the contradictory mixture of arrogance and sense of grandeur together with shameless victimhood. If this discrepancy could be fixed, Zionism would have prevailed in making the Jews 'ppl like all other ppl' as it vowed initially ..."
Aug 25, 2019 | www.unz.com

A few days ago Vanity Fair , the same outlet that once attempted to block the exposé of monster pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, published an article by Venessa Grigoriadis that provides some details of Epstein's friend and alleged 'co-conspirator' Ghislaine Maxwell.

Multiple victims claim that Maxwell often brought girls to Epstein and that she was an active sexual participant as well. According to Vanity Fair, "a source close to Maxwell says she spoke glibly and confidently about getting girls to sexually service Epstein, saying this was simply what he wanted, and describing the way she'd drive around to spas and trailer parks in Florida to recruit them. She would claim she had a phone job for them, 'and you'll make lots of money, meet everyone, and I'll change your life .'" Vanity Fair's source added: "When I asked what she thought of the underage girls, she looked at me and said, 'they're nothing, these girls. They are trash."

This is gossipy information, but it seems consistent with what we have learned about Epstein and his ring. Those familiar with Maxwell family history won't be shocked that Maxwell is quoted calling the girls "trash." Daddy Maxwell plundered the lifetime pensions of his workers for his own use. He was alleged to be a Mossad agent. Not many know that Daddy Maxwell was also under police investigation for war crimes just before he drowned. Metropolitan Detectives were preparing to interview Maxwell, once a decorated captain in the British army, about an allegation that he murdered the unarmed mayor of a German City back in 1945.

One may say 'like father like daughter'. But the total dismissal of otherness and human life is not limited to the Maxwells. Those of us who follow the unfolding Palestinian tragedy are pretty familiar with the institutional disregard to human life that is symptomatic of Israeli policy and is supported by its forceful lobby around the world. The saga of disgraceful conduct on the part of Epstein and others in his orbit suggests that the dismissal of otherness is characteristic of a wide circuit of those affiliated ideologically, politically and spiritually with Zion.

During an interview with Miami news station WPLG Alan Dershowitz not only bashed one of his accusers, calling her an "admitted prostitute and a serial liar" but claimed that the then-teen was not victimized and in fact "made her own decisions in life." I am not in a position to determine whether Dershowitz is guilty of sex crimes (which he denies) but this kind of language is the last thing you would expect from a retired Ivy League law professor. One wouldn't imagine that a law 'scholar' would refer to an alleged victim of sex trafficking as 'an admitted prostitute.' Nor would one expect a veteran 'law scholar' to suggest that the child victim of sexual abuse by a registered sex offender was actually 'making her own decisions in life.' But this is exactly what we hear from Alan Dershowitz. No doubt one of the most vocal Zionist advocates around.

Watch the entire interview:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_GlK8dr6MP0?feature=oembed

The disregard of others and the dismissal of human life, symptomatic of the Epstein Orbit, extends beyond ethnicity, religious barriers and class. Indeed, we read in various outlets that Leslie Wexner, long standing patron of Epstein, is accused by some of having some connection to the murder of Arthur Shapiro -- a Jewish lawyer who was killed in a 1985 'mob-style murder '. Shapiro's doomed soul was resurrected when the Columbus, Ohio Police released the controversial -- and once believed destroyed -- document investigating his death. Presumably Shapiro knew too much. And author Daniel Halper claims that Israel and its operators within American politics have not refrained from blackmailing even an American president.

According to Halper, Israel attempted to use tapes of former US president Bill Clinton's steamy sex chats with intern Monica Lewinsky to leverage the release of Jonathan Pollard. Halper claims that during the Wye Plantation talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, held in Maryland in 1998, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulled Bill Clinton aside to press for Pollard's release. "The Israelis present at Wye River had a new tactic for their negotiations–they'd overheard Clinton and Monica and had it on tape. Not wanting to directly threaten the powerful American president, a crucial Israeli ally, Clinton was told that the Israeli government had thrown the tapes away. But the very mention of them was enough to constitute a form of blackmail," Halper wrote, "according to information provided by a CIA source, a stricken Clinton appeared to buckle."

This horrific narrative of how Israel allegedly blackmailed an American president initially surfaced in 1999. In his book Gideon's Spies , author Gordon Thomas claimed that the Mossad had collected some 30 hours' worth of phone sex conversations between Lewinsky and Clinton and was using them to blackmail the US or to protect a deeply-embedded mole in the White House.

The Clintons have often been referred to in relation to the Epstein affair. It is likely, that as with the young women Epstein abused, the Clintons and other prominent Americans were also 'victims' so to say.

I now believe that Epstein was just a player in a huge crime syndicate that often seems to operate in large parts of American life, its politics, culture, academia and, of course, finance. In such a vile apparatus Epstein ran an amusement park. He was never 'a financier.' He specialized in accumulating filth that could be used to extract dollars or other favours.

In America in 2019 just about every politician at any level except probably Ilhan Omar and Rashida Talib has been reduced into a Zionist puppet. Every prominent American is subject to direct or indirect Zionist pressure of one kind or another.

Igor Ogorodnev wrote yesterday on Russia Today that, "the media has wilfully misinterpreted Donald Trump's words to portray the most pro-Israel US president in history as an anti-Semite. It makes more sense to chide him for sacrificing US interests to please Benjamin Netanyahu." Here is my practical advice for Americans. Instead of accusing Trump of being an 'anti-Semite,' ask instead why your president is more loyal to Israel than most Israelis, let alone Jews.

To follow the path that led to Jeffrey Epstein's plea deal listen to this spectacular Jake Morphonios's podcast

https://www.youtube.com/embed/QK9GA46feWc?feature=oembed


lysias , says: August 23, 2019 at 3:25 pm GMT

Where is Ghislaine Maxwell? Does anybody know? Apparently, the photo of her in the LA burger joint is fake.
Jon Baptist , says: August 23, 2019 at 3:54 pm GMT

"they're nothing, these girls. They are trash."

This is another example of "the virtue of hate." These psychotic posers who insist on improving the world have given themselves carte blanche to perform any evil deed they like because they believe that their cognitive abilities are superior.

The mentality that calls for copulating with a wall in Jerusalem also calls for taking the innocence away from children and young teens. Dershowitz, Epstein, Maxwell, Weinstein, etc., can be sexual deviants because they are giving the world things like trans-humanism, sodomy, abortion and usury.

Gilad your idea in 'Nakba II' where you write that the, "Jewish State is making a real effort to redefine the notion of Jewish 'kindness'" is the most on-point analysis you have ever written. The "virtue of hate" is why the "Who" wanders. The group that speaks modern Hebrew as well as the diaspora who seek Eretz Yisrael and Tikkun Olam will eventually destroy themselves because their 42 volumes of theology is fatally flawed. The hate that they exude always returns back on them.

Who tried to correct their behavior over 2000 years ago? Who was crucified for telling them to "love your enemies?"

And right on cue, Whitney Webb retweets this .

Longfisher , says: August 23, 2019 at 7:43 pm GMT
The Epstein drama has instilled in me substantial doubt about the moral character of U.S. and Israeli elites which will probably come as no surprise to those reading this post who reached the same point I'm currently at some years or even decades ago.
Bob Gates' Latex Jew Schnozz , says: August 23, 2019 at 9:11 pm GMT
Notice that it happened at Wye Plantation. That's Aspen Institute's East Coast satellite office. And as any minimally sentient pongid knows, Aspen is CIA. Is anybody dumb enough to think CIA didn't know exactly what transpired? Staging the blackmail threat at a famous CIA front is what you call messaging. The message is, We Know, Too.

Closed caption for the hard-of-thinking: "according to information provided by a ► ► CIA ◄ ◄ source, a stricken Clinton appeared to buckle."

What we always see since inception of the CIA regime is that they keep their puppet rulers under tight control. Of course they use foreign intelligence assets to lower the boom. That gives CIA operational control protected by eyes-only intelligence liaison agreements, which are "compacts" judicially deemed* beyond the treaty-making powers of Congress.

We have two criminal enterprises: the USG and the Jewish State. Reasonable people can differ about which is the henchman and which is the mastermind. But the crimes, in this case VIP kompromat, are indisputably collaborative efforts. Elected officials in the USA are puppets. But not Zionist puppets. They are puppets of Mossad and CIA.

Purging all the bad Jew apples won't do you any good. The Mormons or the Family or some other cult will take over, and you'll be just as fucked. Your problem is CIA impunity. Fix that. Lock up some criminal spooks. They'll sing like John McCain in VC hands and you'll be free.

* in United States v. Belmont

AnonStarter , says: August 23, 2019 at 9:31 pm GMT
/Those of us who follow the unfolding Palestinian tragedy are pretty familiar with the institutional disregard to human life that is symptomatic of Israeli policy and is supported by its forceful lobby around the world. /

Micocosms of that disregard appear regularly among the zionazis that slum about this venue.

Here's a good example of it in your previous article's discussion thread:

Ah, you guys lost war after war. Had you won we would be gone. We won you are gone. Look India just took over Kashmir. The Palestinians are losers, losers do not get to dictate the right of who lives there and who doesn't

Sean , says: August 23, 2019 at 11:32 pm GMT

[D]ecorated captain in the British army

Robert Maxwell only won the George Medal, which is not for bravery in combat.

The disregard of others and the dismissal of human life, symptomatic of the Epstein Orbit, extends beyond ethnicity, religious barriers and class.

That is very true, but there was something that made Epstein a predator of his fellow Jews. Possibly because he hated the low social status in the Jewish community that his father job as a city groundsman relegated the family to. In fact the father of Roberts/Giuffre had a similar, but rather better job than Epstein's father.

alexander , says: August 23, 2019 at 11:51 pm GMT
@Bob Gates' Latex Jew Schnozz

I understand what you are saying (because I have heard it so often) but I have a much different view of the CIA. I truly believe the CIA is a tool of statecraft, no different in its own way, than the marines or the special forces. If the CIA is guilty of doing lots of nasty stuff (which it is), it is only because it has been instructed to do so .by the powers that be.

If you stop to think about it, it makes no sense, whatsoever, for the CIA to be allowed to act in an autonomous fashion. It does act with shadowy impunity, but the instructions for its all its "shadowy misdeeds" come from above. If you want to blame the CIA for all the dirty things it does, it is , in my perspective, a lot like blaming the "9 mm with silencer" for all the people it kills.

To find the real culprit, look to the hand that pulls its trigger.

Sean , says: August 24, 2019 at 1:04 am GMT
These are a lot of people on this site who seem quite normal until you mention the CIA then their schizophrenia spectrum disorder becomes salient.

To find the real culprit, look to the hand that pulls its trigger.

The real culprit is the real world , which forces every country into subversion and military menacing against every other country, forming alliances with them only to better subvert and wage war on other alliances.

anon [396] Disclaimer , says: August 24, 2019 at 5:09 am GMT
Comedian Bill Hicks explains the newly elected President's first day:

I have this feeling man, 'cause you know, it's just a handful of people who run everything, you know, that's true, it's provable. It's not -- I'm not a fucking conspiracy nut, it's provable. A handful, a very small elite, run and own these corporations, which include the mainstream media.

I have this feeling that whoever is elected president, like Clinton was, no matter what you promise on the campaign trail -- blah, blah, blah -- when you win, you go into this smoke-filled room with the twelve industrialist capitalist scum-fucks who got you in there. And you're in this smoky room, and this little film screen comes down, and a big guy with a cigar goes, "Roll the film."

And it's a shot of the Kennedy assassination from an angle you've never seen before that looks suspiciously like it's from the grassy knoll. And then the screen goes up and the lights come up, and they go to the new president, "Any questions?"

[mimicking Bush] "Er, just what my agenda is."

"First we bomb Baghdad."

"You got it "

Bill Hicks explains US Presidency

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ytv15ono5J0?feature=oembed

Of course, the film they roll is both the Kennedy killshot from the grassy knoll and the President porking a 15 year old.

Jeff Stryker , says: August 24, 2019 at 5:14 am GMT
@Sean SEAN

As if Clinton did not prey on vulnerable and impressionable young Jewish girls. Or Hugh Hefner. Or Larry Flynt.

The core difference is that there are less of them.

If a creepy older Gentile couple went into some poor Jewish borough in New York City that was the equivalent of a trailer park, they would have any success getting 14 year old Jewish girls to come stampeding out for $300.

There are not many Jewish girls roaming the roads of Miami at 1 am on drugs in rich neighborhoods (What were these girls doing in a wealthy neighborhood even before they met Epstein? What were they planning to do there?).

Where were these girls' parents? Why are Jewish girls better insulated? Is this a Zion conspiracy?

Don't get me wrong. The world is full of trashy Jewish young women like Lewinsky or even middle-aged ones like Sarah Silverman who will do anything with any Gentile who will advance their careers. Porn has always been loaded with working-class Jewish girls.

But these are young women over 21 who have made a decision. Not kids.

So how are Jews protecting their children?

Why aren't Jewish girls pouring out trailer parks willing to do anything for $300?

Justsaying , says: August 24, 2019 at 6:40 am GMT

In America in 2019 just about every politician at any level except probably Ilhan Omar and Rashida Talib has been reduced into a Zionist puppet.

It is virtually impossible to think of any country, powerful or weak, wealthy or poor that exercises such complete control over any other country, powerful or weak, rich or poor as Zionist Israel does over our country, the US of A. To top it all, discussion on the issue of liberation from this suffocating control and what in effect is annexation, has not even begun because the gagging that prevents it reflects the complete level that such control has achieved. It is a phenomenon that defies all logic. Anything short of a second war of independence, will not move this country closer to the company of free and sovereign nations of which, to be honest, are few and far between.

Frankie P , says: August 24, 2019 at 7:01 am GMT
Do any of these revelations surprise you anymore, Gilad? The Ghislaine Maxwell statement, "they're nothing, these girls. They're trash."? The Dersh comments calling a woman who was abused as a child "admitted prostitute and serial liar" who was "making her own decisions in life" when she was abused at age 15? Does any of it surprise you?

These people are informed, inculcated, immersed in this culture, thought, worldview:

Yossi Gurvitz: "The worst case, in my opinion, is the case of Maimonides, who decrees – first of all, he decrees that it is permissible to have sexual relations with a three-year-old girl. The age of consent is problematic. And second of all he decrees that if a Jew rapes a three-year-old non-Jewish girl, then she must be executed. Her, not him – because she tempted him to sin. And for this reason you have to treat her like an animal that put obstacles in a person's way, and he quotes some verse about a bull or something like that."

Gilad Atzmon , says: Website August 24, 2019 at 8:40 am GMT
@AnonStarter @AnonStarter

One of the most fascinating aspect of Jewish culture and ID politics is the contradictory mixture of arrogance and sense of grandeur together with shameless victimhood. If this discrepancy could be fixed, Zionism would have prevailed in making the Jews 'ppl like all other ppl' as it vowed initially

[Aug 24, 2019] The Missing Howls of Denunciation Over Major Sex Trafficking

Notable quotes:
"... MeToo overturns the presumption of innocence making one guilty until proven innocent, inciting mob rule. ..."
"... Antifa legitimizes force as speech, just what the fascists want. ..."
"... Intelligence and law enforcement are always infiltrating organisations seeking social change through legal means. In Britain an undercover policeman even married an organizer in the course of his duties. (a Stasi trick although one presumes the tactic is timeless). ..."
"... It looks for all the world that Epstein was basically pimping for the elitist of the insider elites throughout the capitalist universe. Sex trafficking has always been a big money-maker, even amongst street people, common reprobates and the clergy. The rich and powerful have fixers like Epstein to take care of all their nasty business. Does anyone think that muckety-mucks in high finance, the media monopoly, law enforcement, the courts, the highest levels of government and even some prominent female rainmakers may not have been among the beneficiaries of this service industry? ..."
"... A considerable factor in the Epstein case is not his individual perversity or crimes, but hierarchy and corruption, not just the corruption of the sexuality but the use of the sexuality in cementing, rewarding, and coercing corruption. ..."
"... There is no way that Epstein could have had the type of business that he is widely regarded as having had without the extensive and ongoing involvement of both major political parties and major media entities. ..."
"... The same corporate media behind the muted outrage response to the trafficking of girls and the anodyne narrative of Epstein's death just spent more than two years trying to convince the world that it was the Russians, not the fossilized Electoral College, that put Donald Trump into the Whitehouse based soley on rumor, suggestion, inference and accusations from well known liars and frauds ..."
"... "Over the past year," Haartez wrote, "a high number of powerful Jewish men have been accused of sexual misconduct. While it has provided fodder for anti-Semites, activists say addressing the problem is vital." ..."
"... Bronfman is the daughter of the legendary ultra Zionist billionaire Edgar Bronfman (1929 –2013) who was president of the World Jewish Congress. In his obituary, Edgar Bronfman was described by Haaretz as "prince of the Jews." His daughter has been ordered to pay a penalty of $6 million out of her $200 million fortune, and she faces up to two years in prison. ..."
"... Bloomberg, not exactly an 'anti-Semitic' outlet, dug into The Complicated Orbit of Jeffrey Epstein. Zionist enthusiast Leslie Wexner was identified as Epstein's 'patron'. The Jewish virtual library informs us that Wexner "often support[s] .. Jewish projects. He serves as Honorary Vice Chairman of the Board of Congregation Aguda Achim [And] established the Wexner Foundation, which runs both a Graduate Fellowship and an Israel Fellowship Program." ..."
"... Bloomberg lists the following as amongst Epstein's 'business partners': Harvey Weinstein, Mort Zuckerman, Donny Deutsch, Nelson Peltz, Ehud Barak and Ponzi aficionado Steven Hoffenberg. ..."
"... This raises critical questions, the most elementary of which is, why? Why are so many Jewish men currently in the news in connection with sexually predatory behaviour? What is it about these rich and influential people that pushes them over the edge? ..."
"... why hasn't Ghislane Maxwell been arrested yet? ..."
"... "Target" is the word. Franken was clearly an attempt by the Democratic leadership to push the party farther to the right. ..."
"... Not surprising if being compromised was a necessary preliminary to their careers being advanced. ..."
"... This only confirms what I suspected about the Me,Too movement from the very start – that it is not a genuine grassroots movement by women, but rather a political tool the "politically correct" Establishment party invented as a weapon to destroy powerful men of the Opposition. ..."
"... The missing howls can be explained easily. The military-industrial-congressional-corporate-media complex does not wish them to be. ..."
"... The monolithic, feckless "media" got the same memo Acosta did. "Congress" and conceptions of "justice" are as oil and water. And besides, they don't f*** with the "well-connected". ..."
"... The ruling elites (and CIA-Mossad) simply want this business buried so that the circus and the information flowing from it can continue through other means Me Too has no interest, nothing to be gained from, no ax to grind in this affair – apparently. Which would seem to indicate that it was as shallow and spiteful as it appeared in the main. ..."
"... That such as Epstein was allowed, given the nod and wink, to carry on as he had and that the Me Too movement has so far been silent about the whole business does indeed suggest that the women involved in that so-called movement were had motives other than really wanting a big change in socio-cultural attitudes toward and about male-female relationships, interactions, conceptions of each other. ..."
"... The reason for MeToo disinterest is because they are a CIA controlled operation. ..."
"... Lucianne Goldberg has been trying to get dirt on Democratic presidents from 1960 on, when she tried to get close to JFK before settling for Johnson. In 1972 she worked for the North American Newspaper Alliance, a CIA front, looking for dirt in the McGovern campaign. Lewinsky's "friend", Linda Tripp, has a military intelligence background. It appears to me that the Lewinsky scandal was planned to happen. ..."
"... I suspect that Bill was easy to hook for Epstein's operation. ..."
Aug 24, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

Why have the howls of outrage not echoed through the media? Why has the trumpet's call to action been silent? Why haven't the halls of Congress resounded with denunciation and the demands for justice.

Sexual trafficking of women and children is probably the century's greatest assault on girls and young women outside of Boko Haram's rampages and the crimes of the Islamic State against the Yazidis. In terms of sheer numbers, it exceeds those atrocities. High among the malefactors is the Epstein-Maxwell operation. Its foul activities went on for 25 years. It was known to law enforcement authorities for most of that time. The sole legal action taken was the one count lodged against Jeffrey Epstein in 2006 for "soliciting a minor." With the connivance of the highest authorities in Washington, it was a genteel house arrest that was a mockery of supposed punishment.

U.S. lawmakers speak in support of End Demand for Sex Trafficking Act, 2005. (Wikimedia Commons)

The most grotesque aspect of this sinister criminal ring was the knowing participation of dozens of members of the highest echelons of the American elite – possibly including two occupants of the White House. Rape – both statutory and violent – was the order of the day. So, too, involuntary confinement, extortion, blackmail, intimidation and god knows what other heinous crimes.

Yet, the protests and cries for punishment from our self-styled militants for women's rights have been muted – to understate things. A brief flurry of ritual shock in the weeks immediately after Epstein's arrest is all. Such condemnation as we heard or read placed the entire affair in the wadding of a general critique of the abuses carried out by privileged men since 1776. Now, just the usual titillation about the deplorable condition of Epstein's jail cell and tidbits about Lady Ghislaine – the socialite super madame.

Stunning Discrepancy

Compare this soft murmuring with the hell raised by so many about garden variety sexual harassment ascribed to public personalities. Al Franken driven out of the Senate. Garrison Keillor cast into the wilderness by NPR. Etc., etc. No rape, no violence -- an uninvited hand on the bare back of a decade-long acquaintance in the latter instance. The discrepancy is stunning.

We comb the news waiting to hear of the reception held by Elizabeth Drew and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi in the former's swank Manhattan apartment to console and honor the victims. We wait breathlessly for a special issue of MSM exposing who was involved and what happened. We imagine deputations flooding the Capitol to insist on a swift, no-holds-barred investigation. We peer into the gloom for Hillary bearing the torch of women's emancipation. We anticipate The New York Times' mea culpa as to why they ignored the story for a quarter century. Perhaps #MeToo could sponsor a benefit concert in Central Park to raise funds for the hapless victims from around the world. After all, these odious crimes occurred on American soil, committed almost exclusively by Americans. The Clinton Foundation would be the logical place to ask for financial support. There is an ancient Crusader saying: "first the feast, then the morals."

We comb the news.

Mirages all. Isn't happening; won't happen

But why? The mind searches for explanations. Were the professional enforcers of strict no-harassment codes who police the nation seeking out evidence of stray male hands – especially if the women are well-educated, upper middle class and live in safe neighborhoods – on vacation? Or did they repress knowledge of friends who likely were implicated in the Epstein-Maxwell crimes? Did they find intolerable the idea that some of their favorites among the high and mighty are despicable low-lifes? Is the fact that the chief operational officer of the criminal enterprise was a woman inhibiting of incisive responses?
Let's also bear in mind that taking on the power elites (Epstein/Maxwell/ clients – maybe the CIA/Mossad) would indeed be ahard and dangerous business. By contrast, a Frankel or Keillor is a soft target. Those guys and their like are sensitive to their self-image and are not born fighters – moreover, their bosses have long practiced the art of the preemptive cringe.

Or, is it due to a core ambivalence that touches deep sensitivities about the myths we live by – held by men as well as women? Is it simply unpalatable that numerous of the elites who rule us – we America, the last best hope of humankind – and whom we admire are in fact among the scum of the earth?
Michelangelo: they feel that it is "better to nurse a delicious FANCY Than GAG ON TRUTH."

Powers of Sublimation

Hillary Clinton, as first lady, giving her famous "women's rights are human rights" 1995 speech in Beijing. (Sharon Farmer/White House via Wikimedia Commons)

Finally, let's never underestimate the powers of sublimation in contemporary America. When facilitated by a lax media, and encouraged by self-serving politicos, there seem to be no limits to their capacity for self-censorship. Consider the most recent example of President Donald Trump's sexual abuses: E. Jean Carroll's highly graphic and persuasive description of Trump's assault on her in Bergdorf's. It survived little more than one or two news cycles.

Consider this, too, re. Epstein: The New Yorker gave us this bold cover story about the defense of Alan Dershowitz the notorious legal defender of unsavory types who was an Epstein attorney and who has been identified by at least one of Epstein's accusers as a participant in statutory rape. If you are having difficulty figuring out why the rush to provide him with several thousand words for self-justification and self-promotion, then I have a not-so-green island to sell you.

I personally have no hypotheses to offer in way of explanation. The silence of the arch 'feminist' militants is a mystery to me.

Michael Brenner is a professor of international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. [email protected].


Jill , August 24, 2019 at 12:35

Michael,

Women don't deserve "mild" unwanted touching either. I hope maybe next time, that part of your article could be set aside. Also, I feel that your use of the term "arch "feminist" militants" is a mistake. I think you are asking a good question but this article seems more like a pejorative swipe at feminists than an actual inquiry when you use that phrase.

To answer your question plainly– women are neither worse nor better than men. As you must know, the movement for racial equality in the 60s was full of incredible sexism and cruelty by revolutionary men towards their sisters in the movement. Stokely Carmichael stated: 'the only position for women in SNCC is prone." MLK had some real problems with women. In other words, these men were hypocrites. They were both good and bad. Most movements for social change are filled with hypocrisy. There is freedom for some but not for all. This is shameful and I believe it is why revolutions never achieve their aim. Freedom must be for every person, not just one's chosen "worthy" group.

Women in the feminist movement also act shamefully when they fail to support justice for every abuse victim. Notice that you have difficulty criticizing Keiller (who also supports torture) and Franken because you like them. You are willing to minimize their actions because their politics and person meet your approval. This is what Democratic women are doing and have done when confronted by the victims of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Many Democratic women like this couple. They agree with their politics and they are willing to ignore wrongdoing by them because of that fact.

Your piece in a very real way, answers your own question. People won't see injustice in those whom they like. It's easier to pass it on by or minimize it. This is exactly the attitude we must all challenge inside ourselves. Until we do, until we are willing to admit to wrongdoing by those whom we like and agree with, abuse will continue.

Right, left or center– wrong is wrong. The abuse of women, men and children cannot be tolerated.

Truth , August 24, 2019 at 11:58

The pedophilia is satanic brought to usa by the past and present British Royals which epstein was and Andrew still is. Clinto Kerry and Rodham families as well. Do some real background on their geneology if you can. Scrubbing has eliminated most. Memory dates them all to B.C. druids and Earls in England.

Remember Stallones Movie Cobra? He was giving you hints. As he always has in the movies he writes. Broward county, Fla is home to the leaders the Bronfmans and their protégé D Wasserman.

Guy , August 24, 2019 at 10:21

The arrest of Jeffrey Epstein was an opportunity for all Americans to have a good look at themselves but it did not last long. Someone, some intelligence agency decided that it was too painful to expose the higher ups and it will do to show the world the corruption involved in the whole affair .So Epstein is now gone. The whole sordid affair is no more .No more to be said .Move on folks ,what was the score last night at that baseball game ?

Gerry L Forbes , August 24, 2019 at 05:21

Professor Brenner is a quick study, noticing the dog that didn't bark. Others have pointed out that MeToo might not even be a dog (a well-trained poodle at best) but I am concerned that all these extralegal groups might be part of a more insidious strategy: destroying the rule of law and the protections it provides.

MeToo overturns the presumption of innocence making one guilty until proven innocent, inciting mob rule.

Antifa legitimizes force as speech, just what the fascists want.

Counterprotests seek to restrict freedom of speech when the worst thing the speakers can do for their cause is express their views.

Intelligence and law enforcement are always infiltrating organisations seeking social change through legal means. In Britain an undercover policeman even married an organizer in the course of his duties. (a Stasi trick although one presumes the tactic is timeless).

A possible scenario: one or more of Trump's strategies implodes causing civil unrest. Heavy-handed response leads to full-blown riots. Americans do what they are supposed to and elect Biden whose advancing dementia only makes things worse. Cities burn. Martial law is declared. Prison labour builds walls paid for by Mexico and Canada (Seriously. We don't want millions of self-righteous refugees blithering cluelessly about Thoreau's Civil Disobedience. Had enough of that during the Vietnam war. And the Chinese and Indians won't stand for hordes of white, black and latino people diluting their influence).

Good luck!

Realist , August 24, 2019 at 02:30

It looks for all the world that Epstein was basically pimping for the elitist of the insider elites throughout the capitalist universe. Sex trafficking has always been a big money-maker, even amongst street people, common reprobates and the clergy. The rich and powerful have fixers like Epstein to take care of all their nasty business. Does anyone think that muckety-mucks in high finance, the media monopoly, law enforcement, the courts, the highest levels of government and even some prominent female rainmakers may not have been among the beneficiaries of this service industry?

It doesn't surprise me one bit that those who were saved by Epstain's demise would exercise their power and influence to make sure things were quickly "resolved" and the public calmed. The tried and true remedy has always been for the media to simply change the subject. There is certainly no way they are pinning this one on Putin, so it will quickly be forgotten and lost down the memory hole. They don't even need to put on a charade about reforming the system because the relevant laws are already on the books. The real reform will be that Epstain's replacement will make sure that no future service providers ever live long enough to file any legal complaints.

Douglas Schorr , August 23, 2019 at 20:17

Dang I didn't get past

'Boko Haram's rampages and the crimes of the Islamic State against the Yazidis'.

Aren't both products of the US. Second, surely a choice of just one American we'll-bring-you-democracy action over the last 20 years is far worse than Boko Haram? Indications to date are Epstein has been 'protected' by Rep and Dem since the early 80s, if not before.

Amanda , August 23, 2019 at 20:00

Thanks for posting on this.

Well, I'm actually not surprised–I always had the sense that the whole "MeToo" movement was controlled behind the scenes. Seems like it was quite useful when Kavanaugh was nominated for the Supreme Court (and I'm not a supporter of him–he's a Bushy and I'm pretty sure he had something to do with that Patriot Act), and Allyssa Milano was ready to go in telling us "we must believe all women" with regard to Dr. Chrissy Fraud and Julie Swetnick.

But they are interestingly quiet right now about the whole Epstein saga, and of course, there were no signs of support on the Friday before Epstein's supposed death, when there was a document drop, which indicated his victims named George Mitchell (D) and Bill Richardson (D) as men they were forced to have sex with. I think they may have issued a quick denial and then the MSM quickly moved away from it,never to be heard of again.

JWalters , August 23, 2019 at 18:13

Thanks to CN and Michael Brenner for maintaining attention on this extremely important topic. And while the #MeToo people are an understandable focus, the silence is deafening across the board. The politicians are all silent. The major news figures are silent. It's as if nobody had pulled back the curtain on the sociopaths who rule our society.

For convenience in posting to other sites, here is a link to the stunning CN interview with Whitney Webb on the Epstein case and its MANY ramifications.
"Whitney Webb in-depth history of Jeffrey Epstein"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBN7Xqf7rWI

Also, here is a series of in-depth reports on how the prosecution of Epstein was blocked by higher-ups at the state and federal levels. Jake Morphonios is an excellent, experienced investigator (so good he is being thrashed by YouTube).
https://www.blackstoneintel.com/podcast

bardamu , August 23, 2019 at 17:28

Just an idea --

A considerable factor in the Epstein case is not his individual perversity or crimes, but hierarchy and corruption, not just the corruption of the sexuality but the use of the sexuality in cementing, rewarding, and coercing corruption.

Perhaps not everyone who is concerned about sexual abuse is concerned about corruption and hierarchy in general. Perhaps not everyone concerned about sexual abuse even considers that hierarchy, with all its corruptions, is so much as unnecessary. For such people, the fact or apparent fact that Epstein is dead resolves matters insofar as they might be resolved–with all the hierarchy and its corruption in place, whatever such people may think of all that.

There is no way that Epstein could have had the type of business that he is widely regarded as having had without the extensive and ongoing involvement of both major political parties and major media entities.

So there will be no extensive and authentic push for investigation by Democrats, Republicans, or the push-style mass media that are allied to them. There is not likely to be a lot of investigation by foreign entities because those not allied with the above positions mostly do not find corruption in the United States to be news.

It seems that some who concern themselves with hierarchy might be principally concerned not with reducing hierarchy, but with changing which personnel or which demographics are favored.

It is a sad thing to recognize that one has fewer allies than one imagined. But it seems that for very many of us, the discoveries of the last few years have all been in this direction.

Seasoned Skeptic , August 23, 2019 at 16:37

The same corporate media behind the muted outrage response to the trafficking of girls and the anodyne narrative of Epstein's death just spent more than two years trying to convince the world that it was the Russians, not the fossilized Electoral College, that put Donald Trump into the Whitehouse based soley on rumor, suggestion, inference and accusations from well known liars and frauds

The same who brought us non existent WMDs in Iraq and moderate rebels and White Helmet rescuers in Syria, just to name a few more recent state sponsored fabrications. Justice and truth don't factor into the agenda of the swine who run our plutocracy.

I believe this horror story will be papered over, many accusers and collaborators will meet the same fate as Karen Silkwood and the think tanks and mainstream media talking heads will continue to bandy about the conspiracy theory trope while continuing to endorse the official false claims of the political establishment.

Stephen P , August 23, 2019 at 16:15

Whitney Webb has posted her next installment: https://www.mintpressnews.com/genesis-jeffrey-epstein-bill-clinton-relationship/261455/

Iowa Scribe , August 23, 2019 at 15:30

Gilad Atzmon's critique is far more substantive and more interesting, in part because he doesn't stoop to blaming class or feminists for the "missing howls of outrage" and "dearth of MeToo denunciations".

http://www.unz.com/gatzmon/predators-united/

"Not Just Weinstein: The Year #MeToo Rocked and Shocked the Jewish World" was the title of a 2018 Haaretz article that reviewed the large number of Jews involved in sex scandals that year. "Over the past year," Haartez wrote, "a high number of powerful Jewish men have been accused of sexual misconduct. While it has provided fodder for anti-Semites, activists say addressing the problem is vital."

Haaretz listed some of the prominent Jewish men accused of predatory sexual behaviour. "In addition to (Harvey) Weinstein and (Leon) Wieseltier, the list of Jewish men implicated in #MeToo over the past 12 months includes former Democratic senator Al Franken; ousted CBS chief Les Moonves; actors Dustin Hoffman, Jeffrey Tambor and Jeremy Piven; directors Woody Allen, James Toback and Brett Ratner; playwright Israel Horowitz; journalists Mark Halperin and Michael Oreskes; conductor James Levine; and radio show hosts Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz."

Apparently someone decided to 'clean the swamp'. Harvey Weinstein was just an early bird. In 2018 we also learned about the Nxivm sex cult and the role of Clare Bronfman at its centre. The Jewish Forward wrote that Nxivm's leader attracted "several prominent figures to his group, including heiress Clare Bronfman, who pleaded guilty in April to credit card fraud and harbouring an undocumented immigrant who provided unpaid "labor and services."

Bronfman is the daughter of the legendary ultra Zionist billionaire Edgar Bronfman (1929 –2013) who was president of the World Jewish Congress. In his obituary, Edgar Bronfman was described by Haaretz as "prince of the Jews." His daughter has been ordered to pay a penalty of $6 million out of her $200 million fortune, and she faces up to two years in prison.

When it seemed the Jewish universe couldn't cope with any more scandals involving predatory sexual behaviour, the Epstein affair resurfaced. The Jeffrey Epstein spectacle is one of the biggest of its kind in the history of America ensnaring presidents and prime ministers. Some of the world's most influential men in cultural, financial and academic fields are allegedly implicated in predatory behaviour with underage girls. And it doesn't take a genius to observe that the Epstein drama is, unfortunately, a 'Jewish drama.'

Bloomberg, not exactly an 'anti-Semitic' outlet, dug into The Complicated Orbit of Jeffrey Epstein. Zionist enthusiast Leslie Wexner was identified as Epstein's 'patron'. The Jewish virtual library informs us that Wexner "often support[s] .. Jewish projects. He serves as Honorary Vice Chairman of the Board of Congregation Aguda Achim [And] established the Wexner Foundation, which runs both a Graduate Fellowship and an Israel Fellowship Program."

Bloomberg lists the following as amongst Epstein's 'business partners': Harvey Weinstein, Mort Zuckerman, Donny Deutsch, Nelson Peltz, Ehud Barak and Ponzi aficionado Steven Hoffenberg.

Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of notorious Zionist pension plunderer Robert Maxwell, is described by Bloomberg as Epstein's 'Inner Circle.' And then there is Alan Dershowitz who has been labouring tirelessly to try to convince the American media and anyone else willing to listen that he didn't have sex with underage girls.

Again I find myself admitting that the list of Jewish names surrounding an unsavoury character, this time Epstein, resembles my Bar Mitzvah's guest list: a lot of Jewish names with just a few goyim at the margin.

This raises critical questions, the most elementary of which is, why? Why are so many Jewish men currently in the news in connection with sexually predatory behaviour? What is it about these rich and influential people that pushes them over the edge?

And there are deeper questions that beg attention. Why is it that with so many Jews in academia and media ordinarily so clever in explaining in a 'professorial manner' the psychology and sociology behind every world development and political shift, not one has volunteered to explain the cultural, ideological and spiritual continuum between Weinstein and Epstein and beyond? How is it that the academics and think tanks that are so adept in analysing 'cultural clashes' and, as they call it, 'Islamofascism,' are unwilling to analyse the roots of the cultural crisis at the core of the Epstein saga?

And I must extend this inquiry just one step further, why does the Jewish solidarity industry that cares so much for Palestine, Immigrants, the Civil Rights Movement and LGBT issues remain silent when it comes to the crimes committed, and on a mass scale, against underage girls just a few blocks from JVP's New York headquarters?

Litchfield , August 23, 2019 at 17:08

Uh, wait just a minute.
Good post up until this:

"why does the Jewish solidarity industry that cares so much for [1]Palestine, [2]Immigrants, the [3]Civil Rights Movement and [4]LGBT issues remain silent when it comes to the crimes committed, and on a mass scale, against underage girls just a few blocks from JVP's New York headquarters?"

Quick IQ test: of the four issues named, which one does not belong?
Yep, number 1.
These other groups are not known for their vocal or otherwise support of Palestine or, more precisely, the civil, political, property, and human rights of Palestinians.

This sentence sure looks like a misdirection game. Unless "cares for Palestine" actually is meant to mean, "cares for fighting indigenous rights in Palestine."

Anarcissie , August 23, 2019 at 12:57

This is all pretty stupid. #metoo was about people with legitimate complaints being ignored. 'Howls of outrage' were appropriate to get the needed attention. The Epstein business is hardly being ignored and involves so many bigwigs that its ramifications and effects are only beginning to be known. Cops, lawyers, journalists, and conspiracy theorists are on the case. So what are you all, including the author, talking about at such length?

Seamus Padraig , August 23, 2019 at 13:21

So, why hasn't Ghislane Maxwell been arrested yet? What's your theory there?

0ccupy on! , August 23, 2019 at 13:48

Dear Anarcissie, Puhleeze! You're comparing what Epstein 'allegedly' did with #MeToo's Al Franken's 'alleged' unwanted French kiss? Where is your sense of proportion?

Litchfield , August 23, 2019 at 15:26

In response to Anarcisse, all I can do is tell her to reread the article.

Why isn't #MeToo using its political and PR muscle to keep the pressure on Bill Barr to conduct a genuine investigation, which would include interrogating a number of big-wigs and also, Primus inter pares, Ghislaine Maxwell?

Until we see Maxwell subpoena'd and compelled to appear for questioning, we in the media peanut gallery will continue to assume that no serious investigation is to be espied in our crystal balls.

Re "Cops, lawyers, journalists, and conspiracy theorists are on the case. So what are you all, including the author, talking about at such length?"
This sounds a bit trollish (and sarcastic) to me, in particular the grouping "cops, lawyers, journalists and conspiracy theorists."
What we actually need is a wide-ranging and deep-delving investigation by the DOJ or by Congress. We need to get to the bottom of Epstein's ties to various intelligence communities. We need see chapter and verse as to how the sex trafficking interfaced with intelligence work. We need to know what is hidden under concrete at Little Saint James Island. Among other things. A genuine investigation, or multiple investigations, might allow the "ct" phrase to be retired in connection with this complex of crimes as it would uncover genuine evidence. Failing such a genuine investigation it can be inferred that evidence is being destroyed and/or suppressed and/or not developed (e.g., via under-oath questioning).

It is decidedly odd that Anarcisse thinks that "the case" can be adequately pursued by the four groups she names. "Cops"?

Karenvista , August 23, 2019 at 19:43

Unfortunately, of fortunately for some, William "Bill" Barr was involved in Iran-Contra and the Reagan/Bush Administration's dirty wars that not only illegally funded our death squads in Central America but also imported cocaine and promoted crack. As a side benefit, they also captured and trafficked in kids from the region, so anyone counting on him will be sadly disappointed.

See Whitney Webb https://www.mintpressnews.com/shocking-origins-jeffrey-epstein-blackmail-roy-cohn/260621/

Mary Vogt , August 23, 2019 at 12:51

Thank you for this. It's insane that the average person is not screaming for justice and for the disbanding of sex trafficking rings and the jailing of those participating and running them. Simply insane. And now, a woman who was going to Washington DC to testify against traffickers has 'disappeared'. I can't even find her disappearance, although reported by friends on social media, in the news at all. Isn't that interesting?

Bob In Portland , August 23, 2019 at 12:32

"Target" is the word. Franken was clearly an attempt by the Democratic leadership to push the party farther to the right. Better to have someone in the Senate to vote for wars and ignore social issues. This cleansing, on the surface, looked like a right-wing attack on Franken, check out the "complainants". But who did the DNC back during the primaries?

All sorts of veterans of the military-industrial complex, from the CIA through the military Buttigieg is Naval intelligence and worked in Afghanistan trying to track down the financing of the Taliban. Seems to me that the mystery of where the money's coming from could be easily answered by asking the soldiers who are guarding the opium fields. In the 2018 Democratic primaries the DNC backed over fifty "former" intelligence/military/Department of State et al.

Much of the suspicions about the Epstein case involve really high-end politicians, to include two Presidents. There are hints of Epstein's connections to Mossad. That information is even more valuable to the CIA, who would rather embarrass someone out of office than kill them. Someone thought it was time to pull the plug on him, and it didn't happen because of a sudden outrage by progressive women. Even Gloria Steinem, the woman chosen by the CIA to lead their faction of the feminist movement, is silent.

And, of course, many iconic feminist groups depend on the financing of the powerful. Realpolitik. Compromise everybody.

Maricata , August 23, 2019 at 12:29

Need we forget that our 'military contractors', like DynCorp have been found enslaving women in Kuwait, sexually raping them in Bosnia? Perhaps it is not that we forgot, perhaps it is that we never knew. https://www.mintpressnews.com/lawsuit-military-contractor-enslaved-american-employees-sewage-flooded-barracks-tent-cities/250994/

Eddie , August 23, 2019 at 12:21

The Me Too movement was an identity politics scheme initiated by elite bourgeois women actresses and their wannabes. From its very beginning , these well-to-do so-called liberals in the Democratic party had no interest in the plight of working class women. The working class victims of the neighbors and the country-club set of the Me Too leadership did not fit into the desired profile of the rich and spoiled.

Those on the roster of the status-seeking rich women do not have time for those who do not share their glamour and Beverly Hills addresses. Those who suffer the mundane and daily sexual harassment and outright sexual assault at their blue-color jobs just don't fit in with "right" crowd to be worthy of the fake Me Too outrage.

Clark M Shanahan , August 23, 2019 at 11:47

You said it so well, Mr Brenner. Thanks, My disgust started with the DNC's copyrighting the term "RESISTANCE". I agree totally w/ML on MeToo being a reactionary movement.

from an earlier comment I made on exclusionary politics:
"What about that BS imbroglio over the Women's March and Farrakhan
Should we have asked all Jewish participants to denounce apartheid Israel, before being allowed to take part..?"
(the DNC retracted their $$$ at that time.)

Pablo Diablo , August 23, 2019 at 11:31

HYPOCRISY? I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

joel , August 23, 2019 at 11:17

The list of names in Epstein's black book reads like a who's who of the political, media, finance, and entertainment establishment of the past thirty years. Virtually all of them are in there. The media and politicians do not want the public dwelling on the revelation that the neoliberal ruling elite is one big gang of child rapists.

ROBERT B HAVERS , August 23, 2019 at 15:43

Isn't it a little surprising that these who's who's didn't know that their sexually deviant behavior wasn't being recorded for the purposes of blackmail. And these are supposed to be the brightest the species has to offer.

lysias , August 24, 2019 at 07:59

Not surprising if being compromised was a necessary preliminary to their careers being advanced.

Helga I. Fellay , August 23, 2019 at 11:17

This only confirms what I suspected about the Me,Too movement from the very start – that it is not a genuine grassroots movement by women, but rather a political tool the "politically correct" Establishment party invented as a weapon to destroy powerful men of the Opposition.

ML , August 23, 2019 at 09:56

It is about class. #Me too was a reactionary moment at its core- not a movement, a moment of the "better classes." In one telling comment on a recent Consortium News Epstein article, a poster sited a Vanity Fair piece and claimed Lady Ghislaine had once called these poor girls "trash." You know, throwaway children so a waif on a street corner late at night or working in a spa gets trafficked and the bourgeoisie and the upper classes "don't really care, do you?" (Melania's jacket was a clue.)

But a Hollywood starlet gets patted on her bum? The horrors. It's about class -- always has been, always will be. If the burgeoning underclass in their precarity doesn't one day choose to rise up en masse, I will be disappointed. And I am prepared for disappointment.

Ghost Ship , August 23, 2019 at 06:11

"we America, the last best hope of humankind"
Nah, not really, the United States is just like any other country and the sooner USians realize this the better for everyone including USians.

Emma Peele , August 23, 2019 at 03:17

#MeToo was silent against the Clintons whose past with Epstein and brought slavery back to Libya was a crime against humanity.

Speaks volumes

Zhu , August 23, 2019 at 02:49

We Americans kill on an industrial scale; why wouldn't we F* ** on an industrial scale too? And the victims are all poor people.

jsinton , August 23, 2019 at 00:50

The missing howls can be explained easily. The military-industrial-congressional-corporate-media complex does not wish them to be.

LarcoMarco , August 23, 2019 at 00:45

It's been a month and a half since Nancy Pelosi's daughter said, "Quite likely, some of our faves are implicated."

robert e williamson jr , August 22, 2019 at 23:42

Professor Brenner's choice of topic here is somewhat suspect as far as I can tell. Given his professional background I would expect him to focus on Jeff Epstein's not so stellar career on Wall Street and the resulting melt down of the world economy after the subprime mortgage debacle. Those topics more aligned with his forte. But nothing on that.

Instead he turns his focus to criticize the ME TOO movement and others, "Why no howling?". He blew it, he seems to have made a pretty grievous error. I

He flirts with discussing MOSSAD and CIA and their potential involvement in this story quickly moving on to provide a hot link to lend exposure to the extremely troubling history of Alan Dershowitz and his ties to Jeff Esptein.

Chose the link and read the story. His effort here to me is puzzling, unless he sees this as him "howling".

If in fact Brenner is virtue signaling he has failed himself miserably. What he has submitted here seems to openly blame victims and their advocates and appears to be his attempt distance himself from "elite status"by naming a few caught up in this story. Given his profile at The Globalist:

https://www.theglobalsist.com/contribtors/micheal-p-brenner/

he seems to travel in some very elitist circles himself.

Craig rudholm , August 22, 2019 at 21:47

It breaks my heart that the only comment is about the article rather than the issue addressed. Sexual predators, no matter their sex, economic or social stature, politics, nationality or racial background are heartless, soulless, vampires. Blood suckers. My guess is that it is just hard to admit we humans have a shadowy side, part of which is envy of those who appreciates to get away with it.

Gregory Herr , August 22, 2019 at 20:33

"Why have the howls of outrage not echoed through the media? Why has the trumpet's call to action been silent? Why haven't the halls of Congress resounded with denunciation and the demands for justice?"

The monolithic, feckless "media" got the same memo Acosta did. "Congress" and conceptions of "justice" are as oil and water. And besides, they don't f*** with the "well-connected".

AnneR , August 23, 2019 at 08:33

In my opinion, admittedly not worth the time taken to express it, Mr Brenner has raised a thought-provoking point. Where indeed is the pious Me Too lot. And as he indicates the vast majority in/of the Me Too "movement" were among the privileged, the bourgeoisie. So too the Me Too's much heralded victims.

But the victims of human trafficking (mainly for sex, though not always), whether children, adolescents, young adults – well, they're clearly *not* from the same social class, not of the bourgeoisie. They and the treatment, abuse of them matter less, it would seem than straying hands on the backs, bums of adult females within the upper middle classes. Especially when that abuse is at the hands of someone from the bourgeoisie, particularly from that segment of the haute bourgeoisie within the ruling elites.

The ruling elites (and CIA-Mossad) simply want this business buried so that the circus and the information flowing from it can continue through other means Me Too has no interest, nothing to be gained from, no ax to grind in this affair – apparently. Which would seem to indicate that it was as shallow and spiteful as it appeared in the main.

I'm not saying that sexual assault should ever be ignored, that females who are forced to submit to sex – rape, surely?- in order to work, continue working should not have justice. Indeed they should and the men who do such things should not only lose their jobs but also spend a nice lengthy time in a real prison. But Me Too seemed to be more about identity politics rather than really changing societal and police/court room attitudes toward rape and sexual assault.

That such as Epstein was allowed, given the nod and wink, to carry on as he had and that the Me Too movement has so far been silent about the whole business does indeed suggest that the women involved in that so-called movement were had motives other than really wanting a big change in socio-cultural attitudes toward and about male-female relationships, interactions, conceptions of each other.

Steve , August 23, 2019 at 13:18

The reason for MeToo disinterest is because they are a CIA controlled operation.

Seamus Padraig , August 23, 2019 at 13:25

"#MeToo ignoring the Clintons was a huge oversight indeed."

Yup. It was about as big an oversight as BLM giving Hillary "Super-predators" Clinton a pass during the 2016 campaign, while protesting against Bernie Sanders.

Bob In Portland , August 23, 2019 at 18:17

Whether or not Clinton abused Lewinsky is debatable, the question being consensuality, but what is clear is that there were intelligence operatives all around the case, which always points to others beyond the stage actors the public sees pulling the strings. Lucianne Goldberg has been trying to get dirt on Democratic presidents from 1960 on, when she tried to get close to JFK before settling for Johnson. In 1972 she worked for the North American Newspaper Alliance, a CIA front, looking for dirt in the McGovern campaign. Lewinsky's "friend", Linda Tripp, has a military intelligence background. It appears to me that the Lewinsky scandal was planned to happen.

I suspect that Bill was easy to hook for Epstein's operation.

Herman , August 23, 2019 at 12:31

Tom Kath, the message I took from the article is that there are too many third rails that can be touched and there is not an attempt to find out the truth about possible widespread and heinous criminality. The way Epstein did jail time in the first instance should have touched the antennae of investigative journalists. Perhaps they will dig deeper but Mister Brenner is right to be suspicious. In fairness it is too early to starting pointing fingers but it is probable that what we know will be as far as it goes..

Maricata , August 23, 2019 at 12:32

Indignation at the failure of others might be suspect, but not rational criticism. In fact, lack of rational critique is what is suspect.

In 2003 I saw it with my own eyes and the founder of this website founded it as a venue where the truth could be told. Not madness, disinformation or no information but the real story. Robert Parry left Washington "Journalism" after he saw a coalescing group think during the Iran Contra hearings as a group think settled in Washington and all journalists that were not on point felt the sharp end of it. At the end Bob had shown a great amount of evidence that CIA Chief Bush met with Iranian officials in the fall of 1979 and arrangements were made to prolong the captivity of the hostages until after the election.

The fact that the hostages were released to the exact minute that Reagan was sworn in was a gift from the Iranians but not one paper asked one question. When the Iran Contra hearings got close to figuring out that the arms for money to fight the Sandinistas in Nicaragua went way back and it was becoming clear that the president and vice president might be involved both democrats and republicans on the hearing abruptly shut it down without reason.

You might ask yourself then "Where is the public outcry". Well my own state of mind at the time told me that what just happened was obviously not just a coincidence and the lame story that the Iranians waited until the minute that Reagan was sworn in because they were afraid of him was a total pile of dung. Why would the Iranians want in such a highly visible way for all to see their capitulation to Reagan and show the World their fear. But that's the story they ran with and soon all was forgotten.

If you still do not have a clue then you should read the many excellent articles in the archives of Robert Parry and his quests to uncover the truth and tell the stories that official Washington just refused to do.

[Aug 24, 2019] 200PM Water Cooler 8-23-2019 naked capitalism

Aug 24, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

anon in so cal , August 23, 2019 at 6:27 pm

Re: Jeffrey Epstein:

"From "Spook Air" to the "Lolita Express": The Genesis and Evolution of the Jeffrey Epstein-Bill Clinton Relationship"

by Whitney Webb

"Far from being the work of a single political party, intelligence agency or country, the power structure revealed by the network connected to Epstein is nothing less than a criminal enterprise that is willing to use and abuse children in the pursuit of ever more power, wealth and control ..

in this four-part series, "The Jeffrey Epstein Scandal: Too Big to Fail," MintPress has revealed that Epstein's activities -- a sexual blackmail operation involving minors and connected to intelligence agencies -- was one of many such operations that have taken place for decades, developing from the nexus forged between the CIA, organized crime and Israeli intelligence shortly after World War II .

.the final installment of this series will focus on Democratic politicians, namely the Clinton family, and their ties to this same network as well as Jeffrey Epstein.

The Clintons' own involvement in Iran-Contra revolved around the covert activities at Arkansas' Mena Airport, which involved the CIA front company Southern Air Transport and occurred while Clinton was governor. Just a few years into the Clinton presidential administration, Leslie Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein would play a major role in Southern Air Transport's relocation to Columbus, Ohio, leading to concerns among top Ohio officials that both men were not only working with the CIA, but that Wexner's company, The Limited, sought to use the CIA-linked airline for smuggling.

During that same period of time, Epstein had already forged close ties to important Clinton White House officials and prominent Clinton donors like Lynn Forester de Rothschild and made several personal visits to the official presidential residence .."

https://twitter.com/_whitneywebb/status/1164967483964624897?s=20

https://www.mintpressnews.com/genesis-jeffrey-epstein-bill-clinton-relationship/261455/

pjay , August 23, 2019 at 8:01 pm

The Webb article is a tour-de-force, as is the series itself. I'm not sure she connects all the dots, but she certainly identifies a sh**load of them. Particularly noteworthy is her discussion of the PROMIS software scandal in relation to Robert Maxwell and later events; few people seem to know about that. She also makes clear that the Clintons have been up to their eyeballs in slime since their days in Arkansas. Much more work to be done, but Webb throws out many clues for future investigation. I'm sure the NYT will get right on it.

[Aug 24, 2019] The outrage being expressed in reaction to Wexler and his company's implicit support for organized pedophilia and abuse of young women is deafening but no arrest were made

Aug 24, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

JARED , Aug 22 2019 18:51 utc | 14

The outrage being expressed in reaction to Wexler and his company's implicit support for organized pedophilia and abuse of young women is deafening - I can't hear anything. No protest?
Where are the advocates for fair and just treament of women?
Seems that all goes to wayside when politics does not align.
Vote for the Pedocrats.

Mina , Aug 22 2019 19:42 utc | 25

No protests in the US? When all the laws seem to be taylored to protect the wealthy and the criminals?
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jeffrey-epstein-will-trust-victims_n_5d5e9cdfe4b02cc97c898b20
What of the fight against money laundering and off shore finances?

[Aug 22, 2019] Epstein's Purported Madam Now a Focus in Sex Abuse Cases

Maxwell might well be prosecutors' next main target and she could potentially name others connected to the multimillionaire.
Aug 22, 2019 | www.theepochtimes.com

"She would tell me, I am going to take care of the house," Alessi said in the deposition, adding later that he drove Maxwell to spas around South Florida to look for young women who could do "massages" for Epstein -- their code for sexual acts.

"I remember one occasion or two occasions she would say to me, 'Juan, give me a list of all the spas in Palm Beach County,'" Alessi said. "And I will drive her from one to the other one."

In one of the lawsuits, Virginia Roberts Giuffre laid out in detail what was believed to be Maxwell's role in Epstein's alleged sex trafficking ring, which other women have echoed in similar claims. Giuffre, 15 at the time, says she was working at a Mar-a-Lago club when she was approached by Maxwell about a way to earn good money: learn massage therapy and get to know Epstein as a man who could give her a bright future.

Giuffre says in a sworn affidavit that she was trained by Maxwell and Epstein to become "everything a man wanted me to be" and that she was flown on Epstein's private planes to his properties in New Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Paris, and New York.

[Aug 22, 2019] New Indictments Expected in Wake of Epstein's Death, Lawyers Say

Aug 22, 2019 | www.theepochtimes.com

Two criminal defense attorneys told The Epoch Times that if the government was investigating Epstein to such a degree that they were able to make an arrest, it can be assumed that federal prosecutors in New York were also gathering evidence on those in his inner circle.

One attorney specifically mentioned the disgraced financier's former girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell , who allegedly assisted Epstein in luring minors. He said Maxwell would be prosecutors' next main target and she could potentially name others connected to the multimillionaire.

"She's going down. She's going to take everybody with her," Jeffery Greco, a New York criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor, said in a phone call. "They are going to ask her, 'Who else did you provide these girls to?' I think that she is going to start talking."

"Remember, it's just pieces to a puzzle, so she may not know everything. But they are going to use her to place the people at those parties, so if she can say, 'I was there on this date and this senator and so-and-so was there,' that will be enough for them to get them involved."

Epstein often hosted parties at his Upper East Side mansion in New York City . He owned the property, which has been valued at $77 million, through an LLC. The seven-story building is located on East 71st Street, between Fifth and Madison avenues.

Nearly 2,000 pages of documents relating to Epstein were unsealed on Aug. 9, revealing allegations against a number of rich and powerful men, just a day before his apparent suicide. The court documents, from a lawsuit by one of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Giuffre, listed new names allegedly involved in Epstein's trafficking ring and more information on the role Maxwell played.

In a 2016 deposition, Giuffre claimed she was directed by Maxwell to have sex with a number of powerful men.

Greco believes the biggest implication of Epstein's death is that there will be "more and more indictments coming down." He said the government will be pressured to file "additional charges" against "additional people" and will be more aggressive in their methods.

"I think there is this extra pressure on the government now to really focus on these [unnamed] co-conspirators, no matter how high up because it's become so public," he said.

According to court documents , Epstein sexually exploited and abused dozens of minor girls at his homes in New York City and in Palm Beach, Florida, among other locations. Since his death, a slew of investigations have been opened or demanded into his death. The official autopsy result has been delayed , "pending further information at this time."

Julie Rendelman, a New York criminal defense attorney and former homicide prosecutor, said those who helped Epstein or assisted him along the way are now going to be the "focus of the future investigations" and will be "kind of the face of the Epstein case, instead of him."

[Aug 22, 2019] Justice Department Sat on Mountain of Epstein Evidence for 10 Years

Aug 22, 2019 | www.theepochtimes.com

"New evidence." An "assist" from journalists. Don't believe it.

The New York prosecutors didn't take action after reading a newspaper article about a game-changing piece of evidence. Compare the 2007 non-prosecution agreement with the new indictment. Both address sex trafficking of children. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has been sitting on mountains of evidence confirming Epstein's abuse of young girls for more than 10 years.

The "assist" was instead a wave of public outrage upon the discovery of how the Justice Department and Florida prosecutors protected a child sex offender with a lenient plea deal, hid the details from the victims and the public, and failed to prosecute the women who helped Epstein find, groom, and exploit children.

What did the Justice Department have on Epstein? The answers can be found in a 2008 lawsuit in which two of Epstein's alleged victims in Doe v. U.S. sued the United States for violating their rights under the federal Crime Victims' Rights Act. In particular, they claimed the government violated their right to confer during the negotiation of the non-prosecution agreement and failed to inform the victims that Epstein's state plea would end the federal case. The victims also claimed the government "violated their right to be treated with fairness" by concealing the non-prosecution agreement.

Judge Kenneth Marra sided with the victims on Feb. 21, ruling that the Justice Department violated the victims' rights under the Crime Victims' Rights Act. The opinion ( pdf ) set forth the DOJ's conspiracy with Epstein's lawyers to deceive the victims. Some of those who participated in the plea deal at the local level have offered justifications. As the Miami Herald's Julie Brown reported :

"Assistant U.S. Attorney [Marie] Villafaña, in court papers, said that prosecutors used their 'best efforts' to comply with the Crime Victims' Rights Act, but exercised their 'prosecutorial discretion' when they chose not to notify the victims.

"The reasoning went like this: The non-prosecution deal had a restitution clause that provided the girls a chance to seek compensation from Epstein. Had the deal fallen through, necessitating a trial, Epstein's lawyers might have used the prior restitution clause to undermine the girls' credibility as witnesses, by claiming they had exaggerated Epstein's behavior in hopes of cashing in."

These excuses fall flat. The volume of evidence that the DOJ had on Epstein and his criminal enterprise was extensive. For example, privilege logs filed by the prosecutors in the Doe case show they had records covering every part of Epstein's life, including his finances, corporate records, flight logs, and phone calls with conspirators.

When it came to the victims, the evidence was overwhelming. The DOJ had an FBI file entitled "Summary of Sexual Activity," containing an analysis of victim-specific information. This included a chart showing phone calls, travel, and grand jury evidence relevant to possible charges. Records show this involved at least nine potential victims. The DOJ was also in possession of FBI reports of interviews of victims and witnesses in New York back in March 2008.

Court records also revealed the DOJ had jury transcripts, witness and victim interviews, investigative files from the State of Florida and the Palm Beach Police Department, and records on potential co-conspirators.

The evidence was there. What was missing was the institutional desire to prosecute child sexual abuse. The institutions failed the victims. And the media has failed the public by not demanding those in power answer a simple question: "Why?"

The answer to that question lies with the Department of Justice headquarters, also known as "main Justice." They knew. Epstein's criminal defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz has stated that the plea deal "went through numerous levels of approval at main Justice."

The involvement of main Justice was confirmed in the court's Feb. 21 opinion, which states "any requirement that Epstein carry out his obligations under the [non-prosecution agreement] was delayed while he sought higher-level review within the Justice Department."

Further corroboration was provided by Acosta at his July 10 press conference, where he stated that people from main Justice were involved early in the development of the Epstein case and were aware of its progression. Acosta declined to state who at main Justice was involved in the Epstein case. I have names.

Court records show that post-plea-deal decisions went up to Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip, who, according to one former DOJ official, has a stellar reputation. Filip was informed of reasons to approve the continued prosecution of Epstein if he didn't comply with the non-prosecution agreement. Judge Marra noted that Filip reviewed the Epstein matter and determined that federal prosecution of Epstein was appropriate if he did not "comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement."

Another high-level Department of Justice official who had his fingerprints on the case is Andrew Oosterbaan, then-chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. A privilege log filed on June 23, 2015, references several emails from 2007 between the Florida federal prosecutors and Oosterbaan regarding an "Epstein meeting" and "changes to the draft indictment and status of plea negotiations."

The same document shows emails from 2008 with Oosterbaan concerning a "continued delay in presenting case to grand jury due to failure to receive decision from D.C., the status of grand jury presentation and ongoing investigation" and a "meeting in DC" concerning the case.

Additionally, these records appear to show Epstein's attorneys reached out to Andy Lourie in May 2007 to arrange a meeting to discuss the Epstein investigation. Lourie was the acting chief of the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division in Washington in 2006, before becoming the acting principal deputy assistant attorney general and chief of staff to the Criminal Division by 2007. In 2007, he was also an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida. Lourie was kept in the loop on possible federal coercion and enticement charges, proposed changes to the indictment, "finalizing details with State Attorney's Office," and "final revisions to indictment package." There are also notations of 2007 emails from Florida federal prosecutors to Myesha Braden, who was serving as a trial attorney for the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the DOJ's Criminal Division, regarding securing a pre-indictment consultation contract. This correspondence took place months before Epstein signed the non-prosecution agreement.

In other words, main Justice was well-informed with the investigation and status of the case.

The involvement of main Justice raises the question of who made the ultimate decision on Epstein's sweetheart deal. Was Acosta following orders from main Justice? If so, who issued the orders and how high did it go? Who did Filip and Oosterbaan report to?

And why did main Justice have such an interest in a South Florida child sex offender?

This quote from Acosta, cited in a July 9, 2019, Daily Beast article, may provide the answer: "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone."

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

[Aug 21, 2019] Epstein Used Network Of Shell Companies And Associates For Sex-Trafficking Ring, Lawsuits Claim

Aug 21, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Jeffrey Epstein used his tangled web of shell companies as a "brazen and powerful organization" to operate a sex-trafficking ring, according to three new civil lawsuits filed against his $578 million estate.

The new litigation was filed against the estate, its executors and the shell companies themselves, asking for unspecified damages for medical and psychological expenses, trauma, humiliation and other injuries suffered as recently as 2017, according to Bloomberg .

Among the companies named in all three suits are one that owned Epstein's Manhattan mansion until 2011 ; his money-management firm, Financial Trust Co.; and HBRK Associates Inc., which allegedly helped arrange travel for Epstein's accusers between New York and Florida . A Richard Kahn was listed as the registered agent for HBRK in New York state corporate filings in 2008.

Two of the complaints name as a defendant the company that once owned Little St. James , the smaller of Epstein's private islands in the Caribbean. Little St. James was one of the locations from which Epstein ran a " complex commercial sex trafficking and abuse ring , " according to the lawsuits.

...

The defendants include the executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn , lawyers who were directors for a nonprofit Epstein had in the U.S. Virgin Islands called Gratitude America. - Bloomberg

Two of the women, "Katlyn Doe" and "Lisa Doe" claim to have met Epstein when they were seventeen. The third, "Priscilla Doe" says she was 20. The three say Epstein used a " vast enterprise " of associates working "in concert and at his direction, for the purpose of harming teenage girls through sexual exploitation, abuse and trafficking. Notably, the new suits claim that all of this happened after his deal with federal prosecutors in Florida in 2007.

Katlyn and Priscilla claim they were flown to Florida so that Epstein could continue to sexually abuse them while he was on work release from jail . Katlyn claims he promised to pay for medical treatment, while he manipulated Lisa and Priscilla by promising to advance their dance careers - which he did not do, according to the lawsuits.

Epstein's complicit associates include "chefs, butlers, receptionists, schedulers, secretaries, flight attendants, pilots, housekeepers, maids, sex recruiters, drivers and other staff members, " according to the suits.

Katlyn also alleges that in 2013 Epstein paid her $10,000 to marry an associate in order for him to become a legal resident of the United States - stiffing her on another $10,000 she says she was promised upon their divorce. She says she agreed to come to Florida after Epstein promised her a job at his office, and that HRBK coordinated her travel . She added that Epstein forced her to "engage in sexual encounters" with him and another young female at the headquarters of his Florida Science Foundation.

According to University of Oregon law professor Susan Gary, Epstein's death shouldn't serve as an impediment to their civil claims.

" They're still in a good position ," said Gary, adding that the challenge "is proving as required by law that he injured them and they should get benefits for their injury."

After Epstein served 13 months in a Palm Beach jail, he settled over two dozen lawsuits with accusers who say he lured them when they were teenagers to his mansion, where they were coerced into sex and paid to recruit others .

Three of those cases, filed by clients of Brad Edwards, settled for a total of $5.5 million . Edwards is the lawyer for the women who filed the complaints Tuesday in federal court in New York. The plaintiffs aren't named because of the "sensitive sexual nature" of the cases , the suits say.

Late Tuesday, Edwards submitted arguments on behalf of VE, another client who last week sued Epstein's estate and three of the same companies targeted by the latest suits, asking the court to allow her to proceed anonymously.

" Epstein's vast wealth and far reaching connections make it clear that retaliation could be employed against individuals pursuing claims against the estate " and could deter witnesses, according to the filing. VE's anonymity will serve society as well, which " has an interest in eradicating the predatory practices of powerful men against vulnerable, susceptible women. " - Bloomberg

According to Katlyn Doe, Epstein would often remind her of his "extraordinary power to reward and punish."

Meanwhile, plaintiff Lisa Doe says she met Epstein in 2002 when she was 17, when he told her he was "close personal friends with some of the most influential names in dance," and would help her with her career if she taught a dance-based exercise class at the home of a wealthy New York man. Instead, Epstein forced her to engage in sexual encounters and derailed her career aspirations .

Lastly, Priscilla Doe says that an Epstein "recruiter" asked her if she wanted to give the financier a massage in his Manhattan mansion in 2006 when she was 20-years-old.

An associate of his taught her the "exact way" he liked to receive oral sex and Epstein "forced himself on her and took her virginity," according to the complaint. While Epstein was receiving massages, the suit says, he took calls from four people, referred to in the suit as "Important Business Person" 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The plaintiff says she was forced to "engage in commercial sex" on each of more than 20 trips to the Virgin Islands between 2006 and 2012 . - Bloomberg

According to the lawsuits, "Each of the employees and associates were paid through companies believed to have been funded by Jeffrey Epstein and, regardless of such funding, were disciples of Jeffrey Epstein, constantly informing plaintiff and other victims of Jeffrey Epstein's power and ability to improve or destroy a victim's life depending on her level of cooperation


Ms No , 14 minutes ago link

The last good FBI agent was Ted Gunderson. That's why Van Decamp gave the documentary that Bush Administration had buried to him. We almost lost this documentary forever, but some heroic individuals and fate kept it alive, hoping people would give a ****. It all ties to somebody controlling our politicians with honeypots. Remember when NWO was a conspiracy theory people laughed about? Not funny any more.

This is Gunderson after the FBI. He KNEW. This is all honeypot. The Satanism is for leverage and not real. People get detoured into that.

"He also investigated a child molestation trial in Manhattan Beach, California. In a 1995 conference in Dallas , Gunderson warned about the supposed proliferation of secret occultist groups, and He also investigated a child molestation trial in Manhattan Beach, California. In a 1995 conference in Dallas , Gunderson warned about the supposed proliferation of secret occultist groups, and the danger posed by the New World Order , an alleged shadow government that would be controlling the United States government. [8] He also claimed that a "slave auction" in which children were sold by Saudi agents to men had been held in Las Vegas , that four thousand ritual human sacrifices are performed in New York City every year, and that the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was carried out by the US government. [8] Gunderson believed that in the United States there is a secret widespread network of groups who kidnap children and infants, and subject them to ritual abuse and subsequent human sacrifice. [9] [10] ) ,

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Gunderson

Conspiracy of Silence , a documentary listed for viewing in TV Guide Magazine was to be aired on the Discovery Channel, on May 3 1994. This documentary exposed a network of religious leaders and Washington politicians who flew children to Washington D.C. for sex orgies. Many children suffered the indignity of wearing nothing but their underwear and a number displayed on a piece of cardboard hanging from their necks when being auctioned off to foreigners in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Toronto, Canada.

"At the last minute before airing, unknown congressmen threatened the TV Cable industry with restrictive legislation if this documentary was aired. Almost immediately, the rights to the documentary were purchased by unknown persons who ordered all copies destroyed.

A copy of this videotape was furnished anonymously to former Nebraska state senator and attorney John De Camp who made it available to retired FBI Agent Ted L. Gunderson . While the video quality is not top grade, this tape is a blockbuster in what is revealed by its participants involved."

Can you imagine what these heroic men would think of this exposed Mossad honeypot? Its all exposed now, just needs to be linked together.

MadelynMarie , 5 minutes ago link

Really looks like this is how they control govts--not just in the US but all over the world.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/14-israelis-suspected-of-running-child-sex-trafficking-ring-in-colombia/

from the above article, I found this comment:

So the Jews have another South America pedophile scandal to their discredit. We haven't forgotten the child prostitution business run by Arie Scher and George Schteinberg in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the 1990s . It was exposed in the early summer of 2000 by an infuriated teenage girl who found a nude photo of herself online, after Schteinberg had PROMISED her that he'd never show it to anyone.

Schteinberg was arrested and given a slap on the wrist (they went easy on him because he was Jewish) while Arie Scher escaped to Israel, one step ahead of the authorities.

The Israeli government took away Scher's diplomat license for five years (because he got caught being naughty, presumably; properly trained Jews don't get caught, of course).

When the five years were past, Israel proposed to send Scher to Australia to replace Amir Laty, who'd made himself unwelcome by committing espionage and by being very rude to certain Australian women.

Somehow or other, the Australian public found out that the spy was being replaced by a pedophile as Israel's official ambassador to their country, and they got up in arms about it. This persuaded Scher to decline the post, perhaps keeping the cushy administrative job the Israeli government gave him during the previous five years

So, looks like there were running another operation like this in Brazil during the 90s (never heard of that one before)

Ms No , 3 minutes ago link

Thanks. I really appreciate your comments.

ILikeMeat , 14 minutes ago link

Sounds like the set up for a typical Mossad honey pot operation..

June 12 1776 , 15 minutes ago link

Case 1:19-cv-07772 Document 1 Filed 8/20/2019 Page 1 of 52

PRISCILLA DOE, Plaintiff,
vs.

DARREN K. INDYKE AND
RICHARD D. KAHN AS JOINT
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
ESTATE OF JEFFREY E. EPSTEIN,
NINE EAST 71st STREET, CORPORATION,
FINANCIAL TRUST COMPANY, INC.,
NES, LLC, MAPLE,INC., LSJ,LLC,
HBRK ASSOCIATES, INC., JEGE, INC.,
Defendants.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6306617-Priscilla-Doe-v-Indyke.html

64. In 2006, Jeffrey Epstein told Plaintiff she was going on a trip with him to his island in the Unites States Virgin Islands.
65. On that trip was Jeffrey Epstein, Jean Luc Bruenel, Ghislaine Maxwell, Associate 2, Associate 8, and two other victims in addition to Plaintiff.
66. It was there that Ghislaine Maxwell taught Plaintiff the "proper way to give a blow job," describing to her the exact way that Jeffrey Epstein liked to be sexually serviced orally.

Case 1:19-cv-07772 Document 1 Filed 8/20/2019 Page 15 of 52

Give Me Some Truth , 16 minutes ago link

Easy predictions:

1) Authorities will NOT pursue, question or charge any of Epstein's clients or associates (the very people the entire trafficking operation catered to).

2) Authorities will NOT "follow the money."

3) Authorities will not arrest and prosecute any government employee who obstructed justice or participated in this scheme.

thefloridaman , 19 minutes ago link

You can't manage money if you are a felon!!! His licensing would have been revoked. It would have been on his U-4 and U-5.

Meanwhile he does not even show up on brokercheck.

Can anyone explain beyond the babble conspiracy theories. This is factual.

Jumanji1959 , 19 minutes ago link

The elites will have to get rid of people and evidence. The Clintons know too much and are oftened named. Nail gun sale at Home Depot. Those 2 geriatric fcuks must go.

Ms No , 9 minutes ago link

They are a huge liability on countless fronts. That will leave Chelsea to answer for any Clinton foundation questions, and she has been involved. She can play stupid and elicit sympathy. The Clintons are a huge problem.

south40_dreams , 25 minutes ago link

The clinton-soros-rothschild-obama cabal to rule the world is falling apart and the smell of arkancide is blowing heavy in the wind today......

Ms No , 7 minutes ago link

George Bush senior ran the CIA and his retarded offspring was in office for Israel's sept 11 false flag. Red team blue team is a joke.

Trump also has Mossad mob written all over him. His mentor was mob honeypotter, pedophile and hotel Titan Cohn.

They are all neck deep.

VWAndy , 39 minutes ago link

Notice these are civil lawsuits and not criminal cases.

Note the lack of perpwalks of the corrupted office holders.

Talk is cheap. Its in their actions we will know them by.

Ms No , 42 minutes ago link

JPMorgn and Douche bank need to be investigated for laundering the Epstein and Maxwell Mossad honeypot's money.

First JPMorgan was who they dealt with. Then when it started to get exposed they passed it to Douche.

Dont expect the Orange *** to investigate the Jewish Mob, that he is clearly an agent for.

the artist , 46 minutes ago link

Wait! Now there are TWO Islands!!!??? And Pedo Island is the SMALLER ONE???

WTF?

"Two of the complaints name as a defendant the company that once owned Little St. James , the smaller of Epstein's private islands in the Caribbean. "

marcel tjoeng , 53 minutes ago link

The Boss of Epstein is Wexner.

Wexner is related to Mossad and the very beginnings of the teaming up of Mossad with Dulles' CIA, after WWII, the OSS, the Irgun and the Stern gruppe, who did the King David Hotel bombing.

The Boss of Wexner is Henry Kissinger the 'republican free trader in favor of democracy'.

The Bosses of soldiers raping Kissinger in his Vietnam creation are the Rockefellers.

Kissinger ordered the Phoenix program mass murdering Vietnamese nationalist by the tens of thousands, which is a mere one feat in his massive killing career, like Churchill,

Kissinger who ran the Republican president Richard Nixon like fc*king a goat.

By the way, there are pictures in circulation of Republican president Ronald Reagan being deeply ejaculated into the manhole, enjoying that greatly (vehemently denied by his daughter at his funeral, pffffffff),

the same anecdotes exist of Prince Philip, husband of fake Queen Elisabeth, who requested to be manly penetrated by crew, when he was onboard visiting the British fleet.

USA USA USA

Bunch of parasite lunatics.

Burn it to the ground.

J S Bach , 1 hour ago link

" An associate of his taught her the "exact way" he liked to receive oral sex"

Wow... this is really important stuff.

How about a quote like:

"An associate of his taught him the "exact way" he liked to receive the blackmail information and videos in Israel."

MadelynMarie , 46 minutes ago link

"An associate of his taught him the "exact way" he liked to receive the blackmail information and videos in Israel."

Yes, interesting that we are NOT hearing about that aspect of the story.

I'm sure that Israel has operations like this all over the world. No doubt this is how they control governments behind the scenes.

Here's another one: https://www.timesofisrael.com/14-israelis-suspected-of-running-child-sex-trafficking-ring-in-colombia/

White Nat , 36 minutes ago link

And another ...

Homosexual Jewish Diplomat Runs a Child **** and Prostitution Business in Brazil

https://nationalvanguard.org/2016/08/recent-history-homosexual-jewish-diplomat-runs-a-child-****-and-prostitution-business-in-brazil/

NAV , 21 minutes ago link

And it it was no accident that the Monica Lewinsky/ Clinton sex scandal erupted into public view precisely at the moment Clinton had scheduled meetings with Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat to revive the peace process by pressuring Netanyahu.

bustdriver , 1 hour ago link

Just to be clear on previous post.

"Time to investigate Mark Epstein and Humpty Dumpty."

Mark is Jeffrey's brother. He is a director of believe it or not the Humpty Dumpty Institute.

http://thehdi.org/about_humpty_dumpty.html

It is similar to the Clinton Foundation...

Give Me Some Truth , 15 minutes ago link

Mark Epstein has also gotten a pass. Add him to the long list.

Ms No , 1 hour ago link

This likely could be tied to Franklin child sex ring scandal and Mossad will be there too. Watch this free documentary before Jootube takes it down. Men died for you to know this. The show was yanked before it could be played mainstream. Extremely disturbing but VERY important. This was the last time they slipped through your fingers and this type of thing will be what destroys this evil.

https://youtu.be/PScfMeXAQwU

ironmace II , 1 hour ago link

chefs, butlers, receptionists, schedulers, secretaries, flight attendants, pilots, housekeepers, maids, sex recruiters, drivers and other staff members.

All small potatoes. The people really guilty all go free.

LEEPERMAX , 1 hour ago link

With his Death the Case is Closed . . . Mission accomplished.

TheAntiProgressive , 1 hour ago link

Yeah and since Sir Pedo's death was termed a suicide, then one would think his will dealy in US VI was planned, as was his death and me thinks a good lawyer would negate the will, trust, etc by simply terming this transfer of assets a fraudulent conveyance and yank it back where those abused can take a slice.

LEEPERMAX , 1 hour ago link

To Big to Jail

[Aug 20, 2019] The Pseudo Debate Over Jeffrey Epstein's Suicide Consortiumnews

Notable quotes:
"... However, while throughout Webb's articles she draws linkages that lead to the Mossad, she only suggests CIA connections. This is similar to but milder than a point made in an article written by Philip Giraldi, a former CIA counter-terrorism specialist, " Did Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein Work for Mossad? " Giraldi writes that the CIA "would have no particular motive to acquire an agent like Epstein." This makes no sense. Of course, it would. The CIA and the FBI have a long record of such activities, and to hold such a club over the heads of presidents, senators, et al to make sure they do their bidding is obviously a strong motivation. ..."
"... The CIA is organized crime, and if Epstein is Mossad connected, he is CIA also, which is most likely. Epstein could not have operated as he did for decades without being sustained and protected. ..."
"... no prosecution of the central operational cog in the gang, Ghislaine Maxwell, or her cohorts named in the fantastic settlement agreement ..."
"... “It is a mind game of extraordinary proportions, orchestrated by the perverted power elites who run the show and are abetted by their partners in the corporate mass media, even some in the alternative press who mean well but are confused, or are disinformation agents in the business of sowing confusion together with their mainstream Operation Mockingbird partners.” ..."
Aug 20, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

Death, sex, power, intrigue, murder, suicide -- these are the staples of the 19 th century penny press, mass media and the CIA, writes Edward Curtin .

By Edward Curtin
edwardcurtin.com

W hen phrases such as "the deep state" and "conspiracy theory" become staples of both the corporate mainstream media and the alternative press, we know the realities behind these phrases have outlasted their usefulness for the ruling elites who control the United States and for their critics, each of whom uses them refutably or corroboratively. These phrases are bandied about so often that they have become hackneyed and inane.

Everything is shallow now, in our faces, and by being in our faces the truth is taking place behind our backs. The obvious can't be true since it's so obvious, so let us search for other explanations, and when the searchers search, let us call them "conspiracy nuts." It is a mind game of extraordinary proportions, orchestrated by the perverted power elites who run the show and are abetted by their partners in the corporate mass media, even some in the alternative press who mean well but are confused, or are disinformation agents in the business of sowing confusion together with their mainstream Operation Mockingbird partners.

It is a spectacle of open secrecy, in which the CIA, which created the "conspiracy theory" meme to ridicule critics of the Warren Commission's absurd explanation of the Kennedy assassination, has effectively sucked everyone into a game of to and fro in which only they win.

"When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."

Outside the Narrative Frame

Only by stepping outside this narrative frame with its vocabulary can we begin to grasp the truth here in our Wonderland of endless illusions.

Death, sex, power, intrigue, murder, suicide – these are the staples of the penny press of the 19 th century, Joseph Pulitzer's New York World , Hearst's New York Journal , the tabloids, today's mass media, and the CIA. People hunger for these stories, not for the real truth that impacts their lives, but for the titillation that gives a frisson to their humdrum lives. It is why post-modern detective stories are so popular, as if never solving the crime is the point.

Robert Pfaller in 2016. (Suzie1212, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

To say "we will never know" is the mantra of a postmodern culture created to keep people running in circles. (Note the commentaries about the Jeffrey Epstein case.) Elusive and allusive indeterminacy characterizes everything in the culture of postmodernity. Robert Pfaller, a professor at the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz, Austria, and a founding member of the Viennese psychoanalytic research group "stuzzicandenti," put it clearly in a recent interview :

"The ruling ideology since the fall of the Berlin Wall, or even earlier, is postmodernism. This is the ideological embellishment that the brutal neoliberal attack on Western societies' welfare (that was launched in the late 1970s) required in order to attain a "human", "liberal" and "progressive" face. This coalition between an economic policy that serves the interest of a tiny minority, and an ideology that appears to "include" everybody is what Nancy Fraser has aptly called "progressive neoliberalism". It consists of neoliberalism, plus postmodernism as its ideological superstructure."

The propagandists know this; they created it. They are psychologically astute, having hijacked many intelligent but soul-less people of the right and left to do their handiwork.

Money Buys Souls

Money buys souls, and the number of those who have sold theirs is numerous, including those leftists who have been bought by the CIA, as Cord Meyer, the CIA official phrased it so sexually in the 1950s: we need to "court the compatible left." He knew that drawing leftists into the CIA's orbit was the key to efficient propaganda. For so many of the compatible left, those making a lot of money posing as opponents of the ruling elites but taking the money of the super-rich, events like the JFK assassination are inconsequential, never to be broached, as if they never happened, except as the authorities say they did.

By ignoring these most in-your-face events with their eyes wide shut, a coterie of influential leftists has done the work of Orwell's crime-stop and has effectively succeeded in situating current events in an ahistorical and therefore misleading context that abets U.S. propaganda.

The debate over whether Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide or not is a pseudo-debate meant to keep people spinning their wheels over nothing. It attracts attention and will do so for many days to come. There are even some usually astute people suggesting that he may not be dead but might have been secretly whisked off somewhere and replaced with a dead look-alike. Now who would profit from suggesting something as insane as this? The speculation runs rampant and feeds the spectacle. Whether he was allowed to kill himself or was killed makes little difference.

(Christopher Dombres, CC0, Wikimedia Commons)

Debates to Nowhere

It's akin to asking who pulled the trigger that killed President John Kennedy. That's a debate that was intended to go nowhere, as it has, after it became apparent that Lee Harvey Oswald surely did not kill JFK. Kennedy's murder in broad daylight in public view is the paradigmatic event of modern times. It is obvious to anyone who gives minimal study to the issue that it was organized and carried out by elements within the national security state, notably the CIA. Their message was meant to be unequivocal and clear: We can kill him and we can kill you; we are in full control; beware. Then they went on to kill others, including RFK and MLK. It takes little intelligence to see this obvious fact, unless you wish not to or are totally lost in the neighborhood of make-believe.

As it was with Jack Ruby killing Lee Harvey Oswald, so it is with Epstein. There will be no trial. Nothing is really hidden except the essential truth. Guess, debate, wonder, watch, read to your sad heart's content. You will have gotten nowhere unless you step outside the frame of the reigning narrative.

New York Post: Reigniting the narrative.

A corollary example of another recent national headline grabber, the Mueller investigation, is apropos here. Douglas Valentine, expert on the CIA and author of "The CIA as Organized Crime," said in a recent interview that in all the endless mass media discussions of the Mueller investigation, one obvious question was never asked: What is the CIA's role in it all? It was never asked because the job of the corporate mass media is to work for the CIA, not to expose it as a nest of organized criminals and murderers that it is.

What is important in the Epstein case is the deep back story, a tale that goes back decades and is explored by Whitney Webb in a series of fine articles for the Mint Press. Read her articles and you will see how Epstein is just the current manifestation of the sordid history of the American marriage between various factions of the American ruling elites, whose business is sexual exploitation as a fringe benefit of being willing members of the economic and military exploitation of the world. A marriage of spies, mafia, intelligence agencies, sexual perverts, foreign governments and American traitors who will stop at nothing to advance their interests.

Destroys the Fairy Tale of Democracy

It is a hard story to swallow because it destroys the fairy tale that has been constructed about American "democracy" and the decency of our leaders. Webb's articles are not based on secret documents but on readily available information open to a diligent researcher. It's known history that has been buried, as is most history in a country of amnesiacs and educational illiterates. The average person doesn't have Webb's skill or time to pull it all together, but they can read her illuminating work. Often, however, it is the will to truth that is lacking.

While Webb places the Epstein matter in an historical context, she does not "solve" the case, since there is nothing to solve. It is another story from a long litany of sex/espionage stories openly available to anyone willing to look. They tell the same story. Like many commentators, she draws many linkages to the Israeli Mossad's long-standing connections to this criminal under and over world in the United States and throughout the world. She writes:

"Ultimately, the picture painted by the evidence is not a direct tie to a single intelligence agency but a web linking key members of the Mega Group [a secretive group of Jewish billionaires, including Epstein's patron Leslie Wexner], politicians, and officials in both the U.S. and Israel, and an organized-crime network with deep business and intelligence ties in both nations."

If anything is obvious about the Epstein case, it is that he was part of a sexual blackmail operation tied to intelligence agencies. Such blackmail has long been central to the methods of intelligence agencies worldwide and many arrows rightfully point to the Mossad.

However, while throughout Webb's articles she draws linkages that lead to the Mossad, she only suggests CIA connections. This is similar to but milder than a point made in an article written by Philip Giraldi, a former CIA counter-terrorism specialist, " Did Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein Work for Mossad? " Giraldi writes that the CIA "would have no particular motive to acquire an agent like Epstein." This makes no sense. Of course, it would. The CIA and the FBI have a long record of such activities, and to hold such a club over the heads of presidents, senators, et al to make sure they do their bidding is obviously a strong motivation.

Valentine's point about not asking the question about the CIA's involvement in the Mueller investigation pertains. Does Giraldi believe that the Mossad operates independently of the CIA? Or that they don't work in tandem? His statement is very strange.

The CIA is organized crime, and if Epstein is Mossad connected, he is CIA also, which is most likely. Epstein could not have operated as he did for decades without being sustained and protected. Now that he is dead there will be no trial, just as there will be no mainstream media or justice department revelations about the CIA or Mossad. There will be a lot of gibberish about conspiracy theories and the open secret that is the spectacle of secrecy will roll on. There will, of course, be much sex talk and outrage. We will anxiously await the movie and the TV "exposés." Most people will know, and pretend they don't, that the country is ruled by gangsters who would pimp their mothers if it served their interests.

Those of us who oppose these criminals – and there are growing numbers all over the world – must avoid being sucked into the Establishment narratives and the counter-narratives they spawn or create. We must refuse to get involved in pseudo-debates that are meant to lead nowhere. We must reject the language created to confuse.

If revolutionary change is to come, we must learn to tell a new story in language so beautiful, illuminating, and heart-rending that no one will listen to the lying words of child molesters, mass murderers, and those who hate and persecute truth tellers.

As John Berger said, "In storytelling everything depends on what follows what. And the truest order is seldom obvious."

Educated in the classics, philosophy, literature, theology, and sociology, Ed Curtin is a former professor of sociology. His writing on varied topics has appeared widely over many years. He sees all his work as an effort to enhance human freedom.

This article is from the author's website edwardcurtin.com .

Brent Anderson August 20, 2019 at 12:09

Prince Andrew hung out with Epstein because he made a good tuna on rye. We are all conditioned to accept that powerful people do not have to go to jail. Its just the way it is and will always remain so. There is not an honest person anywhere on planet earth who believes that Bill Clinton and the others did not have sex with “those girls”. America and the west are morally corrupt piles of garbage. No wonder the African Americans and others rage against an unbalanced system of justice. Actually it is just poor people of any color who get the book thrown at them.

I saw the pictures yesterday on the telegraph of the young blond girl leaving Epsteins Manhattan home with Prince Andrew poking his head out the door. The girl looked like she was no older than 14. The dear old Queen doesn’t represent justice either.

Vera Gottlieb, August 20, 2019 at 11:29

Just curious…will the Epstein saga be as prolonged and boring as the Russiagate saga???

Litchfield, August 20, 2019 at 14:00

I don’t think so.

It is in the interest of the puppetmeister to let thing die out ASAP. Not so the Russiagate hoax: the idea was to prolong it in the hopes of finally finding a smoking gun of some kind. With the Epstein story we are awash in smoking guns, but they are being ignored.

Dan D. August 20, 2019 at 09:34

If there is no trial and further revelations about the nature of this operation, which should be expected, it won’t simply be because Epstein is dead, but because there will be no prosecution of the central operational cog in the gang, Ghislaine Maxwell, or her cohorts named in the fantastic settlement agreement. There are more than sufficient facts in the public sphere to proceed.

Bob Van Noy, August 20, 2019 at 09:07

“It is a mind game of extraordinary proportions, orchestrated by the perverted power elites who run the show and are abetted by their partners in the corporate mass media, even some in the alternative press who mean well but are confused, or are disinformation agents in the business of sowing confusion together with their mainstream Operation Mockingbird partners.”

“The CIA is organized crime,…”

Edward Curtin has summarized our contemporary hell as few others can. In the above comments he fully describes our dilemma and underscores the necessity for sites like Consortiumnews to present the truth for citizens to be able to sort truth from lies. Still we cannot forget that our democracy is “a criminal conspiracy”…

https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKmockingbird.htm

Jill, August 20, 2019 at 08:47

I actually believe knowing what happened to Epstein is knowable. It is also important because it will reveal who/what has the power to make such a thing happen. However, while this information will take a long time to come out it is our job to push on behalf of his victims right now.

There is information showing that Maxwell and several other people committed multiple rapes of children. We do not see her, Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, just to name a few, hauled in for questioning. That really needs to happen. We have built up the powerful into untouchable icons. This needs to full stop now. These are not icons, they are potential and likely guilty child rapists of children. Our power system is held up by unspeakable cruelty to children and to others who simply don’t have the power to fight back unless we offer our support and services to them. There is enough testimony and other evidence to bring them in for questioning.

The conspiracy to commit rape should be ready to go. Investigators have had that information for a long time. I’m not buying that they are too incompetent to move that case forward. We are going to need to push for this. Deliberate infliction of human misery is evil and it is not acceptable to create one’s society on such a thing.

There is ground penetrating radar which can see under Jeff’s concrete pour. It can also show the tunnels on the islands. “Lost” evidence can be relocated from it’s undisclosed location. The ranch in NM can be sealed off and also scanned by this radar. No one should believe agencies with the resources of this government behind them are incapable of doing such things.

In the meantime, there is a tape of Jeff’s wing from that night. There’s one from the hospital and the investigators can offer immunity to anyone guard or hospital/ambulance employee in exchange for their truthful explanation of what they were doing and what they saw. This was not a series of incompetent actions which all went one way and one way only. It took a lot of planning and a lot of resources. That means there are a lot of witnesses.

We do need to uncover and dismantle this chain of human misery. No More.

ML, August 20, 2019 at 11:27

Excellent comment, Jill. As a family medicine nurse practitioner for many years, I have witnessed and helped many teen victims of adults who thought it somehow A-ok to sexually take advantage of them. I understand teen psychology. They are wholly unprepared to deal with the often underhanded tactics of pedophiles who use charm, deceit, threats, flattery, physical violence, tangible needed goods like money, clothing, or even a place to sleep, to get what they want— sex with a young person.

It is truly evil and that is not too strong a word for it. Epstein apparently used all of these tactics on his victims. How I wish there were a hell for the likes of him.

Litchfield, August 20, 2019 at 12:14

I agree with all you say, and thanks for putting it so clearly. There is NO EXCUSE for this case NOT to go forward and for all the parties of interest to be interrogated, and not with velvet gloves on. Clinton, Andrew, Dersh, Wexner, Maxwell, just for starters. Possibly Barr should recuse himself, as he seems to be too intertwined with the Epstein background story.

Brian Murphy, August 20, 2019 at 12:42

Is it really such a mystery what organizations acting together have the capability to have done this? They are identified in the article. The western coalition of intelligence agencies, which includes the Mossad along with NATO powers. In the USA, that includes the entire intelligence apparatus — CIA, NSA, MIA, FBI, Secret Service, as supported and defended by the DOJ.

Which of those entities placed someone in the jail cell to crack his neck is somewhat immaterial. The current President and at least one former President were implicated, which justifies the use of the full arsenal in the minds of those involved, as a “threat to national security,” which of course means strictly “threat to the profits of certain entities.”

Walter, August 20, 2019 at 06:56

There is sparse evidence and zero proof that the charming fellow committed suicide, and only claims (somebody said stuff) that he’s actually dead. (Same for his girlfriend’s dad, same for Skirpal :–)

Whitney Webb at Mintpressnews is doing good job on Mr E.

... ... ...

[Aug 20, 2019] In this sordid world, people without power have absolutely no value.

Notable quotes:
"... When Trump was first elected, I tried to calm down friends with advanced TDS, who expected Kristallnacht to be directed at their favorite brunch spots, by saying that "This is what empires in decline look like." ..."
"... In this sordid world, girls/women have absolutely no value ..."
"... Don't forget the young boys who get traded around like fudge recipes. Something quick on the Hollywood angle on bent dicks. It applies almost everywhere in America now: https://news.avclub.com/corey-feldman-made-a-documentary-about-sexual-abuse-he-1834310252 ..."
"... My reinterpretation of your comment would be; In this sordid world, people without power have absolutely no value. ..."
"... Epstein's World was tied in with Hollywood and Wall Street. Both are homoerotic paedophile havens. The world of the Vatican is tied in to Wall Street; it has it's own bank, the Instituto per le Opere de Religioni. ..."
"... As is true with the continued withholding of key documents in the JFK assassination, I believe that if the lousy reporting and official screwups in the Epstein case persist, it will be perfectly fine for the public to conclude and believe the absolute worst and act accordingly. ..."
"... Given the spotiness and inadequacy of reporting on the Epstein affair I wonder if an avenue for exploration might be that of a more direct involvement of media moguls and highly placed media staff in being serviced by Epstein i.e., the decision-makers regarding what gets covered and published are themselves subject to exposure, embarrassment, and other things that befall men caught in such matters. ..."
Aug 14, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

Michael Fiorillo , , August 14, 2019 at 11:38 am

I can't add much to Yve's excellent post and the follow-up comments, except to say that the events of recent days and weeks have made Pizzagate (as deranged as it was) into some kind of weird Jungian premonition which is to say, the s&#* is out of control.

When Trump was first elected, I tried to calm down friends with advanced TDS, who expected Kristallnacht to be directed at their favorite brunch spots, by saying that "This is what empires in decline look like."

In regard to this sordid tale, I'm reminded of Robert Graves' (and the superb BBC TV version of) "I, Claudius."

"Don't eat the figs."

adrena , , August 14, 2019 at 11:48 am

In this sordid world, girls/women have absolutely no value.

ambrit , , August 14, 2019 at 12:16 pm

Don't forget the young boys who get traded around like fudge recipes. Something quick on the Hollywood angle on bent dicks. It applies almost everywhere in America now: https://news.avclub.com/corey-feldman-made-a-documentary-about-sexual-abuse-he-1834310252

My reinterpretation of your comment would be; In this sordid world, people without power have absolutely no value. Otherwise, I'm with you all the way. Abuse is abuse. No other definition is logical.

ambrit , , August 14, 2019 at 4:18 pm

Epstein's World was tied in with Hollywood and Wall Street. Both are homoerotic paedophile havens. The world of the Vatican is tied in to Wall Street; it has it's own bank, the Instituto per le Opere de Religioni.

Who knows? Perhaps there will be some Prelates unearthed from the Lolita Express passenger log.

Pelham , , August 14, 2019 at 1:54 pm

As is true with the continued withholding of key documents in the JFK assassination, I believe that if the lousy reporting and official screwups in the Epstein case persist, it will be perfectly fine for the public to conclude and believe the absolute worst and act accordingly.

Actually, we SHOULD believe the worst.

Robin Kash , , August 14, 2019 at 2:16 pm

Given the spotiness and inadequacy of reporting on the Epstein affair I wonder if an avenue for exploration might be that of a more direct involvement of media moguls and highly placed media staff in being serviced by Epstein i.e., the decision-makers regarding what gets covered and published are themselves subject to exposure, embarrassment, and other things that befall men caught in such matters.

Who covers the press and roots out its secret malefactions? Rogue reporters? And who publishes them? Indeed!

[Aug 20, 2019] one key aspect of Epstein's own sex-trafficking and blackmail operation that warrants examination is Epstein's ties to Israeli intelligence and his ties to the 'informal' pro-Israel philanthropist faction known as 'the Mega Group

Notable quotes:
"... "The Mega Group's role in the Epstein case has garnered some attention, as Epstein's main financial patron for decades, billionaire Leslie Wexner, was a co-founder of the group that unites several well-known businessmen with a penchant for pro-Israel and ethno-philanthropy (i.e., philanthropy benefiting a single ethnic or ethno-religious group). [ ] another uniting factor among Mega Group members is deep ties to organized crime [ ] ..."
"... "By virtue of the role of many Mega Group members as major political donors in both the U.S. and Israel, several of its most notable members have close ties to the governments of both countries as well as their intelligence communities. [ ] the Mega Group also had close ties to two businessmen who worked for Israel's Mossad -- Robert Maxwell and Marc Rich -- as well as to top Israeli politicians, including past and present prime ministers with deep ties to Israel's intelligence community. ..."
"... "Years later, Maxwell's daughter -- Ghislaine Maxwell -- would join Jeffrey Epstein's 'inner circle' at the same time Epstein was bankrolling a similar software program now being marketed for critical electronic infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad. That company has deep and troubling connections to Israeli military intelligence, associates of the Trump administration, and the Mega Group. ..."
"... "Ultimately, the picture painted by the evidence is not a direct tie to a single intelligence agency but a web linking key members of the Mega Group, politicians, and officials in both the U.S. and Israel, and an organized-crime network with deep business and intelligence ties in both nations." ..."
Aug 14, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

Abe , August 14, 2019 at 00:45

"one key aspect of Epstein's own sex-trafficking and blackmail operation that warrants examination is Epstein's ties to Israeli intelligence and his ties to the 'informal' pro-Israel philanthropist faction known as 'the Mega Group.'

"The Mega Group's role in the Epstein case has garnered some attention, as Epstein's main financial patron for decades, billionaire Leslie Wexner, was a co-founder of the group that unites several well-known businessmen with a penchant for pro-Israel and ethno-philanthropy (i.e., philanthropy benefiting a single ethnic or ethno-religious group). [ ] another uniting factor among Mega Group members is deep ties to organized crime [ ]

"By virtue of the role of many Mega Group members as major political donors in both the U.S. and Israel, several of its most notable members have close ties to the governments of both countries as well as their intelligence communities. [ ] the Mega Group also had close ties to two businessmen who worked for Israel's Mossad -- Robert Maxwell and Marc Rich -- as well as to top Israeli politicians, including past and present prime ministers with deep ties to Israel's intelligence community.

"One of those businessmen working for the Mossad, Robert Maxwell, { ] who was a business partner of Mega Group co-founder Charles Bronfman, aided the successful Mossad plot to plant a trapdoor in U.S.-created software that was then sold to governments and companies throughout the world. That plot's success was largely due to the role of a close associate of then-President Ronald Reagan and an American politician close to Maxwell, who later helped aid Reagan in the cover-up of the Iran Contra scandal.

"Years later, Maxwell's daughter -- Ghislaine Maxwell -- would join Jeffrey Epstein's 'inner circle' at the same time Epstein was bankrolling a similar software program now being marketed for critical electronic infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad. That company has deep and troubling connections to Israeli military intelligence, associates of the Trump administration, and the Mega Group.

"Epstein appears to have ties to Israeli intelligence and has well-documented ties to influential Israeli politicians and the Mega Group. Yet, those entities are not isolated in and of themselves, as many also connect to the organized crime network and powerful alleged pedophiles [ ]

"Given that intelligence agencies in both the U.S. and elsewhere often conduct covert operations for the benefit of oligarchs and large corporations as opposed to 'national security interest,' Epstein's ties to the Mega Group suggest that this group holds a unique status and influence in both the governments of the U.S. and of Israel [ ] This is by virtue of their role as key political donors in both countries, as well as the fact that several of them own powerful companies or financial institutions in both countries. Indeed, many members of the Mega Group have deep ties to Israel's political class, including to Netanyahu and Ehud Barak as well as to now-deceased figures like Shimon Peres, and to members of the American political class.

"Ultimately, the picture painted by the evidence is not a direct tie to a single intelligence agency but a web linking key members of the Mega Group, politicians, and officials in both the U.S. and Israel, and an organized-crime network with deep business and intelligence ties in both nations."

Mega Group, Maxwells and Mossad: The Spy Story at the Heart of the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal
By Whitney Webb
https://www.mintpressnews.com/mega-group-maxwells-mossad-spy-story-jeffrey-epstein-scandal/261172/

[Aug 20, 2019] Mega group vs Al Capone

Aug 20, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

geeyp , August 15, 2019 at 00:42

M. Illoinen – I completely agree with you, innocent until proven guilty. I assume that you are referencing my post. When the Powers finally arrested the slippery Al Capone, they had him on tax evasion. They wanted him for a host of crimes. They had the evidence for tax evasion and went with that. These characters have ruined many innocent lives and have gotten away with it.

At this stage, I welcome any arrest of these greased pigs on any charges they want to file against them. If it's the Epstein case, that's certainly O.K. with me.

[Aug 20, 2019] Israel comes up often in Jeffrey Epstein case by Philip Weiss

Notable quotes:
"... Ehud Barak, 77, a former prime minister and defense minister, received some $2.3 million in payments from [the Wexner] foundation associated with Mr. Epstein from 2004 to 2006, and Mr. Epstein invested a reported $1 million in a limited partnership established by Mr. Barak in 2015 . . . ..."
"... Israeli news media has reported that the investment was about $1 million. Mr. Barak's company, Carbyne, formerly known as Reporty Homeland Security, specializes in emergency response geo-location and live video-streaming ..."
"... He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had "been told" to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," he told his interviewers in the Trump transition, who evidently thought that was a sufficient answer and went ahead and hired Acosta. (The Labor Department had no comment when asked about this.) ..."
"... The Samson Option: Israel's Nuclear Arsenal and American Foreign Policy ..."
"... One theory circulating among prominent Republicans is that Epstein was a Mossad agent. Another is that the George W. Bush White House directed Acosta not to prosecute Epstein to protect Prince Andrew on behalf of the British government, then the U.S.'s closest ally in the Iraq war. ..."
Aug 19, 2019 | mondoweiss.net

... ... ...

Epstein's relationship with Ehud Barak, the former PM who is now trying to stage a comeback in Israel, has become an issue in the Israeli campaign, the New York Times reports. Epstein made what appear to be shadowy investments with Barak.

Ehud Barak, 77, a former prime minister and defense minister, received some $2.3 million in payments from [the Wexner] foundation associated with Mr. Epstein from 2004 to 2006, and Mr. Epstein invested a reported $1 million in a limited partnership established by Mr. Barak in 2015 . . .

"I never took part in any party or event with women or anything like that," Mr. Barak said, adding that in Mr. Epstein's house he had met the heads of leading American universities, philanthropists, Nobel Prize winners , older women from academia, business and law, and political figures from the Clinton, Obama and Trump circles . . .

Mr. Barak does not dispute having received some $2.3 million in three installments from the Wexner Foundation, an Ohio-based nonprofit, and its founder, Leslie H. Wexner, a retail mogul and a former close associate of Mr. Epstein's and an investor in his financial company.

Mr. Epstein was a trustee of the Wexner Foundation and one of its main donors.

The payments were registered as compensation for research, but Mr. Barak has refused to divulge any details about the research, saying that doing so could harm his future business

Rabbi Elka Abrahamson, the president of the Wexner Foundation, which provides development training for Jewish volunteer leaders and Israeli public figures, has declined to say what the research payments were for.

One of Epstein's investments in Barak, in 2015, would seem to have intelligence applications.

Israeli news media has reported that the investment was about $1 million. Mr. Barak's company, Carbyne, formerly known as Reporty Homeland Security, specializes in emergency response geo-location and live video-streaming

This brings up the intelligence angle. Federal investigators found an Austrian passport in Epstein's NY mansion with a fake name and listing an address in Saudi Arabia that Epstein reportedly used to enter four countries, "France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia."

The scandal at the heart of the new prosecution is that Epstein served only a year or so in jail on Florida solicitation charges in 2007-2008, even as his lawyers cut a non-prosecution plea deal from the feds on more serious charges. Dershowitz was a lawyer on that team . Former US attorney Alexander Acosta cut that deal, and resigned as Labor Secretary last week when it became an issue.

As the Daily Beast reports, Acosta said he went light on Epstein because of an intelligence connection.

He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had "been told" to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," he told his interviewers in the Trump transition, who evidently thought that was a sufficient answer and went ahead and hired Acosta. (The Labor Department had no comment when asked about this.)

The speculation about Epstein's connections includes the fact that he was associated closely with a woman who allegedly helped bring him girl victims, Ghislaine Maxwell, who (as this news aggregator notes ), "is the daughter of Robert Maxwell, the media mogul who died under mysterious circumstances in 1991. Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh alleged in his book The Samson Option: Israel's Nuclear Arsenal and American Foreign Policy that Maxwell was tied to the Israeli Mossad. Hersh was sued for the allegation, but then received an apology ."

Gabe Sherman mentions Mossad in Vanity Fair :

One theory circulating among prominent Republicans is that Epstein was a Mossad agent. Another is that the George W. Bush White House directed Acosta not to prosecute Epstein to protect Prince Andrew on behalf of the British government, then the U.S.'s closest ally in the Iraq war.

In Epstein's 2004-2005 address book (published by Gawker) Israel has a listing among several countries (including Switzerland, Italy, France, Kenya, and Brazil). The Israel file includes future-prime-minister Ehud Olmert.

Several Israel supporters are in that address book, including former Murdoch news exec Gary Ginsberg, who wrote speeches for Netanyahu and is on the board of the Genesis Foundation, which gives prizes to Israel's friends. Also Ron Perelman, a financier and supporter of Israel.

The only thing we can be sure of in this case is that more names are likely to come out, and more speculation about how Epstein became such a wealthy international player when his financial chops were questionable to say the least.

Thanks to David Samel, Donald Johnson, and Adam Horowitz.

[Aug 20, 2019] Police Find Epstein Passport With Different Name And Saudi Arabia Residence Hallie Jackson MSNBC

Jul 15, 2019 | www.youtube.com

When Jeffrey Epstein was arrested last week, prosecutors say authorities found an expired 1980s passport, issued by an undisclosed foreign country, with Epstein's photo, a different name than his, and an address listed in Saudi Arabia, Stephnie Gosk reports.


Police Find Epstein Passport With Different Name And Saudi Arabia Residence | Hallie Jackson | MSNBC


RoNīN GaīJīN , 1 month ago

They brought up the passport because it shows evidence that he is capable of fleeing under an assumed name because he's done it before.

Idalina Oliveira , 1 month ago div class="

comment-renderer-text-content expanded"> Kudos to Miami Herald News You stuck to your story you said your story and you never gave up To all the victims the little girls who were in this ordeal God will be with you Stay strong and focused It's your turn for justice put them behind bars

sham hisham , 1 month ago

Epstein most likely ran a MOSAD operation to blackmail politicians in the U.S democrats and republicans

supreme1 , 1 month ago

Sounds like a tom cruise movie. Wtf is this guy.... . A spy prolly. Id imagine he has dirt on a lot of mf's

Vicki Ross Tudor , 1 month ago

A safe in a $77 million home filled with cash, pedophilia, fake passports and diamonds... Dude is a walking crime novel. I have no doubt that he's probably bribing the judge, prosecutors and law enforcement right now as we speak.

[Aug 19, 2019] In 2014 an onshore branch of Epstein by local pd in Miami. Everyone interviewed identified prince Andrew as the "boss"

Aug 19, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

Truth , August 16, 2019 at 11:57

In 2014 an onshore branch of Epstein(he is royal family also) was raided by local pd in Miami. Everyone interviewed identified prince Andrew as the "boss". he was booked and a few hours later doj showed up & drove him to airport where he left the country. The lady in this article filed charges against Andrew for raping her at age 14 and after. A local Female judge said her testimony was irrelevant and had had her statements stricken from the records. All this was reported in Miami newspapers but the fake deep state media quashed it all.. I read all this in the papers there as it happened. these are facts.
Epstein/Andrews activities went unchecked for over a decade as the operation contributed millions from their profits to local and state police and protected the elected who frequented this all pedophile operation, Hillary was also a customer.

[Aug 19, 2019] There is a video published by the daily mail showing Prince Andrew over at Epstein's place waving goodbye to the girls.

Aug 19, 2019 | www.unz.com

mcohen , says: August 19, 2019 at 12:18 pm GMT

Hi gilad

Why not mention prince andrew.

There is a video published by the daily mail showing him over at epsteins place waving goodbye to the girls.

Instead you are diverting attention away from all his fellow rot bags.But rest assured the evidence will come out.Jolly jumbuck,say what.

[Aug 19, 2019] Bill Clinton's Epstein Connection

Aug 19, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

The truth is that sexual abuse by the rich and famous transcends all political boundaries. Bill Clinton was very frequently on Epstein's plane and Epstein joins the very long list of those connected to the Clintons who died in dubious circumstances.

Two coincidences – the first being the bruise marks on the neck sustained in Epstein's first "suicide attempt" in jail – remind me of the case of John Ashe, the senior official very close to the Clintons who died with bruise marks on his neck, when he accidentally dropped his barbell on his throat while bench-pressing alone at home.

Ashe was charged and awaiting trial for receiving corrupt funds from businessman Ng Lap Seng while Ashe was serving in the USA's turn as president of the UN General Assembly. Ng Lap Seng, a six-time visitor to the Clinton White House, had previously been accused of making very large illegal donations to Clinton campaign funds, and was subsequently arrested while entering the USA with over $4 million in cash. Unlike the Clintons, Ashe was charged with taking Seng's money and rather like Epstein may have had an interesting song to sing while going down, had he not conveniently dropped the barbell on his throat.

I said that the first thing that jogged me to link the Epstein/Clinton and the Ashe/Clinton cases was the bruise marks on the throat. The second is that both stories have been debunked by self-proclaimed "conspiracy-busting" website Snopes – in a manner which shows that Snopes has no regard for the truth whatsoever.

In the case of John Ashe, Snopes wrote an utterly tendentious piece of "myth-busting" which stated that it was a myth that Ashe's death occurred shortly before his trial and that he was not due to testify against the Clintons. Snopes failed to mention that Ashe, a very senior Clinton appointee, was charged with taking corrupt money from precisely the same man who had been very widely accused of giving corrupt money to the Clintons. And while it was true his trial was not imminent, his pre-trial deposition was.

In the Epstein/Clinton case Snopes wrote a piece debunking the notion that this is a photograph of Bill Clinton on Epstein's private jet.

Snopes sets out to prove that this is not Epstein's private jet but that of another billionaire, and that the girl is not Rachel Chandler. For the sake of argument I am prepared to accept what they say on both counts. But is the sensible reaction to that photo to say "Oh that's OK it's another billionaire's jet" or to say "Why is Bill Clinton on a billionaire's private jet in an intimate pose with a worryingly young female?" As with the Prince Andrew photo, although it has been circulating for years, no alternative innocent explanation is on offer.

Passion for Sexual Exploitation

And the fact that this is another billionaire's plane should open again the much wider question of networks of the rich and the powerful indulging each other's passion for sexual exploitation of the young. It is a great shame that in the U.K., the Establishment has been able to characterize the falsifications of Carl Beech as discrediting the entire notion of historical child sexual abuse. It is as though one person making up stories about a bishop would mean there was never child exploitation in the Catholic Church.

The deeper question is why such a significant proportion of the rich and powerful have a propensity to want to assuage their sexual desires on the most vulnerable and powerless in society, as opposed to forming relationships among their peers. I suspect it is connected to the kind of sociopathy that leads somebody to seek or hoard power or wealth in the first place.

It is not necessary to develop that idea further, to understand that the Epstein case had given us a glimpse of criminal sexual behavior which, beyond doubt, involves many powerful people. It is essential that the threads that can be grasped are now worked on assiduously to uncover the entire network.

I am afraid to say I suspect the chances of that actually happening are very slim indeed.

Craig Murray is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist. He was British ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010.


James Nelson , August 15, 2019 at 13:39

Famous people are asked to pose for pictures with others constantly. This is a rather thin reed to base a murder for hire charge. Let's provide more information and less innuendo. The rich and famous have left many shallow graves in their wake that warrant investigative digging. I sometimes think this kind of diversion serves their interests

Bif Webster , August 19, 2019 at 12:23

True. However, why did the Clinton's continue to do "business" with Epstein AFTER he was convicted?

Thelma Annes de Araujo , August 14, 2019 at 20:58

Carol, I suggest you read the three parts of Whitney Webb's report published by Mint Press. Here's the link for Part III, where you can also find links for Part I and Part II. Part III is rather long but definitely worth reading in full. There you will find what you're looking for Enjoy!
https://www.mintpressnews.com/mega-group-maxwells-mossad-spy-story-jeffrey-epstein-scandal/261172/?fbclid=IwAR3wcnnaVF0VOn4gYHs0gDc1-MOhVaLOry2e6JcVY8e5_oP0rq37PLM1jsw

willliam driscoll , August 14, 2019 at 20:36

The real question for me is why these people do not just pay for high priced beautiful prostitutes of legal age rather than risk their reputation, standing in society and possible jail time and law suits rather than by satisfying their sexual desires on underage and vulnerable children. The only answer that comes to mind is that there are people out their that are willing to provide these children for free in exchange for favors of money, power, political policy or some gain from blackmail.

I have dated fairly wealthy women and some that were lobbyists. I was surprised at the sense of entitlement from both the lobbyist and the veteran politicians in the way they did business. I understood quickly it was very much of the culture in the environment in which they worked. Every one was motivated to cower to each other for their own self interest whether it was maintaining or furthering their political career or enlarging their money interests by representing their clients that wanting to serve their own self interest in the political process.

To me the whole underlying common denominator is that there is no accountability for their actions and because of it they are able to maintain there behavior without any risk of sacrifice.

I remember in school the saying laws exist to prevent chaos in society, but it matters not if laws are enacted if they are not enforced to everyone equally. That statue of the lady of justice wearing a blindfold to represent justice equally for all I never seen in person but I have a feeling she is either a bundle of money behind her back or seeking a lucrative political appointment.

John Drake , August 14, 2019 at 20:13

The fact that Slick Willy would let his picture be taken with his arm around that pathetic young girl shows how above the law and social norms he thinks he is. On the other hand, if Hillary sees it he might be in for another black eye from her.

Bradley Anbro , August 14, 2019 at 20:43

I doubt very much that Bill Clinton worries about what Hillary "thinks" -- if she had any morals, she would have left him when
the Monica Lewinsky affair became public. She didn't -- because she's in it for the MONEY

[Aug 19, 2019] Trump's Foreign Policy All Coercion, No Diplomacy

Aug 19, 2019 | www.theamericanconservative.com

Trump's Foreign Policy: All Coercion, No Diplomacy By Daniel Larison August 19, 2019, 1:54 PM

U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, President Trump and National Security Advisor John Bolton at the NATO Foreign Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium on July 12, 2018. [State Department photo/ Public Domain] Matt Lee reports on the Trump administration obsessive use of sanctions:

Call it the diplomacy of coercion.

The Trump administration is aggressively pursuing economic sanctions as a primary foreign policy tool to an extent unseen in decades, or perhaps ever. Many are questioning the results even as officials insist the penalties are achieving their aims.

It is true that the Trump administration is using economic coercion as its default approach to almost everything, but there doesn't appear to be any diplomacy involved. There is such a thing as "coercive diplomacy," but there is no evidence that Trump and his officials understand the first thing about it. An administration that genuinely wanted to secure lasting diplomatic agreements with other states would apply pressure only as a means to a specific, achievable goal, but with this administration they are waging purely destructive economic wars that the targeted states cannot end without capitulating. The "maximum pressure" description implies an unwillingness to relieve pressure short of the other side's surrender.

It is not just that it is a "combination of more sticks and fewer carrots." The Trump administration's policies are all punishment and no reward. In the case of Iran, it could hardly be otherwise when the administration chose to penalize Iran with sanctions for daring to comply with a multilateral nonproliferation agreement. Iran behaved constructively and acceded to the demands of the P5+1 four years ago, and in return for their cooperation they have been subjected to a grueling economic war despite fully complying with their commitments. When our government punishes another state for doing what previous administrations wanted them to do, no amount of punishment could force that state to trust our government a second time.

The administration approaches each case in the same way: they impose penalties, they make threats, they offer no incentives, and they make outrageous, far-fetched demands that no government would ever accept. Trump handles the trade wars in much the same way that he handles the "maximum pressure" campaigns against intransigent governments, and he fails every time because he can't conceive of a mutually beneficial agreement and therefore refuses to compromise. Trump's "diplomacy" is no diplomacy at all, but a series of insults, sanctions, tariffs, and threats that achieve nothing except to cause disruption and pain. Unsurprisingly, a pressure campaign that is aimed at toppling a government or forcing it to give up everything it has cannot be successful on its own terms as long as the targeted government chooses to resist, and the stakes for the targeted government will always higher than they are for the administration. In a contest of wills, the party that is fighting to preserve itself has the advantage.

[Aug 19, 2019] Maxwell asked court to keep Epstein papers sealed

Aug 19, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Mina , Jul 19 2019 11:32 utc | 107

Behind paywall
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-18/epstein-s-socialite-pal-maxwell-asks-court-to-keep-files-sealed

[Aug 19, 2019] The labelling of a hypothesis as "conspiracy theory" is an attempt to erase uncomfortable evidence by re-prioritising the relevance of certain facts

Aug 19, 2019 | www.unz.com

Jewish economist Murray Rothbard contrasts "deep" conspiracy theories with "shallow" ones. According to Rothbard, a shallow theorist observes an event and asks, who benefits? He or she then jumps to the conclusion that the posited beneficiary is responsible for covertly influencing events. Under this theory, Israel benefiting from the events of 9/11 made it into a prime suspect. This is often a completely legitimate strategy and is exactly how detective and investigative researchers operate. In order to identify the culprit, they may well ask who would benefit from the crime. Of course this is only a first step towards substantiation.

According to Rothbard the "deep" conspiracy theorist begins with a hunch and then seeks out evidence. Rothbard describes deep conspiracy theory as the result of confirming whether certain facts actual fit one's initial 'paranoia.' This explanation pretty much describes a lot of how science works. Any given scientific theory defines the realm of facts that may support or refute its validity. Science is a deductive reasoning process, so that in science, it is the theory that defines the relevance of the evidence. Would Rothbard describe Newtonian physics as 'deeply conspiratorial'? I doubt it. My guess is that, bearing Rothbard in mind, attributing a 'conspiratorial nature' to a theory is an attempt the deny the relevance of the evidence it brings to light.

If for instance, the theory that Epstein was a Mossad agent is 'conspiratorial,' then the facts that he was a business partner of Ehud Barak and involved in a company that uses Israeli military intelligence tactics become irrelevant. The same applies to former Federal Prosecutor Alex Acosta's admission that Epstein belonged to intelligence and that was why he was the beneficiary of a laughable plea deal. If, for example, the theory that it was the Jews who led the 1917 Bolshevik revolution is 'conspiratorial,' then the facts regarding the demography that led the revolution and its criminal nature are of no consequence.

The labelling of a theory as conspiratorial is an attempt to erase uncomfortable evidence by reprioritising the relevance of certain facts.

[Aug 19, 2019] La Danse Mossad: Robert Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein by Jennifer Matsui

Notable quotes:
"... Notice a similar, if not identical MO in both Maxwell and Epstein's role in procuring technology for the Israelis, who in turn sold it with undisclosed add-ons, providing an open window into its users' databases. ..."
"... Like his predecessor, Epstein had a financial stake in a startup (headed by former Israeli Defense Minister and later Prime Minister Ehud Barak) connected to Israel's defense industry that provides infrastructure for emergency services as a call handling platform. Considering the company's connection to military intelligence, it wouldn't be a stretch to speculate on some of this software's other 'special' features. ..."
"... Epstein, like Maxwell, was laying the groundwork for Israeli espionage activities through his interests in companies with a political agenda concealed in products intended for international export. ..."
"... Were the surveillance apparatuses installed throughout Epstein's properties merely a voyeur's tools, or did he use them to leverage the moral failings of his former friends for purposes that might have risked exposure of more than the nether regions of wealthy pedo-punters? Considering his connections to Israeli defense industries and his own Achilles penis that required, by his own admission, "three orgasms a day", the answer points to an unslakable addiction that dovetailed conveniently with his state-sponsored sex crimes. ..."
"... Epstein could have also attempted to collateralize the cache of damning evidence still in his possession to secure his his freedom with the same fatal consequences. ..."
"... The establishment media is already trotting out ancient, ding-a-ling conspiracy theories from obscure right wing sources (attributed to Russia, of course) to highlight the absurdity and futility of questioning the official story of Epstein's death. Verdict: Nothing to see here. ..."
"... the parasitic and preferred daughter of the deceased tycoon, made the fateful introduction between her new boyfriend and the Israeli operatives seeking an entry level plutocrat to carry out their blackmail operations after the untimely death of his predecessor. An impoverished socialite has to survive in pricey Manhattan somehow, and that somehow was re-establishing the shady connections to the espionage underworld that had recruited Maxwell Sr. ..."
"... Ghislaine's later role as Epstein's Chief Procurement Officer (or pimp for short) gives more credence to the rumors that she is more than just a debased, barnacle-like appendage to a billionaire, desperate to please her platonic partner by "organizing his social life", but a fully cognizant co-conspirator in an operation aimed at strengthening Israel's hand in all matters pertaining to its national security interests, or more accurately, its overseas criminal enterprises ..."
Aug 16, 2019 | www.counterpunch.org
Media tycoon and former Labour MP Robert Maxwell (father of Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's partner in crime) was given a state funeral in Jerusalem after *accidentally* falling off his yacht – the unluckily named "Lady Ghislaine". Later it was revealed Maxwell Sr was a Mossad asset who used his vast network of connections and publishing platforms to run editorial interference over his purchased assets to influence enemies and friends alike, ensuring their fealty to the foreign government that had enlisted him for its espionage work.

His tabloid empire was the piss-colored propaganda organ of the interests he served, overseeing its rapid growth and tentacled reach across the globe. More ominously, he was behind the spy agency's successful attempt to install a trapdoor in software intended for government use, allowing the Israelis a direct pipeline into a vast network of computers installed with undectable malware.

At the time of his death, the disgraced magnate was under investigation for raiding his companies' pension funds to cover the losses incurred from his multiple and reckless takeovers, and finance a luxury lifestyle he enjoyed sharing with high profile pals like Henry Kissinger and Barbara Walters. Curiously, many of these fossilized specimens from Robert Maxwell's roster of friends from the Reagan era would circle around Epstein, most notably Donald Trump whose Mar-a-Lago resort would later become a recruiting center for employer Epstein's underage "massage therapists".

Fast forward a couple of decades since the days a casino mogul was gobbling down canapés with the old guard denizens of the 'swamp'. Notice a similar, if not identical MO in both Maxwell and Epstein's role in procuring technology for the Israelis, who in turn sold it with undisclosed add-ons, providing an open window into its users' databases.

Like his predecessor, Epstein had a financial stake in a startup (headed by former Israeli Defense Minister and later Prime Minister Ehud Barak) connected to Israel's defense industry that provides infrastructure for emergency services as a call handling platform. Considering the company's connection to military intelligence, it wouldn't be a stretch to speculate on some of this software's other 'special' features.

A variation of the early technology that Maxwell was able to procure for his Israeli bosses was later sold to the Saudis, who leveraged its sophisticated tracking features to assassinate Jamal Khashoggi.

Epstein, like Maxwell, was laying the groundwork for Israeli espionage activities through his interests in companies with a political agenda concealed in products intended for international export. If true, the playboy philanthropist feted and flattered his high profile friends to ensnare them as complicit partners in what amounts to the legal definition of treason. Epstein's covert activities have undiminished real world consequences for anyone on Israel's international radar, especially those challenging the status quo policies in place that prioritize "The Jewish State's" political and financial objectives over actual justice and global stability.

If you have ever asked yourself why Israel's war crimes and settlement expansion go unchallenged by US lawmakers, consider the career destroying consequences contained within those dossiers compiled by the braintrust behind Epstein's 'suicide'. "We'll trade you one US Embassy in Jerusalem for 10 minutes of hidden camera footage of you . . . let's say 'enjoying' a rolled up Forbes magazine".

Were the surveillance apparatuses installed throughout Epstein's properties merely a voyeur's tools, or did he use them to leverage the moral failings of his former friends for purposes that might have risked exposure of more than the nether regions of wealthy pedo-punters? Considering his connections to Israeli defense industries and his own Achilles penis that required, by his own admission, "three orgasms a day", the answer points to an unslakable addiction that dovetailed conveniently with his state-sponsored sex crimes.

Did Epstein make the same mistake of Maxwell (who had asked for nearly half a billion dollar in "loans" from his Israeli backers to relieve him of his mounting debts) believing the dirt he had in his possession would prove radioactive if released? By this time, the corpulent tycoon was nicknamed the 'Bouncing Czech' a reference in most part to his worsening money woes. The implication of this request, if turned down, was the exposure of Israel's state secrets. Epstein could have also attempted to collateralize the cache of damning evidence still in his possession to secure his his freedom with the same fatal consequences.

Both Maxwell and Epstein somehow evaded the electronics that linked them to the outside world at the time of their deaths, even though the latter had reportedly made an attempt on his own life while in custody. Both men, facing ruination and serious prison time gave their executioners an alibi: They had nothing to left to live for. The establishment media is already trotting out ancient, ding-a-ling conspiracy theories from obscure right wing sources (attributed to Russia, of course) to highlight the absurdity and futility of questioning the official story of Epstein's death. Verdict: Nothing to see here.

By now, it's a given that the parasitic and preferred daughter of the deceased tycoon, made the fateful introduction between her new boyfriend and the Israeli operatives seeking an entry level plutocrat to carry out their blackmail operations after the untimely death of his predecessor. An impoverished socialite has to survive in pricey Manhattan somehow, and that somehow was re-establishing the shady connections to the espionage underworld that had recruited Maxwell Sr.

Ghislaine's later role as Epstein's Chief Procurement Officer (or pimp for short) gives more credence to the rumors that she is more than just a debased, barnacle-like appendage to a billionaire, desperate to please her platonic partner by "organizing his social life", but a fully cognizant co-conspirator in an operation aimed at strengthening Israel's hand in all matters pertaining to its national security interests, or more accurately, its overseas criminal enterprises.

The recent raid on Epstein's Manhattan apartment was not the result of a so-called Justice Department righting the egregious wrong it committed by letting Epstein off with a slap on the wrist after his initial conviction that allowed him to serve his sentence largely outside the minimum-security facility with an open door policy for its billionaire guest. More likely, the reversal of Epstein's "sweetheart" deal was a joint operation between the oligarch cabal informally known as the Mega-Group, and the state security apparatuses that do their bidding.

It's seems likely that this sudden pivot towards justice from a Justice Department initially spooked into inaction by the spook in his custody, was motivated by the need to remove the most damning bits among Epstein's vast trove of physical evidence against the pervy punters who visited his island getaway for unintended photo ops with underage girls.

Perhaps his own abuse of these minors was a perk he felt entitled to, and one that would be overlooked in the service of "national security". It's hard for most people to differentiate between the government he actually worked for and the ruling establishment on his home turf.

It's possible that Epstein felt his serial transgressions were merely par for the plutocracy and justified in the service of a higher calling.

The 'Israel First' philanthropist shared an unyielding ideological justification for his own criminality as Robert Maxwell, whom the British Home Office had considered recruiting for its own intelligence gathering in the mid 1960's. Having determined that the well-connected, multilingual, rising star politician was strictly "Zionist", the spy agency withdrew his candidacy.

Epstein's real crimes had little to do with raping children, despite the overturned plea deal that came about when a federal judge ruled that prosecutors had violated the victims rights by by concealing the agreement from them. The one time teflon-coated "member of intelligence" who was "above the pay grade" of a powerful District Attorney (now a now scandal-tainted former Labor Secretary) was ultimately (and lethally) penalized for not destroying the contents of his secret-laden safes, leaving his handlers still vulnerable to their explosive contents.

Had the doomed financier divested himself of the toxic assets still in his possession, he might still be roaming the earth today, scouring it for new specimens to populate his underage petting zoo. As a result of the Justice Department's decision to reverse the non-prosecution deal meant to bury the most incendiary facts of the case, lower-rung punters like former governor Bill Richardson and Senator George Mitchell are being publicly named for their part in the sordid scandal. Someone has to take the fall. (Rule number one of PR crisis management: Crucify the insignificant and let them hang out to dry until the public tires of watching the slow motion spectacle of their undoing.) Meanwhile, documented and/or photographic evidence against more powerful players like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump will have already been destroyed in the pursuit of selective justice.

The fallout of Epstein's spectacular downfall predictably miss the mark as scandals involving the rich and powerful tend to do. Much of the controversy will dissolve into a Cheetoh dust maelstrom of disinformation, disseminated on Reddit and 4Chan by incel info-warriors before shooting up a shopping mall or playground.

Subsequent reporting of the case will overlook decades of the elite-driven state craft that elevated corrupt and ruthless entities like Epstein and Trump, both ring-kissing acolytes in their youth of influential mob fixer/politcal power broker Roy Cohn – himself a serial sexual predator who similarly caught the fancy of fellow deviants Joe McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover. Follow the money trail from Tel Aviv and you'll discover an ancestral link between the corpse of Epstein and his ghostly godfathers waiting with his rewards in hell.

Along with the other disgraced and expendable patsies left in the wake of this ongoing scandal is Alan Dershowitz, Epstein's octogenarian chief legal counsel and 'wing man' aboard the Lolita Express. The now unemployable cable news pundit will live out the remainder of his pointless life under a cloud of suspicion. Despite all the damning testimony against him, the statutory rape allegations never quite stick, but follow him around like a sneaky fart, forcing a distance between himself and the rest of humanity that will last until he is engulfed by the sulfurous fumes of his own making.

The former Harvard law professor's lifelong service to Israel will go unrewarded – not as a result of victim testimony placing him at multiple crime scenes, but in consideration of his own inept self-defense strategy: "I'm a scurvy rat aboard a sinking ship eating its own tail to stay alive. Pity me"! Dershowitz at this point will be lucky if he can achieve the same pay grade and social status of Lindsay Lohan. Ditto for Prince Andrew who can at least be relied on to expire slowly of gout in his time-out corner at Windsor Castle.

The moral of this story could be "Lie down with dogs and never wake up agan with a prison-issued sheet around your neck". A variation of the old "Lie down with dogs and and wake up as fish food".

[Aug 19, 2019] After Allegations Of Druggings And Rape, Epstein-Pal And His Modeling Agencies Come Into Focus

Aug 19, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

After Allegations Of Druggings And Rape, Epstein-Pal And His Modeling Agencies Come Into Focus

by Tyler Durden Mon, 08/19/2019 - 11:15 0 SHARES

Following the death of Jeffrey Epstein, his seedy network of friends and potential co-conspirators alike have come into the spotlight.

One associate, considered to be Epstein's closest pal, is modeling maven Jean-Luc Brunel - who has recently been accused of pimping underage women around the world through his Mc2 and Karin modeling agencies, while former models have accused the 72-year-old of drugging and date-raping girls , according to the Daily Beast .

How close were Brunel and Epstein?

Brunel was one of the financier's most frequent male associates . The agent appears more than 15 times on flight logs from Epstein's private plane , jetting everywhere from Paris to New York, often in the presence of young women. He visited Epstein nearly 70 times in jail , according to visitor logs, and several more times while the financier was on house arrest in Palm Beach. According to one of Epstein's housemen, Brunel was comfortable enough to whip up his own meals in the financier's kitchen , and was one of Epstein's most frequent callers. - Daily Beast

Brunel's name appeared in a cache of court documents unsealed earlier this month, having called and left a message to let Epstein know that he "just did a good one - 18 years" who reportedly told him "I love Jeffrey."

"He has a teacher for you to teach you how to speak Russian," reads another note from September 2005, which adds " She is 2 X 8 [16] years old not blonde . Lessons are free and you can have 1st today if you call."

Epstein also extended a $1 million letter of credit to Brunel which was used to invest in Paris-based Elite Models. According to the Beast, "The venture, E Management, was first registered by Epstein's attorney, who listed its address as 457 Madison Avenue -- the same as Epstein's investment firm, J. Epstein & Co." Brunel says the venture fell apart after Elite Models learned of Epstein's sex-trafficking allegations - with the agent even suing Epstein in 2015 for tarnishing their reputation and causing a "tremendous loss of business."

At least two people say Brunel not only knew about the sex trafficking, he was actively participating in it .

Virginia Roberts (now Giuffre) -- one of the first alleged victims to speak out against Epstein after he was granted a sweetheart plea deal -- claimed in legal filings that Brunel was one of many powerful men she was forced to sleep with in her years as Epstein's "sex slave." She also accused Brunel of using his agency to find foreign girls, obtain visas for them, and "farm them out to his friends, including Epstein ."

"A lot of the girls came from poor countries or poor backgrounds, and he lured them in with a promise of making good money," Giuffre said in a 2015 affidavit. " Jeffrey Epstein has told me that he has slept with over 1,000 of Brunel's girls, and everything that I have seen confirms this claim. " - Daily Beast

" My assumption was that Jean-Luc Brunel got the girls from Eastern Europe (as he procured many young foreign girls for Epstein). They were young and European looking and sounding ," said Guiffre while describing an orgy she says she was forced to participate in on Epstein's 'pedo island.'

In a 1988 60 Minutes piece, several American models who worked with Brunel spoke of being plied with drugs and taken to parties with older men .

"My sense, based upon the allegations, is that Jean-Luc was a predator, his group was a predator, and they used their tools of power and leverage to force sex from women who otherwise might not be willing to engage in it," one of the reporters from the 60 Minutes piece told the Daily Beast .

Former model Thysia Huisman was 18-years-old when she says Brunel sexually assaulted her after giving her a spiked drink .

" I recall him lying on top of me, me trying to push him off, " she said in an interview. "I remember trying to move, but not really being able to. Like almost being paralysed. I heard the sound of my blouse – a black blouse – ripping. I had a black skirt, too. I felt him – this is difficult – between my legs. Pushing."

Huisman said the rest was a blur. She woke the next morning in a kimono that wasn't hers, with soreness on her inner thighs. "I felt we had had sex," she said. "I knew. I know."

She gathered her things and fled while Brunel spoke on the telephone in the living room, she said. Her modelling work never recovered and she embarked on a career in television, always behind the camera.

...

"I was really ashamed," she said. Huisman said she began telling her current partner about the incident eight years ago. He confirmed to the Guardian she then told him she was "molested" by someone at her modelling agency, and added more details – including Brunel's name – over time, explaining the full story about two years ago. - The Guardian

Another former model, Courtney Soerensen, says Brunel molested her when she was 19-years-old, and "sabotaged" her career when she rejected him.

Courtney Soerensen, Thysia Huisman

"He would get very handsy, start groping me, try to kiss me, try to get me to lay down on the bed just to 'try it out'" said Soerensen. "He would try to untuck my shirt, wanting to 'see my abs'. He would grab my breasts and put his hand on my bottom. There was one time where he rubbed himself up against me. "

" The guy was a vile pig" says former Brunel photographer and scout Clayton Nelson. "The girls who slept with him worked. The girls who didn't, he would tell bookers: 'I don't want her booked for anything'."

Former MC2 bookkeeper Martina Vasquez has also accused Brunel of similar behavior, claiming that Brunel employed scouts who would recruit teenage models from South America, Europe and the former USSR. " The most desirable of those teens were housed in Epstein's Upper East Side apartments and loaned out to wealthy clients for up to $100,000 a night, Vasquez alleged. If they refused to be "molested," she said, they would not be paid. (Brunel has denied these claims and says Vasquez was fired from his agency for embezzling company funds.)" according to the report.

Bloomberg , meanwhile, reports that MC2 Model Management had a growing list of concerned corporate clients by 2014 after Brunel's ties to Epstein came to light.

By 2014, Brunel's business partner Jeff Fuller was concerned that the relationship with Epstein could be damaging. In a letter reviewed by Bloomberg News, Fuller told Brunel that he was getting a "tremendous amount of worries from our clients" about the ties to Epstein , then went on to list as clients Nordstrom Inc., Macy's Inc., Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, J.C. Penney Co., Kohl's Corp., Target Corp., Sears and Belk . - Bloomberg

Brunel has denied all allegations of impropriety.

amadeus39 , 1 minute ago link

Molesting children is an abominable crime, but using that information to blackmail country leaders effects many more people. Using blackmail to gain political control will destroy nations and its citizens. It will destroy civilization. This Epstink plot will destroy trust of government. Once trust is destroyed, our world is destroyed.

nmewn , 13 minutes ago link

Jean-Luc Brunel, sounds Irish to me!

https://nypost.com/2019/08/13/french-officials-call-for-probe-into-epsteins-links-with-france/

Oh, I guess not ;-)

[Aug 19, 2019] Link to Edgar Bronfman: in 1981 he was fired from Bear Sterns for helping Edgar Bronfman in an insider trading scandal, which Bronfman blamed on his (phantom) Italian partner.

Aug 19, 2019 | www.unz.com

Tired of Not Winning , says: July 9, 2019 at 3:20 am GMT

This Epstein story is huge. I think Amazing Polly is just touching on the surface:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vc-uysS6Tlw?start=1&feature=oembed

Epstein dropped out of Cooper Union and NYU at age 20, but mysteriously got a job teaching calculus and physics at the prestigious Dalton school in NYC. He was hired by then headmaster Donald Barr (born Jewish converted to Catholicism), father of current AG William Barr. A year later Donald Barr was forced out by a group of Dalton parents for not being "progressive" enough and replaced by a guy named Dunnan, who was later accused of having an affair with a teacher and also sexually molesting a 14 year old.

While at Dalton, Epstein taught the son of Bear Sterns CEO Ace Greenberg, and ended up working at Bear Sterns. Five years later in 1981 he was fired from Bear Sterns for helping Edgar Bronfman in an insider trading scandal, which Bronfman blamed on his (phantom) Italian partner.

Bronfman' and his two daughters have been embroiled in the NXIVM sex scandal case. Meanwhile, Epstein somehow got his start thanks to one major "investor", billionaire Les Wexner, founder of the Limited, Abercombie & Fitch, Victoria's Secret etc. Bronfman and Wexner co-founded mega, a Jewish organization that promotes Israel.

Epstein-Bronfman smells like a giant international Jew crime network that involves blackmailing of wealthy people, celebrities and politicians for having sex with underage girls. It's how Epstein gained his wealth. He had no money to start out. His "hedge fund" is nothing but a fake front for billionaires to wire their ransom money, which is why it is established offshore and so secretive. There has been two huge fires at his private island in BVI btwn 2018 and Jan. 2019. Speculation is that lots of incriminating video footage was burnt, but of course Epstein kept copies, and Mossad most likely has them as well. Got to keep the blackmailing of our political and economic elites going. Israhell has a right to exist.

[Aug 19, 2019] The scandal is about the Mega Group

Notable quotes:
"... The scandal is about the Mega Group [Bonfman and Wexner and the assorted group of other Israel-firsters with the ties to Mossad] ..."
"... Both Epstein and Bill Browder got started working for Maxwell. Why is nobody talking about Bill Browder's Epstein/Maxwell/Mossad connection? ..."
Aug 19, 2019 | www.unz.com

Anonymous [373] Disclaimer , says: August 18, 2019 at 2:12 pm GMT

One just wonders (but I have read no-one raising this question) why Epstein stopped being useful, why was his "business" dismantled.
All further steps, "suicide" comprised, are standard operation.

annamaria , says: August 19, 2019 at 3:35 pm GMT

@mcohen Learn, "mcohen," learn: https://www.mintpressnews.com/mega-group-maxwells-mossad-spy-story-jeffrey-epstein-scandal/261172/
https://www.mintpressnews.com/shocking-origins-jeffrey-epstein-blackmail-roy-cohn/260621/
https://www.mintpressnews.com/blackmail-jeffrey-epstein-trump-mentor-reagan-era/260760/

The scandal is about the Mega Group [Bonfman and Wexner and the assorted group of other Israel-firsters with the ties to Mossad], Maxwells [the old embezzler and his daughter the pimp, both tied to Mossad] and Mossad: "The Spy Story at the Heart of the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal."

Iris , says: August 18, 2019 at 8:55 pm GMT
@Anon

The end: blackmail the "elite" clients on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.

Thanks for posting this most interesting and edifying story about Israeli decade-long, standard practice, of using sex trafficking to blackmail and control politicians.

Although Shulamit Cohen's story is highly embellished by official historiography, she herself started working as a prostitute. The Syrian military she trapped was Adib Al Shishkali, who went on to become Syria's president.

The young girl she used to bait her "clients" was a 14-year Armenian youngster called Lucy Kobelian.

http://www.kawther.info/wpr/terrorists/shula-cohen-israeli-first-madam

annamaria , says: August 19, 2019 at 11:49 am GMT
@Anonymous Case in study -- Ben Cardin, the Israel-firster and promoter of Bill Browder http://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/is-bill-browder-the-most-dangerous-man-in-the-world/

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-08-18/la-danse-mossad-robert-maxwell-and-jeffrey-epstein
Comment section:

Both Epstein and Bill Browder got started working for Maxwell. Why is nobody talking about Bill Browder's Epstein/Maxwell/Mossad connection?

annamaria , says: August 19, 2019 at 3:12 pm GMT
@Iris Interesting: http://www.kawther.info/wpr/terrorists/shula-cohen-israeli-first-madam

One of Mossad' main modes of operation is prostitution. Not surprising. The Jewish tribe is exceptional in having as its heroines a set of prostituting women -- Esther, Judith, Dalila. No wonder that the orthodox Jews treat women like filth. All within the national tradition.

In 1967, Shulamit Cohen, Rachel Raffoul and two of the Jewish prostitutes were released in a secret prisoner exchange after the Six Day War: they were exchanged against three officers of the Syrian air force (the official version states that they were exchanged for "over 500 prisoners").

Today Shula is a national hero of Israel and her story has been whitewashed and made "apt for public consumption". She lives in the neighborhood of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish fundamentalists, the Haredim, who are probably ignorant of her past.

https://www.haaretz.com/1.5223302 "Orthodox Jews treat women like filtfhy little things:"

And if a man and a woman are drowning in a river, first they'll save the man, "who is obligated to perform more commandments," whereas a woman's "wisdom is only in the spindle." In fact, "words of Torah should be burned rather than being given to women."

A man must say three blessings every day during morning prayers: He thanks God "that He didn't make me a gentile, that He didn't make me a woman, that He didn't make me an ignoramus."

[Aug 18, 2019] The best way to get at some semblance of the truth is to follow the money. Epstein seems to have appeared virtually out of nowhere as a made man. Wexner appears to have gifted him a $56 million heavily bugged mansion. What does this tell us?

Aug 18, 2019 | off-guardian.org

mark It seems obvious that Epstein was murdered, but in reality this is just a side issue.
The MSM will happily carry on sending people down rabbit holes for ever, and ignoring the real questions.
They would like nothing more than to turn this into another JFK, where people speculate endlessly, generating more heat than light. Just what motivated Epstein? Money? Vice? Paedo sex? Spying and blackmailing for Israel? All of the above? Where did his loyalties lie? Was he just a hired hand, an intelligence operative, another Christopher Steele? Or was he more of a gun for hire, an Erik Prince, serving Mossad, the CIA, the Zionist Lobby, or whoever would pay him? Or was he more of his own boss, running his own organisation in his own interests? What about Ghislaine Maxwell? Was she just Epstein's pimp and loyal lieutenant, carrying out his orders? Or was she his Mossad handler, calling the shots, with Epstein as front man?

The best way to get at some semblance of the truth is to follow the money. Epstein seems to have appeared virtually out of nowhere as a made man. Wexner appears to have gifted him a $56 million heavily bugged mansion. What does this tell us?

Surprisingly, Maxwell has not gone to ground as expected. She made an exhibition of herself in LA a few days ago, ostentatiously eating a burger in public with a little dog in tow, reading a book about the CIA.

I think the stage is being set for an Oprah or Anderson Cooper style interview, presenting herself as the victim. Now that Epstein is dead, it will be in the interests of a lot of people to load everything on to his deceased shoulders. "I loved Jeffrey .but he was a monster ..he made me do terrible things ..I was frightened of him ..I'm a victim too."

This will probably be coordinated with a smear campaign against the victims, trying to dig up dirt about things like drugs, any criminal or mental health history, and any other issues.

One interesting detail to emerge from the search of Epstein's property is that he had a painting of Bill Clinton in drag, wearing a blue dress, like that of Monica Lewinsky, on his toilet wall. This is probably a case of gloating over the entrapment of Clinton. This somewhat grubby little episode occurred around the time of the Oslo peace deal, when Peres, Barak and Co. were under some pressure to negotiate seriously with the Palestinians, and facing criticism over settlements. Clinton was also under pressure from Zionist interests to release the Jewish/ Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, imprisoned for treason/ espionage. This is reminiscent of the transvestite J. Edgar Hoover, who was being blackmailed by Meyer Lansky with photographs of him and Claude Tolson wearing dresses.

Dershowitz is another highly dubious character whose involvement warrants serious scrutiny. He previously defended OJ Simson and Spectre. He will probably spearhead a campaign to discredit the witnesses.

Fortunately, this can't be buried completely, even if Maxwell and others escape prosecution. There are a number of outstanding civil claims which will generate even more publicity than would otherwise be the case.

[Aug 18, 2019] Wells Fargo's behaviour as a nice example of immunity of criminals under neoliberalism

That's a racket. Pure and simple. Which means Well Fargo management and Warren Buffet would be prosecuted under RICO rules.
Aug 18, 2019 | slashdot.org
Wells Fargo's Computer Kept Charging 'Overdrawn' Fees On Supposedly Closed Accounts (startribune.com) 43 Posted by EditorDavid on Sunday August 18, 2019 @02:34PM from the continuing-relationships dept. The New York Times explains a new issue by describing what happened when Xavier Einaudi tried to close his Wells Fargo checking account. For weeks after the date the bank said the accounts would be closed, it kept some of them active. Payments to his insurer, to Google for online advertising and to a provider of project management software were paid out of the empty accounts in July. Each time, the bank charged Einaudi a $35 overdraft fee... By the middle of July, he owed the bank nearly $1,500. "I don't even know what happened," he said.

Current and former bank employees said Einaudi was charged because of the way Wells Fargo's computer system handles closed accounts: An account the customer believes to be closed can stay open if it has a balance, even one below zero. And each time a transaction is processed for an overdrawn account, Wells Fargo tacks on a fee. The problem has gone unaddressed by the bank despite complaints from customers and employees , including one in the bank's debt-collection department who grew concerned after taking in an estimated $100,000 in overdraft fees over eight months...

Most banks program their systems to stop honoring transactions on the specified date, but Wells Fargo allows accounts to remain open for two more months, according to current and former employees. Customers usually learn what happened only after their overdrawn accounts are sent to Wells Fargo's collections department. If the customers do not pay the overdraft fees, they are reported to a national database like Early Warning Services, which compiles names of delinquent bank customers. That often means a customer cannot open a new bank account anywhere, and getting removed from the lists can take hours' worth of phone calls.


fustakrakich ( 1673220 ) , Sunday August 18, 2019 @02:36PM ( #59099810 ) Journal

Wells Fargo has to be the crookedest bank ever ( Score: 3 , Insightful)

Yet, not a single person that counts is being prosecuted.

lgw ( 121541 ) , Sunday August 18, 2019 @02:42PM ( #59099822 ) Journal
Re:Wells Fargo has to be the crookedest bank ever ( Score: 5 , Interesting)

It's bizarre. I doubt Wells Fargo has a handful of senators in their pocket or something, as that would require a level of competence they've never demonstrated in any aspect of their business, so why are they even still allowed to be a bank?

Wells Fargo's primary business, near as I can tell, is widespread fraud. They may also do some banking on the side, but that seems like an afterthought. The entirety of their senior management should be in prison.

reboot246 ( 623534 ) , Sunday August 18, 2019 @02:56PM ( #59099868 ) Homepage
Re:Wells Fargo has to be the crookedest bank ever ( Score: 5 , Informative)

Wells Fargo is worse than crooked. They're incompetent, too. Their online bill pay is straight out of the 19th century.
That's why I closed my account with them about eight years ago . . . . or at least I think I did.

ranton ( 36917 ) writes:
Re: ( Score: 2 )

5th/3rd bank did the same thing to me back in 2009. I closed my bank account when merging accounts with my wife, but when transferring all of my recurring payments I missed two magazine yearly payments. 5th/3rd essentially reopened my accounts and charged them, which were obviously then overdrawn since they had $0 balances. Even after complaining they refused to rescind the fees.

We then closed my wife's account too and moved over to Chase. I always had the feeling that Chase would do the same thing to us to

JoeyRox ( 2711699 ) , Sunday August 18, 2019 @02:44PM ( #59099832 )
Most amazing thing about bank "errors" like this ( Score: 5 , Insightful)

Is that they all seem to work out in favor of the bank over the consumer. It's likely survivorship bias - all the errors that hurt the bank's financial interests get fixed, whereas the ones which help the bank don't and hang around forever. Imagine that.

gweihir ( 88907 ) , Sunday August 18, 2019 @02:54PM ( #59099858 )
Sounds like criminal business practices ( Score: 3 )

At the very least deceptive. In a sane system, the bank has to give a final balance at a certain day and it is legally prohibited from doing any transactions on that account afterwards.

Solandri ( 704621 ) , Sunday August 18, 2019 @03:02PM ( #59099878 )
Don't see how the customer could be liable ( Score: 3 )

When you close an account, you are terminating your contract with the bank. You walk into the bank, the bank rep looks at the account, sees how much money is in it at that instant and cuts you a check for that remaining balance. That zeros out the account, and the contract you made with the bank when you opened the account expires - it is as if you never had an account with the bank. If the bank then decides to take "money" out of the now-closed account, it's their own damn fault. They cannot claw back money from the customer - there is no longer a contract between them. The customer correctly zeroed out the account and closed it. Any error is the bank's own fault.

I can see it being a problem if you hold multiple accounts with the bank and you close just one of them. Then the bank might be able to come up with a legal argument when you're still liable. But that's why I hold accounts with multiple banks, and I generally close all my accounts with one bank at once.

localroger ( 258128 ) , Sunday August 18, 2019 @03:18PM ( #59099898 ) Homepage
Re:Don't see how the customer could be liable ( Score: 3 )

You're right legally, but the threat is that they will ruin your credit rating by reporting you as delinquent to the credit agencies. And your recourse for getting that undone is difficult at best.

sjames ( 1099 ) , Sunday August 18, 2019 @04:33PM ( #59100062 ) Homepage Journal
Re:Don't see how the customer could be liable ( Score: 2 )

In other words, extortion on the banks part and libel and slander from the reporting agencies (wanton disregard for the truth).

[Aug 18, 2019] The debate over whether Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide or not is a pseudo-debate meant to keep people spinning their wheels over nothing

Death thus becomes a reward of escape from truth, consequences and responsibility; a blind defiance set against honesty and justice.
Aug 18, 2019 | off-guardian.org

It attracts attention and will do so for many days to come. There are even some usually astute people suggesting that he may not be dead but might have been secretly whisked off somewhere and replaced with a dead look-alike.

Now, who would profit from suggesting something as insane as this?

The speculation runs rampant and feeds the spectacle. Whether he was allowed to kill himself or was killed makes little difference.

It's akin to asking who pulled the trigger that killed President Kennedy. That's a debate that was intended to go nowhere, as it has, after it became apparent that Lee Harvey Oswald surely did not kill JFK. John Kennedy's murder in broad daylight in public view is the paradigmatic event of modern times. It is obvious to anyone that gives minimal study to the issue that it was organized and carried out by elements within the national security state, notably the CIA.

Their message was meant to be unequivocal and clear: We can kill him and we can kill you; we are in full control; beware. Then they went on to kill others, including RFK and MLK. It takes little intelligence to see this obvious fact, unless you wish not to or are totally lost in the neighborhood of make-believe.

As it was with Jack Ruby killing Lee Harvey Oswald, so it is with Epstein. There will be no trial. Nothing is really hidden except the essential truth. Guess, debate, wonder, watch, read to your sad heart's content. You will have gotten nowhere unless you step outside the frame of the reigning narrative.


nottheonly1

Those of us who oppose these criminals – and there are growing numbers all over the world – must avoid being sucked into the establishment narratives and the counter-narratives they spawn or create. We must refuse to get involved in pseudo-debates that are meant to lead nowhere. We must reject the language created to confuse.

To arrive at this conclusion is an attest of the deepest truth a mind can grasp. If I could only talk to someone as astute as You. This is not flattery, but the mere realization, that there is nobody in my surroundings that possesses Your ability to make such a point.

That there are now so few people that can have this insight is the result of the absence of philosophy from our lives. It is philosophy who opens the mind and therefore it had to be removed from society. People are well advised to look into it, to overcome this barrage of fabricated narratives.

Tim Hall
We have little or no true understanding to the degree that propaganda has been scientifically applied (estimated number engaged on this insidious activity 50,000 in 1991, under the all powerful Tavistock Institute) over 73 years to brainwashing and misdirecting the populations perception of reality – your article reflects this fact. CIA, Deep State et al are simply agents of a far bigger entity who's accumulated power and reach, built up assiduously over centuries, has now reached an unassailable level of control over the world which it intends to effectively own.

I suggest all readers refer to the following link to appreciate the futility of humanity's current position in regard to it's ability to resist the coming onslaught to its survival.

https://www.cia.gov/library/abbottabad-compound/4A/4A92FD2FB4DAE3F773DB0B7742CF0F65_Coleman.-.CONSPIRATORS.HIERARCHY.-.THE.STORY.OF.THE.COMMITTEE.OF.300.R.pdf

Edward, this sentiment is laudable, but they hold such a grip on mass psychological control that such sentiments represent chaff on the wind.

If revolutionary change is to come, we must learn to tell a new story in language so beautiful, illuminating, and heart-rending that no one will listen to the lying words of child molesters, mass murderers, and those who hate and persecute truth-tellers.

mark
In Britain, the post mortem, by a Home Office pathologist, would establish the physical cause of death.
Sometimes this is delayed in waiting for toxicology results.
Probably "Suspension" (Hanging.)
Any separate injuries or existing medical conditions would be noted in the post mortem report.

In the absence of any police criminal investigation, it would then be for a Coroner's Inquest, almost certainly sitting with a jury, to give a verdict.

Suicide, accidental death, misadventure, unlawful killing, open verdict.

It is for the Coroner's Court to examine the evidence and arrive at a verdict.
If there is doubt or uncertainty, there is the option of an Open Verdict.
Hanging could lead to a verdict of accident or misadventure in certain circumstances.
There was a case where a group of youths saw that someone had left a noose hanging from a tree in a park. One of them, larking around, put his head in the noose and accidentally hanged himself.

The US system seems to short circuit the decision making process of the Coroner's Court.
This appears to be no more than an opinion by the medical examiner, sometimes misleadingly referred to as the Coroner.
There seems to be no equivalent to the Coroner's Court.

William H Booby
He killed himself and the proof is the BBC said it, anyone who disagrees wears a tinfoil hat

[Aug 17, 2019] La Danse Mossad: Robert Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein by Jennifer Matsui

Notable quotes:
"... His tabloid empire was the piss-colored propaganda organ of the interests he served, overseeing its rapid growth and tentacled reach across the globe. More ominously, he was behind the spy agency's successful attempt to install a trapdoor in software intended for government use, allowing the Israelis a direct pipeline into a vast network of computers installed with undetectable malware. ..."
"... Like his predecessor, Epstein had a financial stake in a startup (headed by former Israeli Defense Minister and later Prime Minister Ehud Barak) connected to Israel's defense industry that provides infrastructure for emergency services as a call handling platform. ..."
"... Epstein, like Maxwell, was laying the groundwork for Israeli espionage activities through his interests in companies with a political agenda concealed in products intended for international export. ..."
"... If you have ever asked yourself why Israel's war crimes and settlement expansion go unchallenged by US lawmakers, consider the career destroying consequences contained within those dossiers compiled by the braintrust behind Epstein's 'suicide'. "We'll trade you one US Embassy in Jerusalem for 10 minutes of hidden camera footage of you . . . let's say 'enjoying' a rolled up Forbes magazine". ..."
"... Epstein could have also attempted to collateralize the cache of damning evidence still in his possession to secure his freedom with the same fatal consequences. ..."
"... By now, it's a given that the parasitic and preferred daughter of the deceased tycoon, made the fateful introduction between her new boyfriend and the Israeli operatives seeking an entry level plutocrat to carry out their blackmail operations after the untimely death of his predecessor. An impoverished socialite has to survive in pricey Manhattan somehow, and that somehow was re-establishing the shady connections to the espionage underworld that had recruited Maxwell Sr. ..."
"... Ghislaine's later role as Epstein's Chief Procurement Officer (or pimp for short) gives more credence to the rumors that she is more than just a debased, barnacle-like appendage to a billionaire, desperate to please her platonic partner by "organizing his social life", but a fully cognizant co-conspirator in an operation aimed at strengthening Israel's hand in all matters pertaining to its national security interests, or more accurately, its overseas criminal enterprises. ..."
"... The recent raid on Epstein's Manhattan apartment was not the result of a so-called Justice Department righting the egregious wrong it committed by letting Epstein off with a slap on the wrist after his initial conviction that allowed him to serve his sentence largely outside the minimum-security facility with an open door policy for its billionaire guest. More likely, the reversal of Epstein's "sweetheart" deal was a joint operation between the oligarch cabal informally known as the Mega-Group, and the state security apparatuses that do their bidding. ..."
"... The 'Israel First' philanthropist shared an unyielding ideological justification for his own criminality as Robert Maxwell, whom the British Home Office had considered recruiting for its own intelligence gathering in the mid 1960's. Having determined that the well-connected, multilingual, rising star politician was strictly "Zionist", the spy agency withdrew his candidacy. ..."
"... Rule number one of PR crisis management: Crucify the insignificant and let them hang out to dry until the public tires of watching the slow motion spectacle of their undoing ..."
"... Meanwhile, documented and/or photographic evidence against more powerful players like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump will have already been destroyed in the pursuit of selective justice. ..."
"... Subsequent reporting of the case will overlook decades of the elite-driven state craft that elevated corrupt and ruthless entities like Epstein and Trump, both ring-kissing acolytes in their youth of influential mob fixer/politcal power broker Roy Cohn – himself a serial sexual predator who similarly caught the fancy of fellow deviants Joe McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover. Follow the money trail from Tel Aviv and you'll discover an ancestral link between the corpse of Epstein and his ghostly godfathers waiting with his rewards in hell. ..."
Aug 16, 2019 | www.counterpunch.org
Media tycoon and former Labour MP Robert Maxwell (father of Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's partner in crime) was given a state funeral in Jerusalem after *accidentally* falling off his yacht – the unluckily named "Lady Ghislaine". Later it was revealed Maxwell Sr was a Mossad asset who used his vast network of connections and publishing platforms to run editorial interference over his purchased assets to influence enemies and friends alike, ensuring their fealty to the foreign government that had enlisted him for its espionage work.

His tabloid empire was the piss-colored propaganda organ of the interests he served, overseeing its rapid growth and tentacled reach across the globe. More ominously, he was behind the spy agency's successful attempt to install a trapdoor in software intended for government use, allowing the Israelis a direct pipeline into a vast network of computers installed with undetectable malware.

At the time of his death, the disgraced magnate was under investigation for raiding his companies' pension funds to cover the losses incurred from his multiple and reckless takeovers, and finance a luxury lifestyle he enjoyed sharing with high profile pals like Henry Kissinger and Barbara Walters. Curiously, many of these fossilized specimens from Robert Maxwell's roster of friends from the Reagan era would circle around Epstein, most notably Donald Trump whose Mar-a-Lago resort would later become a recruiting center for employer Epstein's underage "massage therapists".

Fast forward a couple of decades since the days a casino mogul was gobbling down canapés with the old guard denizens of the 'swamp'. Notice a similar, if not identical MO in both Maxwell and Epstein's role in procuring technology for the Israelis, who in turn sold it with undisclosed add-ons, providing an open window into its users' databases.

Like his predecessor, Epstein had a financial stake in a startup (headed by former Israeli Defense Minister and later Prime Minister Ehud Barak) connected to Israel's defense industry that provides infrastructure for emergency services as a call handling platform. Considering the company's connection to military intelligence, it wouldn't be a stretch to speculate on some of this software's other 'special' features. A variation of the early technology that Maxwell was able to procure for his Israeli bosses was later sold to the Saudis, who leveraged its sophisticated tracking features to assassinate Jamal Khashoggi.

Epstein, like Maxwell, was laying the groundwork for Israeli espionage activities through his interests in companies with a political agenda concealed in products intended for international export. If true, the playboy philanthropist feted and flattered his high profile friends to ensnare them as complicit partners in what amounts to the legal definition of treason. Epstein's covert activities have undiminished real world consequences for anyone on Israel's international radar, especially those challenging the status quo policies in place that prioritize "The Jewish State's" political and financial objectives over actual justice and global stability.

If you have ever asked yourself why Israel's war crimes and settlement expansion go unchallenged by US lawmakers, consider the career destroying consequences contained within those dossiers compiled by the braintrust behind Epstein's 'suicide'. "We'll trade you one US Embassy in Jerusalem for 10 minutes of hidden camera footage of you . . . let's say 'enjoying' a rolled up Forbes magazine".

Were the surveillance apparatuses installed throughout Epstein's properties merely a voyeur's tools, or did he use them to leverage the moral failings of his former friends for purposes that might have risked exposure of more than the nether regions of wealthy pedo-punters? Considering his connections to Israeli defense industries and his own Achilles penis that required, by his own admission, "three orgasms a day", the answer points to an unslakable addiction that dovetailed conveniently with his state-sponsored sex crimes.

Did Epstein make the same mistake of Maxwell (who had asked for nearly half a billion dollar in "loans" from his Israeli backers to relieve him of his mounting debts) believing the dirt he had in his possession would prove radioactive if released? By this time, the corpulent tycoon was nicknamed the 'Bouncing Czech' a reference in most part to his worsening money woes. The implication of this request, if turned down, was the exposure of Israel's state secrets. Epstein could have also attempted to collateralize the cache of damning evidence still in his possession to secure his freedom with the same fatal consequences.

Both Maxwell and Epstein somehow evaded the electronics that linked them to the outside world at the time of their deaths, even though the latter had reportedly made an attempt on his own life while in custody. Both men, facing ruination and serious prison time gave their executioners an alibi: They had nothing to left to live for. The establishment media is already trotting out ancient, ding-a-ling conspiracy theories from obscure right wing sources (attributed to Russia, of course) to highlight the absurdity and futility of questioning the official story of Epstein's death. Verdict: Nothing to see here.

By now, it's a given that the parasitic and preferred daughter of the deceased tycoon, made the fateful introduction between her new boyfriend and the Israeli operatives seeking an entry level plutocrat to carry out their blackmail operations after the untimely death of his predecessor. An impoverished socialite has to survive in pricey Manhattan somehow, and that somehow was re-establishing the shady connections to the espionage underworld that had recruited Maxwell Sr.

Ghislaine's later role as Epstein's Chief Procurement Officer (or pimp for short) gives more credence to the rumors that she is more than just a debased, barnacle-like appendage to a billionaire, desperate to please her platonic partner by "organizing his social life", but a fully cognizant co-conspirator in an operation aimed at strengthening Israel's hand in all matters pertaining to its national security interests, or more accurately, its overseas criminal enterprises.

The recent raid on Epstein's Manhattan apartment was not the result of a so-called Justice Department righting the egregious wrong it committed by letting Epstein off with a slap on the wrist after his initial conviction that allowed him to serve his sentence largely outside the minimum-security facility with an open door policy for its billionaire guest. More likely, the reversal of Epstein's "sweetheart" deal was a joint operation between the oligarch cabal informally known as the Mega-Group, and the state security apparatuses that do their bidding.

It's seems likely that this sudden pivot towards justice from a Justice Department initially spooked into inaction by the spook in his custody, was motivated by the need to remove the most damning bits among Epstein's vast trove of physical evidence against the pervy punters who visited his island getaway for unintended photo ops with underage girls.

Perhaps his own abuse of these minors was a perk he felt entitled to, and one that would be overlooked in the service of "national security". It's hard for most people to differentiate between the government he actually worked for and the ruling establishment on his home turf.

It's possible that Epstein felt his serial transgressions were merely par for the plutocracy and justified in the service of a higher calling.

The 'Israel First' philanthropist shared an unyielding ideological justification for his own criminality as Robert Maxwell, whom the British Home Office had considered recruiting for its own intelligence gathering in the mid 1960's. Having determined that the well-connected, multilingual, rising star politician was strictly "Zionist", the spy agency withdrew his candidacy.

Epstein's real crimes had little to do with raping children, despite the overturned plea deal that came about when a federal judge ruled that prosecutors had violated the victims rights by by concealing the agreement from them. The one time teflon-coated "member of intelligence" who was "above the pay grade" of a powerful District Attorney (now a now scandal-tainted former Labor Secretary) was ultimately (and lethally) penalized for not destroying the contents of his secret-laden safes, leaving his handlers still vulnerable to their explosive contents.

Had the doomed financier divested himself of the toxic assets still in his possession, he might still be roaming the earth today, scouring it for new specimens to populate his underage petting zoo. As a result of the Justice Department's decision to reverse the non-prosecution deal meant to bury the most incendiary facts of the case, lower-rung punters like former governor Bill Richardson and Senator George Mitchell are being publicly named for their part in the sordid scandal. Someone has to take the fall. ( Rule number one of PR crisis management: Crucify the insignificant and let them hang out to dry until the public tires of watching the slow motion spectacle of their undoing .) Meanwhile, documented and/or photographic evidence against more powerful players like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump will have already been destroyed in the pursuit of selective justice.

The fallout of Epstein's spectacular downfall predictably miss the mark as scandals involving the rich and powerful tend to do. Much of the controversy will dissolve into a Cheetoh dust maelstrom of disinformation, disseminated on Reddit and 4Chan by incel info-warriors before shooting up a shopping mall or playground.

Subsequent reporting of the case will overlook decades of the elite-driven state craft that elevated corrupt and ruthless entities like Epstein and Trump, both ring-kissing acolytes in their youth of influential mob fixer/politcal power broker Roy Cohn – himself a serial sexual predator who similarly caught the fancy of fellow deviants Joe McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover. Follow the money trail from Tel Aviv and you'll discover an ancestral link between the corpse of Epstein and his ghostly godfathers waiting with his rewards in hell.

Along with the other disgraced and expendable patsies left in the wake of this ongoing scandal is Alan Dershowitz, Epstein's octogenarian chief legal counsel and 'wing man' aboard the Lolita Express. The now unemployable cable news pundit will live out the remainder of his pointless life under a cloud of suspicion. Despite all the damning testimony against him, the statutory rape allegations never quite stick, but follow him around like a sneaky fart, forcing a distance between himself and the rest of humanity that will last until he is engulfed by the sulfurous fumes of his own making.

The former Harvard law professor's lifelong service to Israel will go unrewarded – not as a result of victim testimony placing him at multiple crime scenes, but in consideration of his own inept self-defense strategy: "I'm a scurvy rat aboard a sinking ship eating its own tail to stay alive. Pity me"! Dershowitz at this point will be lucky if he can achieve the same pay grade and social status of Lindsay Lohan. Ditto for Prince Andrew who can at least be relied on to expire slowly of gout in his time-out corner at Windsor Castle.

The moral of this story could be "Lie down with dogs and never wake up again with a prison-issued sheet around your neck". A variation of the old "Lie down with dogs and and wake up as fish food".

[Aug 17, 2019] Cover Up Epstein Shipped $100K Cement Mixer To 'Pedo Island' Weeks Before Crushing Exposé

Human victims?
Notable quotes:
"... While Epstein's extensive construction on the island is no secret, the timing of the cement mixer shipment - and the fact that it was express shipped, raises suspicion. ..."
"... "The shipment arrived Epstein's island on November 7th of 2018, 21 days before Julie Brown's expose was published in the Miami Herald and 23 days before Epstein allegedly began to try to pay off witnesses. Considering both the scope of Brown's article and the urgency of the shipment, the possibility that the cement mixer was used to literally cover up evidence cannot be discounted. " ..."
"... Perhaps due to the heat on from the Miami Herald reports, which Manhattan police said was instrumental in their investigation, Epstein sold his infamous 'lolita express' Boeing 727-200 just weeks before his arrest according to court filings. ..."
"... Epstein, who was arrested on July 6 after returning from Paris on his Gulfstream G550 per Bloomberg , sold "the other jet" in June, 2019 - prior to his arrest . ..."
"... On other words, it looks like the financier unloaded the potentially 'evidence-rich' aircraft - said to have had a bed installed where passengers reportedly had group sex with young girls - right before the hammer came down. ..."
"... On Monday, the FBI and NYPD raided Little St. James island last week, packing up evidence - however as Rusty Shackelford's videos reveal, some of it had already been moved prior to the raid. ( before , after - note the computer on the right is gone). Perhaps they should have raided the island the same day he was arrested? ..."
Aug 17, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Approximately three weeks before a series of damning articles hit in the Miami Herald , Jeffrey Epstein paid up front to have a $100,000 cement mixe r express-shipped to his infamous Little St. James 'pedo island' at great expense, according to the Daily Mail .

The pedophile, who was found dead by apparent suicide on Saturday while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, got the Carmix 5.5 XL self loading concrete mixer delivered to Little St. James on November 7 last year .

Epstein was in such a hurry that he paid for the machine up front so it would arrive sooner - even though it meant being responsible if it got damaged in transit.

Three weeks later the Miami Herald published a series of articles called 'Perversion of Justice' on November 28, which eventually led to Epstein being arrested in July.

Shipping experts told DailyMailTV that the possibility that it was 'used to literally cover up evidence cannot be discounted'. - Daily Mail

The mixer can be seen in a drone video taken by YouTube user Rusty Shackleford. It appears buried in a storage warehouse behind some other equipment, however its barrel drum and other distinctive features can be made out.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/A83l9p5LpF0?start=93

While Epstein's extensive construction on the island is no secret, the timing of the cement mixer shipment - and the fact that it was express shipped, raises suspicion.

"While the purchase of the cement mixer on its own is not suspicious, particularly given the reported and approved repair of cisterns on Little St. James, both the timing of the shipment and the fact that it's the only item in our records shipped with an express bill of lading do raise concerns," said shipping data analyst William George.

"The shipment arrived Epstein's island on November 7th of 2018, 21 days before Julie Brown's expose was published in the Miami Herald and 23 days before Epstein allegedly began to try to pay off witnesses. Considering both the scope of Brown's article and the urgency of the shipment, the possibility that the cement mixer was used to literally cover up evidence cannot be discounted. "

Many have speculated that Epstein had underground tunnels or facilities on his island, while the drone footage reveals what appear to be several hill-side doors.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/nK63JAcD8uQ?start=93

The Mail also notes that Epstein had a complete dentist's chair shipped to the island, while many have observed from Shackleford's videos that Epstein had an ambulance as well - which seems odd for such a small island with no known medical facilities.

Perhaps due to the heat on from the Miami Herald reports, which Manhattan police said was instrumental in their investigation, Epstein sold his infamous 'lolita express' Boeing 727-200 just weeks before his arrest according to court filings.

Epstein, who was arrested on July 6 after returning from Paris on his Gulfstream G550 per Bloomberg , sold "the other jet" in June, 2019 - prior to his arrest .

On other words, it looks like the financier unloaded the potentially 'evidence-rich' aircraft - said to have had a bed installed where passengers reportedly had group sex with young girls - right before the hammer came down.

According to investigative journalist Conchita Sarnoff - who first revealed the former president's extensive flights on Epstein's "lolita express" in a 2010 Daily Beast exposé - former president Bill Clinton flew on the 'lolita express' no fewer than 27 times.

Via Radar Online

Clinton claimed in a July statement that he only took "a total of four trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane" in 2002 and 2003, and that Secret Service accompanied him at all times - which Sarnoff told Fox News was a total lie .

On Monday, the FBI and NYPD raided Little St. James island last week, packing up evidence - however as Rusty Shackelford's videos reveal, some of it had already been moved prior to the raid. ( before , after - note the computer on the right is gone). Perhaps they should have raided the island the same day he was arrested?


Huckleberry Pie , 8 minutes ago link

Takes a lot of cement to bury DNA "evidence".

Lumberjack , 9 minutes ago link

Nuff said...

https://www.jns.org/israel-maintains-us-tier-1-rating-on-human-trafficking-for-8th-consecutive-year/

MadelynMarie , 4 minutes ago link

https://www.haaretz.com/1.5078950

Report: 3,000 Women a Year Trapped in Sex Slave Industry (in Israhell)

A special Knesset committee has found that "3,000 women are sold each year in Israel's sex industry, in transactions with an annual volume of $1 billion." Exploitation of sex workers includes imprisonment, and other forms of rank coercion.

The special Knesset committee's interim report is to be released today. It describes the sex industry as a "modern form of slavery."

vasilievich , 18 minutes ago link

The whole idea of an orgy island is insane. How many rich, desperate people are at large?

vasilievich , 28 minutes ago link

When you look at the preposterous, cheap grandiosity of the so-called temple, your first thought should be: Madness.

He was perhaps clever, and expert at manipulating other people's weaknesses, but otherwise not particularly intelligent.

holyvanguard , 41 minutes ago link

Why not just toss **** in the ocean. If you have something that needs a cement truck to cover it up, you are already screwed.

Swamp Yankee , 46 minutes ago link

If U live on an island and U have access to a boat and some rocks it is 1000x easier to make 'something' disappear than engaging in a major concrete pour.

Just sayin'/

MadelynMarie , 35 minutes ago link

Yeah, I was always thinking they/he just tossed victims in the ocean.

holyvanguard , 46 minutes ago link

Epsteins deadmans switch have not been triggered yet. I bet you he is still alive. All the evidence they give you are trying to make you think he was assassinated on purpose. I hope he is being tortured to give up all his hidden information.

MadelynMarie , 36 minutes ago link

here's one possible scenario as to how it went down: https://blog.nomorefakenews.com/2019/08/14/jeffrey-epstein-is-alive-a-fictional-scenario/

Smi1ey , 1 hour ago link

Did they take a cadaver dog to the island?

vasilievich , 1 hour ago link

People seem to think that rational decisions were made by a rational person or persons. Why?

Indelible Scars , 1 hour ago link

A concrete truck isn't worth a damn without concrete. I doubt he had a plant there but who knows? He surely could afford a small cement plant.

Bobportlandor , 1 hour ago link

The concrete truck is a small cement mixer just add:

1 part Portland cement

2 parts sand.

3 parts gravel.

1/2 part water.

Question I have is where is he placing the concrete if underground he needs a pumper and access point.

kaiserbill57 , 2 hours ago link

Two Words : Corpse Removal

Sudden Debt , 2 hours ago link

It was clear that the house was cleaned when he died.

It took weeks before they raided the house...

Try not to pay your taxes and see how long it takes before they take everything not nailed down from your office...

this is a joke...

where the CIA, NSA and FBI are involved.

Robin D. Hood , 1 hour ago link

JE is almost certainly alive. Decoy ambulances, no raids until weeks afterward and not at all locations allowing cleanup after he was extricated from 'prison' and debriefed.

Israel involved (as are other countries) leadership and business top guns.

Even Ghislaine (Gill-lane, silent s) has not been interviewed as well as Wexner, Kushner(s) et.al ..(can't forget Adnan Kasoggi and the Jewish mob).

JE isn't stupid and has insurance policies. He's alive and cut a deal not to use said insurance policies if allowed a very quiet retirement.

This is as big if not bigger than 911 with close ties if not involvement. Even Larry Silverstein is connected.

We can demand investigations until we become cyanotic but will be given a ******** happy meal (**** sandwich) ending served on a silver (MSM) platter.

Jared Diamond once wrote a book about this. Have you had enough? Has public perception become a turning point?

I would safely assume Jared Diamond is Jewish. The point he made in his book is things change after a certain percentage of the public agree on a concept or idea.

Case in point:

Prior to Steven Spielberg making a movie about an idea called The Holocaust. Anti Semitism was a worn out excuse used for decades with no effect except for those in the Jewish community.

After the film aired, public perception changed (perception management) to favor the idea set forth in the film and now anti-semitism is a weaponized term used for political purposes.

Anyone with any grey matter and synaptic activity should be very concerned now. It's time.

wdg , 2 hours ago link

Mega Group, Maxwells and Mossad: The Spy Story at the Heart of the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal

The picture painted by the evidence is not a direct Epstein tie to a single intelligence agency but a web linking key members of the Mega Group, politicians (Trump included), and officials in both the U.S. and Israel, and an organized-crime network with deep business and intelligence ties in both nations.

by Whitney Webb

https://www.mintpressnews.com/mega-group-maxwells-mossad-spy-story-jeffrey-epstein-scandal/261172/

[Aug 16, 2019] Epstein was a high level asset; not a low level thug. If he was killed, it sends a disquieting message to other undercover high level assets

Notable quotes:
"... There's no doubt in my mind that no jail will protect you when there's powerful people that want to reach you -- wherever you are. If he's going to implicate anyone in power that has the ability to reach in and somehow get to him – his life is definitely in jeopardy. ..."
"... Epstein was a high level asset; not a low level thug. If he was killed, it sends a disquieting message to other undercover high level assets. Then again, if he was rescued (i.e swapped out) then it sends a good message. BTW ask any psychiatrist if a true narcissist would commit suicide. ..."
Aug 16, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

frankthecrank , 11 minutes ago link

From this article https://torontosun.com/news/world/epsteins-sick-mantra-on-teen-sex-victims-the-younger-the-better

Kuvin added:

" There's no doubt in my mind that no jail will protect you when there's powerful people that want to reach you -- wherever you are. If he's going to implicate anyone in power that has the ability to reach in and somehow get to him – his life is definitely in jeopardy.

"I do question whether it was a true suicide attempt. I mean how do you choke yourself? It doesn't make any sense."

Epstein is currently locked up in the Metropolitan Correctional Centre ahead of a trial for charges of sex trafficking involving dozens of underage girls.

apberusdisvet , 3 minutes ago link

But...but...but

Epstein was a high level asset; not a low level thug. If he was killed, it sends a disquieting message to other undercover high level assets. Then again, if he was rescued (i.e swapped out) then it sends a good message. BTW ask any psychiatrist if a true narcissist would commit suicide.

Totally_Disillusioned , 20 minutes ago link

Can the Greatest Story Ever Told get any more bizarre? Why the endless drivel on Epstein? I believe it's perception management and aimed at focusing on Epstein as a perverse weirdo not to be believed, deflecting attention from the patrons of his debauchery.

Wild Bill Steamcock , 22 minutes ago link

Really ******* suspicious how they've moved the goal posts on that. Like that article posted here yesterday about his former bodyguard back-tracking from a prior interview where he stated Epstein liked younger girls and tried to stop him. Then this new interview a few days ago the guy was saying Epstein didn't have a thing for underage girls, he just liked women in their early-to-mid 20s. Guy was scared shitless and warned the reporter to back off

They're trying hard to rewrite this shitshow

[Aug 16, 2019] This Is How Epstein Manipulated Vulnerable Young Girls (And How You Can Protect Your Children From Predators)

Aug 16, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

This Is How Epstein Manipulated Vulnerable Young Girls (And How You Can Protect Your Children From Predators)

by Tyler Durden Fri, 08/16/2019 - 18:25 0 SHARES

Authored by Daisy Luther via The Organic Prepper blog,

This article contains content that some may find distressing.

Jeffrey Epstein "was" apparently a serial molester of children. He had manipulation down to an art form, as many molesters do. He seemed to be an expert at figuring out a girl's weak point, whether it was poverty, a deceased family member, or feeling alienated from her peers.

This is a common ploy. Many molesters seek out children or teens who have lost a parent and use this as a way to build a friendship. Then, because children don't think like adults, they are manipulated, coerced, or threatened into sexual activity.

The story below could be told a hundred thousand times with only tiny changes. The names and the faces would be different. The settings might not be a mansion in Manhattan or in Palm Beach but rather a quiet part of a church, a school, or some kind of activity for teens. The setting could be in the house next door to you, where someone with evil intent befriends a vulnerable young person with the stated goal of helping them, but an end result that couldn't be further from reality.

How 14-year-old Jennifer Araoz met Jeffrey Epstein

Jennifer Araoz was 14 years old when she first met her future rapist, Jeffrey Epstein. She wrote about how she was manipulated, first by his recruiter, then by Epstein himself. There are many powerful lessons that we as parents can learn from her story.

During my freshman year, one of Epstein's recruiters, a stranger, approached me on the sidewalk outside my high school. Epstein never operated alone. He had a ring of enablers and surrounded himself with influential people. I was attending a performing arts school on the Upper East Side, studying musical theater. I wanted to be an actress and a singer. ( source )

Another report based on court documents says that the recruiter befriended Jennifer, took her out to eat after school a few times, and learned more about her, such as the fact that Jennifer's father had died from an AIDs-related illness and her family could barely scrape by financially.

The recruiter told me about a wealthy man she knew named Jeffrey Epstein. Meeting him would be beneficial, and he could introduce me to the right people for my career, she said. When I confided that I had recently lost my father and that my family was living on food stamps, she told me he was very caring and wanted to help us financially. ( source )

The recruiter finally got Jennifer to go with her to meet Epstein. Court documents say that they all three met together for the first month or so.

The visits during the first month felt benign, at least at the time. On my second visit, Epstein also gave me a digital camera as a gift. The visits were about one to two hours long and we would spend the time talking. After each visit, he or his secretary would hand me $300 in cash, supposedly to help my family. ( source )

Epstein claimed he was 'a big AIDS activist' which you can imagine would mean a lot to a 14-year-old whose father died of the disease.

Soon the visits would take a dark turn.

By the second month of Jennifer's visits to the mansion, the recruiter no longer attended the visits., the manipulation began in earnest.

But within about a month, he started asking me for massages and instructed me to take my top off. He said he would need to see my body if he was going to help me break into modeling. I felt uncomfortable and intimidated, but I did as he said. The assault escalated when, during these massages, he would flip over and sexually gratify himself and touch me inappropriately. For a little over a year, I went to Epstein's home once or twice a week.

After that day, I never went back. I also quit the performing arts school -- the one I had auditioned for and had wanted so badly to attend. It was too close to his house, the scene of so many crimes. I was too scared I would see him or his recruiter. So I transferred to another school in Queens close to my home. Since I was no longer able to pursue my dream of performing arts I eventually lost interest and dropped out. ( source )

Sure, we can say that she knew things weren't right when he asked her to take her top off. By this point, she was 15 years old. Old enough to know right from wrong. But if she was getting $300 twice a week and helping her family with it, it's pretty easy to see how she would want to continue helping her family despite her discomfort. Epstein knew exactly what he was doing.

Epstein's wealth, power, and connections would have made going against him seem like an insurmountable feat for a vulnerable 15-year-old girl who had recently lost her father. Who would have believed her word against that of this presumed philanthropist?

A few days ago, Jennifer, now 32, filed a massive lawsuit against Epstein's estate, Ghislaine Maxwell, and 3 members of Epstein's household staff. The complaint alleges that Maxwell and the staff "conspired with each other to make possible and otherwise facilitate the sexual abuse and rape of Plaintiff."

Some of Epstein's victims recruited new girls for him.

Epstein's indictment explains how he manipulated some of the girls he sexually abused to bring other girls to him.

Prosecutors say he lured underage girls, some as young as 14, to his residences, promising them a cash payment in exchange for giving him a massage. Instead, he would sexually abuse them -- groping them, making them touch him while he masturbated, and using sex toys on the minors. Then, he would allegedly ask them to recruit other girls. ( source )

A detailed report in the Miami Herald referred to it as a "sexual pyramid scheme." One of Epstein's accusers, Courtney Wild, reiterates the theme of the story told by Jennifer Boaz.

"Jeffrey preyed on girls who were in a bad way, girls who were basically homeless. He went after girls who he thought no one would listen to and he was right,'' said Courtney Wild, who was 14 when she met Epstein. ( source )

Courtney's time spent with Epstein nearly destroyed her.

Before she met Epstein, Courtney Wild was captain of the cheerleading squad, first trumpet in the band and an A-student at Lake Worth Middle School.

After she met Epstein, she was a stripper, a drug addict and an inmate at Gadsden Correctional Institution in Florida's Panhandle.

Wild still had braces on her teeth when she was introduced to him in 2002 at the age of 14.

She was fair, petite and slender, blonde and blue-eyed. ( source )

She began to recruit other girls for him in Palm Beach.

Wild said Epstein preferred girls who were white, appeared prepubescent and those who were easy to manipulate into going further each time

"By the time I was 16, I had probably brought him 70 to 80 girls who were all 14 and 15 years old. He was involved in my life for years," said Wild, who was released from prison in October after serving three years on drug charges.

The girls -- mostly 13 to 16 -- were lured to his pink waterfront mansion by Wild and other girls, who went to malls, house parties and other places where girls congregated, and told recruits that they could earn $200 to $300 to give a man -- Epstein -- a massage, according to an unredacted copy of the Palm Beach police investigation obtained by the Herald. ( source )

Epstein had it down to an art form.

Palm Beach police detective Joseph Recarey explains how Epstein insinuated himself into the girls' lives.

"The common interview with a girl went like this: 'I was brought there by so and so. I didn't feel comfortable with what happened, but I got paid well, so I was told if I didn't feel comfortable, I could bring someone else and still get paid,' '' Recarey said.

During the massage sessions, Recarey said Epstein would molest the girls, paying them premiums for engaging in oral sex and intercourse, and offering them a further bounty to find him more girls

Epstein could be a generous benefactor, Recarey said, buying his favored girls gifts. He might rent a car for a young girl to make it more convenient for her to stop by and cater to him. Once, he sent a bucket of roses to the local high school after one of his girls starred in a stage production. The floral-delivery instructions and a report card for one of the girls were discovered in a search of his mansion and trash. Police also obtained receipts for the rental cars and gifts, Recarey said.

Epstein counseled the girls about their schooling, and told them he would help them get into college, modeling school, fashion design or acting. At least two of Epstein's victims told police that they were in love with him, according to the police report. ( source )

You may look at these stories and scorn the victims. After all, they kept going back, didn't they? They liked the money, didn't they?

But they were children. Many of them were isolated, vulnerable, and without support systems. Many of them felt ashamed but didn't know how to extricate themselves. They were confused and scared, and Epstein was a pro at taking advantage of these emotions and doubts.

The girls are not to blame here. The adults are.

Epstein is not the only predator out there.

While this article focuses on how Epstein was able to lure so many victims, as Dagny Taggert recently wrote , there are many more people in power out there preying on children. Clergy, priests, teachers, neighbors, musicians, and random people on the internet are out there preying on and trafficking children.

Dagny wrote:

According to The National Center for Victims of Crime , the prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) is difficult to determine because it is often not reported. Experts agree that the incidence is far greater than what is reported to authorities.

Statistics below represent some of the research done on child sexual abuse.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau report Child Maltreatment 2010 found that 9.2% of victimized children were sexually assaulted (page 24).

Studies by David Finkelhor , Director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center , show that:

According to Darkness to Light , a non-profit committed to empowering adults to prevent child sexual abuse, only about one-third of child sexual abuse incidents are identified, and even fewer are reported .

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operates the CyberTipline , a national mechanism for the public and electronic service providers to report instances of suspected child sexual exploitation.

In 2018 the CyberTipline received more than 18.4 million reports, most of which related to:

Since its inception, the CyberTipline has received more than 48 million reports.

Those statistics are grim. ( source )

How do you keep your children safe?

When my children's father passed away, it wasn't too long afterward that I left my corporate job. I volunteered when the company began layoffs and took a small payment and my retirement fund to start a new life writing freelance. It wasn't long after that when I started this website.

I wanted to be home when they got back from school every day. I didn't want them to seem like prey to those looking for children with weak support systems. My own daughters could so easily have had a story like the one Jennifer has told.

I know that what I did is not possible for every family that suffers a loss. I was pretty fortunate to be able to find work from home that paid enough to allow me to be there.

What you, as a parent, must understand are the things that make your child seem vulnerable.

Some signs that your child could be getting abused or groomed.

Obviously, these lists are not comprehensive, nor are they sure signs of abuse. What teenager doesn't seem angry and withdrawn from time to time? But it's vital, no matter how hard they push you away, to stay involved, particularly after a traumatic event.

Here are some resources you may find helpful.

Teach your kids that some secrets should not be kept.

Predators manipulate children in all sorts of ways. One of the biggest ways is warning them to keep their "relationship" a secret or else.

Or else what?

Predators often put a burden on a child where they feel as though they must stay silent to protect the people they love.

Kids need to know that if anyone threatens them if they tell a secret, then they absolutely must tell that secret. Mom and Dad will be safe and will protect them. People who ask children to keep their presence in their lives a secret are never to be trusted.

And finally, make sure your children know that whatever they tell you, you will believe them and you know it's not their fault.

[Aug 16, 2019] When the law is on the side of "extraordinary" risk takers, it's more tempting to go for it

Aug 16, 2019 | www.unz.com

Daniel Rich , says: August 14, 2019 at 3:09 am GMT

@ChuckOrloski Quote: "When the law is on the side of "extraordinary" risk takers, it's more tempting to go for it."

Reply: Brilliant!

[Aug 16, 2019] Possible weakness of the hypotheses the blackmail was the motive of thing the brothel with underage prostitutes by Epstein

But why Wexner and Maxwell were involved ? Wexner gave the power of attorney to Epstein, so he essentially controlled Wexner fortune... Why such a level of trust ? Was later claims of abuse on the part of Epstein of his privileges and stolen money 40 million of which was supposed return to Wexner charity a part of cover-up
Aug 16, 2019 | www.unz.com

Paul Bustion , says: August 16, 2019 at 4:27 am GMT

Philip Giralid's theory that Jeffrey Epstein was running his prostitution ring as a honeypot operation that had his child prostitutes sexually seduce politicians so he could film the politicians having sex with children so he could blackmail them into supporting Israel and giving espionage information to the Mossad is ridiculous, to put it politely.

There is not only no evidence for this theory, there is also no reasonable or practical motive for the alleged behavior, and the alleged behavior would not make sense because it is very unlikely that any substantial number of politicians are pedophiles.

There is no reasonable or practical motive for the behavior because the Jewish political establishment already owns our political leaders as its puppets, so it does not need to blackmail them. T

he way it has establishment this amount of control is through forming a social network where Jews recruit Non-Jews to do their bidding, Jews created Freemasonry as their political agency to help them do this. Freemasonry is a political agency of Jewry, it allows Non-Jews to join it in order to help increase Jewish political power in Non-Jewish societies, Non-Jews who join it have to swear a loyalty oath to the organization and then form an in group preference for other members of the Jewish led organization. Jews also use their control of finance and banking to have this kind of political power. They do not need child prostitution ring to sexually seduce politicians so they can blackmail them to achieve political power, because they already control the political establishment.

Additionally, even if the Jewish political elites wanted or needed to blackmail our political leaders, this would be a very stupid way to do it. Filming sex between an adult and a child is a very serious crime, it actually in some cases is more serious than an adult having sex with a child, the person threatening blackmail against the person with the film would unless he had a very stupid victim have someone who would realize the person himself would go to prison if he showed anyone the film, so it would not be a good way to blackmail someone. There are much better ways to blackmail political leaders, such as finding out if they committed financial or political crimes or if they murdered someone, that would not involve such risks.

It is not plausible that any substantial number of politicians are pedophiles because pedophiles usually have very limited intellectual ability, and are perhaps even borderline mentally retarded, and pedophiles usually are mentally ill.

Dr. James Cantor, an expert on sexual perversion generally and pedophilia particularly, stated in a YouTube video titled "The Pedophile's Brain" published on the YouTube channel "TEDI BEAR Children's Advocacy Center" on July 19, 2015, that pedophiles on average, score 10-15 points below average on Intelligence Quotient tests.

That means that only between 16-25 percent of pedophiles are equally intelligent or more intelligent than the average person in western countries like Britain and America. Cantor also stated that pedophiles tend to have less white matter in their brains than the general population does, white matter is responsible for a lot of the social understanding of the brain and also for connecting brain regions to enable reasoning that requires connected understanding of different topics together. He also said that 30% of pedophiles are left handed while only 12% of the general population is left handed, this is what Darwin called a "correlation of growth" when two phenotypic traits appear very frequently together in biological organisms, another example cited by Darwin was that blue eyed cats are usually deaf.

Cantor said that the only other population groups with this high rates of left handed are autistics, schizophrenics and bipolars. Cantor concluded that what causes pedophilia is that pedophiles have a mental problem that causes their brain to be cross wired, so that the sexual responses are inappropriately connected with children whereas most people have a moral inhibition against sexual attraction to children. There are two peer reviewed articles by scientists I have read that discuss evidence autism is correlated in a causal way with pedophilia.

They are "Paraphilic Disorder in a Male Patient with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Incidence or Coincidence," by B. Kolta and G. Rossi, edited by A. Muocivic and J.R. Adler Cureus May 2018 and "Sexuality in autism: hypersexual and paraphilic behavior in women and men with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder," by Daniel Schottle, Peer Briken, Oliver Tuscher and Daniel Turner published in "Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience," in December 2017 In the second article, the authors stated: ""Altogether, paraphilic sexual fantasies and behaviors were reported more frequently in male patients with ASD than in male HCs [Health Controls; that is people who are mentally healthy and do not have autism or another mental illness]. After correcting for multiple testing, significant differences were still present in the number of individuals reporting masochistic fantasies, sadistic fantasies, voyeuristic fantasies and behaviors, frotteuristic fantasies and behaviors, and pedophilic fantasies with female children"

The authors of the first article wrote: "Fernandes et al. were able to demonstrate that 30% of the low-functioning ASD patients showed some kind of inappropriate sexual behaviors, most frequently public masturbation, indecent exposure, and inappropriate heterosexual behaviors .

When looking at higher functioning patients with autism spectrum disorder they reported 10% demonstrated inappropriate sexual behaviors . The study also revealed that 24% of high-functioning individuals with ASD engaged in paraphilic sexual fantasies or behaviors including classic presentations of paraphilic disorder such as pedophilia, voyeurism, and sadomasochism " So pedophilia is linked to both low intellectual ability, and to mental illness.

A person needs to be highly intelligent to be a political leader, George W Bush was on the dumb side for a political leader and his Intelligence Quotient was 124, that is the 94th percentile, that means George W Bush is more intelligent than 94 percent of other people.

During the Nuremberg Trials all of the Nazis leaders who did anything of real importance scored at least 120 on the Intelligence Quotient test, which means they were smarter than 90% of other people, and the Nazis were also known for being on the dumb side for political leaders. The idea that any substantial number of politicians are pedophiles is ridiculous because of this, so this makes Giraldi's claim obviously ridiculous.

[Aug 16, 2019] On The Jewish Question by Karl Marx

Something on Epstein and neoliberalism from old Karl Marx paper
Aug 16, 2019 | www.marxists.org

The monotheism of the Jew, therefore, is in reality the polytheism of the many needs, a polytheism which makes even the lavatory an object of divine law. Practical need, egoism , is the principle of civil society , and as such appears in pure form as soon as civil society has fully given birth to the political state. The god of practical need and self-interest is money .

Money is the jealous god of Israel, in face of which no other god may exist. Money degrades all the gods of man – and turns them into commodities. Money is the universal self-established value of all things. It has, therefore, robbed the whole world – both the world of men and nature – of its specific value. Money is the estranged essence of man's work and man's existence, and this alien essence dominates him, and he worships it.

The god of the Jews has become secularized and has become the god of the world. The bill of exchange is the real god of the Jew. His god is only an illusory bill of exchange.

The view of nature attained under the domination of private property and money is a real contempt for, and practical debasement of, nature; in the Jewish religion, nature exists, it is true, but it exists only in imagination.

It is in this sense that [in a 1524 pamphlet] Thomas Münzer declares it intolerable

"that all creatures have been turned into property, the fishes in the water, the birds in the air, the plants on the earth; the creatures, too, must become free."

Contempt for theory, art, history, and for man as an end in himself, which is contained in an abstract form in the Jewish religion, is the real, conscious standpoint, the virtue of the man of money. The species-relation itself, the relation between man and woman, etc., becomes an object of trade! The woman is bought and sold.

The chimerical nationality of the Jew is the nationality of the merchant, of the man of money in general.

The groundless law of the Jew is only a religious caricature of groundless morality and right in general, of the purely formal rites with which the world of self-interest surrounds itself.

[Aug 16, 2019] Wexner's connection to Israeli causes is well worth examining.

Aug 16, 2019 | www.unz.com

Wizard of Oz , says: August 14, 2019 at 4:17 pm GMT

@Ron Unz The suicide of Epstein when life as he had played it was over is less surprising than that Madoff hasn't committed suicide. And incompetence or cynical negligence in the prison service is less surprising than your admission of familiarity with the popular culture of film and TV!

On a more constructive note let me proffer the following as a source containing some possibly relevant information about Epstein and his mysterious wealth.

"The relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Jewish philanthropist Leslie Wexner, explained – Jewish Telegraphic Agency

https://www.jta.org/2019/08/13/united-states/the-relationship-between-jeffrey-epstein-and-jewish-philanthropist-leslie-wexner-explained&#8221 ;

The intelligence connection seems plausible and Mossad as the key agency but possibly having side deals with the CIA and FBI the most plausible. But, if so, Wexner's connection to Israeli causes is well worth examining.

[Aug 16, 2019] The relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Jewish philanthropist Leslie Wexner, explained - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Aug 16, 2019 | www.jta.org

( JTA ) -- One of the most befuddling questions surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein saga is why Leslie Wexner, a billionaire entrepreneur, entrusted all of his money to Epstein, a secretive financier with no college degree.

For those immersed in the Jewish world, there's an added question: How did Wexner -- a prominent philanthropist seen as a champion of Jewish learning and ethical teaching, whose foundation has trained waves of rabbis, Jewish professionals and volunteer board leaders -- end up so enmeshed and enamored with a future convicted sex offender and alleged sex trafficker?

Is Wexner connected to the sex abuse accusations against Epstein? Has the philanthropist been accused of any wrongdoing? Does any of this taint Wexner's legacy or the beneficiaries of his many programs?

Since the Epstein sex scandal resurfaced this year, these questions have dogged Wexner, the owner of Victoria's Secret who at one point was Epstein's only known financial client. Wexner was very close with Epstein and trusted him as a money manager and legal representative.

Epstein, who served a year in prison and registered as a sex offender more than a decade ago, was arrested recently and charged with sex trafficking. He was found hanged in his jail cell on Saturday in what officials are calling a suicide .

As the scandal has unfolded, Wexner and his associates have put out a series of statements on Epstein and their relationship. His connection with Epstein has also led to stormy discussions among the recipients of his largesse about the ethical dilemmas they face.

Here's a primer on how the two became so close, and why their relationship poses a dilemma for many in the Jewish community.

Who is Leslie Wexner?

He's an 81-year-old Jewish billionaire who lives in the Columbus, Ohio, area. Wexner made his fortune by founding The Limited, a women's clothing brand, in 1963.

Wexner has since expanded his apparel empire to include other brands, like Bath & Body Works, Pink and, most notably, Victoria's Secret, a once-obscure lingerie store that he turned into an empire. It's all now under the umbrella of his company, L Brands. He is the longest-running CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

He also ventured into real estate, developing the posh community of New Albany, Ohio, where Wexner lives in a 60,000-square-foot mansion. According to Forbes, he's worth $4.6 billion .

How much has he given to Jewish causes?

Plenty. The Wexner Foundation is among the most prominent private Jewish charities in the world. In 2017, according to tax documents, it gave $3.6 million in charity, much (but not all) of it to Jewish educational causes, as well as more money for educational programs.

The foundation is best known in the Jewish world for its graduate fellowship, which awards scholarships to 20 promising graduate students in Jewish fields, including rabbinical school, cantorial school, Jewish educational school or another degree program. More than 1,800 people have participated in its program aimed at providing volunteer board leadership with lessons in Jewish history, thought, texts and contemporary issues. The foundation runs a variety of other programs, including training for Israeli public officials.

What does all of this have to do with Jeffrey Epstein?

Nothing, and everything. For decades, if Wexner spent any money, Epstein was likely connected to it somehow. Epstein, a former prep school teacher, had entered the finance world and gained a reputation as an astute money manager for the super-wealthy. He met Wexner in the 1980s, and the two forged a close relationship. Epstein eventually received power of attorney over Wexner's finances.

In a statement last week distributed by his foundation, Wexner wrote that Epstein "had wide latitude to act on my behalf with respect to my personal finances while I focused on building my company and undertaking philanthropic efforts." In 2003, Wexner told Vanity Fair that Epstein had "excellent judgment and unusually high standards."

Epstein also was involved with Wexner's charitable efforts. In 1990, the two helped fund the construction of a new building for the Harvard Hillel. Two years later, after Wexner's mother fell ill, Epstein replaced her on the Wexner Foundation board.

In his recent statement, Wexner insisted that Epstein "had no executive responsibilities in the running of the Foundation" and "did not work directly with Foundation staff, and he did not engage with leadership initiatives in any way."

Sounds like they were really close.

Yes, and their relationship was more than a typical professional one. They were invested together in Wexner's Ohio real estate development. Epstein lived in Wexner's New York City townhouse for years, eventually acquiring it, along with acquiring a private plane from Wexner.

Epstein also supervised the construction of Wexner's yacht, Limitless, and was a frequent guest at Wexner's Ohio parties, according to The New York Times . The Times also reported that Epstein froze out some of Wexner's friends and acquaintances from his life.

When Epstein was first investigated in the mid-2000s, for unlawful sex acts with a minor, he denied the allegations. Eventually, however, he accepted a deal under which he pleaded guilty for two counts of solicitation of prostitution -- one with a minor. Wexner says he broke off his relationship with Epstein in 2007 and later found out that Epstein had taken a lot of money from him.

"This was, frankly, a tremendous shock, even though it clearly pales in comparison to the unthinkable allegations against him now," Wexner wrote in his recent message, regarding the financial misappropriation. "I am embarrassed that, like so many others, I was deceived by Mr. Epstein. I know now that my trust in him was grossly misplaced and I deeply regret having ever crossed his path."

In 2008, Epstein made a $46 million donation to one of Wexner's charities. Wexner wrote in his letter that "payments Mr. Epstein made to the charitable fund represented a portion of the returned monies" Epstein had misappropriated.

According to CNBC , Wexner has provided documents showing the financial misconduct to federal investigators.

So has anyone implicated Wexner in Epstein's crimes? And what does this have to do with Alan Dershowitz?

Wexner's name has been dragged into an ongoing legal battle between Alan Dershowitz and one of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, and her lawyers.

Dershowitz had his own personal and professional relationship with Epstein. They were close (Dershowitz has said he loved talking with Epstein and would show him drafts of his books) and the high-profile lawyer has helped represent Epstein. Epstein once brought Dershowitz to one of Wexner's parties -- as, Dershowitz says, an " intellectual gift " to Wexner.

Two of Epstein's alleged victims, including Giuffre, have accused Dershowitz of sexual assault, which he denies . Dershowitz claims that the accusations against him were part of a plot by one of Giuffre's attorneys, David Boies, to extort money from Wexner.

According to a report in the Miami Herald , another of Giuffre's lawyers, Stanley Pottinger, submitted an affidavit saying his client said that under Epstein's direction, she had sex with both Dershowitz and Wexner.

But New York magazine reported that "Boies had three conversations with Wexner's lawyers in 2015, after which the allegations were quietly dropped." Boies asserted in an affidavit that "no settlement demand was ever made, or even discussed."

Some of Epstein's alleged abuse occurred at the Manhattan townhouse once owned by Wexner, where Epstein lived. Another Epstein accuser, Maria Farmer, said Epstein hired her to work on a mural at Wexner's home in Ohio in the summer of 1996, and assaulted her there. In an affidavit , she asserted that "Wexner's security staff refused to let me leave the property" and that she was held against her will for approximately 12 hours.

Farmer said that after returning to New York, she filed a report with the police and the FBI.

Farmer's affidavit does not suggest Wexner himself was involved with or knew about the incident.

Federal authorities thus far have not implicated Wexner in Epstein's crimes, according to Bloomberg , but prosecutors are still investigating which if any of Epstein's business associates were involved with his alleged crimes. In a statement posted in July, Wexner insisted (in all caps) that "I was NEVER aware of the illegal activity charged in the indictment."

The Wexner Foundation has not given interviews about the scandal and declined to speak to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about the matter. JTA has asked the foundation specifically about the allegations by Farmer and Giuffre, and also has reached out to Guiffre's lawyers, including Pottinger, for comment.

According to The Times, Epstein also falsely represented himself as a talent scout for Victoria's Secret, then used that identity to meet women whom he assaulted.

L Brands' stock price has dropped as the Epstein scandal has unfolded.

... ... ...

[Aug 16, 2019] Nice guy(Bill Clinton) uhhh got a lot of problems coming up, in my opinion, with the famous island with Jeffrey Epstein lot of problems

Aug 16, 2019 | www.unz.com

Assad al-islam , says: August 13, 2019 at 8:51 pm GMT

@Junior

"Nice guy(Bill Clinton) uhhh got a lot of problems coming up, in my opinion, with the famous island with Jeffrey Epstein lot of problems."
-Donald Trump at 2015 CPAC conference

https://youtu.be/kEnkJNEMLH0

How does the Candidate Trump knew in 2015 that, "Nice guy(Bill Clinton) uhhh got a lot of problems coming up, in my opinion, with the famous island with Jeffrey Epstein lot of problems."?

What does the above tell us about Candidate Trump and his foreknowledge to things to come?

[Aug 16, 2019] The Perverted Face of Elite America by Matt Purple

Notable quotes:
"... Bill Clinton flew ..."
"... dozens of times ..."
"... on the Lolita Express; was it really beyond him to order a hit? ..."
"... New York Times ..."
"... Are the Elites the arch villains from the comic books, probably not, but then again many of them operate corporations that cause suffering to economically deprived populations all over the world. ..."
"... Why is this surprising? Aristocrats have always behaved this way. ..."
"... The sexual abuse of children and kids in their early teens is a very democratic crime. While physical abuse and neglect are linked to lower-income parents, sexual abuse occurs in all strata of society. It is not confined to the elites or to money changers. Nor to Jews, if that is what you are implying. ..."
"... Unconcerned about negative consequences, these people have become increasingly brazen. They certainly know that the laws that apply to you and me do not apply to them. ..."
"... In the words of George Carlin, "it's a big club, and you ain't in it." I stopped reading after the first two para's on this, tone is exactly the same as the sneering disdain from the empire's various MSM propaganda arms aimed at those "not in the club." ..."
"... 1) Either our intelligence agencies knew what was going on with Epstein and did nothing to stop him. Or... ..."
"... 2) They had no clue .. ..."
"... Occam's Razor says Possibility No. 1 is more likely to be the truth. But what would such a truth tell us? ..."
"... "What I am saying is that Epstein's direct testimony – AND ONLY EPSTEIN'S DIRECT TESTIMONY – had the potential to create a Common Knowledge moment that could bring down – not just specific sociopathic oligarchs like Mob Boss Donald or Mob Boss Bill or Mob Boss Andrew if they were the specific targets of that testimony – but the entire Mob system of sociopathic oligarchy. ..."
"... One strongly suspects that Ghislaine Maxwell knows just as much as Epstein did. Her participation was just as important to the operation of this "trafficking" ring. She was the lead recruiter, handled logistics, "grooming" and also was Epstein's "in" to many of his VIP associates (who were really clients). If witness accounts are accurate, she was also a participant in a good number of these depraved, criminal acts. ..."
"... The fact she has not been charged is quite the tell about our system of "justice." ..."
"... This is a dangerous slope. People once bowed to the elites because there was a principle of enforcement called nobless oblige. Society felt that elites had to be held to a higher standard because they carried greater responsibilities and burdens for society and the welfare of the national good. ..."
"... Since the 1960s nobless oblige has been downgraded to sound bites and photo ops for publicity and marketing. The elites have all but abandoned their responsibilities to support religion, to support education (except to indocrinate), to support tradition and society and the national good. The elites have become inward looking, inbred and narcissistic with little to no outward focus except in a marxist totalitarian vein of thought which serves their interest, indulges their hungers, preserves their wealth and power. ..."
"... My point was that as popolo minuti transform into popolo grossi in terms of access to power, they tend to start to transform into them in terms of moral character as well. (Inequality of) power corrupts, and absolute (inequality of) power corrupts absolutely. Thus, it seems that the over-representation of psychopaths in positions of power is because the psychopathy is acquired (and plenty of studies show drastic declines in empathy with even a little priming for power), rather than because it is easier for psychopaths to rise to the top. The worst of the popolo grossi tend to be hereditary. ..."
"... I think we're a lot closer to 1789 France than we want to believe. Read some Chris Hedges to see how the socialists see the current situation. Here's an example. https://www.commondreams.or... ..."
"... "given that all available evidence points to gross negligence on the part of the jail." How is gross negligence different from deliberate negligence? ..."
Aug 16, 2019 | www.theamericanconservative.com

In our tense populist moment, Jeffrey Epstein's crimes land like a grenade. August 15, 2019

Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in Cambridge, MA on 9/8/04. (Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images) Hands up, those of you who made a Fort Marcy Park joke last Saturday. Anyone? Surely there were a few. Fort Marcy Park was the Washington, D.C. woodland where White House attorney Vince Foster was found dead in 1993, and while his demise was repeatedly ruled a suicide, certain conservatives spent years afterwards hallucinating that the Clintons had him killed. Now, a quarter century later, both right and left are back in conspiracy mode. Mere hours after pedo-to-the-stars Jeffrey Epstein was reported to have killed himself, the hash tag #ClintonBodyCount began circulating on Twitter, followed closely by #TrumpBodyCount. Both Bill Clinton and Donald Trump had been associates of Epstein's; both, the thinking went, might have been desperate for him not to take the stand.

It is wrong, of course, to publicly speculate that Epstein was whacked, given that all available evidence points to gross negligence on the part of the jail. But can you really blame people? Twenty-five years ago, if you'd said that a roll call of America's elites, everyone from a former president to the most famous lawyer in the country, would be implicated in a sex trafficking ring masterminded by an enigmatic Wall Street financier who was also a member of the Trilateral Commission , you would have been laughed into the darkest corner of the local subway platform (next to the guy holding the "Vatican Hides Pedophiles" sign, presumably). Today, you'd be reading AP copy. Validate an improbable conspiracy theory, and you grant license to all the related improbable conspiracy theories: Bill Clinton flew dozens of times on the Lolita Express; was it really beyond him to order a hit?

And if we know one thing about the Epstein story, it's that everything about it is utterly improbable. Epstein stands credibly accused of assembling a veritable underage harem . One of his victims, Virginia Guiffre, has already implicated Prince Andrew , the third-born of Queen Elizabeth II, and a picture has since emerged showing the royal with his arm around the then-teenager's waist. Guiffre says she was also ordered to have sex with , among others, a "foreign president," a "well-known prime minister," and a "large hotel chain owner." Such an open secret was all this perversion that the current president of the United States made cheeky reference to it back in 2002. So invincible did Epstein think himself that he discussed underage sex openly, telling a New York Times reporter that laws against pedophilia were a "cultural aberration."

That Epstein looked to other cultures to rationalize his behavior is nothing new -- Oscar Wilde wrapped his similar predilections in lofty talk about the Greek ideal. What is different is that rather than being hunted and exposed by the powerful, as Wilde was, Epstein was protected by them for decades. Even after he was convicted of soliciting an underage prostitute in 2008, he was sentenced to only 18 months in prison, held in a private wing of the Palm Beach County stockade, and let out on generous "work release."

Study the Epstein case long enough and you end up at Alex Jones's favorite conclusion: they're all sons of bitches. Everyone who was anyone seemed to be in on this, or at least acting at the behest of someone who was. The essence of the conspiratorial mindset is that powerful shadowy forces are, first, capable of and engaged in the most dastardly skullduggery imaginable, and, second, in cabal-like cooperation with each other across all levels of power. The Epstein case seems to affirm both planks. It makes our elites seem like aliens, of a different culture, a different moral code, a different species -- how else could they have let slide what none of us ever would? Mary Colum's remark to Ernest Hemingway, "The only difference between the rich and other people is that the rich have more money," has rarely rang less true.

There's been for some time now a sense of drift between most Americans and their elites, driven by factors like income inequality, geographic enclaving, and cultural differences. We are living in a populist moment, to be sure, an era when the usual purveyors of class warfare sound more apt than they otherwise would. In such a fraught environment, the Epstein revelation lands like a grenade. Not only are America's gentry hitching rides on the Acela while mumbling about deplorables -- so the feeling goes -- they're also running cover for a Caligula who's preying on little Susie down the street. Suddenly the populist divide doesn't just run between classes or races or regular toast versus avocado, but between ethical extremes, good and literal evil.

This is, of course, what most populists profess: the people as a group are wholesome, the elites as a group are venal, and the former has to be vaulted over the latter in order for society to be made whole again. Yet Epstein's crimes are so wicked as to potentially set this moral chasm ablaze like never before. That's why, though Trump may have associated with Epstein, he's unlikely to be damaged by him: everything that's happened only confirms what he's been saying for years. In fact, you might view the Epstein fracas as a dialectic between two of his former associates, Trump's throw-them-out populism versus Clinton's benevolent stewardship of society by the smart set. And Trump won out.

Just as populisms aren't driven entirely by economic causes, so too are revolutions often about more than bread. Consider the Russian Revolution, sparked at least in small part by the people's perception of Rasputin as a sexual deviant. Consider, too, the French Revolution's rage against the profligate "Madame Déficit" Marie Antoinette. In such cases, the moral tends to get intertwined with the economic; license is seen as enabling decadence while the people pray and starve. This can be a blind spot in traditional conservative thinking. We rightly detest (most) revolutions and the tremors they cause, but we sometimes fail to notice that the Jacobins have good reason to be angry and that the ruling classes they overthrow really are that loathsome.

America is nowhere near 1789 France, or armed revolution in general. But we are anxious, restive, hungry for justice. A republic likes ours depends on the harmonious coexistence of its people and its elites, a matter that our Founders spent a good deal of time worrying about. Now we have a hideous face f0r elite corruption, one that's enabled fever in the national mind and dehumanized those around him. For those of us who prize stability and liberty in a polity, who think populism is always best in modest doses, the weeks ahead may be reason for worry.

Because it seems there's only more to come. On Wednesday, another victim came forward , alleging that Epstein raped her when she was 14 after she turned down sex with him. That this carnal omega, this pathetic loser, this finger-sniffing pervert from every teen comedy lurking outside the pretty girl's home longing for a piece of discarded lingerie was somehow elevated into a Teflon-coated Wall Street sun god is beyond comprehension. My friend Michael Davis calls Epstein and company the Hellfire Club , but just how much will they torch on their way down?

Matt Purple is the managing editor of .


Amy Ehlers a day ago • edited

When I started to see what was going on in this country, which was my journey, I was amazed to find out that there is sex trafficking 8 blocks from the White House and I learned of this in 2011. Lisa Ling did a great documentary on it. "Night time traffic greater than the day time." Pimps attempting to recruit girls walking home from school. If you pay attention it is also a journey of the food chain of Corporate America that supports this.
This is a Money Changer issue, that is about the closing of eyes from both parties. and please don't tell me this is not so. I know better than that.
Krazy Uncle a day ago
To be absolutely, clear there was speculation that Epstein was going to be assassinated weeks before it happened. For the most part citizens aren't so much surprised, as disappointed that Justice is once again foiled.

Are the Elites the arch villains from the comic books, probably not, but then again many of them operate corporations that cause suffering to economically deprived populations all over the world.

When the World's 26 richest people own as much as poorest 50%, just how close do they seem to achieve a god like status when looking up from the bottom? Maybe that's one reason that people are so angry when it seems that the most vulnerable among us, our children, are the victims of a limited number of the Elites and their twisted and horrific appetites.

I personally doubt much will come of the Epstein affair it will most likely be just one more myth added to the tally of injustice, and the people will have to bitterly swallow it whole. It will probably take many more cases like this being exposed before the people actually have their fill, and decide to do something about it. In the meantime, prepare to see more of the same by the laughing and mocking Elites

Krazy Uncle Bill In Montgomey 15 hours ago
In this day and age, I doubt a reporter will touch this story, and if they did, the real story would never make it into the Main Stream Media. And, most likely the reporter would be permanently black balled, and never work in Journalism again. It's happened many times before, because it doesn't fit within the approved propaganda message.

Give the story a couple decades or more, and it may come out, but otherwise it will be handled as a whack-job Conspiracy Theory.

The Fourth Estate is the only business that is protected by the Constitution, and yet it has been neutered, and those in the Press, who were supposed to be the Watchdogs for the people, have become the Lapdogs of the Elites.

What passes as News today is formulaic programming, passed on from the Propagandist to the Media, both nationally and locally.

Have you ever seen Conan O'Brian's local news videos?
Newscasters Agree: Rising Gas Prices Edition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAkxR9T01pw
There is one reporter, Julie K. Brown, of the Miami
Herald that actually brought to light the Epstein story again.
Here's the Thing: How Julie Brown broke the Jeffrey Epstein story
https://www.wrvo.org/post/heres-thing-how-julie-brown-broke-jeffrey-epstein-story

So, there is at least one reporter that has the guts to do investigative journalism hope her life insurance policy is up to date.

p.s. I didn't listen to the broadcast in the second link I just posted it in case others are interested. I've read the story elsewhere.

polistra24 a day ago
Why is this surprising? Aristocrats have always behaved this way.
minsredmash a day ago
Two Republican state senators and two New York City Policemen died violently within 72 hours ....

1. On June 4, former Arkansas Senator Linda Collins-Smith, 57, was found dead outside her home, her body unrecognizable on discovery. Police are now investigating her death as a homicide. On June 5, the county prosecutor announced that the circuit judge sealed the documents and statements obtained by police.
2. On June 5, Deputy Chief Steven Silks, 62, weeks away from retirement, was found in an unmarked police car with a gunshot wound to the head. News reports reported indicate it seemed self-inflicted.
3. On June 5, former Oklahoma Sen. Jonathan Nichols, 53, was found shot dead in his home. Police have not announced whether they are investigating a suicide or homicide..
4. On June 6, Detective Joseph Calabrese, 58, was found near his police car on a Brooklyn, NY beach, dead of a gunshot wound in what one report called an apparent suicide.
RIP.
Many other Americans died violently this past week. Why link these four together?

The answer comes down to a dark suspicion and a few hard facts which suggest that one or more of these four deaths might have had something to do with these individuals' work against pedophiles and human trafficking, or the official corruption so often surrounding both.

Source .

Now Jeffrey Epstein...

Jessica Ramer Amy Ehlers a day ago
The sexual abuse of children and kids in their early teens is a very democratic crime. While physical abuse and neglect are linked to lower-income parents, sexual abuse occurs in all strata of society. It is not confined to the elites or to money changers. Nor to Jews, if that is what you are implying.

Just about everyone in America has a family member who was sexually abused by someone who was usually not elite. Therefore, I cannot get worked up about class issues because of Jeffrey Epstein.

What I can get worked up about are the way elites start wars for poor people to die in and the way poor people get cruel sentences while the elite either walk or get the Epstein treatment--private wing, generous work release.

mrscracker Jessica Ramer 16 hours ago
I agree. Young girls are trafficked in more circles than the elite. I don't understand the connection to any particular social class. But better connected people do have better lawyers and can get away with more. Until like Mr. Epstein , they don't.
Bill In Montgomey a day ago • edited
The true character of these people is starting to be revealed. This (lack of) character is not only displayed when these men travel to Pedo Island, it's on display everywhere they go, in everything they do. Every organization they lead, or have anything to do with, is likely rotten to the core.

Unconcerned about negative consequences, these people have become increasingly brazen. They certainly know that the laws that apply to you and me do not apply to them.

If the system is so corrupt to have protected Epstein for decades, who else is being protected? Who else is getting away with figurative rape in every department of government, or house of finance?

The sooner the public recognizes the "true face" of our elites and rulers the better. Left to their own devices, these people - who think they have class but in reality are the worst kind of trash - can bring down a nation.

Krazy Uncle Bill In Montgomey a day ago
who else is being protected?

Good point... who else indeed... and how many more children are suffering?

prodigalson a day ago
Literally no one I know thought this guy would make it to trial alive with the exception of me, as I still had some hope in the system, and I was proven wrong. I've lost whatever remaining faith I had in the system.

In the words of George Carlin, "it's a big club, and you ain't in it." I stopped reading after the first two para's on this, tone is exactly the same as the sneering disdain from the empire's various MSM propaganda arms aimed at those "not in the club."

Sid Finster a day ago
There are two possibilities here:

1) Either our intelligence agencies knew what was going on with Epstein and did nothing to stop him. Or...

2) They had no clue ... which would mean our much vaunted intelligence community knew nothing about the travel habits of the "ruling class" of the world, about Jeff Epstein's real activities, had received no tips, had no insiders, and were incapable of "putting two and two together," etc. In short, Big Brother - with all its resources and intelligence and sources - with capabilities that put the Gestapo or the KGB to shame - had no idea.

Occam's Razor says Possibility No. 1 is more likely to be the truth. But what would such a truth tell us?

Mccormick47 Sid Finster a day ago
The third possibility is that BigBrother was in on it and didn't object to sacrificing teenage girls to get compromising information on people they wanted tp blackmail.
Sid Finster a day ago
"What I am saying is that Epstein's direct testimony – AND ONLY EPSTEIN'S DIRECT TESTIMONY – had the potential to create a Common Knowledge moment that could bring down – not just specific sociopathic oligarchs like Mob Boss Donald or Mob Boss Bill or Mob Boss Andrew if they were the specific targets of that testimony – but the entire Mob system of sociopathic oligarchy.

Jeffrey Epstein was the Missionary to bring down the monsters behind the monster, to bring down the SYSTEM of monsters. Jeffrey Epstein's books and records are not. The individual voices of Jeffrey Epstein's victims are not.

And that's what makes me angriest of all.

That while the individual victims of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes will maybe (maybe!) get some smattering of "justice" and recompense from the show trial of a monster's estate, there will be no Justice served against the monsters behind the monster, that the Mob system of sociopathic oligarchy that CREATED this Jeffrey Epstein and the next Jeffrey Epstein and the next and the next will continue unabated. Untouched. Golden."

https://www.epsilontheory.c...

Bill In Montgomey Sid Finster a day ago
One strongly suspects that Ghislaine Maxwell knows just as much as Epstein did. Her participation was just as important to the operation of this "trafficking" ring. She was the lead recruiter, handled logistics, "grooming" and also was Epstein's "in" to many of his VIP associates (who were really clients). If witness accounts are accurate, she was also a participant in a good number of these depraved, criminal acts.

The fact she has not been charged is quite the tell about our system of "justice."

Tony55398 a day ago
Whether Epstein was killed or committed suicide I don't know. I would however like to know who these elites were who participated in the rapes of these young girls. They are just as guilty as Epstein whether they knew the ages of these girls or not, it was there responsibility to find out.
ChristopherRobin1 a day ago
This is a dangerous slope. People once bowed to the elites because there was a principle of enforcement called nobless oblige. Society felt that elites had to be held to a higher standard because they carried greater responsibilities and burdens for society and the welfare of the national good.

Since the 1960s nobless oblige has been downgraded to sound bites and photo ops for publicity and marketing. The elites have all but abandoned their responsibilities to support religion, to support education (except to indocrinate), to support tradition and society and the national good. The elites have become inward looking, inbred and narcissistic with little to no outward focus except in a marxist totalitarian vein of thought which serves their interest, indulges their hungers, preserves their wealth and power.

What you are have been seeing since the 1960s is the veneer being pulled off the rich and powerful. I would say Nixon and Princess Diana and Ted Kennedy did the most to pull down the veneer from the rich and powerful but it could be argued that Nixon and Princess Diana and Ted Kennedy were accidental victims of circumstance. However Epstein's human trafficking of children for sex and blackmail .... breaks the most because his crimes were no accident nor was he a victim of circumstance. Epstein planned this and created an organization around it elevating his elitist crimes to a level no that I dont think anyone in modern history can match.

atimoshenko ChristopherRobin1 a day ago
I doubt that history's elites were ever any better. It's just that with far less transparency and access, it was much easier for them to hide how awful they were. The 1960s was the start of mass media, and so the veneer started to crack.
Bill In Montgomey ChristopherRobin1 a day ago
I do think this COULD qualify as "the story of the century." That is, If the story was told in its entirety - all "names" exposed.

If fully told, the swamp might, in fact, be "drained."

Now the people in said swamp have a strong incentive to protect their domain. Which is why so many of us are skeptical the true story will ever be told.

If there was ever a time where brave and patriotic whistleblowers were needed ...

BXVI a day ago • edited
"This is, of course, what most populists profess: the people as a group are wholesome, the elites as a group are venal, and the former has to be vaulted over the latter in order for society to be made whole again."

Sorry, but take a look at the average American. The so-called "people" are for the most part just as morally obtuse as the "elites" but they carry the additional burden of being not only ignorant but also stupid. Just look around. Best recent example of the utter stupidity of the American people: a recent survey shows they think 23% of the population is gay. Really.

johnhenry a day ago
"Hands up, those of you who made a Fort Marcy Park joke last Saturday."

Matt, are you tired of people making jokes about *purple prose*?
Just wondering :)

atimoshenko a day ago
But isn't the issue exactly that the "only difference between the rich and other people is that the rich have more money" comment is perfectly true?

The rich and powerful are us, but corrupted by riches and power. Many of them behave the way many of us would quickly start to behave if we found ourselves in their shoes. If the gap in power between you and most other people is so huge that you can do anything to them and get away with it, your morals stop applying to them because you start to view them as somewhat subhuman. In this sense, I'm sure Epstein never even thought of raping the underage daughters of other elites.

Thus, the issue is stratospheric inequality of power (by whatever fungible measure you choose - money, political, religious, social, etc). And we see it happen ALL the time throughout history and across geographies - as soon as the power gap is in excess of social boundaries, as soon as there is a group of people you can do pretty much anything you want to and get away with it, you start going a little crazy. Exploitation, rape, torture, murder, slavery - everything starts looking justified. Then it's just a matter of degree, with tin-pot dictators on one end and Epstein somewhere in the middle.

Cosmin Visan atimoshenko 20 hours ago
Read Machiavelli. He observed that the popolo minuti (regular folks) just wished to be left alone by authorities whereas popolo grossi (fat cats) were of a different psychological composition: they delighted in deception, were vain, greedy and hungry for power.

Centuries later, studies of psychopaths reveal these creatures are different from regular humans at the brain level. The elites are psychopathic (the key ones are) and no, they ain't like regular people. They are literally a different kind.

atimoshenko Cosmin Visan 11 hours ago • edited
My point was that as popolo minuti transform into popolo grossi in terms of access to power, they tend to start to transform into them in terms of moral character as well. (Inequality of) power corrupts, and absolute (inequality of) power corrupts absolutely. Thus, it seems that the over-representation of psychopaths in positions of power is because the psychopathy is acquired (and plenty of studies show drastic declines in empathy with even a little priming for power), rather than because it is easier for psychopaths to rise to the top. The worst of the popolo grossi tend to be hereditary.

In my opinion, there is nothing so dangerous as to believe that evil people are a different breed from the rest of us. Instead, they tend to simply be us, but in different circumstances. History tends to show that revolutions aimed at replacing the evil people with better people end up with corrupted revolutionaries, rather than a fundamentally less abusive system.

minsredmash atimoshenko 6 hours ago • edited
"It reminds me of a well known speech by a defense counsel, who pleaded his client's poverty as an excuse of robbing and murdering six of his victims, on the lines that "My client's poverty drove him to murder six people, everybody else would have done the same!"

Dostoevsky, The Idiot.

phreethink a day ago
Outstanding article. However, I think we're a lot closer to 1789 France than we want to believe. Read some Chris Hedges to see how the socialists see the current situation. Here's an example. https://www.commondreams.or...
Zsuzsi Kruska a day ago
Elites, that is those with more wealth and/or power than the rest of the masses have always been this way. Remember how decadent the European aristocracy was with their sport of "wenching"? that is going around in groups raping young peasant girls. Also, there was the Hellfire Club which you can research if you want details. This scandal will get less and less coverage in the MSM until it fades away like all the others involving the rich and powerful.
Jr. a day ago
The Global "Elite" control our Ruling Class by means of blackmail. A person does not get raised to high truly influential positions of power(Politicians, Judges, Hollywood, etc.) unless they have enough dirt on you to know that they can control you without question. The most powerful form of blackmail that they have is ped0filia because it is THE most abhorrent crime that someone can commit, so much so that even criminals in prison refuse to allow ped0 scumbags to be housed near them.

Trump has an obvious penchant for beautiful WOMEN not kids. He was helping and somewhat part of the "Elite" in that he was joining in with them to buy politicians for influence but Trump neutralized that being over his head by openly admitting to buying politicians. They thought it was safe to allow him to run because they thought it was a joke and he would never get elected. They were wrong. In my opinion, they don't have enough dirt on him to get him to go along with their agenda of selling out the USA to the highest bidder hence the all-out attacks on him.

The key to understanding the "Elite"/Ruling Class dynamic is not conflating the two and realizing that blackmail is the main tool used by the one to keep the other under their control.

*Sorry about the Trump tangent above but it's absolutely ridiculous that people are trying to tie Trump to Epstein even though Trump has been trying to bring national attention to the Epstein case FOR YEARS.

Cosmin Visan 20 hours ago
"given that all available evidence points to gross negligence on the part of the jail." How is gross negligence different from deliberate negligence?

You can tell? And btw the WaPo just came out with news that broken bones in Epstein's neck are more usual in cases of homicide.
I generally see anyone who belittles

'Conspiracy theorists' as part of an Establishment that uses 'incompetence' as the perennial excuse for everything that goes wrong.

stevek9 19 hours ago • edited
The old accusation, that you are a 'conspiracy theorist' (a term invented by the CIA after the Kennedy assassination) is holding less and less weight. The irrational kooks now seem to be the people who think Epstein committed suicide. Jokes were everywhere about how 'we were shocked to hear about the suicide of Jeffrey Epstein, next Tuesday' when a day later we hear, 'Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide'.

By the way, this equivalence between Trump and Clinton is bogus, I believe. There isn't much evidence of any involvement of Trump (some evidence to the contrary in fact), but there is a load of evidence suggesting 'Wild Bill' was availing himself.

JeffK from PA stevek9 5 hours ago • edited
Remember when Maxine Waters was labelled a kook for saying the CIA was bringing cocaine into her LA district? She was mocked and ridiculed. Now we know she was right. You can't make this stuff up.
YoungHegelian2020 18 hours ago
I'm sorry, but this case stinks to high heaven, and if you're ready to accept "gross negligence" as the explanation you're likely to believe ANYTHING the authorities tell you. Epstein was either murdered, as the autopsy and reports of shrieking from his cell indicate, or subbed out by intelligence services and replaced by a murdered homeless person who received plastic surgery. Study the history of modern intelligence services: appearances are deceiving, and systemic disinformation is endemic to politics. Careful public speculation, acknowledging where we're uncertain, is very much the responsible thing to do; otherwise there is no hope of democratic accountability. The investigation we're being promised will be conducted by the exact same institution -- the US Department of Justice -- that was responsible for keeping Epstein safe and securing his public testimony about his criminal network. These are the people you want us to trust? Come on, a little critical reasoning, please!
Bryan 10 hours ago
The most ridiculous part is the idea that being rich and powerful gives you a predilection to turn a blind eye. My wife's family turned a blind eye to a perverted uncle that molested multiple family members over decades. No one stood up, it would've been a shame to them to admit it. How is this any different?
Will Thomas 10 hours ago • edited
No one really cares. He was pretty rich. Talk radio and weird cable conspiracies shows will benefit. Truth is irrelevant.

[Aug 15, 2019] Kit Knightly at OffGuardian has a great commentary on how the Guardian is shaping its coverage of this Epstein situation, particularly in regard to all us conjecturing types:

Aug 15, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

Baby Gerald , August 15, 2019 at 4:46 pm

Kit Knightly at OffGuardian has a great commentary on how the Guardian is shaping its coverage of this Epstein situation, particularly in regard to all us conjecturing types:

Guardian Attacks Epstein "Conspiracy Theories"

It's a pretty scathing take-down and a fun read.

todde , August 15, 2019 at 6:25 pm

from the article:

which totally ignores a cardinal rule when dealing with state agencies: They will only admit to incompetence if the truth is worse.

LOL. Mirrors what I said earlier.

true, so very true.

[Aug 15, 2019] You can't make this up: Ghislaine Maxwell was spotted reading a book called "The Book of Honor: The Secret Lives and Deaths of CIA Operatives"

Aug 15, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

Deschain , , August 15, 2019 at 5:06 pm

https://nypost.com/2019/08/15/jeffrey-epsteins-gal-pal-ghislaine-maxwell-spotted-at-in-n-out-burger-in-first-photos-since-his-death/

> Maxwell was reading a book called "The Book of Honor: The Secret Lives and Deaths of CIA Operatives"

You can't make this up. It's like they are doing everything possible to give conspiracy theorists maximum ammo. All we need now is to find out that Maxwell's Twitter handle is '#M0554d4g3nt4L1f3'

Librarian Guy , August 15, 2019 at 7:38 pm

That is hilarious, thank you for the link– & at first I misread that title as “The Book of Horror”- perhaps more fitting to the actual topic.

Summer , August 15, 2019 at 5:33 pm

“Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s one-time girlfriend and alleged co-conspirator, was spotted Monday at an In-N-Out Burger in Universal City, California, of all places.”

I pass this place nearly every day…
Need me to grab her?

[Aug 15, 2019] I have insufficient information to make a judgement, however I do consider it more likely than not that Epstein was killed.

Such statements means loss of the confidence in justice system and neoliberal elite ability to provide eqaul justice for all..
Aug 15, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

Tom Stone , , August 14, 2019 at 10:02 am

For what it is worth ( Not much), I have spoken to about a dozen people about Epstein's death. Not one of them believes Epstein committed suicide. I asked a wide range of people from small town mayors to Realtors to a commercial fisherman.

I have insufficient information to make a judgement, however I do consider it more likely than not that Epstein was killed. My opinion is based on nothing more than 60 plus years of paying attention to how things really work, it was a mighty convenient death.

[Aug 14, 2019] Johnny Carson used to joke "do you know how bad the economy is these days?" [sidekick] "no, Johnny, just how bad is the economy?" "it's so bad, organised crime has had to lay off 5 judges this week "

Notable quotes:
"... This is doomed to dissolve. To a greater and significant degree, the public is finding true justice wanting, and thus holds no trust in Government, at All levels. ..."
Aug 14, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

Clive , August 14, 2019 at 9:25 am

Then you get a tame judge assigned (and that's nothing new, even Johnny Carson used to joke "do you know how bad the economy is these days?" [sidekick] "no, Johnny, just how bad is the economy?" "it's so bad, organised crime has had to lay off 5 judges this week ") to let Epstein off with a slap on the wrist, a year at the Four Seasons low security penitentiary and early release through time served.

Much simpler than any of the other notions and achieves exactly the same result (Epstein is subject to "the full force of the law" but stays happily alive to tell the tale and keep his finger off the Dead Mans Switch).

If you were in charge of all this, which solution would you try first? If you've ever worked in a big, but incompetent, organisation (and if they're big, they're almost certainly going to be incompetence personified), you wouldn't even need to ask yourself that question.

polecat , August 14, 2019 at 3:11 pm

This is doomed to dissolve. To a greater and significant degree, the public is finding true justice wanting, and thus holds no trust in Government, at All levels.

But hey that's just conspiracy theory talk .. right ?

[Aug 14, 2019] In any case the stuff the Deep State factions are struggling over, war, empire, funny money, and other con games, are inherently corrupt and corrupting, and formal dominance could only mean submission to the rules of the Game. Probably better to lose influentially; victory is death.

Notable quotes:
"... In the case of Epstein, I was thinking not that he was a principal who had to be offed because he ' knew too much ', but was more like the racehorse whose head winds up in someone's bed. ..."
Aug 14, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

Anarcissie , , August 14, 2019 at 5:03 pm

If you consider social democrat types to be Left -- the 'near Left' -- then they've made great progress during the reign of Trump. It is true they are nowhere near dominance as yet, but in any case the stuff the Deep State factions are struggling over, war, empire, funny money, and other con games, are inherently corrupt and corrupting, and formal dominance could only mean submission to the rules of the Game. Probably better to lose influentially; victory is death.

In the case of Epstein, I was thinking not that he was a principal who had to be offed because he ' knew too much ', but was more like the racehorse whose head winds up in someone's bed. Or hearing that someone has been given plutonium tea. 'We can do this, sucker!'

elissa3 , , August 14, 2019 at 2:55 pm

A more elaborate take on factional struggle: https://www.oftwominds.com/blogaug19/deep-state-war8-19.html

[Aug 14, 2019] Is this RICO case

Aug 14, 2019 | www.unz.com

Hopscotch , says: August 10, 2019 at 11:55 pm GMT

If Trump were interested in "winning", as he likes to claim, he would push the DOJ to view this as a RICO case, not one about a single rich pedophile. There was a criminal organization at work here, with multiple conspirators and enablers. They should be indicted. Additionally, there are enough people on the periphery -- ex-presidents, financiers, professors, etc -- that deserve to be dragged in front of a jury, where they can publicly plead the 5th.

This should have been the approach from Day 1, and hopefully, Epstein's suspicious death will be a catalyst for it.

[Aug 13, 2019] Epstein's business was to facilitate one spcific form of corruption of politicians and other powerfule players

Aug 13, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

karlof1 , Aug 12 2019 5:55 utc | 74

Craig Murray's sober, reflective note on Epstein begins and ends with corruption as its main theme. I hope people find the time to read it. He doesn't delve deeply, but at base it what is known as seigniory rights--the right of the lord to take and rape whomever he wants with impunity, which is one of the most brutal forms of corruption imaginable. Epstein's business was to facilitate that form of corruption. Yes, it's illegal and immoral, but the primary fact is that its corrupt--it has no sanction whatsoever. And it's exactly that sort of primal corruption that is visited upon the vast majority daily. Passing legislation that will knowingly result in the poisoning of millions--stunting the brains of the young--which was just done and signed into law by Trump is what I'm writing about. It's a different form of rape, but it's rape nonetheless. But it seems that only bothers me, and Craig Murray.

Jay , Aug 12 2019 13:35 utc | 91

Tonymike:


So "it's all the fault of the Jews and the Israelis, no one else is ever involved in sex trafficking of young "white" girls", sarcasm from me.

Why don't you drop your BS auto-anti-Semitism and look at everyone else documented to have been involved.

/div>

For those who claim public view of Epsteins corpse,very understandably and necessary ,I would say,that even then there's possibility of being misled.The film industry manages to produce props that look very real,human face included.I stood once before a prop representing the corpse of a shot down horse,even at fifty cm from it I thought it was real.There was no smell of course,but even that can be staged.The people allowed to view Epsteins cadaver really would need to put a knife in it,to assure its being real,and then try to pull off the mask that could be his face.

Posted by: willie , Aug 12 2019 14:02 utc | 94

For those who claim public view of Epsteins corpse,very understandably and necessary ,I would say,that even then there's possibility of being misled.The film industry manages to produce props that look very real,human face included.I stood once before a prop representing the corpse of a shot down horse,even at fifty cm from it I thought it was real.There was no smell of course,but even that can be staged.The people allowed to view Epsteins cadaver really would need to put a knife in it,to assure its being real,and then try to pull off the mask that could be his face.

Posted by: willie | Aug 12 2019 14:02 utc | 94

willie , Aug 12 2019 11:11 utc | 84 Taffyboy , Aug 12 2019 11:25 utc | 85
Interesting list, sorry about the length of copy and paste, from Zerohedge then.

In 2016 CBS Las Vegas posted a list of Bill and Hillary Clinton associates alleged to have died under mysterious circumstances.

Here is that list.

1- James McDougal – Clintons convicted Whitewater partner died of an apparent heart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key witness in Ken Starr's investigation.

2 – Mary Mahoney – A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown .. The murder happened just after she was to go public w:th her story of sexual harassment in the White House.

3 – Vince Foster – Former White House counselor, and colleague of Hillary Clinton at Little Rock's Rose Law firm. Died of a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide.

4 – Ron Brown – Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman. Reported to have died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist close to the investigation reported that there was a hole in the top of Brown's skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the time of his death Brown was being investigated, and spoke publicly of his willingness to cut a deal with prosecutors. The rest of the people on the plane also died. A few days later the Air Traffic controller commited suicide.

5 – C. Victor Raiser, II – Raiser, a major player in the Clinton fund raising organization died in a private plane crash in July 1992.

6 – Paul Tulley – Democratic National Committee Political Director found dead in a hotel room in Little Rock , September 1992. Described by Clinton as a "dear friend and trusted advisor".

7 – Ed Willey – Clinton fundraiser, found dead November 1993 deep in the woods in VA of a gunshot wound to the head. Ruled a suicide. Ed Willey died on the same day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill Clinton groped her in the oval office in the White House. Ed Willey was involved in several Clinton fund raising events.

8 – Jerry Parks – Head of Clinton's gubernatorial security team in Little Rock .. Gunned down in his car at a deserted intersection outside Little Rock Park's son said his father was building a dossier on Clinton He allegedly threatened to reveal this information. After he died the files were mysteriously removed from his house.

9 – James Bunch – Died from a gunshot suicide. It was reported that he had a "Black Book" of people which contained names of influential people who visited prostitutes in Texas and Arkansas

10 – James Wilson – Was found dead in May 1993 from an apparent hanging suicide. He was reported to have ties to Whitewater..

11 – Kathy Ferguson – Ex-wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson, was found dead in May 1994, in her living room with a gunshot to her head. It was ruled a suicide even though there were several packed suitcases, as if she were going somewhere. Danny Ferguson was a co-defendant along with Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones lawsuit Kathy Ferguson was a possible corroborating witness for Paula Jones.

12 – Bill Shelton – Arkansas State Trooper and fiancee of Kathy Ferguson. Critical of the suicide ruling of his fiancee, he was found dead in June, 1994 of a gunshot wound also ruled a suicide at the grave site of his fiancee.

13 – Gandy Baugh – Attorney for Clinton's friend Dan Lassater, died by jumping out a window of a tall building January, 1994. His client was a convicted drug distributor.

14 – Florence Martin – Accountant & sub-contractor for the CIA, was related to the Barry Seal, Mena, Arkansas, airport drug smuggling case. He died of three gunshot wounds.

15 – Suzanne Coleman – Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death.

16 – Paula Grober – Clinton's speech interpreter for the deaf from 1978 until her death December 9, 1992. She died in a one car accident.
17 – Danny Casolaro – Investigative reporter, investigating Mena Airport and Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists, apparently, in the middle of his investigation.

18 – Paul Wilcher – Attorney investigating corruption at Mena Airport with Casolaro and the 1980 "October Surprise" was found dead on a toilet June 22, 1993, in his Washington DC apartment had delivered a report to Janet Reno 3 weeks before his death.

19 – Jon Parnell Walker – Whitewater investigator for Resolution Trust Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington ,Virginia apartment balcony August 15, 1993. He was investigating the Morgan Guaranty scandal.

20 – Barbara Wise – Commerce Department staffer. Worked closely with Ron Brown and John Huang. Cause of death: Unknown. Died November 29, 1996. Her bruised, naked body was found locked in her office at the Department of Commerce.

21 – Charles Meissner – Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John Huang special security clearance, died shortly thereafter in a small plane crash.

22 – Dr. Stanley Heard – Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health Care Advisory Committee died with his attorney Steve Dickson in a small plane crash. Dr. Heard, in addition to serving on Clinton 's advisory council personally treated Clinton's mother, stepfather and brother.

23 – Barry Seal – Drug running TWA pilot out of Mena Arkansas, death was no accident.

24 – Johnny Lawhorn, Jr. – Mechanic, found a check made out to Bill Clinton in the trunk of a car left at his repair shop. He was found dead after his car had hit a utility pole.

25 – Stanley Huggins – Investigated Madison Guaranty. His death was a purported suicide and his report was never released.

26 – Hershell Friday – Attorney and Clinton fundraiser died March 1, 1994, when his plane exploded.

27 – Kevin Ives & Don Henry – Known as "The boys on the track" case. Reports say the boys may have stumbled upon the Mena Arkansas airport drug operation. A controversial case, the initial report of death said, due to falling asleep on railroad tracks. Later reports claim the 2 boys had been slain before being placed on the tracks. Many linked to the case died before their testimony could come before a Grand Jury.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES/HENRY CASE:
28 – Keith Coney – Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a truck, 7/88.

29 – Keith McMaskle – Died, stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988

30 – Gregory Collins – Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.

31 – Jeff Rhodes – He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash dump in April 1989.

32 – James Milan – Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his death was due to natural causes".

34 – Richard Winters – A suspect in the Ives/Henry deaths. He was killed in a set-up robbery July 1989.

THE FOLLOWING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE ALSO DEAD
35 – Major William S. Barkley, Jr.

36 – Captain Scott J . Reynolds

37 – Sgt. Brian Hanley

38 – Sgt. Tim Sabel

39 – Major General William Robertson

40 – Col. William Densberger

41 – Col. Robert Kelly

42 – Spec. Gary Rhodes

43 – Steve Willis

44 – Robert Williams

45 – Conway LeBleu

46 – Todd McKeehan

And the most recent, Seth Rich, the DC staffer murdered and "robbed" (of nothing) on July 10. Wikileaks founder Assange claims he had info on the DNC email scandal.

Not Included in this list are the 4 heroes killed in Benghazi.

And now you can add multi-millionaire Jeffrey Epstein to the list...

[Aug 13, 2019] 'Shrieking' Heard From Epstein's Jail Cell The Morning He Died

Notable quotes:
"... With Epstein dead, four women accused of recruiting underage girls for sex with the pedophile financier are coming into focus, including British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell - who has denied all claims ..."
"... She was more of a partner in his obsession, really," said Miami Herald reporter Julie Brown , who spent more than two years looking into Epstein's controversial 2008 plea deal. "And there are allegations that she was involved in having sex with some of these girls as well ..."
"... Court documents from 2011 reveal Epstein controlled several apartments in a building just blocks from his $77 million New York townhouse and allegedly housed "underage girls from all over the world ..."
Aug 13, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

With Epstein dead, four women accused of recruiting underage girls for sex with the pedophile financier are coming into focus, including British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell - who has denied all claims.

On Monday, AG Barr said that Epstein's alleged co-conspirators "should not rest easy" just because Epstein won't have his day in court.

"Let me assure you that case will continue on against anyone who was complicit with Epstein," said Barr in remarks to a New Orleans law enforcement group, "Any co-conspirators should not rest easy. Victims deserve justice and will get it."

Maxwell is said to be Epstein's ex-girlfriend turned business associate. Her current location is unknown.

"She was more of a partner in his obsession, really," said Miami Herald reporter Julie Brown , who spent more than two years looking into Epstein's controversial 2008 plea deal. "And there are allegations that she was involved in having sex with some of these girls as well."

Court documents from 2011 reveal Epstein controlled several apartments in a building just blocks from his $77 million New York townhouse and allegedly housed "underage girls from all over the world." - CBS News

[Aug 13, 2019] Our Overly Militarized Foreign Policy Gets Even Worse

Aug 13, 2019 | www.theamericanconservative.com

Daniel Benaim and Michael Walid Hanna explain that the U.S. military presence in the Middle East hasn't changed much at all under Trump, but there has been a reduction in diplomatic engagement:

For all the headlines, the U.S. military presence in the Middle East is fairly consistent. Despite the administration's intention, laid out in the 2018 National Defense Strategy, to refocus the U.S. military on great-power competition, the U.S. footprint in the Middle East remains relatively constant, and seemingly permanent. Instead, what has changed is the scale of civilian effort that, in most previous administrations, would have accompanied such a military presence. The Trump administration has left numerous vacancies for key civilian positions unfilled for long stretches, slashed aid programs, and focused on high-level personal relations at the expense of broader ties. Altogether, its approach has not been typified by either retrenchment or interventionism but by what Barry Posen, writing in Foreign Affairs, has called "illiberal hegemony" -- military superiority shorn of diplomatic stewardship.

Benaim and Hanna are right about this, and their article is a welcome corrective to the many false claims that Trump is "retreating" from the region. The administration's disdain for diplomacy and aid has been impossible to miss over the last two and a half years, and they have combined that with more or less continuing the military deployments and missions that they inherited. What that means in practice is that the U.S. remains entangled in the affairs of the region, but our government's involvement leans even more heavily towards the military. That leaves every other kind of engagement underfunded, understaffed, and neglected. Since our foreign policy is already excessively militarized, this makes a bad problem worse. Benaim and Hanna note this later in the article:

This approach also exacerbates the long-standing problem of overreliance on the military as the central tool of U.S. Middle East policy. Even on a diplomat's best days, regional leaders are well aware of the "consul effect" -- the contrast between well-resourced American military commanders and their relatively impoverished diplomatic colleagues. Further marginalizing diplomats costs them influence, access, and bargaining power, while positioning the military and intelligence communities as the only effective U.S. institutional actors in the region.

Given the reality that the U.S. military presence hasn't been reduced, and has actually increased in some places over the last two years, how is it that we keep hearing about U.S. "retreat" and "withdrawal" as if these were happening? Client states have an incentive to whine about possible "abandonment" no matter what the U.S. does. Either they complain about an "abandonment" that has supposedly already happened, or they warn against a possible "abandonment" that might take place in the future. The whining serves the purpose of putting pressure on every administration to maintain existing commitments and then to add more. Then there are pundits and analysts at home that constantly fret about U.S. "withdrawal" as a way of agitating for increased involvement. Then there are the supporters of the president that want to pretend that the "withdrawal" is really happening in order to credit the president for doing something he hasn't done. Add them all up, and you get an unfounded consensus that the U.S. is "retreating" when virtually nothing has changed. In the case of Trump, there is an additional factor of taking the president's rhetoric at face value while ignoring what his administration is doing. Trump boasts about some things that never happened and never will happen, and for some reason he is blamed/credited for things he never does while his real policies often escape close scrutiny.

Put simply, U.S. military engagement in the Middle East is largely unchanged and has even escalated to some degree under Trump, but all other kinds of engagement get short shrift. Far from disentangling the U.S. from its excessive commitments in the region, Trump has embraced our worst clients and deepened our government's involvement in the worst way for the sake of arms sales and whipping up anti-Iranian sentiment. This is the exact opposite of what should be happening, and it is antithetical to a foreign policy that extricates U.S. forces from the region.

[Aug 12, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein RIP by Philip Giraldi

The big question now is will his pimpette Giselle Maxwell sing
Aug 12, 2019 | www.unz.com

The Jeffrey Epstein saga goes on even though convicted pedophile Epstein himself has been found hanged in his jail cell in Manhattan. One has to wonder how he managed to kill himself, if that is indeed the case, as he was reportedly on suicide watch at the prison and it is to be presumed that he had been stripped of any clothing or accoutrements that would have been usable to that end. So, he is dead but did he do it himself or was he helped? There are many prominent individuals and powerful government agencies that will be very pleased that he is gone as most of his secrets will have gone to the grave with him.

There was certainly a warning that something might happen. Two weeks ago, he was reportedly found unconscious in his jail cell with marks around his neck. It was suggested that he might have tried to kill himself or, alternatively, had been beaten up by another inmate. There was also considerable speculation that some aggrieved part of the Deep State was trying to kill him to silence him.

The subsequent press reports revealed that Epstein had been taken to a hospital, but there has been no follow-up about his condition or status apart from a brief note that he had been returned to the same jail under suicide watch. In any event, the story had pretty much died, which is precisely what a lot of the high rollers and politicians who became involved with Epstein would have liked to see happen. Nevertheless, investigations of the "Affair Epstein" reportedly were continuing at the federal level as well as in New York State and Florida.

The most recent elaboration of the Epstein saga prior to his death came from his former patron Leslie Wexner, the canny Jewish business tycoon who built an Ohio based fashion empire called L Brands from scratch. L Brands, by the way, includes Victoria's Secret, which features young women strutting around in their underwear. The 81 year old Wexner claimed in a 564 word letter that the wily Epstein "misappropriated vast sums of money" from him. In the letter Wexner admitted to having lost at least $46 million from his family money, but some media accounts are suggesting that the fraud amounted to much more, possibly as much as $500 million. And the alleged theft also extended to property, to include the series of transactions that left Epstein possessing the Upper East Side mansion where he resided and did his filming of celebrities having sex with young girls, estimated to be worth $56 million, as well as the commercial airliner that became the Lolita Express and a yacht.

(Leslie Wexner. Credit: American Academy of Achievement/ YouTube)

Now, either sum of purloined money is not exactly pocket change even for multi-billionaire Wexner, even if rag trade magnate was enamored of the massages he was getting at Epstein's house. It would take an extremely poor businessman to be unaware of losing that kind of money and that much property unless his name were Donald Trump.

Wexler claimed that he began to sever ties with Epstein in 2007, after Florida authorities charged Jeffrey in early 2006 with multiple counts of molestation and unlawful sexual activity with a minor. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of solicitation of prostitution from a minor and was required to register as a sex offender, but he received an astonishingly mild jail sentence of eighteen months with a private cell, unlimited visitors including young women, and daily release so he could be picked up by his driver to go to work in his Palm Beach office, a bit of incomprehensible leniency that is currently being subjected to criminal investigation by the state of Florida. After the sentence was handed down the county sheriff observed that "He was astonished that [Epstein] had to go to prison at all."

Indeed, the entire Florida side of the Epstein story seems to have disappeared down some memory hole. Epstein was convicted for his involvement with prostitution, but the only remaining issue was the consequences that he faced. That is where other players stepped in, including Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz, Palm Beach county state attorney Barry Krischer, and the Miami office U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta.

My belief that Jeffrey Epstein was an intelligence agent is based principally on Acosta's comments when being cleared by the Trump transition team. He was asked "Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for confirmation hearings]?" "Acosta testified that he'd had just one meeting on the Epstein case. He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had 'been told' to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. 'I was told Epstein belonged to intelligence and to leave it alone.'"

The questions about Epstein remain even though he is gone, but one fears that the authorities will be disinclined to further investigate a dead man. It appears that no one in the various investigative agencies or the mainstream media has been interested in what Acosta meant, even though it would be simple enough to ask him. Who told him to back off? And how did they explain it? And then there is Epstein's Austrian passport. Was it fake or real, with a real name and photo substitution or alternation of both picture and name? How did he get it? Austrian passports are highly desirable in intelligence circles because the country is neutral and its holders can travel just about everywhere without a visa.

And there's more. As a former intelligence officer myself, there is little doubt in my mind that what Epstein did and how he did it was an intelligence operation. There is no other viable explanation for his filming of prominent politicians and celebrities having sex with young girls. And as for the question of whom Epstein might have been working for, the most likely answer is Mossad . The CIA would have had no interest in compiling dossiers on prominent Americans, but American movers and shakers like Bill Clinton, with his 26 trips on the Lolita Express , former Governor Bill Richardson, or former Senator George Mitchell are precisely the types of "agents of influence" that the Mossad would seek to coerce or even blackmail into cooperation.

Other compelling evidence for a Mossad connection came from Epstein's relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell, who reportedly served as his key procurer of young girls. Ghislaine is the daughter of Robert Maxwell , who died or possibly was assassinated in mysterious circumstances in 1991. Maxwell was an Anglo-Jewish businessman, very cosmopolitan in profile, like Epstein, a multi-millionaire who was very controversial with what were regarded as ongoing ties to Mossad. After his death, he was given a state funeral by Israel in which six serving and former heads of Israeli intelligence listened while Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir eulogized : "He has done more for Israel than can today be said."

Israel and high-profile Jewish players also have continued to turn up like bad pennies in the Epstein case, but no one seems to be interested in pursuing that angle. Epstein clearly had contact with former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak and Wexner also had close ties to the Jewish state and its government. Barry Krischer, who may have been the source of the comments to Acosta, has received the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) award . Evidence also suggests that Krischer, cooperating with rabidly pro-Israel Epstein lawyer Alan Dershowitz, played a key role in the failure to adequately punish Epstein for his conviction for pedophilia. According to a recent New Yorker story , the police investigators of the Epstein case observed that "the tone and tenor of the discussions of this case with Krischer changed completely" after his meetings with Dershowitz. At that point, the two detectives most involved in the case found themselves under extreme pressure. They were surveilled constantly by private investigators and they even had their household trash snatched and searched. And the resulting plea agreement with Krischer " was due to the efforts of Dershowitz, who had proceeded to attack and smear the victims."

Krischer claims that his office "subpoenaed witnesses took evidence to a Grand Jury, which returned a single felony count indictment against Epstein of soliciting prostitution," but the reality appears to be that he worked with the defense to get Epstein off. There was plenty of evidence based on more than forty interviews with victims to convict Epstein, but instead of having him arrested, Krischer instead set up the Grand Jury with no mention of underage victims to mitigate the possible consequences. He also did not inform the victims of what he had arranged so they could challenge the verdict and penalty, a violation of Crime Victims Rights Act.

The Palm Beach police who worked the case at the time told The Miami Herald as part of an investigation published in November that they felt pressured by Krischer to downgrade Epstein's case to a misdemeanor, or to drop it entirely. They said "the fix was in." Acosta, more recently, did not refer to Krischer by name during an early July news conference, but spoke of the Palm Beach County state's attorney. He described his own office as stepping in to ensure Epstein faced some form of punishment. "Simply put, the Palm Beach State Attorney's Office was willing to let Epstein walk free. No jail time. Nothing," Acosta said. "Prosecutors in my former office found this to be completely unacceptable, and we became involved."

After thirteen months in country club jail in Palm Beach, Epstein was released. At his mansion in New York City, he subsequent had an artist paint a mural of himself in jail, evidently as an insider joke for those who knew about his time behind bars. End of story? Not exactly, even though Epstein is now dead. But the key questions go unanswered including was he a spy for Israel? And what about the Krischer-Dershowitz connection that kept him from being punished commensurate with his crimes? Did those instructions also come from Israel or from its friends in the U.S. Justice Department? Will the three simultaneous investigations currently taking place even continue and ask the right questions now that the target of the investigation is gone? Given the high stakes in the game, quite likely, there will be a cover-up both of how Epstein lived and how he died. We the public will never know what Epstein was all about.

Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is [email protected]


iffen , says: August 10, 2019 at 5:54 pm GMT

We the public will never know what Epstein was all about.

Astute observation, which means of course that we can endlessly speculate with little fear of contradiction.

Question: If I film a person having sex with an underage girl I have committed a major felony. How many people would use that film as blackmail knowing that its release will land him in prison?

Colin Wright , says: Website August 10, 2019 at 6:06 pm GMT
For too many people, it's the ideal outcome. Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, Prince Andrew those are the ones we spotted.

Moreover, it's possible the pool was about to expand a lot. Drawn by the scent of that supposed five hundred million dollar fortune, a law firm was searching for more of Epstein's victims. Who knows who they would have named?

There would have been a welter of civil suits, All the beans could have been spilled.

And gee now we'll never know. I doubt if much trace of that supposed fortune is ever going to be found. It never was clear how Epstein made money, or even who he made it from, and yet he had multiple fabulous estates -- including his own private island -- and a private Boeing 727. Whoever supplied the funds for all this is going to go away, leaving no trail behind them.

Colin Wright , says: Website August 10, 2019 at 6:12 pm GMT
I'm reminded of the considerably more obscure Zygier case.

Zygier was an Australian Jew who followed that familiar path for idealistic young Jews from the diaspora : get smitten with Israel, make aliyah , and serve in Israel's noble armed forces.

In Zygier's case, his service took the form of joining the Mossad. Evidently, he saw something there that offended his refined ethical sensibilities; he was locked up and held incommunicado pending trial. Sadly, he 'committed suicide' -- in a cell under twenty-four hour suicide watch -- before he could appear in court.

The M.O. seems the same.

Lot , says: August 10, 2019 at 6:29 pm GMT
@Colin Wright "a law firm was searching for more of Epstein's victims. Who knows who they would have named?"

They can still sue his estate. Not like it matters much for civil suits if he is dead. His testimony would not have been credible or helpful for either side.

Kayjay , says: August 10, 2019 at 7:05 pm GMT
I can't even understand why he came back to the states to be arrested. With all his contacts he must have known that if he came here that would be the outcome. If the powers that be wanted to get rid of him he would have had an accident ages ago. Maybe it was more important to have him arrested and instill fear in all the people caught up by his honey trap it certainly would help to exert pressure if there was a particular agenda that needed to be accomplished. My feeling is that he has been whisked off to a new life with his awesome retirement package.
peterAUS , says: August 10, 2019 at 7:13 pm GMT
Beautiful, for a couple of reasons:

TPTBs really, REALLY, don't care what the rest think or feel. Well, except for one thing, maybe: "Look what we can do to one of us. Now .think a bit, what can we do to YOU?".

The "rest", at the same time, also don't care much. Most people won't simply register this. So much for "informing/educating people to create a positive social change".

The very mechanisms of society which are supposed to prevent this, let alone investigate and punish the perpetrators, obviously, won't do it. Independent ..hahahaha ..media. Judiciary. Police. Famed security services.
If this had happened anywhere else in the world the USA media/public would've been shitting, with reason, all over it. Not in the land of free. Well, that does prove that American society is exceptional.

This is really "in your face". Scary, actually, how "they" really don't care. Not because "they" are what they are. Because "we" are what "we" are.

It would be interesting to see what's going to happen to the plebs involved. My take: some disciplinary action now. And, perhaps, the same guy(s) employed somewhere with much better pay and perks.

Or dead. Doesn't' matter, of course.

What a world. Just beautiful.

anon [544] Disclaimer , says: August 10, 2019 at 7:20 pm GMT
"If I film a person having sex with an underage girl I have committed a major felony. How many people would use that film as blackmail knowing that its release will land him in prison?"

For the same reason people build nuclear weapons but don't ever use them: the potential for MAD is there should anyone get out of line and attack so there is never an attack. The money keeps flowing to Israel and no administration votes against them in the UN.* Besides, if Epstein were contracted by Mossad, they presumably would have copies of this dirt and they could easily release it through a third party. That's certainly a calculation the victims would have made. We already know a former Israeli PM with high level contacts in the IDF and, possibly, Mossad not only had personal contact with Epstein but also had a business relationship with him through a company based in Israel. Wexner could have funneled money through that company to conceal the operation's finances, which would have been beyond the ability of US regulators to examine.

Personally, I find it incredulous that Wexner would have been unaware of missing $500 million. That's an extraordinary sum. We know Wenxer is an ardent Israeli nationalist who has in the past organized fellow Jewish billionaires (Study Group / Mega Group) for the purposes of promoting "Jewish charity" the perfect front to run an operation. Study this man's ties and you will almost certainly find Mossad. Wexner was the perfect means to fund Epstein's operation: wealthy, ethnocentric, and highly connected to other big time players in finance, politics, and the entertainment industries (great for recruiting) – the perfect cover to shield Israel from blow back in the unlikely event the operation became public. This was Mossad. Count on it. it's what I would do.

*Sorta funny how American administrations stopped voting against Israeli interests around the time when video cameras became widespread, isn't it? Further, has anyone ever wondered what happens when all those freshly minted democrats join leadership in their freshmen luxury tours of Israel? Seems like the perfect time to gather some dirt. I wonder if their hotel rooms get special visits from young women? If I were honest CIA, I might have a problem with this activity if I were honestly working for this country and not a certain other one, that is.

unit472 , says: August 10, 2019 at 7:48 pm GMT
So many questions and we are supposed to have confidence in the same FBI and DOJ that created Russiagate to investigate another stinking pile of corruption? Why not appoint James Comey as a special counsel to investigate the Epstein affair? That will keep everything hidden for a few years.

Here's what bothers me. George Mitchell, Bill Richardson even Bill Clinton are has beens and, let's face it, to a septuagenarian lecher the difference between an 16 year old and an 18 year old girl is a distinction without a difference. Epstein could have run his version of the Playboy Mansion unhindered for the rest of his life had he just made sure his 'pleasure units' had drivers licenses that said they were 18. Hell, Monica Lewinsky was 21 and Bill Clinton risked his presidency to conceal that affair. If blackmail is your game you don't need teenyboppers to ruin a political career. Ask Gary Hart or John Edwards!

There is something missing in this Epstein drama. Something so devastating that it goes beyond any single person's survival. Something that would bring down an agency ( like the FBI ) were it to be revealed.

Goy , says: August 10, 2019 at 8:07 pm GMT
@peterAUS With all the dystopian bills and laws passed in the last two years, with the current attack on the 1st and 2nd amendment, with the effective neutering of congress and its politicians reduction to puppets for special interests and the lobby, finally with the attack on the internet, you knew the West is moving into totalitarian mode. But the murder-suicide of Epstein outright confirms it. Welcome to the USSA. It's a big club and YOU ain't in it!

Unless you are a billionaire, Zionist or top level agent useful to them of course.

But it does make you wonder what Americans will do. If the British crown had done a 1/10th of what the current elite does You have to wonder if Ernst Zundel's prophecy will come true in the end. Or if the people will really just go quietly into the night and slumber away consuming superhero movies, junk food and second-hand memories of a time long passed and dreams of a fake utopia that will never be and was a lie to begin with.

Colin Wright , says: Website August 10, 2019 at 8:37 pm GMT
@Lot ' They can still sue his estate. Not like it matters much for civil suits if he is dead. His testimony would not have been credible or helpful for either side.'

You assume they can find his estate. I imagine that -- the title to the plane, the island, the imaginary stock portfolio -- is all going to prove remarkably evanescent.

Whoever was funding Epstein is going to roll up the carpet behind them as they go. There'll be nothing to take.

CK , says: August 10, 2019 at 8:56 pm GMT
@Muggles Both of those deaths lead back to Mueller. Likewise the wrist slap for major kiddie porn distributor David Asimov ( son of Isaac ). If you venture farther back you find Mueller butt deep in the BCCI scandal.
Leif Sachs , says: August 10, 2019 at 9:25 pm GMT
As to how Epstein got his fake passport, it's highly likely he got it from Ronald Lauder, son of Estée Lauder and currently President of the World Jewish Congress. At the time Epstein received his fake Austrian passport, Lauder was US ambassador to Austria.

It's time Wexner's shady past received more scrutiny, as it would reveal everything about the true nature and extent of Epstein's operation. Wexner has had both ties to the mob and the CIA. He shared the same very private terminal for fueling and customs inspections at Rickenbacker Airport with the CIA's Southern Air Transport airline (later Evergreen Aviation), known for its "Torture Taxi" rendition flights and drug trafficking. Wexner used Southern Air Transport to fly clothing in from Hong Kong, which back in the day was the main heroin hub. It may be that Wexner received a cut of the CIA's drug money for serving as a front, at a time when Epstein was doing the book keeping for Wexner.

One of Wexner's brands is called Express, which started out as Limited Express. No doubt "Lolita Express" is a play on that, as there was a habit of using variations of the Limited name. Wexner had a super yacht called "Limitless" that Epstein used.

renfro , says: August 10, 2019 at 9:29 pm GMT
@anon

Personally, I find it incredulous that Wexner would have been unaware of missing $500 million.

Wexner knew it , he just didn't do anything about it which begs the question why? There is also the question of why Wexner gave Epstein a 'power of attorney' over his family charity fund. A man in his position would have a dozen attorneys who would have told him not to do that.

There were billions of dollars at risk on what Epstein could tell.

"Besides Lex Wexner of L Brands who now (15 years after the fact) says Epstein stole $45 million from him which he made no effort to get back there was Leon Black.

"Leon D. Black, head of Apollo Global Management one of the world's largest private equity firms
Black's links to Epstein have become a source of concern to some Apollo employees and investors, including the California Public Employees' Retirement System, which has committed more than $5 billion to 11 Apollo funds and is its second-largest shareholder.
"Calpers takes this issue very seriously," Wayne Davis, a spokesman for the Sacramento-based pension,"
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-31/jeffrey-epstein-had-a-door-into-apollo-his-deep-ties-with-black

Black and Apollo would have been ruined forever if Calpers had withdrawn their pension money because of links to Epstein sexcapades.
There are likely more WS and other financial figures linked to Epstein and there may have been crimes beyond underage girls such as actual sex trafficking and money laundering .his travel records included countries compatible with those activities.

Colin Wright , says: Website August 10, 2019 at 9:53 pm GMT
@Lot ' Maybe his money isn't as well hidden as we imagine. After all, he kept a big child porn stash right in NYC, and didn't move to a no-extradition country. So he was either expecting to get away with his crimes or just really sloppy '

Intentionally or not, you seem to be determinedly missing my point.

Maybe the money never was Epstein's. Maybe it was given to him to run the operations he ran. Epstein wasn't an independent operator so much as an employee.

Watch and see. If I'm right, everything will turn out to be in somebody else's name. There won't be an estate to sue.

jack daniels , says: August 10, 2019 at 10:32 pm GMT
I read that Epstein had been taken off suicide watch, that the video camera surveilling him had developed a technical malfunction, and that the guards assigned to him had been removed for 3 hours related to some maintenance chore. If this is so, there will be some explaining to do, and the internet will see to it that there is a lot of justified speculation. Even minor prisoners are under video-surveillance 24-7 in more modern facilities.

Since Epstein had hundreds or thousands of videos of prominent people having sex with minors, the state has a duty to the victims and the public to go through this material and prosecute the clients where possible. This will naturally open up the discussion of a possible blackmailing operation.

In a manner of speaking, God has done his part and the ball's in our court. If we don't do what we can to get this investigated properly we have ourselves to blame. This is a golden opportunity to expose the deep state. Don't be content to whine or listen to Hannity whine. Whiners are losers.

unit472 , says: August 10, 2019 at 10:34 pm GMT
@Colin Wright Epstein declared his assets to the court in an attempt to gain bond. Here is the breakdown.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jeffrey-epstein-assets-listed-in-financial-disclosure-form-filed-by-lawyers-add-up-to-value-of-559120954-2019-07-16

Since Epstein appears to have no wife or children it will be interesting to see if he left a will or if, like Howard Hughes, some Melvin Dummar type emerges claiming Epstein's estate. Worth a try I suppose if you can get a lawyer to work on a contingency basis.

jack daniels , says: August 10, 2019 at 11:58 pm GMT
@iffen The point is that this man was on suicide watch not for his own sake so much as because the investigation and prosecution of his crimes and related ones were so important to the country.
Ron Unz , says: August 11, 2019 at 12:44 am GMT
I've recently been doing quite a lot of reading about the Syndicate gangsters of the 1930s-1940s, and another interesting historical parallel comes to mind

In 1941, Abe "Kid Twist" Reles, a senior figure in Brooklyn's Murder Inc. agreed to testify against America's top Syndicate bosses, providing detailed evidence about the 1,000 or so nationwide killings that his organization had performed on their behalf.

Obviously, the federal prosecutors were concerned about his safety in any ordinary jail, and stashed him in a suite of top-floor hotel rooms, where he was guarded 24-hours per day by rotating groups of six specially-selected police officers, who would keep him under constant surveillance. The doors were steel-plated and the rooms selected to preclude any long-range sniper.

Oops! Poor "Kid Twist" somehow decided to jump out the 5th story window and kill himself when all six of the on-duty guards happened to simultaneously doze off.

The Captain in command of the unit argued that it was accident rather than suicide, and the poor fellow had deliberately climbed out the window, intending to rappel down to the floor below, then walk back up the stairs and knock on the front door, thereby surprising his erstwhile guards with a amusing practical joke.

Syndicate killers planning to implicate their bosses should definitely avoid playing such "practical jokes"

Goy , says: August 11, 2019 at 1:15 am GMT
@Ron Unz What is so striking about the Epstein murder/suicide is not that high level witnesses like him would be targeted and taken out to protect the powerful people implied in his testimony. But that even the most casually informed observer of the case equipped with basic common knowledge would know and anticipate in advance with certainty that he would be targeted.

The fact that Epstein could be killed in the prison which protected El Chapo and where, allegedly, not a single inmate had comitted suicide under watch, with the dire warnings of many voices and red flags in advance, and a "suicide attempt" just shortly before, which already implied assault in his cell, can only mean two things:

That the US justice system is as inept and dysfunctional as that of a banana republic – which is unlikely.

Or that the US political system from the presidents, over state attorneys down to the common prison guard is so thoroughly corrupted to the point of evil that it was possible to have Epstein assassinated.
Similar cases you have reported have been going on for almost a century now. And what was speculative has now become iron certainty: that blackmail, assassination, human trafficking, child abuse and pedophile-rings are an integral part of the true ruling elite of the USA. Likely that of Europe aswell. And of South America. And the destinction between the ruling elite and the mob it used and uses, is at best grey in nature. We are talking about people who can destroy entire nations, have hundreds of thousands of people massacred as a consequence and laugh about it, like Hillary Clinton did.

Yet the uncomfortable, undeniable certainty of this reality does still come somewhat as a shock to me.

What was so special about the Epstein case was that it happened under the watchful and anticipating eye of the public. The assasination, as described earlier, was a show of force and smug mocking of the audience by the ruling elite. It almost felt like a bait to violent retaliation. Like the true establishment had thrown down the gauntlet.

My pessimism leads me to believe that the Epstein assassination and implication with Mossad and Ehud Barak as well as Benjamin Netanyahu will be memory-holed and drown in the swamp of total apathy that rules post-historic, rootless, post-modern western man. But it is hard to believe the potentially most esxplosive case in post-WW2 US history could just end like a forgotten footnote.

MLK , says: August 11, 2019 at 4:48 pm GMT
@MLK I would import everyone half-intelligent to ignore Giraldi's distraction arm-waving about the Jews. Apply some common sense.

Whomever was powerful enough to resuscitate the "Epstein saga," surely could have quietly suicided him in the many years before he was back in federal custody. Ergo, that wasn't the plan.

According to the (sketchy) official story, Epstein recklessly flew back to Teterboro Airport right when his malefactions were again in the spotlight and the subject of litigation. Apparently all of his powerful protectors low these many years must have all been on summer vacation, including Mossad to hear Giraldi tell it.

What makes a whole lot more sense is that he was, in a word, renditioned. We even got the post-arrest photo of him looking much like Saddam (purportedly) pulled from his hiding hole by some garden-variety US soldiers.

... ... ..

Sean , says: August 11, 2019 at 4:48 pm GMT
@TKK Old school Federal Supermax guard explains:-

'Jeffrey Epstein who is responsible for his death? The conspiracy to blame someone.'

https://www.youtube.com/embed/bk2uqSpn7VU?feature=oembed&rel=0&autoplay=1

Jacques Sheete , says: August 11, 2019 at 4:49 pm GMT
@Ronald Thomas West Very interesting info there.

PS: None of any of this matters becasue they're all "philanthropists."

Sean , says: August 11, 2019 at 5:04 pm GMT
@TKK Except she was not 15, but two years older, and was with him until 19, which is a difficult mistake to make honestly. And once your testimony is proven to be unreliable in one detail about judge must tell the jury all your evidence is tainted. She also had a druggie boyfriend at the time. And she was a lot tighter with her family and deceived them a lot more than anyone would understand from her account. She lied to her father and was taking money for sex as a 19 year old. Her character not her consent would be the issue. The jury would be led to understand that they were making her a millionaire by convicting Epstein. Epstein's acquittal would not have been unprecedented, Michael Jackson's acquittal was probabally due to just such a defence strategy. Both had a lot of money, and the criminal justice system is not designed to cope with super rich defendants.
niteranger , says: August 11, 2019 at 5:58 pm GMT
@Grizaby Evidently you can't read. It said Clinton and the rest of his clients. Trump is owned by Israel but that doesn't mean he was part of Epstein's inner circle like the Clintons were. You have no clue to what you are talking about. If Trump was part of it he will be had. Look at the bull they tried to run by the American people with Mueller investigation.

Epstein was a major player in the espionage industry which consisted of Israel running the system with likes of British Intelligence along with the CIA. This stuff is as old as warfare itself. Epstein survived because all these agencies and the Magic Jews with their money protected him. The US court system protected him as well as the FBI and Mueller. The Mueller investigation was just another smoke and mirror diversion for Israel and the CIA to use ISIS as a proxy army to expand Israel's borders while for two years the Jew Controlled Media ran 24 hours a day the Russians influenced our election. Unfortunately, some of us know that Jews, Soros and Adelson own both the Democrats and the Republicans and control our elections.

There is nothing partisan here. If you knew anything about Israel you would know that they have been "importing" girls from the Balkins and other places for their sex industry for years which has been covered up. Whenever there is human trafficking, porn, sex slavery, organ harvesting, and espionage using such domains you will find Israel. For some reason Giraldi seems ignorant of such things.

annamaria , says: August 11, 2019 at 6:03 pm GMT
@Sean Oh, poor victimized Jeff and these bad-bad girls. Sean comes to rescue!
Well, if Sean is so mindful about the age of the girls, here is a morsel of information to provide food for Sean's thoughts: "Jeffrey Epstein searched for two EIGHT-YEAR-OLD girls to sexually abuse after enlisting the help of fixer pal, court docs suggest" https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9622107/jeffrey-epstein-eight-year-old-girls-sexually-abuse/

Messages left for the billionaire and convicted paedophile [Jeffrey Epstein] by friend Jean-Luc Brunel, himself the subject of abuse allegations, describe a female "2 x 8 years old" willing to give "Russian lessons".

Rurik , says: August 11, 2019 at 6:12 pm GMT
@Sean

Both had a lot of money, and the criminal justice system is not designed to cope with super rich defendants.

with ties to Ehud Barak (of 9/11 fame).

US Attorney Acosta was told to "back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade." "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence'.

Which begs the question.. who told him that?

We can always discover where the rot meets the road by the thunderous silence when it comes to asking certain questions.

Who provided the script to Fox News and the BBC for the story of building seven's collapse?

Nobody has any interest in knowing -- this is where the rot meets the road.

Who told Acosta to lay off of Epstein? -- this is where the rot meets the road.

It's always the crickets who inform us, more than a thousand "journalists" and "reporters" who know where the rot meets the road, and when to stop asking questions.

For instance, how did Epstein hang himself?

By what means was he able to do this? How was he found?

The only thing they're telling us is that " Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell.."

And that he had been taken off suicide watch.

And so the rest of us, by dint of the avalanche of unasked questions, are supposed to have trust in the authorities to get to the bottom of it. If we're told he hanged himself, it's not up to us, and certainly not the job of 'journalists or reporters' to worry about things like – how, exactly did he hang himself?

How was he found? I guess asking such questions would be 'beyond the Pale'.

He was found 'unresponsive in his cell. Oh, Ok. Wasn't he on suicide watch? No, he had been taken off suicide watch. Oh, what about cameras? 'The cameras malfunctioned during his 'suicide'.

Ok, we have no more questions. We're satisfied that the FBI is going to "investigate".

Reminds me of the Las Vegas shooting, and how they couldn't discover a motive. The length and breath of our vaunted FBI and all that NSA surveillance that knows when you're going to fart before even you do, but they can't discover a motive for Las Vegas.

Michael Hastings was simply driving too fast. Case closed.

Jorg Haider was simply driving too fast.

Seth Rich died in a 'robbery' (where his wallet and expensive watch were not taken).

Gary Webb committed suicide by shooting himself in the head – twice.

If you're a professional whornalist, you're satisfied with these conclusions.

Bardon Kaldian , says: August 11, 2019 at 6:17 pm GMT
@annamaria Typical female ad hominem fantasy projection.

For what is worth- there is no reliable Mossad connection (not that they are "good/evil guys" or anything similar), but simply no proof for any interference on their side. It would be interesting to see if they were- for instance, they certainly are behind assassination of a Palestinian rocket scientist somewhere in the east (Indonesia? Malaysia?) a few months ago. But with Epstein- there is no serious case for their involvement.

Sean , says: August 11, 2019 at 6:19 pm GMT
@Bardon Kaldian Epstein was charged and had sexual contact with under age girls who could be more easily numbered than named. Not a single one of the allegedly existent customers of Epstein were charged. In fact the accusation by the girls is he gave them to his friends and even random visitors to his mansion. The prosecutors charged Epstein with trafficking because that would get him life, NOT because he was actually guilty of that by being any kind of pimp. Don't take everything so literally.
Alden , says: August 11, 2019 at 6:21 pm GMT
@Bardon Kaldian I know all about black street pimps and the teen girls they torture and murder.

You're just trying to obfuscate the issue which is

Procuring is against the law and Epstein was a procurer.

Like many, you probably have the fantasy of pampered happy escort girls making a lot of money and living happily ever after don't you?

A lot of the escort girls get only cash tips from the customers. Some of the agencies keep all the fees paid for with credit cards. Almost all the escort agencies cheat the girls when it's time to pay them. The credit card companies haven't paid the escort agency yet. The 60 40 split is suddenly 70 for the agency 30 for the girls.

Suddenly the agency closes phones canceled and the girls who are owed a months pay are out of luck as the pimps go off with all the money.

Some agencies don't really screen clients or provide body guards and the girls get beaten and robbed . Many of the drivers and appointment makers sell drugs to the escort girls.

Hard to figure exactly your point. It appears you're claiming Epstein treated his prostitutes better than the blacks do. True

But his blackmail financial fraud money laundering his financial services firm that did no trading buying selling and investing are far worse crimes than running an escort service.

renfro , says: August 11, 2019 at 6:47 pm GMT
@Alden

Even worse are the retard idiots who keep claiming that Epstein and his customers were pedophiles.
Sex with 13 to 17 year olds for money or lust is not pedophilia.
Sex with children 12 and under is pedophilia

Wrong. Pedophiles seek sex with underage children whether 'paid for' or 'not'.
'Underage' varies by state statutes. 15 is the usual age.
Being sexually attracted to a 13 year old prostitute as opposed to 18 year old prostitute is pedophilia.

Pedophilia is classified as a mental disease .and its not curable. It is treated in most cases with drugs that erase the sex drive. If a pedophile stops taking the drug he will resume preying on children.

So says my sister in law who is a psychiatrist on staff with a major hospital who has seen a few although she treats mainly children, among whom have been a few victims of pedophiles..
Pedophiles, like mentally deranged serial killers do know 'right from wrong' ,that is why they hide it .they should be treated criminally the same way other offenders are.

Bardon Kaldian , says: August 11, 2019 at 7:18 pm GMT
@Sean

In fact the accusation by the girls is he gave them to his friends and even random visitors to his mansion.

Weird. Who they were, his zombie personal property so he could "give them"? No personal will on their side?

As I see it, they were girls, both above & below 18, who were seduced by lavish life-style & were not bound by any personal strict morality, family ties or anything similar. Are we to believe that 15 or 16 years old girls were so clueless about life they would not even think they live, eat, sleep in a grown man's mansions without even a hint of giving, eh, something "in exchange"?

Are we to believe that those 15, 16, 17..years old girls were not human females, with female sexual desires, ideas, projections & plans? That these girls did not have sexual feelings or were totally clueless about them, like, say, about quantum algebra? That there was not a suspicion on their side that something of a sexual nature was bound to happen, sooner or later?

I mean . this world is full of idiots.

[Aug 12, 2019] New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has called Epstein's death "way too convenient."

Highly recommended!
Notable quotes:
"... "How many other millionaires and billionaires were part of the illegal activities that he was engaged in?" he asked. ..."
Aug 12, 2019 | www.rt.com

"How many other millionaires and billionaires were part of the illegal activities that he was engaged in?" he asked. Even the BBC website has as its heading of a news story today "Jeffrey Epstein: Questions raised over financier's death."

[Aug 12, 2019] Robert Maxwells estate turned out to be nothing. It all disappeared. In fact her brothers and their families were on welfare for a while.

Aug 12, 2019 | www.unz.com

Alden , says: August 11, 2019 at 4:26 pm GMT

@animalogic Robert Maxwells estate turned out to be nothing. It all disappeared. In fact her brothers and their families were on welfare for a while.

So Ghislaine Maxwell needed to make a living or find a man to support her. Instead of a normal job and normal man she found Epstein and became a pimp.

She grew up an heiress and then it all disappeared.

Iris , says: August 11, 2019 at 4:28 pm GMT
@Corvinus Robert Maxwell's role as "Israel's Super-Spy" was comprehensively and convincingly documented by Gordon Thomas.

Maxwell's execution was carried out by Mossad because, as his business empire was crumbling, he made the mistake to blackmail them for £400 millions.

Epstein's obvious link to Mossad is the background of Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as her central involvement in organising and operating the blackmail paedophile ring.

Epstein's case was highly publicised in Europe, for many years, because of his association with the UK's Duke of York; there never were any mention of President Trump.

I disagree re President Trump being blackmailed by Epstein: if that would have been the case, the NeoCons wouldn't have needed to fabricate the ludicrous RussiaGate cock-and-bull story.

Exile , says: August 11, 2019 at 4:39 pm GMT
While I have no problem believing that Mossad was Epstein's primary agency, I disagree with Mr. Giraldi that CIA would have no reason to blackmail prominent Americans. Epstein's ties with Maxwell certainly suggest a parallel career, but let's not overlook the obvious fact that the CIA itself has long been a rogue agency ...

[Aug 12, 2019] Ghislaine may have known or suspected the truth about her father death

Aug 12, 2019 | www.unz.com

Skeptikal , says: August 11, 2019 at 7:04 pm GMT

@YetAnotherAnon Just read in a review of a Maxwell bio that it is thought that Maxwell thought he was headed for a pickup of some cash he needed to cure his financial woes (that is the speculation of the bio's authors, Gordon Thomas and someone else). Instead some Israeli ninjas boarded his vessel, gave him a shot of something hehind the ear that took him out, and dumped him overboard. This story, if true -- even if not true -- lends a certain piquance to the grand guignol of the state funeral. Ghislaine may have known or suspected the truth. She hit the grits for NY -- that is, left Israel. If I understand the story correctly. In one sense this all sounds kind of weirdly sad, because that girl is obviously effed up bad from the get-go, and one can't help wondering on what terms Zion owns her.

[Aug 12, 2019] From the point of view of The Establishment, Epstein suiside is far from convenient. It will redound to the advantage of many individuals but in the long run it will contribute to an increase in popular distrust of the entire system.

Notable quotes:
"... And at no point will there be any of the damage limitation that a trial, requiring and weighing evidence, would have put on the mushrooming of charges, rumours and speculations which has been taking and will continue to take place. ..."
"... In realistic terms the damage to the system of a few outliers, like Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew or Dershowitz being driven, red faced from public life, would be minimal. In fact it could easily be spun as am indication that the system worked and that, in the end, an obscure former masseur could be vindicated against Princes and ex-Presidents. ..."
Aug 12, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

bevin , Aug 12 2019 1:54 utc | 41

The Epstein case is very simple: had a trial taken place-and proper trials are increasingly rare in the USA, as the record of his Florida 'trial' shows- it had the potential of being extremely embarrassing to a number of prominent and powerful people.

On the other hand, now that he is dead, there can be no limit to the enormous number of allegations that can be made against him and them.

From the point of view of The Establishment, this death is far from convenient. It will redound to the advantage of many individuals but in the long run it will contribute to an increase in popular distrust of the entire system. And at no point will there be any of the damage limitation that a trial, requiring and weighing evidence, would have put on the mushrooming of charges, rumours and speculations which has been taking and will continue to take place.

In realistic terms the damage to the system of a few outliers, like Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew or Dershowitz being driven, red faced from public life, would be minimal. In fact it could easily be spun as am indication that the system worked and that, in the end, an obscure former masseur could be vindicated against Princes and ex-Presidents.

The danger is that this sordid but very routine 'scandal' will blot out real and important matters that require public debate. How many US Presidents and English princes have not been involved in the sort of things said to have been facilitated by Epstein? So far as Princes go, I can think of none. And many of them, including future Kings, have done a lot worse things than fuck teenage girls, though that has been routine for all who didn't prefer boys.

It would be interesting to learn what lessons it is thought this affair should teach us? Should the age of consent laws be revised to ban sexual relations between rich and poor? Or to legislate against sexual partnerships involving an age differential of more than, say, ten years?

Or should class society and the capitalist system, which commodifies everything and puts the poor majority in positions in which they are vulnerable to prostitution, be abolished? This would involve something a little more substantial than a lynch mob led by unprincipled, loudmouth demagogues feeding off the obsessions and frustrations of the sexually disfranchised.

These last we have had in America since the Pilgrim Fathers stumbled ashore, clutching their Old Testaments angrily and looking for others to blame. And be punished.

As to the nonsense that Epstein has been spirited away, is not really dead and will, like Merlin, one day return...that way madness lies.

[Aug 12, 2019] Russiagate is Dead, but for the Political Establishment, it is Still the New 42 by Craig Murray

"Mueller's Inquiry was never a serious search for truth is that at no stage was any independent forensic independence taken from the DNC's servers, instead the word of the DNC's own security consultants was simply accepted as true. Finally no progress has been made – or is intended to be made – on the question of who killed Seth Rich, while the pretend police investigation has "lost" his laptop. "
See also Robert Muller: Establishment Sweethard helped Bush to see the Iraqq war https://youtu.be/mK5T_rZmVyg
Notable quotes:
"... Like the Wolfowitz explanation of the Iraq War, Russiagate is the idea around which varied interests can be organized. Cold Warriors like to hate on Russia. It justifies arms spending and their own importance. Clintonistas need an excuse to distract from her being a loser. The DNC needs an excuse for manipulating the candidate selection in favor of donor interests. "Moderates" need a distraction from their ongoing refusal to address the interests of voters. ..."
Aug 12, 2019 | consortiumnews.com
... ... ...

So, there we have it. Russiagate as a theory is as completely exploded as the appalling Guardian front page lie published by Kath Viner and Luke Harding fabricating the "secret meetings" between Paul Manafort and Julian Assange in the Ecuadorean Embassy. But the political class and the mainstream media, both in the service of billionaires, have moved on to a stage where truth is irrelevant, and I do not doubt that Russiagate stories will thus persist. They are so useful for the finances of the armaments and security industries, and in keeping the population in fear and jingoist politicians in power.

Craig Murray is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist. He was British ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010.


michael , August 12, 2019 at 19:53

So far there is as much evidence presented that Martians interfered in the 2016 Election as RUSSIANS!!!
Just a much needed excuse to blow on the dying embers of the Cold War and get the nuclear weapons ready.
I'm still waiting for Robert Mueller to be tried for lying to Congress (when asked who hired him, instead of saying "I have no idea", he said "Bush!" It is a matter of public record that Reagan hired him, a blatant lie! Is Michael Flynn out of jail yet?)

Drew Hunkins , August 12, 2019 at 14:49

" and I do not doubt that Russiagate stories will thus persist. They are so useful for the finances of the armaments and security industries, and in keeping the population in fear and jingoist politicians in power "

They are also extremely useful as a scapegoat for the corporate warmongering DNC to camouflage the genuine reasons they lost to Trump of all people.

Mark Thomason , August 12, 2019 at 10:34

Like the Wolfowitz explanation of the Iraq War, Russiagate is the idea around which varied interests can be organized. Cold Warriors like to hate on Russia. It justifies arms spending and their own importance. Clintonistas need an excuse to distract from her being a loser. The DNC needs an excuse for manipulating the candidate selection in favor of donor interests. "Moderates" need a distraction from their ongoing refusal to address the interests of voters.

jessika , August 12, 2019 at 09:38

"Those whom the gods would destroy they first drive mad".

Larry Mofield , August 12, 2019 at 08:41

If Russia actually wanted to help someone win I think it would be Hilary because Trump is a plain shooter from the hip and takes nothing off of nobody.
If anything Sanders should had sued the DNC and Hilary for rigging the DNC
Go figure why he has kept his mouth shut.

Bif Webster , August 12, 2019 at 11:13

Putin preferred Obama to his running mates as well. But you won't ever hear that on the corporate "news" media.

Others sued on behalf of Bernie. That case died in south Florida, near Wasserman-Schultz's district yeah, and the excuse was, "The DNC is a 'private organization" and do what they like, apparently. However, the "judge" did not find it odd that a private entity can run a public election? And how there's an obvious conflict of interest involved?

Bernie kept his mouth shut because he's inside the Belly of the Beast.

Martin , August 12, 2019 at 11:54

i think there was something of a lawsuit, but the judge decided that the rigging was an inside thing to which no external laws applied. if you got a non-profit or a company and there's no internal rules that forbid the rigging of votes, rigging is not illegal. the superdelegates still exist.

Seer , August 12, 2019 at 12:04

He kept his mouth shut because advancing "My Revolution" was more important. And, because he's NOT a Democrat: he's only "allowed" to run as one: he is therefore a little more constrained. Had he lashed out he'd have NOT been allowed to run again as a Democrat -- bank on that!

Tulsi Gabbard, on the other hand, is a Democrat, in which case she really couldn't be kicked out: it was she who acted as Bernie's mouth on this matter.

Trump is a piece of crap. There's nothing straight about him at all. He's a con-man of the highest order. Other than give money to the rich he's done nothing: and "nothing," is probably the best that could have been hoped for given that he could have started some wars (he hasn't found one that he feels safe would not undermine his presidency, otherwise he'd be lighting it up). The reason the guy is so good at firing people is because he's so crappy about firing them.

Oh yeah, I have not cast a single vote for anyone I have mentioned here.

evelync , August 12, 2019 at 13:20

Interesting question, Larry Mofield!

Bernie's not a stupid guy and I believe (as does Cornel West and Noam Chomsky) he's dedicated to policies that serve working people and sustainability.(as I see it – reversing the NeoLiberal agenda in order to restore a level playing field for working people and also to shift to a democratic, non imperial foreign policy.)

So why didn't he, let's call him "David", not aim his slingshot at the DNC, let's call it "Goliath"?

Probably because a single stone in a slingshot was hopeless. He was up against a massive corrupt network of hangers on, IMO, who rabidly shouted down the person who dared to question Clinton's policies.

For an even more recent example of a delusional grandiose, imperial mind set, let's take the 200+ people affiliated with the JFK School of Government at Harvard. The ones who accepted the School's shameful withdrawal of Chelsea Manning's honorary fellowship because Pompeo and Morrell attacked it with Cold War rhetoric. Manning's crime? Telling people the truth about horrific wrongdoing she witnessed in Iraq. When I emailed 200 people at the JFK School a shame-on-you letter I heard back from only one who chastised (threatened) me for not understanding "National Security" .say what????) Others chimed in to agree with her. (I shared that email with Robert Parry at the time and he emailed back that he didn't blame me for being outraged. He was such a wonderful person.)

So Bernie had the whole MSNBC related propaganda machine at his throat.
– think Mimi Rocah's recent "he makes my skin crawl" comment, knowing surely, that her words would be applauded over there.
and think all the people who have accepted since 2016 that the Russians cost Hillary Clinton the election in denial over the truth – a flawed candidate who seemed to consider her constituency the big banks and the polluters and the war machine.

I know lifelong conservative Republicans who liked Bernie in 2016 and like him now because they find him truthful but didn't trust Clinton and some voted for Trump in order to beat her.

This country is filled with a patronage network of well off established people including Democrats who believe everything's fine as it is and are willing to shut their eyes to what's not working – the financial crisis of the working class, the racism underlying the for profit prison system and immigration system, the horrific endless regime change wars and the massive deregulation of banks on Bill Clinton's watch and much more, including the Climate Crisis.

It's taken almost 3 years to discredit what apparently was a faux "excuse" why Hillary Clinton lost. Too many voters in key states didn't trust her to serve their interests because she clearly was an apparatchik for the MICIMATT.

Enough of Trump's voters were willing to gamble on this "unknown" character who piggy backed off what Bernie was saying at the time – too bad he was lying ..

rosemerry , August 12, 2019 at 15:39

The whole suggestion has ignored any words and actions of Pres. Putin, who is careful to keep to the truth. He often stated that he would accept whoever the US population chose (ie did not even want to lean towards the one claiming to desire better relations, let alone interfere) because the difference between US administrations was small and policies unlikely to change in 2016. Because the US constantly causes "régime change" does not mean that Russia does. The quick decision to "blame Russia" immediately after Trump's win, activated by Obama expelling diplomats and stealing their US property, set the ball rolling and it has not stopped.

phillip sawicki , August 12, 2019 at 08:37

T he AP and no doubt other media are setting the stage for claiming that if Trump is reelected in 2020, the Russians again were responsible. As HItler learned, repeat a lie often enough and it will assume the appearance of truth. It's not surprising that the Democrats led by Hillary are behind this maneuver. The Dems have been blaming Russia ever since Truman did so in 1945.

Sally Snyder , August 12, 2019 at 08:05

As shown in this article, key Western countries including the United States have put in place a mechanism that is supposed to protect us from election meddling:

https://viableopposition.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-g7-rapid-response-mechanism.html

Given the anti-Russia bias that took root and has become pervasive in the West since 2014 and, in particular, since the Hillary Clinton loss in 2016 which is blamed on Russian-sourced disinformation, it is interesting to see that the G7 has been driven to take extreme moves to battle what they see as an "evil Russia".

jdd , August 12, 2019 at 07:05

Devastating. A cogent and insightful analysis of Judge Koeltl's decision. Thank you Ambassador Murray.

Michaelevan Hammond , August 12, 2019 at 02:16

What's hilarious is that Binney was able to discern that the download was later split in two and then transmitted state side. Think of when you download a movie or a file .. it doesn't come in 2 parts, you either download the whole thing or it is an error/fail. Binney is able to show that the whole thing is one download at 49mbps impossible speed for transatlantic transmission .he absolute fastest you can achieve over the cable is 29mbps ..plus there are 6-12 NSA monitoring junctions added to the cable to capture such things and not one had any Russians attempting to "hack"(2001 term). It was all just deflection for Hillary and she may we'll have selfishly killed the Dems party.

Realist , August 12, 2019 at 00:37

Russiagate is not "dead." It has more lives than a cat bitten by a vampire. It is permanently undead. The antithesis of a dead parrot.

Check out some of its latest incarnations:

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-08-11/moscow-mitch-secret-russian-subs-and-russophobia-derangement

How many times does Rachel Maddow have to tell you? Anyone who did not vote for Hillary Clinton and refuses to back her never-ending, constantly metamorphosing coup against Trump has got to be a Putin agent even Mitch McConnell. Check back tomorrow for the latest Maddowsplaining on this and other bad crazyness.

Seer , August 12, 2019 at 12:07

I agree. The FACT that the US has been sanctioning Russia for the better part of 100 years pretty much tells it all. It's about the West's ruling elite keeping Their game going: but, nothing lasts forever, and this game is about to run out on them (the perpetual growth model, which has given them their power, is ending).

Realist , August 12, 2019 at 00:18

Unless he was being sarcastic, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough tweeted that the Russians were probably behind Jeff Epstein's "suiciding" in the high security NYC federal lockup!

Anyone who truly believes that Epstein actually took his own life probably does still have a severe case of Putin Derangement Syndrome, aka Russophrenia, Russiagate-itis, -osis or whatever ya wanna call it. Their minds cannot co-exist within both the Deep State Matrix and objective reality at the same time. Blaming all evil in the world on Russia gives them license to act outside conventional morality with impunity.

Mark Stanley , August 12, 2019 at 11:32

Yes, they are endeavoring to tip-toe around this one. If Epstein had started squealing, the excrement would really have hit the fan. After his purported suicide, the smokescreen "conspiracy" word popped up immediately in every mainstream mention of Epstein.
If the populace found out about the deranged sexual practices of too many of the world's elites it would certainly upset the apple cart–to use an American expression.

Seer , August 12, 2019 at 15:51

This IS VERY DEEP! First three parts of this most excellent four part series is available, starting with this one (Mint Press also needs supporting).

https://www.mintpressnews.com/shocking-origins-jeffrey-epstein-blackmail-roy-cohn/260621/

After reading this I now understand why Trump won't release his tax returns.

Realist , August 12, 2019 at 18:12

Seer,

Probably, because like Romney, he didn't pay any.

Dershowitz's client Leonna Helmsley explained the principle decades ago: "Only the little people pay taxes." Probably as truthful a description of the American system as you will ever hear. Sadly, it went down the memory hole because the media will never mention it again. Investigative reporters like David Cay Johnston have to write individually researched books on the subject and hope that the swamp creatures don't seek retribution against him some dark night.

The most the public is ever going to get in this world is perhaps a brief glimmer of the truth through the hard work and suffering of individuals like Assange, Manning and a few other brave altruistic souls, but never justice. The system is set up to sacrifice the lives of millions for the benefit of dozens.

[Aug 12, 2019] Under neoliberalism buying politicians is the most lucrative investment of all

Aug 12, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

ben , Aug 12 2019 20:50 utc | 133

Hoarsewhisperer@ 73 said;"Buying politicians is the most lucrative investment of all..."

Yep, invest a million here and there, get a Billion back.

snake, thanks for the link. What a sordid mess of cretins.

@128: Interesting theory, but, IMO, DJT is just the latest, in a long line, that do the bidding of the malignant oligarchs, who's vast wealth buys compliance to their needs.


The military is just the enforcement arm of their system..

[Aug 12, 2019] Dozen FBI agents raid Jeffrey Epsteins Pedophile Island.html

Aug 12, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Mina , Aug 12 2019 20:12 utc | 130

Good news
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7349729/Dozen-FBI-agents-raid-Jeffrey-Epsteins-Pedophile-Island.html
Hope they make it to the governor as well.

[Aug 12, 2019] If the authorities and the Ministry of Truth say that Epstein is dead I go to my Orwellian dictionary and it states that he is alive .

Aug 12, 2019 | www.unz.com

9/11 Inside job , says: August 11, 2019 at 11:33 pm GMT

Per ArcAngel "If the authorities and the Ministry of Truth say that Epstein is dead I go to my Orwellian dictionary and it states that he is alive . "

[Aug 12, 2019] After the Epstein episode, in the new batch of dollars printed

Aug 12, 2019 | www.unz.com

Ahoy , says: August 11, 2019 at 4:53 pm GMT

I don't know Duch, but in Miro23 #200 comment I thought I heard the banker Ronald Bernard (video) saying that after the Epstein episode, in the new batch of dollars printed the All Seen Eye was shown in a new mode. In Murder We Trust and sometimes Suicide.

[Aug 12, 2019] Names are coming out.

Aug 12, 2019 | www.unz.com

annamaria says: August 12, 2019 at 1:09 am GMT 200 Words @Anonymous https://empireexposed.blogspot.com/2018/02/chapter-14-jeffrey-epstein-scandal.html

Despite strong evidence that he too participated in Epstein sex crimes, Alan Dershowitz was allowed to lead the best legal dream team Mossad blackmail money could buy. Despite all the proven facts surrounding this case, the Dershowitz dream team successfully "convinced" the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida to neither charge Epstein nor any of his pimp co-conspirators with sex trafficking underage girls across state lines, and of course nor dare prosecute any of the other frequent flying VIP child molester

The pit-bullish Dershowitz gang included Kenneth Starr, chief investigator from the Clinton-Lewinsky soap opera who never fails to evoke the religious high moral ground yet in the next breath claims he's more than happy to have gotten a pedophile-trafficker off.

Other hotshot aces in the hole were Florida trial lawyer Roy Black and star attorney Gerald Lefcourt among others. Dershowitz and Lefcourt's letter to Acosta's office prior to their successful plea bargain emphasized Epstein's super close ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton, touting how the billionaire pedophile "co-founded" the infamous Clinton Foundation, accused by philanthropy law expert Charles Ortel of being "the largest unprosecuted fraud in history." Speaking of which, a whistleblower at a Swiss bank has revealed that Jeffrey Epstein used his Swiss bank account to send Bill Clinton $3.5 million shortly after his pedophilia probe began in 2005.

Names are coming out.

[Aug 12, 2019] There is the possibility that Epstein functioned as a pass to the highest echelons

The philandering and pedophilia of elites and politicians clearly gave intelligence againces significant leverage over many movers and shakers within Western establishments
Aug 11, 2019 | www.unz.com

Goy , says: August 10, 2019 at 10:44 pm GMT

@Haxo Angmark Why would anyone have to bring down Trump? The man is fully compromised, a puppet and the FBI has already likely 15 years of material on him as revealed in Kushner, Inc.

There is the possibility that Epstein functioned as a pass to the highest echelons: you would compromise yourself by having intercourse with minors, let Epstein record it, hand it over to Mossad and possibly other agencies he worked with. To show that you can be trusted. Not unlike Unz himself suggested and exemplified by McCain.

But that is not necessary for Trump. Netanyahu gets everything he wants. And the whole Trump campaign was a distraction, bankrolled by Sheldon Adelson and managed by a former AIPAC guy and Christian Zionist and personal friend of Adelson Steve Bannon no less. Anyone who still believes Trump is not part of the deepest filth of "the swamp" is delusional and ignores way too many facts.

There is no left, no right. There is no democracy. There is an unelected oligarchy and its political puppets. Long since bought and paid for before you and I were even born

Goy , says: August 11, 2019 at 1:29 am GMT

@peterAUS Well, the particularity with Epstein is: Many people did and are paying attention. Millions. And the elite knows that we know. As you said it yourself: this was not just a cover-up. It was a demonstration of power directed at us.

And they are laughing at us; as they are getting away; as they are taking every bit of freedom and sovereignty away which the patriot act hadn’t already devoured, through bipartisan decision of the system which should (theoretically) serve the people.

The Dystopia is also already here: the cold-blooded apathy with which the ruling class in Britain treated victims as in Rotherham, the Savile case and now Epstein exposing their true characters, and those are also the leaders and elites who lecture us on morality: Ghislaine Maxwell -- save nature! Clinton Foundation, Mother Merkel… It’s disgusting.

And so many unthinkable theories which were declared “conspiracy theories” about WW2, the aftermath and our current reality turn out to be true.

But I agree: the internet allowed us to decode the illusion of the media Matrix and its artificial reality. And it is those possibilities which the ruling class wants to snuff out for good. So that the monopoly to manufacture consent, truth and reality goes back to them


Securitate , says: August 11, 2019 at 5:20 pm GMT

Systemic elite kompromat shielded with arbitrary acts spanning all levels of government. Now anybody who tells you this is a democracy, or an open society, or a free country, or any of that shit, is either a mental defective or a pedo CP star in Comey’s personal Playpen stash.

You can’t pretend we’re ever going to vote our way out of this. We’re deep in the forcible-overthrow zone. If you aspire to rights or rule of law lots of CIA vermin are going to have to be Ceaușescued.

Alden , says: August 11, 2019 at 5:25 pm GMT
@Bardon Kaldian Epstein was a pimp. The girls were prostitutes
Colin Wright , says: • Website August 11, 2019 at 6:59 pm GMT
@Bardon Kaldian ‘…All pimps are criminals. But not all criminals are the same.’

Indeed. Some grow up in circumstances at least as dreadful as those of their victims, and while they indeed need to be locked up, are to be pitied as well.

Others have been given perfectly decent lives, and are even affluent — and yet still commit acts of depravity and cruelty.

These I have no sympathy for at all. Who is worse: the person who has never known a decent life, or the person who has been offered it, but prefers moral depravity?

Jeffrey Epstein enjoyed chewing up unfortunate children and spitting them out like sunflower husks when he was done. There was nothing keeping him from being a reasonably decent, moral man.

annamaria , says: August 12, 2019 at 1:30 am GMT
@Bardon Kaldian Could you just show some decency and stop fantasizing about “female sexuality?”

This is a story of Mossad’s blackmailing operation and the abuse of underage girls.
If you have an itch for discussing “female desires” and such, look for the appropriate blogs. This forum is not an appropriate venue for you: https://empireexposed.blogspot.com/2018/02/chapter-14-jeffrey-epstein-scandal.html

During the ensuing decade since Epstein’s conviction, the seedy truth has slowly trickled out, exposing the dark, twisted, perverse sex slave trafficking operation that Epstein and his bevy of co-conspirators recruited child victims as sex slaves from poor neighborhoods in Florida, New York, South America, Europe and Russia, including three 12-year old girls from France as a birthday gift. Incredibly, his procuring pimp co-conspirators and scores of powerful pedo patrons were all granted immunity…

[Aug 11, 2019] Deposition unsealed yesterday where the Epstein victim, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, exonerated Trump of any involvement

Aug 11, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

dan , Aug 10 2019 16:11 utc | 77

Deposition unsealed yesterday where the Epstein victim, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, exonerated Trump of any involvement (Pg. 25-26)
> Pic related
https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Giuffre-unseal.pdf

Numerous Democrats, including former New Mexico Governor & Obama admin official Bill Richardson, 16 current Democrat Congressmen identified as perpetrators by Epstein victims:

Wow...

[Aug 11, 2019] Was E>pstein Suicided?

Notable quotes:
"... I am just now reading David Martin's new book "The Assassination of James Forrestal", about a 1949 murder by the Zionists disguised as suicide. ..."
"... He can sit around with the Skripals and talk over old times. ..."
"... He probably became more of a liability and/or stepped on some toes higher up in the food chain. How many former Israeli prime ministers will attend his funeral? Ghislaine's lawyers will be happy, she was a victim of Epstein too. Poor child. ..."
"... Well said. Indeed, loss of trust in governments is key, and this event utterly destroys the little trust that remained. Other western governments have the same problem also. ..."
Aug 11, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

ADKC , Aug 10 2019 14:26 utc | 10

donkeytale @4

Reports are that he was 'found dead' at 7:30 am local time, he was supposedly on suicide watch, he was a tremendously valuable witness, he could trade his testimony for leniency, a lot of very important people were worried.

No one will believe that Epstein committed suicide voluntarily, I certainly don't.

lysias , Aug 10 2019 14:26 utc | 11

Not extraditing. I am just now reading David Martin's new book "The Assassination of James Forrestal", about a 1949 murder by the Zionists disguised as suicide.
Jackrabbit , Aug 10 2019 14:30 utc | 12
Dead men tell no donkeytales.
Deal , Aug 10 2019 14:31 utc | 13
Talk about being transparent. 'Suicide'!, do you like bridges?
Bemildred , Aug 10 2019 14:31 utc | 14
"Gee, who could have predicted this?"

He can sit around with the Skripals and talk over old times.

Symen Danziger , Aug 10 2019 14:35 utc | 15
He probably became more of a liability and/or stepped on some toes higher up in the food chain. How many former Israeli prime ministers will attend his funeral? Ghislaine's lawyers will be happy, she was a victim of Epstein too. Poor child.

Why would anyone watch House of Cards? The real life soap called American politics is way more fun and interesting.

Kevin Spacey walks free. Irony.

sejomoje , Aug 10 2019 14:37 utc | 16
Make no mistake, Ghislaine will never be extradited by TPTB, for they are still designating her a "Madame"; just a very naughty lady who was adept at pleasing her clients and her "partner". Not a spy, not a slave trader, just an independent and shrewd Mommy of sorts. " Lady Madame Ghislaine". A glamour girl to the end. And without a doubt she'll get the same state funeral as her father when her time comes. That is, if Israel is still a state when she kicks the bucket.
S , Aug 10 2019 14:39 utc | 17
Whew, the Clintons are safe now. That was a close call!
kooshy , Aug 10 2019 14:40 utc | 18
Jeffry Epstein suicided- makes it obvious, that the deep state mafia regime in control was feeling intense heat, some one(s) important in the deep state decided overt killing a prisoner in federal prison and trying to defuse the news and public' obvious disbelief in cause and method, is worth killing him and divert and defuse the mess. For sure the names that would have become public was going to destabilize the DC regime. In next few days before the news is buried, we will see how MSM will divert the narrative, away from the names it is trying to protect. For sure at one time he was "made" and one the "Goodfellas" .
kooshy , Aug 10 2019 14:40 utc | 18 Lysander , Aug 10 2019 14:40 utc | 19
The only way his 'suicide' can be considered an actual suicide is if his handlers had so much leverage over him that they could persuade that he (and any loved ones he might have) would all be much better off if he did it himself than if he forces them to do it for him.

That's a possibility I suppose. But the idea that he did just because he couldn't handle life anymore simply doesn't warrant any consideration at all.

nottheonly1 , Aug 10 2019 14:43 utc | 22
@ donkeytale | Aug 10 2019 14:12 utc | 4

I responded to Your last response to me on this thread:

The MoA Week In Review - OT 2019-45

It is the last entry on that thread. Just wanted to let You know.

-----

How convenient that Epstein is no longer in the perpetrator protection program. The witness protection program was obviously never considered, or applied. Someone wrote that the Epstein case proved that there are two justice systems in the US: one for the rich and one for the suckers. Although that is not quite correct, as the one for the suckers must be called Injustice System.

It also goes to show, that while people desperately attempt to change their 'elected officials', they have no whatsoever control over the 'unelected officials'. Those decide over the (In-)Justice system with impunity. How would the 'Supreme' Court look like if The People would elect its members? Citizen United would have never happened? But that it did - outside of any say of the population it affected the most - is one reason why the truth about Epstein's Johns will never surface. How many of the supreme court justices visited 'penetrate-a-minor-girl island?

somebody , Aug 10 2019 14:45 utc | 23
He certainly had reason to. There would have been no hope for another deal after the publishing of the Giuffre files.

I guess someone helped him do it.

I suppose Ghislaine Maxwell will do a Lord Lucan .

For some reason there are names in the published files but there also are an anonymous "another prince," a "foreign president," a well-known prime minister"

donkeytale , Aug 10 2019 14:46 utc | 24
ADKC

Correct. No evidence has yet to emerge. Your beliefs notwithstanding.

If I were Epstein I would have a powerful motive to commit suicide. And some may have powerful motive to murder him. There is nothing yet to suggest her was murdered.

I cite this as an example of the disinformational slippery slope which in other contexts leads to the election of Trump, for instance, or the passage of Brexit.

IOW, suicide is not the only form of self-inflicted self-harm.

Daniel , Aug 10 2019 14:51 utc | 26
That probably means he was just a really rich pervert whose luck ran out rather than a Mossad or CIA asset tasked with collecting kompromat on influential people. A pampered twit like Epstein, used to a life of luxury and leisure, in jail on a sex charge would be eaten alive and quite possibly killed. I speculated after he was arrested that he would try to kill himself if he faced a long stretch in jail and it looks like that's what happened. Of course plenty of people will claim his suicide was faked etc. but unless they have credible evidence to back that up I will go with 'Occam's razor' on this.
Perimetr , Aug 10 2019 15:13 utc | 36
We live in a national security state run by criminals. Expecting justice from the legal system is like expecting to elect a president who will drain the swamp. It is a democracy theme park, where the levers and handles are not attached to anything.
AnneR , Aug 10 2019 15:16 utc | 37
Epstein's death - assuming he hasn't been "spirited" away to somewhere welcoming and unwilling to extradite, ever, (I wonder which "country" that might be) - and its timing is awfully convenient.

And the fact that he was supposedly on suicide watch after his "apparent" attempt some days earlier gives one pause. Either the so-called suicide watch is really negligent and Epstein was given/allowed both the "space" and the means (surely the means would, under suicide watch, be rendered null?) or his death by *suicide* is questionable.

O , Aug 10 2019 15:16 utc | 38
Anyone know what happened to Epstein's cellmate. A former cop convicted of murder?
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-epstein-life-behind-bars-20190726-ujdvknsmz5a4rbcgzfms6cqti4-story.html
Tonymike , Aug 10 2019 15:20 utc | 39
We forget that there are still other (((predators))) on the loose to include Polanski, Woody Allen, and a list of others. I will not say that they are all jews because George Bush Sr, was a known pedophile and he died at a ripe old age of 94 (and some people believe in karma..yeah right). Of course he was also the head of the CIA and the Warren commission, so he could afford to do what he did and get away with it. Don't believe me, check into the Franklin Child Abuse scandal and this Washington Times article. http://www.voxfux.com/features/bush_child_sex_coverup/franklin.htm

Unless "We the People" take these predators down, they will continue to destroy children.

Kadath , Aug 10 2019 15:21 utc | 40
Since hollywood is so bankrupt for ideas i wonder if someone will do a citizen kane type story based on epistein, For those who dont know citizen kane was basically an unflattering biography about a thinly veiled william randolph hurst expry (Hurst did everything possible to try to kill the film when he heard about it). This might be the only way we get anything close to even an approximation of what the truth was behind Epistein
div> Can't help but think about Deborah Jeane Palfrey, known as the "D.C. Madam," was also suicided.

Posted by: O , Aug 10 2019 15:24 utc | 41

Can't help but think about Deborah Jeane Palfrey, known as the "D.C. Madam," was also suicided.

Posted by: O | Aug 10 2019 15:24 utc | 41

ADKC , Aug 10 2019 15:24 utc | 42
donkeytale @35

The Kennedy's were murdered! Perhaps John-John as well!

The building 7 was destroyed! There are reasons why it would suit a lot of people if building 7 was destroyed.

What you are doing is playing with American shame; that the people could not bring truth and closure to these events.

Epstein 'suicide' looks like it will also prevent justice and closure.

How can America move forward progressively without resolving such issues?

You are right that such events should lead to uprusings; they didn't, another source of shame.

Do you really think that the people will rise up and follow AOC for Medicare4All when they can't insist on justice and truth for the above issues.

It's not titillating, it's shaming!

Kadath , Aug 10 2019 15:25 utc | 43
I especially like how his suicide was staged on a Friday evening when people wont be paying that much attention. That has always been the best time for governments to release bad news
Anacharsis , Aug 10 2019 15:27 utc | 44
"'What is truth?' said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer." --Francis Bacon
Ken , Aug 10 2019 15:30 utc | 45
Move along. Nothing to see here.
Bemildred , Aug 10 2019 15:33 utc | 49
I wonder if they will do an autopsy, or maybe he will get "cremated" right away? If the former, I'd say maybe he actually did kill himself, if the latter, definitely not. Of course autopsies don't have to be accurate either. "Who gets the remains?" is another good question. "Why the heck did he show up to get arrested like that?" is another one.
Mina , Aug 10 2019 15:36 utc | 52
Wow!! Those suckers at the BBC manage NOT to mention Maxwell or Prince Andrew (ok... they are mentioned in some of the links they give, but come one!!)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49306032
the pessimist , Aug 10 2019 15:37 utc | 53
Epstein, never married, no acknowledeged children. Odd for someone who wanted to populate the world with his progeny... someone suggested that now his estate(s) canbe freely searched. We will see if this all goes away or if some pitbulls in Miami keep after others who have been implicated. When the DC Madam was murdered/committed suicide every lead went dark and her little black book disappeared as I recall...
O , Aug 10 2019 15:39 utc | 54
Where's Ghislane?

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Aug 10 2019 15:32 utc | 47

Yes the Mossad handler for Epstein.

Curtis , Aug 10 2019 15:44 utc | 58
lysias 11
I read that book last month! The official story still stands but the truth is out there. And it was not surprising to see that any evidence contrary to the official story of a paranoid, crazy man committing suicide didn't go anywhere.

I expect the Epstein story and its details to fade as well because many in power want it to. It's been interesting to read of the ties between Bill Browder, Robert Maxwell, and Jeffrey Epstein. Very shady dealings with so much submerged.

donkeytale , Aug 10 2019 15:53 utc | 62

O @ 51-

does this require elaboration? I read your linked Daily News article. I have spent some time behind bars myself (although not for sex crimes I hasten to add) and while not in possession of as lavish lifestyle as Epstein I would probably have a difficult time tolerating much of the rest of my life spent in similar conditions.

And I get that Club Fed is a much better living environment than pre-trial holding cells but only by degrees...and he was going to be held in pre-trial for a long time while the press and alt media had a field day with his story.

The Clinton conection of course leads to all sorts of rightwing created conspiracy theorues which Barflies too love to swarm all over like a fresh batch of dogshit on the sidewalk.

Clinton likes/liked having sex with young, possible underage girls?

Get out of town!

Curtis , Aug 10 2019 15:57 utc | 68
A BI article on Thursday had Leslie Wexner distancing himself from Epstein with the accusation that Epstein "missappropriated" $46 million.
https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-leslie-wexner-says-jeffrey-epstein-cheated-46-million-2019-8

They all say they cut ties with Epstein 12 years ago when the charges first surfaced. And yet, Epstein still got around and hobnobbed with the rich and shameless ever since then.

O , Aug 10 2019 15:58 utc | 70
Posted by: donkeytale | Aug 10 2019 15:53 utc | 62

Yes it requires elaboration because this was not Epstein's first courtroom rodeo. To believe the official narrative on this is incredibly naive.

sejomoje , Aug 10 2019 16:01 utc | 71
Epstein by all recent accounts wasn't actually "smart", just pathologically driven and well-funded. Someone gave him a leg-up very early on; just an undeniable fact if you study his bio. He would not have any incriminating evidence stored at his properties or in his personal effects, it would've been funneled to whoever he was working for long ago. Point is, he trusted his bosses. His brain, Ghislaine's brain; those are the only two places outside of Tel Aviv that the info was still stored.

If he had prepared a dead man's switch, he would have pulled it years ago.

nottheonly1 , Aug 10 2019 16:07 utc | 73
@ Scotch Bingeington | Aug 10 2019 15:44 utc | 57
I find the Pavlovian reactions shown here by quite a number of people very painful to witness.

Like there can be any doubt Epstein would have more than enough reason to kill himself. A sexual marauder, a high-roller, the world's no. 1 pimp, probably an "Intelligence" asset in a class of its own, a guy who knew none of the boundaries us mortals usually face – confined to a tiny cell and prison life. With the prospect of having your sad and perverse life dissected in court, of having to explain and justify your actions, of having to go through harrowing witnesses' statements. Yeah, what's not to look forward to in there?

Yours is by far the most Pavlovian reaction to this news. Or is it 'news'?

Let me get this straight for your to think about it. The guy has enough money to spend after he gets out of jail. How any years would he get in a Justice system that was lenient in the first place? Different folks now in the Justice Department? Let's say he would get five years, no make it ten. I seriously doubt he wouldn't get parole after some time for exemplary behavior. And he promised to not continue his crimes. Remember that it suffices to confess to the public and apologize for what you did - for the evangelical faction to forgive you. Hell, make that 'Christian faction'. He would sign a confidentiality agreement in exchange for his life to those who would take it otherwise. Lots of money to use in a corrupted society.

Jeffrey Epstein would know that the average attention span of Americans is as long as the trail of a shooting star in the night. Another mass shooting and "Who? Epstein? Never heard of him."

It is you, who fits the findings of Pavlov quite well. However, from personal experience at the Humane Society, I know that there is no dog that cannot be re-trained, or re-conditioned to be a friendly doggie.

Really?? , Aug 10 2019 16:08 utc | 75
@41

My first thought. In fact, I had this thought as soon as I heard of the first Epstein suicide "attempt." I am sure I am not alone. Just when we thought we were going to see whose names actually were in her little black book, she conveninetly disappears, and the little black book slides down the memory hole.

Remember it was Reagan who said: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Oh, yes, and Gary Webb supposedly also committed suicide. And a number of the JFK witnesses who planned to come forward some years/decades after his death---poof! Heart attack the day before the planned interrogation (see Douglass, JFK and the Unspeakable).

Anyone who believes this new (and richly predicted) suicide story is a fool. Gimme an effing break!
The guy was on "suicide watch"! That can only mean that the people in charge of this supposed watch were the ones who administered the tiny shot (leaves no trace in the skin) that brought about heart failure.

karlof1 , Aug 10 2019 16:11 utc | 78
How convenient, just after Florida opened its own investigation into the original plea arraignment that threatened to unseal Epstein's financial records. But just because Epstein's no more doesn't mean the investigation should end; others in the DoJ broke the law then, not Epstein. Plus, his operation was what's known as a "ring", a conspiracy, a racketeering operation involving numerous others, some known, some not. I wonder what his will says?
donkeytale , Aug 10 2019 16:19 utc | 81
nottheonly1

The flaw in your argument is that Epstein wasn't getting out this time and he knew it.

He may have been killed and he may have killed himself precisely because of what is to follow.

I believe like Karlof1 that the investigation should definitely continue because of what is to follow and also now should include whether or not Epstein was "suicided".

And if Clinton or Prince Andrew or wtf is found guilty of sex crimes then he should rot in jail too.

After all, Bill Cosby, white Amerikkka's favourite black father figure went to jail didn't he? Although granted he is black and he is also forgotten at this point in the ever rushing news cycle....but he is still behind bars, isn't he?

willie , Aug 10 2019 16:37 utc | 88 DontBelieveEitherPr. , Aug 10 2019 16:41 utc | 89
To those who think "suicide watch" is some magical way to prevent suicide, and that his death would imply some action by a third party to kill him, maybe i can shed some light on the procedure, as it is handled in Germany (And very likely at least inspired from US procedures):

1. The inmate does get a cell with a fellow inmate, so he is not alone, and is observed by that inmate too.
2. Additionally, to normal security measures, the inmate gets taken away all things with which he could harm himself
3. Wardens control the inmate visually in a pre determined interval of e.g. 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes.
4. In special cases inmates are transferred into special cells with rubber walls and floors, like one would think in a mental hospital (Gummizelle is the German term).

Now, in consequence:
1. When the other inmate does not look, sleeps or simply does not give a shit, this has no effect
2. While belts, show laces and sharp things are removed, one can easily improvise a rope from a piece of bed linen etc. to hand themselves on the water fountain or classically on the window grille, jump from a double story bed head first breaking ones neck or bleeding themselves, slitting the wrist to bleed to death (something sharp can always be found or made, overdosing on drugs the inmate acquired from other inmates...

I myself have witnessed multiple people successfully kill themselves under suicide watch in the pretty short times i myself was an inmate in a maximum security prison. And i myself have been at times under suicide watch, and I know myself that if you want to do it, you got plenty of options.
After some days you know how the system works, and have multiples options if you choose so.
Plus, guards are always lazy, and cheat on the interval. E.g. checking only once an hour instead of every 15 minutes.
But even the 15 minutes is plenty of time.

So him being on suice watch and still killing himself IS NO PROOF OF NOTHING.
That said, i dont exclude something like this.

Maybe he had a conscience. Maybe he felt ashamed. Maybe not, and only had not the balls to face what he did.
Maybe some told him it would be better for him, or that there are actually people he loved and that he got threatened that those people would be hurt.
Who knows? Not we certainly.

IMHO it is TYPICALL for such people as him to commit suicide.
He may have some smarts concerning the rich and famous, but in a federal jail, he is FUCKED.
EVERYONE WILL TRY TO GET A PIECE OF HIS ASS AND MONEY!
JUST LIKE EVERY FUCKING PEDO IN EVERY JAIL ON EARTH!
And no solitary confinement (Already gone on suicide watch, where he is at least in a 2 man cell) can protect him.
Taking a shower, free time, sport, work, visiting waiting cell.. Countless times to get that mofo, and put a shank to his dick.

A pedo is already done in prison, but a prominent pedo???
He killed himself to not get assfucked till it bleeds, to not have to get abused like he abused.

He had no future, and he doing himself was realizing he played out.

ADKC , Aug 10 2019 16:43 utc | 91
donkeytale @50

As chance would have it, AOC appears to have a House of Representatives oversight role with regard to Epstein's 'suicide' and is loudly demanding answers; she sounds a lot more sceptical than you!

This is a good opportunity to show if she has substance. Let's see what she does!

Schmoe , Aug 10 2019 16:46 utc | 92
Epstein would have had this to weigh:
a) 1-2 years in his current settings; this did not sound like Club Fed.

b) Then a trail with 2 outcomes:

i) A decent chance of an acquittal. Consider Robert Durst and OJ. When was the last time a wealthy, good looking person was convicted?

I) A hung jury would have been a distinct possibility given societal taboo's against sexual abuse (not that that is a bad thing!).

ii) Conviction, with several years in Club Fed and I doubt if he would have been put into a situation where he was physically endangered.

I tend to weigh against suicide, but do understand donkeytale's comments.

Jackrabbit , Aug 10 2019 16:49 utc | 96
DontBelieveEitherPr. @89

Sorry, I don't buy it.

A Shocked World Reacts To News Of Epstein's Impossible 'Suicide' :

One self-proclaimed corrections officer said on Reddit that Epstein's suicide should never have been possible.
I'm a corrections officer. This should never have been possible. During the intake process due to the nature of his crimes and being famous he should have already been on special watch. Then after the first attempt he would have been in a special cell. He would be in what we call a "pickle suit" it's a green suit that you can't tear or tie to anything. His blankets would be the same material. He would only get hygiene products under supervision. Only thing allowed in his cell would be a book and court papers. Then we would be monitored more closely. This is a huge failing on the jail. I want a massive investigation on how this was able to happen.
/div> The NYT this morning is reporting that it is not known if Epstein was on a suicide watch. Clearly, he should have been after the recent incident in which he was found unconscious and with injury marks around his neck. I think it is not at all unlikely that he did commit suicide, but also that he was allowed or even aided in doing so.

Posted by: Rob , Aug 10 2019 16:52 utc | 99

The NYT this morning is reporting that it is not known if Epstein was on a suicide watch. Clearly, he should have been after the recent incident in which he was found unconscious and with injury marks around his neck. I think it is not at all unlikely that he did commit suicide, but also that he was allowed or even aided in doing so.

Posted by: Rob | Aug 10 2019 16:52 utc | 99

Curtis , Aug 10 2019 16:52 utc | 100
Looking into the Wexler-Epstein ties led to the Mega Group. (first time I've heard of it)
https://www.mintpressnews.com/mega-group-maxwells-mossad-spy-story-jeffrey-epstein-scandal/261172/
Hoarsewhisperer , Aug 10 2019 16:57 utc | 104
It's probably too early to draw the curtains on the Epstein nothing-burger. It's not at all clear to me that ANY of the under age women were pre-pubescent children. Bonking under age females with breasts and pubic hair is known as Statutory Rape in most Western countries; the assumption being that the bonkee is deemed to be too young to give Informed Consent to sex with an adult male. If there's no allegation or evidence of coercion by the bonker then it's not a hanging offense.

The mystery surrounding Epstein's rags to riches good fortune has not yet been fully explained, although if it's true that he had charisma then he was probably capable of seducing/ charming males as well as females.

IF he was running a honey-trap blackmail scam as a sole trader then he will fade from History surrounded by a blizzard of "???". If on the other hand he was a "useful idiot" running the scam on behalf, and for the benefit of, powerful people then one suspects that he will have left a "dead man's letter" so that he'd have the last laugh.

A dead man's letter is only as good as the entity one trusts to ensure that it's disseminated. WikiLeaks would be my top pick for a trustworthy publisher and The Swamp is moving Heaven and Earth to keep Assange incommunicado until he can be suicided.

Kadath , Aug 10 2019 17:01 utc | 106
Re: nottheonly1, donkeytale and KC

I think you are missing the fundamental issue regarding the circumstances of Epstein's death, it is no longer Epstein's crimes and that of his co-conspirators, it is a systemic loss of Trust in the government and political elites. The allegations against Epstein and his associates were extremely serious, at the absolute minimum they involved major political and economic figures involved in sex trafficking and the sexual abuse of minors, the worst allegations were that foreign individuals or governments had gained compromising information about these figures and used it subvert the government policies for their benefits. I do not know if all of these allegations were, but at least some of these allegations involving sexual abuse were truth (Epstein himself admitted as much when he took the original guilty plea).

In re-arresting Epstein under new charges, the government itself also asserted that 1) they believed Epstein committed other crimes and 2) they were reasonably likely to get a conviction at a trial (prosecutors are not supposed to bring charges against people unless they think they can get a conviction at trial). Again, I do not know if all of these allegations were true, but in bring a case the government said that they believed that they were. Lastly, in refusing to grant bail to Epstein, the government clearly and publicly took on the responsibility of protecting Epstein from ALL THREATS (including himself, other inmates, guards, health issues, everything) while he was in their custody.

The fact that Epstein, allegedly, tried to commit suicide a week ago and was then moved to the highest level of care and security by the government where he then dies after "allegedly" committing suicide is a huge, public and devastating failure of the government to fulfill their obligations to society, the courts and even Epstein (that is assuming Epstein really is dead). This is made all the worst by the fact that many, many people (Zerohedge, moon of alabama, RT, infowars, the Duran among others) had stated their fears that Epstein would be murdered in such a way by powerfully forces within the government and political elites, in the eyes of these people, their concerns have been fully vindicated. By failing to fulfill their obligations in such a public way, especially after being warned repeatedly by people concerned about just such a situation unfolding, the US government has hugely discredited itself and legitimized the believe that the US government and the political elite is deeply, systematically corrupt.

Now, undoubtedly the US government and society will not be fatally undermined by a single event such as this. But for the prior 30 years (at least), the US government and society seem unable to generate successes for anyone except the top 1% and indeed seems openly hostile to the very idea that government should ever create a benefit for anyone except the 1% or that the political and economic elite should ever be held accountable for any failure or crimes they commit (the 2001 tech bubble, the Iraq war, the 2008 financial crisis, Libya, Syria, Iran, Venezuela and now the Epstein scandal). At some point a critical threshold will be breeched and people will slowly stop believing in the various government narratives on events and public policies. Many American already reject the US government's narrative on 9/11, the Iraq war, Syria now some of them will add the Epstein episode to their list of disbelieved narratives. Unless the US government reverses course and starts rebuilding it's legitimacy and trust, this rejection of US government narratives will spread to the most fundamental government narrative, that the US government is the legitimate government of the people. Once that narrative is disbelieved by as little as 1/3 of the population, the US (as it currently exists) is doomed. When will that happen, that's the $64 question although I personally believe it will be within the next 20 years unless some reforming figure arises

Mina , Aug 10 2019 17:09 utc | 109
Since he was certainly a spook it makes sense that he knew he had to commit suicide by himself. Suicided, yes, but by his owners who dropped him. The guy still thought recently he could be released on bail.

Now what about the many pages missing from the published documents?? and those pages where she starts talking about some big guys and have a lot of black on the lines??

Noirette , Aug 10 2019 17:13 utc | 111
Why did Epstein return to the US? The situation was desperate, escape in any way at all at any cost should have been top priority.

Epstein was lured back with false promises of 'the fix is in,' he would be aided, nothing serious, be let off, etc. (imho)

Doc. 2009/10, depositions of various witnesses in a previous Epstein case -- Epstein vs. Bradley J. Edwards. Released long ago.

Link is searchable, 800+ pages.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1508967-deposition-excerpts.html#document/p55

The details of Trump's only ride on an Epstein plane, from Florida to NY, he 'hitched a ride' - no girls. It is curious, as Ilargi, no Trump fan, points out the MSM has never bothered to report this, plus keeps on suggesting that Trump is involved with Epstein, insinuating guilt by association (sex trafficking, pedophilia, prostitution, abuse, blackmail, etc.) Publishing that photo of Epstein w. Trump and Maxwell, Melania, over and over.

https://www.theautomaticearth.com/2019/08/epstein-or-how-your-news-is-cooked/

Giuffre (> recent doc release) confirms - Trump never flirted with her, she never saw Trump involved with any girls. (see also dan 77)

The MSM goes so far as to not report court cases, witness testimony, legal conclusions, etc. from the US judiciary (itself notoriously corrupt!) -> even the minor attempts to uphold say, the first amendment / some small parts of the rule of law.. are ignored, hidden, flatly denied..

Circe might accuse me of supporting Trump! - NO, no..no...


O , Aug 10 2019 17:13 utc | 112
Posted by: donkeytale | Aug 10 2019 16:55 utc | 103

You know what, you are right... I can't say 100 percent what exactly happened but this has to have everybody's BS detector on full alert.

As Posted by: Kadath | Aug 10 2019 17:01 utc | 106
"At some point a critical threshold will be breeched and people will slowly stop believing in the various government narratives on events and public policies. Many American already reject the US government's narrative on 9/11, the Iraq war, Syria now some of them will add the Epstein episode to their list of disbelieved narratives. Unless the US government reverses course and starts rebuilding it's legitimacy and trust, this rejection of US government narratives will spread to the most fundamental government narrative, that the US government is the legitimate government of the people. Once that narrative is disbelieved by as little as 1/3 of the population, the US (as it currently exists) is doomed. "

The lies haven't got so blatant that the narrative managers are asking to disregard any logic to believe their stories. This Epstein case I have personally been following since 2015. From all that I read of the guy, suicide doesn't seem like his way. Ratting everyone else out seemed more his style. Thus I lean more on a hit job more than anything.

somebody , Aug 10 2019 17:13 utc | 113
I would say it is mainly a wallstreet story.

The mysteries of Jeffrey Epstein's financial black book

I didn't really know Jeffrey. He was like Boo Radley in the corner of the room. After I met him, he became Jeffrey Epstein, he had no interest in me. He knew right out of the box who the players were, the people who would stay out all night, people who had interests in extracurricular objectives, and who the hitters were. That wasn't me." ... The Wall Street names in the book range from the highly prominent to the obscure, and, for some unknown reason, a disproportionate number of names of bankers in it worked once upon a time at Lazard, my old firm.

Financial Times Book review

Cohan dutifully records passing events in the outside world, such as the near-bankruptcy of New York, which Mr Rohatyn averted, and various mergers and acquisitions. But the interesting action was taking place in Lazard's allegedly dingy (they never seemed that bad to me) offices in the Rockefeller Center, where the "great men" who advised big companies plied their trade.

The emphasis was on the "men". Cohan records that partners from Meyer to Mr David-Weill and Mr Rohatyn imported a French attitude to extramarital liaisons and the first women who worked there as bankers were apparently propositioned constantly. One young woman is even said to have been raped by two junior bankers, and according to Cohan's ac­count the bankers were eased out to avoid embarrassment.

Vasco da Gama , Aug 10 2019 17:15 utc | 114
But just because Epstein's no more doesn't mean the investigation should end

Posted by: karlof1 | Aug 10 2019 16:11 utc | 78

This can't be stressed enough.

The Great US of A are absolutely FUCKEDUP. Remember what's at stake are proven and alleged public order crimes, that it was not a victim that perished, that sex trafficking, of minors or otherwise, are criminal organization type crimes. These crimes shall be prosecuted under the law. Except there is no law to be under anymore.

We can all speculate on suicide vs "suicided" but in my opinion this is several degrees below the bar, at this point I don't even think it matters that part of the discussion. I'm slightly disappointed at today's comments, but since I can't myself bring up to par, I extend it myself.

Fuckedup, i say FUCKEDUP!

Ort , Aug 10 2019 17:16 utc | 117
Caitlin Johnstone weighs in: "Jeffrey Epstein Dies Of "Suicide""
Don Wiscacho , Aug 10 2019 17:17 utc | 118
There isn't any hard evidence that Epstein was murdered, true. But if the death of the sole named accused in arguably the most high profile case in decades, involving the most well-connected elites, steeped foreign intelligence connections, in a federal prison, on suicide watch, alone in a cell wearing a paper suit, with no shoelaces, under 24/7 watch doesn't arose your suspicions, you are a special kind of obtuse. Suicide watch is designed specifically to not allow what supposedly happened. At a minimum, it is a scandal in its own right. But to happen to Epstein now, just as the trail was getting rolling, on Friday - the day known to 'bury' stories, in a federal facility in Manhattan, is as fishy as fishy gets. If you want to mock those who point that out, it reflects much more on your naivety than anyone else's.
Jackrabbit , Aug 10 2019 17:19 utc | 119
Hoarsewhisperer @104

Your comment is offensive and misleading.

He wasn't just "bonking" underage women, he was trafficking them - internationally and on a large scale. And he threatened them as well. These women were fearful.

If your daughter had been one of those "bonked", trafficked, and threatened at 15 or 16 years old maybe you wouldn't be so cavalier.

Furthermore, it's difficult to believe a wealthy person like Epstein would risk their wealth and prestige so blatantly without some belief that they were protected. Many believe that his protection came from Mega/Mossad. So the serial rapist was likely part of a criminal conspiracy that was aided and abetted by a foreign government.

I used to think you had a functioning moral compass.

Kadath , Aug 10 2019 17:23 utc | 120
Re O #112,

My BS detector has been bleeping almost non-stop since the US war on Serbia, as far as I'm concern when the US makes an assertion they need to provide verifiable evidence to back up their claims. my personal opinion is that Epstein didn't commit suicide, heck, I'm not even sure if he's really dead but if he is dead, he was probably murdered.

Norwegian , Aug 10 2019 17:24 utc | 121
Kadath @106
Well said. Indeed, loss of trust in governments is key, and this event utterly destroys the little trust that remained. Other western governments have the same problem also.

[Aug 11, 2019] MOA comments linking Epstein case with the loss of legitimacy on neoliberal goverment in the USA

Aug 11, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Nathan Mulcahy , Aug 11 2019 18:51 utc | 7

Epstein was in custody of someone. Whether Epstien was "suicided" or his death was faked, in a functioning state that someone would be brought to justice, and that would go up the chain of command until the highest culprit is found. But we live in a system that is either a Banana Republic or a Mafia State


Formerly T-Bear , Aug 11 2019 19:46 utc | 8

@ Nathan Mulcahy | Aug 11 2019 18:51 utc | 7

Had you given thought to: Banana Mafia State Democracy ?

Formerly T-Bear , Aug 11 2019 19:46 utc | 8 james , Aug 11 2019 20:04 utc | 9
false choices and a load of shite.. how is a crony capitalism, banana mafia run country supposed to be a sovereign state?? personally i can't see it.. pat lang as usual is for the most part, off his rocker..sovereign state my ass..
uncle tungsten , Aug 11 2019 20:42 utc | 10
FWIW New Eastern Outlook is running a story by Gordon Duff on Epstein's murder including citing Bill Richardson and plutonium theft from USA stockpile. Messad gets a mention.
vk , Aug 11 2019 20:42 utc | 11
After good pressure from its readership, it seems the NYT is caving in and beginning to do some "investigative journalism":

Before Jail Suicide, Jeffrey Epstein Was Left Alone and Not Closely Monitored

I put investigative journalism between quotation marks because the editors of the NYT probably already know who killed Epstein. "Playing along" with the investigative narrative would be the more appropriate term.

Jay , Aug 11 2019 20:56 utc | 12
Even the New York Times is reporting that 2 guards who were supposed to check on Epstein every 30 minutes since he was in "protective" custody didn't do their rounds, or not all of their rounds, on Friday night into Saturday morning:


https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/nyregion/epstein-death-manhattan-correctional-center.html

Paragraph three, quoted in full:

Mr. Epstein was supposed to have been checked by the two guards in the protective housing unit every 30 minutes, but that procedure was not followed that night, a law-enforcement official with knowledge of his detention said.

Nothing to see here, move along, don't care that the doctors at Parkland said publicly and unambiguously that day that JFK was shot from the front.

Tonymike , Aug 11 2019 21:00 utc | 14
If you look at Epstein, he was a cog in the one of the largest White Slave trade endeavors for a country that begins with I and ends in an L (or better known as Occupied Palestine). Israel has been noted for years to have one of the largest white slave sex trade operations in the world. Bringing in young white Estonian, Latvian, and other eastern european white girls for jobs as maids, nanny's, and other domestic help, until upon arrival their passports are taken and they have to work in brothels for 16 hours a day to pay off fees the fends impose upon them. I could provide sources from the UN to other bodies but look it up yourself. Epstein was only doing God's work for the chosenites.
karlof1 , Aug 11 2019 21:27 utc | 18
Responding to several questions in the last open thread, I mentioned the fact that Epstein's case reflects the great amount of corruption prevalent within the Outlaw US Empire, and it's that aspect of the case that might be used as a campaign issue, particularly since Sanders is going to great lengths to point to the utterly corrupt and immoral nature of "health" insurance and Big Pharma. That was exactly the line he presented on today's Face The Nation program, despite the primary fccus being gun control:

"'The American people are sick and tired of powerful corporate interest determining what goes on in Washington,' Sanders said. 'You know that's whether it's the healthcare industry, whether it is the fossil fuel industry, whether it is the NRA.'"

The other important point Sanders made was the divisive nature of Trump's rhetoric--that becoming more divided now isn't in the nation's best interest:

"He is creating the kind of divisiveness in this nation that is the last thing we should be doing."

Ah, but that's exactly what the Current Oligarchy wants done--create an ever more divisive nation such that solidarity--and thus Movement Building--becomes ever harder to attain and realize.

bjd , Aug 11 2019 21:33 utc | 19
Any NYT reporting on Epstein is meant as a distraction -- to cover up the facts.
The NYT is the elites' protector, it punches down instead of up.
The NYT 'revelations' about guards are a) punching down to protect elites and b) a distraction to protect elites.
The NYT is one of the Augean Stables.
karlof1 , Aug 11 2019 21:54 utc | 22
18 Cont'd--

IMO, it matters not whether Epstein's alive or dead. What matters is that a person like Epstein was able to become what Epstein became, which was enabled through the great, vast cesspool of corruption that the global elite inhabit. Epstein ought to become the Poster Boy for ridding the nation of government and elite corruption that affects every aspect of life here and everywhere. As many have said, Billionaires ought not to exist--no one individual should have that much wealth and power. The thesis embodied within Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth (PDF) ought to be made into law such that it's ensured that those fortunate enough to become well-off thanks to the public--directly or indirectly via government--return a great proportion of that wealth to their benefactors. IMO, had such a law been in force, the corruption that enabled Epstein would have had a more difficult time doing what it did.

Yes, there are other factors/actors involved that aided Epstein's racket. We have an excellent idea of who and what--China has the proper solution for such corruption. Ridding the world of those factors/actors ought to be equivalent to the Quest for The Grail.

At least comfort can come from knowing that the evil within Syria is currently being eradicated, and that additional evil plans are being thwarted thanks to the Forces of Resistance.

[Aug 11, 2019] This does significantly strain the overall credibility of the system

Aug 11, 2019 | turcopolier.typepad.com

John Merryman , 10 August 2019 at 06:20 PM

This does significantly strain the overall credibility of the system, among those who would like nothing more than to believe in it, but still have some conscience and working brain cells.

Yet having been raised fairly rural, with a significant respect for the natural cycles, this is nothing so much as watching necrotic tissue decay even further. Only for those raised in fairly sterile conditions, does it seem abnormal.

strateshooter , 11 August 2019 at 09:06 AM
this corruption in US politics and DOJ is now so so pervasive hat I think only way to clear the cancer is for trump to use the Military to replace CIA, FBI, DOJ , clean out the Judges , clean out the Media and start again with STRICT compliance to the Laws of the US Constitution.

The FBI /DOJ is clearly infested with the cancer of corruption.
The DC and NY offices need to be fired in entirety and replaced by mid America new blood.

EK -> strateshooter... , 11 August 2019 at 10:43 AM
I was wondering when I would see a Trump supporter explicitly promoting a military coup in the US in a Trump supportive blog with the alibi of returning to "Constitution and Law strict compliance"...

No wonder a military coup is anti-constitutional....

I always thought all these stories of the "deep state", the "borg", "drainning the swmp", "paedophilia conspiracy theories", "Epstein case", "white supremacism terrorism", and attacks by Trump, and his ideologues, against any US institution, were designed to sow the enough ammount of distrust and confussion amongst the US population so that they become more rone to allow such an outrage...

"The FBI /DOJ is clearly infested with the cancer of corruption."

Mainly since both ends of the bipartisan system try to hijack the independence of some these powers by placing their ideologically kindred men any time they grab presidency. This includes Trump.

"The DC and NY offices need to be fired in entirety and replaced by mid America new blood."

A public officers corps which reachs its position by merits independent from political filiation is the best gurantee for a Constitutional rule and a vaccine against authoritarian aims/intends like coup d´etats.

turcopolier -> EK... , 11 August 2019 at 11:15 AM
EK

I suppose that from your position of "resistance" tht I appear to be a Trump supporter but I am not. I support the constitution and little else.

[Aug 11, 2019] Epstein s suicide is simply too convenient for too many wealthy, politically powerful people (of both parties) whom he might have implicated.

Notable quotes:
"... Last time we were promised someone whose integrity was “beyond question” we got Robert Mueller and a team of Hillary donors investigating a GOP President ..."
Aug 11, 2019 | twitter.com

Robert P. George ‏ 8:12 AM - 10 Aug 2019

Epstein's suicide--while on suicide watch in a prison--is simply too convenient for too many wealthy, politically powerful people (of both parties) whom he might have implicated. The investigation must be thorough, transparent, and by someone whose integrity is beyond question.

Robert P. George‏ @McCormickProf Aug 10

We won't get a special counsel in a case like this, but if I had the power to appoint one the choice would be easy: Jack Goldsmith of Harvard Law School. We need a person of his exceptional ability and integrity to get to the bottom of this and stop the further erosion of trust.

Will Chamberlain‏ @willchamberlain Aug 10

Replying to @McCormickProf

Last time we were promised someone whose integrity was “beyond question” we got Robert Mueller and a team of Hillary donors investigating a GOP President

[Aug 11, 2019] What hopefully happens now is called diffusion of responsibility .

Notable quotes:
"... What hopefully happens now is called "diffusion of responsibility". The AG is suitably "appalled". We find that the dumbest prison guard in the history of New York was rostered on that night. He was called away to the telephone- by what proved to be an overseas telemarketing call. The paper records got jammed in the printer. The supervisor had a flat tire on the way to work. The computer broke down. You know the drill. ..."
Aug 11, 2019 | turcopolier.typepad.com

walrus , 10 August 2019 at 06:51 PM

What hopefully happens now is called "diffusion of responsibility". The AG is suitably "appalled". We find that the dumbest prison guard in the history of New York was rostered on that night. He was called away to the telephone- by what proved to be an overseas telemarketing call. The paper records got jammed in the printer. The supervisor had a flat tire on the way to work. The computer broke down. You know the drill.

I said "hopefully" because if an investigation discovers a perpetrator, then they will be dead in short order too. You always remove two links between victim and murderer. That way the crime is impossible to investigate.

What this now means in practical terms is that HRC is free to run again for President.

[Aug 11, 2019] One weak spot of the conspiracy theory that Epstein was killed: Why not terminate him overseas before his return? No mess, no fuss

Highly recommended!
The question why Epstein was not terminated oversees is the critical one. It supports suicide version of his demise.
Notable quotes:
"... Why not terminate him overseas before his return? No mess, no fuss. ..."
Aug 11, 2019 | turcopolier.typepad.com

Petrel , 10 August 2019 at 06:53 PM

Epstein may have been lured back to the US with some cover story of a get-out-of-jail fake death -- only the powers that be had decided to terminate his contract.
ancientarcher said in reply to Petrel... , 11 August 2019 at 03:28 AM
We still don't know whether it's the real Epstein who died! We'll be told that, of course. But if you believe that, you'll believe anything
JP Billen , 10 August 2019 at 07:39 PM
Petrel -

Why not terminate him overseas before his return? No mess, no fuss.

[Aug 11, 2019] https://www.mintpressnews.com/mega-group-maxwells-mossad-spy-story-jeffrey-epstein-scandal/261172/ by By Whitney Webb

Highly recommended!
Images removed. For full text the original source... test
Notable quotes:
"... Maxwell, who was a business partner of Mega Group co-founder Charles Bronfman, aided the successful Mossad plot to plant a trapdoor in U.S.-created software that was then sold to governments and companies throughout the world. That plot’s success was largely due to the role of a close associate of then-President Ronald Reagan and an American politician close to Maxwell, who later helped aid Reagan in the cover-up of the Iran Contra scandal. ..."
"... Years later, Maxwell’s daughter — Ghislaine Maxwell — would join Jeffrey Epstein’s “inner circle” at the same time Epstein was bankrolling a similar software program now being marketed for critical electronic infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad ..."
"... Epstein appears to have ties to Israeli intelligence and has well-documented ties to influential Israeli politicians and the Mega Group. Yet, those entities are not isolated in and of themselves, as many also connect to the organized crime network and powerful alleged pedophiles discussed in previous installments of this series. ..."
"... Associated Press ..."
"... Lauder, then-ambassador to Austria for the Reagan administration, would have been well-positioned to acquire such a passport, particularly for the reason cited by Epstein’s attorneys that Jewish-Americans could be targeted during travel, and in light of Lauder’s very public concerns over threats Jews face from certain terror groups. Furthermore, the passport had been issued in 1987, when Lauder was still serving as an ambassador. ..."
"... Though Epstein’s defense attorney declined to reveal the identity of the “friend” who provided him with the fake Austrian passport, Lauder was both well-positioned to acquire it in Austria and also deeply connected to the Mega Group, which was co-founded by Epstein’s patron Leslie Wexner and to which Epstein has many connections. These connections to both the Austrian government and to Epstein’s mentor make Lauder the most likely person to have acquired the document on Epstein’s behalf. ..."
"... Furthermore, Lauder co-founded the Eastern European broadcasting network CETV with Mark Palmer, a former U.S. diplomat, Kissinger aide and Reagan speechwriter. Palmer is better known for co-founding the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), an organization often described as an accessory to U.S. intelligence, and one whose first president confessed to the Washington Post that “a lot of what we do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA.” A 2001 report in the Evening Standard noted that Epstein once claimed that during the 1980s he worked for the CIA, but Epstein later backed away from that assertion. ..."
"... The Mega Group — a secretive group of billionaires to which Lauder belongs — was formed in 1991 by Charles Bronfman and Leslie Wexner, the latter of whom has received considerable media scrutiny following the July arrest of his former protege Jeffrey Epstein. Media profiles of the group paint it as “a loosely organized club of 20 of the nation’s wealthiest and most influential Jewish businessmen” focused on “philanthropy and Jewishness,” with membership dues upwards of $30,000 per year. Yet several of its most prominent members have ties to organized crime. ..."
"... When Edgar Bronfman died in 2013, long-time ADL Director Abe Foxman said , “Edgar was for many years Chair of our Liquor Industry Division, Chair of our New York Appeal, and one of our most significant benefactors.” Other Mega Group members that are donors and major supporters of the ADL include Ronald Lauder , Michael Steinhardt and the late Max Fisher . As previously mentioned, Roy Cohn’s father was a long-time leader of B’nai B’rith’s influential New England-New York chapter and Cohn was later a celebrated member of its banking and finance lodge. ..."
"... In addition, Mega Group members have also been key players in the pro-Israel lobby in the United States. For instance, Max Fisher of the Mega Group founded the National Jewish Coalition, now known as the Republican Jewish Coalition — the main pro-Israel neoconservative political lobbying group , known for its support of hawkish policies, and whose current chief patrons, Sheldon Adelson and Bernard Marcus, are among Donald Trump’s top donors. ..."
"... Sam Bronfman, as was detailed in Part I of this series, had long-standing deep ties to organized crime, specifically Meyer Lanksy’s organized crime syndicate. Yet, Bronfman’s private ambition, according to those close to him, was to become a respected member of high society. As a consequence, Bronfman worked hard to remove the stain that his mob associations had left on his public reputation in Canada and abroad. He accomplished this by becoming a leader in Canada’s Zionist movement and, by the end of the 1930s, he was head of the Canadian Jewish Congress and had begun to make a name for himself as a philanthropist for Jewish causes. ..."
"... Yet even some of Bronfman’s activism and philanthropy had hints of the mobster-like reputation he tried so hard to shake. For instance, Bronfman was actively involved in the illegal shipping of arms to Zionist paramilitaries in Palestine prior to 1948, specifically as a co-founder of the National Conference for Israeli and Jewish Rehabilitation that smuggled weapons to the paramilitary group Haganah. ..."
"... However, Edgar and Charles Bronfman were hardly the only members of the Mega Group with deep and long-standing ties to the Lansky-led National Crime Syndicate. Indeed, one of the group’s prominent members, hedge fund manager Michael Steinhardt, opened up about his own family ties to Lansky in his autobiography No Bull: My Life in and out the Markets , where he noted that his father, Sol “Red McGee” Steinhardt, was Lansky’s jewel fence of choice and a major player in New York’s criminal underworld. Sol Steinhardt was also his son’s first client on Wall Street and helped him jumpstart his career in finance. ..."
"... One surprise connection to Cohn involves Mega Group member, and former president of U.S. weapons firm General Dynamics, Lester Crown, whose brother-in-law is David Schine, Cohn’s confidant and alleged lover during the McCarthy hearings, whose relationship with Cohn helped bring about the downfall of McCarthyism. ..."
"... Leslie “Les” Wexner, the other Mega Group co-founder, also has ties to organized crime. Wexner’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein have come under scrutiny following the latter’s recent arrest, as Wexner was the only publicly acknowledged client of Epstein’s suspicious hedge fund, the source of much of this wealth, and the previous owner of Epstein’s $56 million Manhattan townhouse, which Wexner transferred to an Epstein-controlled entity for free. ..."
"... The 1996 Times article also noted that, after Wexner bought the residence for $13.2 million in 1989, he spent millions more decorating and furnishing the home, including the addition of the electronic equipment in the “James Bond” bathroom, only to apparently never live in it. ..."
"... Farmer’s account strongly suggests that, given the behavior of his personal security staff at his mansion following Epstein’s alleged assault on Farmer, Wexner was well aware of Epstein’s predatory behavior towards young women. This is compounded by claims made by Alan Dershowitz — a former lawyer for and friend of Epstein’s, who has also been accused of raping underage girls — that Wexner has also been accused of raping underage girls exploited by Epstein on at least seven occasions. ..."
"... The report, titled “ Shapiro Homicide Investigation: Analysis and Hypothesis ,” names Leslie Wexner as linked “with associates reputed to be organized crime figures” and also lists the names of businessman Jack Kessler, former Columbus City Council President and Wexner associate Jerry Hammond, and former Columbus City Council member Les Wright as also being involved in Shapiro’s murder. ..."
"... As to Wexner’s alleged links to organized crime, the report focuses on the close business relationship between Wexner’s The Limited and Francis Walsh, whose trucking company “[had] done an excess of 90 percent of the Limited’s trucking business around the time of Shapiro’s murder,” according to the report. Walsh was named in a 1988 indictment as a “co-conspirator” of Genovese crime family boss Anthony “Fat Tony” Salerno, whose long-time lawyer was Roy Cohn; and the Shapiro murder report stated that Walsh was “still considered associates of the Genovese/LaRocca crime family, and Walsh was still providing truck transportation for The Limited.” ..."
"... According to a source who viewed a copy of the NSA transcript of the conversation, the intelligence officer, speaking in Hebrew, said, ‘The ambassador wants me to go to Mega to get a copy of this letter.’ The source said the supervisor in Tel Aviv rejected the request, saying, ‘This is not something we use Mega for.’” ..."
"... Almost one year to the day after the “Mega” spy scandal broke, the Wall Street Journal was the first outlet to report on the existence of a little-known organization of billionaires that was “informally” called the Mega Group and had been founded years prior in 1991. The report made no mention of the spy scandal that had spread concerns of Israeli espionage in the U.S. only a year prior. However, the group’s distinctive “informal” name and the connections of its members to the Mossad and to high-ranking Israeli politicians, including prime ministers, raise the possibility that “Mega” was not an individual, as the FBI and NSA had believed, but a group. ..."
"... Netanyahu was close enough to Lauder that he personally enlisted Lauder and George Nader to serve as his peace envoys to Syria. ..."
"... Nader, who was connected to the Trump 2016 campaign and Trump ally and Blackwater founder Erik Prince, was recently hit with federal child sex trafficking charges last month, soon after Jeffrey Epstein had been arrested on similar charges. At the time Nader was picked to work with Lauder on Netanyahu’s behalf, he had already been caught possessing large amounts of child pornography on two separate occasions, first in 1984 and later in 1990. ..."
"... Maxwell was also a close associate and friend of Israeli “superspy” Rafi Eitan, who, as previously mentioned, was Jonathan Pollard’s handler and who had previously worked directly with Meyer Lansky. ..."
"... With Inslaw out of the way, Brian sold the software all over the world. Eitan later recruited Robert Maxwell to become another Promis salesman, which he did remarkably well, even succeeding in selling the software to Soviet intelligence and conspiring with Republican Texas Senator John Tower to have the software adopted by the U.S. government laboratory at Los Alamos. Dozens of countries used the software on their most carefully guarded computer systems, unaware that Mossad now had access to everything Promis touched. ..."
"... According to journalist Robert Fisk , Maxwell was also involved in the Mossad abduction of Israeli nuclear weapons whistleblower Vanunu Mordechai. Mordechai had attempted to provide the media with information on the extent of Israel’s nuclear weapons program, which was eventually published by the Sunday Times of London . Yet, Mordechai had also contacted the Daily Mirror with the information, the Mirror being an outlet that was owned by Maxwell and whose foreign editor was a close Maxwell associate and alleged Mossad asset, Nicholas Davies. Journalist Seymour Hersh alleged that Davies had also been involved in Israeli arms deals. ..."
"... Per Fisk, it was Maxwell who contacted the Israeli Embassy in London and told them of Mordechai’s activities. This led to Mordechai’s entrapment by a female Mossad agent who seduced him as part of a “honey trap” operation that led to his kidnapping and later imprisonment in Israel. Mordechai served an 18-year sentence, 12 years of which were in solitary confinement. ..."
"... According to authors Gordon Thomas and Martin Dillon, Maxwell had sealed his own fate when he attempted to threaten top Mossad officials with the exposure of certain operations if they did not help him rescue his media empire from crippling debt and financial difficulties. Many of Maxwell’s creditors , who had grown increasingly displeased with the media mogul, were Israeli and several of them were alleged to be Mossad-connected themselves. ..."
"... Another attendee of the Maxwell yacht party was former Secretary of the Navy and former Henry Kissinger staffer Jon Lehman, who would go on to associate with the controversial neoconservative think tank, Project for a New American Century. Prior to being secretary of the Navy, Lehman had been president of the Abington Corporation, which hired arch-neocon Richard Perle to manage the portfolio of Israeli arms dealers Shlomo Zabludowicz and his son Chaim, who paid Ablington $10,000 month. A scandal arose when those payments continued after both Lehman and Perle joined the Reagan Department of Defense and while Perle was working to persuade the Pentagon to buy arms from companies linked to Zabludowicz. Perle had been part of the Reagan transition team along with Roy Cohn’s long-time friend and law partner Tom Bolan (another Maxwell yacht guest). ..."
"... Even though Jeffrey Epstein appears to have had ties to the Mossad, this series has revealed that the networks to which Epstein was connected were not Mossad-exclusive, as many of the individuals close to Epstein — Lesie Wexner, for instance — were part of a mob-connected class of oligarchs with deep ties to both the U.S. and Israel. ..."
"... Ultimately, the picture painted by the evidence is not a direct tie to a single intelligence agency but a web linking key members of the Mega Group, politicians, and officials in both the U.S. and Israel, and an organized-crime network with deep business and intelligence ties in both nations. ..."
Aug 07, 2019 | www.mintpressnews.com

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A s billionaire pedophile and alleged sex-trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein sits in prison, reports have continued to surface about his reported links to intelligence, his financial ties to several companies and “charitable” foundations, and his friendships with the rich and powerful as well as top politicians.

While Part I and Part II of this series, “The Jeffrey Epstein Scandal: Too Big to Fail,” have focused on the widespread nature of sexual blackmail operations in recent American history and their ties to the heights of American political power and the U.S. intelligence community, one key aspect of Epstein’s own sex-trafficking and blackmail operation that warrants examination is Epstein’s ties to Israeli intelligence and his ties to the “informal” pro-Israel philanthropist faction known as “the Mega Group.”

The Mega Group’s role in the Epstein case has garnered some attention, as Epstein’s main financial patron for decades, billionaire Leslie Wexner, was a co-founder of the group that unites several well-known businessmen with a penchant for pro-Israel and ethno-philanthropy (i.e., philanthropy benefiting a single ethnic or ethno-religious group). However, as this report will show, another uniting factor among Mega Group members is deep ties to organized crime, specifically the organized crime network discussed in Part I of this series, which was largely led by notorious American mobster Meyer Lansky.

By virtue of the role of many Mega Group members as major political donors in both the U.S. and Israel, several of its most notable members have close ties to the governments of both countries as well as their intelligence communities. As this report and a subsequent report will show, the Mega Group also had close ties to two businessmen who worked for Israel’s Mossad — Robert Maxwell and Marc Rich — as well as to top Israeli politicians, including past and present prime ministers with deep ties to Israel’s intelligence community.

One of those businessmen working for the Mossad, Robert Maxwell, will be discussed at length in this report. Maxwell, who was a business partner of Mega Group co-founder Charles Bronfman, aided the successful Mossad plot to plant a trapdoor in U.S.-created software that was then sold to governments and companies throughout the world. That plot’s success was largely due to the role of a close associate of then-President Ronald Reagan and an American politician close to Maxwell, who later helped aid Reagan in the cover-up of the Iran Contra scandal.

Years later, Maxwell’s daughter — Ghislaine Maxwell — would join Jeffrey Epstein’s “inner circle” at the same time Epstein was bankrolling a similar software program now being marketed for critical electronic infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad. That company has deep and troubling connections to Israeli military intelligence, associates of the Trump administration, and the Mega Group.

Epstein appears to have ties to Israeli intelligence and has well-documented ties to influential Israeli politicians and the Mega Group. Yet, those entities are not isolated in and of themselves, as many also connect to the organized crime network and powerful alleged pedophiles discussed in previous installments of this series.

Perhaps the best illustration of how the connections between many of these players often meld together can be seen in Ronald Lauder: a Mega Group member, former member of the Reagan administration, long-time donor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Likud Party, as well as a long-time friend of Donald Trump and Roy Cohn.

From cosmetics heir to political player

One often overlooked yet famous client and friend of Roy Cohn is the billionaire heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune, Ronald Lauder. Lauder is often described in the press as a “leading Jewish philanthropist” and is the president of the World Jewish Congress, yet his many media profiles tend to leave out his highly political past.

In a statement given by Lauder to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman in 2018, the cosmetics heir noted that he has known Trump for over 50 years, going back at least to the early 1970s. According to Lauder, his relationship with Trump began when Trump was a student at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, which Lauder also attended.

Image deleted: President-elect Trump walks with Ronald Lauder after meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Dec. 28, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla. Evan Vucci | AP

Though the exact nature of their early friendship is unclear, it is evident that they shared many of the same connections, including to the man who would later count them both as his clients, Roy Cohn. While much has been said of the ties between Cohn and Trump, Cohn was particularly close to Lauder’s mother, Estee Lauder (born Josephine Mentzer). Estee was even counted among Cohn’s most high-profile friends in his New York Times obituary .

A small window into the Lauder-Cohn relationship surfaced briefly in a 2016 article in Politico about a 1981 dinner party held at Cohn’s weekend home in Greenwich, Connecticut. The party was attended by Ronald Lauder’s parents, Estee and Joe, as well as Trump and his then-wife Ivana, who had a weekend home just two miles away. That party was held soon after Cohn had helped Reagan secure the presidency and had reached the height of his political influence. At the party, Cohn offered toasts to Reagan and to then-Senator for New York Alfonse D’Amato, who would later urge Ronald Lauder to run for political office.

Two years later, in 1983, Ronald Lauder — whose only professional experience at that point was working for his parent’s cosmetics company — was appointed to serve as United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Affairs. Soon after his appointment, he served on the Dinner Tribute Committee for a dinner hosted by the Jewish fraternal and strongly pro-Israel organization B’nai B’rith, the parent organization of the controversial Anti-Defamation League (ADL), in Roy Cohn’s honor. Cohn’s influential father, Albert Cohn, was the long-time president of B’nai B’rith’s powerful New England-New York chapter and Roy Cohn himself was a member of B’nai B’rith’s Banking and Finance Lodge.

The dinner specifically sought to honor Cohn for his pro-Israel advocacy and his efforts to “fortify” Israel’s economy, and its honorary chairmen included media mogul Rupert Murdoch, Donald Trump and then-head of Bear Stearns Alan Greenberg, all of whom are connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

During his time as deputy assistant secretary of defense, Lauder was also very active in Israeli politics and had already become an ally of the then-Israeli representative to the United Nations and future prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. Lauder would go on to be one of the most important individuals in Netanyahu’s rise to power, particularly during his upset victory in 1996, and a major financier of Israel’s right-wing Likud Party.

In 1986, the year that Roy Cohn died, Lauder left his post at the Pentagon and became the U.S. ambassador to Austria, where his tenure was shaped by his confrontations with the then-Austrian president and former Nazi collaborator, Kurt Waldheim. Lauder’s interest in Austrian politics has continued well into recent years, culminating in accusations that he sought to manipulate Austrian elections in 2012.

After leaving his ambassadorship, Lauder founded the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation in 1987 and later went on to run for Mayor of New York against Rudy Giuliani in 1989. Lauder was encouraged to run by then-Senator Alfonse D’Amato, who had close ties to Roy Cohn and his long-time law partner Tom Bolan, who was D’Amato’s adviser . At the aforementioned 1983 B’nai B’rith dinner honoring Cohn, D’Amato was the featured speaker.

The likely reason was that Giuliani, though once an ally of the “Roy Cohn machine,” was at the time deeply disliked by the late Cohn’s associates for prosecuting Cohn’s former law partner, Stanley Friedman, for racketeering, conspiracy and other charges. Giuliani also had a history of bitter disagreements with D’Amato. Lauder’s primary campaign, though unsuccessful, was noted for its viciousness and its cost, as it burned through more than $13 million.

A few years later, in the early 1990s, Lauder would join a newly formed group that has long evaded scrutiny from the media but has recently become of interest in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal: the Mega Group.

Lauder, Epstein and the mysterious Austrian passport

Before getting to the Mega Group, it is worth noting one particular act apparently undertaken by Lauder while he was U.S. ambassador to Austria that has recently come to light in relation to the arrest in early July of Jeffrey Epstein, a finding first reported by journalist Edward Szall. When police recently discovered an Austrian passport with Epstein’s picture and a fake name after raiding his Manhattan residence, the source and purpose of the passport came under media scrutiny.

According to the Associated Press , Epstein’s defense lawyers specifically argued that “a friend gave it to him [Epstein] in the 1980s after some Jewish-Americans were informally advised to carry identification bearing a non-Jewish name when traveling internationally during a period when hijackings were more common.” This claim appears to be related to concerns that followed the hijacking of Air France Flight 139 in 1976 when Israeli and Jewish hostages were separated from other hostages based largely on the passports in their possession.

Given that Epstein was unable to meet the conventional qualifications for an Austrian passport — including long-term residency in Austria (the passport lists him as a resident of Saudi Arabia) and fluency in German — it appears that the only way to have acquired an Austrian passport was by unconventional means, meaning assistance from a well-connected Austrian official or foreign diplomat with clout in Austria.

Image deleted: Ronald Lauder, right, and Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klima pose with students from the Lauder Chabad School in Vienna, Austria in 1999. Martin Gnedt | AP

Lauder, then-ambassador to Austria for the Reagan administration, would have been well-positioned to acquire such a passport, particularly for the reason cited by Epstein’s attorneys that Jewish-Americans could be targeted during travel, and in light of Lauder’s very public concerns over threats Jews face from certain terror groups. Furthermore, the passport had been issued in 1987, when Lauder was still serving as an ambassador.

In addition, Lauder was well-connected to Epstein’s former patron — former head of Bear Stearns Alan Greenberg, who had hired Epstein in the late 1970s immediately after the latter was fired from the Dalton School — and Donald Trump, another friend of Lauder and Greenberg who began his friendship with Epstein in 1987, the same year the fake Austrian passport was issued. In 1987, Epstein also began his relationship with his principal financier, Leslie Wexner, who is also closely associated with Lauder (though some sources claim that Epstein and Wexner first met in 1985 but that their strong business relationship was not established until 1987).

Though Epstein’s defense attorney declined to reveal the identity of the “friend” who provided him with the fake Austrian passport, Lauder was both well-positioned to acquire it in Austria and also deeply connected to the Mega Group, which was co-founded by Epstein’s patron Leslie Wexner and to which Epstein has many connections. These connections to both the Austrian government and to Epstein’s mentor make Lauder the most likely person to have acquired the document on Epstein’s behalf.

Furthermore, Epstein and the Mega Group’s ties to the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, also suggest Lauder was involved in procuring the passport, in light of his close ties to the Israeli government and the fact that Mossad has a history of using ambassadors abroad to procure false, foreign passports for its operatives.

Lauder himself has been alleged to have ties to Mossad, as he is a long-time funder of IDC Herzliya, an Israeli university closely associated with Mossad and their recruiters as well as Israeli military intelligence. Lauder even founded IDC Herzliya’s Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy.

Furthermore, Lauder co-founded the Eastern European broadcasting network CETV with Mark Palmer, a former U.S. diplomat, Kissinger aide and Reagan speechwriter. Palmer is better known for co-founding the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), an organization often described as an accessory to U.S. intelligence, and one whose first president confessed to the Washington Post that “a lot of what we do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA.” A 2001 report in the Evening Standard noted that Epstein once claimed that during the 1980s he worked for the CIA, but Epstein later backed away from that assertion.

The origins of the Mega Group Mafia

The Mega Group — a secretive group of billionaires to which Lauder belongs — was formed in 1991 by Charles Bronfman and Leslie Wexner, the latter of whom has received considerable media scrutiny following the July arrest of his former protege Jeffrey Epstein. Media profiles of the group paint it as “a loosely organized club of 20 of the nation’s wealthiest and most influential Jewish businessmen” focused on “philanthropy and Jewishness,” with membership dues upwards of $30,000 per year. Yet several of its most prominent members have ties to organized crime.

Mega Group members founded and/or are closely associated with some of the most well-known pro-Israel organizations. For instance, members Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt formed Birthright Taglit with the backing of then- and current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Steinhardt, an atheist, has stated that his motivation in helping to found the group was to advance his own belief that devotion to and faith in the state of Israel should serve as “a substitute for [Jewish] theology.”

Other well-known groups associated with the Mega Group include the World Jewish Congress — whose past president, Edgar Bronfman, and current president, Ronald Lauder, are both Mega Group members — and B’nai B’rith, particularly its spin-off known as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The Bronfman brothers were major donors to the ADL, with Edgar Bronfman serving as the ADL’s honorary national vice-chair for several years.

Image deleted: Former Israeli president Shimon Peres, second from left, listens to Edgar Bronfman during a 1995 lunch thrown in Peres’ honor. From left are: Laurence Tisch, Chairman, President and Chief executive officer of CBS; Israeli Ambassador to the United States. Itamar Rabinowitz and Bronfman. David Karp | AP

When Edgar Bronfman died in 2013, long-time ADL Director Abe Foxman said , “Edgar was for many years Chair of our Liquor Industry Division, Chair of our New York Appeal, and one of our most significant benefactors.” Other Mega Group members that are donors and major supporters of the ADL include Ronald Lauder , Michael Steinhardt and the late Max Fisher . As previously mentioned, Roy Cohn’s father was a long-time leader of B’nai B’rith’s influential New England-New York chapter and Cohn was later a celebrated member of its banking and finance lodge.

In addition, Mega Group members have also been key players in the pro-Israel lobby in the United States. For instance, Max Fisher of the Mega Group founded the National Jewish Coalition, now known as the Republican Jewish Coalition — the main pro-Israel neoconservative political lobbying group , known for its support of hawkish policies, and whose current chief patrons, Sheldon Adelson and Bernard Marcus, are among Donald Trump’s top donors.

Though the Mega Group has officially existed only since 1991, the use of “philanthropy” to provide cover for more unscrupulous lobbying or business activities was pioneered decades earlier by Sam Bronfman, the father of Mega Group members Edgar and Charles Bronfman. While other North American elites like J.D. Rockefeller had previously used philanthropic giving as a means of laundering their reputations, Bronfman’s approach to philanthropy was unique because it was focused on giving specifically to other members of his own ethno-religious background.

Sam Bronfman, as was detailed in Part I of this series, had long-standing deep ties to organized crime, specifically Meyer Lanksy’s organized crime syndicate. Yet, Bronfman’s private ambition, according to those close to him, was to become a respected member of high society. As a consequence, Bronfman worked hard to remove the stain that his mob associations had left on his public reputation in Canada and abroad. He accomplished this by becoming a leader in Canada’s Zionist movement and, by the end of the 1930s, he was head of the Canadian Jewish Congress and had begun to make a name for himself as a philanthropist for Jewish causes.

Yet even some of Bronfman’s activism and philanthropy had hints of the mobster-like reputation he tried so hard to shake. For instance, Bronfman was actively involved in the illegal shipping of arms to Zionist paramilitaries in Palestine prior to 1948, specifically as a co-founder of the National Conference for Israeli and Jewish Rehabilitation that smuggled weapons to the paramilitary group Haganah.

At the same time Bronfman was abetting the illegal smuggling of weapons to the Haganah, his associates in the criminal underworld were doing the same. After World War II, close aides of David Ben-Gurion, who would later become the first prime minister of Israel and was instrumental in the founding of Mossad, forged tight-knit relationships with Meyer Lansky, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, Mickey Cohen and other Jewish gangsters of the period. They used their clandestine networks to establish a vast arms smuggling network between the United States and Zionist settlements in Palestine, arming both the Haganah and the Irgun paramilitary groups. As noted in Part I of this report, at the same time these gangsters were aiding the illegal arming of ZIonsit paramilitaries, they were strengthening their ties to U.S. intelligence that had first been formally (though covertly) established in World War II.

After Israel was founded, Sam Bronfman worked with future Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres to negotiate the sale of Canadian armaments at half-price to Israel and the bargain weapons purchase was paid for entirely by a fundraising dinner hosted by Bronfman and his wife. Many years later, Peres would go on to introduce another future prime minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, to Jeffrey Epstein.

The rest of the Bronfman family’s march on “the road to respectability” was undertaken by Bronfman’s children, who married into aristocratic families such as the European Rothschilds and the Wall Street “royalty” of the Lehmans and the Loebs .

The Bronfmans’ newfound respectability did not mean that their association with the Lansky-led criminal empire had dissolved. Indeed, prominent members of the Seagrams dynasty came under fire in the 1960s and 1970s for their close association with Willie “Obie” Obront, a major figure in Canadian organized crime, whom Canadian professor Stephen Schneider has referred to as the Meyer Lansky of Canada.

However, Edgar and Charles Bronfman were hardly the only members of the Mega Group with deep and long-standing ties to the Lansky-led National Crime Syndicate. Indeed, one of the group’s prominent members, hedge fund manager Michael Steinhardt, opened up about his own family ties to Lansky in his autobiography No Bull: My Life in and out the Markets , where he noted that his father, Sol “Red McGee” Steinhardt, was Lansky’s jewel fence of choice and a major player in New York’s criminal underworld. Sol Steinhardt was also his son’s first client on Wall Street and helped him jumpstart his career in finance.

The ties between the Mega Group and the National Crime Syndicate don’t stop there. Another prominent member of the Mega Group with ties to this same criminal network is Max Fisher, who has been described as Wexner’s mentor and is also alleged to have worked with Detroit’s “Purple Gang” during Prohibition and beyond. The Purple Gang were part of the network that smuggled Bronfman liquor from Canada into the United State during Prohibition, and one of its founders, Abe Bernstein, was a close associate of both Meyer Lansky and Moe Dalitz. Fisher was a key adviser to several U.S. presidents, beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as to Henry Kissinger.

Image removed: Max Fisher, center, and Henry Kissinger, right, meet with leaders of Jewish organizations prior to Kissinger’s 1975 Middle East trip. Henry Burroughs | AP

In addition to Fisher, Mega Group member Ronald Lauder was connected to Roy Cohn and Tom Bolan, both of whom were closely associated with this same Lansky-led crime network (see Part I and Part II ) and who regularly represented top Mafia figures in court. Furthermore, another member of the Mega Group, director Steven Spielberg, is a well-known protege of Lew Wasserman, the mob-connected media mogul and long-time backer of Ronald Reagan’s film and later political career, discussed in Part II of this series.

One surprise connection to Cohn involves Mega Group member, and former president of U.S. weapons firm General Dynamics, Lester Crown, whose brother-in-law is David Schine, Cohn’s confidant and alleged lover during the McCarthy hearings, whose relationship with Cohn helped bring about the downfall of McCarthyism.

Another member of the Mega Group worth noting is Laurence Tisch, who owned CBS News for several years and founded Loews Corporation. Tisch is notable for his work for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA, where Donald Barr, who hired Epstein at the Dalton School, also served and which forged ties with Lansky’s criminal empire during World War II.

Wexner’s mansions and the Shapiro murder

Leslie “Les” Wexner, the other Mega Group co-founder, also has ties to organized crime. Wexner’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein have come under scrutiny following the latter’s recent arrest, as Wexner was the only publicly acknowledged client of Epstein’s suspicious hedge fund, the source of much of this wealth, and the previous owner of Epstein’s $56 million Manhattan townhouse, which Wexner transferred to an Epstein-controlled entity for free.

Before Epstein received the townhouse, Wexner appears to have used the residence for some unconventional purposes, noted in a 1996 New York Times article on the then-Wexner-owned residence, which included “a bathroom reminiscent of James Bond movies: hidden beneath a stairway, lined with lead to provide shelter from attack and supplied with closed-circuit television screens and a telephone, both concealed in a cabinet beneath the sink.” The Times article does not speculate as to the purpose of this equipment, though the allusion to famous fictional superspy James Bond suggests that it may have been used to snoop on guests or conduct electronic surveillance.

The 1996 Times article also noted that, after Wexner bought the residence for $13.2 million in 1989, he spent millions more decorating and furnishing the home, including the addition of the electronic equipment in the “James Bond” bathroom, only to apparently never live in it. The Times , which interviewed Epstein for the piece, quoted him as saying that “Les never spent more than two months there.” Epstein told the Times , which identified Epstein as Wexner’s “protege and one of his financial advisers,” that the house, by that time, already belonged to him.

That same year, Epstein was commissioning artwork for Wexner’s Ohio mansion. A recent article from the Times noted that:

In the summer of 1996, Maria Farmer was working on an art project for Mr. Epstein in Mr. Wexner’s Ohio mansion. While she was there, Mr. Epstein sexually assaulted her, according to an affidavit Ms. Farmer filed earlier this year in federal court in Manhattan. She said that she fled the room and called the police, but that Mr. Wexner’s security staff refused to let her leave for 12 hours.”

Farmer’s account strongly suggests that, given the behavior of his personal security staff at his mansion following Epstein’s alleged assault on Farmer, Wexner was well aware of Epstein’s predatory behavior towards young women. This is compounded by claims made by Alan Dershowitz — a former lawyer for and friend of Epstein’s, who has also been accused of raping underage girls — that Wexner has also been accused of raping underage girls exploited by Epstein on at least seven occasions.

The presence of the electronic equipment in his home’s bathroom, other oddities related to the townhouse, and aspects of the links between Epstein and Wexner suggest there is more to Wexner, who has rather successfully developed a public image of a respectable businessman and philanthropist, much like other prominent members of the Mega Group.

Image removed: Leslie Wexner and his wife Abigail tour the “Transfigurations” exhibit at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Jay LaPrete | AP

However, bits and pieces of Wexner’s private secrets have occasionally bubbled up, only to be subjected to rapid cover-ups amidst concerns of “libeling” the powerful and well-connected billionaire “philanthropist.”

In 1985, Columbus (Ohio) lawyer Arthur Shapiro was murdered in broad daylight at point-blank range in what was largely referred to as a “mob style murder.” The homicide still remains unsolved, likely due to the fact that then-Columbus Police Chief James Jackson ordered the destruction of key documents of his department’s investigation into the murder.

Jackson’s ordering of the documents’ destruction came to light years later in 1996, when he was under investigation for corruption. According to the Columbus Dispatch , Jackson justified the destruction of one “ viable and valuable ” report because he felt that it “was so filled with wild speculation about prominent business leaders that it was potentially libelous.” The nature of this “wild speculation” was that “millionaire businessmen in Columbus and Youngstown were linked to the ‘mob-style murder.’”

Though Jackson’s efforts were meant to keep this “libelous” report far from public view, it was eventually obtained by Bob Fitrakis — attorney, journalist, and executive director of the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism — after he was “accidentally” sent a copy of the report in 1998 as part of a public records request.

The report, titled “ Shapiro Homicide Investigation: Analysis and Hypothesis ,” names Leslie Wexner as linked “with associates reputed to be organized crime figures” and also lists the names of businessman Jack Kessler, former Columbus City Council President and Wexner associate Jerry Hammond, and former Columbus City Council member Les Wright as also being involved in Shapiro’s murder.

The report also noted that Arthur Shapiro’s law firm — Schwartz, Shapiro, Kelm & Warren — represented Wexner’s company, The Limited, and states that “prior to his death, Arthur Shapiro managed this account [The Limited] for the law firm.” It also noted that, at the time of his death, Shapiro “was the subject of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service because he had failed to file income tax returns for some seven years prior to his death, and he had invested in some questionable tax shelters.” It also stated that his death prevented Shapiro from his planned testimony at a grand jury hearing about these “questionable tax shelters.”

As to Wexner’s alleged links to organized crime, the report focuses on the close business relationship between Wexner’s The Limited and Francis Walsh, whose trucking company “[had] done an excess of 90 percent of the Limited’s trucking business around the time of Shapiro’s murder,” according to the report. Walsh was named in a 1988 indictment as a “co-conspirator” of Genovese crime family boss Anthony “Fat Tony” Salerno, whose long-time lawyer was Roy Cohn; and the Shapiro murder report stated that Walsh was “still considered associates of the Genovese/LaRocca crime family, and Walsh was still providing truck transportation for The Limited.”

Notably, the Genovese crime family has long formed a key part of the National Crime Syndicate, as its former head, Charles “Lucky” Luciano, co-created the criminal organization with his close friend Meyer Lansky. Upon Luciano’s imprisonment and subsequent deportation from the United States, Lansky took over the syndicate’s U.S. operations and his association with Luciano’s successors continued until Lansky’s death in 1983.

The “Mega” Mystery and the Mossad

In May 1997, the Washington Post broke an explosive story — long since forgotten — based on an intercepted phone call made between a Mossad official in the U.S. and his superior in Tel Aviv that discussed the Mossad’s efforts to obtain a secret U.S. government document. According to the Post, the Mossad official stated during the phone call that “Israeli Ambassador Eliahu Ben Elissar had asked him whether he could obtain a copy of the letter given to [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat by [then-Secretary of State Warren] Christopher on Jan. 16, the day after the Hebron accord was signed by Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.”

The Post article continued:

According to a source who viewed a copy of the NSA transcript of the conversation, the intelligence officer, speaking in Hebrew, said, ‘The ambassador wants me to go to Mega to get a copy of this letter.’ The source said the supervisor in Tel Aviv rejected the request, saying, ‘This is not something we use Mega for.’”

The leaked communication led to an investigation that sought to identify an individual code-named “Mega” that the Post said “may be someone in the U.S. government who has provided information to the Israelis in the past,” a concern that subsequently spawned a fruitless FBI investigation. The Mossad later claimed that “Mega” was merely a codeword for the U.S.’ CIA, but the FBI and NSA were unconvinced by that claim and believed that it was a senior U.S. government official that had potentially once been involved in working with Jonathan Pollard, the former U.S. naval intelligence analyst later convicted of spying for the Mossad.

Almost one year to the day after the “Mega” spy scandal broke, the Wall Street Journal was the first outlet to report on the existence of a little-known organization of billionaires that was “informally” called the Mega Group and had been founded years prior in 1991. The report made no mention of the spy scandal that had spread concerns of Israeli espionage in the U.S. only a year prior. However, the group’s distinctive “informal” name and the connections of its members to the Mossad and to high-ranking Israeli politicians, including prime ministers, raise the possibility that “Mega” was not an individual, as the FBI and NSA had believed, but a group.

In 1997, when the “Mega” spy scandal broke, Netanyahu had recently become prime minister of Israel after an upset victory, a victory that was largely credited to one well-connected Netanyahu backer in particular, Ronald Lauder. Beyond being a major donor, Lauder had brought Arthur Finklestein on to work for Netanyahu’s 1996 campaign, whose strategies were credited for Netanyahu’s surprise win. Netanyahu was close enough to Lauder that he personally enlisted Lauder and George Nader to serve as his peace envoys to Syria.

Image removed: Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara with Ronald Lauder in 1997. Photo | Reuters

Nader, who was connected to the Trump 2016 campaign and Trump ally and Blackwater founder Erik Prince, was recently hit with federal child sex trafficking charges last month, soon after Jeffrey Epstein had been arrested on similar charges. At the time Nader was picked to work with Lauder on Netanyahu’s behalf, he had already been caught possessing large amounts of child pornography on two separate occasions, first in 1984 and later in 1990.

This strong connection between Netanyahu and Lauder during the time of the 1997 “Mega” spy scandal is important considering Mossad answers directly to Israel’s prime minister.

Another possible connection between the Mega Group and the Mossad owes to the Mega Group’s ties to Meyer Lansky’s criminal network. As was detailed in Part I, Lansky had established deep ties to U.S. intelligence after World War II and was also connected to the Mossad through Mossad official Tibor Rosenbaum, whose bank was frequently used by Lansky to launder money. In addition, Lansky collaborated on at least one occasion with notorious Mossad “superspy” Rafi Eitan, who he helped acquire sensitive electronic equipment possessed only by the CIA but coveted by Israeli intelligence. Eitan is best known in the U.S. for being the Mossad handler of Jonathan Pollard.

Notably, Eitan was the main source of claims that the code-word “Mega” used by the Mossad officials in 1997 referred to the CIA and not to a potential source in the U.S. government once linked to Pollard’s spying activities, making his claims as to the true meaning of the term somewhat dubious.

Given that the organized crime network tied to the Mega Group had ties to both U.S. and Israeli intelligence, the “Mega” codeword could plausibly have referred to this secretive group of billionaires. More supporting evidence for this theory comes from the fact that prominent members of the Mega Group were business partners of Mossad agents, including media mogul Robert Maxwell and commodities trader Marc Rich.

The mysterious Maxwells

The Maxwell family has become a source of renewed media interest following Jeffrey Epstein’s arrest, as Ghislaine Maxwell, long described in the media as a British “socialite,” was publicly cited as Epstein’s long-time “on and off” girlfriend, and Epstein’s victims, as well as former wives of Epstein’s friends, have claimed that she was Epstein’s “pimp” and procured underage girls for his sexual blackmail operation. Ghislaine Maxwell is also alleged to have engaged in the rape of the girls she procured for Epstein and to have used them to produce child pornography.

Ghislaine was the favorite and youngest daughter of media mogul Robert Maxwell. Maxwell, born Jan Ludvick Hoch, had joined the British Army in World War II. Afterwards, according to authors John Loftus and Mark Aarons , he greatly influenced the Czechoslovakian government’s decision to arm Zionist paramilitaries during the 1948 war that resulted in Israel’s creation as a state, and Maxwell himself was also involved in the smuggling of aircraft parts to Israel.

Around this time, Maxwell was approached by British intelligence outfit MI6 and offered a position that Maxwell ultimately declined. MI6 then classified him as “Zionist — loyal only to Israel” and made him a person of interest. He later became an agent of the Mossad, according to several books including Seymour Hersh’s The Samson Option: Israel’s Nuclear Arsenal and American Foreign Policy, and Robert Maxwell: Israel’s Superspy by Gordon Thomas and Martin Dillon.

According to Victor Ostrovsky , a former Mossad case officer:

Mossad was financing many of its operations in Europe from money stolen from Maxwell’s newspaper pension fund. They got their hands on the funds almost as soon as Maxwell made the purchase of the Mirror Newspaper Group with money lent to him by Mossad.”

In exchange for his services, the Mossad helped Maxwell satisfy his sexual appetite during his visits to Israel, providing him with prostitutes, “the service maintained for blackmail purposes.” It was later revealed that the hotel in which he stayed in Israel was bugged with cameras, allowing the Mossad to acquire “a small library of video footage of Maxwell in sexually compromising positions.” As with the CIA, the Mossad’s use of blackmail against both friend and foe is well-documented and known to be extensive .

Maxwell was also a close associate and friend of Israeli “superspy” Rafi Eitan, who, as previously mentioned, was Jonathan Pollard’s handler and who had previously worked directly with Meyer Lansky. Eitan had learned of a revolutionary new software being used by the U.S. government known as “Promis” from Earl Brian, a long-time associate and aide to Ronald Reagan. Promis is often considered the forerunner to the “Prism” software used by spy agencies today and was developed by William Hamilton, who leased the software to the U.S. government through his company, Inslaw, in 1982.

Image removed: Ariel Sharon (right)meets with Robert Maxwell in Jerusalem on Feb. 20, 1990. Photo | AP

According to author and former BBC investigative journalist Gordon Thomas, Brian was angry that the U.S. Department of Justice was successfully using Promis to go after organized crime and money-laundering activities and Eitan felt that the program could aid Israel. At the time, Eitan was the director of the now defunct Israeli military intelligence agency Lekem, which gathered scientific and technical intelligence abroad from both public and covert sources, especially in relation to Israel’s nuclear weapons program.

A plan was hatched to install a “trapdoor” into the software and then market Promis throughout the world, providing the Mossad with invaluable intelligence on the operations of its enemies and allies while also providing Eitan and Brian with copious amounts of cash. According to the testimony of ex-Mossad official Ari Ben-Menashe, Brian provided a copy of Promis to Israel’s military intelligence, which contacted an Israeli American programmer living in California who then planted the “trapdoor” in the software. The CIA was later said to have installed its own trapdoor in the software but it is unknown if they did so with a version of the already bugged software and how widely it was adopted relative to the version bugged by Israeli intelligence.

After the trapdoor was inserted, the problem became selling the bugged version of the software to governments as well as private companies around the world, particularly in areas of interest. Brian first attempted to buy out Inslaw and Promis and then use that same company to sell the bugged version.

Unsuccessful, Brian turned to his close friend, then-Attorney General Ed Meese whose Justice Department then abruptly refused to make the payments to Inslaw that were stipulated by the contract, essentially using the software for free, which Inslaw claimed to be theft. Some have speculated that Meese’s role in that decision was shaped, not only by his friendship with Brian, but the fact that his wife was a major investor in Brian’s business ventures. Meese would later become an adviser to Donald Trump when he was president-elect.

Inslaw was forced to declare bankruptcy as a result of Meese’s actions and sued the Justice Department. The court later found that the Meese-led department “took, converted, stole” the software through “trickery, fraud and deceit.”

With Inslaw out of the way, Brian sold the software all over the world. Eitan later recruited Robert Maxwell to become another Promis salesman, which he did remarkably well, even succeeding in selling the software to Soviet intelligence and conspiring with Republican Texas Senator John Tower to have the software adopted by the U.S. government laboratory at Los Alamos. Dozens of countries used the software on their most carefully guarded computer systems, unaware that Mossad now had access to everything Promis touched.

Whereas the Mossad’s past reliance on gathering intelligence had relied on the same tactics used by its equivalents in the U.S. and elsewhere, the widespread adoption of the Promis software, largely through the actions of Earl Brian and Robert Maxwell, gave the Mossad a way to gather not just troves of counterintelligence data, but also blackmail on other intelligence agencies and powerful figures.

Indeed, Promis’ backdoor and adoption by intelligence agencies all over the world essentially provided the Mossad with access to troves of blackmail that the CIA and FBI had acquired on their friends and foes for over half a century. Strangely, in recent years, the FBI has sought to hide information related to Robert Maxwell’s connection to the Promis scandal.

According to journalist Robert Fisk , Maxwell was also involved in the Mossad abduction of Israeli nuclear weapons whistleblower Vanunu Mordechai. Mordechai had attempted to provide the media with information on the extent of Israel’s nuclear weapons program, which was eventually published by the Sunday Times of London . Yet, Mordechai had also contacted the Daily Mirror with the information, the Mirror being an outlet that was owned by Maxwell and whose foreign editor was a close Maxwell associate and alleged Mossad asset, Nicholas Davies. Journalist Seymour Hersh alleged that Davies had also been involved in Israeli arms deals.

Per Fisk, it was Maxwell who contacted the Israeli Embassy in London and told them of Mordechai’s activities. This led to Mordechai’s entrapment by a female Mossad agent who seduced him as part of a “honey trap” operation that led to his kidnapping and later imprisonment in Israel. Mordechai served an 18-year sentence, 12 years of which were in solitary confinement.

Then, there is the issue of Maxwell’s death, widely cited by mainstream and independent media alike as suspicious and a potential homicide . According to authors Gordon Thomas and Martin Dillon, Maxwell had sealed his own fate when he attempted to threaten top Mossad officials with the exposure of certain operations if they did not help him rescue his media empire from crippling debt and financial difficulties. Many of Maxwell’s creditors , who had grown increasingly displeased with the media mogul, were Israeli and several of them were alleged to be Mossad-connected themselves.

Thomas and Dillon argue in their biography of Maxwell’s life that the Mossad felt that Maxwell had become more of a liability than an asset and killed him on his yacht three months after he demanded the bailout. On the other extreme are theories that suggest Maxwell committed suicide because of the financial difficulties his empire faced.

Image removed: Ghislaine Maxwell, far right, Robert Maxwell’s daughter, looks on his casket is unloaded from a plane in Jerusalem, Nov. 8, 1991. Heribert Proepper | AP

Some have taken Maxwell’s funeral held in Israel as the country’s “official” confirmation of Maxwell’s service to the Mossad, as it was likened to a state funeral and attended by no less than six serving and former heads of Israeli intelligence. During his funeral service in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir eulogized him and stated : “He has done more for Israel than can today be said.” Other eulogies were given by future Prime Ministers Ehud Olmert (then Health Minister) and Shimon Peres, with the latter also praising Maxwell’s “services” on behalf of Israel.

Swimming in the same swamp

As he built his business empire — and even became a member of Parliament, Maxwell was also doing work for Israeli intelligence, as several of the Israeli companies in which he invested became fronts for the Mossad. In addition, as he became a media mogul, he developed a bitter rivalry with Rupert Murdoch, a close friend of Roy Cohn and an influential figure in American and British media.

Maxwell also partnered with the Bronfman brothers, Edgar and Charles — key figures in the Mega Group. In 1989 Maxwell and Charles Bronfman partnered up to bid on the Jerusalem Post newspaper and the Post described the two men as “two of the world’s leading Jewish financiers” and their interest in the venture as “developing The Jerusalem Post and expanding its influence among world Jewry.” A year prior, Maxwell and Bronfman had become top shareholders in the Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva.

Maxwell also worked with Charles Bronfman’s brother Edgar in the late 1980s to convince the Soviet Union to allow Soviet Jews to immigrate to Israel. Edgar’s efforts in this regard have received more attention , as it was a defining moment of his decades-long presidency of the World Jewish Congress, of which Ronald Lauder is currently president. Yet, Maxwell had also made considerable use of his contacts in the Soviet government in this effort.

Maxwell also moved in the circles of the network previously described in Parts I and II in this series. A key example of this is the May 1989 party Maxwell hosted on his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine — named for his youngest daughter and Epstein’s future “girlfriend.” Attendees of the party included Roy Cohn’s protege Donald Trump and his long-time law partner Tom Bolan. A close friend of Nancy Reagan was also present, journalist Mike Wallace, as was literary agent Mort Janklow, who represented Ronald Reagan and two of Cohn’s closest friends: journalists William Safire and Barbara Walters.

The CEO of what would soon become Time Warner, Steve Ross, was also invited to the exclusive event. Ross’ presence is notable, as he had built his business empire largely through his association with New York crime lords Manny Kimmel and Abner “Longy” Zwillman. Zwillman was a close friend of Meyer Lansky, Michael Steinhardt’s father, and Sam Bronfman, father of Edgar and Charles Bronfman.

Another attendee of the Maxwell yacht party was former Secretary of the Navy and former Henry Kissinger staffer Jon Lehman, who would go on to associate with the controversial neoconservative think tank, Project for a New American Century. Prior to being secretary of the Navy, Lehman had been president of the Abington Corporation, which hired arch-neocon Richard Perle to manage the portfolio of Israeli arms dealers Shlomo Zabludowicz and his son Chaim, who paid Ablington $10,000 month. A scandal arose when those payments continued after both Lehman and Perle joined the Reagan Department of Defense and while Perle was working to persuade the Pentagon to buy arms from companies linked to Zabludowicz. Perle had been part of the Reagan transition team along with Roy Cohn’s long-time friend and law partner Tom Bolan (another Maxwell yacht guest).

In addition to Lehman, another former Kissinger staffer, Thomas Pickering was present at Maxwell’s yacht part. Pickering played a minor role in the Iran-Contra affair and, at the time of the Maxwell yacht party, he was U.S. ambassador to Israel. Senator John Tower (R-TX), who allegedly conspired with Maxwell in the Mossad-bugged Promis software at the Los Alamos laboratories, was also present. Tower died just months before Maxwell in a suspicious plane crash .

Ghislaine Maxwell was also at this rather notable event. After her father’s mysterious death and alleged murder on the same yacht that bears her name in 1991, she quickly packed her bags and moved to New York City. There, she soon made the acquaintance of Jeffrey Epstein and, a few years later, developed close ties to the Clinton family, which will be discussed in the next installment of this series.

Jeffrey Epstein and the new “Promis”

After it was revealed that Epstein had evaded stricter sentencing in 2008 due to his links to “intelligence,” it was the Mossad ties of Ghislaine Maxwell’s father that have led many to speculate that Epstein’s sexual blackmail operation was sharing incriminating information with the Mossad. Former CBS executive producer and current journalist for the media outlet Narativ , Zev Shalev, has since claimed that he independently confirmed that Epstein was tied directly to the Mossad.

Image removed: Donald and Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida in 2000. Photo | Davidoff Studios

Epstein was a long-time friend of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who has long-standing and deep ties to Israel’s intelligence community. Their decades-long friendship has been the source of recent political attacks targeting Barak, who is running in the Israeli elections against current Prime Minister Netanyahu later this year.

Barak is also close to Epstein’s chief patron and Mega Group member Leslie Wexner, whose Wexner Foundation gave Barak $2 million in 2004 for a still unspecified research program. According to Barak, he was first introduced to Epstein by former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who eulogized Robert Maxwell at his funeral and had decades-long ties with the Bronfman family going back to the early 1950s. Peres was also a frequent participant in programs funded by Leslie Wexner in Israel and worked closely with the Mossad for decades.

In 2015, a few years after Epstein’s release from prison following his conviction for soliciting sex from a minor in 2008, Barak formed a company with Epstein with the chief purpose of investing in an Israeli start-up then known as Reporty. That company, now called Carbyne, sells its signature software to 911 call centers and emergency service providers and is also available to consumers as an app that provides emergency services with access to a caller’s camera and location and also runs any caller’s identity through any linked government database. It has specifically been marketed by the company itself and the Israeli press as a solution to mass shootings in the United States and is already being used by at least two U.S. counties.

Israeli media reported that Epstein and Barak were among the company’s largest investors. Barak poured millions into the company and it was recently revealed by Haaretz that a significant amount of Barak’s total investments in Carbyne was funded by Epstein, making him a “ de facto partner” in the company. Barak is now Carbyne’s chairman .

The company’s executive team are all former members of different branches of Israeli intelligence, including the elite military intelligence unit, Unit 8200, that is often likened to Israel’s equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). Carbyne’s current CEO, Amir Elichai, served in Unit 8200 and tapped former Unit 8200 commander Pinchas Buchris to serve as the company’s director and on its board. In addition to Elichai, another Carbyne co-founder, Lital Leshem , also served in Unit 8200 and later worked for Israeli private spy company Black Cube. Leshem now works for a subsidiary of Erik Prince’s company Frontier Services Group, according to the independent media outlet Narativ .

The company also includes several tie-ins to the Trump administration, including Palantir founder and Trump ally Peter Thiel — an investor in Carbyne. In addition, Carbyne’s board of advisers includes former Palantir employee Trae Stephens, who was a member of the Trump transition team, as well as former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. Trump donor and New York real-estate developer Eliot Tawill is also on Carbyne’s board , alongside Ehud Barak and Pinchas Buchris.

Narativ , which wrote the first expose on Carbyne after Epstein’s arrest, noted that the Chinese government uses a smartphone app very similar to Carbyne as part of its mass surveillance apparatus, even though the original purpose of the app was for improved emergency reporting. According to Narativ , the Chinese Carbyne-equivalent “monitors every aspect of a user’s life, including personal conversations, power usage, and tracks a user’s movement.”

Given the history of Robert Maxwell — the father of Epstein’s long-time “girlfriend” and young-girl-procuring madam, Ghislaine Maxwell — in promoting the sale of Carbyne’s modified Promis software, which was also marketed as a tool to improve government efficacy but was actually a tool of mass surveillance for the benefit of Israeli intelligence, the overlap between Carbyne and Promis is troubling and warrants further investigation.

It is also worth noting that Unit 8200-connected tech start-ups are being widely integrated into U.S. companies and have developed close ties to the U.S. military-industrial complex, with Carbyne being just one example of that trend.

As MintPress previously reported , Unit 8200-linked outfits like Team8 have recently hired former National Security Agency (NSA) Director Mike Rogers as a senior advisor and gained prominent Silicon Valley figures, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, as key investors. Many American technology companies, from Intel to Google to Microsoft, have merged with several Unit 8200-connected start-ups in recent years and have been moving many key jobs and operations to Israel with backing from key Republican donors like Paul Singer . Many of those same companies, particularly Google and Microsoft, are also major U.S. government contractors.

Who was Epstein really working for?

Even though Jeffrey Epstein appears to have had ties to the Mossad, this series has revealed that the networks to which Epstein was connected were not Mossad-exclusive, as many of the individuals close to Epstein — Lesie Wexner, for instance — were part of a mob-connected class of oligarchs with deep ties to both the U.S. and Israel. As was discussed in Part I of this series, the sharing of “intelligence” (i.e., blackmail) between intelligence agencies and the same organized crime network connected to the Mega Group goes back decades. With Leslie Wexner of the Mega Group as Epstein’s chief patron, as opposed to a financier with direct ties to the Mossad, a similar relationship is more than likely in the case of the sexual blackmail operation that Epstein ran.

Given that intelligence agencies in both the U.S. and elsewhere often conduct covert operations for the benefit of oligarchs and large corporations as opposed to “national security interest,” Epstein’s ties to the Mega Group suggest that this group holds a unique status and influence in both the governments of the U.S. and of Israel, as well as in other countries (e.g., Russia) that were not explored in this report. This is by virtue of their role as key political donors in both countries, as well as the fact that several of them own powerful companies or financial institutions in both countries. Indeed, many members of the Mega Group have deep ties to Israel’s political class, including to Netanyahu and Ehud Barak as well as to now-deceased figures like Shimon Peres, and to members of the American political class.

Ultimately, the picture painted by the evidence is not a direct tie to a single intelligence agency but a web linking key members of the Mega Group, politicians, and officials in both the U.S. and Israel, and an organized-crime network with deep business and intelligence ties in both nations.

Though this series has so far focused on the ties of this network to main Republican Party affiliates, the next and final installment will reveal the ties developed between this web and the Clintons. As will be revealed, despite the Clintons’ willingness to embrace corrupt dealings during the span of their political careers, their mostly friendly relationship with this network still saw them use the power of sexual blackmail to obtain certain policy decisions that were favorable to their personal and financial interests but not to the Clintons’ political reputation or agendas.

Editor’s note | The original version of this article incorrectly stated that Rafi Eitan was interested in repurposing the American-made Promise software to restore his standing in Israel’s intelligence community caused by the fall-out from the Pollard Affair. The Pollard Affair occurred three years after Eitan had succeeded in repurposing the software and MintPress has removed that incorrect information from the article and regrets the error.

This article also originally neglected to mention that Eitan, at the time of his collaboration with Earl Brian to repurpose the Promis software, was the director of the now-defunct Israeli military intelligence agency Lekem at the time of those events and that information has been added to the story.

Feature photo | Graphic by Claudio Cabrera

Whitney Webb is a MintPress News journalist based in Chile. She has contributed to several independent media outlets including Global Research, EcoWatch, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire, among others. She has made several radio and television appearances and is the 2019 winner of the Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism.

Republish our stories! MintPress News is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License.

[Aug 11, 2019] Some government inspector in Texas had agreed to testify about the details of a gigantic corruption ring that was closely connected with LBJ. I can't remember the exact details, but not long afterward, he was found dead, shot seven times.

Notable quotes:
"... Malcolm Wallace and LBJ had been closely linked. In the early 50’s, LBJ had gone to great extents to save Wallace’s life after he shot down a professional golfer who was having an affair with LBJ’s alcoholic sister. Although guilty of murder, Wallace ended up with a minor sentence. ..."
"... Interestingly, a Wallace fingerprint was apparently found at the TSBD “Sniper nest” from where Oswald allegedly shot JFK. Probably some insurance taken against LBJ by his co-conspirators… ..."
Aug 11, 2019 | www.unz.com

Ron Unz: August 10, 2019 at 11:47 pm GMT

This reminds me a little of a almost forgotten incident from the 1960s

Some government inspector in Texas had agreed to testify about the details of a gigantic corruption ring that was closely connected with LBJ. I can't remember the exact details, but not long afterward, he was found dead, shot seven times.

The local Texas court ruled it an apparent suicide and that's exactly how it was reported in the Washington Post and the other national newspapers

Iris : August 11, 2019 at 12:16

His name was Henry Marshall.

In 1984, Billie Sol Estes told a grand jury investigating the 1961 shooting death of Henry Marshall, an official with the Department of Agriculture, that LBJ’s associate Malcolm Wallace was Marshall’s murderer.

Malcolm Wallace and LBJ had been closely linked. In the early 50’s, LBJ had gone to great extents to save Wallace’s life after he shot down a professional golfer who was having an affair with LBJ’s alcoholic sister. Although guilty of murder, Wallace ended up with a minor sentence.

Interestingly, a Wallace fingerprint was apparently found at the TSBD “Sniper nest” from where Oswald allegedly shot JFK. Probably some insurance taken against LBJ by his co-conspirators…

lysias , says: August 11, 2019 at 1:34 am GMT

@Iris Shortly before he died, Estes collaborated with a French journalist on a book called “Le dernier temoin” (“The Last Witness”) in which Estes claimed that he had participated in a meeting with LBJ in which the JFK assassination was planned. The book was published in French (I have a copy), but no English translation has ever appeared.

[Aug 11, 2019] The likelihood of Epstein committing suicide reminds me of two other "suicide" stories

Notable quotes:
"... A black man's body is found wrapped in chains at the bottom of the Detroit River. The police were saying it was an accidental death caused by him stealing more chains than he could swim with. ..."
Aug 11, 2019 | www.unz.com

Curmudgeon , says: August 10, 2019 at 9:58 pm GMT

The likelihood of Epstein committing suicide reminds me of two other "suicide" stories.

... ... ...

Finally, there is a greatly modified joke from my long ago misspent youth. A black man's body is found wrapped in chains at the bottom of the Detroit River. The police were saying it was an accidental death caused by him stealing more chains than he could swim with.

Looks like Jeffrey had too many chains.

[Aug 11, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein assets listed in financial disclosure form filed by lawyers add up to value of $559,120,954 - MarketWatch

Aug 11, 2019 | www.marketwatch.com

Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is hardly a billionaire, according to the financial disclosure form his lawyers filed in seeking bail for him.

The single-page document had been kept under seal away from the public until the Manhattan federal judge overseeing Epstein's sex-trafficking case released it Monday, dismissing it as "cursory."

Epstein lists in the filing that he has:

Cash: $56,547,773

Fixed income: $14,304,679

Equities: $112,679,138

Hedge funds and private equity: $194,986,301

Properties: 9 E. 71st St., Manhattan, worth $55,931,000; 49 Zorro Ranch Rd., Stanley, N.M., $17,246,208; 358 El Brillo Way, Palm Beach, Fla., $12,380,209; 22 Avenue Foch, Paris, France, $8,672,823; Great St. James Island in the Virgin Islands, $22,498,600; and Little St. James Island, V.I., $63,874,223.

The value of the assets listed adds up to $559,120,954.

The feds are arguing that Epstein -- who is accused of sex trafficking -- shouldn't be given bail pending trial because of the superconnected former moneyman's potential ability to buy his way to freedom.

Epstein's lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.

[Aug 08, 2019] Epstein Maintained Post-Prison Ties To Wall Street Titans - Who Gladly Embraced Him

Aug 08, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Millionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein remained in the good graces of Wall Street titans both during and after his 13-month work-release jail stint in 2008 - 2009, who only severed ties with the registered sex offender when the heat was back on, according to Bloomberg .

Barclays CEO Jes Staley

For example, Barclays CEO and longtime associate Jes Staley "visited Epstein on the private island, accompanied by his wife Debora," in 2015 - seven years after everyone knew Epstein was a pedophile . They would sever ties months later as new accusations of sexual abuse were levied against the financier , while weeks later the now-defunct Webstie Gawker published his "little black book" containing over 1,000 names of prominent individuals and their contacts.

Within months of the Bequia sailing from Little St. James, Staley cut ties to Epstein , according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The banker was in the running for the top job at Barclays, a position that required interviews and approvals by U.K. regulators. The wisdom of breaking from Epstein became apparent when the British press reported on their relationship. - Bloomberg

While not accused of participating in any of Epstein's illegal activities, Staley - who visited Epstein at his Palm Beach office while the Epstein was on prison work-release, has come under fire by those who want to know exactly how close the two were. By all accounts, Epstein played a pivotal role in Staley's rise while running JP Morgan's private bank - referring wealthy clients to the banker and helping to arrange the bank's 2004 acquisition of Highbridge Capital Management .

Staley left JPMorgan in 2013 before joining hedge fund BlueMountain Capital Management. In December 2015 joined Barclays as CEO.

Going back about two decades, Epstein regularly brought Staley business when he ran JPMorgan's private bank and the two were close professionally, according to a person familiar with the matter. One of those introductions Epstein made was to hedge fund billionaire Glenn Dubin, the New York Times reported. - Bloomberg

Staley aside, Epstein somehow managed to maintain his relationships on Wall Street despite his sex-offender pedophile lifestyle, including billionaire Leon Black, former Israeli Prime Minister (and current candidate for the job) Ehud Barak - and was able to secure preferable stock allocations in dozens of IPOs. Via Bloomberg:

Meanwhile, Epstein's travel became far more frequent in 2015 - as he flew between New York, the US Virgin Islands, New Mexico (where he owns a compound), and Paris.

In 2017 , filings for Epstein's Gratitude America charity reveal investment income of $899,417 from 52 trades - most of which involved IPOs . Clearly nobody had a problem associating with the pedophile or his money.

"The IPO trading is evidence of Mr. Epstein's level of access to the offerings," said Jacob Frenkel, chair of government investigations and securities enforcement at Dickinson Wright.

Enter the Miami Herald

In 2018, Epstein became truly radioactive after the Miami Herald published a series of reports beginning in November - titled Perversion of Justice. Not only did the Herald catalogue Epstein's many accusers - the series focused on the sweetheart deal he was given by former Trump Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta despite dozens of accusers levying claims. Acosta resigned last month amid the controversy.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank fired Epstein as a client earlier this year , and has been actively assisting the case against him, according to court filings.


The Abstraction of Justice , 1 minute ago link

Epstein blackmailed Parliament into accepting Staley. I have been trying to publish the FOIA that proves it fro two years, but nobody in mainstream press will touch it.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/id_like_a_transcript_or_recordin

John Mann MP and Mark Garnier MP lied to the Daily Mail to cover up the facts. The FOIA proves it. No politician will get back to me to provide an explanation.

Mr. Kwikky , 1 minute ago link

https://www.exposetheenemy.com/networks#TrumpHoneypot

Normal , 26 minutes ago link

Likely find a whole load of banksters names in there. They are a clan of pedophiles too. They can't stop until they are behind bars.

Shadows Deep , 19 minutes ago link

Don't think many will be going behind bars. The indictment is limited to actions that took place in NYC and his smallish house in Palm Beach. No mention whatsoever of Little St. James Island in the USVI where most of the action seems to have taken place. Also unmentioned, his large Zorro Ranch in New Mexico.

And it is being handled by the business corruption SDNY squad and not the Sex Crimes group one might have expected.

Oh, and Comey's daughter who is on the prosecution team is married not just to a jewish guy but to one who taught at the University of Tel Aviv.

Sort of feels as if Mossad might be around.

[Aug 08, 2019] Wexner Jeffrey Epstein 'Misappropriated' More Than $46 Million Of Fortune

Aug 08, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Billionaire Victoria's Secret owner Leslie Wexner says that Jeffrey Epstein misappropriated over $46 million of his fortune, according to the Wall Street Journal .

The L Brands founder revealed in a Wednesday letter to the Wexner Foundation that the missing funds were uncovered after a 2007 falling out he had with the pedophile financier following allegations involving the sexual abuse of underage girls.

Of note, Epstein allegedly ran a 'casting couch' operation for aspiring Victoria's Secret models out of his Manhattan townhome whereby he would promise young girls jobs with the fashion company.

" We discovered that he had misappropriated vast sums of money from me and my family ," wrote Wexner, adding " This was, frankly, a tremendous shock , even though it clearly pales in comparison to the unthinkable allegations against him now."

In January 2008, Mr. Epstein transferred $46 million worth of investments to a Wexner charitable fund, tax records show. Mr. Wexner said the transfer was only a portion of the funds that his money manager had allegedly misappropriated. "All of that money -- every dollar of it -- was originally Wexner family money," he wrote. - Wall Street Journal

Wexner provided no evidence for his claim, which certainly adds distance between he and Epstein.

Last month, the Wexner told employees in an internal email that he " was NEVER aware of the illegal activity " Epstein is accused of committing. "As you can imagine, this past week I have searched my soul ... reflected ... and regretted that my path ever crossed his. " said the 81-year-old mogul of Epstein.

After launching a business relationship in the 1980s, Wexner and Epstein formed 'a financial and personal bond that baffled longtime associates,' according to the New York Times .

" I think we both possess the skill of seeing patterns ," Wexner told Vanity Fair in 2003. "But Jeffrey sees patterns in politics and financial markets, and I see patterns in lifestyle and fashion trends."

Wexner would go on to open doors for Epstein - who managed "many aspects of his financial life."

By 1995, Epstein was a director of the Wexner Foundation and Wexner Heritage Foundation and president of Wexner's N.A. Property Inc ., which developed the Ohio town of New Albany, where Wexner lives. Epstein also was involved in Wexner's superyacht, "Limitless," attending meetings at the London studios of the firm that designed the vessel. - Bloomberg

Epstein is currently sitting in a Manhattan jail cell awaiting trial on allegations of sex-trafficking minors in what federal prosecutors allege was a multi-decade scheme to procure and sexually abuse scores of girls. If convicted, he faces up to 45 years in prison.


Rhal View Profile , 3 minutes ago link

I suspect this story is thrown out there to account for Epstein's wealth without revealing his brownstoning income.

Just a guess, but considering how quick they edited his Wikipedia page on July 8 we know the deep state is desperate to control this narrative.

They are desperate because this president ain't handing out Get-out-of-jail-free cards.

Imagine if Hillary had won.

MsCreant , 30 minutes ago link

I need your help.

I seem to have misplaced $46,000,000.

Do you have any advice for me?

WP82 , 33 minutes ago link

Jeffrey Epstein. The ultimate POS sc*mbag. #DeadManWalking

Beebee , 36 minutes ago link

This thing is massive. He's unfriending his friend.

Koba the Dread , 43 minutes ago link

An old Epstein trick. He got Wexler so excited looking at the Victoria's Secret models, he forgot to look in his pocket book. He had his hands in the wrong pockets.

MsCreant , 36 minutes ago link

You give them too much credit for too much innocence. This is much deeper and uglier. Did not report the money lost?

deFLorable hillbilly , 48 minutes ago link

And this $46 million dollar theft was not reported until now because?....

These guys would have an employee arrested over 46 cents.

Seems odd.

Stuck on Zero , 54 minutes ago link

Tax deductible trafficking of underage girls. Good deal.

Captain Nemo de Erehwon , 1 hour ago link

STFU Wexler. If that money went to finance his activities you could presumably be a facilitator who is now trying to desert that sinking ship. The secret is out. Everyone knows.

Element , 2 hours ago link

" ... I was robbed ! ..."

[Aug 07, 2019] Cohn admitted that he was part of a sexual entrapment operation that including compromising politicians with child prostitutes

Aug 07, 2019 | www.exposetheenemy.com

ROY COHN was the Mentor of Donald Trump and Roger Stone.

Part of the controlled anti-communist opposition that was known as the McCarthy investigations.

Benard Baruch was the man behind this operation as not only hyping the 'Red scare' psyop and controlled oppposition.

Cohn himself was a homosexual and alleged pedophile that died of AIDS. Central figure at famed drug and orgy room at nightclub Studio 54.

According to James Rothstein, Cohn admitted that he was part of a sexual entrapment operation that including compromising politicians with child prostitutes.

His father was a New York State Supreme Court Justice. Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch were honored guest chairmen for a B'nai B'rith tribute dinner for Cohn.

[Aug 07, 2019] Les Wexner

Aug 07, 2019 | www.exposetheenemy.com

LES WEXNER Protegé of Max Fisher (Mega group) Secretive Billionaire Jewish Supremacist of Russian descent Chairman and CEO of L Brands. His companies Victoria Secrets, A&F used MC2 models. Connected to cotton plantations and sweatshops Allegedly operates a huge international drug running operation previous run by Max Fisher. His name and addresses are listed and highlighted as a person of interest in Epstein's little black book. He invited Epstein and Dershowitz to his 60th birthday party along with former Israeli PM Shimon Peres. Runs Wexner Foundation that finance pro-Jewish and Israeli 'causes'. Financed the JFK School at Harvard University, Connected to major figures at Harvard. Russian Jewish descent with family ties to Chabad Lubavitch. Connected to serious organised crime figures implicated in a mob-style hit on Arthur Shapiro, an attorney of Limited (now L Brands)

[Aug 02, 2019] The girls were prostitutes paid for sex. Epstein, Maxwell, the pilot Nadia and others were procurers and arrangers of the prostitution

Notable quotes:
"... Except in a few Nevada counties, being a prostitute of any age, being a customer of a prostitute, procuring and arranging contacts between prostitutes and customer, running a prostitution business and soliciting sex for money are crimes no matter what the age of the prostitute in every state and territory of the United States including Little St James Island and the states of New York and Florida. ..."
Aug 02, 2019 | www.unz.com

Alden , says: July 31, 2019 at 4:49 am GMT

@Fran Taubman Except in a few Nevada counties, being a prostitute of any age, being a customer of a prostitute, procuring and arranging contacts between prostitutes and customer, running a prostitution business and soliciting sex for money are crimes no matter what the age of the prostitute in every state and territory of the United States including Little St James Island and the states of New York and Florida.

The girls were prostitutes paid for sex. Epstein, Maxwell, the pilot Nadia and others were procurers and arrangers of the prostitution.

... ... ...

[Aug 02, 2019] W>as Epstein manipulating currencies for the CIA?

He was was engaged in his pedo activities that he probably did not have any time to engage in financial speculations. Especially as risky as currencies trades.
Wexner money is much more plausible hypothesis.
Aug 02, 2019 | www.unz.com

anastasia , says: August 1, 2019 at 8:51 pm GMT

Epstein going to jail for 20 or more years? Epstein being killed? Think again.

Roger Stone, in his book on Clinton's War on Women, pp. 122-123 states as follows:

"He was manipulating currencies for the CIA", said Hoffenberg, former owner of the New York Post and collections business genius, who flamed out in a multi-million dollar Ponzi sam in the 80's.

"His pal Larry Summers hooked him up.", Hoffenberg said of then then secretary of the Treasury. "He destabilized Middle Eastern currencies to help Israel. He's protected.", he told us.

From the Daily Beast:

In the 1995 letter, Forester de Rothschild writes, "Dear Mr. President (Clinton) : It was a pleasure to see you recently at Senator Kennedy's house. There was too much to discuss and too little time. Using my fifteen seconds of access to discuss Jeffrey Epstein and currency stabilization, I neglected to talk to you about a topic near and dear to my heart. Namely, affirmative action and the future."

She then goes on to note that she's sending him a memo on the latter subject, which George Stephanopoulos had asked her to write, and signs off, "Sincerely, Lynn Forester."

https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-visited-clinton-white-house-multiple-times-in-early-90s?ref=home

[Aug 02, 2019] Epstein was flying Nobel prize winning scientists to his pedo island, Zoro Ranch, Palm Beach, and Manhattan.

Notable quotes:
"... all these scientists could not have not noticed that there were young girls running around and all kinds of pornographic art and photographs and art on the walls even if they kept their underpants on for the massages. ..."
"... So we have the worlds most powerful politicians, actors, bankers, lawyers, media moguls, heads of industry, and now scientists [possibly] participating in pedo-orgies with good old Jeff Epstein. ..."
Aug 02, 2019 | www.unz.com

Kartoffelstampfer , says: August 2, 2019 at 7:31 am GMT

Trunews (55′) gets into how Epstein was flying Nobel prize winning scientists to his pedo island, Zoro Ranch, Palm Beach, and Manhattan. Many of these "scientists" were transhumanists and Physicists. Stephen Hawkings even visited him after his guilty plea for pedophilia.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/business/jeffrey-epstein-eugenics.html

Mr. Epstein attracted a glittering array of prominent scientists. They included the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann, who discovered the quark; the theoretical physicist and best-selling author Stephen Hawking; the paleontologist and evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould; Oliver Sacks, the neurologist and best-selling author; George M. Church, a molecular engineer who has worked to identify genes that could be altered to create superior humans; and the M.I.T. theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek, a Nobel laureate.

Rick and gang point out that all these scientists could not have not noticed that there were young girls running around and all kinds of pornographic art and photographs and art on the walls even if they kept their underpants on for the massages.

So we have the worlds most powerful politicians, actors, bankers, lawyers, media moguls, heads of industry, and now scientists [possibly] participating in pedo-orgies with good old Jeff Epstein.

Meanwhile these same "scientists" all sing the exact same tune: global warming is the planet's biggest threat, on 9/11 three massive buildings crashed after 2 were hit by jets, 6 gorillian were gassed, MH17 was hit by a Russian missile, 5G is as harmless as vaccinations, dozens of HAARP stations spread across the planet are only for "research" and those chem-trails you see in the sky are merely "contrails".

What I find most disgusting is how self-proclaimed "intellectuals" and "scholars" like Ron Unz instantly circle their "peer reviewed" wagons around all these other owned "scientists" and "nobel prize winners" and then scream their "It's Science" war cry whenever their preferred narrative is threatened.

annamaria , says: August 2, 2019 at 12:11 pm GMT
@Kartoffelstampfer "self-proclaimed "intellectuals" and "scholars"
-- Academia is notorious for institutionalizing nepotism and promoting opportunism.

[Aug 02, 2019] A few comments on Epstein. First, exercise some common sense. The timing of the resuscitation of his case is anything but coincidental

Notable quotes:
"... No publicly released details should be naively accepted. For example, it makes no sense to me that he just happened to be flying back to the US. I assume he was effectively renditioned. ..."
"... Acosta is anything but a mystery. He was told to make this go away. You'll note that no one asked Robert Mueller about the case when he testified last week even though he was FBI Director at the time. Maybe he was suffering from dementia back then too! ..."
Aug 02, 2019 | www.unz.com

MLK , says: July 30, 2019 at 12:30 am GMT

A few comments on Epstein. First, exercise some common sense. The timing of the resuscitation of his case is anything but coincidental. Whomever made that happen -- like flipping a light switch -- is sending a message and applying leverage. My guess would be in the context of the conspiracy against the duly elected POTUS. The malefactors will take some hostages as they're exposed and indicted.

No publicly released details should be naively accepted. For example, it makes no sense to me that he just happened to be flying back to the US. I assume he was effectively renditioned.

Acosta is anything but a mystery. He was told to make this go away. You'll note that no one asked Robert Mueller about the case when he testified last week even though he was FBI Director at the time. Maybe he was suffering from dementia back then too!

All I know is that I correctly predicted right after Epstein's arrest that Weissmann and the other Mueller staff wouldn't testify behind closed doors as they were scheduled to. Mueller's testimony was delayed for a week. In my view to arrange a deal so that he wasn't asked anything about this under oath and to otherwise act like he could no longer knew how tie his shoes.

That said, it really is a fool's errand to try to find out a high level play like this. Usually there are many moving parts.

We shall see.

[Aug 02, 2019] It is quite intriguing that so many of these cases involve the sort of criminal or sexual misbehavior that would be ideally suited for blackmailing powerful individuals who are less likely to be vulnerable to other influences

Aug 02, 2019 | www.unz.com

Hail , says: Website July 30, 2019 at 5:20 am GMT

it is quite intriguing that so many of these cases involve the sort of criminal or sexual misbehavior that would be ideally suited for blackmailing powerful individuals who are less likely to be vulnerable to other influences. So perhaps many of the elected officials situated at the top of our democratic system merely reign as political puppets, dancing to invisible strings.

I would invite Ron Unz and readers to look up the recent case of a Mark W. Levin (b.1944 or '45). He has a murky background, but by the 2000s was apparently involved closely with some outer-tier DC organizations and by the 2010s at a small DC graduate school aimed at aspiring intelligence agents.

Levin pressured young men for sex, used blackmail and threats, though the stick was mixed in with carrots. In a word, he appeared to be part of an operation with some striking similarities to the kinds of political blackmail operations (or the gaining of 'compromised' people) alleged/proposed in this article.

The Mark W. Levin story was reported in mainstream media (see some excerpts, below; Google or Bing or DuckDuckGo for much more), but there are some questions have deserved asking since the scandal broke in spring 2017, such as: What was the source of Levin's money, with which he paid for some students' tuition? Do we know for sure that Levin was "acting alone"? Did he have any political objectives? The story was fairly extensively reported on, but I don't think any of these questions were answered.

It's possible Mark W. Levin was just a lone, sick con-artist acting alone for homosexual-gratification and power, which is what the media depicted him as. It is also possible that he really was (at least at one time) part of a blackmail operation, and that after years of service he finally went down or was discarded, messily (a lawsuit against him was made public in spring 2017).

This is really a small-time case compared to Epstein, but it may be useful for comparative purposes.

Excerpts from some press reports in the case:

[Hide MORE]

In the late 1990s, Levin began attending the institute's public lectures. Then he started handing over checks to pay for the tuitions of certain students, though the source of the money was a mystery

By late 2012, the alleged victim said, Levin told him that if he wanted to remain a candidate for Levin's covert group, he needed to avoid marriage, children, sexually transmitted diseases and relationships with Muslim women. Levin warned him, he said, that his "guys" would constantly watch him and that if he didn't follow instructions, he would be blacklisted from government jobs.

Levin began inviting his protege back to his Arlington apartment building to practice drawing a weapon – shirtless. Soon, the man said, Levin began fondling him and giving him prostate exams, telling him the inspections were key to his recruitment. Levin also bathed him in the shower under the pretext of helping him with his hygiene, according to the alleged victims' lawsuit [ ]

Although Levin told him that he was free to refuse, the Arlington man said he did not want to imperil his candidacy for the clandestine organization or risk losing out on government jobs.

When the Falls Church man applied for his internship in July 2016, Levin told him "The Watchers" or "my guys" had been surveilling him.

"Then, Mark told me: 'I've killed 38 people. We have people killed all the time. And we cover our tracks,' " he said. "I was intimidated."

John Doe recalls following Levin's instructions him to masturbate and ejaculate on his own stomach.

"Levin proceeded to play with the semen on Mr. Doe's stomach, and then informed Mr. Doe that his semen output was insufficient and could have damaging effects on Mr. Doe's 'candidacy,' and this exercise would therefore need to be repeated in the future," the complaint states.

Though the men say they found such treatment degrading, they say they trusted Levin's credentials and believed his threats, some veiled and some explicit, about his ability to harm them.

[Aug 02, 2019] Well-placed contemporary sources have claimed that Samuel Untermyer, a wealthy Jewish lawyer, purchased the secret correspondence between Woodrow Wilson and his longtime mistress

Aug 02, 2019 | www.unz.com

jokelly says: July 30, 2019 at 3:31 am GMT 300 Words

Similar rumors swirl around events much farther back in history as well, sometimes with enormous consequences. Well-placed contemporary sources have claimed that Samuel Untermyer, a wealthy Jewish lawyer, purchased the secret correspondence between Woodrow Wilson and his longtime mistress, and that the existence of that powerful leverage may have been an important factor behind Wilson's astonishingly rapid rise from president of Princeton in 1910 to governor of New Jersey in 1911 to president of the United States in 1912. Once in office, Wilson signed the controversial legislation establishing the Federal Reserve system in 1913 and also named Louis Brandeis as the first Jewish member of the U.S. Supreme Court despite the public opposition of nearly our entire legal establishment. Wilson's swiftly changing views on American involvement in the First World War may also have influenced by such personal pressures rather than solely determined by his perceptions of the national interest

When writing of the Protocols in the "International Jew" Henry Ford discussed the blackmail issue, referring anonymously to three political figures, one of whom was clearly Wilson, that were then under control of the hidden hand. Don't know who the other two were.

Re Wilson and Untermyer, my understanding was that Unternyer simultaneously represented Mrs. Peck, the wife of one of Wilson's fellow professors with who Wilson had an affair, in a (potential) alienation of affections claim against Wilson, and represented Wilson in the same matter, and supplied the money to Wilson to settle the claim, thereby cementing control over him. (Don't remember where I read this.)

Re the pedophilia issue, don't rule out that there is an element of Evil involved in this.

[Aug 02, 2019] Flight logs show Bill Clinton flew on Lolita Express more than previously known by Malia Zimmerman

May 16, 2016 | www.foxnews.com

Former President Bill Clinton was a much more frequent flyer on a registered sex offender's infamous jet than previously reported, with flight logs showing the former president taking at least 26 trips aboard the "Lolita Express" -- even apparently ditching his Secret Service detail for at least five of the flights, according to records obtained by FoxNews.com.

Clinton's presence aboard Jeffrey Epstein's Boeing 727 on 11 occasions has been reported, but flight logs show the number is more than double that, and trips between 2001 and 2003 included extended junkets around the world with Epstein and fellow passengers identified on manifests by their initials or first names, including "Tatiana." The tricked-out jet earned its Nabakov-inspired nickname because it was reportedly outfitted with a bed where passengers had group sex with young girls.

"Bill Clinton associated with a man like Jeffrey Epstein, who everyone in New York, certainly within his inner circles, knew was a pedophile," said Conchita Sarnoff, of the Washington, D.C. based non-profit Alliance to Rescue Victims of Trafficking, and author of a book on the Epstein case called "TrafficKing." "Why would a former president associate with a man like that?"

... ... ...

Virginia Roberts, 32, who claims she was pimped out by Epstein at age 15, has previously claimed she saw Clinton at Epstein's getaway in 2002, but logs do not show Clinton aboard any flights to St. Thomas, the nearest airport capable of accommodating Epstein's plane. They do show Clinton flying aboard Epstein's plane to such destinations as Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, China, Brunei, London, New York, the Azores, Belgium, Norway, Russia and Africa.

Among those regularly traveling with Clinton were Epstein's associates, New York socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein's assistant, Sarah Kellen, both of whom were investigated by the FBI and Palm Beach Police for recruiting girls for Epstein and his friends.

Official flight logs filed with the Federal Aviation Administration show Clinton traveled on some of the trips with as many as 10 U.S. Secret Service agents. However, on a five-leg Asia trip between May 22 and May 25, 2002, not a single Secret Service agent is listed. The U.S. Secret Service has declined to answer multiple Freedom of Information Act requests filed by FoxNews.com seeking information on these trips. Clinton would have been required to file a form to dismiss the agent detail, a former Secret Service agent told FoxNews.com.

In response to a separate FOIA request from FoxNews.com, the U.S. Secret Service said it has no records showing agents were ever on the island with Clinton.

[Jul 31, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein got sweetheart plea deal after becoming an FBI informant, government records reveal by Chris Spargo

What was the information he provided ? Or was it simply Clinton and British royalty lobbing for sweetheart deal
Jul 31, 2019 | dailymail.co.uk
Jeffrey Epstein became an FBI INFORMANT to secure sweetheart deal and shut down federal probe into the pedophile's abuse of underage girls, government records reveal

Jeffrey Epstein managed to shut down a federal probe into his illicit and illegal activities with underage girls and secure his sweetheart plea deal by providing information' to the government, FBI reports confirm.

A federal investigation into the pedophile led by the FBI was closed out on September 18, 2008 when Epstein 'provided information to the FBI as agreed upon' according to the case agent.

That investigation had been underway for two years at that point, but it was noted in the final report that 'no prosecution will occur in this matter as long as Epstein continues to uphold his agreement with the State of Florida.'

The investigation had been dormant for seven months by then, with FBI records obtained by DailyMail.com showing that the lead agent had not filed a report since February 11 at the time he closed the case.

That February report notes that 'that the criminal investigation into activities of Jeffrey Epstein is ongoing,' and that the case agent had been told the matter was 'highly sensitive' by the United States Attorney's Office.

This There was a 53-page indictment that the federal agents were prepared to bring to a grand jury at that time, and the asset forfeiture investigator had met with Assistant US Attorney Antonia J Barnes several times. Epstein was spared from future forfeiture as well, as noted in the report that closed out the case.

EPSTEIN'S INFO ON BEAR STEARNS EXECS

It has been reported that Epstein got his light sentence in part because of information he traded on Bear Stearns hedge fund managers Ralph Cioffi and Matthew Tannin. The two men had bet very heavily on the Florida housing market, and found themselves with a target on their backs when the subprime market started to implode. The SEC settled with the men and suspended them from the securities industry while the government launched a federal case. Eopstein was said to have given information by some, though others have questioned what information he would have been able to give in the case. In the end, both men were acquitted.

It is unclear when Epstein spoke with agents, as no one registered with the FBI signed into see him once he began serving his time in July.

One source told DailyMail.com that Epstein was using his assistant Story Cowles to serve as his emissary at this time, and prison records obtained by DailyMail.com do show that the young man visited Epstein almost every single day prior to his being granted work release. Cowles would arrive in the morning on most days, stay for a few hours and then leave around lunch time.

He would then return a second time and leave again around 7pm, generally logging six or seven hours in jail each day as a result, despite he himself having committed no crime.

Epstein tried to hide his association with Cowles by having him sign in as a paralegal, as only lawyers and a doctor were among the 20 approved visitors at the jail.

Epstein also managed to get what was a two-year sentence in the non-prosecution agreement cut down to 18 months, and in the end was released 13 months after he reported to the Palm Beach Barracks. was five months after Epstein signed his non-prosecution agreement, but four months before it would be presented in court during his sentencing on two charges related to solicitation of a minor.

Epstein relied on a network of high school students to provide him with many of the two to three girls he needed for his daily 'massages' at the time of his arrest.

Incidents reports and probable cause affidavits filed by members of the Palm Beach Police Department during their 2005 investigation do not name any of these women with the exception of one - Haley Robson.

She was a student at Royal Palm High School when she herself was recruited to give Epstein a massage, but when he started to molest her she objected to being touched by the pedophile, who worked out another deal with the teenager.

Epstein informed Robson that she would be paid $200 for every girl she brought in, an offer the student could not refuse.

It is unclear if she even knew what she was doing was illegal, with the 19-year-old college student wrapping up one police interview by boasting: 'I'm like Heidi Fleiss.'

That remark came after she willingly provided police with the names and ages of all the girls she had bought to Epstein, thus implicating herself in a number of crimes.

Robson told police she had provided Epstein with at least six girls over a two-year period, with the youngest being 14 and the oldest a 23-year-old woman.

She said that she was chided for the latter, with Epstein informing her the woman was too old.

Robson did not groom the victims, who were mostly her classmates, and was instead very straightforward about what was going to happen once the girls were alone with Epstein.

'During a sworn taped interview, SG stated that Haley Robson, a cousin of SG's boyfriend and classmate at Royal Palm Beach High School worked for a wealthy man and did sexual favors for him,' reads a probable cause affidavit obtained by DailyMail.com.

'She also admitted that Robson had offered her an opportunity to make money. During the beginning of the month of February 2005, SG explained that she was first approached by Robson to go with her to Epstein’s house.'

The victim was 14 at the time, while Haley was 18.

The parents of SG learned what had happened however after a fight at school, and soon after contacted police thus launching the criminal investigation.

With parental consent, SG then contacted Robson as police recorded the call.

'SG spoke with Robson in an attempt to arrange another meeting with Epstein, SG asked Robson, what did she need to do to make more money,' reads the affidavit.

'Robson stated, "the more you do, the more you get paid."

That call was in April, but it was not until October that police questioned Robson.

She is remarkably forthcoming in her interviews with police, and the affidavit suggests she willingly volunteered all information she had about Epstein and her role in proving minors.

Robson also revealed to police that she too was a victim.

'I began the interview by asking Robson how she became acquainted with Epstein. Robson stated that approximately two years ago, just after she turned 17 years of age, she was approached by a friend named Molly at the Canopy Beach Resort in Rivera Beach,' notes the affidavit.

'Robson was asked if she wanted to make money. She was told she would have to provide a massage and should make $200.00. Robson thought about the offer and agreed to meet with Jeffrey.'

Things changed however once she got in the room with Epstein, and explains why Robson never hid what was going to happen when the girls she was providing were alone with the pedophile.

'Jeff entered the bedroom wearing only a towel. He removed the towel and laid nude on the massage table. He laid on the table onto his stomach and picked a massage oil for Robson to rub on him,' reads the affidavit.

'During the massage, Robson stated "He tried to touch me and I stopped him ." I asked how he tried to touch her. Robson stated that Epstein grabbed her buttocks and she felt uncomfortable. Robson told Epstein I'll massage you but I don’t want to be touched. Robson stated she performed the massage naked.'

That is when Epstein offered to pay her if she brought girls, which she did, providing six between the ages of 14 and 16 to Epstein, plus the seventh woman he rejected for being too old.

Robson provided police with the name and addresses of each girl, and seems to truly believe she was helping them by setting up these appointments with Epstein.

'Robson stated every girl she brought knew what to expect when they arrived. They were told they would provide a massage, possibly naked, and allow some touching,' states the affidavit.

'I asked her if SG was aware. She stated every girl she brought knew what to expect She explained she knew that SG wanted to make money. She approached SG and explained about going to work for Jeff, SG agreed and arrangements were made to bring her to Epstein’s house on a weekend.'

Robson stopped speaking to Epstein after arranging that February appointment with SG, though it is unclear if that was of her own fruition or fear of arrest.

She was set to be charged with Lewd and Lascivious Act on a victim under 16 in the second degree, but ultimately avoided charges.

Police did not name any of the other students and Robson has now become linked to Epstein despite only meeting the man a handful of times.

She could again become a key witness in the new trial too, as she and Epstein's longtime assistant Sarah Kellen would speak by phone according to police prior to Epstein's arrival in Palm Beach.

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Sulli915 , St Louis, United States, about 6 hours ago

Just what information was he giving to the FBI ; who, what and was anyone prosecuted as a result of the information?

Reply New Comment New 1 117 Click to rate

yawn claud van damn , San Francisco, United States, about 6 hours ago

Boys club protecting its own again!

Reply New Comment New 7 205 Click to rate

Biggerpictureman , Traveler , United States, about 6 hours ago

The victims should be able to sue anyone involved in that plea deal. Where is the protection for the victims?

Reply New Comment New 5 198 Click to rate

Ruth , Michigan, United States, about 6 hours ago

Very sad when we don't believe much of what the FBI says and what they do and don't do.

Reply New Comment New 6 167 Click to rate

AliceAlive , Los Angeles, United States, about 6 hours ago

The Federal Bureau Of Idiots

Reply New Comment New 8 124 Click to rate

Nick , Basingstoke, United Kingdom, about 6 hours ago

The FBI has a LOT to answer for at the moment. Not the rank and file FBI agents ... the so-called "leadership".

Reply New Comment New 13 176 Click to rate

graciebbythesea , Oceanside, United States, about 6 hours ago

This is bad. Money allowed this man to slip thru all the cracks and do what he pleased with young girls. Horrible and beyond scary.

Reply New Comment New 5 158 Click to rate

don.dixon , Delta, United States, about 6 hours ago

To inform them of what??? Of who?

Reply New Comment New 2 127 Click to rate

Wldflwr , Middle Earth, United States, about 7 hours ago

Wow

Reply New Comment New 2 68 Click to rate

MaxHat , Fairfield, United States, about 7 hours ago

I don't care who is involved in all of this but everyone who is should be imprisoned for life. Absolutely ridiculous that this guy has been doing this for years and no one stopped him.

[Jul 31, 2019] Lawmaker says she was warned to back off Jeffrey Epstein case 'Little girl, you don't know what you're getting into' Tampa B

Jul 31, 2019 | www.tampabay.com

Last Friday, Bradshaw announced the internal affairs investigation after reports emerged that Epstein -- while on work release in Palm Beach -- was allowed female visitors to his office, including at least one visit that led to a sexual encounter. The terms of Epstein's incarceration were detailed by the Herald as part of a series published last year about Epstein's case, Perversion of Justice.

Jack Scarola, who represents several of Epstein's victims, said it is ludicrous to think that Bradshaw is able to investigate his own department.

"The allegations are against the sheriff and there's no way a credible investigation can be conducted by the sheriff's office when the allegations extend to the very top of the organization,'' Scarola said.

Book, whose father, Ron Book, is perhaps the most powerful lobbyist in Florida, said she intends to pressure the governor for a full and thorough investigation.

"The privileges that Epstein received in Palm Beach County were outside the scope of what anyone else would receive. We need an independent body to identify whether this was an issue of individual failures or systemic failures. And if it was an individual failure, we need to hold those individuals accountable,'' she said.

Bradshaw, who is running for his fifth term, wields tremendous power in Palm Beach, where the agency has also been the lead law enforcement detail assisting the Secret Service during President Donald Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago. The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office spent $5.6 million for Trump's 2017-2018 trips, the Palm Beach Post reported in April. The department is reimbursed for the work.

Epstein was found on the floor of his jail cell with injuries to his neck, according to a report from NBC New York late Wednesday.

The television station said another inmate had been questioned and that Epstein is on suicide watch. A source told CBS News the injuries were not life threatening. The New York Post reported that Epstein was taken to a nearby hospital and may have intentionally hurt himself in order to win a transfer out of the federal facility.

Quoting unnamed law enforcement officials, The New York Times said prison officials were treating the incident, which left Epstein with "bruising around the neck," as a possible suicide attempt.

The jet-setting financier was denied bail last week after a federal judge said he posed a danger to young women. His lawyers have filed their intent to appeal, saying he should be released to his palatial Upper East Side Manhattan townhouse.

Epstein, who has pleaded not guilty, roamed the halls of power before dozens of underage girls accused him of sexual assaults. After preparing a 50-plus-page indictment on sex trafficking charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida shelved the charges and allowed Epstein to plead guilty to minor charges in state court. That's how Epstein ended up in the Palm Beach County Jail -- and then on work release approved by Sheriff Bradshaw.

[Jul 31, 2019] The Next Chapter of the Epstein Story

Jul 26, 2019 | www.nytimes.com

The Next Chapter of the Epstein Story
Ghislaine Maxwell, the financier's longtime companion, has been accused of participating in
his abuses. Thousands of sealed records involving her may soon be released.
Hosted by Michael Barbara, produced by Adizah Eghan and Theo Balcomb, and edited by Lisa Tobin

[Jul 31, 2019] Epstein, charged in July with sexual trafficking of girls as young as 14, was a prolific liar and manipulator

This story might get more interesting when the names of his powerful protectors and clients are released.
Jul 31, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

As the Times goes on to note, even after his 2008 conviction on charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor, Epstein was able to ingratiate himself with the scientific community , attracting a "glittering array of prominent scientists."

They included the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann, who discovered the quark; the theoretical physicist and best-selling author Stephen Hawking ; the paleontologist and evolutionary biologist Stephen J. Gould; Oliver Sacks, the neurologist and best-selling author; George M. Church, a molecular engineer who has worked to identify genes that could be altered to create superior humans; and the M.I.T. theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek, a Nobel laureate. - New York Times

Scientists had regular parties at Epstein's Manhattan mansion, drinking Dom Pérignon and other expensive libations. The wealthy financier also hosted buffet lunchest at Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics - to which he contributed $6.5 million in order to get it off the ground.

Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker says he was invited to "salons and coffee klatsches" at which Epstein would 'hold court.'

While some of Mr. Pinker's peers hailed Mr. Epstein as brilliant, Mr. Pinker described him as an "intellectual impostor."

"He would abruptly change the subject, A.D.D.-style, dismiss an observation with an adolescent wisecrack," Mr. Pinker said.

Another scientist cultivated by Mr. Epstein, Jaron Lanier, a prolific author who is a founding father of virtual reality, said that Mr. Epstein's ideas did not amount to science, in that they did not lend themselves to rigorous proof. Mr. Lanier said Mr. Epstein had once hypothesized that atoms behaved like investors in a marketplace.

Mr. Lanier said he had declined any funding from Mr. Epstein and that he had met with him only once after Mr. Epstein's 2008 guilty plea. - New York Times

bloofer , 8 minutes ago link

So.... Epstein lied " in an effort to worm his way into the 'upper echelons of society.' "

So the "upper echelons of society" include Lanier, "the virtual-reality creator and author," two unnamed "award winning" scientists, and one unnamed "advisor" to large companies and wealthy individuals.

So, what "awards" did these unnamed scientists win? Employee of the Month, entitling them to a reserved parking space for a week? As for "advisor," ****, I can claim to be an advisor to wealthy individuals. ("Trust me. Go with the pink toenail polish.") I have also from time to time offered my advice to large companies. ("Go **** yourself.")

Further, Epstein didn't "worm his way" into anything. His mode of operation was apparently to entice/entrap his "victims" and keep them on a short leash forever after.

This whole piece is one of the most transparently disingenuous things I've ever read. They make the guy sound like he was waiting tables in SoHo and social climbing (apparently among people of little or no importance) to try to get a part in an off-Broadway production--by telling funny stories.

[Jul 31, 2019] Epstein In Danger Of Being Murdered By Powerful People Before His Trial, Says Victims' Lawyer

Jul 31, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Kuvin speculated whether Epstein would "survive" to make his upcoming trial, comparing the situation to the 1959 Profumo affair, where socialite Stephen Ward was put on trial for procuring young women for the British elite but killed himself before the verdict was announced.

"We know that Mr Ward, who was involved in that affair and the procurement of women for some notable people, was given bail and committed suicide while out on bail – so it'll be interesting to see whether or not Mr Epstein attempts again to get out on bail and if he does whether he survives between now and the date of his trial," said Kuvin.

The lawyer also noted that Eyes Wide Shut-style sex parties attended by masked men had been taking place for over 50 years


flacorps , 50 seconds ago link

Why does the author omit the word "Clintons"?

Lavrov , 22 minutes ago link

I wonder what bet makers odds are on Epstein (untimely up coming (Arkancide)

Nature_Boy_Wooooo , 17 minutes ago link

Too obvious. They'll probably find some brother in prison to inject him with the AIDS and then let him die with poor healthcare. Probably delay the trial a few times until he is dead

Sick , 35 minutes ago link

Has a court date been set for this sicko?

Mouldy , 38 minutes ago link

Must be one hellova dead-man-switch this guy has.

[Jul 31, 2019] The fact that Epstein voluntarily turned himself in and that he's not sitting in a safe-house suggests that he sensed the danger of being eliminated unless jailed

Jul 31, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Sick , 39 minutes ago link

Has Epstein ever been to Planet Ping Pong Pizza?

ZionDon , 16 minutes ago link

He probably supplies the toppings.

Betrayed , 1 hour ago link

Anyone who buys the narrative that's been promoted need to learn the value of skepticism.

The fact that Epstein voluntarily turned himself in and that he's not sitting in a luxury mossad safe-house in IsraHell, should be a obvious red flag that a hell of a lot more is going on that (((They))) are going to keep hidden.

This is all about having the screws to turn to get the behavior and control on those they own.

Clintons,

Trumpenstein,

Etc.

Obamaroid Ointment , 1 hour ago link

If Oberführer Müeller can get Whitey whacked in a Fed pen the Clinton Foundation will have no problem Arkansiding Epstain in the Manhattan lockup or Riker's

Obamaroid Ointment , 1 hour ago link

Seth Rich unavailable for comment.

Mah_Authoritah , 1 hour ago link

When we met in 1986, Epstein's double identity intrigued me -- he said he didn't just manage money for clients with mega-fortunes, he was also a high-level bounty hunter.

Sometimes, he told me, he worked for governments to recover money looted by African dictators. Other times those dictators hired him to help them hide their stolen money.

https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-night-before-my-marriage-jeffrey-epstein-propositioned-my-wife-to-be/

[Jul 30, 2019] Recent articles on the Epstein case

Jul 30, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Mina , Jul 30 2019 6:11 utc | 69

Recent articles on the Epstein case listed here
https://twitter.com/VickyPJWard

Mina , Jul 30 2019 6:21 utc | 70

Money laundering and a Pakistani on the board for... Gulf connections?
https://nypost.com/2019/07/27/feds-probe-socialites-mysterious-ocean-charity-over-links-to-jeffrey-epstein/

[Jul 29, 2019] Evidence has emerged that the US State Department is tied to a child trafficking operation involving billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Notable quotes:
"... Evidence has emerged that the U.S. State Department is tied to a child trafficking operation involving Billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. shared the tail number of his Bell Long Ranger 206L3 helicopter (tail number N474AW) with a U.S. State Department OV-10D Bronco ..."
"... . Descriptions of sex between adult males and underage females by XXX company employees in Bosnia in the 2000-2002 time frame coincides with descriptions of sex . on .. aircraft and [at] residences in Palm Beach, Florida; New Mexico; and on the island of Little Saint James in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Among the "Jane Does" filing suit against the U.S. government for concluding can anyone get the details of these suits? ..."
"... So so disgusting. First there was the catholic church pedophile scandal. Then there is the Epstein scandal ..."
Jul 23, 2019 | www.unz.com

sally , says: July 23, 2019 at 8:22 am GMT

https://friendsforsyria.com/2019/07/21/u-s-state-department-tied-to-child-trafficking-operation-with-epstein/

according to this article ..the following

Evidence has emerged that the U.S. State Department is tied to a child trafficking operation involving Billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. shared the tail number of his Bell Long Ranger 206L3 helicopter (tail number N474AW) with a U.S. State Department OV-10D Bronco. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registration database. Descriptions of sex between adult males and underage females by XXX company employees in Bosnia in the 2000-2002 time frame coincides with descriptions of sex . on .. aircraft and [at] residences in Palm Beach, Florida; New Mexico; and on the island of Little Saint James in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Among the "Jane Does" filing suit against the U.S. government for concluding can anyone get the details of these suits?

mcohen , says: July 23, 2019 at 9:20 am GMT

So so disgusting. First there was the catholic church pedophile scandal. Then there is the Epstein scandal

... ... ...

Everything is broken.Time to call in the plumbers

[Jul 29, 2019] Looks like Epstein turned informant for Mueller s FBI in 2008. Likely earlier

Highly recommended!
Did Mueller done this at the request of Clintons?
Notable quotes:
"... That was while Robert Mueller ran the Bureau, which means everything about Epstein's blackmail and kompromat operation has been tucked safely away out of sight in FBI files for at least a decade. Much longer, new evidence shows. ..."
"... *CIA Acknowledged in 2003, It Knew that Ghislaine Maxwell's Late Father was a Major Foreign Intelligence Agent Operating Inside the U.S. ..."
"... That Robert Maxwell was a ruthless, corrupt, tax-dodging international businessman who served as an Israeli agent is highly probable. ..."
"... For the first time, Maxwell had failed to get his own way. He started to threaten and bluster. He then demanded that, for past services, he should receive immediately a quick fix of £400million to bale him out of his financial difficulties. ..."
"... Instead of providing the money, a small group of Mossad officers set about planning his murder. They feared that he was going to publicly expose all Mossad had done in the time he worked for them. They knew that he was gradually becoming mentally unstable and paranoid. He was taking a cocktail of drugs - Halcion and Zanax - which had serious side effects. ..."
"... Then Maxwell was contacted. He was told to fly to Gibraltar, go aboard the Lady Ghislaine and sail to the Canary Islands. There at sea he would receive his £400million quick fix in the form of a banker's draft. Maxwell did as he was told. ..."
"... As Victor Ostrovsky, a former Mossad agent told us: "On that cold night Mossad's problems with Robert Maxwell were over." ..."
"... The incontrovertible facts about his murder are contained in a previously-unseen autopsy report by Britain's then-leading forensic pathologist Dr Iain West and Israel State Pathologist Dr Yehuda Hiss. Of all the documents in our possession, these reports confirm the truth about Maxwell's death. ..."
"... Boy that Mueller has had a busy career hasn't he? Didn't he start out in Chicago where he gave Whitey Bulgar cover for being a mob boss? Then there's his cover up before and after 9/11. The weapons of mass destruction that he said Saddam had. The anthrax prosecution, Epstein's pedophilia cover up, HSBC and now he is trying to cover Hillary's buttocks. And maybe Obama's? I'm sure I've missed a few things that he did or didn't do. ..."
"... Acosta was told to stand down by someone at the top of the food chain. Mueller. Ugh what a slimy piece of work he is. But not to the Russia Gaters. Oh no. "He is a highly decorated marine who takes no guff from anyone. ..."
"... In that time, he had free access to Margaret Thatcher's Downing Street, to Ronald Reagan's White House, to the Kremlin and to the corridors of power throughout Europe. ..."
"... Inquiring minds want to know did Maxwell have access to Margaret and Ron because they liked him or because he had something on them? ..."
"... Epstein is the destruction of the Deep State. ..."
"... That pedophelia and politics scandal, better known as the Franklin Coverup, made the papers for a few months, too, before it was made to go away. Similarly, a couple of the operators served some time on reduced charges after that one. ..."
"... The two main suspects in the Bush, Sr. White House child ring were Craig Spence and Lawrence E. King Jr. King sang the National anthem at two GOP national conventions. He served time in jail for bank fraud. Spence was a Republican lobbyist before he committed suicide. Several of his partners went to jail for being involved in the adult part of the homosexual prostitution ring. ..."
"... Mueller's scrupulous avoidance of the CIA link in his prosecution of Manuel Noriega and his diversion of the PanAm 103 bombing and framing of two Libyans. Bobby Mueller has been a real go to guy when the security establishment needs a phony investigation. ..."
"... Bobby Mueller has been a real go to guy when the security establishment needs a phony investigation. ..."
"... The anthrax investigation is the most serious of his crimes. Mueller is being sued by his lead investigator in that case. ..."
"... Every now and then, here and there the curtain lifts for a moment and the political elite of a country, the business elite, the spy services, the military, and organized crime are revealed to be all working together, indeed practically joined at the hip ..."
"... partnership started during the early Cold War with US intelligence officers facilitating the drug trade out of Turkey and Burma through Europe. That soon spread to the Americas and globally. Covert operations such as Gladio, Condor, and the Safari Club, and associated banks (Franklin National Bank, BCCI, Riggs Bank, HSBC, etc.) produced massive human rights violations, transnational terrorism and governmental corruption. The CIA's secret wars provided funds and official cover for private-public sector alliance of criminals, bankers and spooks around the world. ..."
"... The CIA, MI6 and Mossad ran overlapping coordinated operations using privateers, paramilitaries and organized crime networks that consumed vast amounts of cash generated by money laundering mechanisms. Enriched by the looting of the former Soviet Union, along with the infusion of Arab oil money (the Saudi Yamamah slush fund), the "Octopus" became the instrument of Oligarchs that have thoroughly corrupted western governments and secret services. ..."
"... The Snowden release included a number of documents that illustrate the on-line entrapment and political disruption activities run by the two main communications intelligence agencies. ..."
"... Epstein recruits young girls, throws parties where he invites potential hedge fund clients, lets nature take its course and films the proceedings, extracts blackmail in the form of investments to his (largely fake) hedge fund, which actually just buys an index fund (no actual fund management required). He takes a percentage from the coerced investments. Nobody talks because they have too much to lose. No suspicious payments to raise eyebrows at the IRS. ..."
"... Epstein brought in the clients. The CIA/MI-6/Mossad provided necessary cover from the FBI and local cops - then, three or four agencies shared the intelligence take, as they had for decades from Robert Maxwell's operations. ..."
"... For Ghislaine, it was simply carrying on the family business for fun and profit. For the spooks, it was business as usual going back to the Green House, the Berlin bordello founded in the the 1870s by Wilhelm Steiber, a Prussian Police section chief, to provide useful intelligence to Bismarck's Military Intelligence, which he reorganized. ..."
"... Epstein is also well acquainted with University President Lawrence H. Summers. The two serve together on the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations, two elite international relations organizations. ..."
"... Epstein's relationships within the academy are remarkable since the tycoon, who has amassed his fortune by managing the wealth of billionaires from his private Caribbean island, does not hold a bachelor's degree. ..."
"... There's a rocky road ahead for Larry Summers. Summers introduces Epstein into the Harvard fold, but becomes reckless with his newly-refined Neoliberalism and his opinions concerning "lady scholars." ..."
Jul 11, 2019 | caucus99percent.com

leveymg on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 11:30am

That was while Robert Mueller ran the Bureau, which means everything about Epstein's blackmail and kompromat operation has been tucked safely away out of sight in FBI files for at least a decade. Much longer, new evidence shows.

For those who may have wondered why Epstein was given such an incredible deal in sentencing, that explains it. Epstein was an extraordinary value informant, and he leveraged it. https://truepundit.com/fbi-pedophile-jeffrey-epstein-was-informant-for-m...

A figure who often gets overlooked in this is Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's chief procurer of underage girls. Ghislaine, the daughter of publishing magnate Robert Maxwell, was granted immunity and never charged in exchange for her own cooperation in the 2008 pseudo-prosecution. https://heavy.com/news/2019/03/ghislaine-maxwell/ ; https://pagesix.com/2016/03/17/alleged-epstein-madam-forced-to-hand-over...

The real question is, why did the FBI wait for more than a decade to bust Epstein and Maxwell?

Epstein and Maxwell came to the attention of the FBI in 1996, when, curiously, the Bureau never acted on an accusation that they had together sexually abused a 15 year old girl in a bedroom inside Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. Documents in a recent law suit filed by an alleged victim, Maria Farmer, show that the FBI had been aware of Epstein and Maxwell's child abuse activities in New York for at least a dozen years before Epstein was finally charged in 2008 with much-reduced Florida state offenses. https://www.yourtango.com/2019323698/who-maria-farmer-latest-woman-accus...

Farmer claims she reported her sexual assault to New York police and the FBI in 1996. "To my knowledge, I was the first person to report Maxwell and Epstein to the FBI," she wrote in her affidavit."

*CIA Acknowledged in 2003, It Knew that Ghislaine Maxwell's Late Father was a Major Foreign Intelligence Agent Operating Inside the U.S.

Previously, Robert Maxwell, Ghislaine's father, had for many years been known to have been involved in high-level espionage in the United States, as detailed in a 2003 publication of the CIA Center for the Study of Intelligence, The Intelligence Officer's Bookshelf . Therein, the CIA reviewer of a biography by British author Gordon Thomas acknowledged about Maxwell: https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-pub...

That Robert Maxwell was a ruthless, corrupt, tax-dodging international businessman who served as an Israeli agent is highly probable.

For the deeper background to the Epstein-Maxwell multinational blackmail, coverup and kompromat operation, we have to look at the events that led up to the 1991 death of Robert Maxwell. A summary of the Maxwell bio by its authors recounts:

British Publisher Robert Maxwell
Was Mossad Spy
By Gordon Thomas And Martin Dillon
The Mirror - UK
12-6-2002
[ . . .]
Eleven years after former Daily Mirror owner Robert Maxwell plunged from his luxury yacht to a watery grave, his death still arouses intense interest.

Many different theories have circulated about what really happened on board the Lady Ghislaine that night in May 1991.

[ . . . ]

The Jewish millionaire and former Labour MP [born Ludvik Hoch
in Czechoslovakia] died the way he had lived - threatening.

He had threatened his wife. Threatened his children. Threatened the staff of this newspaper.

But finally he issued one threat too many - he threatened Mossad.

He told them that unless they gave him £400million to save his crumbling empire, he would expose all he had done for them.

In that time, he had free access to Margaret Thatcher's Downing Street, to Ronald Reagan's White House, to the Kremlin and to the corridors of power throughout Europe.

On top of that he had built himself a position of power within the crime families of eastern Europe, teaching them how to funnel their vast wealth from drugs, arms smuggling and prostitution to banks in safe havens around the globe.

Maxwell passed on all the secrets he learned to Mossad in Tel Aviv. In turn, they tolerated his excesses, vanities and insatiable appetite for a luxurious lifestyle and women.

He told his controllers who they should target and how they should do it. He appointed himself as Israel's unofficial ambassador to the Soviet Bloc. Mossad saw the advantage in that.

[ . . . ]

The more successful Maxwell became the more risks he took and the more dangerous he was to Mossad. At the same time, the very public side of Maxwell, who then owned 400 companies, began to unwind.

He spent lavishly and lost money on deals. The more he lost, the more he tried to claw money from the banks. Then he saw a way out of his problems.

He was approached by Vladimir Kryuchkov, head of the KGB. Spymaster and tycoon met in the utmost secrecy in the Kremlin.

Kryuchkov had an extraordinary proposal. He wanted Maxwell to help orchestrate the overthrow of Mikhail Gorbachev, the reformist Soviet leader. That would bring to an end a fledgling democracy and a return to the Cold War days.

In return, Maxwell's massive debts would be wiped out by a grateful Kryuchkov, who planned to replace Gorbachev. The KGB chief wanted Maxwell to use the Lady Ghislaine, named after Maxwell's daughter, as a meeting place between the Russian plotters, Mossad chiefs and Israel's top politicians.

The plan was for the Israelis to go to Washington and say that democracy could not work in Russia and that it was better to allow the country to return to a modified form of communism, which America could help to control. In return, Kryuchkov would guarantee to free hundreds of thousands of Jews and dissidents in the Soviet republics.

Kryuchkov told Maxwell that he would be seen as a saviour of all those Jews. It was a proposal he could not refuse. But when he put it to his Mossad controllers they were horrified. They said Israel would have no part in such a madcap plan.

For the first time, Maxwell had failed to get his own way. He started to threaten and bluster. He then demanded that, for past services, he should receive immediately a quick fix of £400million to bale him out of his financial difficulties.

Instead of providing the money, a small group of Mossad officers set about planning his murder. They feared that he was going to publicly expose all Mossad had done in the time he worked for them. They knew that he was gradually becoming mentally unstable and paranoid. He was taking a cocktail of drugs - Halcion and Zanax - which had serious side effects.

The group of Mossad plotters sensed, like Solomon, he could bring their temple tumbling down and cause incalculable harm to Israel. The plan to kill him was prepared in the utmost secrecy. A four-man squad was briefed.

Then Maxwell was contacted. He was told to fly to Gibraltar, go aboard the Lady Ghislaine and sail to the Canary Islands. There at sea he would receive his £400million quick fix in the form of a banker's draft. Maxwell did as he was told.

On the night of November 4, 1991, the Lady Ghislaine, one of the world's biggest yachts, was at sea.

[ . . . ]

As Victor Ostrovsky, a former Mossad agent told us: "On that cold night Mossad's problems with Robert Maxwell were over."

The incontrovertible facts about his murder are contained in a previously-unseen autopsy report by Britain's then-leading forensic pathologist Dr Iain West and Israel State Pathologist Dr Yehuda Hiss. Of all the documents in our possession, these reports confirm the truth about Maxwell's death.

Gordon Thomas & Martin Dillon are authors of The Assassination of Robert Maxwell: Israel's Super Spy, published by Robson Books.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=12419168&method=f...

The obvious question, why did the U.S. government let these intelligence crimes continue for decades, isn't being asked. The answer is almost self-evident. Information and leverage obtained by Maxwell-Epstein and Co. was far too valuable to its several operators to let it all end too soon.

###

Linda Wood on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 12:45pm
Two parts of your reporting

leap out at me as suggesting how Epstein connects to much bigger subjects. First is the assertion that Maxwell was

... teaching them how to funnel their vast wealth from drugs, arms smuggling and prostitution to banks in safe havens around the globe.

This area of trafficking and money laundering directly connects to Mueller and his essential exoneration of HSBC .

The other quotation that suggests the importance of money laundering is here:

The plan was for the Israelis to go to Washington and say that democracy could not work in Russia and that it was better to allow the country to return to a modified form of communism, which America could help to control.

The life's work of Antony Sutton at Stanford's Hoover Institution shows that American industry was ALWAYS controlling communism as well as Soviet industrial development, and that a trend toward social democracy, represented by Gorbachev, would have put an end to that control.

leveymg on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 4:29pm
Curiously, the CIA review of the Maxwell bio doesn't touch on

@Linda Wood his money laundering and blackmailing activities. While the review confirms that Robert Maxwell was for decades a major Mossad agent actively setting up operations and cover in the United States and the UK, I can only surmise that the spreading political influence of Eastern European organized crime networks and child honey traps are things that the Agency didn't want to discuss publicly in 2003.

As for Mueller, let's not forget that he was FBI Director and before that the head of the Criminal Division at Main Justice at the time that global "black finance" grew along with the catastrophic spread of multinational crime and terrorism. BCCI, Iran-Contra, 9/11, and the rise of transnational Oligarchs happened on his watch. As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the United States at the time, it is hard to imagine anyone more responsibility for the ultimate consequences than Robert Mueller. There is perhaps someone who bears ultimate responsibility, the President who appointed Mueller: George Herbert Walker Bush and his lesser son, Shrub, who promoted him.

Pluto's Republic on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 5:21pm
From your own research

@leveymg

... wouldn't you assume that this entire affair is an ongoing Mossad operation, which may or may not have concluded? The US IC is just another operative inside the envelope, but Mossad owns the assets and the intellectual property. I think we could assume that some of this is automated and Mossad has ongoing leverage still in play.

The obvious question, why did the U.S. government let these intelligence crimes continue for decades, isn't being asked. The answer is almost self-evident. Information and leverage obtained by Maxwell-Epstein and Co. was far too valuable to its several operators to let it all end too soon.

.

Mossad's legendary blackmail traps ensnared even high-level deep state authorities and made them pliable. The recent history of United States foreign policy is an enigma that can only be solved when that assumption is inserted. Once the assumption is in place, it opens like a Pandora's box. Don't you find that to be the case?

Thanks for compiling this revealing argument.

Deja on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 11:03pm
HSBC?

@Linda Wood
From your link:

In a recent investigation I presented the case that British banking and financial giant HSBC conspired with banking institutions with documented links to terrorist financing, including those responsible for helping bankroll the 9/11 attacks.

Thank you for the link!

Linda Wood on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 1:11pm
HSBC article

linked here does not mention Mueller but does outline the crimes Mueller worked so hard not to solve:

http://antifascist-calling.blogspot.com/2012/07/black-dossier-hsbc-terro...

SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2012
Black Dossier: HSBC & Terrorist Finance

Moral equivalencies abound. After all, when American secret state agencies manage drug flows or direct terrorist proxies to attack official enemies it's not quite the same as battling terror or crime.

Pounding home that point, a new report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations accused HSBC of exposing "the U.S. financial system to a wide array of money laundering, drug trafficking, and terrorist financing risks due to poor anti-money laundering (AML) controls."

That 335-page report, "U.S. Vulnerabilities to Money Laundering, Drugs, and Terrorist Financing: HSBC Case History," (large pdf file available here ) was issued after a year-long Senate investigation zeroed-in on the bank's U.S. affiliate, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., better known as HBUS.

Drilling down, we learned that amongst the "services" offered by HSBC subsidiaries and correspondent banks were sweet deals with financial entities with terrorist ties; the transportation of billions of dollars in cash by plane and armored car through their London Banknotes division; the clearing of sequentially-numbered travelers checks through dodgy Cayman Islands accounts for Mexican drug lords and Russian mafiosi.

From richly-appointed suites at Canary Wharf, London, the bank's "smartest guys in the room" handed some of the most violent gangsters on earth the financial wherewithal to organize their respective industries: global crime.

A case in point. In 2008 alone the Senate revealed that the bank's Cayman Islands branch handled some 50,000 client accounts (all without benefit of offices or staff on Grand Cayman, mind you), yet still managed to ship some $7 billion (£10.9bn) in cash from Mexico into the U.S. Now that's creative accounting!...

Alligator Ed on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 10:49pm
Thank you, Linda

@Linda Wood HSBC, huh--there must be some clever name for it, which deserves no research.
what an eloquent article you presented. Brief but right on target. It isn't just sex, drugs and rock and roll. Now it is drugs - money -sexual perversion--and perhaps worse? Rumors are flying about what video on the Weiner laptop showed. It is strictly heresay, but a core of folks seem to believe the suspicions are possible.

snoopydawg on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 8:48pm
Boy that Mueller has had a busy career hasn't he? Didn't he start out in Chicago where he gave Whitey Bulgar cover for being a mob boss? Then there's his cover up before and after 9/11. The weapons of mass destruction that he said Saddam had. The anthrax prosecution, Epstein's pedophilia cover up, HSBC and now he is trying to cover Hillary's buttocks. And maybe Obama's? I'm sure I've missed a few things that he did or didn't do.

Acosta is saying that if he hadn't made the plea deal then Epstein would never have served any time in prison. Well he actually only slept there since he got to leave every day for work and then there's the massages he got after his busy day at work. But there were more than 80 pages that the Feds wrote on his escapades so I think that story he told congress is true. Acosta was told to stand down by someone at the top of the food chain. Mueller. Ugh what a slimy piece of work he is. But not to the Russia Gaters. Oh no. "He is a highly decorated marine who takes no guff from anyone.

In that time, he had free access to Margaret Thatcher's Downing Street, to Ronald Reagan's White House, to the Kremlin and to the corridors of power throughout Europe.

Inquiring minds want to know did Maxwell have access to Margaret and Ron because they liked him or because he had something on them?

Great information! The more I learn the more I need a shower.

Linda Wood on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 9:11pm
That needing a shower thing

@snoopydawg

is how I've been feeling all week from reading about this, just more and more demoralized when I think about the depravation of our so-called "leadership." What is it that we're supposed to think of as the new normal after this behavior?

Alligator Ed on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 10:53pm
Linda, you could shower in my extra long tub

@Linda Wood No problem--but, seriously, yecch! Epstein is the destruction of the Deep State.

leveymg on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 1:02pm
Remember Craig Spence and the 1989 Whitehouse Call Boy Ring?

@snoopydawg

That pedophelia and politics scandal, better known as the Franklin Coverup, made the papers for a few months, too, before it was made to go away. Similarly, a couple of the operators served some time on reduced charges after that one.

The two main suspects in the Bush, Sr. White House child ring were Craig Spence and Lawrence E. King Jr. King sang the National anthem at two GOP national conventions. He served time in jail for bank fraud. Spence was a Republican lobbyist before he committed suicide. Several of his partners went to jail for being involved in the adult part of the homosexual prostitution ring.

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/Franklin/FranklinCoverup/l...

Roy Blakeley on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 12:29pm
And let's not forget

@snoopydawg

Mueller's scrupulous avoidance of the CIA link in his prosecution of Manuel Noriega and his diversion of the PanAm 103 bombing and framing of two Libyans. Bobby Mueller has been a real go to guy when the security establishment needs a phony investigation.

Linda Wood on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 1:09pm
Absolutely.

@Roy Blakeley

You sum it up perfectly:

Bobby Mueller has been a real go to guy when the security establishment needs a phony investigation.

The anthrax investigation is the most serious of his crimes. Mueller is being sued by his lead investigator in that case.

Because researchers in our biological weapons labs went public with what they were doing, and where such research was being done in the U.S., we learned the CIA was one of several outfits doing biological weapons research.

But Mueller exonerated all of them, including the CIA, with no explanation and only focused on a lone vaccine researcher at the Army lab when journalists began to ask why no one had been indicted after seven years of investigation, at which point the FBI attempted to harass the suspect into committing suicide.

lotlizard on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 1:44am
Comparable to "Deep State" scandals in Turkey?

Every now and then, here and there the curtain lifts for a moment and the political elite of a country, the business elite, the spy services, the military, and organized crime are revealed to be all working together, indeed practically joined at the hip.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susurluk_scandal

https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ergenekon-plot-massive-trial-...

leveymg on Sat, 07/13/2019 - 11:08am
Read "Politics of Heroin in SE Asia". The CIA-Mafia-warlord

@lotlizard @lotlizard

partnership started during the early Cold War with US intelligence officers facilitating the drug trade out of Turkey and Burma through Europe. That soon spread to the Americas and globally. Covert operations such as Gladio, Condor, and the Safari Club, and associated banks (Franklin National Bank, BCCI, Riggs Bank, HSBC, etc.) produced massive human rights violations, transnational terrorism and governmental corruption. The CIA's secret wars provided funds and official cover for private-public sector alliance of criminals, bankers and spooks around the world.

This "dark alliance" assumed a political and economic life of its own beyond its original intent to counter communist movements. By the Vietnam War, Agency operators were running most of the heroin trade in the world through proprietary airlines, banks and logistics companies. In the mid-1970s, CIA Director Bush expanded privatization with Saudi funding in his Safari Club deal that eventually morphed into Al Qaeda and ISIS.

The CIA, MI6 and Mossad ran overlapping coordinated operations using privateers, paramilitaries and organized crime networks that consumed vast amounts of cash generated by money laundering mechanisms. Enriched by the looting of the former Soviet Union, along with the infusion of Arab oil money (the Saudi Yamamah slush fund), the "Octopus" became the instrument of Oligarchs that have thoroughly corrupted western governments and secret services.

Multinational honey trap operations such as Maxwell-Epstein & Co. are an inevitable and continuing part of this privatization and criminalization of intelligence that stretches back to the days of Tom Braden and Cord Meyer handing out stacks of greenbacks to Mafiosi on the Corsican Docks.

leveymg on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 11:31am
NSA and GCHQ have gotten into the honeytrap and influence game

@leveymg

The Snowden release included a number of documents that illustrate the on-line entrapment and political disruption activities run by the two main communications intelligence agencies.

"Honey-trap; a great option. Very successful, when it works" (GCHQ, UK training program slide)

https://cannonfire.blogspot.com/2014/05/lots-of-secret-nsa-documents-plu...

The "Information Ops" category is of particular interest to me...

Does this really seem like the sort of thing that would be done only to a jihadist...?

WoodsDweller on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 1:48pm
Here's an interesting take

https://www.alternet.org/2019/07/epstein-was-running-a-blackmail-scheme-...

Without quoting the whole thing (which is worth a read):

Epstein recruits young girls, throws parties where he invites potential hedge fund clients, lets nature take its course and films the proceedings, extracts blackmail in the form of investments to his (largely fake) hedge fund, which actually just buys an index fund (no actual fund management required). He takes a percentage from the coerced investments. Nobody talks because they have too much to lose. No suspicious payments to raise eyebrows at the IRS.

There's no need to invoke the Mafia/Russia/Mossad/CIA/etc, that's just needlessly overfitting.

Except such an operation would be quite attractive to intelligence services. Maybe they were in on the ground floor, maybe they made Epstein an offer he couldn't refuse once they heard about it.

leveymg on Sat, 07/13/2019 - 10:28am
My gut tells me that G. Maxwell provided the Know-how, and

@WoodsDweller

Epstein brought in the clients. The CIA/MI-6/Mossad provided necessary cover from the FBI and local cops - then, three or four agencies shared the intelligence take, as they had for decades from Robert Maxwell's operations.

For Ghislaine, it was simply carrying on the family business for fun and profit. For the spooks, it was business as usual going back to the Green House, the Berlin bordello founded in the the 1870s by Wilhelm Steiber, a Prussian Police section chief, to provide useful intelligence to Bismarck's Military Intelligence, which he reorganized.

Steiber is considered the father of modern espionage. His methods were vastly influential, and he attracted students from London, St. Petersburg to Tokyo. Each put their own national spin on the science of sexual blackmail. As for the Japanese, they are among the most interesting and innovative in their use of a parallel network of privatized intelligence services incorporating underworld Yakuzi groups alongside conventional military intelligence units. Using compromise, they gained and maintained control over Imperial Japan and its Colonies: https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2019/03/15/eastern-peril/

To realize these divinely inspired ambitions, Japan needed a modern espionage system. Adopting the German model, Japanese officials were sent to study under Wilhelm Stieber in the mid-1870s. Over the next decade Japan built up separate army and naval intelligence services, each with an accompanying branch of secret military police (Kempeitai for the army and Tokeitai for the navy). These latter organizations also provided an excellent counter-espionage service. However, where the Japanese were unique was in the use of spies belonging to unofficial secret societies working alongside or independently of the official intelligence agencies. These shadowy institutions were ultra-nationalist by nature, drawing their membership from a cross-section of Japanese society, including the military, politics, industry and Yakuza underworld. Under ruthless leadership, their henchmen would spy on, subvert and corrupt Japan's Far East neighbours.

For more on Steiber and his superior, von Hinckeldey, methods of international counter-insurgency, espionage, and political policing included deception and a forerunner of today's internet surveillance: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2006/11/29/275653/-

While armies are essential to the maintenance of autocracy, the preservation of dynastic rule and the prevention of democracy requires an effective secret police. The suppression of its middle-class constitutionalists [during the 1840s] was followed by the expansion of the Prussian political police under Karl Ludwig Friedrich von Hinckeldey.

Appointed police president of Berlin in late 1848, Hinckeldey was an innovator of many of the features of modern systematic political policing. Among the tactics that he introduced with his new police system in Berlin was the "Litfass columns". Named for Ernst Litfass, Frederick William's court printer, he had dozens of these large poles erected in strategic spots around Berlin. The public posting of political notices was then banned. By application to a state office for a waiver, however, the columns could be used to display messages. The police dutifully recorded the names of all who had applied. A. Richie, Faust's Metropolis: A History of Berlin, New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 1998 at p.134.

LEGACY OF THE LITFASS COLUMNS: A similar ploy was later adopted by the People's Republic of China. In the mid-1980s, the Communist authorities at first appear to tolerate the operation of a so-called Democracy Wall, where "dissidents" in Beijing could post political writings, initially, without being arrested. Similar walls then sprung up under the noses of the authorities in other Chinese cities. For this apparent opening to democracy, the Deng regime much applauded, particularly by some in the Reagan-Bush Administration, eager to legitimize the regime and its growing commercial ties with U.S. corporations. Eventually, many of those who had availed themselves of the wall to post political messages were, of course, arrested in the roundup of hundreds of thousands of democracy supporters that followed the Tienamen Square massacre. The impression of anonymity and "freedom" conveyed by the Internet, of course, presents a similar opportunity for police to cast a wide net for identifying persons and organizations who may not hold favor for the regime in power, or may not in the future.

Hinckeldey also founded the Police Union, the first recorded international network of counterrevolutionary police spies in modern times. Primarily made up of police officers from Prussia and the German states, the Union operated throughout Europe, Britain and in the United States. The Union was run by his deputy, the notorious police provocateur, Wilhelm Steiber, who would later reorganize the Okhrana along similar lines. Internationally active from 1851-1866, the Police Union, according to Mathieu Deflem, was "one of the first formal initiatives in industrial society to establish an organized police system across national borders."13

I disagree with the Alternet view on this. See, this is the norm. A purely private sexual blackmail ring of any scale would be the historical exception. It certainly wouldn't survive very long.

Pluto's Republic on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 5:45pm
This is a chilling thought I try to avoid.

@leveymg

...authorities at first appear to tolerate the operation of a so-called Democracy Wall, where "dissidents" in Beijing could post political writings.... Similar walls then sprung up under the noses of the authorities in other Chinese cities. Eventually, many of those who had availed themselves of the wall to post political messages were, of course, arrested in the roundup of hundreds of thousands of democracy supporters....

The impression of anonymity and "freedom" conveyed by the Internet, of course, presents a similar opportunity for police to cast a wide net for identifying persons and organizations who may not hold favor for the regime in power, or may not in the future.

But why should one avoid the thought? If the situation looks like the people are going to lose the war for their minds, and are unwilling to back a publisher like Assange who has given his all to try to empower them, why should anyone put themselves at risk by expressing their opinions? It's a honeypot of our own making, just as Facebook is where people go to write their own dossiers for the Authorities.

leveymg on Sat, 07/13/2019 - 10:36am
Every time you entrap yourself as

@Pluto's Republic an enemy of the status quo, you raise the calculated costs of the eventual crackdown, pushing back the day of reckoning. Keep it up! Visible rebellion is the only defense of the people.

Pluto's Republic on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 5:54pm
Background: If someone were to choose the ideal node

...from which to leverage access to the elite, Harvard University would be a top choice.

Jeffery Epstein actually entered the social salons of the elite through many doors. He was, of course, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. One would have to be to rub shoulders with the political elite. From there he matriculated to the Trilateral Commission becoming friendly with Harvard President, Larry Summers. **

Becoming a surprise mystery philanthropist at Harvard, with Summers help, was a booster rocket for Epstein. In the Havard Crimson , in June 2003, Epstein's involvement with Harvard was celebrated.

People in the News: Jeffrey E. Epstein

Elusive financier Jeffrey E. Epstein donated $30 million this year to Harvard for the founding of a mathematical biology and evolutionary dynamics program.

While the mathematics teacher turned magnate remained unknown to most people until he flew President Clinton, Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker to Africa to explore the problems of AIDS and economic development facing the region, Epstein has been a familiar face to many at Harvard for years.

Networking with the University's leading intellectuals, Epstein has spurred research through both discussions with and dollars contributed to various faculty members.

Lindsley Professor of Psychology Stephen M. Kosslyn, former Dean of the Faculty Henry A. Rosovsky and Frankfurter Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitz are among Epstein's bevy of eminent friends that includes princes, presidents and Nobel Prize winners.

Epstein is also well acquainted with University President Lawrence H. Summers. The two serve together on the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations, two elite international relations organizations.

Epstein's collection of high-profile friends also includes newly-recruited professor Martin A. Nowak, who will run Harvard's mathematical biology and evolutionary dynamics program.

Like Kosslyn, Rosovsky and Dershowitz, Nowak praises Epstein's numerous relationships within the scientific community.

"I am amazed by the connections he has in the scientific world," Nowak says. "He knows an amazing number of scientists. He knows everyone you can imagine."

Epstein's relationships within the academy are remarkable since the tycoon, who has amassed his fortune by managing the wealth of billionaires from his private Caribbean island, does not hold a bachelor's degree.

Yet, friends and beneficiaries say they do not see Epstein merely as a man with deep pockets, but as an intellectual equal.

Dershowitz says Epstein is "brilliant" and Kosslyn calls Epstein "one of the brightest people I've ever known."

Epstein's beneficiaries say they are particularly appreciative of the no-strings-attached approach Epstein takes with his donations.

"He is one of the most pleasant philanthropists," Nowak says. "Unlike many people who support science, he supports science without any conditions. There are not any disadvantages to associating with him."

Friends and associates say Harvard stands to benefit from its evolving relationship with Epstein.

"I hope that he will, over time, become one of the leading supporters of science at Harvard," Rosovsky writes in an e-mail.

__________________________________________
** A footnote on Larry Summers seems important here: Harvard-trained economists have been running the US economy for a very long time, and continue to do so. Summers began his ascent as a professor of economics at Harvard University, leaving shortly before Bill Clinton won the Presidency. He was clearly the Neoliberal seed planted for the New American Century.

In 1993, Summers was appointed Undersecretary for International Affairs of the United States Department of the Treasury under the Clinton Administration. In 1995, he was promoted to Deputy Secretary of the Treasury under his long-time political mentor Robert Rubin. In 1999, he succeeded Rubin as Secretary of the Treasury.

While working for the Clinton administration Summers played a leading role in the American response to the 1994 economic crisis in Mexico, the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and the Russian financial crisis. He was also influential in the Harvard Institute for International Development and American-advised privatization of the economies of the post-Soviet states, and in the deregulation of the U.S financial system, including the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act.

At This Point the Ball is Passed to the Bush Team Republicans, while the Democrats Sit Back and Wait for 2008.

There's now a Treasury surplus to transfer to the wealthy, and the necessary deregulation for Wall Street empowerment is in place. The Soviet era had ended and Russia is ended forever. The world is finally primed to be seized by the One Exceptional Power. It's 2001, and we are standing on the threshold of the New American Century . Time to throw a flash-bang of chaos onto the world stage and trigger the booming War Economy that will carry us directly to global control.

There's a rocky road ahead for Larry Summers. Summers introduces Epstein into the Harvard fold, but becomes reckless with his newly-refined Neoliberalism and his opinions concerning "lady scholars."

Following the end of Clinton's term, Summers served as the 27th President of Harvard University from 2001 to 2006. Summers resigned as Harvard's president in the wake of a no-confidence vote by Harvard faculty, which resulted in large part from Summers's conflict with Cornel West, financial conflict of interest questions regarding his relationship with Andrei Shleifer, and a 2005 speech in which he suggested that the under-representation of women in science and engineering could be due to a "different availability of aptitude at the high end", and less to patterns of discrimination and socialization. Remarking upon political correctness in institutions of higher education, Summers said in 2016:

Summers resigned as Harvard's president in the wake of a no-confidence vote by Harvard faculty, which resulted in large part from Summers's conflict with Cornel West, financial conflict of interest questions regarding his relationship with Andrei Shleifer, and a 2005 speech in which he suggested that the under-representation of women in science and engineering

There is a great deal of absurd political correctness. Now, I'm somebody who believes very strongly in diversity, who resists racism in all of its many incarnations, who thinks that there is a great deal that's unjust in American society that needs to be combated, but it seems to be that there is a kind of creeping totalitarianism in terms of what kind of ideas are acceptable and are debatable on college campuses.

After his departure from Harvard, Summers cooled his jets on Wall Street, positioning himself to be called back into the game when it was Team Democrat's turn in 2008.

Summers worked as a managing partner at the hedge fund D. E. Shaw & Co., and as a freelance speaker at other financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers. Summers rejoined public service during the Obama administration, serving as the Director of the White House United States National Economic Council for President Barack Obama from January 2009 until November 2010, where he emerged as a key economic decision-maker in the Obama administration's response to the Great Recession.

Jeffery Epstein continued to weave himself into the fabric of government like a good psychopath would. He was by no means the only one.

[Jul 29, 2019] Alex Acosta let the cat out of the bag the Justice Department knew all about the Jeffrey Epstein Florida plea deal by Robert Willmann

See original article here or here

GeneO , 16 July 2019 at 11:50 PM

I had hoped we would learn from today's hearings more regarding Epstein's source of wealth - and exactly how much it was. Plus more info on his doctored passport. More about the money trail between him and various Florida officials.

Anyone new calling the tip line - especially from during his time as a teacher at that prep school in NY? And more about the Dershowitz and Starr involvement back 12 years ago.

Unfortunately the food fight between Trump and the four frosh sucked all the air out of the media.

Walrus , 17 July 2019 at 01:58 AM
Why nobody is above the law! Not even a President! Oh! Wait! 23 flights! And a scion of the house of Windsor allegedly involved as well?

Is it going to be possible to clean the stable? If it isn't, you have lost your Republic.

anon , 17 July 2019 at 07:58 AM
Came across this site with the court documents .The FBI travelled to Australia in 2011 and interviewed ms Roberts at the american consulate in Sydney.9 years ago then in 2015 she sued Epstein and maxwell. Only now in 2019 did Epstein fly back from Paris knowing he was going to be arrested.

Some of those girls were collecting info for him and getting paid. The whole thing stinks time to call in the plumbers.

John Minehan , 17 July 2019 at 10:33 AM
I saw this in a couple of places ( https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/i-was-told-epstein-belonged-to-intelligence-and-to-leave-it-alone; https://www.dailywire.com/news/49355/acosta-was-told-epstein-belonged-intelligence-ryan-saavedra; https://hotair.com/archives/allahpundit/2019/07/10/alex-acosta-mean-allegedly-said-epstein-belonged-intelligence/) and I'm not sure if it the report is accurate. (It's not showing up in the NY Times or The economist. But it doesn't seem impossible.

Many things are disposed of by plea Bargaining. With high profile crimes, it is always difficult to know if you did the right thing. Here, it is fairly obvious it wasn't. Acosta is a Harvard College/HLS, a very able and connected guy and his error here has damaged his life.

JamesT , 17 July 2019 at 11:17 AM
The part that I haven't seen being reported or discussed:

"The federal non-prosecution agreement Epstein's legal team negotiated with the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida immunized all named and unnamed "potential co-conspirators" in Epstein's child trafficking network, which includes those who allegedly procured minors for Epstein and also any powerbrokers who may have molested them."

Who gets a plea deal in which "all named and unnamed potential co-conspirators" get immunity? https://gawker.com/flight-logs-put-clinton-dershowitz-on-pedophile-billio-1681039971

Barbara Ann , 17 July 2019 at 12:38 PM
Department of what now?

Thanks for the link to the NPA I didn't realize it was in the public domain, it is an astonishing read. I'm not familiar with NPA's (having never been party to one!) so forgive me if the following questions are uninformed:

To what extent are NPA's legally binding upon the USG, are there circumstances where a court can set one aside for reasons other than breach of contract?

The NPA appears to try and indemnify Epstein and both known and unknown co-conspirators (Ghislaine Maxwell?) in both the offenses prosecuted and any other offenses subject to the joint USAO/FBI investigation . In fact on page 5 the indemnity given uses the wording "the [US] also agrees it will not institute any criminal charges against any potential co-conspirators of Epstein included but not limited to.." (my emphasis) i.e. scope here appears to be unlimited. This cannot be legally enforceable surely?

I thought NPA's were used to go after people further up the food chain. This one seems to have given carte blanche immunity to all involved at every level. I'm astonished Acosta had the authority, merely with "consultation" within DOJ to do this. This is a travesty and is starting to make FISA abuse look like chicken feed.

Mark Logan said in reply to Barbara Ann... , 17 July 2019 at 08:57 PM
Barbara,

Epstein's NPA was limited to the Florida district of federal courts, hence another branch of the federal courts, the Southern District of New York, was free to re-open the issue..and did.

Acosta says he acted in accordance with his superior's wishes at the DOJ. Plausible, but lets see some corroborating evidence. If he agreed to negotiate this NPA without getting his boss's orders in writing he is a remarkable fool.

Walrus , 17 July 2019 at 12:56 PM

Was Acosta making an "error"? Looks to me he was a fully paid up member of the Swamp, doing what swampians do and he will no doubt settle back into a Swamp law firm or Professorship somewhere. Weep not for him.
Harry , 17 July 2019 at 01:24 PM
What a fantastic piece! Excellent work and I cannot poke a hole in the reasoning.
Walrus , 17 July 2019 at 03:24 PM
As previously observed, Epstein is going to be killed. Arkancide. The poor schmuck that does it won't realize that he is next.
Marc b. said in reply to Walrus ... , 17 July 2019 at 08:50 PM
Arkancide? Epstein is linked with E Barak, and Nicole Junkermann, per flight logs. Presumably that is the intelligence link Acosta was babbling about. https://carbyne911.com/team/
turcopolier , 17 July 2019 at 03:36 PM
walrus

yes. I con't see him living much longer. On Morning joe today, Joe and his imbecile consort went on at length about a party in 1992 at Mar A Lago for a bunch of NFL cheerleaders. Trump, Epstein and other me stood around ogling the ladies. So what! Not a word was said about the absent Bill Clinton.

srw said in reply to turcopolier ... , 17 July 2019 at 04:10 PM
Doubt if Bubba Bill was involved in any of Epstein's sexual shenanigans after being burnt by Lewinsky. Clinton always had the proverbial ability to "talk a dog off a gut wagon" and could most likely find an agreeable partner elsewhere. Might be wrong but doubt it.
The Twisted Genius -> turcopolier ... , 17 July 2019 at 07:56 PM
Ogling NFL cheerleaders, big deal. That seemed pretty normal to me. I'm waiting for more to come out about the 1992 private party at Mar a Lago with Trump, Epstein and 28 calendar girls. I get the feeling Trump is going tweet crazy right now primarily to change the subject. With Trump, Clinton, the DOJ enablers who protected Epstein and probably a host of others, Epstein is bound to be whacked as you and walrus said.
akaPatience -> turcopolier ... , 17 July 2019 at 09:04 PM
Yes, the MSM are predictably silent about Bill Clinton and other leftists who are/were buddies with Epstein. I guess with all of his money, he could murder someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue and...

"imbecile consort". THANK you, you made my day!

Rhondda , 17 July 2019 at 04:17 PM
If I understand correctly, Epstein broke the agreement. Would it follow that the WTF!? immunity deal is now nixed?

What a rotten underbelly oozes out. This foul beast needs to be wrestled into the light. Where is the people's champion? There must be some good people in there somewhere.

John Minnerath , 17 July 2019 at 05:47 PM
Crossing the Clinton cabal in any manner is seriously dangerous. The list of those who have and died mysteriously is very long.
Jack , 17 July 2019 at 07:30 PM
Robert

Thanks for your excellent write-up.

The sweetheart deal that Epstein received from Acosta and the DOJ seems rather unusual for the felony that is such a social taboo as you note. Not only did he get off extremely lightly but his co-conspirators were completely let off the hook. The way the children who were raped were also treated by the courts was also shameful.

This case epitomizes the travesty of the current state of the rule of law. Sexual predators of children are typically thrown the book and quickly taken off the streets to serve a long sentence. Not only did that not happen but even worse he was allowed to continue his despicable behavior out in the open even when he was supposed to be serving his sentence. Clearly he had some powerful friends in the Bush administration, but even with these connections when such execrable behavior is shown repeatedly there were none with a conscience. A sad testament to the state of our justice system.

Do you think the current case will also just be another white wash or do you think the DOJ will pursue the investigation with vigor to get to the bottom of his finances and all the other sexual predators of children in his orbit?

robt willmann , 17 July 2019 at 09:38 PM
Barbara Ann,

You are perceptive about the Epstein plea bargain / non-prosecution agreement (NPA). The one for Epstein is the complete opposite of what happens in federal criminal cases. Yes, agreements between the Justice Department and defendants are often used "to go after people further up the food chain". There will be a plea bargain with a cooperation section in it. If cooperation is not part of the arrangement, that section is left out.

They have a standard form they use for plea bargains, and some sections may be in or out of it depending on the situation. Classic examples are those that were used by "special counsel" Robert Mueller when he went around putting the squeeze on people. Here is the agreement between the Mueller group and Richard Gates, who was around Paul Manafort during the Trump campaign--

https://www.justice.gov/file/1038801/download

The usual plea agreement requires the defendant to plead guilty to some federal criminal offense. The Epstein agreement did not require him to plead to a federal crime. It also did not require him to debrief or provide them with information. To the contrary, it required that the federal government do nothing to him or to other people who helped him or conspired with him to commit federal crimes!

John Minehan , 17 July 2019 at 09:38 PM
I'm not a Trump supporter, but you have to say this for Trump: he banned Jeffery Epstein from his properties and made him PNG when Trump had complaints about the man's conduct on site.

[Jul 29, 2019] Pizzagate: Do We Know The Full Scope Yet?!

Jul 29, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

ChanceIs Pinto Currency Feb 19, 2017 4:24 PM I think that PizzaGate is for real. I will take the "safer" position that there is reason for investigation, but there is nothing which John Q Public can observe that makes a very firm case for prosecution (of John Podesta). Dave Seaman gives a "credible" update on PizzaGate evert few days. This from Sunday afternoon, Feb 19:

Pizzagate: Do We Know The Full Scope Yet?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnyh1d_2KnQ sleigher Pinto Currency Feb 19, 2017 5:22 PM "When they start arresting the pedophiles in Congress, the voting balance will change for Trump."

Looks like it is starting... Just not Congress yet

http://www.neonnettle.com/features/738-pedogate-high-profile-pedophiles-... Chris Dakota Pinto Currency Feb 19, 2017 5:55 PM FBI insider arrests coming this week.

At least 30 in congress for pedogate. Wahooo ronaldwilsonreagan Feb 19, 2017 1:04 PM No fan of Drumpf's bi-polar behavior but it pales in comparison to obama's clear insanity. We actually had a president who bragged he was good at killing people. That's as insane as it comes. DownWithYogaPants Wahooo Feb 19, 2017 1:12 PM Any usage of the name "Drumpf" will get you a downvote from me. It's a name. It has no bearing but yet it appears you think it has some sort of magical powers when you use. The fact it was popularized by a weak comedian also brings a ding. vulcanraven DownWithYogaPants Feb 19, 2017 1:54 PM Drumpf=The regressive liberal crybaby callsign

[Jul 29, 2019] American Ron Unz on Pizzagate

Highly recommended!
Jul 29, 2019 | www.unz.com

I don't use Social Media myself, but near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign, I gradually began seeing more and more Trump supporters referring to something called "Pizzagate," a burgeoning sexual scandal that they claimed would bring down Hillary Clinton and many of the top leaders of her party, with the chatter actually increasing after Trump was elected. As near as I could tell, the whole bizarre theory had grown up on the far-right fringe of the Internet, with the utterly fantastical plot having something to do with stolen secret emails, DC pizza parlors, and a ring of pedophiles situated near the top of the Democratic Party. But given all the other strange and unlikely things I'd gradually discovered about our history, it didn't seem like something I could necessarily dismiss out of hand.

At the beginning of December, a right-wing blogger produced a lengthy exposition of the Pizzagate charges, which finally gave me some understanding of what was actually under discussion, and I soon made arrangements to republish his article. It quickly attracted a great deal of interest, and some websites pointed to it as the best single introduction to the scandal for a general audience.

Pizzagate Aedon Cassiel • December 2, 2016 • 3,100 Words

A couple of weeks later, I republished an additional article by the same writer, describing a long list of previous pedophilia scandals that had occurred in elite American and European political circles. Although many of these seemed to be solidly documented, nearly all of them had received minimal coverage by our mainstream media outlets. And if such political pedophile rings had existed in the relatively recent past, was it so totally implausible that there might be another one simmering beneath the surface of today's Washington DC?

Precedents for Pizzagate Aedon Cassiel • December 23, 2016 • 6,200 Words

Those interested in the details of the Pizzagate Hypothesis are advised to read these articles, especially the first one, but I might as well provide a brief summary.

John Podesta had been a longtime fixture in DC political circles, becoming chief of staff to President Bill Clinton in 1998, and afterward remaining one of the most powerful figures in the Democratic Party establishment. While serving as as chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, his apparent carelessness with the password security of his Gmail account allowed it to easily be hacked, and tens of thousands of his personal emails were soon published on WikiLeaks. A swarm of young anti-Clinton activists began scouring this treasure-trove of semi-confidential information, seeking evidence of mundane bribery and corruption, but instead they came across some quite odd exchanges, seemingly written in coded language.

Now use of coded language in a supposedly secure private email account raises all sorts of natural suspicions regarding what might have been under discussion, with the most likely possibilities being illegal drugs or sex. But most of the references didn't seem to fit the former category, and in our remarkably libertine era, in which political candidates compete for the right to be Grand Marshal at an annual Gay Pride Parade, one of the few sexual activities still discussed only in whispers would seem to be pedophilia, with some of the very strange remarks possibly hinting at this.

The researchers also soon discovered that his brother Tony Podesta, one of the wealthiest and most successful lobbyists in DC, had extremely odd taste in art. Major items of his very extensive personal collection seemed to represent tortured or murdered bodies, and one of his favorite artists was best known for paintings depicting young children being held captive, lying dead, or suffering under severe distress. Such peculiar artwork obviously isn't illegal, but it might naturally arouse some suspicions. And oddly enough, arch-Democrat Podesta had long been a close personal friend of former Republican Speaker and convicted child-molester Dennis Hastert, welcoming him back into DC society after his release from prison.

Furthermore, some of the rather suspiciously-worded Podesta emails referred to events held at a local DC pizza parlor, greatly favored by the Democratic Party elite, whose owner was the gay former boyfriend of David Brock, a leading Democratic activist. The public Instagram account of that pizza-entrepreneur apparently contained numerous images of young children, sometimes tied or bound, with those images frequently labeled by hashtags using the traditional gay slang for underage sexual targets . Some photos showed the fellow wearing a tee-shirt bearing the statement "I Love Children" in French, and by a very odd coincidence, his possibly assumed name was phonetically identical to that very same French phrase, thus proclaiming to the world that he was "a lover of children." Closely connected Instagram accounts also included pictures of young children, sometimes shown amid piles of high-value currency, with queries about how much those particular children might be worth. None of this seemed illegal, but surely any reasonable person would regard the material as extremely suspicious.

DC is sometimes described as "Powertown," being the seat of the individuals who make America's laws and govern our society, with local political journalists being closely attuned to the relative status of such individuals. And oddly enough, GQ Magazine had ranked that gay pizza parlor owner with a strange focus on young children as being one of the 50 most powerful people in our national capital, placing him far ahead of many Cabinet members, Senators, Congressional Chairmen, Supreme Court justices, and top lobbyists. Was his pizza really that delicious?

These few paragraphs provide merely a sliver of the large quantity of highly-suspicious material surrounding various powerful figures at the apex of the DC political world. A vast cloud of billowing smoke is certainly no proof of any fire, but only a fool would completely ignore it without attempting further investigation.

I usually regard videos as a poor means of imparting serious information, far less effective and meaningful than the simple printed word. But the overwhelming bulk of the evidence supporting the Pizzagate Hypothesis consists of visual images and screen shots, and these are naturally suited to a video presentation.

Some of the best summaries of the Pizzagate case were produced by a young British YouTuber named Tara McCarthy, whose work was published under the name of "Reality Calls," and her videos were viewed hundreds of thousands of times. Although her channel was eventually banned and her videos purged, copies were later reloaded to other accounts, both on YouTube and BitChute. Some of the evidence she presents seemed rather innocuous or speculative to me and other elements were probably based upon her unfamiliarity with American society and culture. But a great deal of extremely suspicious material remains, and I would suggest that people watch the videos and decide for themselves.

Around the same time that I first became familiar with the details of the Pizzagate controversy, the topic also started reaching the pages of my morning newspapers, but in an rather strange manner. Political stories began giving a sentence or two to the "Pizzagate hoax," describing it as a ridiculous right-wing "conspiracy theory" but excluding all relevant details. I had an eery feeling that some unseen hand had suddenly flipped a switch causing the entire mainstream media to begin displaying identical signs declaring "Pizzagate Is False -- Nothing To See There!" in brightly flashing neon. I couldn't recall any previous example of such a strange media reaction to some obscure Internet controversy.

Articles in the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times also suddenly appeared denouncing the entirety of the alternative media -- Left, Right, and Libertarian -- as "fake news" websites promoting Russian propaganda , while urging that their content be blocked by all patriotic Internet giants such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google. Prior to that moment, I'd never even heard the term "fake news" but suddenly it was ubiquitous across the media, once again almost as if some unseen hand had suddenly flipped a switch.

I naturally began to wonder whether the timing of these two strange developments was entirely coincidental. Perhaps Pizzagate was indeed true and struck so deeply at the core of our hugely corrupted political system that the media efforts to suppress it were approaching the point of hysteria.

Not long afterward, Tara McCarthy's detailed Pizzagate videos were purged from YouTube. This was among the very first instances of video content being banned despite fully conforming to all existing YouTube guidelines, another deeply suspicious development.

I also noticed that mere mention of Pizzagate had become politically lethal. Donald Trump had selected Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, as his National Security Advisor, and Flynn's son served as the latter's chief of staff. The younger Flynn happened to Tweet out a couple of links to Pizzagate stories, pointing out that the accusations hadn't yet been actually investigated let alone disproven, and very soon afterward, he was purged from the Trump transition team, foreshadowing his father's fall a few weeks later. It seemed astonishing to me that a few simple Tweets about an Internet controversy could have such huge real-life impact near the top of our government.

The media continued its uniform drumbeat of "Pizzagate Has Been Disproven!" but we were never told how or by whom, and I was not the only individual to notice the hollowness of such denunciations. An award-winning investigative journalist named Ben Swann at a CBS station in Atlanta broadcast a short television segment summarizing the Pizzagate controversy and noting that contrary to widespread media claims, Pizzagate had neither been investigated nor debunked. Swann was almost immediately purged by CBS but a copy of his television segment remains available for viewing on the Internet.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-GZFHLAcG8A?feature=oembed

There is an old wartime proverb that enemy flak is always heaviest over the most important target, and the remarkably ferocious wave of attacks and censorship against anyone broaching the subject of Pizzagate seems to raise obvious dark suspicions. Indeed, the simultaneous waves of attacks against all alternative media outlets as "Russian propaganda outlets" laid the basis for the continuing regime of Social Media censorship that has become a central aspect of today's world.

Pizzagate may or may not turn out to be true, but the ongoing Internet crackdown has similarly engulfed topics of a somewhat similar nature but with vastly stronger documentation. Although I don't use Twitter myself, I encountered the obvious implications of this new censorship policy following McCain's death last August. The senator had died on a Saturday afternoon, and readership of Sydney Schanberg's long 2008 expose quickly exploded, with numerous individuals Tweeting out the story and a large fraction of our incoming traffic therefore coming from Twitter. This continued until the following morning, at which point the huge flood of Tweets continued to grow, but all incoming Twitter traffic suddenly and permanently vanished, presumably because "shadow banning" had rendered those Tweets invisible. My own article on McCain's very doubtful war record simultaneously suffered the same fate, as did numerous other articles of a controversial nature that we published later that same week.

Perhaps that censorship decision was made by some ignorant young intern at Twitter, casually choosing to ban as "hate speech" or "fake news" a massively-documented 8,400 word expose by one of America's most distinguished journalists, a Pulitzer-prize winning former top editor at The New York Times .

Or perhaps certain political-puppeteers who had spent decades controlling that late Arizona senator sought to ensure that their political puppet-strings remained invisible even after his death.

[Jul 29, 2019] Deep State Wants Epstein Gone by Greg Hunte

Notable quotes:
"... I guarantee you, they want Epstein gone. There is no doubt about that. I don't know why the Bureau of Prisons put Epstein in a jail cell with a cop that killed four people and buried them in his back yard. ..."
"... Epstein should have been in solitary confinement under watch. So, whoever made that decision, it was a complete error in judgment, if not intentional. That should not have happened in the first place ..."
"... U.S. Attorney (and former Labor Secretary) Alexander Acosta would not have said this if it were not true. It is true. There are intelligence connections. Is this a blackmail operation? We know Epstein has a 'black book.' We know Epstein probably has video of massages by young girls of high profile people, including politicians... ..."
"... There are going to be some big names that are going to be connected to Epstein and his pedophile child trafficking ring. There is no question about it. ..."
Jul 29, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Via Greg Hunter's USAWatchdog.com ,

Former CIA Officer and whistleblower Kevin Shipp says there are big stories with big implications for America that are unfolding now.

One of the biggest earthquakes that is going off will be the high ranking Deep State elite surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein. Shipp says,

"Oh my goodness gracious, the Deep State is darn well scared, and some of its political top participants, I guarantee you, they want Epstein gone. There is no doubt about that. I don't know why the Bureau of Prisons put Epstein in a jail cell with a cop that killed four people and buried them in his back yard.

Epstein should have been in solitary confinement under watch. So, whoever made that decision, it was a complete error in judgment, if not intentional. That should not have happened in the first place."

Shipp goes on to point out, " It looks pretty clear to me that the Deep State intelligence Shadow government was involved, and it gets worse..."

" Ghislaine Maxwell, who was Epstein's alleged recruiter for young girls, was the daughter of Robert Maxwell, (Correction: Shipp said John by mistake) who was a known Mossad Agent.

He bilked pension funds to cover losses in his business... He was found dead floating next to his yacht from an alleged heart attack. So, there are some strange connections to the Deep State. U.S. Attorney (and former Labor Secretary) Alexander Acosta would not have said this if it were not true. It is true. There are intelligence connections. Is this a blackmail operation? We know Epstein has a 'black book.' We know Epstein probably has video of massages by young girls of high profile people, including politicians...

. There are going to be some big names that are going to be connected to Epstein and his pedophile child trafficking ring. There is no question about it."

Another huge story unfolding is the investigation into the "hoax" and "witch hunt" of Russian collusion with President Trump that has now been totally disproven. The real story is how traitors in the U.S. government made up a crimes to frame the President, his campaign and his Administration. People high up in the Obama Administration committed massive crimes, only to fail badly in removing Trump from office . Kevin Shipp says,

...for President Trump, "This is a fight to the death. . . . Trump has to win. . . . There is no question about it. They want Donald Trump gone anyway that they can. We know the Shadow Government, including the CIA, and I studied this in detail, were responsible for the assassination of JFK using the Mafia, and that's how far they will go. You are talking trillions of dollars, trillions of dollars they could lose if the President isn't in their pocket . . . . They want him dead, and he is under serious risk right now. . . . He has got to push this forward. He has to win for the Constitution and for his family that might be assassinated."

Yet another big risk, says Shipp, is the global economic system suffering a financial calamity. This includes the U.S. Shipp contends,

" Russia and China are stocking up on gold . . . as they agree to stop using the U.S. dollar and go to the yuan and ruble, which means they will stop recognizing the U.S. dollar. The dollar will lose its value because of that. We have a huge debt, and by 2025, our deficit will be $30 trillion. It is impossible to pay that off. The global deficit is $245 trillion. This thing has got to burst, and it's going to burst...

Donald Trump has come out against the Deep State and Shadow Government in ways I could only dream of. I am a Trump supporter, but what he has got on his hands is a coming catastrophe. You cannot stop the collapse caused by the deficit ...

Trump will take some significant action. This is a national security issue, and he can step in and make some changes. This is a huge catastrophe, and Americans are not aware of what is coming . . . and are not ready for a financial calamity. "

Join Greg Hunter as he goes One-on-One with Former CIA Officer and whistleblower Kevin Shipp.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/KG3nliHdYmg

To Donate to USAWatchdog.com Click Here. (By the way, YouTube demonetized this video before I posted it. So, it must be good. There is lots of new information and analysis in this 80 minute interview.)

There is free information on Kevin Shipp's website called ForTheLoveofFreedom.net. At the very top of the page is a new section called "The Shipp Brief." Shipp gives a new "brief" every day. You can also scroll down and find Shipp's donation page that has multiple ways you can support his work. It's all on ForTheLoveofFreedom.net.

[Jul 29, 2019] Once you start researching the Epstein matter - not for the lurid details - but the unprecedented, jaw dropping preferential treatment of an actual human sex trafficker ( not this fake #metoo hysteria) all hope is lost.

Notable quotes:
"... The Epstein conspiracy grows worse. One of the victims filed a federal lawsuit. Once filed, this is public record. The only redactions allowed are social security numbers and the like. ..."
"... When the Miami Herald went to obtain the Motion for Summary Judgment, it was completely redacted. 137 pages of blacked out paragraphs. ..."
"... This type of redaction is unheard, unprecedented- appalling. ..."
"... If the redactions stand, we should riot in the street. We knew justice was bought, but pedophilia usually will stir up some dregs of bureaucratic slugs to action. ..."
"... Once you start researching the Epstein matter - not for the lurid details - but the unprecedented, jaw dropping preferential treatment of an actual human sex trafficker ( not this fake #metoo hysteria) – all hope is lost. ..."
"... Dozens of little girls – all poor and from fatherless backgrounds marred by parental drug abuse, suicides and physical abuse- selected and sexually devastated by Epstein- not a word. ..."
Jul 29, 2019 | www.unz.com

TKK , says: July 29, 2019 at 11:31 am GMT

The Epstein conspiracy grows worse. One of the victims filed a federal lawsuit. Once filed, this is public record. The only redactions allowed are social security numbers and the like.

When the Miami Herald went to obtain the Motion for Summary Judgment, it was completely redacted. 137 pages of blacked out paragraphs.

A motion for summary judgment is basically saying there are no material issues in dispute- nothing to litigate. This document would contain all relevant facts about the case. This type of redaction is unheard, unprecedented- appalling.

The only reason the Herald is in pursuit ( and any other MSM) is because they believed it would destroy Trump.

It's now on appeal. If the redactions stand, we should riot in the street. We knew justice was bought, but pedophilia usually will stir up some dregs of bureaucratic slugs to action.

And with a parallel to McCain, if Clinton slithers out of this- with over 27 flights on the Lolita Express- he is officially the most untouchable man in history.

Once you start researching the Epstein matter - not for the lurid details - but the unprecedented, jaw dropping preferential treatment of an actual human sex trafficker ( not this fake #metoo hysteria) – all hope is lost.

Note the strange silence from Hollywood and the elites regarding Epstein's victims, when they were wearing hair shirts over Christine Fords 30 year old accusation.

A wealthy smug scold, who looks like an exploded can of rotten biscuit dough had them weeping on camera.

Dozens of little girls – all poor and from fatherless backgrounds marred by parental drug abuse, suicides and physical abuse- selected and sexually devastated by Epstein- not a word.

[Jul 29, 2019] American Pravda John McCain, Jeffrey Epstein, and Pizzagate by Ron Unz

Notable quotes:
"... top national figures merely being attractive front-men selected for their popular appeal and their political malleability, a development that may eventually have dire consequences for the nations they lead. As an extreme example, a drunken Boris Yeltsin freely allowed the looting of Russia's entire national wealth by the handful of oligarchs who pulled his strings, and the result was the total impoverishment of the Russian people and a demographic collapse almost unprecedented in modern peacetime history. ..."
"... An obvious problem with installing puppet rulers is the risk that they will attempt to cut their strings, much like Putin soon outmaneuvered and exiled his oligarch patron Boris Berezovsky. One means of minimizing such risk is to select puppets who are so deeply compromised that they can never break free, knowing that the political self-destruct charges buried deep within their pasts could easily be triggered if they sought independence. ..."
"... I have sometimes joked with my friends that perhaps the best career move for an ambitious young politician would be to secretly commit some monstrous crime and then make sure that the hard evidence of his guilt ended up in the hands of certain powerful people, thereby assuring his rapid political rise. ..."
"... In The Dark Side of Camelot , famed investigative reporter Seymour Hersh claimed that secret blackmail evidence of JFK's extra-marital affairs probably played a crucial role in having his administration overrule the unanimous verdict of all top Pentagon advisors and award the largest military procurement contract in U.S. history to General Dynamics instead of Boeing, thereby saving the former company from likely bankruptcy and its major organized-crime shareholders from devastating financial losses. Hersh also suggests that a similar factor likely explains JFK's last-minute reversal in the choice of his Vice President, a decision that landed Lyndon Johnson on the 1960 ticket and placed him in the White House after Kennedy's 1963 assassination. ..."
"... Similar rumors swirl around events much farther back in history as well, sometimes with enormous consequences. Well-placed contemporary sources have claimed that Samuel Untermyer, a wealthy Jewish lawyer, purchased the secret correspondence between Woodrow Wilson and his longtime mistress, and that the existence of that powerful leverage may have been an important factor behind Wilson's astonishingly rapid rise from president of Princeton in 1910 to governor of New Jersey in 1911 to president of the United States in 1912. ..."
"... Without naming any names, since 2001 it has been difficult to avoid noticing that one of the most zealous and committed supporters of the Neocon party-line on all Middle Eastern foreign policy matters has been a leading Republican senator from one of the most socially-conservative Southern states, a man whose rumored personal inclinations have long circulated on the Internet. The strikingly-sudden reversal of this individual on a major policy question certainly supports these suspicions. There have also been several other such examples involving prominent Republicans. ..."
"... There are lurid rumors that the Syndicate possessed secret photos of Hoover wearing a dress and high-heels, but just a few years ago Rep. Mike Honda of San Jose desperately placed his eight-year-old transgendered grand-daughter front-and-center in his unsuccessful attempt to win reelection. ..."
"... There seems to be a great deal of evidence that powerful organizations and individuals have successfully managed to suppress credible accusations of that practice for very long periods of time if no group with substantial media influence chose to target the offenders for unmasking. ..."
"... There is also the intriguing example of Dennis Hastert. As the longest serving Republican Speaker of the House in U.S. history, holding office during 1999-2007, Hastert was third in line to the Presidency and even ranked as our nation's top Republican elected official during some of that period. Based upon my newspaper readings, he had always struck me as a rather bland and ordinary individual, with journalists sometimes even strongly hinting at his mediocrity, so that I occasionally wondered just how someone so unimpressive could have risen to such extremely high national office. ..."
"... During the summer of 2007, the Internet was ablaze with claims that Sen. John Edwards, a runner-up in the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries, had just fathered a child with his mistress, and those reports were backed by seemingly-credible visual evidence, including photos showing the married senator holding his new-born baby. Yet as the days and even the weeks went by, not a whiff of this salacious scandal ever reached the pages of any of my morning newspapers or the rest of the mainstream media although it was a top conversation topic everywhere else. ..."
"... Probably one reason I paid so little attention to the topic was the exceptionally lurid nature of the claims being made. Epstein was supposedly an enormously wealthy Wall Street financier of rather mysterious personal background and source of funds, who owned a private island and an immense New York City mansion, both regularly stocked with harems of underage girls provided for sexual purposes. He allegedly hobnobbed on a regular basis with Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Harvard's Alan Dershowitz, and numerous other figures in the international elite, as well as a gaggle of ordinary billionaires, frequently transporting those individuals on his personal jet known as "the Lolita Express" for the role it played in facilitating illegal secret orgies with young girls. When right-wing bloggers on obscure websites claimed that former President Clinton and the British Royals were being sexually serviced by the underage girls of a James Bond super-villain brought to life, I just assumed those accusations were the wildest sort of Internet exaggeration. ..."
"... The author of a long 2003 Epstein profile that had appeared in Vanity Fair explained that she had personally spoken to some of his victims and included their highly-credible accounts in her article, but that those portions had been stricken and removed by her timorous editors. ..."
"... As presented by these media outlets, Epstein's personal rise also seemed rather inexplicable unless he had benefited from some powerful network or similar organization. Lacking any college degree or credentials, he had somehow gotten a job teaching at one of New York City's most elite prep schools, then quickly jumped to working at a top investment bank, rising to partner with astonishing speed until he was fired a few years later for illegal activity. Despite such a scanty and doubtful record, he was soon managing money for some of America's wealthiest individuals, and keeping so much of it for himself that he was regularly described as a billionaire. According to newspaper accounts, his great specialty was "making connections for people." ..."
"... Obviously, Epstein was a ruthlessly opportunistic financial hustler. But extremely wealthy individuals must surely be surrounded by great swarms of ruthlessly opportunistic financial hustlers, and why would he have been so much more successful than all those others? Perhaps a clue comes from the offhand remark of Epstein's now-disgraced prosecutor, saying that he had been told to go very easy on the sex-trafficker because he "belonged to intelligence." The vague phrasing of that statement raises questions about whether the intelligence service may not have been one controlled by the U.S. government. ..."
"... Philip Giraldi, a highly-regarded former CIA officer, put things very plainly when he suggested that Epstein had probably been working for the Israeli Mossad, operating "honey traps" to obtain blackmail information on all the wealthy and powerful individuals whom he regularly plied with underage girls. Indeed, longtime Canadian journalist Eric Margolis recounted his early 1990s visit to Epstein's enormous NYC mansion, in which he had barely crossed the threshold before he was offered an "intimate massage" by one of the many young girls there, presumably in a bedroom well-stocked with hidden cameras. ..."
"... Given my personal lack of interest in the Epstein case, then or now, perhaps a few of these details may be garbled, but it seems undeniable that he was exactly the sort of remarkable renegade often faced by Agent 007 in the movies, and the true facts will presumably come out at his trial. ..."
"... John Podesta had been a longtime fixture in DC political circles, becoming chief of staff to President Bill Clinton in 1998, and afterward remaining one of the most powerful figures in the Democratic Party establishment. While serving as as chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, his apparent carelessness with the password security of his Gmail account allowed it to easily be hacked, and tens of thousands of his personal emails were soon published on WikiLeaks. A swarm of young anti-Clinton activists began scouring this treasure-trove of semi-confidential information, seeking evidence of mundane bribery and corruption, but instead they came across some quite odd exchanges, seemingly written in coded language. ..."
"... Now use of coded language in a supposedly secure private email account raises all sorts of natural suspicions regarding what might have been under discussion, with the most likely possibilities being illegal drugs or sex. But most of the references didn't seem to fit the former category, and in our remarkably libertine era, in which political candidates compete for the right to be Grand Marshal at an annual Gay Pride Parade, one of the few sexual activities still discussed only in whispers would seem to be pedophilia, with some of the very strange remarks possibly hinting at this. ..."
"... The researchers also soon discovered that his brother Tony Podesta, one of the wealthiest and most successful lobbyists in DC, had extremely odd taste in art. Major items of his very extensive personal collection seemed to represent tortured or murdered bodies, and one of his favorite artists was best known for paintings depicting young children being held captive, lying dead, or suffering under severe distress. ..."
"... Furthermore, some of the rather suspiciously-worded Podesta emails referred to events held at a local DC pizza parlor, greatly favored by the Democratic Party elite, whose owner was the gay former boyfriend of David Brock, a leading Democratic activist. The public Instagram account of that pizza-entrepreneur apparently contained numerous images of young children, sometimes tied or bound, with those images frequently labeled by hashtags using the traditional gay slang for underage sexual targets ..."
"... Closely connected Instagram accounts also included pictures of young children, sometimes shown amid piles of high-value currency, with queries about how much those particular children might be worth. None of this seemed illegal, but surely any reasonable person would regard the material as extremely suspicious. ..."
"... oddly enough, GQ Magazine had ranked that gay pizza parlor owner with a strange focus on young children as being one of the 50 most powerful people in our national capital, placing him far ahead of many Cabinet members, Senators, Congressional Chairmen, Supreme Court justices, and top lobbyists. Was his pizza really that delicious? ..."
"... Some of the best summaries of the Pizzagate case were produced by a young British YouTuber named Tara McCarthy, whose work was published under the name of "Reality Calls," and her videos were viewed hundreds of thousands of times. Although her channel was eventually banned and her videos purged, copies were later reloaded to other accounts, both on YouTube and BitChute. Some of the evidence she presents seemed rather innocuous or speculative to me and other elements were probably based upon her unfamiliarity with American society and culture. But a great deal of extremely suspicious material remains, and I would suggest that people watch the videos and decide for themselves. ..."
Jul 29, 2019 | www.unz.com

... ... ...

...The Arizona senator had traded on his national reputation as our best-known former POW to bury the story of those abandoned prisoners, permitting America's political establishment to escape serious embarrassment. As a result, Sen. McCain earned the lush rewards of our generous ruling elites, much like his own father Admiral John S. McCain, Sr., who had led the cover-up of the deliberate 1967 Israeli attack on the U.S.S. Liberty , which killed or wounded over 200 American servicemen.

As publisher of The American Conservative , I ran Schanberg's remarkable piece as a cover story, and across several websites over the years it has surely been read many hundreds of thousands of times, including a huge spike around the time of McCain's death. I therefore find it rather difficult to believe that the many journalists investigating McCain's background might have remained unaware of this material. Yet no hints of these facts were provided in any of the articles appearing in any remotely prominent media outlets as can be seen by searching for web pages containing "McCain and Schanberg" dated around the time of the Senator's passing.

John McCain and the POW Cover-Up Sydney Schanberg • May 25, 2010 • 8,200 Words

Schanberg's journalistic stature had hardly been forgotten by his former colleagues. Upon his death a couple of years ago, the Times ran a very long and glowing obituary , and a few months later I attended the memorial tribute to his life and career held at the New York Times headquarters building, which more than two hundred prominent journalists mostly from his own generation, including those of the highest rank. Times Publisher Arthur Sulzberger, Jr. gave a speech describing how as a young man he had always so greatly admired Schanberg and had been mortified by the unfortunate circumstances of his departure from the family's newspaper. Former Executive Editor Joseph Lelyveld recounted the many years he had worked closely with the man he had long considered his closest friend and colleague, someone whom he almost seemed to regard as his older brother. But during the two hours of praise and remembrance scarcely a single word was uttered in public about the gigantic story that had occupied the last two decades of Schanberg's celebrated career.

This same blanket of media silence also enveloped the very serious accusations regarding McCain's own Vietnam War record. A few years ago, I drew upon the Times and other fully mainstream sources to strongly suggest that McCain's stories of his torture as a POW were probably fictional, invented to serve as a cover and an excuse for the very real record of his wartime collaboration with his Communist captors. Indeed, at the time our American media reported his activities as one of the leading propagandists of our North Vietnamese foes, but these facts were later flushed down the memory-hole. McCain's father then ranked as one of America's top military officers, and it seems likely that his personal political intervention ensured that the official narrative of his son's wartime record was transmuted from traitor to war-hero, thereby allowing the younger McCain to later embark upon his celebrated political career.

John McCain: When "Tokyo Rose" Ran for President Ron Unz • March 9, 2015 • 4,200 Words

The story of the abandoned Vietnam POWs and McCain's own Communist propaganda broadcasts hardly exhaust the catalog of the major skeletons in the late Senator's closet. McCain was regularly described by reporters as being remarkably hot-headed and having a violent temper, but the national press left it to the alternative media to investigate the real-life implications of those rather suggestive phrases.

In a September 1, 2008 Counterpunch expose later published online , Alexander Cockburn reported that interviews with two emergency room physicians in Phoenix revealed that around the time that McCain was sucked into the political maelstrom of the Keating Five Scandal, his wife Cindy was admitted to her local hospital suffering from a black eye, facial bruises, and scratches consistent with physical violence, and this same situation occurred two additional times over the next few years. Cockburn also noted several other highly suspicious marital incidents during the years that followed, including the Senator's wife appearing with a bandaged wrist and her arm in a sling not long after she joined her husband on the 2008 campaign trail, an injury reported by our strangely incurious political journalists as being due to "excessive hand-shaking." It's an odd situation when a tiny leftist newsletter can easily uncover facts that so totally eluded the vast resources of our entire national press corps. If there were credible reports that Melania Trump had been repeatedly admitted to local emergency rooms suffering from black eyes and facial bruises, would our corporate media have remained so uninterested in any further investigation?

McCain had first won his Arizona Congressional seat in 1982, not long after he moved into the state, with his campaign bankrolled by his father-in-law's beer-distributorship fortune, and that inheritance eventually elevated the McCain household into one of the wealthiest in the Senate. But although the Senator spent the next quarter-century in public life, even nearly upsetting George W. Bush for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination, only in late 2008 did I learn from the Times that the Phoenix beer-monopoly in question, then valued at around $200 million, had accrued to a man whose lifelong business partner Kemper Marley had long been deeply linked to organized crime . Indeed, close associates of that latter individual had been convicted by a jury of the car-bomb assassination of a Phoenix investigative crime reporter just a few years before McCain's sudden triumphal entrance into Arizona politics. Perhaps such guilt-by-association is improper, but would our national press-corps have remained silent if the personal fortune of our current president were only a step or two removed from the car-bomb assassins of a nosy journalist who died while investigating mobsters?

As I gradually became aware of these enormities casually hidden in McCain's background, my initial reaction was disbelief that someone whose record was so deeply tarnished in so many different ways could ever have reached such a pinnacle of American political power. But as the media continued to avert its eyes from these newly revealed facts, even those disclosed in the pages of the Times itself, I gradually began to consider matters in a different light. Perhaps McCain's elevation to great American political power was not in spite of the devastating facts littering his personal past, but because of them. As I wrote a few years ago:

Today when we consider the major countries of the world we see that in many cases the official leaders are also the leaders in actuality: Vladimir Putin calls the shots in Russia, Xi Jinping and his top Politburo colleagues do the same in China, and so forth. However, in America and in some other Western countries, this seems to be less and less the case, with top national figures merely being attractive front-men selected for their popular appeal and their political malleability, a development that may eventually have dire consequences for the nations they lead. As an extreme example, a drunken Boris Yeltsin freely allowed the looting of Russia's entire national wealth by the handful of oligarchs who pulled his strings, and the result was the total impoverishment of the Russian people and a demographic collapse almost unprecedented in modern peacetime history.

An obvious problem with installing puppet rulers is the risk that they will attempt to cut their strings, much like Putin soon outmaneuvered and exiled his oligarch patron Boris Berezovsky. One means of minimizing such risk is to select puppets who are so deeply compromised that they can never break free, knowing that the political self-destruct charges buried deep within their pasts could easily be triggered if they sought independence.

I have sometimes joked with my friends that perhaps the best career move for an ambitious young politician would be to secretly commit some monstrous crime and then make sure that the hard evidence of his guilt ended up in the hands of certain powerful people, thereby assuring his rapid political rise.

In physics, when an object deviates from its expected trajectory for inexplicable reasons, we assume that some unknown force has been at work, and tracing the record of such deviations may help to determine the characteristic properties of the latter. Over the years, I've increasingly become aware of such strange ideological deviations in public policy, and although some are readily explained, others suggest the existence of hidden forces far beneath the surface of our regular political world. This same situation may have occurred throughout our history, and sometimes the political decisions that so baffled contemporaries eventually came to light decades later.

In The Dark Side of Camelot , famed investigative reporter Seymour Hersh claimed that secret blackmail evidence of JFK's extra-marital affairs probably played a crucial role in having his administration overrule the unanimous verdict of all top Pentagon advisors and award the largest military procurement contract in U.S. history to General Dynamics instead of Boeing, thereby saving the former company from likely bankruptcy and its major organized-crime shareholders from devastating financial losses. Hersh also suggests that a similar factor likely explains JFK's last-minute reversal in the choice of his Vice President, a decision that landed Lyndon Johnson on the 1960 ticket and placed him in the White House after Kennedy's 1963 assassination.

As I recently mentioned , in the 1950s Sen. Estes Kefauver shifted the focus of his Organized Crime Hearings after the Chicago Syndicate confronted him with the photographs of his sexual encounter with two mob-supplied women. A decade later, California Attorney-General Stanley Mosk suffered much the same fate, with the facts remaining hidden for over twenty years.

Similar rumors swirl around events much farther back in history as well, sometimes with enormous consequences. Well-placed contemporary sources have claimed that Samuel Untermyer, a wealthy Jewish lawyer, purchased the secret correspondence between Woodrow Wilson and his longtime mistress, and that the existence of that powerful leverage may have been an important factor behind Wilson's astonishingly rapid rise from president of Princeton in 1910 to governor of New Jersey in 1911 to president of the United States in 1912. Once in office, Wilson signed the controversial legislation establishing the Federal Reserve system in 1913 and also named Louis Brandeis as the first Jewish member of the U.S. Supreme Court despite the public opposition of nearly our entire legal establishment. Wilson's swiftly changing views on American involvement in the First World War may also have influenced by such personal pressures rather than solely determined by his perceptions of the national interest.

Without naming any names, since 2001 it has been difficult to avoid noticing that one of the most zealous and committed supporters of the Neocon party-line on all Middle Eastern foreign policy matters has been a leading Republican senator from one of the most socially-conservative Southern states, a man whose rumored personal inclinations have long circulated on the Internet. The strikingly-sudden reversal of this individual on a major policy question certainly supports these suspicions. There have also been several other such examples involving prominent Republicans.

But consider the far different situation of Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, who in 1987 became the first member of the Congress to voluntarily admit that he was gay. Not long afterward, a notorious scandal erupted when it was revealed that his own DC townhouse had been used by a former boyfriend as headquarters for a male-prostitution ring. Frank claimed to have had no knowledge of that sordid situation, and his liberal Massachusetts constituents apparently accepted that, since he was resoundingly reelected and went on to serve another 24 years in Congress. But surely if Frank had been a Republican from a socially-conservative district, anyone possessing such evidence would have totally controlled his political survival, and with Frank spending several years as Chairman of the very powerful House Financial Services Committee, the value of such a hold would have been enormous.

This demonstrates the undeniable reality that what constitutes effective blackmail material may vary tremendously across different eras and regions. Today, it is widely accepted that longtime FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover lived his life as a deeply-closeted homosexual and there seem to be serious claims that he also had some black ancestry, with the secret evidence of these facts probably helping to explain why for decades he stubbornly refused to admit the existence of American organized crime or focus his G-men on efforts to uproot it. But in today's America, he surely would have proudly proclaimed his sexuality and racial ancestry in an New York Times Magazine cover-story, rightly believing that they enhanced his political invulnerability on the national stage. There are lurid rumors that the Syndicate possessed secret photos of Hoover wearing a dress and high-heels, but just a few years ago Rep. Mike Honda of San Jose desperately placed his eight-year-old transgendered grand-daughter front-and-center in his unsuccessful attempt to win reelection.

The decades have certainly softened the effectiveness of many forms of blackmail, but pedophilia still ranks as an extremely powerful taboo. There seems to be a great deal of evidence that powerful organizations and individuals have successfully managed to suppress credible accusations of that practice for very long periods of time if no group with substantial media influence chose to target the offenders for unmasking.

The most obvious example is the Catholic Church, and the failings of its American and international hierarchy in that regard have regularly made the front pages of our leading newspapers. But until the early 2000s and the breakthrough reporting of the Boston Globe as recounted in the Oscar-winning film Spotlight , the Church had routinely fended off such scandals.

Consider also the remarkable case of British television personality Sir Jimmy Savile , one of his country's most admired celebrities, eventually knighted for his public service. Only shortly after his death at age 84 did the press begin revealing that he had probably molested many hundreds of children during his long career. Accusations by his young victims had stretched back across forty years, but his criminal activities had seemingly been protected by his wealth and celebrity, along with his numerous supporters in the media.

There is also the intriguing example of Dennis Hastert. As the longest serving Republican Speaker of the House in U.S. history, holding office during 1999-2007, Hastert was third in line to the Presidency and even ranked as our nation's top Republican elected official during some of that period. Based upon my newspaper readings, he had always struck me as a rather bland and ordinary individual, with journalists sometimes even strongly hinting at his mediocrity, so that I occasionally wondered just how someone so unimpressive could have risen to such extremely high national office.

Then a few years ago, he was suddenly thrust back into the headlines, arrested by the FBI and charged with financial crimes relating to what apparently had been his past history of abusing young boys, at least one of whom had committed suicide, with the federal judge who sent him to prison denouncing him as "a serial child molester" at sentencing . Perhaps I've led an overly sheltered life, but my impression is that only a tiny sliver of Americans have had a long record of child molestation, and all things being equal, it seems rather unlikely that someone of such a background but who possesses no other great talents or skills would rise to near the absolute top of our political heap. So perhaps not all things were otherwise equal. If some powerful elements held the hard evidence that placed a particular elected official under their total control, making great efforts to elevate him to Speaker of the House would be a very shrewd investment.

At times the unwillingness of our national media to see major stories in front of their very noses reaches ridiculous extremes. During the summer of 2007, the Internet was ablaze with claims that Sen. John Edwards, a runner-up in the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries, had just fathered a child with his mistress, and those reports were backed by seemingly-credible visual evidence, including photos showing the married senator holding his new-born baby. Yet as the days and even the weeks went by, not a whiff of this salacious scandal ever reached the pages of any of my morning newspapers or the rest of the mainstream media although it was a top conversation topic everywhere else. Eventually, the National Enquirer , a notorious gossip tabloid, scored a journalistic first , by receiving a Pulitzer Prize nomination for breaking the story that no other outlet seemed willing to cover. Would our media have similarly averted its eyes from a newborn baby Trump coming from the wrong side of the bed?

Over the years, it became increasingly obvious to me that nearly all elements of our national media were often quite willing to enlist in a "conspiracy of silence" to minimize or entirely ignore stories of tremendous potential interest to their readership and major public importance. I could easily have doubled or tripled the number of such notable examples I provided above without much effort. Moreover, it is quite intriguing that so many of these cases involve the sort of criminal or sexual misbehavior that would be ideally suited for blackmailing powerful individuals who are less likely to be vulnerable to other influences. So perhaps many of the elected officials situated at the top of our democratic system merely reign as political puppets, dancing to invisible strings.

Given my awareness of this remarkable track-record of major media cover-ups, I'm ashamed to admit that I had paid almost no attention to the Jeffrey Epstein case until it exploded across our national headlines earlier this month, suddenly becoming one of the biggest news stories in our country.

For many years, reports about Epstein and his illegal sex-ring had regularly circulated on the fringes of the Internet, with agitated commenters citing the case as proof of the dark and malevolent forces that secretly controlled our corrupted political system. But I almost entirely ignored these discussions, and I'm not sure that I ever once clicked on a single link.

Probably one reason I paid so little attention to the topic was the exceptionally lurid nature of the claims being made. Epstein was supposedly an enormously wealthy Wall Street financier of rather mysterious personal background and source of funds, who owned a private island and an immense New York City mansion, both regularly stocked with harems of underage girls provided for sexual purposes. He allegedly hobnobbed on a regular basis with Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Harvard's Alan Dershowitz, and numerous other figures in the international elite, as well as a gaggle of ordinary billionaires, frequently transporting those individuals on his personal jet known as "the Lolita Express" for the role it played in facilitating illegal secret orgies with young girls. When right-wing bloggers on obscure websites claimed that former President Clinton and the British Royals were being sexually serviced by the underage girls of a James Bond super-villain brought to life, I just assumed those accusations were the wildest sort of Internet exaggeration.

Moreover, these angry writers did occasionally let slip that the fiendish target of their wrath had already been charged in a Florida courtroom, eventually pleading guilty to a single sexual offense and receiving a thirteen month jail sentence, mitigated by very generous work-release provisions. This hardly seemed like the sort of judicial punishment that would lend credence to the fantastical accusations against him. If Epstein had already been investigated by law enforcement authorities and given the sentence one might expect for writing a bad check, I found it quite unlikely that he was actually the Goldfinger or Dr. No that deluded Internet activists made him out to be.

Then these same wild, implausible claims previously found only on anonymous comment-threads were suddenly repeated as solid fact on the front pages of the Times and all my other morning newspapers, and the former federal prosecutor who had signed off on Epstein's legal slap-on-the-wrist was forced to resign from the Trump Cabinet. Epstein's safe had been found to contain a huge cache of child-pornography and other highly suspicious material, and he was quickly rearrested on charges that could send him to federal prison for decades. Prestigious media outlets described Epstein as the mastermind of a huge sex-trafficking ring, and numerous underage victims began coming forward, telling their stories of how he had molested, raped, and pimped them. The author of a long 2003 Epstein profile that had appeared in Vanity Fair explained that she had personally spoken to some of his victims and included their highly-credible accounts in her article, but that those portions had been stricken and removed by her timorous editors.

As presented by these media outlets, Epstein's personal rise also seemed rather inexplicable unless he had benefited from some powerful network or similar organization. Lacking any college degree or credentials, he had somehow gotten a job teaching at one of New York City's most elite prep schools, then quickly jumped to working at a top investment bank, rising to partner with astonishing speed until he was fired a few years later for illegal activity. Despite such a scanty and doubtful record, he was soon managing money for some of America's wealthiest individuals, and keeping so much of it for himself that he was regularly described as a billionaire. According to newspaper accounts, his great specialty was "making connections for people."

Obviously, Epstein was a ruthlessly opportunistic financial hustler. But extremely wealthy individuals must surely be surrounded by great swarms of ruthlessly opportunistic financial hustlers, and why would he have been so much more successful than all those others? Perhaps a clue comes from the offhand remark of Epstein's now-disgraced prosecutor, saying that he had been told to go very easy on the sex-trafficker because he "belonged to intelligence." The vague phrasing of that statement raises questions about whether the intelligence service may not have been one controlled by the U.S. government.

Philip Giraldi, a highly-regarded former CIA officer, put things very plainly when he suggested that Epstein had probably been working for the Israeli Mossad, operating "honey traps" to obtain blackmail information on all the wealthy and powerful individuals whom he regularly plied with underage girls. Indeed, longtime Canadian journalist Eric Margolis recounted his early 1990s visit to Epstein's enormous NYC mansion, in which he had barely crossed the threshold before he was offered an "intimate massage" by one of the many young girls there, presumably in a bedroom well-stocked with hidden cameras.

Given my personal lack of interest in the Epstein case, then or now, perhaps a few of these details may be garbled, but it seems undeniable that he was exactly the sort of remarkable renegade often faced by Agent 007 in the movies, and the true facts will presumably come out at his trial. Or perhaps not. Whether he lives to see trial is not entirely clear given the considerable number of powerful individuals who might prefer that hidden facts remain hidden, and the Friday newspapers reported that Epstein had been found injured and unconscious in his prison cell.

When one seemingly implausible pedophilia scandal has suddenly jumped from obscure corners of the Internet to the front pages of our leading newspapers, we must naturally begin to wonder whether others might not eventually do the same. And a very likely candidate comes to mind, one that seemed to me far better documented than the vague accusations being thrown about over the last few years against a wealthy financier once given a thirteen-month jail sentence in Florida a decade earlier.

I don't use Social Media myself, but near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign, I gradually began seeing more and more Trump supporters referring to something called "Pizzagate," a burgeoning sexual scandal that they claimed would bring down Hillary Clinton and many of the top leaders of her party, with the chatter actually increasing after Trump was elected. As near as I could tell, the whole bizarre theory had grown up on the far-right fringe of the Internet, with the utterly fantastical plot having something to do with stolen secret emails, DC pizza parlors, and a ring of pedophiles situated near the top of the Democratic Party. But given all the other strange and unlikely things I'd gradually discovered about our history, it didn't seem like something I could necessarily dismiss out of hand.

At the beginning of December, a right-wing blogger produced a lengthy exposition of the Pizzagate charges, which finally gave me some understanding of what was actually under discussion, and I soon made arrangements to republish his article. It quickly attracted a great deal of interest, and some websites pointed to it as the best single introduction to the scandal for a general audience.

Pizzagate Aedon Cassiel • December 2, 2016 • 3,100 Words

A couple of weeks later, I republished an additional article by the same writer, describing a long list of previous pedophilia scandals that had occurred in elite American and European political circles. Although many of these seemed to be solidly documented, nearly all of them had received minimal coverage by our mainstream media outlets. And if such political pedophile rings had existed in the relatively recent past, was it so totally implausible that there might be another one simmering beneath the surface of today's Washington DC?

Precedents for Pizzagate Aedon Cassiel • December 23, 2016 • 6,200 Words

Those interested in the details of the Pizzagate Hypothesis are advised to read these articles, especially the first one, but I might as well provide a brief summary.

John Podesta had been a longtime fixture in DC political circles, becoming chief of staff to President Bill Clinton in 1998, and afterward remaining one of the most powerful figures in the Democratic Party establishment. While serving as as chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, his apparent carelessness with the password security of his Gmail account allowed it to easily be hacked, and tens of thousands of his personal emails were soon published on WikiLeaks. A swarm of young anti-Clinton activists began scouring this treasure-trove of semi-confidential information, seeking evidence of mundane bribery and corruption, but instead they came across some quite odd exchanges, seemingly written in coded language.

Now use of coded language in a supposedly secure private email account raises all sorts of natural suspicions regarding what might have been under discussion, with the most likely possibilities being illegal drugs or sex. But most of the references didn't seem to fit the former category, and in our remarkably libertine era, in which political candidates compete for the right to be Grand Marshal at an annual Gay Pride Parade, one of the few sexual activities still discussed only in whispers would seem to be pedophilia, with some of the very strange remarks possibly hinting at this.

The researchers also soon discovered that his brother Tony Podesta, one of the wealthiest and most successful lobbyists in DC, had extremely odd taste in art. Major items of his very extensive personal collection seemed to represent tortured or murdered bodies, and one of his favorite artists was best known for paintings depicting young children being held captive, lying dead, or suffering under severe distress. Such peculiar artwork obviously isn't illegal, but it might naturally arouse some suspicions. And oddly enough, arch-Democrat Podesta had long been a close personal friend of former Republican Speaker and convicted child-molester Dennis Hastert, welcoming him back into DC society after his release from prison.

Furthermore, some of the rather suspiciously-worded Podesta emails referred to events held at a local DC pizza parlor, greatly favored by the Democratic Party elite, whose owner was the gay former boyfriend of David Brock, a leading Democratic activist. The public Instagram account of that pizza-entrepreneur apparently contained numerous images of young children, sometimes tied or bound, with those images frequently labeled by hashtags using the traditional gay slang for underage sexual targets. Some photos showed the fellow wearing a tee-shirt bearing the statement "I Love Children" in French, and by a very odd coincidence, his possibly assumed name was phonetically identical to that very same French phrase, thus proclaiming to the world that he was "a lover of children." Closely connected Instagram accounts also included pictures of young children, sometimes shown amid piles of high-value currency, with queries about how much those particular children might be worth. None of this seemed illegal, but surely any reasonable person would regard the material as extremely suspicious.

DC is sometimes described as "Powertown," being the seat of the individuals who make America's laws and govern our society, with local political journalists being closely attuned to the relative status of such individuals. And oddly enough, GQ Magazine had ranked that gay pizza parlor owner with a strange focus on young children as being one of the 50 most powerful people in our national capital, placing him far ahead of many Cabinet members, Senators, Congressional Chairmen, Supreme Court justices, and top lobbyists. Was his pizza really that delicious?

These few paragraphs provide merely a sliver of the large quantity of highly-suspicious material surrounding various powerful figures at the apex of the DC political world. A vast cloud of billowing smoke is certainly no proof of any fire, but only a fool would completely ignore it without attempting further investigation.

I usually regard videos as a poor means of imparting serious information, far less effective and meaningful than the simple printed word. But the overwhelming bulk of the evidence supporting the Pizzagate Hypothesis consists of visual images and screen shots, and these are naturally suited to a video presentation.

Some of the best summaries of the Pizzagate case were produced by a young British YouTuber named Tara McCarthy, whose work was published under the name of "Reality Calls," and her videos were viewed hundreds of thousands of times. Although her channel was eventually banned and her videos purged, copies were later reloaded to other accounts, both on YouTube and BitChute. Some of the evidence she presents seemed rather innocuous or speculative to me and other elements were probably based upon her unfamiliarity with American society and culture. But a great deal of extremely suspicious material remains, and I would suggest that people watch the videos and decide for themselves.

Around the same time that I first became familiar with the details of the Pizzagate controversy, the topic also started reaching the pages of my morning newspapers, but in an rather strange manner. Political stories began giving a sentence or two to the "Pizzagate hoax," describing it as a ridiculous right-wing "conspiracy theory" but excluding all relevant details. I had an eery feeling that some unseen hand had suddenly flipped a switch causing the entire mainstream media to begin displaying identical signs declaring "Pizzagate Is False -- Nothing To See There!" in brightly flashing neon. I couldn't recall any previous example of such a strange media reaction to some obscure Internet controversy.

Articles in the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times also suddenly appeared denouncing the entirety of the alternative media -- Left, Right, and Libertarian -- as "fake news" websites promoting Russian propaganda , while urging that their content be blocked by all patriotic Internet giants such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google. Prior to that moment, I'd never even heard the term "fake news" but suddenly it was ubiquitous across the media, once again almost as if some unseen hand had suddenly flipped a switch.

I naturally began to wonder whether the timing of these two strange developments was entirely coincidental. Perhaps Pizzagate was indeed true and struck so deeply at the core of our hugely corrupted political system that the media efforts to suppress it were approaching the point of hysteria.

Not long afterward, Tara McCarthy's detailed Pizzagate videos were purged from YouTube. This was among the very first instances of video content being banned despite fully conforming to all existing YouTube guidelines, another deeply suspicious development.

I also noticed that mere mention of Pizzagate had become politically lethal. Donald Trump had selected Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, as his National Security Advisor, and Flynn's son served as the latter's chief of staff. The younger Flynn happened to Tweet out a couple of links to Pizzagate stories, pointing out that the accusations hadn't yet been actually investigated let alone disproven, and very soon afterward, he was purged from the Trump transition team, foreshadowing his father's fall a few weeks later. It seemed astonishing to me that a few simple Tweets about an Internet controversy could have such huge real-life impact near the top of our government.

The media continued its uniform drumbeat of "Pizzagate Has Been Disproven!" but we were never told how or by whom, and I was not the only individual to notice the hollowness of such denunciations. An award-winning investigative journalist named Ben Swann at a CBS station in Atlanta broadcast a short television segment summarizing the Pizzagate controversy and noting that contrary to widespread media claims, Pizzagate had neither been investigated nor debunked. Swann was almost immediately purged by CBS but a copy of his television segment remains available for viewing on the Internet.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-GZFHLAcG8A?feature=oembed

There is an old wartime proverb that enemy flak is always heaviest over the most important target, and the remarkably ferocious wave of attacks and censorship against anyone broaching the subject of Pizzagate seems to raise obvious dark suspicions. Indeed, the simultaneous waves of attacks against all alternative media outlets as "Russian propaganda outlets" laid the basis for the continuing regime of Social Media censorship that has become a central aspect of today's world.

Pizzagate may or may not turn out to be true, but the ongoing Internet crackdown has similarly engulfed topics of a somewhat similar nature but with vastly stronger documentation. Although I don't use Twitter myself, I encountered the obvious implications of this new censorship policy following McCain's death last August. The senator had died on a Saturday afternoon, and readership of Sydney Schanberg's long 2008 expose quickly exploded, with numerous individuals Tweeting out the story and a large fraction of our incoming traffic therefore coming from Twitter. This continued until the following morning, at which point the huge flood of Tweets continued to grow, but all incoming Twitter traffic suddenly and permanently vanished, presumably because "shadow banning" had rendered those Tweets invisible. My own article on McCain's very doubtful war record simultaneously suffered the same fate, as did numerous other articles of a controversial nature that we published later that same week.

Perhaps that censorship decision was made by some ignorant young intern at Twitter, casually choosing to ban as "hate speech" or "fake news" a massively-documented 8,400 word expose by one of America's most distinguished journalists, a Pulitzer-prize winning former top editor at The New York Times .

Or perhaps certain political-puppeteers who had spent decades controlling that late Arizona senator sought to ensure that their political puppet-strings remained invisible even after his death.

Related Reading:

John McCain and the POW Cover-Up by Sydney Schanberg John McCain: When "Tokyo Rose" Ran for President Pizzagate by Aedon Cassiel What We Know About Pizzagate So Far by Tara McCarthy Precedents for Pizzagate by Aedon Cassiel

Carlton Meyer , says: Website July 29, 2019 at 4:13 am GMT

My tribute to the late Senator, from my blog:

Aug 27, 2018 -- The Truth about John McCain

John McCain was a leading American neocon who always advocated war and ever greater military spending for a growing worldwide empire. This made him a successful politician and explains why our neocon corporate media praises him and refuses to reports facts about his life. By several accounts ("The Nightingale Song" for example) he only got into the Naval Academy for a free college degree because dad and grandfather were admirals, and should have been kicked out several times. He graduated near the bottom of his class and was a lousy pilot who got into trouble often and crashed two aircraft because of neglect. He was shot down on his first tour over Vietnam while bombing a civilian power plant, and getting captured is not heroic.

[Hide MORE]
What happened in captivity is controversial, but upon returning from POW status he passed a physical and regained flight status as a pilot. Yet after he finished 20 years of service that allowed generous retirement pay, he obtained a 100% VA disability rating allowing him to collect some $40,000 a year tax free too! The LA Times mentioned this when McCain insisted he was fit to serve as President. For the past two decades, he hauled in over $240,000 a year from the Feds for military retirement, 100% VA disability, social security retirement, while working full-time in the US Senate. He was paid for being retired, disabled, and gainfully employed! This is textbook case of why our system needs reform to protect taxpayers from rich welfare kings like McCain.

McCain's loyal wife was disabled in a serious auto accident while he was a POW. Soon after he returned, McCain dumped her for a wealthy woman 20 years younger. The Reagans were so angry they never spoke to him again. He then married his new babe before he officially got divorced, so there's that bigamy thing. McCain used his wife's family money to run for Congress and quickly got into trouble with the Keating Five scandal. McCain got $112,000 in "campaign contributions" and an equal amount of luxury perks from one of our nation's leading fraudsters. In return, he helped change laws and threatened regulators to allow this multi-billion real estate scam to grow.

I don't know why any Arizonian voted for this crazed man, especially since he was a big advocate for open borders. At a union meeting, he told workers illegals are needed because Americans are too lazy to work farm fields, even for $50 an hour. McCain never labored his entire life, always on the government dole earning ten times minimum wage worker pay, whose increase he opposed.

McCain grew up wealthy and enjoyed free government health care his entire life, yet thought it nothing workers deserve. While running for President and attacking programs for the poor, a reporter asked how many houses he owned. He was unsure, but thought maybe seven. But his worst damage was to oppose any attempt at world peace, often demanding that the USA bomb the neocon designated villain of the year, currently Iran. McCain was a key player in the senseless deaths of thousands of American GIs and a million foreigners over the past two decades. He will not be missed.

Sep 2, 2018 -- John McCain Will Not Be Missed

As a follow-up to my Aug 27th blog, I ask people to name McCain's most important accomplishment during his long political career. They can think of none, but the TV tells them McCain was great because he was a neocon. Senator Paul Laxalt saw more combat than McCain and had an equally long and distinguished career. He was not a crazed neocon so our media barely reported his death last month.

Here are two examples of McCain's bad character just this past year. McCain had always opposed Obamacare and campaigned against it. The Republicans had tried to repeal it for years. The election of President Trump also brought in more Republican congressmen. The House easily repealed it, and the Senate finally had a majority to vote for a partial repeal. This would be a big victory for the Republicans led by President Trump. When the vote was held, McCain shocked everyone and voted against it, thus abandoning his principles and backstabbing his party! This was applauded by the Democrats and the insurance companies who profit from Obamacare. They praised McCain as a "maverick", although everyone knows this was done just to thwart a Trump victory.

On his deathbed, McCain directed his staff not to invite his Presidential running mate Sarah Palin to his funeral. She campaigned for him as a loyal teammate and never said a bad word about McCain during the campaign or after their loss. McCain blamed her for his loss and expressed this in a childish manner. Allow me to summarize his life. John McCain was a selfish, spoiled brat who had no sense of decency.

Richard Wave , says: July 29, 2019 at 4:15 am GMT
Another great article, Ron.

One of the most blatant examples of news media's silence on a topic of great national interest is the lack of coverage of closed-door "globalist" meetings like Bilderberg (which is attended by employees of such publications as The New York Times and Washington Post .)
The overheard conversation between Angela Merkel and Mark Zuckerberg on what Facebook can do to further her immigration agenda also received astonishingly little coverage from the establishment press:

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/30/angela-merkel-caught-on-hot-mic-confronting-mark-z/

Alden , says: July 29, 2019 at 4:28 am GMT
If you look closely at Hoover's pictures it's hard to miss the kinky hair, broad nose and just something about the bone structure of his face that reveals some negro ancestry. There's a high school picture of him in some kind of band or cadet uniform that makes his bit of black blood obvious.

That Mayor Moscone of San Francisco who was shot had a thing for 11-13 black girls, small ones. He liked to beat them up a bit too. Probably not as badly as the bearings their mothers face them all their lives. His driver was a district attorney investigator who had to drive him to the projects and Protero Silver Av neighborhoods to meet his little friends. He met them at their mothers homes. I assume the mothers consented and some pimps arranged things.

One time Mayor Moscone drive himself to the Sunnyvale projects. While he was inside with his little friend some black guys removed all the tires from his city car and he had to call the police to drive him home.

He had 4 or 5 kids, Catholic Church attendance catholic schools the whole ostentatious Italian Catholic thing but he liked sex with those really young black girls in their project homes.

Miro23 , says: July 29, 2019 at 4:46 am GMT

But as the media continued to avert its eyes from these newly revealed facts, even those disclosed in the pages of the Times itself, I gradually began to consider matters in a different light. Perhaps McCain's elevation to great American political power was not in spite of the devastating facts littering his personal past, but because of them.

Agree with this. The message from the McCain funeral was that the blackmailed US political class would be well looked after -right to the end -- if they remained docile and obedient and followed their scripts.

For "War Hero" McCain, it was his unswerving hard line calling for the destruction of Iran.

But, the Zio-Glob still failed to get their war through McCain, and they also failed to get it through Hillary Clinton. Both of them were rejected by voters despite massive media support. This points to a basic problem that the Empire's has with Democracy. The public clearly doesn't want another ME war, and is now aware that it was tricked into Iraq (WMD), and significantly, their (the public's) resistance to war is sufficiently strong enough to overcome massed MSM propaganda pushing the other way.

If the MSM can't swing it, then they need to get a compromised candidate elected on an anti-war and immigration control platform, who then does a 180º turn when in office. Trump wasn't their candidate (which suggests that he's clean), and (so far) he hasn't enabled a war with Iran, so what happens with him is an open question.

Also agree that the media reaction to the Pizzagate (pedophilia) story was one of extreme sensitivity -- almost panic, with a massive and coordinated overreaction. This suggests that Pizzagate is in fact the nightmare subject at the root of American politician's worst dreams.

Jimmy R , says: July 29, 2019 at 4:52 am GMT

The most obvious example is the Catholic Church, and the failings of its American and international hierarchy in that regard have regularly made the front pages of our leading newspapers. But until the early 2000s and the breakthrough reporting of the Boston Globe as recounted in the Oscar-winning film Spotlight, the Church had routinely fended off such scandals.

I'm an investigator in Boston. Just to put things in perspective, Globe's Spotlight investigation really only involved 8 priests (3 of them no longer in the priesthood- one in prison- at the time of the Spotlight piece) and went back 30 years. I don't have numbers on minors involved in this Epstein scandal but I would guess they are much higher.

I always found it curious that Marty Baron decides to launch a major expose of the Boston Catholic Church right after arriving from Miami. Seriously? A dozen priests out of thousands in the Boston Archdiocese? I really would like to know who was behind this concerted operation to take down the heart of American Catholicism. They make the folks behind the Trump-Russia collusion plot look like amateurs.

trelane , says: July 29, 2019 at 5:13 am GMT
Strange. What a funny thing.

I guess I was just your puppet you held on a string.

Strange how you stopped loving me. How you stopped needing me. . When she came along

https://www.youtube.com/embed/KAVLz8hKYGk?feature=oembed

Tusk , says: July 29, 2019 at 5:14 am GMT
Don't forget the arrest of Ars Technica writer Peter Bright, @DrPizza on twitter (account still up), who was arrested last month for soliciting sex with children and admitted to abusing an 11 year old girl. A guy named 'Dr Pizza' who had a pizza emoji next to his name, who tweeted often that Pizzagate was completely made up and once to the effect that "why would pedophiles put badges that could identify them up online" was arrested for being a pedophile and then subsequently came out he had constantly argued for relaxations on things like child porn and sexual-related issues. If this doesn't at least give doubters cause for concern that maybe something is up I don't know what will.

https://noqreport.com/2019/06/13/internal-boards-show-dr-pizza-debated-ars-technica-staff-legalizing-child-porn/

https://heavy.com/news/2019/06/peter-bright-dr-pizza/

Alfred , says: July 29, 2019 at 5:34 am GMT
This is a well-known weakness of Representative Democracy -- in all its versions.

The Balfour Declaration which led eventually to the creation of the state of Israel was undoubtedly the result of complex blackmail and bribery. Perhaps the USA would not have entered into WW1 unless Jews were promised Palestine in a deal.

Democracy is supposed to be a negative-feedback system -- like all control system. The only way to make it function properly is to have Direct Democracy -- where people vote on all issues and at the lowest level commensurate with the matter to be decided.

Anon [185] Disclaimer , says: July 29, 2019 at 5:37 am GMT
Journolist is probably weak sauce compared to the major editors of the largest television networks and newspaper syndicates deciding amongst themselves "whats news". Ive thought this for years. We know the CIA has people placed in media organizations, and probably has dirt on highly placed people in media organizations who are not CIA.
utu , says: July 29, 2019 at 5:46 am GMT

McCain's own Communist propaganda broadcasts

McCain must have been susceptible to pressure from Russians or Chinese who certainly knew everything McCain did in Vietnam? Or is KGB/FSB also run form Tel Aviv?

R.G. Camara , says: Website July 29, 2019 at 5:46 am GMT
Alex Jones -- yes, Alex Jones -- gave a coherent argument about the pedophilia accusations that avoided Satanism and the like but was still coherent. And its the same as the one you talk about.

Simple Kompromat .

Basically, national intelligence agencies identify up-and-comers in media and politics, then either get kompromat on them early or, if they can find nothing, set up a scenario where kompromat is created. In this latter scenario, the up-and-comer is invited to dinner, drugged, and then wakes up with either a dead body next to him or is shown pictures of him either killing someone or else molesting children. Then the up-and-comer is trapped for life.

Remember The Godfather, Part II ? They got the Nevada Senator to become their slave when they drugged him in a whorehouse and Neri killed the girl he was sleeping with, and the senator wakes up confused next to the girl and doesn't know if he did it or not -- and Michael promises to keep it all quiet -- for a price, of course. That's how it happens to these folks.

Then they own you for years.

Which makes you really scared -- not only is the FBI and NSA and CIA spying on us all illegally and spying on Trump at Obama's behest and allowing Hillary to skate -- they're running murder and child sex rings themselves. To gain leverage.

R.G. Camara , says: Website July 29, 2019 at 5:52 am GMT
@Jimmy R Surprisingly, the Globe's in-bad-faith attack on the Church might have begun a a greater renewal in it. Once it came out, people who had faith started noticing that almost all the priests doing the abuse were -- gay men abusing teenage boys. 81% of the cases weren't "pedophilia", they were homosexuals getting sexually mature but underage, vulnerable boys behind closed doors and taking advantage of them.

Catholics like Michael Voris at Church Militant have put 2 and 2 together. The problems in the Church isn't pedophilia, its homosexuals -- and Voris has exposed a ton more, including many bishops, and called them out harshly. The Church is supposed to purge homosexuals from the priesthood (by Catholic dogma), but haven't -- because higher-up homos have protected the lot.

But now many Catholic lay groups are organized and pushing to attack the illegal gay priests and get them out of the cloth. The homomafia is now proven to exist -- and, much like when the original Mafia was admitted to exist by the Kefauver hearings, an organized rounding up can occur.

renfro , says: July 29, 2019 at 6:04 am GMT

I learn from the Times that the Phoenix beer-monopoly in question, then valued at around $200 million, had accrued to a man whose lifelong business partner Kemper Marley had long been deeply linked to organized crime.

Jim Hensley the beer baron and McCain father in law was convicted of liquor related federal crimes (stealing from warehouses) but must have had a friendly judge lol cause he didn't do jail time , got probation and paid a big fine. He was working for Kemper Marley at the time.
So liar McCain married into a crime family .makes sense for a career fuck up who once his father died would start failing downward instead of upward.

Organized crime loves beer and liquor distributorships cause its a all cash business .the retailer pays you for the beer before it goes on their shelves or in their bar. no credit, no billing, pay up front. I bought a beer distributorship in 1975 so I know a bit about it .and Hensley had to have had some state officials in his pocket or his friend Marley had them cause is no way the state is going to give you a license if you've been convicted on anything worse than a speeding ticket.
You've got to be investigated by your state FBI for starters, account for every year of your life, your schools, your wife's life, your parents and relatives, list people you associate with in business or socially, then they go interview people who know you,,,in fact they do that before they even personally interview you and you have to give them your financial records, what your source of money is and all your tax returns. All of this is to make sure you have no ties to any kind of organized crime and the money purchasing the distributorship isn't coming from any shady figures.
Hensley or his backer had some very serious political pull and pay offs.

The number one career choice for aspiring crooks and fuckups is politics .McCain with his punk complex temper couldn't have held on to job anywhere else.

eah , says: July 29, 2019 at 6:07 am GMT
Over the years, it became increasingly obvious to me that nearly all elements of our national media were often quite willing to enlist in a "conspiracy of silence" to minimize or entirely ignore stories of tremendous potential interest to their readership and major public importance.

Yes, how about an update on the investigation into the killing of Seth Rich -- does that count as a 'cold case' at this point?

Also media interest in the Las Vegas mass shooting seemed to fizzle -- as did the investigation.

getaclue , says: July 29, 2019 at 6:29 am GMT
This is the concept of Kakistocracy. I always found McCain getting a pass on what he did to the left behind POWs hard to fathom -- this explains it. Before I read this article I thought that Pizzagate was just some kind of lunacy/nothing and had heard some guy went and shot up a restaurant over it (probably the creeps involved in it arranged that themselves to discredit those exposing them?) and it was since faded away discredited, I see it attacked by the same people who are always using the CIA created term "Conspiracy Theory" seems it is in fact the opposite of what I thought (due to the Globalist Propagandist Media) and its creepy players are "running" things and highly protected by the Propagandist Globalist NWO Media, seems Obama himself is in deep if the video is correct? hard to even look at the video as to these creatures .So Question? Is the Q thing also for real? I have never really followed it and seen it "debunked" on a site that made it sound like lunacy but this makes me wonder .
IfAmericansKnew , says: Website July 29, 2019 at 6:32 am GMT
Well done and case in point -- a current puppet show:

2020 presidential candidates' views on Israel

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8KY2_qaROFY?feature=oembed

Truth will set America free -- only If Americans Knew !

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLRhe7EQV3rg-bdK0cr1zw

Parisian Guy , says: July 29, 2019 at 6:43 am GMT
@Jimmy R Sometimes ago, the Mexican Bishops Conference, when speaking about Mexican monopolistic oligarches, said they were like contemporary slave-owners .
About one year later, one of theses oligarches, Carlos Slim, bought a part of the NYTimes. Then the NYT started its own crusade against Catholic priests paedophilia.

At the time, I noticed the coincidence, but it was like I was the only one noticing it.
Is J. Gutierez around? He may confirm the story.

Dan Hayes , says: July 29, 2019 at 6:45 am GMT
@Jimmy R Jimmy R:

I appreciate your telling "the rest of the story" regarding the actual (as opposed to purported) extent of the Boston sex abuse scandal.

The same abuse exaggerations also occurred in Pennsylvania."Grossly misleading, irresponsible, inaccurate, and unjust" is how former New York Times religion reporter Peter Steinfels described last August's grand jury report in its sweeping accusations that Pennsylvania Catholic bishops refused to protect children from sexual abuse.

BTW, some time ago our patron Ron off-handedly accepted as factual the Globe narrative. When contrary opinion and facts were brought to his attention, he appeared to have accepted that they were at least worthy of consideration. (Or that's the way I vaguely remember what transpired.)

Mark James , says: July 29, 2019 at 6:48 am GMT
I did not know anything about any physical violence that may or many not have been present in McCain's marriage. I certainly did feel, that much of the senator's last days were being carefully orchestrated in order to maintain the highest degree of hero status possible. His wealthy wife certainly had the resources to leave if she wanted to. She always seemed to me extremely loyal and attentive.

I would say it was similar concerning Bush 41. Perfectly understandable that negative stories wouldn't be brought up during his long wake/funeral -- in Tx and DC -- but how about never? Several books have said that Bush's -- and campaign manager W. Casey -- CIA connections helped Reagan get elected by keeping the hostages in Iran .

The Vice-Pres was also up to his neck in the Iran/Contra affair in spite of him saying he was "out of the loop (he wasn't)." A sexual affair is unimportant. But the family says it never happened. Others have said otherwise. Jesse Ventura and his writer Dick Russell have done a nice job laying out some things that you will never hear from the Bush flack John Meacham. Or pretty much anyone else in on- air media.

niteranger , says: July 29, 2019 at 6:56 am GMT
The Corporate Fascist Military Industrial-Intelligence Police State will tell us who our heroes, presidents, and icons are. It has already been decided. McCain was commonly known as "crash" for all the incidents he had. He was a terrible pilot and would have never been one except for his father. His beatings of his wife were widely known but covered up because of his "War Hero Status." Our entire society is nothing more than a projection by the "controllers."

Examples of this are of course Obama and his wife. The media asked him almost no questions and he was guided by the Jew Axelrod to the Media's satisfaction. What Obama and his wife got away with in Chicago would embarrass the Mafia. Michele Obama had to surrender her law license to the Illinois State Disciplinary Committee. The files have been sealed.

Just look at the group running for President. All basically selected by the same controllers. They will not make a mistake in letting another Trump spoil their plans. Our entire democracy is just a mirage. The founder fathers were afraid that this would happen but their plans in the Constitution to protect the nation have become "gang banged" by the Marxist Mobs whose heroes are icons like Obama who bombed seven Muslim countries, murdered thousands of innocent people, destroyed the middle class and started wars and lied to the nation yet these people are on their knees to his royal presence.

We have no chance of getting to the truth on anything because to even ask a question is now an act of racism, antisemitism, and hatred.

LondonBob , says: July 29, 2019 at 7:28 am GMT
One of the more extreme accusers in Britain has revealed to be a fantasist, his claims went well beyond other claims and included such unlikely characters as Field Marshall Lord Brammal, and this is being used to Bury the paedophile scandal in Britain. Greville Janner's children have been given prominent coverage to suggest this shows their father is innocent despite the fact that the evidence against their father is very substantial and has little to do with the fantasist.

https://villagemagazine.ie/index.php/2019/07/does-nicks-conviction-mean-jimmy-savile-is-innocent-yes-if-you-work-for-the-british-media/

Perhaps most interesting is the allegations surrounding Kincora Boys' Home, in particular the involvement of the intelligence services.

https://www.express.co.uk/comment/columnists/leo-mckinstry/569181/sex-abuse-claims-Leo-McKinstry

The Alarmist , says: July 29, 2019 at 8:50 am GMT

There is an old wartime proverb that enemy flak is always heaviest over the most important target, and the remarkably ferocious wave of attacks and censorship against anyone broaching the subject of Pizzagate seems to raise all sorts of dark suspicions.

I guess we can look forward to another day of heavy DDoS of unz.com.

How is it we don't yet have a Grand Unifying Theory that links the seemingly unconnected paedophelia stories that have simmered simultaneously in D.C., Westminster, and Brussels over the past couple of decades? The Church would seem to fit right in in this NWO orgy, but has instead been hung out to dry.

HoekomSA , says: July 29, 2019 at 9:15 am GMT
One of the elite one worlder groups is the (in)famous Skull and Bones society at Yale. Its membership included both president Bushes as well as John Kerry and a multitude of other politicians. Anthony Sutton carried out an expose in his book America's secret establishment. Part of the inition occurs in a crypt surrounded by skulls , including Geronimos's skull while lying in a coffin. If that isnt weird enough part of the initiation includes something around sexual misadventure. According to Kay Riggs, whose husband was a colnel in the intelligence services the sexual side of the initiation involves the person being sodomised by an member of the society. According to her , in order to enter the higher levels of many parts of government this is not an uncommon practice.

In the murky world of american political elites the truth is impossible to be certain of.

The skull and bones society has been well publicised so presumably now the power has been withdrawn from it.

Bill Jones , says: July 29, 2019 at 9:16 am GMT
I've had much enjoyment over the years by asking McCain worshipers to give me the name of one Vietnamese with as many confirmed kills of American military as John McCain.
swamped , says: July 29, 2019 at 9:29 am GMT
Another long-winded & annoyingly inchoate ramble raising several important but seemingly disparate subjects, each of which could & probably should have been pursued independently. Is there really any viable connection between Sydney Schanberg & Epstein, between the Catholic Church & John McCain, between Berezovsky & Pizzagate, etc.? What a jumbled mishmash that leaves you more confused than when you started. "Perhaps" this & "perhaps" that, doesn't help very much. The most urgent question though is why are so many high & mighty tempted by pedophilia in the first place, where does that psychosis come from & why are the power games more important than the pawns, the poor kids, that are used to play it? Hanging is much too good for an unspeakable filth like Epstein & whoever aided him. There is no punishment or torture ever devised that would be sufficient, if found guilty, for the crimes for which he stands accused. That should come first, the rest is chickenfeed.
Bill Jones , says: July 29, 2019 at 9:33 am GMT
Picky typo-asshole here, reporting for duty
"but I might was well provide a brief summary."

but I might as well provide a brief summary.

Ahoy , says: July 29, 2019 at 9:39 am GMT
We have progressed (here we laugh) from the times of Gentlemen and Ladies to so-called emancipated men and women with human rights fit for animals. Just to refresh your memory

https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=RDKAVLz8hKYGk

After I heard this I am convinced we moved from great CASH to trash.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=RDKAVLz8hKYGk

Ahoy , says: July 29, 2019 at 9:54 am GMT

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lq0fUa0vW_E?feature=oembed

https://www.youtube.com/embed/UcVM20BboZI?feature=oembed

Realist , says: July 29, 2019 at 10:09 am GMT
@Mike Johnson

The last big VA scandal where many Veterans died waiting to get medical treatment happened in Arizona. You cannot tell me that McCain did not know that Veterans were dying while waiting to get help at the Phoenix VA. In my opinion McCain was a worthless human being.

The most devastating victory the North Vietnamese had over the US was the return of McCain alive.

Gordo , says: July 29, 2019 at 10:11 am GMT
Thank you for this article Mr Unz.
Nodwink , says: July 29, 2019 at 10:23 am GMT
I'm not convinced by the evidence against Comet Ping Pong, but I am intrigued by the possible connections that the Podesta brothers have to the disappearance of the British girl, Madelaine McCann, in Portugal over a decade ago. John Podesta is known to have been in Portugal around the time of Madelaine's disappearance. There is also a description eerily similar to Anthony Wiener.
Jacques Sheete , says: July 29, 2019 at 10:37 am GMT
I've long been convinced, and who can deny, that most of the wars the US has been involved in, and all of the ones Zionists and Communists have been involved in, have roots in outrageous sadistic psychopathology like this.:

Major items of his very extensive personal collection seemed to represent tortured or murdered bodies, and one of his favorite artists was best known for paintings depicting young children being held captive, lying dead, or suffering under severe distress

.

As for the slime, McCain, and the rest of the political establishment, none of it surprises me. The type was recognized long ago.

(1) Roy Cohn (1927-86) allegedly ran child sex and blackmail operations for decades, operating out of locales such as New York's Plaza Hotel

(2) Robert Keith Gray (1921-2014), USA lobbyist, "specialist in homosexual blackmail operations for the CIA and reported to have collaborated with Roy Cohn"

(3) Bruce Ritter (1927-99), Roman Catholic priest and founder of Covenant House for homeless teenagers, "eventually accused of having sexual relationships with many of the underaged boys he had taken in", Ritter supported by Cardinal Spellman closely tied to Roy Cohn, and tied to George H W Bush's Yale room-mate

(4) Craig Spence (1941-89), another USA lobbyist; "in June 1989, it was revealed that he had been pimping out children to the power elite in the nation's capital throughout the 1980s in apartments that were bugged with video and audio recording equipment reports on Spence's child sex ring also reveal his close ties to none other than the ubiquitous Roy Cohn

"Spence had been able to enter the White House late at night during the George H.W. Bush administration with young men whom the Washington Times described as 'call boys' Spence often boasted that he was working for the CIA Not long after the Washington Times report on his activities was published, Spence was found dead in the Boston Ritz Carlton and his death was quickly ruled a suicide."

(5) Lawrence E. King Jr, lobbyist and credit union banker, key figure in the "infamous Franklin child sex abuse and ritual murder scandal run out of Omaha, Nebraska Larry King and his Nebraska-based call boy ring, was discovered by looking through the credit card chits of Spence's ring King and Spence were essentially business partners as their child trafficking rings were operated under a larger group that was nicknamed 'Bodies by God' the rings run by both King and Spence were connected to each other and both were also connected to prominent officials in the Reagan and subsequent George H.W. Bush administrations, including officials with ties to the CIA and Roy Cohn and his network"

(6) Jeffrey Epstein (born 1953) then comes in on the scene, convicted of the same kinds of activities, and linked to the networks reflected in the above

(7) NXIVM recent sex-slave and child pornography scandal involving Clare Bronfman

By the way, the 'police break-in' to Epstein's New York City 27,000 square foot mansion, is regarded as a staged fake event by many, because as was clear, Epstein had multiple live-in staffers, there was always a butler or someone present 24/7, who would simply have opened the door for the police. The crowbar damage to the door would not have opened the high-security portal, and would have set off massive alarms. The people walking out with cheap rubbish bags of alleged 'evidence' did not even look like police or feds on a high-profile operation.

Epstein always had lots of aides & helpers such as Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of 'Israeli super-spy Robert Maxwell', allegedly helping procure all the young girls etc., yet somehow not yet so touched by these events when a 'serious' prosecution would certain quickly dragnet all such people. What is really going on, remains yet to be seen.

Greg Bacon , says: Website July 29, 2019 at 10:46 am GMT
That some, if not many US politicians have degenerate backgrounds and bizarre tastes can't be brushed off as some coincidence.

If you're a tiny ME nation that is doing a good job of occupying the most powerful military on Earth or if you're some bankster gangster that wants to keep your fraudulent fiat money scheme afloat, our corrupt politicians are just what the doctor ordered.

Jacques Sheete , says: July 29, 2019 at 10:48 am GMT
@Tusk

A guy named 'Dr Pizza' who had a pizza emoji next to his name, who tweeted often that Pizzagate was completely made up and once to the effect that "why would pedophiles put badges that could identify them up online" was arrested for being a pedophile and then subsequently came out he had constantly argued for relaxations on things like child porn and sexual-related issues.

The bastards just love molesting our minds as well. Who can deny that they enjoy it even more when they ply their perversions in our faces? It should also be crystal clear that the gratuitous Isreali sniping and crippling and a thousand other outrageous crimes against humanity stimulate the hell out of the perverts.

When will people finally get it through their heads that politics is all about domination , most often in perverted and sadistic forms?

None of this should be a bit surprising.

Jacques Sheete , says: July 29, 2019 at 10:58 am GMT
@Jimmy R I'm no Catholic, but it's long been obvious that the incessant harping on the Church's pedophilia is a twofer; it's not only a huge smear campaign, but it's no doubt worth $$ to the usual suspects. Look what the Commies did to religious folk in the former USSR and to the largely Christian Germany, and tell me that there's no connection.

Sadistic perverts rule with the consistent support of the "great" US moneyed ruling classes while the drooling rubes and dupes do their part as well.

Robjil , says: July 29, 2019 at 11:08 am GMT
@Jimmy R It is all about stopping the Catholic Church from having a voice to oppose Zion BC wars and coups. The Jewish Zionists want to continue the mass destruction of our planet without any back talk.

Planted Memories is a good trick to silence any organization and a big one like the Catholic Church.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201211/implanting-false-memories

Planted memories have used since the 1990s against the Catholic Church in a big way. After the end of the cold war, the ZUS wanted wars for Zion mania. No back talk allowed from any one or group is "allowed". This planted memories games works like a charm and has been used over and over again on the Catholic Church to silence it. It allows the wars and the coups for Zion BC go on and on endlessly with no back talk. It is a common trick for many cases these days.

"There is no credible scientific support for the idea that we can take eleven years of brutalization and banish it into the unconscious and then undergo some therapy which is going to make us aware of it," Dr. Loftus reported as she discussed the Holly Ramona case, "and yet these kinds of things were being introduced into court cases throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s and still today." While her outspoken opposition to recovered memory has led to her being targeted by feminist and victims' rights groups over the years (including the controversial "Jane Doe case"), Dr. Loftus continues to stand by her own research into false memory.

Brabantian , says: July 29, 2019 at 11:11 am GMT
Regarding the fabled photos of J Edgar Hoover in a woman's dress and with his gay lover, held as successful blackmail by the Jewish mob & Meyer Lansky, Ms Whitney Webb says in her Mint Press News series on Epstein connections:

Anthony Summers, former BBC journalist and author of 'Official and Confidential: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover', has argued that it was not Lansky, but William Donovan, the director of the OSS, who obtained the original photos of Hoover and later shared them with Lansky.

Ms Webb argues for a quite long series of connections between the USA-Canadian Jewish & Italian mobs going back a century, the paedophile and under-age-sex-slave blackmail groups, and the USA & Israel intel agencies. Her series is quite something, the first two installments:
https://www.mintpressnews.com/shocking-origins-jeffrey-epstein-blackmail-roy-cohn/260621/
https://www.mintpressnews.com/blackmail-jeffrey-epstein-trump-mentor-reagan-era/260760/
Many connections are indeed striking. Trump's current USA Attorney General Barr (born 1950) & his father Donald Barr (1921-2004), were both CIA-intel officers & both linked to Epstein. William was CIA officer 1973-77, the CIA supporting him going to law school, father Donald with OSS & Bill Donovan the CIA predecessor during WW2.

Barr's later law firm Kirkland & Ellis represented Epstein; Donald Barr, when NYC Dalton School headmaster, gave Jeffrey Epstein his first job, teaching teen-age girls & boys 1973-75, whilst William Barr was at the CIA. Father Donald Barr was fascinated by sex slavery as much as Epstein apparently, Barr authoring a 1973 fantasy novel on the subject, 'Space Relations: A Slightly Gothic Interplanetary Tale" book published when Jeffrey Epstein was his underling & school-teacher of teens.

Ms Webb recounts multiple child molestation and political blackmail groups -- which had a collective name, 'Bodies from God' -- all linking ultimately with Jeffrey Epstein, intel agencies, and Jewish mobsters; Lansky etc., and such as the Bronfmans of Canada, the Bronfmans in 1991 joining with Epstein's patron & the original buyer of his New York City mansion, Les Wexner, to found the 'Mega Group' of 20 or so Zionist Jewish billionaires who are now often perceived to be the Mossad-backed money source for Epstein. A short list of these groups and persons mentioned by Webb

[MORE]
(1) Roy Cohn (1927-86) allegedly ran child sex and blackmail operations for decades, operating out of locales such as New York's Plaza Hotel

(2) Robert Keith Gray (1921-2014), USA lobbyist, "specialist in homosexual blackmail operations for the CIA and reported to have collaborated with Roy Cohn"

(3) Bruce Ritter (1927-99), Roman Catholic priest and founder of Covenant House for homeless teenagers, "eventually accused of having sexual relationships with many of the underaged boys he had taken in", Ritter supported by Cardinal Spellman closely tied to Roy Cohn, and tied to George H W Bush's Yale room-mate

(4) Craig Spence (1941-89), another USA lobbyist; "in June 1989, it was revealed that he had been pimping out children to the power elite in the nation's capital throughout the 1980s in apartments that were bugged with video and audio recording equipment reports on Spence's child sex ring also reveal his close ties to none other than the ubiquitous Roy Cohn

"Spence had been able to enter the White House late at night during the George H.W. Bush administration with young men whom the Washington Times described as 'call boys' Spence often boasted that he was working for the CIA Not long after the Washington Times report on his activities was published, Spence was found dead in the Boston Ritz Carlton and his death was quickly ruled a suicide."

(5) Lawrence E. King Jr, lobbyist and credit union banker, key figure in the "infamous Franklin child sex abuse and ritual murder scandal run out of Omaha, Nebraska Larry King and his Nebraska-based call boy ring, was discovered by looking through the credit card chits of Spence's ring King and Spence were essentially business partners as their child trafficking rings were operated under a larger group that was nicknamed 'Bodies by God' the rings run by both King and Spence were connected to each other and both were also connected to prominent officials in the Reagan and subsequent George H.W. Bush administrations, including officials with ties to the CIA and Roy Cohn and his network"

(6) Jeffrey Epstein (born 1953) then comes in on the scene, convicted of the same kinds of activities, and linked to the networks reflected in the above

(7) NXIVM recent sex-slave and child pornography scandal involving Clare Bronfman

By the way, the 'police break-in' to Epstein's New York City 27,000 square foot mansion, is regarded as a staged fake event by many, because as was clear, Epstein had multiple live-in staffers, there was always a butler or someone present 24/7, who would simply have opened the door for the police. The crowbar damage to the door would not have opened the high-security portal, and would have set off massive alarms. The people walking out with cheap rubbish bags of alleged 'evidence' did not even look like police or feds on a high-profile operation.

Epstein always had lots of aides & helpers such as Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of 'Israeli super-spy Robert Maxwell', allegedly helping procure all the young girls etc., yet somehow not yet so touched by these events when a 'serious' prosecution would certain quickly dragnet all such people. What is really going on, remains yet to be seen.

Biff , says: July 29, 2019 at 11:16 am GMT
Trust Wikipedia to get the story strait(sarcasm).

"

Pizzagate" is a debunked conspiracy theory that went viral during the 2016 United States presidential election cycle.[2][3][4] It has been extensively discredited by a wide range of organizations, including the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.[3][4][5]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizzagate_conspiracy_theory

Some of Pizzagate's proponents, including David Seaman and Michael G. Flynn (Michael Flynn's son), have evolved the conspiracy into a broader government conspiracy called "Pedogate". According to this theory, a "satanic cabal of elites" of the New World Order operates international child sex trafficking rings.[27]

Was Epstein part of a "Satanic cabal" ?

TKK , says: July 29, 2019 at 11:31 am GMT
The Epstein conspiracy grows worse.

One of the victims filed a federal lawsuit. Once filed, this is public record. The only redactions allowed are social security numbers and the like.

When the Miami Herald went to obtain the Motion for Summary Judgment, it was completely redacted. 137 pages of blacked out paragraphs.

A motion for summary judgment is basically saying there are no material issues in dispute- nothing to litigate. This document would contain all relevant facts about the case.

This type of redaction is unheard, unprecedented- appalling.

The only reason the Herald is in pursuit ( and any other MSM) is because they believed it would destroy Trump.

It's now on appeal. If the redactions stand, we should riot in the street. We knew justice was bought, but pedophilia usually will stir up some dregs of bureaucratic slugs to action.

And with a parallel to McCain, if Clinton slithers out of this- with over 27 flights on the Lolita Express- he is officially the most untouchable man in history.

Once you start researching the Epstein matter- not for the lurid details- but the unprecedented, jaw dropping preferential treatment of an actual human sex trafficker ( not this fake #metoo hysteria)

-- all hope is lost.

Note the strange silence from Hollywood and the elites regarding Epstein's victims, when they were wearing hair shirts over Christine Fords 30 year old accusation.

A wealthy smug scold, who looks like an exploded can of rotten biscuit dough had them weeping on camera.

Dozens of little girls -- all poor and from fatherless backgrounds marred by parental drug abuse, suicides and physical abuse- selected and sexually devastated by Epstein- not a word.

Sick of Orcs , says: July 29, 2019 at 11:32 am GMT
Who can forget Gerry Studds, democrap ephebophile?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Studds

onebornfree , says: Website July 29, 2019 at 11:47 am GMT
Ron Unz says: " ..at the core of our hugely corrupted political system .."

So whats to be done? Isn't that the big question here?

I believe that its only with the an understanding of the true, 100% corrupt nature of the state, that real-world solutions to the massive [ and progressively worse] problems it causes in society can be worked out and then implemented.

Ron, the big picture here that you, like most, either genuinely don't see [ or conveniently refuse to see] is this:

The True Nature of All Governments:

"Because they are all ultimately funded via both direct and indirect theft [taxes], and counterfeiting [via central bank monopolies], all governments are essentially, at their very cores, 100% corrupt criminal scams which cannot be "reformed","improved", nor "limited" in scope, simply because of their innate criminal nature." onebornfree

"Taking the State wherever found, striking into its history at any point, one sees no way to differentiate the activities of its founders, administrators and beneficiaries from those of a professional-criminal class." Albert J. Nock

"Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure." Robert LeFevre

Without an generally accepted understanding of the true nature of all states and governments, we are lost, as far as I can see.

Regards, onebornfree

Iris , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:01 pm GMT
@Jimmy R Also, there is a major distinction: child abuse in the Catholic Church is committed by isolated individuals whose sole responsibility is involved when the crime is committed. It is not institutionalised, pre-planned and organised by a group, as it is within the political establishment.

It is the same difference as between a criminal and organised crime, and it is a major difference, in magnitude and in nature.

Moi , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:18 pm GMT
@Mike Johnson McCain was busy helping the missus with her beer franchise so missed the VA scandal.
JohnnyWalker123 , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:18 pm GMT
Very interesting article.

I actually highly reccomend a film called "Eyes Wide Shut."

The film, which stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, was directed by the late Stanley Kubrick and released back in 1999. It was extremely hyped at the time, especially given that Kubrick died several days after completing the film.

While I won't summarize the entire film, there is one very important scene in which Tom Cruise's character sneaks into a large New York mansion and stumbles upon a Satanic sexual ritual/orgy. At the ritual/orgy, there are various individuals in costumes&masks who engage in debauched sexual practices with sex slaves. Later in the movie, one of the men there (who happens to be a prominent local Jewish socialite) tells Tom Cruise's character that the Satanic sexual gathering was full of very important and powerful local figures. Tom Cruise's character is ominously threatened into silence. At the end of the film, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman allow their young daughter to be taken by the Satanic sexual abusers.

After he was finished with the movie, Stanley Kubrick showed it to execs from Warner Brothers for the first time. They ended up getting into a contentious argument over the film. The next day, Kubrick (who was a very healthy man) was announced dead of a heart attack. Around 30 minutes of the film was later edited out by Warner Brothers before it was released. Supposedly (and this has NOT been confirmed) there were scenes of child sexual abuse in the original that Kubrick made, but this was edited out.

The movie would go on to become very popular in "conspiracy" circles. Many of these people said that Kubrick (who was notoriously reclusive, enigmatic, and fond of "conspiracy theories") was exposing the secret world of the Illuminati and their debauched sexual practices, including their sexual enslavement of children.

There are very interesting similarities between the movie's Satanic sexual gathering and an eerie real life Rothschild ball held back in 1972 (at one of the family mansions). The movie even used a Rothschild mansion (Mentmore Towers) as the setting for the Satanic sexual orgy.

When you hear all the allegations being made against Epstein, it makes you wonder. The New York mansion. The weird Occult/Satanic temple on his island. The really young women coerced into orgies. The hordes of wealth, famous, and powerful people who "partied" with Epstein. The threats made against journalists and accusers who've come forward. The Jewish connection. The Rothschild connection (Dershowitz was introduced to Epstein by the Rothschilds). The Royal family and Prince Andrew connection ("Eyes Wide Shut" had a character with the surname "Windsor"). There are many similarities to "Eyes Wide Shut."

If we assume that the Illuminati (or a similar elite society) actually exists, maybe it makes sense that they would invite powerful people to attend their parties and engage in debauched sexual acts, especially with the underaged. By encouraging this, the society would get blackmail material on the elite of society. Once those elites were under blackmail, they'd be puppets. These compromised elites would also be willing to recruit more new members and bring them to the sexual parties.

So perhaps Epstein started off by befriending a few of the elite (with the Mossad helping facilitate the social interaction). He then invited them to some type of perverse sexual party. Once Epstein got tapes and pictures of them, these elites then became Israeli pawns and also became willing to invite their elite friends to the parties.

That may explain why Epstein became so popular and why no one was willing to take him down. That may also explain why everyone quoted in news articles always used to mention his supposed "brilliance."

Even Newsweek noted the similarity between "Eyes Wide Shut" and the Epstein situation.

https://www.newsweek.com/eyes-wide-shut-missing-footage-epstein-kubrick-death-1449108

If you're interested in seeing the ritual that I mentioned above, here's a short video from the movie. I wouldn't be surprised if Epstein was doing something similar to this in his Occult/Satanic temple on his island.

RoatanBill , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:18 pm GMT
What this article should convince everyone of is that 'rules but no rulers' makes perfect sense. That's what real anarchism means -- rules but no rulers. If your immediate mental picture was of a bomb thrower, then your mind has been successfully infiltrated by the powers that shouldn't be.

Why is it that one person with the title of 'President' can declare things that affect the lives of millions of USians and billions world wide. No one should have that much power.

"The way to get rid of corruption in high places is to get rid of high places." -- Frank Chodorov

If the deep state has managed to install their puppets in positions of authority shouldn't we all be trying to get rid of the positions of authority instead of rotating through that position replaceable candidates offered up by the deep state political parties?

If you vote, you are tacitly approving of a system that has enslaved your mind.
If you're not an anarchist, you are part of the problem.

Moi , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:21 pm GMT
@Alden I guess why they named a convention center after him Homofrisco.
St-Germain , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:25 pm GMT
Kudos, Ron Unz. Excellent article and a useful tutorial on the hidden control mechanism of what the late Paul A. Samuelson called our "democratic oligarchy".

I applaud your parlor joke:

" that perhaps the best career move for an ambitious young politician would be to secretly commit some monstrous crime and then make sure that the hard evidence of his guilt ended up in the hands of certain powerful people, thereby assuring his rapid political rise."

A great French investigative reporter crafted an unfunny version:

"Indeed, under our putative system of democracy, especially since JFK, the oligarchy will not allow the election of any candidate who cannot be blackmailed."

-- Thierry Meyssan, Before our very eyes -- fake wars and big lies from 9/11 to Donald Trump , p. 146.

He had just described the 911 caper as a Cheney-led deep-state coup to activate the secret but long-standing CoG procedure to sideline the Constitution. It succeeded when clueless Dubya was reinstated as figure-head president within 24 hours after agreeing to the clique's CoG (continuity of government) agenda, including the planned wars.

No wonder the shenannigans of compromised office-holding puppets (actors, really) and their shadowy string-pullers never seem to be known to their spear-carriers in MSM.

for-the-record , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:43 pm GMT
@niteranger Michele Obama had to surrender her law license to the Illinois State Disciplinary Committee

Reference for this, please.

DESERT FOX , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:51 pm GMT
McCain was a psycopath and a traitor and proof of the zionists love of war and killers was their praise for this psycopath in his death and funeral and on the other hand no mention was ever made about the crime committed against the crew of the USS Liberty by the joint Israeli and zio/US attack on the Liberty, this shows how f##ked up this zionist ruled country has become!

Get and read the book Blood in the Water by Joan Mellen about the joint Israeli and zio/US attack on the Liberty, who McCains father participated in the cover up of this war crime!

Truth3 , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:53 pm GMT
Ron Unz American Treasure.

Way to go, Sir.

Arrow , says: July 29, 2019 at 12:59 pm GMT
@Jimmy R Last I heard he was happily married to a 12 year old boy and living on a beach in Thailand.
Jacques Sheete , says: July 29, 2019 at 1:15 pm GMT

The number one career choice for aspiring crooks and fuckups is politics .McCain with his punk complex temper couldn't have held on to job anywhere else.

Perverts and psychopaths as well.

" nobody is going to be a thief with me as his accomplice,
and that right there is why I'm going in no governor's entourage."

Juvenal, Satires, Volume 3, (3.41-48) ~100 AD

Now do not be vexed with me when I speak the truth. For there is no human being who will preserve his life if he genuinely opposes either you or any other multitude and prevents many unjust and unlawful things from happening in the city. Rather, if someone who really fights for the just is going to preserve himself even for a short time, it is necessary for him to lead a private rather than a public life.

-Socrates, as quoted by Plato, Apology, (~400BC) 31e -32a
http://www.sjsu.edu/people/james.lindahl/courses/Phil70A/s3/apology.pdf

Rich , says: July 29, 2019 at 1:23 pm GMT
@Jimmy R The Diocese of Rockville Centre, where I live, has released a list of 61 priests accused of sexual misconduct. The Diocese of Newark, NJ has released a list of 82 priests. The Diocese of Brooklyn, NY has released a list of 108 priests. The Diocese of NY has released a list of 120. That's a lot more than eight, and I think if the Church is willing to give us this many names, there are probably quite a few who managed to fly under the radar.

I was raised a Catholic and really wish I didn't have to accept this reality. I've read stories that the Church was infiltrated in the 20th century, and perhaps it's true, but maybe it's been going on for a very long time. It does seem to be a bit unnatural for a man to become celibate, and that might be one of the reasons so many deviants were attracted to the priesthood, I don't know. I do know I never trusted any of them alone with my kids and I'd advise others to do the same.

It's a shame, because as a society we need some kind of moralistic code, but the Church has failed, or is at least failing, at this time in its history.

[Jul 28, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein purchased assistant Nadia Marcinkova as a child from her family teen victim told cop by Chris Spargo

Jul 28, 2019 | dailymail.co.uk

'He bragged she was his sex slave': Jeffrey Epstein 'purchased Nadia Marcinkova as a girl from her family, shot child porn of her with underage teen and forced her into threesomes'

By Chris Spargo For Dailymail.com

The foreign-born model who many have identified as an accomplice in procuring underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein is just as much a victim of the serial pedophile, according to official reports.

Incident reports from the Palm Beach Police Department's 2005 investigation that were obtained by DailyMail.com claim that Epstein told at least one underage victim that Nada Marcinkova was his 'Yugoslavian sex slave.'

Multiple girls also state that Epstein made them engage in sexual acts with Marcinkova, which eventually turned into threesomes with both himself and the model.

'Epstein had purchased her from her family in Yugoslavia,' wrote Detective Joseph Recarey after his interview with one victim.

'Epstein bragged he brought her into the United States to be his Yugoslavian sex slave.'

Scroll down for video

... ... ...

Scene: An incident report obtained by DailyMail.com reveals she was as young as 15 when she first began having sex with Epstein and other victims at his Palm Beach home (above)

Marcinkova would have been underage during most of the alleged incidents described by the victims to Detective Recarey.

She was no older then 16 when she and another underage victim were allegedly forced to stimulate each other manually, orally and with toys while Epstein watched them and pleasured himself in the bed.

That same unnamed girl broke down in tears while revealing she had been to Epstein's Palm Beach mansion hundreds of times in a two-year period and made thousands of dollars.

RELATED ARTICLES

At first she was paid extra to perform an oral sex act on Marcinkova, then each week 'things continued to escalate', states the incident report.

She said that she was 'adamant... that no vaginal penetration would occur with [Epstein],' but then that too did occur while she was underage, she told Detective Recarey.

On one occasion, the date of which he could not recall, Epstein allegedly raped that victim after she and Marcinkova had engaged in an oral sex act to completion.

'She said her head was being held against the bed forcibly... she screamed no and Epstein stopped,' said the report.

Soon after this, the victim said that Epstein purchased a '2005 Doge [sic] Neon, blue in color for her personal use.'

Epstein Police Report by ChrisSpargo on Scribd

https://www.scribd.com/embeds/420033190/content

 'Epstein bragged he brought her into the United States to be his Yugoslavian sex slave,' Detective Recarey said after speaking to that same victim (Epstein above in 2008)"

Another woman also detailed a similar progression of events, starting with massages and leading into sexual encounters with Marcinkova.

That victim, who was of age during all visits to the house as she first met Epstein at 18, told Detective Recarey she also performed oral sex acts on Epstein but refused his directive to bring around other young girls.

She also claimed that she was once directed to perform a manual sex act on herself while watching Epstein have sex with Marcinkova.

Another victim, who told police she began having sexual relations with Marcinkova at 16, said that Epstein took pictures of the two and actually displayed them around his home.

These incidents make it clear that Marcinkova was also an alleged victim of Epstein.

She would later move into more of a procurement role, according to court documents, and eventually cut ties with Epstein. Marcinkova was granted immunity as part of Epstein's 2008 deal despite the fact that no charges would likely have been filed against her based on the police investigation.

She was actually born in the former Czechoslovakia just four years before the Velvet Revolution, which precipitated the non-violent transition of power in the country.

At some point she and her family did move to Yugoslavia. In recent years, she has changed her surname and Americanized her first name, going by Nadia.

[Jul 28, 2019] Epstein s Lolita Express Pilots Subpoenaed In Sex-Trafficking Investigation

Jul 28, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Jeffrey Epstein's longtime personal pilots have been subpoenaed by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, according to the Wall Street Journal . The grand jury subpoenaes were served earlier this month following Epstein's July 6 arrest at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on charges of sex-trafficking minors. He has pleaded not guilty to the yearslong scheme in which prosecutors allege the wealthy financier sexually abused dozens of young girls from 2002 to 2005, some of whom recruited other victims.

It is unknown how many of Epstein's pilots were subpoenaed, or whether they are cooperating witnesses. According to court documents from prior cases, Epstein employed David Rodgers, Larry Visoski, Larry Morrison and Bill Hammond as pilots and flight engineers. Rogers, Visoski and Morrison have previously testified in civil depositions.

Testimony from the pilots could be used by federal investigators in their efforts to corroborate accounts from Mr. Epstein's accusers. They could also provide detail on Mr. Epstein's travels and his associates. Some of the pilots were responsible for keeping flight logs of passengers who flew on Mr. Epstein's private jet, according to court filings. - Wall Street Journal

While prosecutors claimed that Epstein owns two private jets, the registered sex offender's attorneys said in a court filing earlier this month that he owns one private jet, and "sold the other jet in June 2019." Considering that he was arrested after returning from Paris in his Gulfstream G550, per Bloomberg , it suggests that Epstein sold his infamous and evidence-rich Boeing 272-200 known as the "Lolita Express" weeks before his arrest .

Women in civil lawsuits have accused Mr. Epstein of conspiring with his pilots and other associates from at least 1998 to 2002 to facilitate sex abuse and avoid law-enforcement detection . One woman has said in court filings that when she was a minor in 2000, Mr. Epstein transported her regularly on his private jet to be sexually exploited by his associates and friends . - Wall Street Journal

According to flight logs, former President Bill Clinton flew on the "Lolita Express" a total of 27 times . "Many of those times Clinton had his Secret Service with him and many times he did not," according to investigative journalist Conchita Sarnoff - who first revealed the former president's extensive flights on Epstein's "lolita express" in a 2010 Daily Beast exposé.

Via Radar Online

Clinton claimed in a statement earlier this month that he only took "a total of four trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane" in 2002 and 2003, and that Secret Service accompanied him at all times - which Sarnoff told Fox News was a total lie .

"I know from the pilot logs and these are pilot logs that you know were written by different pilots and at different times that Clinton went, he was a guest of Epstein's 27 times ," said Sarnoff.

Other famous guests include actor Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker, who flew with Clinton to Africa to tour HIV/AIDS project sites, according to New York Magazine in 2002, which notes how much Epstein revered the former president.

Lawyers for some of Epstein's accusers alleged in a 2015 court filing that flight logs provided by Epstein pilot Rodgers were incomplete, and that they will corroborate their accusations of being trafficked by Epstein and his associates when they were underage .

"It would not be surprising to find that some of these flight logs were likely designed to hide evidence of criminal activity -- or perhaps later cleansed of such evidence," wrote the lawyers.

Investigators may be interested in asking Mr. Epstein's pilots whether they witnessed any efforts by Mr. Epstein to interfere with law enforcement, according to legal experts. In recent court filings, prosecutors have accused Mr. Epstein of tampering with witnesses , an allegation that Mr. Epstein's lawyers denied in court.

Federal prosecutors in Miami and Mr. Epstein's lawyers in 2007 negotiated over the possibility of Mr. Epstein pleading guilty to obstruction of justice, including for an incident involving one of his pilots, according to emails that became public in civil lawsuits. - Wall Street Journal

Interestingly, prosecutors confirmed that there are " uncharged individuals " in Epstein's case. Aside from his close associate and Clinton pal Ghislaine Maxwell - his 'madam,' could the pilots be on that list?"

[Jul 26, 2019] Meet The Former Epstein Sex Slave Who Helped Recruit Underage Girls For The Lolita Express

Notable quotes:
"... A reporter at Wired tried to look into Marcinko's past to parse whether she was a willing, or unwilling, participant in Epstein's crimes, and whether she was also one of his youngest victims. Some of Epstein's other victims told police that Marcinko pressured them to sleep with both her and Epstein. Though her history of flying with Epstein is harder to pin down due to Epstein's record-keeping practices (he only recorded the first names of underage girls in flight logs, if at all), but it's become clear that during her first decade in the country, from roughly 2000 to the beginning of Epstein's prison sentence, she frequently flew between Epstein's properties in New York, Palm Beach, Monterey, Columbus, Ohio and the Azores. A pilot who once worked for Epstein testified that she had flown with him hundreds of times. ..."
"... Marcinko's relationship with Epstein presumably ended when she was given immunity from prosecution in 2008 after being named an accomplice. It's still not entirely clear how she came to live with Epstein. Was she 'sold' to him by family members in Bratislava? Or did she run away with him willingly, hoping for a more glamorous life? ..."
"... Whatever happened, as Wired claims, Marcinko is part of a small group of people who are both victims of Epstein and possible abusers. ..."
Jul 26, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

While anybody even remotely familiar with the Epstein story knows that his actions were irredeemably heinous, there are other characters in Epstein's orbit - characters who may have participated in what appears to be a global sex-trafficking ring - who are more complicated.

One of those characters is a 32-year-old model named Nadia Marcinko. Marcinko, who was once described in court documents as Epstein's "in-house sex slave" was ferried out of Slovakia on Epstein's private jet when she was just 15, and lived with the billionaire for years after, Wired reports.

Now working as a commercial pilot, Marcinko is clearly hoping the media will gloss over her involvement with Epstein. She refuses to talk to reporters, and even uses a slightly modified version of her last name (she was once known as Nadia Marcinkova).

A reporter at Wired tried to look into Marcinko's past to parse whether she was a willing, or unwilling, participant in Epstein's crimes, and whether she was also one of his youngest victims. Some of Epstein's other victims told police that Marcinko pressured them to sleep with both her and Epstein. Though her history of flying with Epstein is harder to pin down due to Epstein's record-keeping practices (he only recorded the first names of underage girls in flight logs, if at all), but it's become clear that during her first decade in the country, from roughly 2000 to the beginning of Epstein's prison sentence, she frequently flew between Epstein's properties in New York, Palm Beach, Monterey, Columbus, Ohio and the Azores. A pilot who once worked for Epstein testified that she had flown with him hundreds of times.

Marcinko's relationship with Epstein presumably ended when she was given immunity from prosecution in 2008 after being named an accomplice. It's still not entirely clear how she came to live with Epstein. Was she 'sold' to him by family members in Bratislava? Or did she run away with him willingly, hoping for a more glamorous life?

Whatever happened, as Wired claims, Marcinko is part of a small group of people who are both victims of Epstein and possible abusers.

Her testimony could again be useful. That is, if she ultimately avoids being implicated as a 'rape facilitator'.


Ms No , 10 hours ago link

This type of adult behavior is really common among prior child sex victims, even younger than what they are stating here.

If children get sex instead of parenting and nurturing they equate sex with love and their only value. They later often turn into over sexualized 'desperate attention whores'. They could easily help abuse others to stay in the game for their desperation for attention validation.

This is probably the closest thing Epstein had to a mate. You can see that he cant bond with people, there is only sex, narcissism and objectifying. Business deal is as close as he gets.

Superlat , 11 hours ago link

WHat? Women can be abusers as well as victims? NO! THAT"S AN ILLEGAL THOUGHT!

CC713Techman , 11 hours ago link

Read the Wired article. She is portrayed as both not necessarily in that order. They theorize she may have been sold to JE or maybe he simply took her before eh engaged in recruitment and abuse herself. They conclude with:

"It's all too sad, and anyone who is said to have entered bondage at 15, and was forced to act as a sex slave, deserves much, much better."

One of the commenters at Wired caught this.

punchasocialist , 13 hours ago link

......................................................................... Hey Assholes!

I see distraction.

I see misdirection.

Cops have been busted running small time prostitution and gambling joints all over Boston and New York the last 10 years.

They have dirt on lots of the local politicians and money makers all across this Illegal Union of 57 States.

To me, this Epstein manufactured drama stage play is not stunning or even that interesting.

Give Me Some Truth , 12 hours ago link

I upvoted you for nailing what we have here, but disagree that this is "not stunning or even that interesting."

It IS stunning and is probably the "most interesting" story citizens could learn about.

Twisted, disturbing, depressing, bigger than most of us can grasp. How could such a story unfold/happen without it being "interesting?"

Ms No , 10 hours ago link

No its Mossad. His partner chick Maxwell's father even had an Mossad Israeli state funeral. Although the CIA is subservient to Mossad, so same thing in the end.

That's why the Israeli Mossad guys caught in Sept 11 were eventually released.

Moneycircus , 14 hours ago link

SJWs help make slavery pay. Feel good about it...

Australia has become the first country in the world to recognise so-called orphanage trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery.

The vast majority of children living in "orphanages" in developing nations are not true orphans. About 80% have a living parent or family .

Such institutions are often run for the profit of their owners. They are sustained by well-meaning western tourists who visit to donate or volunteer their time.

https://theglobepost.com/2018/12/14/australia-orphanage-trafficking-2/
https://bettercarenetwork.org/bcn-in-action/rethink-orphanages/latest-news/orphanage-tourism-slavery-hidden-in-plain-sight

... and then take selfies on their Slave Phones.

How Foxconn Is Making Slaves Out Of Interns
https://www.cultofmac.com/158241/how-foxconn-is-making-slaves-out-of-interns/

africoman , 14 hours ago link

Roy Cohn - The CIA Pedophile Ring Leader - An Evil Mechanism of Political Control

We have a very short summary this time, but the GTRP Diagram is the Value. In this post we look at the information available pertaining to Roy Cohn. We look at his relationships with Ronald Reagan, Rupert Murdoch, Nicaraguan Rebel propaganda. Cohn's leadership role in the Western Goals Foundation, Larry McDonald, and the Council for National Policy. Cohn's admitted role in CIA pedophile ring, referred to by some as Human Compromise operations. Cohn's pedophile network continued by Edwin Wilson's pedophile network uncovered and investigated by Sen. John DeCamp. Cohn law practice ties to Organized Crime and the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Cohn's mentorship of bot...

Sexual Blackmail" "Pedophile Ring" "Roy Cohn and Rupert Murdoch" "Pizzagate" "John Podesta" "Iran-Contra" "Edwin Wilson" "Roger Stone" ( https://gtrpweb.com/featured_content )

Organized Pedophilia and the Criminal Exploitation of Children ...

CONFIDENTIAL REPORT ON ORGANIZED
PEDOPHILIA AND THE CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN

By
JAMES M. ROTHSTEIN
RET. NYCPD DETECTIVE

The Ghost of Roy Cohn – Conspiracy Archive

"Historically, one of Wilson's Agency jobs was to subvert members of both houses [of Congress] by any means necessary . Certain people could be easily coerced by living out their sexual fantasies in the flesh . A remembrance of these occasions [was] permanently recorded via selected cameras . The technicians in charge of filming were TSD [Technical Services Division of the CIA]. The unwitting ***** stars advanced in their political careers, some of [whom] may still be in office." (Qtd. in DeCamp 179)

Homosexuality Roy Cohn

Where's My Roy Cohn? Digs into One of the 20th Century's Most Evil ...

Cohn also had a protégé of his own: a young, up-and-coming real-estate developer named Donald J. Trump. And though Trump and Cohn's relationship spanned from the early 1970s until a few months before Cohn's death, in 1986 (Trump abandoned his mentor as Cohn lay dying), there seemed to be a lot of information of contemporary significance contained within their bizarre partnership

Finally,

Aangirfan

THE CIA THE PEADO RING AND THE WHATS THE POINT!

EPSTEIN, TRUMP, KOSHER NOSTRA

Trump's Pedophiles>>> Trump has been linked to the Jewish Mafia and to Israel.

surf@jm , 14 hours ago link

This girl is all over the internet profiling her piloting of planes.........

Narcissism in a woman is twice as bad as in a man............

The story of Narcissus dates back to ancient Greece. It was said that this young man was the son of a nymph named Liriope, and the river deity and personification of the river, Cephissus. Narcissus was raised in Boeotia (a region in central Greece) and grew into an extremely handsome youth. However, he never found anyone he thought was as attractive as he was; he left a string of broken-hearted girls (and a few young men) everywhere he went.

until one day Narcissus happened to see his own reflection in the water. He had finally found someone he found truly attractive: himself. He tried to kiss the image, but only created a ripple in the water that hid the reflection. Obsessed with his love for his own image, but never able to touch it, he wasted away and eventually died of hunger and thirst.

frankthecrank , 13 hours ago link

The term and the Greek story are not connected. Narcs actually hate themselves deep down and tend to only associate with those who either make them look good or they can dominate.

Pro_sanity , 15 hours ago link

A nitro story, and from what seems already apparent, one of breathtaking dimension. This would be the swamp dam break. The scumbags who would go down ... limited only by one's imagination. True justice in this case would be the correction the U.S. needs to really get back to greatness. It would be the story of our times ... for the ages.

Any networks covering this? Are the masses being informed? Does the guy sitting next to you, standing behind you, mowing your lawn, stocking the shelves .... do they know who Epstein is? Nope, and the story is getting buried.

NOTHING WILL COME OF THIS ... ******* DISGRACE

Old White Guy , 15 hours ago link

If the Clintons have the most to lose over a thorough investigation of Epstein's sexual abuse of minors then Epstein does not have long. People posing a threat to Team Clinton usually have accidents and disappear. This is going to get much uglier for swamp dwellers.

dogismycopilot , 16 hours ago link

the blonde is the perp.

she liked being outfitted with a strap on.

the case file on this reads like a BDM journal.

June 12 1776 , 16 hours ago link

Sure does;

"Epstein also made E.W. perform oral sex on him and was to perform sex acts on Nadia Marcinkova [pictured above, on right] (Epstein's live-in sex slave) in Epstein's presence."

Case 09-34791-RBR Doc 1603-3 Filed 04/08/11 Page 7 of 39

https://archive.org/stream/ECFDOC160310567451/ECF_DOC_1603_10567451_djvu.txt

"made to perform sex acts on Nadia Marcinkova [pictured above, on right] in Epstein's presence".

Case 09-34791-RBR Doc 1603-3 Filed 04/08/11 Page 8 of 39

https://archive.org/stream/ECFDOC160310567451/ECF_DOC_1603_10567451_djvu.txt

the Palm Beach Police Department also began investigating Epstein's sexual abuse of minor girls. They also collected evidence of Epstein's involvement with minor girls and his obsession with training sex slaves, including pulling information from Epstein's trash. Their investigation showed that Epstein ordered from Amazon.com on about September 4, 2005, such books as: SMI 01: A Realistic Introduction, by Jay Wiseman; SlaveCraft: Roadmaps for Erotic Servitude - Principles, Skills, and Tools, by Guy Baldwin; and Training with Miss Abernathy: A Workbook for Erotic Slaves and Their Owners, by Christina Abernathy. See Receipt for Sex Slave Books (Exhibit "I")

Case 09-34791 -RBR Doc 1 603-3 Filed 04/08/1 1 Page 1 1 of 39

https://archive.org/stream/ECFDOC160310567451/ECF_DOC_1603_10567451_djvu.txt

further, how "convenient" the synchronicity as the Virgin Islands have just been hit this week with a MOSSAD CIA MI6 FSB bleach bit "ransom ware" "hack" huh huh.

[Jul 26, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein Found Injured In Jail Cell As He Awaits Sex Abuse Trial

Jul 26, 2019 | www.huffpost.com

Jeffrey Epstein was found injured in his New York City jail cell while awaiting federal sex abuse charges, according to multiple reports. The multimillionaire financier, who is accused of sex trafficking underage girls, was found semi-conscious at the Metropolitan Correctional Center with marks on his neck, local station NBC New York first reported , citing sources close to the investigation. REAL LIFE. REAL NEWS. REAL VOICES. Help us tell more of the stories that matter from voices that too often remain unheard.

It's not yet clear whether the injuries, which were incurred Tuesday, were self-inflicted or the result of an assault. The injuries were not described as serious and prison officials were treating it as a possible suicide attempt, a law enforcement official who had been briefed on the matter told The New York Times . A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in an email to HuffPost on Thursday said Epstein remains housed at the jail facility, denying reports that he had been taken to a local hospital for treatment.

"As with all inmates, for privacy and security reasons, we do not share information on an inmate's medical status or their conditions of confinement," the spokesperson added.

Jeffrey Epstein, seen in a photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry, was reportedly found injured in his jail cell after arrested on sex trafficking charges.
The 66-year-old was arrested on July 6 and last week denied bail by a judge after prosecutors labeled him an "extraordinary" flight risk. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A lawyer for Epstein had said that his client was willing to post up to $100 million to secure his release. This followed his defense team asking that he be allowed to await trial under house arrest in his $77 million Manhattan mansion with electronic monitoring. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Rossmiller argued against his release, reasoning that investigators found "piles of cash," "dozens of diamonds" and an expired passport with an alias and a Saudi Arabian address during a search of his mansion.

Epstein's attorneys argued that the passport had been expired for more than 30 years and had been only used for "personal protection" while traveling abroad, in case he came upon potential kidnappers, hijackers or terrorists.

Prosecutors noted that the passport appeared to have been used during entry into France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

... ... ...

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[Jul 26, 2019] The government is rotten beyond redemption caucus99percent

Jul 26, 2019 | caucus99percent.com

The government is rotten beyond redemption


snoopydawg on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 1:22am Government by Blackmail: Jeffrey Epstein, Trump's Mentor and the Dark Secrets of the Reagan Era

Appalling for both the villainous abuse of children itself and the chilling implications of government by blackmail, this tangled web of unsavory alliances casts a lurid light on the political history of the U.S. from the Prohibition Era right up through the Age of Trump. This report, Part II of this series titled "The Jeffrey Epstein Scandal: Too Big To Fail," will delve into Cohn's close ties to the Reagan administration, which was also closely tied to the same organized crime network led by the infamous mob figure Meyer Lansky, which was discussed in Part I.

Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire who now sits in jail on federal charges for the sex trafficking of minors, has continued to draw media scrutiny in the weeks after his arrest on July 6. Part of the reason for this continued media interest is related to Epstein's alleged relationship to the intelligence services and new information about the true extent of the sexual blackmail operation Epstein is believed to have run for decades.

As MintPress reported last week , Epstein was able to run this sordid operation for so long precisely because his was only the latest incarnation of a much older, more extensive operation that began in the 1950s and perhaps even earlier.

Years later, documents released by the FBI would show that Epstein became an FBI informant in 2008, when Robert Mueller was the Bureau's director, in exchange for immunity from then-pending federal charges , a deal that fell through with Epstein's recent arrest on new federal charges. In addition, former FBI Director Louis Freeh would be hired by Alan Dershowitz, who is accused of raping girls at Epstein's homes and was once a character witness for Roy Cohn, to intimidate Epstein's victims. As previously mentioned, Freeh's past appointment as a judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York was orchestrated by Cohn's law partner Tom Bolan.

Thus, the FBI's cover-up of the Franklin case is just one example of the Bureau's long-standing practice of protecting these pedophile rings when they involve members of the American political elite and provide the Bureau with a steady supply of blackmail. It also makes it worth questioning the impartiality of one of the main prosecutors in the Jeffrey Epstein case,

All of this has taken place with the full knowledge and blessing of top figures in the world of "philanthropy" and in the U.S. government and intelligence communities, with great influence over several presidential administrations, particularly since the rise of Ronald Reagan and continuing through to Donald Trump.

There is no way to properly excerpt the article without leaving out important information so you can read it yourselves. Whitney Webb has done an outstanding job piecing together the numerous players who have been involved in child sexual abuse going back to the prohibition era with the full knowledge of many people high up in government. Reagan, George H.W Bush, many members of congress, the state department, the FBI and CIA and the Catholic Church. These people turned a blind eye to the suffering of countless boys and girls just so they could advance whatever sick ..... they wanted.

Epstein was found in his cell in a fetal position with marks on his neck. There are some very powerful people who don't want him to talk and that he wasn't under protective control already and on suicide watch is unfuckingbelievable. Unless of course the people who have a lot to lose did it on purpose.

Start with part one of this heinous saga to see how long the PTB have deliberately turned a blind eye to child abuse.

Lookout on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 7:02am
The FBI and CIA...

are the mafia branch of our government marketing drugs, sex, and anything else to suppress socialism and promote more war and conflict. Helluva fix.

QMS on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 7:13am
Sounds like this prevert Got the memo.

Clam up or die.

Aya carumba.

Fishtroller 02 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 9:13am
Wish there was a way to read her two articles about this

in copy instead of online.... I hate reading long stuff online.

WoodsDweller on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 10:04am
Are you having trouble printing?

@Fishtroller 02
I did a quick "print preview" in FireFox and it looked good. I see FF has a "simplify page" setting now that reduced the size by a factor of three.

in copy instead of online.... I hate reading long stuff online.

Bob In Portland on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 11:20am
Worse than you can imagine

I am reading a a page-turner about the Manson case, CHAOS, by Tom O'Neil. I am only 130 or so pages into it but one thing is clear: Vincent Bugliosi suborned perjury, concealed evidence and his "helter skelter" theory of the case, the theory on which The Family were convicted, was an invention.

How does this connect with Epstein? Well, first off it confirms that Bugliosi has been a liar most of his adult life, as while this is the first book-length criticism of his handling of the case, I think it goes far to show that his role has been the generation of false narratives for many cases. It also suggests the the LADA office has been infiltrated by people with an amoral violence who have no allegiance to the truth. And I suspect, by the time I get to the end of the book, that the lines of power will have extended to many of the other large scandals over the last half-century, meaning that the deepest corridors of power have been entertaining the American public with gruesome psyops that push the public this way or that.

This is not the first book to criticize Bugliosi's body of work. Jim DiEugenio wrote and then revised a book on all the lies perpetrated in Bugliosi's "masterpiece" on the JFK murder and its investigation. Lisa Pease hasn't been kind to Bugliosi. Nor have I. He wrote a foreward to Mark Fuhrman's and then wrote a book of his own on the Brentwood murders, which should make anyone suspicious of the official prosecution story of that double homicide.

What needs to be reiterated is that the CIA, born out of corrupt Wall Streeters, insanely right-wing generals and a coven of Nazi war criminals, have performed as one would expect.

The CIA has infiltrated every government agency, allowing the criminals like Stein to operate. Not only allowing them to operate but to use them as part of their larger goals.

Right now I am on my computer, which is collecting all my information. It has a camera which can get live videos of me without my say so. We have one of those Alexa thingies that can record things we talk about in our home. I've got a Samsung TV with an ear open. There are surveillance cameras on every block of our cities.

Can I say this? We are fucked. Grab some popcorn and watch America's rapid demise into full-control fascism.

The Liberal Moonbat on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 12:19pm
I'd only heard good things about Bugliosi

@Bob In Portland What do you think of his case to prosecute W for mass-murder ?

Heck, how do we know what you've been reading hasn't been a smear campaign to discredit another true enemy of Morgoth?

I am reading a a page-turner about the Manson case, CHAOS, by Tom O'Neil. I am only 130 or so pages into it but one thing is clear: Vincent Bugliosi suborned perjury, concealed evidence and his "helter skelter" theory of the case, the theory on which The Family were convicted, was an invention.

How does this connect with Epstein? Well, first off it confirms that Bugliosi has been a liar most of his adult life, as while this is the first book-length criticism of his handling of the case, I think it goes far to show that his role has been the generation of false narratives for many cases. It also suggests the the LADA office has been infiltrated by people with an amoral violence who have no allegiance to the truth. And I suspect, by the time I get to the end of the book, that the lines of power will have extended to many of the other large scandals over the last half-century, meaning that the deepest corridors of power have been entertaining the American public with gruesome psyops that push the public this way or that.

This is not the first book to criticize Bugliosi's body of work. Jim DiEugenio wrote and then revised a book on all the lies perpetrated in Bugliosi's "masterpiece" on the JFK murder and its investigation. Lisa Pease hasn't been kind to Bugliosi. Nor have I. He wrote a foreward to Mark Fuhrman's and then wrote a book of his own on the Brentwood murders, which should make anyone suspicious of the official prosecution story of that double homicide.

What needs to be reiterated is that the CIA, born out of corrupt Wall Streeters, insanely right-wing generals and a coven of Nazi war criminals, have performed as one would expect.

The CIA has infiltrated every government agency, allowing the criminals like Stein to operate. Not only allowing them to operate but to use them as part of their larger goals.

Right now I am on my computer, which is collecting all my information. It has a camera which can get live videos of me without my say so. We have one of those Alexa thingies that can record things we talk about in our home. I've got a Samsung TV with an ear open. There are surveillance cameras on every block of our cities.

Can I say this? We are fucked. Grab some popcorn and watch America's rapid demise into full-control fascism.

Bob In Portland on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 12:49pm
@The Liberal Moonbat Didn't read it, but I'd

@The Liberal Moonbat Didn't read it, but I'd already pretty much figured out that Dubya was deep into the Deep State. And using "al Qaeda" as a reaon to attack Iraq wasn't too hard to figure out his bullshit. Plus, he used Mueller to cover up 9/11.

Bugliosi is labeled as a liberal, and as such provides margins to what people on the left side of the imaginary aisle are allowed to think. He's a thought leader, very important in social control. It wouldn't do for a Billy Graham Jr. to be used as a thought leader of the left, would it?

But a prosecutor who suborns perjury and writes volumes supporting the Warren Commission should raise suspicions by those following him and his positions. DiEugenio, who wrote THE JFK ASSASSINATION about all of Bugliosi's JFK BS in the JFK assassination, is a good place to start. CHAOS looks like another place to go.

I'll look up to see what Morgoth is, but attaching some kind of satanic creature to an atheist's analysis of deep politics smells a little like bad-jacketing.

#4 What do you think of his case to prosecute W for mass-murder ?

Heck, how do we know what you've been reading hasn't been a smear campaign to discredit another true enemy of Morgoth?

The Liberal Moonbat on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 1:39pm
"Bad-jacketing" - I'd never heard of that before

@Bob In Portland Morgoth is the Supreme Evil (as in, above Sauron) of Tolkien's Middle-Earth - I simply meant it, as I have invoked it before, as a half-sardonic synonym for the Deep State/Military-Industrial Complex.

#4.1 Didn't read it, but I'd already pretty much figured out that Dubya was deep into the Deep State. And using "al Qaeda" as a reaon to attack Iraq wasn't too hard to figure out his bullshit. Plus, he used Mueller to cover up 9/11.

Bugliosi is labeled as a liberal, and as such provides margins to what people on the left side of the imaginary aisle are allowed to think. He's a thought leader, very important in social control. It wouldn't do for a Billy Graham Jr. to be used as a thought leader of the left, would it?

But a prosecutor who suborns perjury and writes volumes supporting the Warren Commission should raise suspicions by those following him and his positions. DiEugenio, who wrote THE JFK ASSASSINATION about all of Bugliosi's JFK BS in the JFK assassination, is a good place to start. CHAOS looks like another place to go.

I'll look up to see what Morgoth is, but attaching some kind of satanic creature to an atheist's analysis of deep politics smells a little like bad-jacketing.

edg on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 1:40pm
Was Manson innocent?

@Bob In Portland

Set up by the CIA? Wow. Who knew?

I am reading a a page-turner about the Manson case, CHAOS, by Tom O'Neil. I am only 130 or so pages into it but one thing is clear: Vincent Bugliosi suborned perjury, concealed evidence and his "helter skelter" theory of the case, the theory on which The Family were convicted, was an invention.

How does this connect with Epstein? Well, first off it confirms that Bugliosi has been a liar most of his adult life, as while this is the first book-length criticism of his handling of the case, I think it goes far to show that his role has been the generation of false narratives for many cases. It also suggests the the LADA office has been infiltrated by people with an amoral violence who have no allegiance to the truth. And I suspect, by the time I get to the end of the book, that the lines of power will have extended to many of the other large scandals over the last half-century, meaning that the deepest corridors of power have been entertaining the American public with gruesome psyops that push the public this way or that.

This is not the first book to criticize Bugliosi's body of work. Jim DiEugenio wrote and then revised a book on all the lies perpetrated in Bugliosi's "masterpiece" on the JFK murder and its investigation. Lisa Pease hasn't been kind to Bugliosi. Nor have I. He wrote a foreward to Mark Fuhrman's and then wrote a book of his own on the Brentwood murders, which should make anyone suspicious of the official prosecution story of that double homicide.

What needs to be reiterated is that the CIA, born out of corrupt Wall Streeters, insanely right-wing generals and a coven of Nazi war criminals, have performed as one would expect.

The CIA has infiltrated every government agency, allowing the criminals like Stein to operate. Not only allowing them to operate but to use them as part of their larger goals.

Right now I am on my computer, which is collecting all my information. It has a camera which can get live videos of me without my say so. We have one of those Alexa thingies that can record things we talk about in our home. I've got a Samsung TV with an ear open. There are surveillance cameras on every block of our cities.

Can I say this? We are fucked. Grab some popcorn and watch America's rapid demise into full-control fascism.

Bob In Portland on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 11:36am Bob In Portland on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 11:39am
Or Ted Haggard

sniffing speed off a male prostitute's pectorals.

Snode on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 11:43am
Seems "our" government

is capable of anything. Is assassination of politicians by the government too far fetched? Maybe this is why the democratic party is the way it is today.

earthling1 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 12:45pm
And some people

can't believe J.Edgar Hoover wore ladies undergarments. Cream may rise to the top, but mildew quickly forms above that.

[Jul 25, 2019] When Alex Stamos announced that the Internet Research Agency's ad buys were a drop in the ocean, Zuckerberg was promptly taken to the Congressional Woodshed and told to report to the Atlantic Council.

Notable quotes:
"... I think he fails to understand that Facebook is now an NSA asset. ..."
Jul 24, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

GramSci , , , July 23, 2019 at 8:04 am

When Alex Stamos announced that the Internet Research Agency's ad buys were a drop in the ocean, Zuckerberg was promptly taken to the Congressional Woodshed and told to report to the Atlantic Council. Those two billion-odd fake accounts may be a fraud perpetrated on the advertisers, but they are invaluable to US "law" enforcement and to US propaganda, where the ability to open a fake account on Facebook gives the illusion of privacy.

With all due respect to Mr. Greenspan and his Lowell House creds, I think he fails to understand that Facebook is now an NSA asset.

Summer , , July 23, 2019 at 11:55 am

+1
NSA and other law enforcement asset.
Remember stories about stupid criminals on the run who took the time to update their Facebook page?

The Rev Kev , July 23, 2019 at 10:38 am

This is a fascinating article and it certainly put a smile on my dial. As an asset for use by governments around the world, Facebook may be too invaluable to just let sink. One guy reported that he was in a meeting with Facebook’s top brass including the Zuck when a head honcho of the FBI came into the meeting and sang Zuck’s praises for all the help that Facebook gave the FBI. So the question remains. Just how many “real” Facebook accounts does Facebook have? Ones that people check on daily. Now that is the killer question.

[Jul 25, 2019] Epstein Visited Clinton White House Multiple Times In The 1990s

Notable quotes:
"... And according to the Beast , "Clinton also failed to mention the intimate 1995 fundraising dinner at the Palm Beach home of Revlon mogul Ron Perelman, where Clinton hobnobbed with the likes of Epstein, Don Johnson, and Jimmy Buffett. (Nearby, at Epstein's own Palm Beach mansion, the money man allegedly abused hundreds of underage girls.)" ..."
"... Meanwhile, Clinton's college friend A. Paul Prosperi visited Epstein at least 20 times while he was in the Palm Beach county jail after pleading guilty to procuring an underage prostitute in 2008. Prosperi was also present at a 1995 Perelman fundraiser at which both Clinton and Epstein were present. ..."
"... Over that same time period, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Daily Beast, Middleton met with Epstein in the White House at least three times . It is unclear what they discussed, or for how long. Middleton did not respond to repeated calls and emails for comment, or to a reporter who visited his home in Arkansas. ..."
Jul 25, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Bill Clinton's attempts to distance himself from convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein have taken yet another blow - after a Daily Beast investigation reveals that the financier - who came highly recommended by Lynn Forester de Rothschild - visited the Clinton White House multiple times .

As early as 1993, records show, Epstein donated $10,000 to the White House Historical Association and attended a donors' reception hosted by Bill and Hillary Clinton. Around the same time, according to a source familiar with the connection, Epstein visited presidential aide Mark Middleton several times at the White House . Two years later, businesswoman Lynn Forester de Rothschild wrote a personal letter to Clinton thanking him for their talk about the financier . - Daily Beast

On July 8, the former president sought to distance himself from Epstein, claiming that the two crossed paths just six times beginning in 2002; "four flights on the billionaire's private jet, a single trip to his Harlem office, and one "brief visit" to his New York apartment, all with staff and security detail in tow," per the Beast .

"President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York," Clinton spokesperson, Angel Ureña, told the Beast. " Any suggestion to the contrary is both factually inaccurate and irresponsible."

Clinton's denial flies in the face of flight logs from Epstein's now-sold 'Lolita Express' 727 jet at least 26 times .

When the president released his initial statement on Epstein, he did not explain the multiple other trips he appears to have taken on the financier's plane -- including one flight to Westchester with Epstein, his alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell, and an "unnamed female." - Daily Beast

And according to the Beast , "Clinton also failed to mention the intimate 1995 fundraising dinner at the Palm Beach home of Revlon mogul Ron Perelman, where Clinton hobnobbed with the likes of Epstein, Don Johnson, and Jimmy Buffett. (Nearby, at Epstein's own Palm Beach mansion, the money man allegedly abused hundreds of underage girls.)"

While Politico claimed in a piece last week that the Clintons and Epstein connected through Epstein's longtime confidant and alleged procurer of young women - Ghislaine Maxwell, after Clinton left office, documents in the Clinton Library attest to much earlier links .

In late September of 1993, Bill and Hillary Clinton hosted a reception for supporters who had contributed to recent White House renovations. The nearly $400,000 overhaul -- which included new gold draperies and a 13-color woven rug for the Oval Office -- was funded entirely by donations to the White House Historical Association, a private organization that helps preserve and promote the White House as a historical monument.

The reception took place at the White House residence from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., according to a copy of the president's daily schedule. White House Social Secretary Ann Stock -- who appears in Epstein's little black book of phone numbers -- was listed as the point of contact . According to multiple attendees, the evening included an intimate tour of the newly refurbished residence, followed by a receiving line with the president and first lady. Dessert was served in the East Room, where the couple thanked everyone for attending and announced the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.

Guests for the event , according to the invitation list, included the journalist and philanthropist Barbara Goldsmith, heiress Jane Engelhard, political consultant Cynthia Friedman, and " Mr Jeffrey Epstein and Ms. Ghislaine Maxwell ." Epstein and Maxwell do not appear on the 'regret list,' and there is a letter 'A' next to both of their names, indicating they planned to attend . A press release from the event, put out by Hillary Clinton's office, lists Epstein as a White House Historical Association donor. - Daily Beast

Meanwhile, Clinton's college friend A. Paul Prosperi visited Epstein at least 20 times while he was in the Palm Beach county jail after pleading guilty to procuring an underage prostitute in 2008. Prosperi was also present at a 1995 Perelman fundraiser at which both Clinton and Epstein were present.

Another Clinton connection with Epstein comes through White House aide Mark E. Middleton - a friend of Clinton's from his beginnings in Arkansas who joined the administration in 1993 as special assistant to Chief of Staff Mack McClarty (another Arkansas insider, per the Beast ). Middleton would rise to the level of "Deputy to the Counselor" in 1994.

Over that same time period, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Daily Beast, Middleton met with Epstein in the White House at least three times . It is unclear what they discussed, or for how long. Middleton did not respond to repeated calls and emails for comment, or to a reporter who visited his home in Arkansas.

Middleton and Epstein also appear to have shared a famous friend in common. Donald Trump -- who once called Epstein a "terrific guy" -- sent Middleton a signed copy of his book , The Art of the Deal , while the lawyer was working in the White House. The inscription read, " To Mark -- Best wishes. Your mom is the best ."

Hobnobbing with businessmen like Epstein and Trump was part and parcel of Middleton's White House job , according to a 1999 report from the House Committee on Government Reform. ("In the course of his duties, Middleton was in contact with many prominent business people and contributors to the President," the report states.) But it also got the lawyer in trouble with the administration once he left. - Daily Beast

Rothschild letter

In 1995, Lynn Forester de Rothschild writes ""Dear Mr. President: It was a pleasure to see you recently at Senator Kennedy's house. There was too much to discuss and too little time. Using my fifteen seconds of access to discuss Jeffrey Epstein and currency stabilization, I neglected to talk to you about a topic near and dear to my heart. Namely, affirmative action and the future."

Of note, former Epstein attorney and pal Alan Dershowitz previously said that Forester de Rothschild introduced him to Epstein at a party on Martha's Vineyard for Lord Rothschild in the summer of 1996.

"He was feisty, he was utterly politically incorrect," said Dershowitz in a recent interview with New York magazine. "He was interesting to be with."

He was also sexually molesting underage girls.


Bounder , 7 minutes ago link

He should have just said:

"I didnt have sex with those under age girls" and shook his finger at us.

Schroedingers Cat , 9 minutes ago link

Bill Clinton and that vicious evil **** of a wife Hillary have done more to **** this country up and the entire world than any other human beings. No contest.

Give Me Some Truth , 19 minutes ago link

Remember when Harvey Weinstein was the "scum" of the moment? During these "15 minutes," director Quentin Tarantino acknowledged his regret in not exposing Weinstein. Basically, he gave an interview where he admitted he knew what his producer friend had been doing - or must have been doing - all these years, and yet Taratino did nothing. Taratino gets credit in my book for acknowledging this. In other words, he COULD have done something to stop his activities/crimes, but did not.

Compare and contrast Tarantino's "mea culpa" to the HUNDREDS of VIPs who must have known what Epstein was doing - for decades. And remained silent and never considered going to authorities.

Scores or hundreds of people COULD have stopped this, but did not.

This tells us much about our system and the "leaders" who rule us. Also about our "watchdog" press corps, which had no interest in exposing this person or his operation.

Tunga , 21 minutes ago link

Affirmative action? Ha! 1 year later Clinton signs into law permission for the Attorney General to traffic in little kids without Judicial oversight;

SEC. 604. ASYLUM REFORM.

(a) Asylum Reform.--Section 208 (8 U.S.C. 1158) is amended to read as follows: ... (D) No judicial review.--There shall be no judicial review of a determination of the Attorney General under subparagraph (A)(v). ..." - excerpt from https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-104publ208/html/PLAW-104publ208.htm

Give Me Some Truth , 36 minutes ago link

Bill Richardson seems to be getting a pass so far on this story. While he has been identified as being in Epstein's "black book" and receiving a couple of $50,000 campaign donations from Epstein, what hasn't been mentioned is Richardson's key role as a Clinton "fixer" and sycophant. Typically, he is identified only as a "former New Mexico governor."

But prior to being elected governor of New Mexico, he served (if memory is correct) as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. under Bill Clinton. It was in this role that he "found" a job for Monica Lewinsky, when Clinton had to move her out of the White House.

No telling what he did for Clinton before he was rewarded with this plum appointment.

I'm sure if a real investigation ever occurred we would learn that New Mexico leaders were as "bought off" as the U.S. Virgin Island leaders had to be.

Epstein bought his 7,500 acre "ranch" from a former New Mexico governor. Richardson admits he visited this place one time (yeah right). The "ranch" has no cattle and has its own air strip. Hasn't anyone in this state, or this county, investigated what was going on at this place?

But if Richardson and Clinton are both involved (and they are), we know they were both up to no good, and we're trying to keep something secret.

Distant_Star , 48 minutes ago link

" Clinton's college friend A. Paul Prosperi visited Epstein at least 20 times while he was in the Palm Beach county jail . . ."

Just checking on Epstein's well-being and morale. A true humanitarian. There is no chance that Mr. Prosperi was acting as a cut-out for the Clinton family. /S

FUG , 15 minutes ago link

Paul must have visited him at night since Epstein was hardly in his cell during the daytime due to the allowance of liberal furloughs 6.5 days per week and "business trips" he was allowed to take that lasted several days.

Give Me Some Truth , 56 minutes ago link

Virginia Roberts is on the record - in sworn affidavits - of saying she had sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions. She even mention the places and time frames she was at these places with Prince Andrew.

Can't reporters or investigators simply see if Prince Andrew was at these places at the same time she was? Wouldn't this corroborate (or disprove/impeach) her story?

They won't even do this.

Distant_Star , 45 minutes ago link

Absolutely not. "Journalists" have no time to check on the Prince Andrew story, or the allegation that Bill Clinton flew with Epstein 26 times. They are too busy pursuing false allegations against Trump and putting spin on Mueller's train-wreck testimony from yesterday.

Give Me Some Truth , 35 minutes ago link

I think it would be easy to prove that Clinton "dismissed" his Secret Service detail on many occasions, right?

Doesn't he have to sign some kind of release when he does this?

Simply check the dates he did this and cross-reference to Epstein's schedule. Simply find out who he travelled with and to where on these occasions.

Plenty of ex Secret Service might grant interviews, even off the record or anonymously, right?

Give Me Some Truth , 52 minutes ago link

This story intimates that Bill Clinton and Jeff Epstein knew one another long before Clinton says they knew one another. And were much closer to one another than we have been led to believe.

And anyone who spent a lot of time with Epstein knew exactly what commodity/service Epstein offered.

Even if Clinton never availed himself of the services offered by one of Epstein's girls, he had to know exactly what business Epstein "trafficked" in. Of course, the notion that Clinton never "sampled the product" is laughable.

The little voice inside my head , 7 minutes ago link

The story also opens the door to a vast amount of connections previously unknown, you could follow the people mentioned in the article and see what became of them and start building a web... Many posts here are starting to do that. Hopeful

Give Me Some Truth , 1 hour ago link

This was some real investigative journalism. All reporters had to do was check White House records that show who attended what events. This story PROVES Clinton was lying if he indeed said he didn't know Epstein until after he was out of office. This alone is grounds to investigate him further. (Things he said in the past have now been proven to be lies - Investigation 101).

Reporters then showed Clinton's long-time buddy (who ran his political campaign at Georgetown) was also an associate of Epstein. And this person visited Epstein 20 times (!) while Epstein was in jail (over a 13-month period).

These CAN'T be coincidences.

Anyway, most of these people will say "no comment" or will refuse to respond to requests for comments. But this doesn't mean reporters can't find incriminating sources or stories from other avenues.

For example, Vanity Fair reporters simply interviewed people who worked at the Virgin Islands airport. They then asked these people: "Did you happen to see a large number of young girls boarding or getting off Epstein's planes?"

Answer: Yes. Definitely. All the time.

I mean, what are we to make of this?

Why were so many young girls traveling to and from Epstein's island?

There can only be one answer.

PrivetHedge , 1 hour ago link

Lynn Forester de Rothschild

The connections to the elite go deep. Very deep. This is an interesting test of their grip on the narrative.

Give Me Some Truth , 35 minutes ago link

I'd like to learn more about all the news organizations that "took a pass" on investigating this story.

The Palm Beach Police Chief can give the names of several of these organizations.

According to the Miami Herald story, he grew "tired" of all these reporters talking to him and never publishing a single story.

Well, which reporters from which news organizations did he talk to who subsequently dropped the story?

This is another story where the "investigators" should also be investigated.

[Jul 25, 2019] The Epstein Case Is A Rare Opportunity To Focus On The Depraved Nature Of America s Elite

Highly recommended!
Notable quotes:
"... When scanning the news most days, I see a constant amplification of wedge issues by mass media, blue-check pundits and even many in the so-called alternative media. I see people increasingly being encouraged to demonize and dehumanize their fellow citizens. Anyone who voted for Trump is automatically a Nazi, likewise, anyone who supports Sanders is an anti-American communist. The reality is neither of these things is even remotely true, so why are people so quick to say them? ..."
"... The Epstein case shines a gigantic spotlight on just how twisted and sociopathic the highest echelons of U.S. society have become. This is exactly what happens when you fail to put wealthy and powerful super predators behind bars. They get more brazen, they get more demented and, ultimately, they destroy the very fabric that holds society together. We are in fact ruled by monsters. ..."
Jul 25, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Authored by Michael Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,

Perhaps, at long last, a serial rapist and pedophile may be brought to justice , more than a dozen years after he was first charged with crimes that have brutalized countless girls and women. But what won't change is this: the cesspool of elites, many of them in New York, who allowed Jeffrey Epstein to flourish with impunity.

For decades, important, influential, "serious" people attended Epstein's dinner parties, rode his private jet, and furthered the fiction that he was some kind of genius hedge-fund billionaire. How do we explain why they looked the other way, or flattered Epstein, even as they must have noticed he was often in the company of a young harem? Easy: They got something in exchange from him , whether it was a free ride on that airborne "Lolita Express," some other form of monetary largesse, entrée into the extravagant celebrity soirées he hosted at his townhouse, or, possibly and harrowingly, a pound or two of female flesh.

– From the New York Magazine article: Who Was Jeffrey Epstein Calling?

An honest assessment of the current state of American politics and society in general leaves little room for optimism regarding the public's ability to accurately diagnose, much less tackle, our fundamental issues at a root level. A primary reason for this state of affairs boils down to the ease with which the American public is divided against itself and conquered.

Though there are certain issues pretty much everyone can agree on, we simply aren't focusing our collective energy on them or creating the mass movements necessary to address them. Things such as systemic bipartisan corruption, the institutionalization of a two-tier justice system in which the wealthy and powerful are above the law, a broken economy that requires both parents to work and still barely make ends meet, and a military-industrial complex consumed with profits and imperial aggression not national defense. These are just a few of the many issues that should easily unite us against an entrenched power structure, but it is not happening. At least not yet.

We currently find ourselves at a unique inflection point in American history. Though I agree with Charles Hugh Smith's assessment that " Our Ruling Elites Have No Idea How Much We Want to See Them All in Prison Jumpsuits, " we have yet to reach the point where the general public is prepared to do something about it. I think there are several reasons for this, but the primary obstacle relates to how easily the citizenry is divided and conquered. The mass media, largely owned and controlled by billionaires and their corporations, is highly incentivized to keep the public divided against itself on trivial issues, or at best, on real problems that are merely symptoms of bipartisan elitist plunder.

The key thing, from a plutocrat's point of view, is to make sure the public never takes a step back and sees the root of society's problems. It isn't Trump or Obama, and it isn't the Republican or Democratic parties either. These individuals and political gangs are just useful vehicles for elitist plunder. They help herd the rabble into comfortable little tribal boxes that results in made for tv squabbling, while the true forces of power carry on with the business of societal pillaging behind the scenes.

You're encouraged to attach your identity to team Republican or team Democrat, but never unite as one voice against a bipartisan crew of depraved, corrupt and unaccountable power players molding society from the top. While the average person living paycheck to paycheck fashions themselves part of some biblical fight of good vs. evil by supporting team red or blue, the manipulative and powerful at the top remain beyond such plebeian theater (though they certainly encourage it). These folks know only one team -- team green. And their team keeps winning, by the way.

When scanning the news most days, I see a constant amplification of wedge issues by mass media, blue-check pundits and even many in the so-called alternative media. I see people increasingly being encouraged to demonize and dehumanize their fellow citizens. Anyone who voted for Trump is automatically a Nazi, likewise, anyone who supports Sanders is an anti-American communist. The reality is neither of these things is even remotely true, so why are people so quick to say them?

Why is most of the anger in this country being directed at fellow powerless Americans versus upward at the power structure which nurtured and continues to defend the current depraved status quo? I don't see any upside to actively encouraging one side of the political discussion to dehumanize the other side, and I suggest we consciously cease engaging in such behavior. Absolutely nothing good can come from it.

Which is partly why I've been so consumed by the Jeffrey Epstein case. For once, it allows us to focus our energy on the depraved nature of the so-called American "elite," rather than pick fights with each other. How many random Trump or Sanders supporters do you know who systematically molest children and then pass them off to their wealthy and powerful friends for purposes of blackmail?

The Epstein case shines a gigantic spotlight on just how twisted and sociopathic the highest echelons of U.S. society have become. This is exactly what happens when you fail to put wealthy and powerful super predators behind bars. They get more brazen, they get more demented and, ultimately, they destroy the very fabric that holds society together. We are in fact ruled by monsters.

Unfortunately, by being short-sighted, by fighting amongst ourselves, and by taking the easy route of punching down versus punching up, we allow such cretins to continue to rape and pillage what remains of our civilization.

If we can truly get to the bottom of exactly what Epstein was up to, I suspect it has the potential to focus the general public (beyond a few seconds) on the true nature of what's really going on and what makes the world tick. Revelations of such a nature could provide the proverbial tipping point that's so desperately needed, but this is also why the odds of us actually getting the whole story is quite low. There's simply too much at stake for those calling the shots.

* * *

Side note: I've been consistently updating my Epstein twitter thread as I learn new information. I suggest checking back in from time to time.

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Ali Tarpate , 23 minutes ago link

> ...f urthered the fiction that he was some kind of genius hedge-fund billionaire

He wasn't - he was set up by Mossad

Mossad Epstein Connection

Notice the Bronfman involvement...

giovanni_f , 32 minutes ago link

If we can truly get to the bottom of exactly what Epstein was up

1. We can't.
2. Epstein was in the business to set up people with kompromat material ...
3. ...and did it for someone else , it appears as he was protected from above for many years.
4. These " elses " won't allow that the support of the Americans to forever fight Israels wars gets shattered.
5. I expect operation diversion & coverup soon. My hunch is that they will pull a 9/11 hoax as a last resort if things get out of hand fast.
6. They did it in the past, they will do it in the future.
7. Human lives don't matter to them.

He–Mene Mox Mox , 35 minutes ago link

Michael Krieger said: "It's sad and mind-boggling how easy it is to divide and conquer the American public. Manipulating the masses in this country is trivial. The next few years will not be pretty".

Despite all the news of how the elites have manipulated the American public, it still goes on, unabated. Americans, for the most part, are dumb and fat couch potatoes. They are not going to rise up against their elite masters, because they don't have the wherewithal to do so. So, the show continues on, and the elites don't seem to have anything to worry about, and do as they will.

If Americans were truly energetic about reigning in the abuses of the elites, they would have done so back in the 1870's, when Mark Twain wrote about the Gilded Age Elites. Here it is, 149 years later, and nothing has changed in America today. The elites still rule, and everyone else is an indentured servant. Of course, there are benefits for the elites to keep the American masses dumbed down, and letting them lead couch potato life styles. Doing so, keeps them in power.

Give Me Some Truth , 14 minutes ago link

I suspect it was the CIA or FBI. But the goal was to keep Acosta from investigating Virginia Roberts' claims. If authorities did this they would have had to investigate Prince Andrew.

If they found her to be truthful, they might even have to arrest Prince Andrew (can you imagine this happening?). Or at least ask him to testify in a trial.

If the truth came out, this would humiliate the British nation, and Great Britain was (still is) one of America's most important allies in the "war on terror" and all our other neocon initiatives.

Acosta was essentially told to "back off" Prince Andrew (not necessarily Epstein, who was best buddies with "Andy.")

This doesn't mean Israel intelligence was not involved in some way. It just means that American intelligence was involved, or wanted to protect key people. Hell, they still do.

We can be almost certain that the exact same thing that happened with Acosta is happening right now. Some prosecutor is being told to "back off. Don't go here. Focus only on Epstein and Epstein only."

This is why Ghislaine Maxwell has not been charged and will not be charged. This is why the FBI has not raided Pedo Island or Pedo Ranch. This is why Epstein's four "co-accomplices" have not been charged.

Prosecutors have again been told that "intelligence" is saying that it's okay to do this (charge Epstein with sex crimes), but NOT okay to do this (investigate and arrest any fellow predators).

phillyla , 38 minutes ago link

It isn't just the elites and we need to stop pretending it is

"Child sex trafficking which is the buying and selling of women, young girls and boys for sex, some as young as 9 years old, has become big business in America. It is the fastest growing business in organized crime and the second-most-lucrative commodity traded illegally after drugs and guns.
Adults purchase children for sex at least 2.5 million times a year in the United States.
It's not just young girls who are vulnerable to these predators, either.
According to a 2016 investigative report, "boys make up about 36% of children caught up in the U.S. sex industry (about 60% are female and less than 5% are transgender males and females)."
Who buys a child for sex?
Otherwise, ordinary men from all walks of life. "They could be your co-worker, doctor, pastor or spouse."

https://www.groundzeromedia.org/7-17-19-apex-predator-den-of-vipers-heart-of-darkness-w-ed-Opperman/

Obamanism666 , 45 minutes ago link

If Epstein was muslin would this be a crime? Of course not it would be part of Muslim Culture. Look into the Abuse done to young girls in the Rotherham abuse case. BTW I am no sticking up for Epstein but the ruling elites and certain minorities are treated different from Joe and Jane Public

Give Me Some Truth , 53 minutes ago link

The headline for this story is great:

"The Epstein Case Is A Rare Opportunity To Focus "On The Depraved Nature Of America's Elite"

This IS a "rare opportunity' for Americans to do just this (focus on how deprived our elite leaders really are).

If Americans really started to do this, for an extended period of time, and got, you know, kind of pissed off about this state of affairs, we might even throw all the bums out. We might really "drain the swamp."

So this is a BIG story. Potentially.

Of course, the Powers that Be are going to do everything they can to make sure Americans do NOT focus on this story for too long. Or that the "narrative" is controlled. (For example by focusing only on Epstein, not his hundreds of depraved buddies and corrupt institutions).

Give Me Some Truth , 26 minutes ago link

I've been posting for 10 days that there are "too many" of these people. And they are too powerful.

Seems to me if authorities went after one of the "johns," they would have to go after ALL of the "Johns." And this includes Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, former senators, governors, CEOs, secretaries of the treasury, bankers, etc.

It's the massive numbers of possible offenders that is probably keeping all of these people "safe."

And I still think Prince Andrew is the biggest fish the authorities don't want to humiliate/charge.

Even more so than Clinton. Half the country would throw a party if Clinton was charged. But in the UK, 90 percent of British citizens would be mortified and greatly embarrassed if one of their Princes was proven to have done all the things that have been alleged he did.

[Jul 24, 2019] I heard from a reputable British source that BoJo had a fling with Ghislane Maxwell, so there's your tie in. I agree that the Epstein Affair is the key to unlocking many mysteries.

Jul 24, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

O , Jul 23 2019 18:26 utc | 70

Posted by: Uncle Jon | Jul 23 2019 18:22 utc | 67

Note how just as the Epstein story was gaining steam, Trump easily pulled the spotlight back on himself through racist obnoxious tweets. Playing the role of the heel, much as he did when in actual pro wrestling and reality tv show.


O , Jul 23 2019 18:29 utc | 71

"In professional wrestling, a heel (also known as a rudo in lucha libre) is a wrestler who portrays a villain or a "bad guy" and acts as an antagonist[1][2][3] to the faces, who are the heroic protagonist or "good guy" characters. Not everything a heel wrestler does must be villainous: heels need only to be booed or jeered by the audience to be effective characters.

To gain heat (with boos and jeers from the audience), heels are often portrayed as behaving in an immoral manner by breaking rules or otherwise taking advantage of their opponents outside the bounds of the standards of the match. Others do not (or rarely) break rules, but instead exhibit unlikeable, appalling and deliberately offensive and demoralizing personality traits such as arrogance, cowardice or contempt for the audience. Many heels do both, cheating as well as behaving nastily."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heel_(professional_wrestling)

Maff , Jul 23 2019 19:00 utc | 81 O , Jul 23 2019 19:02 utc | 82
"In the 1980s, Boris Johnson volunteered in Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi in the Upper Galilee. Take that, Bernie Sanders. He has called himself a "Zionist" and said that Israel is a wonderful country which he loves."
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/global/uk/its-boris-johnson-with-66-calls-himself-zionist-criticized-disproportionate-gaza-bombings-2/2019/07/23/
Roy G , Jul 23 2019 19:04 utc | 83
Uncle Jon @67, I heard from a reputable British source that BoJo had a fling with Ghislane Maxwell, so there's your tie in. I agree that the Epstein Affair is the key to unlocking many mysteries.
O , Jul 23 2019 19:06 utc | 85
And as if the 'voters' had an actual choice between BoJo and Jeremy Hunt
"UK's Jeremy Hunt: Israel Is 'an Inspiration,' 'Beacon of Democracy'"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naLX3DBvrFg
Ort , Jul 23 2019 21:42 utc | 100
@ Sad Canuck | Jul 23 2019 19:28 utc | 87; @70 O

As a corollary to the professional politics/professional wrestling parallel, I offer this vintage (2010) "Onion Sports" article:

"Wrestling Fan's Comments Alternate Between Admitting It's Fake, Forgetting It's Fake"

I've been flogging this article intermittently for years without much positive feedback, but I still consider the "wrestling fan"'s perspective to be a perfect analogy to the way most US residents, including self-identified progressives and leftists who profess to be skeptical/cynical, regard electoral politics.

[Jul 24, 2019] Something Governmental built-up that Orgy Island

Jul 24, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

fersur , 4 hours ago link

Something Governmental built-up that Orgy Island, if Not directly then known about, Epstein had just purchased nearby Great St. James Island, and nearby Dog Island is suspect, plus ( not very far away ) Water Island has an old Submarine base that has a underground/underwater Fort !

Mr. Kwikky , 4 hours ago link

that's where maxwell's Terramar project comes in as a front for mossad operations.

I ask Ghislaine about her vision moving ahead. What inspires her?

"On my first submarine dives (she is a certified submersibles pilot)
https://misadventuresmag.com/exploring-women-ghislaine-maxwell-ocean-citizen/

The Maxwell Manhattan property, which is close to Epstein's mansion, is owned by Lynn Forester de Rothschild , wife of the British financier Sir Evelyn Robert de Rothschild.

It is also listed as the base of the Terramar project

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/madam-maxwell-linked-to-film-stars-and-top-politicians-j2s00hdqp3c

daveeemc2 , 4 hours ago link

im not a morality attorney, and this guy if alligations are true, is a sick ****.

but my question is - if you are doing sick **** why leave a paper trail?

I just dont understand how someone with some money cant cover their tracks, go cash and avoid the trail completely?

Move it thru money changers and how would anyone be aware of illegal activity?

He might have someoney but he doesnt seem to have brains...

my new username , 4 hours ago link

Come on. He paid cash.

Give Me Some Truth , 4 hours ago link

Lots of payments to lots of girls had to be made over lots of years.

Any of these girls report this income? Did Epstein report it as "gifts" or as "payroll expenses" to these employees?

I'm no prosecutor, but I would think we should have dozens of charges involving "wire fraud" here.

Also, all of these girls were transported across state lines as part of a criminal enterprise. Isn't this a crime too?

VWAndy , 4 hours ago link

I wonder how they handled waste on the island. Couldnt see anything in the drone footage of it.

fersur , 4 hours ago link

Chum for fish and likely just dug holes for things like plastics, much like boats sort their trash !

Plus whatever is in Maintenance yard across from Giganic Generator Building used 600amps with huge exhaust vents and 6" water piping, that entire area was sea level some 20 Years ago ! Note 200amp runs any house and small businesses, whatever needed 600amps and built like a bomb shelter also vented a kiln of sorts or a massive incinerator !

whoopsing , 4 hours ago link

not sticking up for the guy , but 600 amps is easily eaten up in a maintenance facility for an island

fersur , 2 hours ago link

Agreed' But their are three 200amp intakes side by side on the building, how much power the Generator Building could output is unknown ( arial pictures ) because the wires are all underground and generator itself is unknown !

Their are Wild guesses about the maintenance building across from building with a generator system because it is massive, with pallets of Concrete Blocks on drive-on roof and about 150 foot above sea-level that was a beach some 20 years ago !

Robin D. Hood , 3 hours ago link

Some trucked off by barge in the beginning of first drone video. See 15 yard dump truck parked by barge at beginning. Another video that just surfaced shows 2 underground entrances and a dumps with fuel barrels, pallets and wood. Lot's of big bonfires I guess.

fersur , 2 hours ago link

Generator is housed in a new huge building with doors closed, only the conduit entrenceway is visible Three side by side at no less than 200amp each go to building equipped with 6" plumbing lines!?!

I can only explain by having you watch excellent videos on YouTube so ignore if it's outside your interest!

Go to We The People Insider [Be Ready] 6.3k views Streamed a day ago ( todays Video has a little more ) and In The Matrixxx [Be Ready] 5k Views Streamed a day ago ( todays video has a little more ) and find their Video explanations !

I myself 100% believe every word from Both sources, you must decide for yourself!

And 'In the Pursuit of Truth' "Child Mind" 79k views since yesterday and "Be Ready" 68k views 17 hours ago ! Excellent !

Dickweed Wang , 5 hours ago link

. . . but it is unclear whether the report was ever filed with the Treasury Department's financial-crimes division.

Unclear?? What a load of ******* ********. Of course it was never filed. That's because a Stein was involved and he was part of the gang. This info would never have seen the light of day if the creep wasn't busted again and the only reason we're seeing it now is a cover your *** move on the part of DoucheBag.

[Jul 24, 2019] Deutsche Bank Flagged Jeffrey Epstein Overseas Transactions For Suspected Sex-Trafficking

Jul 24, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Deutsche Bank Flagged Jeffrey Epstein Overseas Transactions For Suspected Sex-Trafficking

by Tyler Durden Tue, 07/23/2019 - 18:00 0 SHARES

Deutsche Bank uncovered suspicious transactions in which Jeffrey Epstein moved money out of the United States, according to the New York Times .

The bank reported the transactions to a federal agency in charge of policing financial crimes after the bank began to look for signs that Epstein was using his funds for sex trafficking , according to the report.

Epstein is said to have moved his moey to Deutsche Bank's private-banking division after JP Morgan Chase cut ties with himn in 2013, five years after he pleaded guilty to state prostitution charges - one of which involved a minor.

Deutsche Bank executives are still trying to understand the depth and scope of the bank's relationship with Mr. Epstein, who has been a client of its private-banking division since at least 2013 -- years after his conduct became public in a prostitution case involving a teenage girl.

Deutsche Bank has been contacted by prosecutors and other government authorities investigating Mr. Epstein. Joerg Eigendorf, a Deutsche Bank spokesman, said the bank was "absolutely committed to cooperating with all relevant authorities." - New York Times

Following a series of investigative reports by the Miami Herald earlier this year, Deutsche Bank followed suit, severing ties with the wealthy financier. Doing so proved difficult for the bank, as its antiquated systems. " On a number of occasions, Deutsche Bank executives had thought they had shut down all of Mr. Epstein's accounts , only to learn that there were others that they had not previously been aware of," according to the Times . By late spring, there were still transactions occurring in Epstein's Deutsche Bank accounts, however company officials now believe they have closed them all down.

Epstein, who is currently sitting in a Manhattan jail cell pending trial, has been accused of operating a sex-trafficking ring involving dozens of victims - some as young as 14.

He has a byzantine network of businesses and personal holdings, which include real estate, an island and private planes valued at more than $500 million. - New York Times

Deutsche Bank first flagged Epstein's accounts in 2015 and 2016 , after anti-money laundering compliance officers in the bank's New York and Jacksonville, FL offices raised a wide spectrum of concerns over the bank's relationship with the financier.

The employees were concerned that the bank's reputation could be harmed if it became public that Mr. Epstein was a client, according to the people familiar with the internal processes.

In addition, the compliance officers on at least one occasion noticed potentially illegal activity in one of Mr. Epstein's account s, including transactions in which money was moving outside the United States, the people said. The compliance officers produced a so-called suspicious activity report, but it is unclear whether the report was ever filed with the Treasury Department's financial-crimes division.

Despite the compliance officers' misgivings, the bank continued to do extensive business with Mr. Epstein. - New York Times

"We're still trying to get our arms around it," said a bank employee.


Mah_Authoritah , 2 hours ago link

Joerg Eigendorf, a Deutsche Bank spokesman, said the bank was "absolutely committed to cooperating with all relevant authorities." - New York Times

Translation:

We absolutely commit to assisting all relevant authorities in locating and destroying all incriminating evidence. ;)

JailBanksters , 2 hours ago link

So as measure of goodwill, Douche Bank are going to donate all of Epstein's fees, charges, Interest to a Charity.

NOT Bloody likely.

Yog Soggoth , 3 hours ago link

"Following a series of investigative reports by the Miami Herald earlier this year, Deutsche Bank followed suit, severing ties with the wealthy financier. Doing so proved difficult for the bank, as its antiquated systems. " On a number of occasions, Deutsche Bank executives had thought they had shut down all of Mr. Epstein's accounts , only to learn that there were others that they had not previously been aware of," according to the Times . By late spring, there were still transactions occurring in Epstein's Deutsche Bank accounts, however company officials now believe they have closed them all down." They had no investigative people working for them, and somehow did not read newspapers from Miami at the time. They also have, and always have had, antiquated systems even though they are a large bank. Who does this make sense to?

[Jul 23, 2019] The Royal Family s Disturbing Connection to Jeffrey Epstein by Madeleine Aggeler

Notable quotes:
"... In a suit filed in 2015, Virginia Roberts Giuffre claimed that in 1999, when she was 15 years old, Epstein's friend and alleged madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, approached Giuffre at her summer job at Mar-a-Lago, and offered the teen professional training in massages. Giuffre says she was then brought to Epstein's Palm Beach home, where she was repeatedly sexually abused by him, and that over the next few years, he "loaned her out to rich and influential men around the world," as the Guardian reported in 2015. ..."
"... Among these men, Prince Andrew, who Giuffre said she was forced to have sex with on three occasions while she was 17, once in London, at Maxwell's home, once in New York, and once on Epstein's private Caribbean island as part of an "orgy with numerous other under-aged girls." ..."
"... According to court filings submitted in 2015 as part of a long-running lawsuit challenging Epstein's plea deal, Giuffre said Epstein ordered her at the time to "give the prince whatever he required" and report back to him with details of the abuse after. Per the filing, obtained by the Guardian : ..."
"... "Epstein's purposes in 'lending' Jane Doe (along with other young girls) to such powerful people were to ingratiate himself with them for business, personal, political, and financial gain," the document alleged, "as well as to obtain potential blackmail information". ..."
"... Buckingham Palace strenuously denied the allegations after they were published in the Guardian , calling them "categorically untrue," and denying "any form of sexual contact or relationship" between the prince and Giuffre. ..."
"... Flight logs, however, appear to confirm that the prince was in the locations Giuffre claimed he was at the relevant times, the Telegraph reported in 2015. ..."
Jul 08, 2019 | www.thecut.com
@mmaggeler

Wealthy financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was arrested at an airport in New Jersey on Saturday for allegedly trafficking dozens of underage girls between 2002 and 2005. Epstein, who received a lenient and widely criticized plea deal for similar charges back in 2007, is extremely well-connected. His " little black book " included presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Michael Bloomberg, Courtney Love, and 16 phone numbers for Britain's Prince Andrew (Queen Elizabeth's third child, and Prince Charles's younger brother). Prince Andrew and Epstein have been friends for a while, and, according to court documents, Epstein allegedly forced a teenage girl to have sex with him on three separate occasions, including during what she described as an orgy with other underage girls. Buckingham Palace has vehemently denied the allegations, but as Epstein is back under the spotlight, we're likely to hear more about the prince's relationship to him. Here's everything we know so far.

... ... ...

[Jul 23, 2019] Everything We Know About the Sex Crimes Case Against Jeffrey Epstein by Chas Danner and

Jul 23, 2019 | www.thecut.com

Matt Stieb

... ... ...

[Jul 23, 2019] the epstein case

Notable quotes:
"... According to multiple court filings reviewed by the Miami Herald , lawyers for one of Epstein's alleged victims have claimed that Epstein and Maxwell acted as the leaders of an "organized crime family" and that Maxwell helped traffic girls and women to powerful figures. Per the documents, Maxwell lured the alleged victims into the sex ring by offering them modeling, fashion, and educational opportunities. Furthermore, in 2009 depositions, two former house managers testified that Maxwell kept photos of young women in sexual acts. ..."
"... Maria Farmer, said in a sworn affidavit that Maxwell and Epstein sexually assaulted her in 1996 while she was working on an art project at the Ohio Mansion of L Brands CEO Les Wexner . ..."
"... Additionally, in 2017, a woman named Sarah Ransome alleged in a lawsuit that Maxwell and Epstein had threatened to physically hurt her or ruin her career were she to refuse to have sex with the pair's clients. Ransome withdrew the suit in December 2018 for reasons that were not made public ..."
"... Sanford L. Bohrer, the Miami Herald 's attorney , has urged the New York appeals court to prioritize unsealing the approximate 2,000 pages of documents related to the 2015 defamation case, as the allegations against Maxwell are "an issue of critical public concern." ..."
"... On July 2 of this year, though, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ordered that some of the aforementioned sealed documents be unsealed. But, predictably, Maxwell would prefer that the 2,000-some documents remain sealed. ..."
Jul 12, 2019 | www.thecut.com

Updated July 12, 2019 What We Know About Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's Alleged Madam By Amanda Arnold @aMandolinz

... ... ...

[Jul 23, 2019] New lives of the girls in Prince Andrew sex claim row by Sam Greenhill and Daniel Bates

Jan 05, 2015 | dailymail.co.uk
New lives of the girls in Andrew sex claim row: Epstein's aides who refused to testify are now a pilot and a designer

By Sam Greenhill In Florida and Daniel Bates In New York For The Daily Mail

They were the glamorous Jeffrey Epstein aides who refused to testify about Prince Andrew's visits to the 'House of Sin'.

Sarah Kellen and Nadia Marchinova both pleaded their right to silence under the US Fifth Amendment when asked if the royal had sex with teenage girls – earning themselves the nickname the 'blondes who took the Fifth'.

Today, Epstein's former PA Miss Kellen and Miss Marchinova – his on-off girlfriend – have reinvented themselves as Sarah Kensington and Nadia Marcinko.

Scroll down for video

Sarah Kensington - formerly Sarah Kellen - and her racing driver boyfriend Brian Vickers (left) and Nadia Marchinova, who is now Nadia Marcinko (right)

Miss Kensington, 34, is an interior designer who boasts of renovating corporate apartments in New York, the Caribbean and Paris – and dating a handsome racing car driver.

Miss Marcinko, 29, is a pilot and the chief executive of Aviloop, a company selling discounted flying lessons.

Intriguingly, they both operate from £1.5million addresses in a Manhattan building majority-owned by Mr Epstein's brother Mark. Neither woman seems keen to draw attention to their past work for the billionaire paedophile.

Both women were given immunity from prosecution in a controversial deal fixed by Epstein when he was jailed for soliciting prostitution from underage girls.

Miss Kellen was named as the chief fixer who travelled the world with Epstein and was accused by lawyers in legal filings of 'bringing girls to Epstein's mansion to be abused'.

Quizzed under oath, she had an opportunity to deny Andrew had sex at the £6million Florida mansion, dubbed the 'House of Sin', but chose to remain silent.

Citing the Fifth Amendment, Miss Marchinova also declined to say if she had sex with Andrew.

Since those scandal-engulfed days, both women have led dramatically different lives, a Mail investigation has discovered.

Both women were given immunity from prosecution in a controversial deal fixed by Epstein (left and right). He is said to have gone to huge efforts to cover-up his crimes, promising to 'look after' those who kept quiet +8 <img src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/01/08/2461C72500000578-0-image-a-12_1420680664559.jpg" height="910" width="634" alt="When quizzed under oath, Ms Kellen had an opportunity to deny Andrew (pictured left with Epstein) had sex at Epstein's £6million Florida mansion, dubbed the 'House of Sin', but chose to remain silent" />

When quizzed under oath, Ms Kellen had an opportunity to deny Andrew (pictured left with Epstein) had sex at Epstein's £6million Florida mansion, dubbed the 'House of Sin', but chose to remain silent

Buckingham Palace denies Prince Andrew sex case claim

Miss Kellen moved to Hawaii for a number of years where she married and took her husband's surname Bonk, before taking on her current identity. On her interior design website, sarahkensington.net, she describes being 'fortunate to say that I've been able to travel to many locations around the world, which in turn has broadened my designing skills'. She is in a relationship with a successful Nascar driver, stating on her website that 'most of my fans know that I am Brian Vickers' girlfriend'.

Slovakia-born Miss Marcinko's biography on the Aviloop website now states: 'Over the years, she has proven herself to be a distinguished entrepreneur'.

Virginia Roberts (pictured) claims in court she was forced to have sex with the Duke of York three times while underage"

Prince Andrew pictured in 2001 with Virginia Roberts. She is said to be planning a book about her life

She also penned an online blog under the name 'Gulfstream Girl' which more than 77,000 people 'liked', until the company Gulfstream objected and she changed it to 'Global Girl'.

She described how she started her flight training at Palm Beach Airport before accepting 'an offer from a friend' to obtain her Gulfstream II pilot rating.

Epstein, 61, is said to have gone to extraordinary efforts to cover-up his vile crimes, promising to 'look after' people who kept quiet.

His brother Mark told The Guardian newspaper he owned 'the majority of the units in the Manhattan building' and had never heard of the two women's companies.

The Duke (pictured) fiercely denies any sexual contact with underage girls, while Epstein's lawyer has described the claims as lies

He said Jeffrey did not own any of the units in the building, adding: 'They're rentals. The ones I own, I rent all of them out.'

It was also claimed yesterday that Epstein intimidated a pregnant journalist by asking where she was due to give birth.

British-born writer Vicky Ward was so afraid of the US financier that she had security put on the intensive care ward where her premature twins were being treated.

The Cambridge-educated journalist, 45, said he tried to 'control' her when he learned she was writing an in-depth article about him for Vanity Fair magazine in 2002.

Describing how Epstein 'spooked' her, she said he feared he was 'coming for my little ones' when he asked at which hospital she was giving birth.

The Duke fiercely denies any sexual contact with underage girls, while Epstein's lawyer has described the claims as lies.

[Jul 23, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein's Alleged Accomplices Where Are Sarah Kellen, Nadia Marcinkova, Adriana Ross Lesley Groff

Jul 23, 2019 | www.thedailybeast.com

Where Are Jeffrey Epstein's Alleged Accomplices Now?

When prosecutors gave Jeffrey Epstein a sweetheart plea deal in 2007, they agreed not to charge four women allegedly involved in recruiting dozens of underage girls for abuse.

Pilar Melendez

Reporter Updated 07.09.19 1:49PM ET / Published 07.09.19 4:41AM ET

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Photos Getty/YouTube
For decades, financier Jeffrey Epstein allegedly abused dozens of underage girls in a sex-trafficking enterprise, according to a new federal indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York.

But in order to successfully "create a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit" and expand his network of possible targets, he relied on the loyalty and organizational skills of his employees, prosecutors claim.

According to the 14-page indictment filed in Manhattan federal court on Monday, the 66-year-old hedge-fund manager/convicted sex offender "worked and conspired with others, including employees and associates" to run a sex-trafficking enterprise between 2002 and 2005, preying on "dozens" of girls as young as 14 at his mansions in New York and Palm Beach, Florida.

During each encounter listed in the indictment -- which charges Epstein with one count of sex trafficking and one count of sex-trafficking conspiracy -- girls were taken to a room to perform "massages" nude or partially nude before Epstein would escalate the encounter to "include one or more sex acts."

"Epstein typically would also masturbate during these sexualized encounters, ask victims to touch him while he masturbated, and touch victims' genitals with his hands or with sex toys," the indictment states, adding the money man knew that the girls were minors.

After the assault, prosecutors allege, Epstein or his associates would pay each girl hundreds of dollars in cash and often would turn the victim into a recruiter of new girls to abuse.

"In this way, Epstein created a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit," the indictment said. The indictment goes on to detail three anonymous victims and refers to three unnamed employees who allegedly assisted Epstein in the enterprise, including by making calls to arrange for "massages" for Epstein.

It's not the first time that Epstein's employees and associates have been accused of helping procure underage girls for his abuse.

In Epstein's controversial 2008 plea deal in Florida -- which was granted by then-prosecutor and now-Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and other DOJ attorneys, without informing the billionaire's alleged victims -- four women are named as possible accomplices. Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, which sentenced him to 18 months in prison, also granted immunity to the four women and any other "potential co-conspirators," identified in the document as "including but not limited to Sarah Kellen, Adriana Ross, Lesley Groff, or Nadia Marcinkova."

"While Epstein was at the head of the international sex trafficking organization, that conspiracy could not have functioned without many others playing their part," attorney Paul Cassell, who represents multiple victims of Epstein, told The Daily Beast after Epstein's arrest on Saturday . "Jane Doe 1 and 2 will continue to fight for all of Epstein's co-conspirators to be held accountable in New York, Florida, and anywhere else they committed crimes."

Details of Epstein's alleged trafficking in Monday's indictment mirror the accounts of scores of underage women in Florida, who described several "schedulers" who organized his alleged sex sessions and one young woman, described as Epstein's "sex slave," who would allegedly participate in the abuse while the billionaire watched.

But where are Epstein's alleged accomplices now?

Sarah Kellen

Sarah Kellen, Epstein's former assistant who allegedly kept a Rolodex of young girls to recruit for her employer, is now married to NASCAR driver Brian Vickers. Along with traveling with her husband, the 39-year-old (who also goes by the name Sarah Kensington) is the owner of an interior-design firm, SLK Designs .

"Sarah Kensington makes a living doing what she loves in life, interior design," a Facebook page connected to SLK Designs states . "She is the owner of SLK Designs LLC. and has studies at several schools including the University of Hawaii and New York School of Interior Design." The social-media page also details Sarah's interests, which include "fashion, photography, travel, delicious cuisine, and anything design related."

The page also notes that Sarah "is working with a number of clients on various projects including renovating several corporate apartments in New York, the Caribbean, and Paris. For the houses that Sarah manages, she does a number of duties which can involve organizing staff schedules, looking for and interviewing housekeepers and chefs, purchase and source items that are needed for the household (flatware, dishes, furniture, art, etc.), design floral arrangements, and interior design."

Epstein also owns homes in New York, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Paris.

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According to public records , SLK Designs once operated from a building in Midtown Manhattan owned by Epstein's property-manager brother, Mark Epstein. The condominium listed to take SLK Designs deliveries, at 301 E. 66th St., is the same address where Epstein allegedly rented units to house models .

Though not directly named in Monday's indictment, Kellen has been accused in court documents related to the Florida case of booking the "massages," often calling girls to ensure they "were available for encounters" when Epstein would travel to Palm Beach. Several alleged victims in Florida told authorities they were led to and from the upstairs room in Epstein's mansion by a woman named Sarah, after she lined up the oils on his massage table. According to one police report , Kellen also warned the girls not to talk to authorities about the encounters.

Monday's indictment contains similar allegations about unnamed Epstein employees. "When a victim initially arrived at the Palm Beach Residence, she would be escorted to a room, sometimes by an employee of Epstein's, including, at times, two assistants who, as described herein, were also responsible for scheduling sexual encounters with minor victims," the Monday indictment states.

Kellen also reportedly traveled on Epstein's private plane with former President Bill Clinton on at least 11 flights between 2002 and 2003, according to flight logs published by Gawker in 2015 .

Kellen, who has properties in North Carolina, New York, and Miami Beach, did not respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment. A NASCAR spokesperson told The Daily Beast the organization does "not have a comment" about Kellen's alleged misconduct.

Nadia Marcinkova

Nadia Marcinkova, Epstein's alleged "sex slave" who was accused of participating in sexual encounters with underage girls, is now an FAA-certified commercial pilot and flight instructor. Marcinkova, 33, who was allegedly brought from the former Yugoslavia to live with Epstein, now goes by the named " Global Girl " on social media, and has changed her last name.

"Global Girl ( Nadia Marcinko ) spent many years in the international marketing and advertising world as an international fashion model and spokesperson, with clients including Chanel, Christian Dior, Valentino, Vogue and MTV. After many successful years in the modeling industry, she was ready for longer runways and became a licensed commercial pilot," her Facebook account states , adding that she is an "FAA certified flight instructor and Gulfstream II, III & IV pilot."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlA3XDbBjDU/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=12&wp=881&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailybeast.com&rp=%2Fjeffrey-epsteins-alleged-accomplices-where-are-sarah-kellen-nadia-marcinkova-adriana-ross-and-lesley-groff#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1818.2270856724258%7D

Marcinkova also is the founder and CEO of Aviloop, a website selling discounted flying lessons and other deals related to aviation. Since 2011, Aviloop provides a slew of services, including designing custom pilot team and "organizing team building events." As with Kellen, the aviation company is registered at the building once owned by Mark Epstein and allegedly used as a model clubhouse by his brother.

Though Marcinkova originally started calling herself "Gulfstream Girl," she was sued in 2013 by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. for trademark infringement. On Jan. 6, 2014, the lawsuit filed in a New York Southern District court was settled after Marcinko changed her online name to Global Girl.

According to written testimony by several alleged victims , Marcinkova is described as having "encouraged and engaged in sexual acts" with young girls while Epstein watched. According to police, Epstein told one victim Marcinkova was his "sex slave" and that he'd purchased her from her family in the former Yugoslavia when she was 15. Marcinkova is not directly named in Monday's indictment.

Marcinkova, who lives in New York, did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment.

Adriana Ross

Adriana Ross, a former model from Poland who allegedly helped organize Epstein's predatory sessions, moved to Florida in 2002 and was hired to work at the financier's mansion. Ross, who often went by Adriana Mucinska and is not directly named in Monday's indictment, also frequently flew on Epstein's private jet alongside Bill Clinton , according to flight records.

Along with her fellow alleged co-conspirators, Ross was questioned in 2010 about whether Britain's Prince Andrew participated in Epstein's alleged sex enterprise. Refusing to answer questions about the inner workings of the alleged scheme, Ross repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment rights, according to previous reports . As previously reported by The Daily Beast, Ross also lived at the East 66th Street building in Manhattan.

Ross' current profession or address was not immediately clear and she could not be reached for comment.

Lesley Groff

Lesley Groff was another Epstein assistant who allegedly coordinated travel for young girls, often calling to schedule "massages." Though not directly named in Monday's indictment, the 51-year-old has been previously named as one of Epstein's three female assistants. According to a 2005 Chicago Tribune story about executive-assistant pay , Epstein divulged his assistants made about $200,000.

"They are an extension of my brain. Their intuition is something that I don't have," Epstein told the Tribune . According to public records, Groff currently lives in Connecticut and did not respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment.

[Jul 23, 2019] Meet Nadia Marcinkova, Star Girl of the Raunchiest Part of Epstein Scandal by John Carney

Jul 28, 2006 | dealbreaker.com

Without a doubt, the absolutely raunchiest part of the Epstein affadavit stars a mysterious young woman named "Nada Marcinkova." Lesbian strap-on raunchiness, ending in something that sounds to us a little bit like rape. We get all the details but no explanation of who Marcinkova is or what her relationship with Epstein was.

She's not one of his high school victims, and doesn't seem to have talked to the police. But it somehow seems fitting that this mysterious money manager to the billionaires would have an unknown Czech sex puppet lying around somewhere.

Gawker identified her in a NY Social Diary photo where Nadia (far left) is palling around with Epstein's pimp assistant Sarah Kellen (right).
Here she looks very respectable. Not at all like the "large rubber penis" wielding girl we know from the affadavit. Surely there's a more representative photo.

Of course there is. After the jump, check out Nadia looking a little more, uhm, severe, sexy and ready to get it on. And we'll throw in the raunchy portion of the affadavit below for your, uhm, reading pleasure.

[Note: Nadia, of course, couldn't be reached to confirm that this is her. But we're pretty sure it is.] Here's the relevant part of the affidavit.

[Annoying redacting ink blot covering up girl's name] advised that things escalated within the home as Epstein would instruct and pay [ink blot] to have intercourse with his female friend, Nada Marcinkova.

[Ink blot] explained the intercourse included strap on dildos, large rubber penis' [sic] and other devices that Epstein had at his disposal. Epstein would watch them have intercourse and masturbate himself. Occasionally, Epstein would then join in during the female on female intercourse and provide oral sex to both [ink blot] and Marcinkova.

This occured during the time [ink blot] was sixteen years of age.

[Ink blot] advised that this continued to escalate during two years. The routine became familiar to [ink blot]. Epstein's assistant Sarah [Kellen] would telephone her every time Epstein was in the Town of Palm Beach and would place appointments for her to visit and work for Epstein.

[... Ink blot] stated during one visit to Epstein's house in which she provided a massage to Epstein, his female friend, Nada Marcinkova, was also present. [Ink blot] provided the massage in which Marcinkova and her would fondle each others breasts and kiss for Epstein to enjoy. Towards the end of this massage, Epstein grabbed [ink blot] and turned her over onto her stomach on the massage table and forcible insterted his penis into her vagina.

[Ink blot] became upset over this. She said her head was being held against the table forcibly, as he continued to pump inside her. She screamed "No!" and Epstein stopped. She told him that she did not want to have his penis inside of her. Epstein did not ejaculate inside of her and apologized for his actions and subsequently paid her a thousand dollars for that visit.

[Ink blot] stated she knows he still displays her photographs throughout the house.

[Jul 23, 2019] Israel's Agents of Influence by Philip Giraldi

Notable quotes:
"... Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is ..."
"... You're overspecializing. Epstein, like all of the characters in the Mueller mess, is an international fixer and blackmailer. All of these dudes work for EVERY nation and mob at one time or another, and betray EVERY nation and mob at other times. Israel is just one of the nations that hire these creatures. The only difference is that the fixers are less likely to betray Israel. Mossad is more serious and competent than MI6 or CIA. ..."
"... I suggest that everyone half intelligent exercise some common sense when it comes to Epstein. Only an (anti-Israel) idiot believes that Epstein/Mossad were running blackmail operations for years with American intelligence cowed into turning a blind eye. ..."
"... While it will certainly be a hard row to hoe due to many factors, not the least of which is that the Zionists have taken the long-view on many matters and this approach has given them the upper hand, it is imperative for the prosperity and well-being of the non-Zionist U.S. citizens. ..."
"... By the way, amid all this Maxwell=Mossad business, both Maxwell and Trump procured their opulent yachting yachts from the Khashoggi brothers. And Khashoggi, whoever else he works for, is a big skin on the wall at CIA... ..."
Jul 23, 2019 | www.unz.com

Some journalists in the Jewish media are starting to complain that President Donald Trump is "loving Israel" just a little too much since he keeps citing his concern for the Jewish state as the driving force behind some of his erratic behavior. It is a viewpoint that I most definitely share, though I would describe the apparent White House lovefest with the Israel as a "lot too much." When the President of the United States calls a congresswoman an anti-Semite and demands that she apologize to him personally and also to Israel it is definitely a lot too much.

So Israel is always in the news, or so it seems, though it is often not in the news when the story might be derogatory. The story disappears from sight as soon as it is determined that Israel might be involved, as is currently the case with Jeffrey Epstein, or Israeli activity is excised completely as was the case with the Mueller investigation where Russiagate should have really been called Israelgate as it was Israel that was seeking favors from the incoming Trump Administration, not Russia. As Noam Chomsky put it , Israeli interference in American politics "vastly overwhelms" anything Russia has done.

I have recently written about how the Jewish state works hard to brainwash the American people and limit the foreign policy options of the U.S. government, to include aggressive efforts to obtain what the intelligence agencies would call "agents of influence." Agents of influence live and work in one country while simultaneously and treacherously advancing the interests of another nation. It is what George Washington warned about in his Farewell Address when he counseled "Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government."

Foreign influence as a potential national security threat is also a status defined in legal terms by the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA), which requires anyone working on behalf of a foreign government to register and make transparent sources of income.

Uniquely, no foundation or individual working in America to advance the interests of the Jewish state has ever been required to register under FARA even though many, like the odious American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), boast unambiguously on their websites that they are "America's pro-Israel Lobby." Many of the foundations are regarded as educational or charitable 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profits, which means the U.S. taxpayer is helping support their activity. But being a non-profit charity does not necessarily mean austerity, as the salaries of top employees are generous. Canadian Jew Mark Dubowitz of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), a 501(c)3, is paid $560,000 in salary and benefits. FDD has for many years been calling for war against Iran.

The most recent foundation being set up by Israel's friends to promote the interests of the Jewish state is the Edmund Burke Foundation, which hosted a conference on "Nationalism" last week. The conference was interesting in that the Burke Foundation is headed by an Israeli and an American Jew who has served as Executive Director of the Christians United For Israel (CUFI). The event was held at the Washington D.C. Ritz-Carlton, suggesting that the Burkeans are not short of cash. Pro-Israel groups always seem to have plenty of Benjamins.

A number of traditional conservatives and even some organizations were fooled by the promotional material and speakers' list into thinking that the program was legitimate and would focus on supporting national interests as well as foreign policy restraint, but some at least had their eyes opened when John Bolton, as featured speaker, was vigorously applauded by at least half of the audience .

Some potential critics of the agenda were not invited or even deliberately denied tickets to limit dissent, and several attendees were appalled by what they had witnessed, which was essentially an affirmation of status quo foreign policy, to the benefit of the hawks in Washington and Israel. Inevitably, some delusional dimwits were unable to understand that they were being used and were oddly entranced by what they were seeing and hearing . And don't worry if you are among those who missed the event. It will probably be replayed in a few months under a different name and with a slightly different cast of characters.

The most visible Israeli tool for generating contacts with Americans that might prove useful is the all- expenses-paid VIP junkets that are arranged for Congressmen. New Congressmen routinely travel to Israel for a dog-and-pony show within months of their taking office. One of Congress's leading cheerleaders for Israel, Maryland's Steny Hoyer has visited the Jewish state many times and can be relied on to pressure freshman congressmen to make the trip. Other Americans who might be influential in the future are also feted by the Israeli hospitality machine. American military cadets from the service academies and colleges are now being brought to Israel to learn a fictional version of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Undoubtedly, some of them are set up for intelligence approaches after they are commissioned.

Which brings us to the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein story and how it is being handled by government and covered in the media since the story exploded two weeks ago. No one outside the alternative media seems to be interested in the possibility, or rather likelihood, that Epstein was working for a foreign intelligence service, which would most likely be Israel. In the media the Epstein story died almost immediately, submerged in the tale of Donald Trump telling several congresswomen to go back where they came from.

It is unlikely that the spying aspect of Epstein's alleged crimes will even be investigated both because it involves the Jewish state and also becomes it appears to include participation by leading politicians from both parties and other public figures. The Deep State will make the story die, which just might also be what happens to Epstein in jail.

The evidence that Epstein was involved in intelligence work most likely bribing or blackmailing prominent individuals to act on behalf of Israel, derives both from the statement made by former U.S. Attorney for Miami Alexander Acosta that "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone" and from other external evidence. Epstein was making videos of his guests having sex with his young girls, which is a version of a classic intelligence entrapment technique referred to as a "honey trap" that is employed by every major spy agency worldwide. And the Acosta quote – will it ever be fully investigated? Who told him that Epstein was "intelligence" and what were the circumstances?

Jeffrey's sources of income have also been questioned. Epstein's sole identified business connection was Ohio billionaire Les Wexner, who maintained very close ties to the upper echelons of the Israeli diplomatic and intelligence establishment . Epstein served as Wexner's trustee when the latter was forming the Mega Group, created by Wexner and Edgar Bronfman to generate positive views of Israel as a cover for Israeli propaganda dissemination in America.

Epstein's lack of an identifiable income stream rather suggests that he might have been supported by a government agency of some kind. He had hidden in his Manhattan house a great deal of cash, diamonds and an Austrian passport. The diamonds might have represented payment in kind from Israel, which is capital of the world diamond trade, and the existence of the passport is intriguing. It has been described in the media as "fake" but that can mean anything. The passport, dating from the 1980s, was apparently authentic with a photo of Epstein and a fake name inserted in it, but it might plausibly be the product of a government document forgery lab. Why Austria? Because Austria was at the time politically neutral and the passport would be a good one for traveling anywhere. It would be much preferred by spy agencies or by agents who wanted to travel anonymously.

That Epstein would be linked to Israel rather than to some other intelligence service is due to his relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell , whose father Robert, a Czech Jew who became a naturalized British citizen, was believed by C.I.A. and other intelligence services to be a long-time agent of Mossad. After he died under mysterious circumstances, he was given a state funeral in Israel that was attended by every current and former head of the Jewish state's intelligence service as well as by the country's prime minister Yitzhak Shamir. Ghislaine was reportedly Epstein's close friend and a procurer of his young girl victims.

As most of Israel's agents of influence are now on Martha's Vineyard where they gather in July and August, it would be wonderful to cut off all transportation and communication with the island and leave them there, but that would be unfair to the genuine year-round residents. Alternatively, I would be happy just to see Israel's dire influence over the United States exposed by the media and discussed in public fora by the more than 20 Democratic Party presidential wannabes. As that is not likely to happen, I would settle for a real honest-to-God investigation of Epstein and what he was doing coupled with a move by the Treasury and Justice departments against all the hundreds of pro-Israel groups that have never registered under FARA. It's a big job to uncover Israeli subversion, but somebody needs to start doing it.

Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is [email protected]


Mark James , says: July 23, 2019 at 5:43 am GMT

I would settle for a real honest-to-God investigation of Epstein

Dershowitz "would publish an online essay preemptively attacking Bruck's (Connie) unpublished article and accusing New Yorker editor David Remnick of ordering up a "hit piece" aimed at "silencing my defense of President Trump , Prime Minister Netanyahu , and the State of Israel ." (Remnick declined to comment.) Rice,NYM 7/19

Dersh' is claiming this forthcoming Bruck piece -in particular- will do permanent damage to his career. We can only hope it will be that effective. Yes, forces are out there trying to quash investigations.

I think there will be some significant efforts to do the job that many had badly fell short on. But there should be much more. Like 60 Mins and Frontline to name two. As for the prosecutors, that question has to be answered too. This is a very big story. As serious as the crimes against the young girls are, the Epstein case is about much more.

niteranger , says: July 23, 2019 at 6:24 am GMT
Are you kidding? The truth will never come out. You were supposedly a counterintelligence expert at the CIA? Epstein's links to Maxwell, Israel, the Mossad, MI5 and the USA's own CIA are so blatant that Acosta was told that he was part of the Intelligence Network and to leave him alone. All Jewish organizations (they do not have to register as lobbying groups) are nothing more that money launders for various illegal Jewish activities and form pathways for Jews to do anything they want in America.

Here's a speech by Pelosi at AIPAC 2019:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/KkLOmdiJpGU?feature=oembed

... ... ...

JimDandy , says: July 23, 2019 at 6:46 am GMT
Yeah. Vanity Fair is reporting that some "prominent Republicans" believe that Epstein is a Mossad agent. And so it begins. The Narrative: the only people that believe THAT tinfoil hat blood libel about Epstein-Israel are the Nazi Alt-right-wingers. It's basically the Birthers all over again. Nothing to see here. Move along.
polistra , says: Website July 23, 2019 at 7:08 am GMT
You're overspecializing. Epstein, like all of the characters in the Mueller mess, is an international fixer and blackmailer. All of these dudes work for EVERY nation and mob at one time or another, and betray EVERY nation and mob at other times. Israel is just one of the nations that hire these creatures. The only difference is that the fixers are less likely to betray Israel. Mossad is more serious and competent than MI6 or CIA.
mark green , says: July 23, 2019 at 7:12 am GMT
Thank you, Philip Giraldi, for an important and insightful article.

Another major hurdle blocking a genuine investigation of Israeli influence and its highly-paid and deeply-embedded agents of influence, is that Israel just happens to have 'friends' at all levels of elite American media. Israelis and crypto-Israelis dominate America's Fourth Estate.

Pro-Israel infiltration of US news institutions, social media organs, search engines, and entertainment media cannot be overestimated. Yet it's ignored. Deliberately. Certain facts may not be noticed.

But it is a fact that hard-core Zionists own/manage/influence most American news and entertainment media; from Hollywood to Chicago to DC to NYC–and most everything in between.

In the rare instance when an independent news outlet does do its job and pursues a story that upsets organized Jewry, it is commonly met with threats of boycott (economic warfare) and/or Zionist-friendly lawsuits ('lawfare'). As Gilad Atzmon has noted (I paraphrase): 'Jewish power is the power to make unacceptable the close examination of Jewish power'.

... ... ...

Germanicus , says: July 23, 2019 at 8:11 am GMT
Isn't the main problem double citizenship, the rotten US empire has enforced all over its vassal states?
You can't serve two masters, double citizenship has to be removed.
MLK , says: July 23, 2019 at 11:58 am GMT
Giraldi appears to be speaking truth to (Jewish) power but don't believe it.

It ain't coincidental that he's engaged in this distracting arm-waving, mentioning the previously obscure and notoriously unenforced FARA twice.

the DOJ National Security Division, intentionally never prosecuted for FARA violations because they used the appearance of FARA violations to get FISA electronic surveillance warrants against any DC entity they wanted to watch.

Link for a deep dive: https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/07/21/bizarre-status-of-flynn-partner-trial-fara-prosecution-in-tenuous-disposition/

I suggest that everyone half intelligent exercise some common sense when it comes to Epstein. Only an (anti-Israel) idiot believes that Epstein/Mossad were running blackmail operations for years with American intelligence cowed into turning a blind eye.

It's positively depressing to see Giraldi, someone I thought honorable, deployed to distract attention from seditious filth like Brennan. Will Giraldi even mention his name anymore? I half expect Giraldi one of these days to tell us Brennan et. al. "were keeping us safe." Which is why Epstein and Mossad were molesting minors right under their honorable noses.

Am I the only one (mostly) noting the pitch perfect similarity of Epstein to the Dennis Hastert scandal 13 years ago?

lysias , says: July 23, 2019 at 12:25 pm GMT
@jeff stryker A nobody would not have been given such a sweetheart deal by the Department of Justice.
OEMIKITLOB , says: July 23, 2019 at 12:32 pm GMT
Mr. Giraldi,

I encourage you to continue to write pieces exposing the Israeli connection to much of what ails us here in the U.S. (and the rest of the world, too).

While it will certainly be a hard row to hoe due to many factors, not the least of which is that the Zionists have taken the long-view on many matters and this approach has given them the upper hand, it is imperative for the prosperity and well-being of the non-Zionist U.S. citizens.

As an aside, when I hear our rulers utter the phrase "National Security" I have to wonder which nations security they are referring to because it sure doesn't seem to be mine.

Malcolm Little , says: July 23, 2019 at 12:35 pm GMT
By the way, amid all this Maxwell=Mossad business, both Maxwell and Trump procured their opulent yachting yachts from the Khashoggi brothers. And Khashoggi, whoever else he works for, is a big skin on the wall at CIA...
Johnny Walker Read , says: July 23, 2019 at 12:39 pm GMT
...The below is well known info, the question is how long will America put up with it?
https://hshidayat.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/zionists-blackmail-and-control-america-the-americans-know-it/

[Jul 23, 2019] Aangirfan JEFFREY EPSTEIN, MOSSAD AND 9 11

Jul 23, 2019 | aanirfan.blogspot.com

Jeffrey Epstein's Nadia, who learnt to fly at the same Mossad-linked airfield as the Hebrew-speaking Mohamed Atta.

What links Jeffrey Epstein to 9 11 and to Mossad?

The mainstream media is so thoroughly controlled by Mossad and its friends that the general public is unlikely to find out.

Virginia Roberts became Jeffrey Epstein's sex slave in 1999.

Epstein's Black Book
lists a number of people whom Mossad and its friends may have wanted to blackmail and control prior to the events of 9 11 .

Jeffrey Epstein's girl Nadia Marcinko/Marcinkova (above) learned to fly at Florida's Lantana Airport at about the same time as the Hebrew-speaking Mohammad Atta, who is thought to have been a Mossad agent.

Mohamed Atta - 911Review.

[Jul 23, 2019] We Found Red Flags All Over Jeffrey Epstein's Jail Records

Jul 23, 2019 | www.thedailybeast.com

A FOIA of the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office work-release and visitor logs for the financier turned up some troubling inconsistencies.

Jeffrey Epstein 's lenient 2008 conviction for his sexual assaults on adolescent girls may be described as one of the greatest travesties of justice in recent history. Brad Edwards, an attorney for many of Epstein's victims, announced last week that Epstein continued to prey on young women while serving his sentence in Palm Beach. Unlike other sex offenders in Florida, Epstein had his own wing of the Palm Beach County jail and liberal work-release policies. Due to this new information, the Miami Herald reported, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) has suddenly opened an internal-affairs investigation of Epstein's incarceration.

As part of my research on the Epstein case, I sent an FOIA request earlier this summer to the PBSO concerning Jeffrey Epstein (inmate No. W35755). I asked for two records: Work-Release List entries and the Visitor Information Log. Six days later, I received an email requesting that I phone to clarify my request. I thought this was strange because "Work-Release List" and "Visitor Information Log" are the exact names of documents that I already knew the PBSO maintained.

The officer I spoke to on the phone seemed reluctant to provide the records. He intimated that they were for an older inmate and probably not kept. When I pressed him, he then described the records as possibly hand-written and difficult to obtain. It seemed as if there might be no records, but then inexplicably, several days later, an email with three PDF attachments arrived in my inbox.

The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office sent me 149 pages of "Work Release" sign-in sheets in two "batches." Additionally, they returned a single-page Visitor Log. (However, I already had other Visitor Logs for Epstein from other sources, which suggests they did not release all the records to me.) Many of the Work Release forms were duplicates and not 149 separate records for each of his work-release days. If someone did not comb through each page carefully, they might falsely believe all the relevant records were provided.

Another document I obtained (separately from this FOIA) was of a fax sent by the PBSO (Media Relations division) that contained work-release sign-in/sign-out sheets for 10 days in July 2009, plus "Extra Duty" records for several days when Palm Beach Sheriff's officers provided private security for Jeffrey Epstein. The documents in this fax were not included in the response to my FOIA request.

In total, the records I assembled contained 77 actual days of Jeffrey Epstein's work release from October 2008 through July 2009. The top of the form identifies it as a "Work Release Log," the day of the week, and the date. Below is the name of the prisoner (Jeffrey Epstein) with his sign-out time (8 a.m. or 10 a.m.) and his sign-in time for when he returns from work. Both the sheriff's deputy and Epstein were required to sign separately each day when he left and when he returned.

... ... ...

[Jul 23, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein scandal women with new identities run firms from Epstein-linked property US news> by Jon Swaine

Notable quotes:
"... Two women questioned about Prince Andrew in 2010, operating businesses from New York property years after appearing to have left Epstein's entourage ..."
"... Sarah Kellen and Nada Marcinkova, questioned by lawyers about whether Prince Andrew had any involvement in Epstein's abuse, have reinvented themselves as Sarah Kensington and Nadia Marcinko. Photograph: the guardian Two of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged accomplices are running businesses from a Manhattan property linked to the wealthy sex offender under new identities, years after appearing to have left his scandal-plagued entourage. ..."
"... Virginia Roberts, who has long claimed that she was Epstein's "sex slave", alleged in a US court filing last week that she was forced to have sexual relations with Andrew. The prince vehemently denies the allegation against him and is under intense pressure to fully account for his friendship with Epstein. ..."
"... Kellen was accused by lawyers in legal filings of "bringing girls to Epstein's mansion to be abused". According to police files, a series alleged victims of Epstein told investigators that they were led to a massage room in Epstein's mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, by a woman named Sarah. ..."
"... One alleged victim claimed to police that she was told Marcinkova had been bought from her parents in eastern Europe by Epstein when she was 15, according to detectives. One alleged that she was made to have sex with Marcinkova and to watch her have sex with Epstein. ..."
"... Sarah Kellen, now Kensington, with boyfriend Brian Vickers. Kellen was accused by lawyers in legal filings of 'bringing girls to Epstein's mansion to be abused'. ..."
"... Attorneys for Epstein did not respond to an email asking whether Epstein had assisted his former associates in any way in securing their new identities, establishing their businesses or in maintaining the property. ..."
"... Marcinkova and Kellen did not respond on Tuesday to telephone calls, voicemails, emails and text messages seeking comment. Attorneys who represented them when they were questioned in 2010 did not respond to queries about whether they still spoke for the women. ..."
Jan 07, 2015 | www.theguardian.com

Jeffrey Epstein scandal: women with new identities run firms from Epstein-linked property

This article is more than 4 years old

Two women questioned about Prince Andrew in 2010, operating businesses from New York property years after appearing to have left Epstein's entourage

Jon Swaine in New York

Sarah Kellen and Nada Marcinkova, questioned by lawyers about whether Prince Andrew had any involvement in Epstein's abuse, have reinvented themselves as Sarah Kensington and Nadia Marcinko. Photograph: the guardian Two of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged accomplices are running businesses from a Manhattan property linked to the wealthy sex offender under new identities, years after appearing to have left his scandal-plagued entourage.

Nada Marcinkova and Sarah Kellen, who were questioned by lawyers about whether Prince Andrew had any involvement in Epstein's abuse of underage girls, have since reinvented themselves as Nadia Marcinko and Sarah Kensington.

Marcinkova, 29, is now a pilot and the chief executive of Aviloop, a website selling discounted flying lessons and other deals related to aviation. Kellen, 34, states that she is the owner of SLK Designs, a renovations firm.

However according to public records, both businesses have operated from addresses in a building on East 66th Street in Manhattan majority-owned by Epstein's brother Mark, a wealthy property magnate. Two condominiums in the building sold last year for $2.5m and $1.85m.

Nada Marcinkova, left and Sarah Kellen, second from right. Via newyorksocialdiary.com Photograph: newyorksocialdiary.com

Marcinkova's company is officially registered with New York authorities at the building. Import records show that Kellen's company takes deliveries there.

Jeffrey Epstein , a friend of Andrew's who was jailed in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor, was accused in 2011 court documents of using the building to house young women. Several rented condominiums in the building have been lived in by Epstein associates, according to public records.

Mark Epstein said in a brief telephone interview on Tuesday: "I own the majority of the units in the building, but I've never heard of those companies," referring to the firms run by Marcinkova and Kellen.

Virginia Roberts, who has long claimed that she was Epstein's "sex slave", alleged in a US court filing last week that she was forced to have sexual relations with Andrew. The prince vehemently denies the allegation against him and is under intense pressure to fully account for his friendship with Epstein.

Marcinkova and Kellen were among four named Epstein associates identified by US government prosecutors as "potential co-conspirators" who would avoid charges under the controversial plea deal Epstein struck in 2007, which saw him serve just over year in jail for his offences.

The two women both cited their right under the US constitution to avoid incriminating themselves when they were asked a series of questions by lawyers for alleged victims of Epstein under oath in 2010 – including whether underaged girls were forced to have sex with Andrew.

Kellen was accused by lawyers in legal filings of "bringing girls to Epstein's mansion to be abused". According to police files, a series alleged victims of Epstein told investigators that they were led to a massage room in Epstein's mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, by a woman named Sarah.

One alleged victim claimed to police that she was told Marcinkova had been bought from her parents in eastern Europe by Epstein when she was 15, according to detectives. One alleged that she was made to have sex with Marcinkova and to watch her have sex with Epstein.

Marcinkova's biography on the Aviloop website now states: "Over the years, she has proven herself to be a distinguished entrepreneur". In addition to carrying out international design work, Kellen is in a relationship with a successful Nascar driver, stating on her website that "most of my fans know that I am Brian Vickers' girlfriend".

Sarah Kellen, now Kensington, with boyfriend Brian Vickers. Kellen was accused by lawyers in legal filings of 'bringing girls to Epstein's mansion to be abused'.

The domains for both websites are registered through the same Arizona-based service that allows the identities and contact details of the website owner to be shielded from public view.

Attorneys for Epstein did not respond to an email asking whether Epstein had assisted his former associates in any way in securing their new identities, establishing their businesses or in maintaining the property.

Marcinkova and Kellen did not respond on Tuesday to telephone calls, voicemails, emails and text messages seeking comment. Attorneys who represented them when they were questioned in 2010 did not respond to queries about whether they still spoke for the women.

Mark Epstein said that his brother did not own any of the units in the building. Asked how it came to be that associates of his brother lived in the building, Mark Epstein said: "They're rentals. The ones I own, I rent all of them out." Asked whether he owned the units where associates of his brother lived or registered businesses, Mark Epstein said: "I don't know, and even if I knew, that's not information I'm giving you."

"I don't keep track, I've owned them for 20-something-odd years and I don't know," Mark Epstein said, when asked if he owned a unit that according to public records Kellen once used. "There's only a few people I know who live there, such as friends," he said.

[Jul 23, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein Private Investigator Michael Fisten Says He's Shared Names of Two Female Fixers With Feds by Barbie Latza Nadeau

Jul 23, 2019 | www.thedailybeast.com

Private investigator Michael Fisten first started digging into financier Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sex trafficking crimes more than a decade ago when attorney Brad Edwards hired him. After Epstein signed a non-prosecution deal with federal prosecutors in 2008, Edwards had sued Epstein in civil court on behalf of a number of alleged victims who had been blindsided by the plea deal (which a judge later ruled to have violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act ). Fisten was tasked with finding as much incriminating information on the financier as he could.

Fisten, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, said he was shocked and disgusted by what he uncovered. In a wide-ranging interview with CNN , the P.I. said that he was able to identify two young women who have arranged access to girls for Epstein in recent years. He and Edwards have handed over the names and "associated information" over to federal authorities, he said, though he did not name the alleged fixers to CNN.

Fisten also said that his investigations led to the discovery of countless lapses in security during the time Epstein was on work release from the Palm Beach county jail -- in a cushy deal that allowed the convicted sex offender out of confinement 12 hours a day, six days a week. On Friday, the Palm Beach sheriff's office announced that it had opened its own internal investigation into whether deputies, who often referred to Epstein as a "client" instead of an inmate in logs kept at the sheriff's office, had broken with procedure.

Fisten told CNN that he was angered that Epstein was allowed to go to a luxury office instead of remaining behind bars. Fisten said he was disgusted when he saw "lavish lunches being brought into the office and a parade of young females going in and out of the place."

The Palm Beach sheriff's office now admits that Epstein was also allowed to go to his luxury mansion and spend time there unsupervised.

Fisten tried to obtain the sheriff's office logs that should have documented the names and ages of everyone who came into contact with Epstein during work release, but the logs "have inexplicably vanished," he said to CNN.

"We wanted to get those logs so we could see who the girls were," Fisten said. "They're missing. No one knows where they are."

Fisten also repeated previous claims that Epstein wielded his power to silence his accusers during and after his incarceration, even hiring his own private investigators who were paid to harass his victims. "They were former Miami cops," Fisten told CNN. "He paid an extremely large retainer to them and all their job to do was to follow the girls around and intimidate them."

Fisten even ran into Epstein's private investigators first hand. Once, when driving one of Epstein's accusers home, he told CNN he saw one of Epstein's detectives parked across from her house filming her comings and goings. Fisten said the father of another of Epstein's accusers was "run off the road" by one of the former cops in Epstein's employ.

Of Epstein's alleged victims, Fisten noted, "Once these girls lost their braces and their pubescent look and started becoming 16-years old or 17-years old, they were too old for him."

"So then he started using them as recruiters to bring the younger girls."

Epstein was denied bail on Thursday as he faces federal sex trafficking charges in New York. Fisten says the victims finally feel that justice could be served. "They couldn't be happier," he told CNN. "It's all they ever wanted."

[Jul 23, 2019] Does anyone else think Jeffrey Epstein is Mossad conspiracy

Jul 23, 2019 | www.reddit.com

So rumors are now circulating that there will be a sordid if not downright horrific Epstein-Weiner-Clinton revelation in the coming days that will finally bring down the Clintons. Perhaps the powers behind the scenes have decided it's time to get rid of this toxic bitch.

Apropos to that, I've been looking into this Epstein character. His lawyer and best friend is Allan Dershowitz (Dersh, under suspicion himself, now claims they were never close, despite previous statements).

Epstein's black book contains the personal phone numbers of several former Israeli prime ministers.

When Epstein was arrested the rumor in NY was that he was going to flee to Israel.

The pre-scandal vanity fair article expresses puzzlement over how Epstein built his fortune (the "hedge fund manager" title may be a cover). A huge fortune it is: he lives in the most expensive apartment in NY -- eight floors.

J. Epstein Company was set up via a 1 billion grant from Victoria's Secret owner Leslie Wexner, who's father Harry Wexner (changed from Hagan Wexelstein) was a secretive billionaire.

Epstein's other partner in crime was Ghislane Maxwell, the daughter of a notorious Mossad agent named Robert Maxwell.

When Epstein was busted he was given the sweetheart deal of a lifetime.

Hidden cameras were found throughout his Florida home. Presumably hidden cameras were/are also present on the "lolita express" (on which Bill took two dozen flights) and "sin island."

The entranceway to his NY apartment is decorated with glass eyeballs -- an inside joke about the cameras behind the walls?

This seems pretty cut and dried to me: Epstein was recruited by Mossad to run a honey pot operation in order to ensnare and blackmail US and international elites. The bait was underage girls ("forbidden fruit") and possibly even children, given the frequent trips to Thailand etc.

Hillary Clinton should be barred from office on the grounds that she is blackmailable by the Israelis. We might as well be electing Netanyahu to the White House. Perhaps this is an open secret. Hillary's top five donors are Zionists.

Oddly, Epstein has claimed that he "helped found" the Clinton Foundation. Was he just bragging about his relationship with Bill? Or could the CF itself be involved in trafficking child sex slaves?


lone_geek 6 points 7 points 8 points 2 years ago (0 children)

He wouldn't have to be official Mossad to work for them.
See this: http://www.timesofisrael.com/hollywood-producer-arnon-milchan-reveals-mossad-past/
lone_geek 1 point 2 points 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)
Nenanyahu isn't all liked by his own intelligence services.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/second-ex-mossad-chief-joins-chorus-criticizing-netanyahu/
mracidglee 5 points 6 points 7 points 2 years ago (1 child)
Like lone_geek says - if he's not Mossad, he's part of something . I knew about the Wexner connection, but not Harry Wexner/Hagan Wexelstein (isn't that one of the villains in Frozen?).
lone_geek 3 points 4 points 5 points 2 years ago * (0 children)
See - Safari Club -- a 1974 group of multiple intelligence agencies formed after the Church Committee investigations. Formed specifically to bypass over-site / legal considerations from governments. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safari_Club -- You have a parallel intelligence service operating outside the knowledge of the official intelligence services. Now posit that this parallel intelligence service never shut down, they just went corporate. If you're a part of a company you could have company "offices" all over the globe, your travel would not be scrutinized, etc.
IanPhlegming 2 points 3 points 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)
Whether Mossad or something else, I'm on board with all you've written. Only question is WHO he was working for. The Ghislane Maxwell connection is telling, though.
lone_geek -1 points 0 points 1 point 2 years ago (0 children)
Right - however is Ghislane Maxwell working for the "official Mossad" or the "unofficial Mossad" -- or a shell company that works as a cut-out for either of the official or unofficial groups.
SourceZeroOne 0 points 1 point 2 points 2 years ago (0 children)
Exactly. I was just banned from another board today for posting the same thing.

Every single politician who spent time partying with Epstein should be removed from office. We have to assume that each one represents a security threat.

http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2015/01/13/u-s-politicians-on-video-with-underage-sex-slaves.html

DrDuplicitous 0 points 1 point 2 points 2 years ago (0 children)
Of course Epstein is Mossad. His madame, Ghislaine Maxwell, is the daughter of a Mossad Sayan and media magnate named Robert Maxwell.

Trump controlled by Mossad https://fitzinfo.wordpress.com/2016/10/29/trump-controlled-by-mossad/

pro_spiracy 0 points 1 point 2 points 2 years ago (0 children)
Yes, I've thought Epstein, Monica Lewinsky, the new Congressman junkets to Israel, the israelis caught with foreign passports, are all Mossad gathering blackmail evidence to control our leaders. "Through deception thou shalt do war."

[Jul 22, 2019] The thing I find most intriguing about the Epstein affair is possibility that it provides a "hook" for the US intelligence community to really go after the Israeli lobby.

Notable quotes:
"... What Epstein has been up to is so obscene that it is now toxic to be associated with him. Everyone who claimed to be his friend are now running a mile from him. ..."
"... But what if it is revealed that he had created this cesspool at the direction of Israel i.e. that the main motivation for this honey-pot was to provide Israel with blackmail material. ..."
"... If that happened then a politician would run a mile at the mere sight of a lobby bag-man, because to be associated with them is to be tarred in a way that no amount of money could ever overcome. ..."
"... I am certain that there are still honest people in the US intelligence community, and I would bet very good money that they are looking very closely at this as a chance to stab the Israel lobby through the heart with a wooden stake. ..."
Jul 22, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Yeah, Right , Jul 22 2019 10:55 utc | 118

The thing I find most intriguing about the Epstein affair is possibility that it provides a "hook" for the US intelligence community to really go after the Israeli lobby.

After all, going up against the *money* of the lobby is a forlorn hope - there is no way to fight them on that battlefield.

But this? No, this is different.

What Epstein has been up to is so obscene that it is now toxic to be associated with him. Everyone who claimed to be his friend are now running a mile from him.

But what if it is revealed that he had created this cesspool at the direction of Israel i.e. that the main motivation for this honey-pot was to provide Israel with blackmail material.

If that happened then a politician would run a mile at the mere sight of a lobby bag-man, because to be associated with them is to be tarred in a way that no amount of money could ever overcome.

I am certain that there are still honest people in the US intelligence community, and I would bet very good money that they are looking very closely at this as a chance to stab the Israel lobby through the heart with a wooden stake.

col from Oz , Jul 22 2019 13:54 utc | 146

Year right I have been saying for years that Epstein is a Mossad operation.

[Jul 22, 2019] Who Is Larry Visoski New Details On Jeffrey Epstein's Private Pilot And All The Famous Men Who Flew On The Lolita Express Yo

Jul 22, 2019 | www.yourtango.com

Jeffrey Epstein's Private Pilot Dishes On All The Famous Men Who Flew On The Lolita Express Photo: Getty Who Is Larry Visoski? New Details On Jeffrey Epstein's Private Pilot And All The Famous Men Who Flew On The Lolita Express Leah Scher Editor Entertainment And News July 21, 2019 He was Epstein's main pilot for the past two decades.

Meet Larry Visoski, the pilot of the Lolita Express, Jeffrey Epstein's private fleet of planes. For the past 20 years, Visoski (or Capt Big Dawg, as Instagram affectionately knows him) has flown Epstein around the world, including the trips that shuttled underage girls between his two mansions in New York and Palm Beach. Recently, photos of the luxury aircrafts' updated interior were released, bringing Visoski to prominence and shedding light on Epstein's jet-setting travels. What is there to know about this man? Who is Larry Visoski?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/1968518.html

1. Visoski has shuttled celebs like President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker

Most notably, Visoski flew Epstein's 50-year-old 727 jetliner, n icknamed the Lolita Express , which is worth $80M! The 727-31 aircraft, tag number N908JE, was repainted on the outside from it's early silver and black color. Today it's all white with thin stripes. Visoski still flies two of Epstein's private planes, as well as a helicopter. One Instagram friend of his asked how long he's been flying 727s and he replied, "Flying the three wholer (sic) about 14 years now, includes three times around the world, she's got the room!"

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2. The luxury aircraft, which was built in 1969, was modernized around 2014

The updated interior features a circular lounge with recessed lighting, comfy plush beige chairs , and a spacious bedroom with an open closet. In another room that looks like an office, an Apple laptop and iPad sit on a desk surrounded by red velvet chairs and a sofa. In the kitchen area, photos show a blender, coffee machine, sandwich grill, oven and microwave.

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RELATED: Inside The Bizarre Friendship Of Billionaire Lex Wexner And Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein

3. This aircraft has allegedly shuttled Epstein's underage victims

In 2015, Virginia Roberts filed a lawsuit against the billionaire claiming that he recruited her as a sex slave when she was 15. She says he sexually abused her for years on his private jet as well as in his various homes in New York, New Mexico, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to FAA records, the aircraft was registered to JEGE INC, Epstein's Delaware firm. As of 2018, the registration was still active. However, a more recent report showed that Epstein sold the aircraft weeks before his July 6 arrest. Visoski has not been accused of any role in Epstein's crimes.

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4. The 727 is often referred to as a "three holer" because of its three engines clustered around the tail

The aircraft's full name is actually Boeing 727. It's a narrow, three-engined vehicle built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes from the early 1960s to 1980s. A combination of comments made and photos taken by Visoski show repeated trips to many locations between 2014 and 2019, such as: St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; the Exuma chain and Eleuthera in the Bahamas; St. Bart's in the Caribbean; Seattle, Washington; Manhattan Beach, California; Paris, France; Germany; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. The Washington Examiner also notes a trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi that isn't photographed.

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RELATED : Model Says She Hit Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein With Vibrator To Keep Him From Raping Her

5. Visoski, an avid photographer, used a GoPro to capture some shots of the aircraft

In addition to the Boeing 757, some of Visoski's now deleted Instagram captions specifically mention a Gulfstream 550 and a Bell 430 helicopter. According to the Washington Examiner , the post that (likely) spurred Visoski to delete his Instagram account was a selfie he posted in late 2016, with then-top Trump presidential transition team member and now counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, at Palm Beach International Airport, which drew attention on Twitter earlier this week. Some of his captions included #MAGA hashtags. He described Conway as "a very Humble and gracious Lady, #kellyanneconway #kellyanne #trump #election2016."

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6. Epstein was deemed a flight risk by a federal judge (pun intended).

The federal judge presiding over Epstein's case denied him bail, agreeing with prosecutors that "the seriousness of his crimes, his mysterious wealth, international travel, and possession of a foreign passport with a fake name from the 1980s make him a threat to the community."

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RELATED: Jennifer Aaroz Claims Jeffrey Epstein Raped Her When She Was 15 -- Here's Her Story

What do you think? Is Visoski is totally innocent? Did he who he was shuttling? He was definitely complicit -- but should he face consequences? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/1965894.html

Leah Scher is an ENFP finishing her degree at Brandeis University. She's an alumna of the Kenyon Review Young Writer's Workshop the Iowa Young Writers' Studio. She's passionate about Judaism, poetry, film, satire, astrology, spirituality, and sexual health.

[Jul 22, 2019] I found out that the average dollar that actually was invested abroad by oil companies was recaptured by the US economy within 18 months. The payback period was that fast.

Notable quotes:
"... I thought all these foreign countries were international." He explained that "international" means countries that are not really countries. They're Liberia and Panama, countries that only use the US dollar, not their own currency. So the oil industry doesn't have a currency risk. They are flags of convenience and they don't have any income tax. ..."
"... He explained to me that Standard Oil sold its oil at a very low price from the Near East to Liberia or Panama or Lagos, or wherever they have a flag of convenience and no income tax. Then they would sell it at a very high price to its refineries in Europe and America, at such a high price that these "downstream" affiliates don't make any income. So there's no tax to pay. ..."
"... Standard Oil and other U.S. oil companies – and also mining companies – don't earn an income there, because they sell it so low, all the profits are reported to be taken in Liberia or Panama. These are non-countries. ..."
"... Here is a report. I'm from the State Department (I assumed that this meant CIA). "We want to calculate how much money the US could get if we set up bank branches and became the bank for all the criminal capital in the world." He said, "We figured out we can finance, (and he said this in an elevator), we can finance the Vietnam War with all the drug money coming into America, all of the criminal money. Can you make a calculation of how much that might be?" ..."
"... I found that the entire US balance of payments deficit in the 1960s, since the Vietnam War, the entire balance of payments deficit was military spending abroad. The private sector's trade and investment was exactly in balance; tourism, trade and investment were exactly in balance. All the deficit was military. ..."
"... Mr. Barsanti said that McNamara said that Arthur Andersen would never get another government contract if it published my report. ..."
"... There were three people, known as the Columbia Group, saying the Vietnam War was going to destroy the American monetary system as we know it. The group was composed of Terence McCarthy, my mentor; Seymour Melman, a professor at Columbia University's School of Industrial Engineering where Terence also taught; and myself. We would basically go around the New York City giving speeches. ..."
Jul 22, 2019 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

mauisurfer , July 21, 2019 at 6:33 pm

Re: Michael Hudson, SuperImperialism

Here is a recent interview where MH reviews his book.

https://michael-hudson.com/2019/06/food-blackmail-the-washington-consensus-and-freedom/

And here is a wonderful autobiographical article

https://michael-hudson.com/2018/08/life-thought-an-autobiography/

a quote (hope it is not too long for you)

I worked at Chase Manhattan until 1967, then finally I had to quit to finish the dissertation. I spent a year on that. At Chase I had become the specialist in the oil industry's balance of payments. When the Vietnam War began and escalated, President Johnson in January 1965, right after I joined the bank in December 1964, passed the voluntary – in reality, compulsory – foreign investment rules blocking American companies from investing more than 5% of the growth of the previous year's investment. The oil industry objected to that. They came to David Rockefeller and said we've got to convince the government that we're ripping off other countries so fast, we're able to exploit them so rapidly, that it really helps the US balance of payments to let us continue investing more abroad. Can you help us show this statistically?

So David Rockefeller asked me to do a study of the balance of payments of the oil industry. Rockefeller said, "We don't want to have Chase's oil and gas department do it, because they would be thought of as lobbyists. Nobody knows who you are, so you're neutral. We want to know what the real facts are, and if they're what we think they are, we'll publish what you write; if we don't like it we'll keep it to ourselves, but please just give us the facts." He said, "You can ask the oil companies all the questions you want. They will fill out the forms you design for a statistical accounting format. We'll give you a year to write it all up." To me this was wonderful. Oil was the key sector internationally. It turned out I found out that the average dollar that actually was invested abroad by oil companies was recaptured by the US economy within 18 months. The payback period was that fast.

The report that I wrote was put on the desk of every senator and every representative in the United States and I was celebrated for being the economist of the oil industry. So this taught me everything about the balance of payments which, as I said, is a topic that's not taught in any university. So I finished that, finished the dissertation, and then I developed a methodology for the overall US balance of payments. Most of the balance of payment statistics were changed when they designed the gross national product accounts. The accounts now treat exports and imports as if they were paid for fully for cash. So if you make a million dollars worth of grain exports, you are assumed to bring a million dollars into the economy. And if you export a million dollars of arms, of military, it all comes back.

What I found out is that only a portion actually of exports actually comes back. And imports have an even lower balance-of-payment costs as compared to their nominal valuation. For instance, all of America's oil imports are from American oil companies, so if you pay a hundred dollars for oil, maybe thirty dollars of that is profit, thirty dollars is compensation to American management, thirty dollars is the use of American exports to physical equipment, oil drilling equipment and others to produce the oil.

The closest people that I worked with for the study were at the Standard Oil Company, which was always very close to the Rockefellers, as you know. So I went over the statistics and I said, "In the balance of payments, I can't find where Standard Oil makes the profit. Does it make the profit by producing oil at the production end? Or does it make it selling it at the gas stations, at the retail sales end?" The treasurer of Standard Oil said, "Ah I can tell you where we make them. We make them right here in my office." I asked how. "What countries could I find this in? I don't find it in Europe, I don't find it in Asia, I don't find it in Latin America or Africa." He said, "Ah, do you see at the very end of the geography headings for international earnings, there's something called international?"

I said, "Yes that always confused me. Where is it? I thought all these foreign countries were international." He explained that "international" means countries that are not really countries. They're Liberia and Panama, countries that only use the US dollar, not their own currency. So the oil industry doesn't have a currency risk. They are flags of convenience and they don't have any income tax.

He explained to me that Standard Oil sold its oil at a very low price from the Near East to Liberia or Panama or Lagos, or wherever they have a flag of convenience and no income tax. Then they would sell it at a very high price to its refineries in Europe and America, at such a high price that these "downstream" affiliates don't make any income. So there's no tax to pay. For all US oil investment in Europe, there's no tax to pay because the oil companies' accountants price it so high, and pay so little per barrel to third world countries such as Saudi Arabia, that they only get a royalty. Standard Oil and other U.S. oil companies – and also mining companies – don't earn an income there, because they sell it so low, all the profits are reported to be taken in Liberia or Panama. These are non-countries.

That gave me the clue about what people these days talk about money laundering. In the last few months that I worked for Chase Manhattan in 1967, I was going up to my office on the ninth floor and a man got on the elevator and said, "I was just coming to your office, Michael. Here is a report. I'm from the State Department (I assumed that this meant CIA). "We want to calculate how much money the US could get if we set up bank branches and became the bank for all the criminal capital in the world." He said, "We figured out we can finance, (and he said this in an elevator), we can finance the Vietnam War with all the drug money coming into America, all of the criminal money. Can you make a calculation of how much that might be?"

So I spent three months figuring out how much money goes to Switzerland, from drug dealings, what's the dollar volume of drug dealings. They helped me with all sorts of statistics on that, and said, "We can become the criminal capital of the world and it'll finance the dollar and this will enable us to afford the spending to defeat communism in Vietnam and elsewhere. If we don't do that, the bomb throwers will come to New York."

So I became a specialist in money laundering! Nothing could have better prepared me to understand how the global economy works! I had all the statistics, I had the help of the government people explaining to me how the CIA worked with drug dealing and other criminals and kidnappers to raise the money so it would be off the balance sheet funding and Congress didn't have to approve it when they would kill people and sponsor revolutions. They were completely open with me about this. I realized they'd never done a security check on me.

So I wanted to do a study of the balance of payments of the whole United States. I went to work for Arthur Andersen, which was at that time was one of the Big Five accounting firms in the United States. Later it was convicted of fraud when it got involved in the Enron scandal and was closed down. But I was working before the other people went to jail, before they closed down Arthur Andersen. So I spent a year applying my balance of payments analysis to the US balance of payments. When I finally finished, I found that the entire US balance of payments deficit in the 1960s, since the Vietnam War, the entire balance of payments deficit was military spending abroad. The private sector's trade and investment was exactly in balance; tourism, trade and investment were exactly in balance. All the deficit was military.

So I turned in my statistics. My boss Mr. Barsanti, came in to me three days later and he said, "I'm afraid we have to fire you." I asked, "What happened?" He said, "Well, we sent it to Robert McNamara." (who was the Secretary of Defense and then became an even more dangerous person with the World Bank, which probably is more dangerous to the world than the American military. But that's another story). Mr. Barsanti said that McNamara said that Arthur Andersen would never get another government contract if it published my report.

In all of the Pentagon Papers that later came out of McNamara's regime, there's no discussion at all of the balance-of-payments cost of the Vietnam War. This is what was driving America off gold. At Chase Manhattan from 1964 until I left, every Friday the Federal Reserve would come out with its goal, its weekly statistics. We could trace the gold stock. Everybody was talking about General de Gaulle cashing in the gold, because Vietnam was a French colony and the American soldiers and army would have to use French banks, the dollars would go to France and de Gaulle would cash it in for gold.

Well, Germany actually was cashing in more gold than de Gaulle, but they didn't make speeches about it. So I could see that the war spending was going to drive America off gold. There were three people, known as the Columbia Group, saying the Vietnam War was going to destroy the American monetary system as we know it. The group was composed of Terence McCarthy, my mentor; Seymour Melman, a professor at Columbia University's School of Industrial Engineering where Terence also taught; and myself. We would basically go around the New York City giving speeches.

[Jul 21, 2019] I've Had Many Strange Experiences In My Life - Inside Epstein's 'Honey Trap' On E 71st Street

Notable quotes:
"... The golden boy of Manhattan and Palm Beach society now sits in a grim jail cell accused of having sex with underage girls. He's been doing this in plain view since the early 1990's but, until recently, he seemed bullet-proof. ..."
"... More important than indelicacy, as an old observer of intelligence affairs, to me this offer reeked of ye old honey trap , a tactic to ensnare and blackmail people that was old when Babylon was young. A discreet room with massage table, lubricants and, no doubt, cameras stood ready off the main lobby . ..."
"... Besides sexual frolics, Epstein and Maxwell were up to many odd things. The FBI found diamonds, cash and a fake passport when raiding his mansion and documents showing his net worth at $559,120,954.00. The IRS tax people will be eager to review the sources of this income. ..."
"... It seems likely that political influence was brought to bear on then US attorney Alexander Acosta (he just resigned under fire last week) to make a sweetheart deal with Epstein, who had been charged by Florida with child molestation. Epstein got off with a token, 13-month jail sentence that allowed him to work from his office much of the day. ..."
"... Were Trump or Clinton involved? How much did they "party" with Epstein and revel in his fleshmart? There was talk of some sort of "intelligence" angle to the affaire Epstein that spared him a harsh sentence. ..."
"... A respected former CIA official, Phil Giraldi has come right out and accused Epstein of being an Israeli agent of influence. ..."
"... To Giraldi and this writer, the Epstein "massage" operation was a classic intelligence operation designed to blackmail men of influence into doing Israel's bidding. Clinton had reportedly already fallen into this trap years earlier while still president. ..."
"... Trump is a Mafia punk, protege of Roy Cohn, dead of AIDS in 1986. Only the brain dead would believe Trump is the lamb in this orgy. As for Epstein being a Mossad asset, probably. As for the CIA & NSA not knowing, absolutely impossible! This operation was most probably overseen, if not created, by the CIA, with NSA help, and tit bits handed to Mossad for European and ME operations. ..."
"... Trump was likely warned about Epstein by his mobster mentors/friends from the start. No doubt Trump did tell his buddy Epstein to keep that **** out of his properties, who wouldn't? ..."
"... Clinton knew as well but never gave a crap because He and HRC were probably protected CIA assets extending back to the AR drug smuggling days. ..."
"... Because it is a strange business, costing lots of money and achieving ..... what exactly? Ah ...., national security -- ain't that nice!! ..."
"... Anyone taking bets that Epstein will not live to tell all his tales? He probably has two years because he cannot be removed before all the excitement's died down but removed he will be. ..."
Jul 21, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

"I've Had Many Strange Experiences In My Life" - Inside Epstein's 'Honey Trap' On E 71st Street

Authored by Eric Margolis via EricMargolis.com

I've had many strange experiences in my decades of covering intelligence affairs. These run from being invited to KGB HQ in Moscow, Chinese intelligence in Beijing, US intelligence in Virginia, Libyan intelligence in Tripoli, South African intelligence, and even Albanian intelligence in Tirana.

But none was odder than the day I was invited to lunch in New York City with the by now notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein. The golden boy of Manhattan and Palm Beach society now sits in a grim jail cell accused of having sex with underage girls. He's been doing this in plain view since the early 1990's but, until recently, he seemed bullet-proof.

​Soon after I walked into the entrance of Epstein's mansion on E 71st Street, said to be the city's largest private home, a butler asked me, "would you like an intimate massage, sir, by a pretty young girl?" This offer seemed so out of place and weird to me that I swiftly declined .

More important than indelicacy, as an old observer of intelligence affairs, to me this offer reeked of ye old honey trap , a tactic to ensnare and blackmail people that was old when Babylon was young. A discreet room with massage table, lubricants and, no doubt, cameras stood ready off the main lobby .

I had arrived with Canada's leading lady journalist who was then close to Epstein's sometime girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell and, it was said, procuress – something Maxwell denies. Bizarrely, Maxwell believed that I could get KGB Moscow Center to release satellite photos that showed the murder on his yacht of her father, the press baron Robert Maxwell, who was a well-known double agent for Israel and KGB, and a major criminal.

Also present was the self-promoting lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, who had saved the accused murderer Claus von Bulow, as well as a titan of the New York real estate industry (not Trump) and assorted bigwigs of the city's elite Jewish society. All sang the praises of Israel.

Epstein reportedly had ties to Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew and repeatedly flew them about in his private jet, aka "the Lolita Express." All guests deny any sexual activity. I turned down dinner with Prince Andrew.

Epstein's residence in Manhattan and Palm Beach, both of which I visited, were stocked with young female "masseuses." All were working class girls making big money in their spare time. I did not see any interactions between these girls and the guests.

Epstein and Maxwell became too big for their britches. They flaunted their sexual adventures and laughed at New York society. Everyone wondered about the source of Epstein's lavish income but no one knew its origins. He claimed to be an exclusive money manager for a group of secretive millionaires. But the only one identified was billionaire Leslie Wexner, the owner of L Brands and Victoria's Secret. Wexner denied any knowledge of Epstein's alleged crimes.

Besides sexual frolics, Epstein and Maxwell were up to many odd things. The FBI found diamonds, cash and a fake passport when raiding his mansion and documents showing his net worth at $559,120,954.00. The IRS tax people will be eager to review the sources of this income.

It seems likely that political influence was brought to bear on then US attorney Alexander Acosta (he just resigned under fire last week) to make a sweetheart deal with Epstein, who had been charged by Florida with child molestation. Epstein got off with a token, 13-month jail sentence that allowed him to work from his office much of the day.

Were Trump or Clinton involved? How much did they "party" with Epstein and revel in his fleshmart? There was talk of some sort of "intelligence" angle to the affaire Epstein that spared him a harsh sentence.

A respected former CIA official, Phil Giraldi has come right out and accused Epstein of being an Israeli agent of influence. Epstein was let off with a slap on the wrist on his first child abuse charge, says Giraldi, because of his powerful Israel connections.

To Giraldi and this writer, the Epstein "massage" operation was a classic intelligence operation designed to blackmail men of influence into doing Israel's bidding. Clinton had reportedly already fallen into this trap years earlier while still president.

Now watch this stinking pile of corruption be hurriedly covered up. Talk about draining the swamp.


ChaoKrungThep , 29 minutes ago link

Trump is a Mafia punk, protege of Roy Cohn, dead of AIDS in 1986. Only the brain dead would believe Trump is the lamb in this orgy. As for Epstein being a Mossad asset, probably. As for the CIA & NSA not knowing, absolutely impossible! This operation was most probably overseen, if not created, by the CIA, with NSA help, and tit bits handed to Mossad for European and ME operations.

Uh oh Speggeti-oh , 14 minutes ago link

Trump was likely warned about Epstein by his mobster mentors/friends from the start. No doubt Trump did tell his buddy Epstein to keep that **** out of his properties, who wouldn't? 'Don't **** where I eat'. Clinton knew as well but never gave a crap because He and HRC were probably protected CIA assets extending back to the AR drug smuggling days.

Yog Soggoth , 43 minutes ago link

'I've had many strange experiences in my decades of covering intelligence affairs." So have many is my answer.

uhland62 , 24 minutes ago link

Because it is a strange business, costing lots of money and achieving ..... what exactly? Ah ...., national security -- ain't that nice!!

Anyone taking bets that Epstein will not live to tell all his tales? He probably has two years because he cannot be removed before all the excitement's died down but removed he will be.

[Jul 21, 2019] Charge of epstein procuring underaged girls for sex

Notable quotes:
"... A court filing in a civil case in Florida last week included new allegations against Jeffrey E. Epstein, a businessman who pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution, and two other high-profile men: a member of the British Royal family and an American lawyer. ..."
"... About the royal: Some of you may argue that if there was an encounter, the Prince may have been unaware of the girl's age. He has people . People who make arrangements for him. One can see how such a fellow might hear the same knock on the door that Neil Bush once heard. Perhaps, upon opening the door, his first reaction was something other than "May I see your ID, Miss?" ..."
"... On Saturday, Mr. Dershowitz said he "categorically and unequivocally" denied all of the allegations. He said he would file disbarment proceedings against the lawyers who filed the motion, Bradley J. Edwards, a lawyer in Florida, and Paul G. Cassell, a former federal judge and a law professor at the University of Utah. ..."
"... The full court filing was published on Mondoweiss a couple of days ago. We learn that the complainant, Jane Doe #3, was 15 years of age, and that she was recruited by an Epstein associate named Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of Robert Maxwell (the late news tycoon and known Mossad asset). The photo to the left shows the Prince with the girl who seems to have been Jane Doe #3. ..."
Mar 03, 2017 | cannonfire.blogspot.ca">
Underaged sex with Alan Dershowitz and Prince Andrew...and Bill Clinton...? (If the claims are true, Hillary is OVER.) Wow.

A court filing in a civil case in Florida last week included new allegations against Jeffrey E. Epstein, a businessman who pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution, and two other high-profile men: a member of the British Royal family and an American lawyer.

The motion filed in United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida alleges that Mr. Epstein forced a teenage girl to have sexual relations with several men, including Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth's second son, and Alan M. Dershowitz, a professor emeritus at Harvard Law School. Both men have denied the allegations.

Jeffrey Epstein is not just a businessman. He's a billionaire, and he has already been convicted of soliciting underaged prostitution.

About the royal: Some of you may argue that if there was an encounter, the Prince may have been unaware of the girl's age. He has people . People who make arrangements for him. One can see how such a fellow might hear the same knock on the door that Neil Bush once heard. Perhaps, upon opening the door, his first reaction was something other than "May I see your ID, Miss?"

That scenario seems plausible. However, as we shall see, that scenario is not what has been alleged.

We will get to the Prince in a bit. For now, let's focus on Dershowitz.

On Saturday, Mr. Dershowitz said he "categorically and unequivocally" denied all of the allegations. He said he would file disbarment proceedings against the lawyers who filed the motion, Bradley J. Edwards, a lawyer in Florida, and Paul G. Cassell, a former federal judge and a law professor at the University of Utah.

"They are lying deliberately, and I will not stop until they're disbarred," Mr. Dershowitz said in a phone interview.

The very predictability of that furious reaction means that no lawyer would have filed such charges against Dershowitz frivolously. Cassell has an impressive resume. He's not a young go-getter out to make a name for himself.

I understand that there are a lot of women who have made iffy claims against famous people. But this case seems different. Epstein has already pled guilty. Moreover, Dershowitz was part of Epstein's legal team.

The full court filing was published on Mondoweiss a couple of days ago. We learn that the complainant, Jane Doe #3, was 15 years of age, and that she was recruited by an Epstein associate named Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of Robert Maxwell (the late news tycoon and known Mossad asset). The photo to the left shows the Prince with the girl who seems to have been Jane Doe #3. Allegedly, the shot was taken by Epstein. (Note: In what follows, the term NPA refers to non-prosecution agreement .)

Epstein then became enamored with Jane Doe #3, and with the assistance of Maxwell converted her into what is commonly referred to as a "sex slave." Epstein kept Jane Doe #3 as his sex slave from about 1999 through 2002, when she managed to escape to a foreign country and hide out from Epstein and his co-conspirators for years. From 1999 and 2002, Epstein frequently sexually abused Jane Doe #3, not only in West Palm Beach but also in New York, New Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, in international airspace on Epstein's private planes, and elsewhere.

Epstein also sexually trafficked the then-minor Jane Doe, making her available for sex to politically-connected and financially-powerful people. Epstein's purposes in "lending" Jane Doe (along with other young girls) to such powerful people were to ingratiate himself with them for business, personal, political and financial gain, as well as to obtain potential blackmail information.

One such powerful individual that Epstein forced then-minor Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with was former Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, a close friend of Epstein's and well-known defense attorney. Epstein required Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with Dershowiz on numerous occasions while she was a minor, not only in Flroida but also on private planes, in New York, New Mexico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to being a participant in the abuse of Jane Doe #3 and other minors, Dershowitz was an eye-witness to the sexual abuse of many other minors by Epstein and several of Epstein's co-conspirators. Dershowitz would later play a significant role in negotiating the NPA on Esptein's behalf. Indeed, Dershowitz helped negotiate an agreement that provided immunity from federal prosecution in the Southern District of Florida not only to Epstein, but also to "any potential co-conspirators of Epstein." NPA at 5. Thus, Dershowitz helped negotiate an agreement with a provision that provided protection for himself against criminal prosecution in Florida for sexually abusing Jane Doe #3. Because this broad immunity would have been controversial if disclosed, Dershowitz (along with other memebers of Epstein's defense team) and the Government tried to keep the immunity provision secret from all of Epstein's victims and the general public, even though such secrecy violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act.

There's a third named participant in these doings, one Jean Luc Brunel, a close Epstein friend and a scout for various modelling agencies.
He would bring young girls (ranging from ages as young as twelve) to the United States for sexual purposes and farm them out to his friends, especially Epstein. Brunel would offer the girls "modeling" jobs. Many of the girls came from poor countries or impoverished backgrounds, and he lured them in with a promise of making good money.
The Government was well aware of Jane Doe #3 when it was negotiating the NPA, as it listed her as a victim in the attachment to the NPA. Moreover, even a rudimentary investigation of Jane Doe #3's relationship with Epstein would have revealed the fact that she had been trafficked throughout the United States and internationally for sexual purposes. Nonetheless, the Government secretly negotiated a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein precluding any Federal prosecution in the Southern District of Florida of Epstein and his co-conspirators. As with Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, the Government concealed the non-prosecution agreement from Jane Doe #3 -- all in violation of her rights under the CVRA -- to avoid Jane Doe #3 from raising powerful objections to the NPA that would have shed tremendous light on Epstein and other powerful individuals that would likely have prevented it from being conlcuded in the secretive manner in which it was.
The document also mentions a Jane Doe #4, an impoverished sixteen year old who was told that she could make $300 by giving a "massage" to an old man in Palm Beach.

This matter seems very serious. We have too many details, too many corroborating witnesses (in the form of four Jane Does). We have a photo. We have reports of the existence of many, many more photos. The hugger-mugger involving the NPA seems downright ghastly -- yet all too credible.

Frankly, I would not rule out the possibility that Epstein was working for an intelligence agency -- either Mossad or one of our own. The Maxwell connection points to Mossad.

This whole business has "honeytrap" written all over it.

The Clinton connection.

The Daily Mail discloses that one of Epstein's, er, protegees was a woman named Johanna Sjoberg. Since the story links her to Prince Andrew, it is tempting suppose that she is the aforementioned Jane Doe #3. However, British newspapers have named another young woman, Virginia Roberts.

Miss Sjoberg worked for Epstein for four years, often massaging him as he lay on a couch in his giant bathroom making phone calls to friends such as Bill Clinton and Cate Blanchett.

He kept a little black book, containing the numbers of all his masseuses by a phone in the bathroom, she said. She left after he started becoming 'more aggressive' in his demands that she 'do sexual things to him'.

She said she was aware that the girls recruited by Epstein and his acolytes were not paid just for massages but for 'sexual favours'.

Virginia Roberts revealed that as a 17-year-old 'erotic masseuse', she was flown by Epstein to London to meet Prince Andrew,

Miss Sjoberg said: 'I'm not surprised he was sending girls abroad. I just did not think they were so young.'

The Prince strongly denies any claim of impropriety, of course.

What about Epstein and Clinton? Obviously, there is nothing wrong in taking a man's phone call, even a call from someone like Epstein. However...

Bill Clinton was also named dozens of times in lawsuits against Epstein and was alleged to have flown on his private jet more than 10 times.

Flight logs in lawsuits detailed that between 2002 and 2005 the former US President traveled around the world courtesy of his friend and stopped at Epstein's Caribbean island Little St James where young girls were supposedly kept as sex slaves.

Clinton was deemed to be so close to Epstein that he was nearly deposed during the investigation into his paedophilia.

Before he was jailed Epstein's other acquaintances are said to have been former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak; former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.

Let's make the obvious point. If there is any evidence of wrongdoing against Bill Clinton, then Hillary's chances at the nomination are over . A candidacy can withstand many things, but a statutory rape scandal involving one's spouse? No.

More on the Clinton link here :

Over the years, the casually-dressed, globe-trotting financier, who was said to log more than 600 flying hours a year, has been linked with Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker and Manhattan-London society figure Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of the late media titan Robert Maxwell.

Epstein reportedly flew Tucker and Spacey to Africa on his private jet as part of a charitable endeavour. Clinton, meanwhile, flew on multiple occasions in the same plane to Epstein's private Caribbean island, Little St James, between 2002 and 2005 as he developed his philanthropic post-presidential career. It would later be alleged in court that Epstein organised orgies on that same private island in the US Virgin Islands.

Reports in the US media say many of the A-list names broke off any links with the former maths teacher after his arrest and conviction in 2008 of having sex with an underage girl whom he had solicited. His arrest followed an 11-month undercover investigation at a mansion in Florida's Palm Beach that Epstein owned.

In 2008, he pleaded guilty to a single charge of soliciting prostitution and was handed a 18-month jail sentence. He served 13 months in jail and was obliged to register as a sex offender. A 2011 report in the New York Post said that he celebrated his release from jail and his return to a property he maintains in New York – a 45,000-sq-foot eight-storey mansion on East 71st Street – with Prince Andrew.

The story goes on to give much useful information about Epstein's business dealings.

More here :

The financier, who was jailed for 18 months in 2008 after pleading guilty to solicitation for prostitution, kept a sickening stash of images on a computer seized at his Palm Beach mansion in 2006.

The six-year-old papers, seen by the Sunday People, state: "Some of the photographs in the defendant's possession were taken with hidden cameras set up in [Epstein's] home in Palm Beach.

"On the Day of his arrest, police found two hidden cameras and photographs of ­underage girls on a computer in the defendant's home.

"[He] may have taken lewd ­photographs of Jane Doe 102 with his hidden cameras and transported [them] to his other residences and elsewhere."

Court papers also allege that Maxwell presented nude pictures of her she had taken herself to Epstein as a birthday present.

They add that Roberts' claims that she was forced to tell Epstein all about her sexual encounters so he could use the information to "blackmail" the royal.

She further claims she was sex-trafficked to "many other powerful men, including numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well known Prime Minister, and other world leaders".

And now let's play our game: Who was that Prime Minister?

To- neeeeee...! If that's you, you're gonna have to say so many rosaries that even the Virgin Mary will get sick of hearing your voice.

This scandal places our right-wing media in a bind. Obviously, the right-wingers will want to leap on anything that dirties the Clinton name. On the other hand, anything that reeks of Mossad involvement is untouchable.

[Jul 21, 2019] It s Going To Be Staggering Epstein Associates Prepare For Worst As Massive Document Dump Imminent

Notable quotes:
"... As the Jeffrey Epstein case continues to unfold, a laundry list of celebrities, business magnates and socialites who have flown anywhere near the registered sex offender's orbit are now tainted with pedo-polonium. Many of them, such as Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak , and Victoria's Secret boss Les Wexner have sought to distance themselves from Epstein and his activities - however their attempts have fallen on deaf ears considering their extensive ties to the pedophile. ..."
"... As Vanity Fair 's Gabriel Sherman notes, "The questions about Epstein are metastasizing much faster than they can be answered: Who knew what about Epstein's alleged abuse? How, and from whom, did Epstein get his supposed $500 million fortune? Why did Acosta grant Epstein an outrageously lenient non-prosecution agreement? (And what does it mean that Acosta was reportedly told Epstein " belonged to intelligence "?)" ..."
"... "There were other business associates of Mr. Epstein's who engaged in improper sexual misconduct at one or more of his homes. We do know that," adding " In due time the names are going to start coming out. " ..."
"... What's more, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will release of approximately 2,000 pages of documents, likely over the next several days, which may reveal sex crimes committed by "numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known prime minister, and other world leaders," according to the court's three-judge panel. ..."
"... According to one source, Epstein had a steady stream of who's who's flowing into his Manhattan mansion, including Bill Gates, Larry Summers, and Steve Bannon . ..."
"... Please, please let it be Tony Blair, whenever he appeared on the TV he always got my Spidey-senses tingling just like that other POS Sir Jimmy Savile. ..."
"... WJClinton is in it a LOT. On pp.13, there's one with Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker, and two shown by initials... ..."
Jul 18, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

As the Jeffrey Epstein case continues to unfold, a laundry list of celebrities, business magnates and socialites who have flown anywhere near the registered sex offender's orbit are now tainted with pedo-polonium. Many of them, such as Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak , and Victoria's Secret boss Les Wexner have sought to distance themselves from Epstein and his activities - however their attempts have fallen on deaf ears considering their extensive ties to the pedophile.

As Vanity Fair 's Gabriel Sherman notes, "The questions about Epstein are metastasizing much faster than they can be answered: Who knew what about Epstein's alleged abuse? How, and from whom, did Epstein get his supposed $500 million fortune? Why did Acosta grant Epstein an outrageously lenient non-prosecution agreement? (And what does it mean that Acosta was reportedly told Epstein " belonged to intelligence "?)"

Also illuminating is a statement by attorney Brad Edwards, who said during a Wednesday press conference seated next to Epstein accuser Courtney Wild that "There were other business associates of Mr. Epstein's who engaged in improper sexual misconduct at one or more of his homes. We do know that," adding " In due time the names are going to start coming out. "

What's more, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will release of approximately 2,000 pages of documents, likely over the next several days, which may reveal sex crimes committed by "numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known prime minister, and other world leaders," according to the court's three-judge panel.

The documents were filed during a civil defamation lawsuit brought by Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a former Mar-a-Lago locker-room attendant, against Epstein's former girlfriend and alleged madam, Ghislaine Maxwell. "Nobody who was around Epstein a lot is going to have an easy time now. It's all going to come out," said Giuffre's lawyer David Boies. Another person involved with litigation against Epstein told me: "It's going to be staggering, the amount of names. It's going to be contagion numbers." - Vanity Fair

Other famous names associated with Epstein include LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman , Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg , who Musk introduced to the registered sex-offender. Zuckerberg spokesman told Vanity Fair "Mark met Epstein in passing one time at a dinner honoring scientists that was not organized by Epstein," adding "Mark did not communicate with Epstein again following the dinner."

Musk told the magazine "I don't recall introducing Epstein to anyone, as I don't know the guy well enough to do so, Epstein is obviously a creep and Zuckerberg is not a friend of mine. Several years ago, I was at his house in Manhattan for about 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon with Talulah [Riley], as she was curious about meeting this strange person for a novel she was writing. We did not see anything inappropriate at all, apart from weird art. He tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined."

According to one source, Epstein had a steady stream of who's who's flowing into his Manhattan mansion, including Bill Gates, Larry Summers, and Steve Bannon .

"Jeffrey collected people. That's what he did," the source told Vanity Fair .

Thus far, the name most publicly associated with Epstein's alleged crimes is famed lawyer Alan Dershowitz, who's been waging a public battle with David Boies for years. In April, Boies's client Giuffre sued Dershowitz for defamation after Dershowitz called her a liar (a strategy similar to that of seven of Bill Cosby 's accusers ). In the days since the FBI arrested Epstein at Teterboro Airport a week and a half ago, Dershowitz has been going on television and dialing up friends and reporters to profess his innocence and label Giuffre and Boies liars. "I want everything to come out! I'm not afraid of anything because I did nothing wrong," Dershowitz told me on the afternoon of July 15.

He called me a minute after I had emailed him for comment. He said he'd been friends with Epstein since 1996, when they were introduced at a party on Martha's Vineyard by Lynn Forester de Rothschild. "She begged me to meet him. She told me, 'here's this smart academic.'" A few days later, Epstein invited Dershowitz to Les Wexner 's 59th birthday party at Wexner's mansion in New Albany, Ohio. "It's a tradition that Jeff invited the smartest person he met that year. He told them I was the smartest." They remained close for years.

Dershowitz strenuously denied ever participating in Epstein's underage sex ring and said he'd only been in Epstein's presence with his wife. "I got one massage!" he told me. "It was from a 50-year-old Russian woman named Olga. And I kept my shorts on. I didn't even like it. I'm not a massage guy." - Vanity Fair

DC on edge

"Epstein bragged about his contacts in Washington," said attorney David Boies.

According to the report, "One theory circulating among prominent Republicans is that Epstein was a Mossad agent. Another is that the George W. Bush White House directed Acosta not to prosecute Epstein to protect Prince Andrew on behalf of the British government."

"The royal family did everything they could to try and discredit the Prince Andrew stuff," said Boies. "When we tried to follow up with anything, we were stonewalled. We wanted to interview him, they were unwilling to do anything. "

And now we await those documents. Meanwhile, Epstein's bail hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. remove Share link Copy Apparently Ghislaine Maxwell is a Mossad agent who is licensed to pilot Jet planes and even Submarines.

About 30 minutes in they begin to discuss Epstein, the Maxwell's, and Mossad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voWj44_w_3M


PhiPhi , 34 minutes ago link

"a well-known prime minister"

Please, please let it be Tony Blair, whenever he appeared on the TV he always got my Spidey-senses tingling just like that other POS Sir Jimmy Savile.

MontgomeryScott , 38 minutes ago link

I found and downloaded a pdf file which was part of the first trial. It's one year of the 'flight logs'.

WJClinton is in it a LOT. On pp.13, there's one with Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker, and two shown by initials...

My computer calls it 'epstien-flight-manifests.pdf'; sorry but I didn't save the link...

PhiPhi , 48 minutes ago link

How big of an event will be required to divert attention from this? What will it be? Terrorist attack, complete financial meltdown, assassination, war? I find it almost inconceivable that the full extent of the truth will come out or that justice will not only be done but seen to be done. This Epstein affair personifies all that is wrong in our societies (not just the USA).

frankly scarlet , 9 minutes ago link

Likely Epstein is the cover for ??? ...or why did he fly back to NY when he knew he was most likely to be arrested?

Farts and Leaves , 48 minutes ago link

Recall Trump's executive order 13818 Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption. He is going for the jugular

Cabreado , 49 minutes ago link

Another "document dump" eh... How depressing... knowing you'll be spending the next 10++ years of your life watching too much of the greatest scum on the planet escape the Rule of Law.

[Jul 21, 2019] Is Epstein case a start of Trump counterattack on the Clinton wing of Dems

Trump attacked Hillary during 2016 elections campaign using change of Bill connection with Epstein. This was too dangerous move if he himself was implicated.
Notable quotes:
"... Why would intelligence services want to make an intelligence op out of someone so sleasy and easily compromised? ..."
"... The wealthy class has defeated the poor class. What we are seeing now is a civil war in the wealthy class. The Epstein business is just one of the skirmishes in that civil war. ..."
"... Trump is fighting for his life and money. Lose the next election and spend the rest of both fighting imprisonment. What makes me think its time to remind people that the office of POTUS has teeth? ..."
"... "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," ..."
"... does not say he "worked for intelligence". It might just mean that "intelligence" made the deal with him in return for information and that they then estimated the fall out and cleaned up (ie took people that could be blackmailed out of sensitive positions). ..."
"... But as to the "why now" of Epstein, surely it is 2020. As for Barr being a CIA kid, that does give some pause, except he is working for Trump, and so presumably he is playing his part in the 2020 event. ..."
"... From what I have read and heard, Trump is not tainted by the Epstein story. The attempts of those on the left or whatever (I can't even call it the left anymore) to associate Trump with the Epstein story are very belabored. "Grabbing pussy" of adult women who cluster around is not the same as recruiting young girls and teenagers and running sex camps for grown-up boys such as Randy Andy, RAndy Bill, and other Randy boys. ..."
"... AFAIK Trump did not ride the Lolita Express. The rumors about raping a 13-year-old in Epstein's apartment will have to become more than rumor to harm Trump, no matter how much the left pushes an Epstein = Trump narrative. ..."
"... As they pushed the Weinstein = Trump narrative. I.e., whenever you see Weinstein's name, think "Trump." But I don't think that really worked except with the very ones who were pushing that equation in the first place. In other words, auto-suggestion. ..."
"... "...every good gamblers knows to hedge their bets. ..."
"... Defense Department computers are among the top distributors of child pornography. An untold number of Department of Defense (DOD) employees and contractors have subscriptions to child pornography websites, and the problem is apparently so pervasive it requires new technical solutions to address it. ..."
"... "Hundreds of DoD-affiliated individuals" were recently identified as suspects in child pornography cases, according to an investigation by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. ..."
"... Last year, an investigation by the National Criminal Justice Training Program found DOD computers were among the top networks nationwide for peer-to-peer sharing of pornographic images of minors. DOD's network ranked 19th out of 2,891 computer networks studied. ..."
"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNue92Gta3s 2014 Aerial drone video of Little St. James. The island is owned privately by Jeffrey Epstein and is located southeast of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. ..."
Jul 12, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Moon Reader , Jul 11 2019 4:45 utc | 125

Mr Reader

Interesting post in that it raises many of the key issues and how they may fit together.

Generally agrees with my initial (or maybe secondary) impression that this is result of Trump triggering backmail clause by failing to act as required by those running the show.

But, I have I think a better theory more fits the situation. Acosta (the human "sh*t-grenade) was hired because he knew stuff and knew people who knew stuff. Trump was being blackmailed with Epstein affair - dems/cia/etc... It almost work, he almost attacked Iran, was led to believe it could be done in a way that would not lead to war - likely by you-know-who.

He balked and called their "bluff". They were not bluffing. Problem for them is that Trump can maybe weather the sh*t-storm they can bring - comey/brennan/clapper/et al... For now, I am inclined to side with Trump.

I don't know why but in spite of his lack of polish, he's brought some crude and interesting results.

ralphieboy , Jul 11 2019 12:19 utc | 149
Why would intelligence services want to make an intelligence op out of someone so sleasy and easily compromised?
Ghost Ship , Jul 11 2019 12:27 utc | 150
Epstein was just a young "dirty old man". Trump is innocent - can anybody point to any incident where Trump committed a real felony, not some breach of landlord regulations, For all the accusations of him being the capo di tutti capi, nothing has really stuck, so he gives the impression of being a criminal but really isn't but it's good theatre. So my guess is that Trump told Barr to go to it and bring Epstein in and bang him up for life. Reasons:
  1. Trump was getting bored with Acosta
  2. Epstein may drag down others - the Clintons being prime candiadates
  3. This is a poke in the eye for Obama
  4. Trump looks good when Epstein does the time he deserves

Meanwhile the anti-#resistance investigations role on and implicate Hillary for making false statements and Obama for trying to fix the 2016 election.
Trump'll romp home in 2020. If Adelson, etc. tries to push another Republican candidate, Trump'll run as an independent and probably still win. Trump now has his main "problems" by the balls.

As for the Daily Beast they have an article claiming that there was co-ordination between Trump and Russia instead of collusion . I'd love some of the shit the author's been smoking, 'cos it's up there with S T Coleridges Kubla Khan as a work of fantasy.

nottheonly1 , Jul 11 2019 12:52 utc | 151
'Appalled' does not suffice any longer. All this shit is more than a mentally healthy Human Being can bear - and in that fact lies also a motive to bombard the population 24/7 with shit like that. Therefore it appears that this, too is part of an orchestrated effort to rile up people against each other and destroy whatever peace still exists.

You could call it 'distraction' from insurmountable problems created by this specific sub-species of Homo Sapiens. But I am not commenting about that.

I am as pissed as a decent person can get without losing its temper. But I am utterly disgusted that this childfucker Epstein has soiled the name of one of my favorite Human Beings in history:

Brian Epstein - the one person that gave Humanity The Beatles.

I can not emphasize enough how effed up this is. There must be a court order to rename him into Jeffrey Childfucker, in order to protect the name of one of the greatest music managers ever.

But I do concede to the fact, that this kind of damage might as well limited to people who know who The Beatles were.

JasonT , Jul 11 2019 12:53 utc | 152
The wealthy class has defeated the poor class. What we are seeing now is a civil war in the wealthy class. The Epstein business is just one of the skirmishes in that civil war.
Really? , Jul 11 2019 12:57 utc | 153
Today's CJR media feed focuses on Acosta and the 2007 plea deal without mentioning either Bush or Obama. Focus is still on Trump. Of course Acosta is now a member of the Trump administration. But Trump was not in charge with this particular POS went down.

??????

https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/alexander_acosta_jeffrey_epstein.php

harry , Jul 11 2019 9:12 utc | 139

Trump is fighting for his life and money. Lose the next election and spend the rest of both fighting imprisonment. What makes me think its time to remind people that the office of POTUS has teeth?
somebody , Jul 11 2019 9:43 utc | 140
"I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone,"

does not say he "worked for intelligence". It might just mean that "intelligence" made the deal with him in return for information and that they then estimated the fall out and cleaned up (ie took people that could be blackmailed out of sensitive positions).

They don't care about the fall out any longer, so this now is allowed to blow up.

The plea deal was in 2007 under president Bush.

Really? , Jul 11 2019 10:08 utc | 141
# 123 Travers

"The left is going wild thinking that this will "get Trump" but quite the opposite is happening. . .

Now this story will run into 2020 largely damaging democrats into the 2020 election. Trump's DOJ is running the operation."

That is my perception, although I am not a qualified observer.

But as to the "why now" of Epstein, surely it is 2020. As for Barr being a CIA kid, that does give some pause, except he is working for Trump, and so presumably he is playing his part in the 2020 event.

From what I have read and heard, Trump is not tainted by the Epstein story. The attempts of those on the left or whatever (I can't even call it the left anymore) to associate Trump with the Epstein story are very belabored. "Grabbing pussy" of adult women who cluster around is not the same as recruiting young girls and teenagers and running sex camps for grown-up boys such as Randy Andy, RAndy Bill, and other Randy boys.

To me the big question is why Dersh was part of the FOIA action to unseal the docs. If just appearing in a photo with Epstein is enough for "the left" to try to hang Trump, the Dersh is in a lot more image trouble, with him name on the plane manifest.

Is Trump's name on the plane log? I don't think so. So, imagewise Dersh is going to take a big hit. And, by defending Trump last summer as he did, he has now associated himself with both Trump and Epstein. Trump comes out clean. Dersh comes out Derty.

PS. Why is so much blacked out on the plane logs that have been published?

Really? , Jul 11 2019 10:20 utc | 142
125 Moon Reader

the Macow sounds "about right" to me, but only "about." I can very well imagine that Dersh is taking orders from the JSP, but if he rode the Lolita Expres, he is in trouble.

AFAIK Trump did not ride the Lolita Express. The rumors about raping a 13-year-old in Epstein's apartment will have to become more than rumor to harm Trump, no matter how much the left pushes an Epstein = Trump narrative.

As they pushed the Weinstein = Trump narrative. I.e., whenever you see Weinstein's name, think "Trump." But I don't think that really worked except with the very ones who were pushing that equation in the first place. In other words, auto-suggestion.

William Gruff , Jul 11 2019 11:00 utc | 144
O @110 sez: "...every good gamblers knows to hedge their bets.

You bet equally on both wrestlers in the ring? You don't make much profit that way. Much better to arrange who wins ahead of time with the competitors and the referee and then just bet on the one everyone agrees to make the winner.

Sure, Trump was in on the fix, so even if he won the power elites still win, but that is true for all of the other contestants in the primaries as well, with the possible exception of Sanders. The problem is that the power elites have very specific plans, and those plans depended upon their tool in the White House being Clinton, not Trump. It isn't that Trump would be their enemy or anything silly like that, but rather that a Trump victory would not resonate; would not synergize with the megatrends they were manufacturing within the population.

On the contrary, the Trump victory introduced a societal forcing function that is 180° out of sync with the larger narrative the power elites were trying to create. Trump was chosen to be the loser in the 2016 elections because his defeat would have had the opposite effect, damping trends in society that the power elites wanted quashed and reinforcing the ones that they wanted amplified. Hundreds of $billions in entertainment-base narrative generation that have been fed to the public since 2016, and had been in the production pipeline from years prior, were supposed to be reflected in the real world by the victory of the first woman president. Instead that media is being fed to the public while the top office in the world is occupied by an unrepentant pussy grabber. The messaging is diametrically opposed and interferes with itself rather than reinforcing itself.

Sure, Trump is still the tool of the power elites, but he is not the tool they were planning on.

pantaraxia , Jul 11 2019 11:20 utc | 145
@62 fastfreddy

"I am trying to link Wexner with the Bronfman's (Seagrams Liquor Family) via a source other than the Mega Group (which may not be credible, IDK)."

The existence of the Mega Group was revealed in the Wall Street Journal in 1998 under the headline 'Titans of Industry Join Forces To Work for Jewish Philanthropy'. According to the Journal , it was founded in 1991 by Wexler and Charles Bronfman.

Membership included Edgar Bronfman, the chairman of the World Jewish Congress, Charles Bronfman, Edgar's brother and a top executive of the family's flagship Seagrams Corp.; Leslie Wexler of Limited, Inc.; Charles Schusterman, chairman of Samson Investment Co. of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Harvey "Bud" Meyerhoff, Baltimore real estate magnate; Laurence Tisch, chairman of Loews Corp.; Max Fisher, the Detroit oil magnate and Republican Party powerhouse; bagel magnate Max Lender; Leonard Abramson, the founder of U.S. Healthcare; and hedge-fund manager Michael Steinhardt.

One of its so-called 'philanthropic' projects entitled "Wexner Analysis: Israeli Communication Priorities 2003," was leaked to Electronic Intifada.

Leaked document exposes pro-Israel lobby's manipulation of US public
https://electronicintifada.net/content/leaked-document-exposes-pro-israel-lobbys-manipulation-us-public/4540

Israel Shamir also writes about the Mega group in 2001 entitled Kugel Eaters, https://www.mediamonitors.net/kugel-eaters/

"...when they met in the Edgar Bronfman mansion in Manhattan. The head of the World Jewish Congress hosted a meeting of the fifty richest and most powerful Jews of the US and Canada. There was no press coverage, no limelight, just a few lines in the newspapers. The gathered multibillionaires discussed the ways to achieve Jewish unity, and strengthen the Jewish identity of American Jews, tersely reported Shlomo Shamir for Haaretz. They also agreed to launch a PR program under the Orwellian codename of 'Truth' with the purpose of influencing American public opinion regarding Israeli policies.

The megabucks call themselves 'Mega group'. This name appeared in the media a couple of years ago, as a name for the secret Israeli mole in the upper reaches of the US establishment. It came up in an overheard phone conversation, later denied by the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC. The newshounds and spook watchers got it wrong. 'Mega' was not an agent, Mega was the boss."

curious man , Jul 11 2019 11:55 utc | 146
Defense Department Computer Network Among Top Sharers of Child Pornography

Defense Department computers are among the top distributors of child pornography. An untold number of Department of Defense (DOD) employees and contractors have subscriptions to child pornography websites, and the problem is apparently so pervasive it requires new technical solutions to address it.

"Hundreds of DoD-affiliated individuals" were recently identified as suspects in child pornography cases, according to an investigation by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

So far, authorities have only looked into about 20 percent of these cases. But already, they've found "several" individuals "using their government devices to download or share said pornographic material."

Last year, an investigation by the National Criminal Justice Training Program found DOD computers were among the top networks nationwide for peer-to-peer sharing of pornographic images of minors. DOD's network ranked 19th out of 2,891 computer networks studied.

To prevent such widespread abuse going forward, the "End National Defense Network Abuse Act" would "crack down on this activity by upgrading the training and technical capacity of military criminal investigative organizations to confront the misuse of DoD computers, facilities, and equipment," according to a press release. It would also arrange for DOD authorities to work more closely with civilian law enforcement on these cases.

"The notion that the Department of Defense's network and Pentagon-issued computers may be used to view, create, or circulate such horrifying images is a shameful disgrace, and one we must fight head on," said Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D -- Va.), who co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Mark Meadows (R -- N.C.).

A companion bill in the senate has been introduced by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R -- Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D -- Hawaii).

LINK 1 LINK 2

curious man , Jul 11 2019 12:02 utc | 147
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNue92Gta3s 2014 Aerial drone video of Little St. James. The island is owned privately by Jeffrey Epstein and is located southeast of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

[Jul 21, 2019] Jeffrey Epsteins Political and Sex Trafficking Networks Plus Help me find a Miami-based Cuban by Ken Silverstein

Notable quotes:
"... If you haven't heard of him, Epstein's the super-sleazy Palm Beach billionaire who was busted some time back and convicted for conspiring to bring underage foreign girls to his estates in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Or as his 2008 plea deal put it, to "knowingly and willfully conspiring with others known and unknown to persuade, induce, or entice minor females to engage in prostitution." ..."
"... I've previously written about Epstein's ties to Bill Clinton and to Donald Trump . Neither Clinton nor Trump look come out of it looking good, to put it mildly, but in this case Clinton looks a lot worse. ..."
"... "Flight logs show Bill Clinton traveled at least 10 times on Epstein's private jet, dubbed the 'Lolita Express,' by tabloids, and he is widely reported to have visited Little St. James, Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands," I've previously written. "That's where, according to attorneys for Epstein's victims, many of the worst crimes against minors were committed by Epstein and friends who traveled there with him." ..."
"... In a 2011 interview with her attorneys, Virginia Roberts, one of the teenagers preyed upon by Epstein, said he had told her he had "compromising" information on Bill Clinton and that the former president "owes me a favor." ..."
"... Oh yeah, and by the way Epstein donated to the Clinton Foundation and multiple Democratic Party causes before and after being convicted for pedophilia. ..."
"... Federal and state investigators amassed a mountain of evidence against Epstein, but in the end Black and his other attorneys were able to draft and negotiate a bizarre plea deal. The terms of the agreement, which was secret at the time, capped damages against Epstein - reportedly worth about $2 billion - to between $50,000 and $150,000, depending on what year he had abused the girl, an attorney with direct knowledge of the case told me. ..."
"... So why write about Epstein now? First, as just noted, this creep got off easy. Second, Page Six recently spotted Epstein on the Upper East Side with young Russian "playmates." ..."
"... He said that Karin had two departments, one that was legal and sent girls to New York and elsewhere, and an illegal side that recruited underage girls for Epstein and other global clients. "They lured young girls [to Orgy Island], mostly from small towns in Brazil and Eastern Europe – with the promise of a fat modeling contract," this person said. "They told them they'd go to the island and meet the head of the modeling agency. Instead, they were coerced into pleasuring Epstein, Brunel and their guests." ..."
"... This source said Epstein's entire sex procurement operation was laid out to him by a former Karin bookkeeper, a Cuban-American woman who worked for the modeling agency's Miami office during the relevant period. ..."
Jan 17, 2017 | washingtonbabylon.com

Before heading out for the weekend, let's discuss Jeffrey Epstein, America's best connected political pedophile, shall we?

If you haven't heard of him, Epstein's the super-sleazy Palm Beach billionaire who was busted some time back and convicted for conspiring to bring underage foreign girls to his estates in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Or as his 2008 plea deal put it, to "knowingly and willfully conspiring with others known and unknown to persuade, induce, or entice minor females to engage in prostitution."

I've previously written about Epstein's ties to Bill Clinton and to Donald Trump . Neither Clinton nor Trump look come out of it looking good, to put it mildly, but in this case Clinton looks a lot worse.

"Flight logs show Bill Clinton traveled at least 10 times on Epstein's private jet, dubbed the 'Lolita Express,' by tabloids, and he is widely reported to have visited Little St. James, Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands," I've previously written. "That's where, according to attorneys for Epstein's victims, many of the worst crimes against minors were committed by Epstein and friends who traveled there with him."

In a 2011 interview with her attorneys, Virginia Roberts, one of the teenagers preyed upon by Epstein, said he had told her he had "compromising" information on Bill Clinton and that the former president "owes me a favor."

Oh yeah, and by the way Epstein donated to the Clinton Foundation and multiple Democratic Party causes before and after being convicted for pedophilia.

Lately, however, the party has reportedly shunned Epstein. Indeed, he's so toxic, recently released emails show , that Team Obama rejected the idea of having Epstein's chief attorney, Roy Black, host a fundraiser. Black, by the way, is perhaps best known for winning an acquittal for William Kennedy Smith for allegedly raping a Palm Beach teenager. Following that trial Black married a juror in the case.

Federal and state investigators amassed a mountain of evidence against Epstein, but in the end Black and his other attorneys were able to draft and negotiate a bizarre plea deal. The terms of the agreement, which was secret at the time, capped damages against Epstein - reportedly worth about $2 billion - to between $50,000 and $150,000, depending on what year he had abused the girl, an attorney with direct knowledge of the case told me.

The agreement also barred victims from seeking any future financial redress. Roberts and a number of other "Jane Does" - Epstein's underage victims- are currently suing to overturn the settlement. A number of attorneys with ties to the Obama administration were involved in negotiating the deal, which was highly criticized and never publicly explained. (The astonishing story of the "sweetheart" plea deal is laid out in this article in the Palm Beach Daily News.)

So why write about Epstein now? First, as just noted, this creep got off easy. Second, Page Six recently spotted Epstein on the Upper East Side with young Russian "playmates."

Third, James Patterson, the best-selling writer, is authoring a book about Epstein that's coming out in October. It's a great time to pile on.

Fourth, I've been looking into the Epstein affair for over a year. I've interviewed dozens of sources in Florida, including several of the Miami-area lawyers for the Jane Does, and have a lot of material in my files.

Interviews with key sources, documents and previously published accounts show that Epstein's closest friends and collaborators included Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of disgraced British newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell, and Frenchman Jean-Luc Brunel. The latter ran a modeling agency called Karin, which is based in Paris but also has offices in New York, Miami, and Brazil.

Brunel, whose role in the Epstein case has been covered by Jezebel and others, has a long and sordid record of abusing and pimping out young women. Back in 1988, 60 Minutes aired a segment that featured a dozen models who said they had been sexually assaulted by Brunel.

Craig Pyes, an associate producer and chief investigator of the segment, said various witnesses told him that Brunel was "heavily into cocaine and sex with young girls," and that he set-up parties for "his rich playboy friends" and invited girls to weekend parties that "operated as meat markets for older men." Several models told 60 Minutes they had been drugged and raped by Brunel or his friends.

What's especially outrageous, attorneys tell me, is that neither Brunel nor Maxwell ever testified in Epstein's case. Both fled the United States on the eve of their respective depositions with the flimsiest of excuses. (Page Six recently reported that Maxwell was finally going to be forced to testify in the ongoing Jane Doe trial, but I haven't been able to confirm that.)

Brunel lined up underage girls for Epstein's Virgin Islands hideaway through his modeling agency, several of the victims' attorneys I interviewed said. A private investigator involved in the case backed those accounts.

He said that Karin had two departments, one that was legal and sent girls to New York and elsewhere, and an illegal side that recruited underage girls for Epstein and other global clients. "They lured young girls [to Orgy Island], mostly from small towns in Brazil and Eastern Europe – with the promise of a fat modeling contract," this person said. "They told them they'd go to the island and meet the head of the modeling agency. Instead, they were coerced into pleasuring Epstein, Brunel and their guests."

This source said Epstein's entire sex procurement operation was laid out to him by a former Karin bookkeeper, a Cuban-American woman who worked for the modeling agency's Miami office during the relevant period.

I've unsuccessfully tried to track this woman down. Anyone with information please email me at [email protected] .

I've reached out to Epstein, Brunel, Maxwell and Black on various occasions and never heard back from any of them.

[Jul 21, 2019] Steve Pieczenik additional video on Lolita express

Nov 03, 2016 | www.zerohedge.com

Muse minus Time chubbar Nov 3, 2016 10:18 AM ,

Steve Pieczenik additional video on "Lolita express" HRottenC enabled/participated in pedophilia as well, more intel leaks to come from US gov. insiders:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zVlaZyX3Q

Julian Assange is a hero as well as the US moral citizens standing up against this evil criminal monster!!!

[Jul 21, 2019] Lolita Express book will be released Monday detailing the exploits of the infamous billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein

Notable quotes:
"... A blockbuster book detailing the exploits of the infamous billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein hits shelves on Monday. Sources close to the 63-year-old Brooklyn native have advised him to be "unreachable and out of the country" this weekend when the preliminary media blitz gets underway. ..."
"... Epstein is far deeper scum than a mere pedophile, while the Koch bros and Pence may have a truly fundamentalist moral streak. The period of time between now and the election could be very dangerous for Epstein. ..."
Oct 09, 2016 | www.nakedcapitalism.com

Lolita Express Monday - just another tequila sunrise:

A blockbuster book detailing the exploits of the infamous billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein hits shelves on Monday. Sources close to the 63-year-old Brooklyn native have advised him to be "unreachable and out of the country" this weekend when the preliminary media blitz gets underway.

"Filthy Rich," a collaborative effort between best-selling author James Patterson and investigator John Connolly, is set to reopen old wounds for Epstein, who served 13 months in prison following a 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a teenage girl.

Epstein has reportedly settled numerous similar cases out of court. The blockbuster book is also expected to further embarrass celebs who once partied with Epstein.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/confidential/pedophile-billionaire-jeffrey-epstein-braces-book-release-article-1.2819009

An absolutely remarkable aspect of this "news" article is that while it mentions Trump as a celebrity who partied with Epstein, the name "Bill Clinton" is entirely missing. That's despite documentary proof that "Bill" took 21 flights on the Lolita Express.

Just another MSM advertorial for Hyena Rodent Clinton.

Steve H. October 9, 2016 at 11:17 am

Hey Jim, I've got a comment in moderation that touches on this. Specific to Epstein, I'll say the Koch brothers are as close to the White House as they will ever get, and that Epstein was adamant about getting evidence about the people he serviced.

Epstein is far deeper scum than a mere pedophile, while the Koch bros and Pence may have a truly fundamentalist moral streak. The period of time between now and the election could be very dangerous for Epstein.

Jim Haygood October 9, 2016 at 11:30 am

Now that the Politics of Personal Destruction are in full play, certain parties had better hope that Epstein's settlements, compelling his victims to silence in exchange for hush money, hold up.

After all, if one of them has already spent all her settlement money, she's effectively judgment proof in case she tells her story in violation of the settlement.

As ol' Saddam Hussein used to say, " Anything is possible now, my brothers. "

MyLessThanPrimeBeef October 9, 2016 at 11:53 am

Will the next debate be rated XXX?

Is this getting personal? Is that trap for Trump?

MyLessThanPrimeBeef October 9, 2016 at 11:37 am

Trump: "Go behind closed doors of the holier-than-thou politicians and pundits and see what they're saying. I look like a baby."

What's it like inside the restrooms at the White House or Capitol Hill? Must be very colorful.

Here, we are looking at public and private etiquette. Unless you're a saint or infallible, many of us work like that.

Hence, surveillance.

[Jul 21, 2019] Conservative Scold Ken Starr Got a Billionaire Pedophile Off by M.L. Nestel

Jan 30, 2015 | www.thedailybeast.com

Pharisee Conservative Scold Ken Starr Got a Billionaire Pedophile Off Many believe Jeffrey Epstein could have been jailed for life for violating scores of underage girls, but Ken Starr and the rest of his legal team got him a deal. 5:55 AM ET

It was supposed to be a probe into the first family's finances. But when independent counsel Judge Ken Starr mounted an investigation into the Clintons' real-estate deals , the "Whitewater" probe took a peep-show turn . Starr and his team began to obsess over every lurid detail of Bill Clinton's philandering, issuing a 473-page report that was a catalog of misuse of funds but mostly torrid sexcapades in the White House and the president accused of committing perjury to cover it up.

The Starr Report came out in 1998. And all of this would be history, if it weren't for the fact that Starr, the legendary moral ninny now serving as the chancellor at Baylor University , was handpicked nearly a decade later to negotiate a sweetheart plea deal with state and federal prosecutors for billionaire pederast and Clinton crony Jeffrey Epstein.

On Wednesday, some of Epstein's lawyers were back in court, arguing that the negotiations over that deal must remain secret.

"I had given [Epstein] a list of lawyers I worked with in the past that had been exceptionally able and Jeffrey picked from the list," Alan Dershowitz, the world-famous criminal attorney and Harvard professor, told The Daily Beast. He also worked on Epstein's behalf. "Starr had experience in investigating sex investigations," Dershowitz said. "He had experience as the solicitor general and as a judge. He had all the bases covered."

The acquisition proved to be a panacea. In 2006, Jeffrey Epstein was hauled in by Palm Beach police for violating scores of underage girls for years and was facing federal charges for trafficking them across state lines. He was formally sentenced to 18 months prison, but only served 13 of them and was allowed to travel between his various mansions frequently. He was also forced to register as a sex offender.

Many believe Epstein dodged certain doom -- he could have remained behind bars for the rest of his life given the number of alleged victims (some say it's as many as hundreds, while his attorneys suggest it's barely double-digits). But ask the client and he believes the plea agreement was lousy.

"Jeffrey didn't think it was a good deal," Dershowitz said. And that may have been because Epstein's all-star legal team -- which included Starr, Dershowitz, Miami lawyer Roy Black, New York power esquires Jay Lefkowitz and Gerald Lefcourt, and Martin Weinberg in Boston -- apparently couldn't seal an even sweeter deal.

[Jul 21, 2019] Breaking: Clinton Just Got Devastating News

Highly recommended!
Epstein issue and his connection to Clinton mafia was raised by press in 2016 but went nowhere.
The fact that Trump campaign targeted Clinton for his connection with Epstein means that Trump is probably was not involved as a client of Epstein brothel with underage prostitutes for high ranking politicians .
Notable quotes:
"... Now Bill Clinton is back in the press and not for his controversial relationship with Monica Lewinsky, but rather his friendship with Epstein. In fact, flight records indicate that Bill would frequent the island paradise during the 2002 and 2005 era while Hillary, Bill's wife, was a Senator in New York. ..."
"... The woman went on to say how orgies were a regular occurrence and that she recalled two young girls from New York who were always seen around the five-house compound but their personal back-stories were never revealed. ..."
"... Moreover, Epstein was invited to Chelsea Clinton's wedding in 2010 amongst 400 other guests, demonstrating his close friendship with the Clinton family. ..."
"... To top it all off blue blood, "Prince Andrew was allegedly one of the house's visitors. On Friday, the Duke of York was named in a federal lawsuit filed against Epstein, whom the FBI once reportedly linked to 40 young women. Filed in 2008 in the Southern District of Florida, the $50 million lawsuit claimed Epstein had a "sexual preference and obsession for underage minor girls gained access to primarily economically disadvantaged minor girls in his home and sexually assaulted these girls,"reported the Washington Post. ..."
Aug 12, 2016 | beforeitsnews.com

... ... ...

Back in 2005 police conducted an 11 month-long undercover investigation into Epstein and his estate after the mother of a 14-year-old girl went to police after suspecting her daughter was paid $300 for at least one sexual act on the island in which she was ordered to strip, leaving on just her panties, while giving Epstein a massage.

Although police found tons of photos of young women on the island and even interviewed eyewitnesses, Epstein was hit with a mere slap on the wrist after "pleading to a single charge of prostitution". Epstein later served 13-months of his 18-month service in jail.

In 2008, Epstein was hit again, this time with a $50 million civil suit after another victim filed in federal court claiming that she was "recruited" by Epstein to give him a "massage" but was essentially forced into having sexual intercourse with him for $200 which was payable upon completion. The women were coming out of the woodwork.

Now Bill Clinton is back in the press and not for his controversial relationship with Monica Lewinsky, but rather his friendship with Epstein. In fact, flight records indicate that Bill would frequent the island paradise during the 2002 and 2005 era while Hillary, Bill's wife, was a Senator in New York.

'I remember asking Jeffrey what's Bill Clinton doing here kind of thing, and he laughed it off and said well he owes me a favor,' one unidentified woman said in the lawsuit, which was filed in Palm Beach Circuit Court.

The woman went on to say how orgies were a regular occurrence and that she recalled two young girls from New York who were always seen around the five-house compound but their personal back-stories were never revealed.

"At least one woman on the compound was there unwillingly," reported the Daily Mail in a recent article. The woman was allegedly forced to have sex with "politicians, businessmen, royalty, academicians" at the retreat. Just one of "more than 40 women" that have come forth with claims against Epstein, showing the vast scale of the man's dark operations, which aren't limited only to Little St. James.

Moreover, Epstein was invited to Chelsea Clinton's wedding in 2010 amongst 400 other guests, demonstrating his close friendship with the Clinton family.

To top it all off blue blood, "Prince Andrew was allegedly one of the house's visitors. On Friday, the Duke of York was named in a federal lawsuit filed against Epstein, whom the FBI once reportedly linked to 40 young women. Filed in 2008 in the Southern District of Florida, the $50 million lawsuit claimed Epstein had a "sexual preference and obsession for underage minor girls gained access to primarily economically disadvantaged minor girls in his home and sexually assaulted these girls,"reported the Washington Post.

[Jul 21, 2019] Clinton shared more than a dozen flights with a woman who federal prosecutors believe procured underage girls to sexually service Epstein and his friends and acted as a potential co-conspirator in his crimes

Notable quotes:
"... "I wanted to tell you that I have compiled a list of 34 confirmed minors," Villafana wrote to Lefkowitz. "There are six others, whose name [sic] we already have, who need to be interviewed by the FBI to confirm whether they were 17 or 18 at the time of their activity with Mr. Epstein." ..."
"... Epstein agreed to a 30-month sentence, including 18 months of jail time and 12 months of house arrest and the agreement to pay dozens of young girls under a federal statute providing for compensation to victims of child sexual abuse. .the U.S. Attorney's Office promised not to pursue any federal charges against Epstein or his Named and Un-Named co-conspirators. ..."
"... His legal team? Gerald Lefcourt, Roy Black, Ken Starr, and Alan Dershowitz. ..."
"... The federal non-prosecution agreement Epstein's legal team negotiated immunized all named and unnamed potential co-conspirators in Epstein's child trafficking network, which includes those who allegedly procured minors for Epstein and any powerbrokers who may have molested them." ..."
Feb 23, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

William Dorritt , 3 hours ago link

LOLITA EXPRESS...ORGY ISLAND...ELITE PEDOPHILE RING ?-2006
* George W Bush President: January 20, 2001 – Jan. 20, 2009
* Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General USA: Feb. 3, 2005–Sept. 17, 2007
* Michael Bernard Mukasey, AG. USA: Nov. 9, 2007 – Jan. 20, 2009
* Eric Holder, A G. USA: Feb. 3, 2009 – April 27, 2015
* Loretta Lynch, Attorney General USA: April 27, 2015 – Present
* Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Villafana
* Epstein's Attorneys: Gerald Lefcourt, Roy Black, Ken Starr, Alan Dershowitz.

+ "He (Epstein) is an enthusiastic member of the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations."

+ Bill Clinton...26 trips aboard the "Lolita Express"

Jeffrey Epstein's Boeing 727 is equipped with the necessary hardware for him to wake up, roll out of bed, and start trading.

+ Clinton shared more than a dozen flights with a woman who federal prosecutors believe procured underage girls to sexually service Epstein and his friends and acted as a "potential co-conspirator" in his crimes.

+ Socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein's former assistant Sarah Kellen -- have been repeatedly accused in court filings of acting as pimps. Oxford-educated Maxwell, recently seen dining with Clinton at Nello's on Madison Avenue. Manhattan-London G. Maxwell, daughter of the mysteriously deceased media titan Robert Maxwell.

+ A new lawsuit has revealed how Clinton took multiple trips to Epstein's private island where he 'kept young women as sex slaves'

+ Clinton was also apparently friends with a woman who collected naked pictures of underage girls for Epstein to choose from

+ Clinton invited her (pimp) to Chelsea's wedding

+ According to former child sex slave Virginia Roberts and a class action lawsuit against convicted billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, former President Bill Clinton was present during sex parties involving up to twenty underage girls at Epstein's secluded island in the Caribbean.

+ 20 girls between the ages of 14 and 17 said were sexually abused by Epstein, Palm Beach Police and FBI

+ 35 female minors sexually abused, Epstein settled lawsuits from more than 30 "Jane Doe" victims since 2008; the youngest alleged victim was 12 years old at the time of her abuse.

..............................Source: FBI & Federal Prosecutors

+ flights on Epstein's planes 1997 to 2005, include Dershowitz (FOX NEWS, Harvard Law), former Treasury Secretary and Harvard president Larry Summers, Naomi Campbell, and scientist Stephen Pinker.

+ In the most recent court documents, filed on December 30, Roberts further claims she was sex-trafficked to "many other powerful men, including numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known Prime Minister, and other world leaders." Roberts said Epstein trafficked children to politicians, Wall Streeters and A- listers to curry favor, advance his business, and for political influence.

The FIX

2015 Doc Release by Judge:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Villafana wrote to Epstein lawyer Jay Lefkowitz in a Sept. 19, 2007, email. "I will include our standard language regarding resolving all criminal liability and I will mention 'co-conspirators,' but I would prefer not to highlight for the judge all of the other crimes and all of the other persons that we could charge ... maybe we can set a time to meet, if you want to meet 'off campus' somewhere, that is fine. I will make sure that I have all the necessary decision makers present or 'on call' as well."

"I wanted to tell you that I have compiled a list of 34 confirmed minors," Villafana wrote to Lefkowitz. "There are six others, whose name [sic] we already have, who need to be interviewed by the FBI to confirm whether they were 17 or 18 at the time of their activity with Mr. Epstein."

In a December 2007 letter, the prosecutor acknowledges some notifications of alleged victims but says they were sent after the U.S. Attorney's Office signed the plea deal and halted for most of the women at the request of Epstein's lawyers.

"Three victims were notified shortly after the signing of the Non-Prosecution Agreement of the general terms of that Agreement," Villafana wrote, again to Lefkowitz. "You raised objections to any victim notification, and no further notifications were done."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2015/07/judge-unseals-more-details-in-jeffrey-epstein-underage-sex-lawsuit-210065

Original Deal Hidden

On Sept. 24, 2007, in a deal shrouded in secrecy that left alleged victims shocked at its leniency,

Epstein agreed to a 30-month sentence, including 18 months of jail time and 12 months of house arrest and the agreement to pay dozens of young girls under a federal statute providing for compensation to victims of child sexual abuse. .the U.S. Attorney's Office promised not to pursue any federal charges against Epstein or his Named and Un-Named co-conspirators.

Sources:

Fox By Malia Zimmerman, May 13, 2016

Daily Mail Reporter 19 March 2014

Gawker Nick Bryant 01/22/15

Western Journalism Kris Zane March 27, 2014

Politico By Josh Gerstein 07/07/15

New York Magazine, By Landon Thomas Jr.

THE FIX IS IN

"In 2006 the FBI counted at least 40 underage girls who had been molested by Epstein. Authorities searched his Florida mansion and found two computers containing child *********** and homemade video and photographs from cameras hidden in bedroom walls which had been used to film sex acts. The case was airtight for many counts of sexual crimes but Palm Beach State Attorney Barry Krischer and the Justice Department stepped in and offered Epstein a plea deal. In 2008 Epstein pleaded guilty in a Florida court to one count of soliciting underage girls for sex. His punishment was 13 months of "8 hour nights only" at a halfway house. No other charges about raping underage girls nor running an underage sex trafficking ring were mentioned in the plea. His legal team? Gerald Lefcourt, Roy Black, Ken Starr, and Alan Dershowitz.

The federal non-prosecution agreement Epstein's legal team negotiated immunized all named and unnamed potential co-conspirators in Epstein's child trafficking network, which includes those who allegedly procured minors for Epstein and any powerbrokers who may have molested them."

http://dcxposed.com/2015/01/26/bilderberg-pervs-island-sin-scandal-threatens-ultra-elite-politicians-lawyers-royalty/

William Dorritt , 3 hours ago link

The Talented Mr. Epstein

Lately, Jeffrey Epstein's high-flying style has been drawing oohs and aahs: the bachelor financier lives in New York's largest private residence, claims to take only billionaires as clients, and flies celebrities including Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey on his Boeing 727. But pierce his air of mystery and the picture changes. Vicky Ward explores Epstein's investment career, his ties to retail magnate Leslie Wexner, and his complicated past.

June 27, 2011 12:00 am

http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2003/03/jeffrey-epstein-200303

Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery

So how do termite grouping patterns fare as an investment strategy? Again, facts are hard to come by. A working day for Epstein starts at 5 a.m., when he gets up and scours the world markets on his Bloomberg screen -- each of his houses, in New York, St. Thomas, Palm Beach, and New Mexico, as well as the 727, is equipped with the necessary hardware for him to wake up, roll

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/index3.html

[Jul 21, 2019] Bill Clinton was one of the most famous and frequent passengers on Epstein s Lolita Express and a guest on his private island

Notable quotes:
"... The **** smell of all of this is simply overwhelming. He is not just a pedophile. He was and probably still is a Mossad agent whose purpose it was to entrap mainly US politicians and power bookers with the extremely compromising film evidence he was later found to be obtaining from the various elite junkets to his little island. ..."
Feb 23, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Implied Violins , 2 hours ago link

Just posting this for posterity, as I've seen this information before:

"Bill Clinton was one of the most famous and frequent passengers on Epstein's "Lolita Express" and a guest on his private island. When Roberts asked Epstein about Clinton's presence on the island, he simply laughed it off, and said, "Well, he owes me a favour."[37] Epstein also donated money to the Clinton Foundation even after his conviction. In early 2015, a photo emerged showing Ghislaine Maxwell at the wedding of Chelsea Clinton to Jewish investment banker Marc Mezvinsky in July 2010.

An annotated copy of the address book turned up in court proceedings after Epstein's former house manager Alfredo Rodriguez tried to sell it in 2009. Rodriguez characterized it as containing the "Holy Grail" or "Golden Nugget" to unraveling Epstein's child-sex network."[38] The book, which was eventually obtained by the FBI, listed well-known political figures such as Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia, Tony Blair, Senator Edward Kennedy, and Henry Kissinger, Ehud Barak, John Kerry, David Rockefeller and even Donald Trump."

http://www.conspiracyschool.com/blog/kompromat-trump-hollywood-sex-parties-and-russian-oligarchs-part-i

So...Kraft goes down, and there are supposedly even more "interesting" names on the list of those who were serviced by those toothless asian whores. Could this be part of some unreal blackmail scheme against Trump?? Or is this **** TRUE, and we have a pedophile in our highest office??

I don't know what the truth is any more. Maybe someone smarter than me can make sense of this ****. I sure can't.

navy62802 , 5 hours ago link

Don't get your hopes up. This guy is an operative of the Secret Team. He will never be held to justice. Neither will his associates.

navy62802 , 5 hours ago link

By "associates" I really mean those he compromised in the course of his operation.

MadHatt , 5 hours ago link

https://www.foxnews.com/us/billionaire-sex-offender-epstein-once-claimed-he-co-founded-clinton-foundation

FBaggins , 4 hours ago link

The **** smell of all of this is simply overwhelming. He is not just a pedophile. He was and probably still is a Mossad agent whose purpose it was to entrap mainly US politicians and power bookers with the extremely compromising film evidence he was later found to be obtaining from the various elite junkets to his little island.

He and his Israeli handlers simply have too much on too many people for Epstein to really pay for any of his crimes, which crimes many spy agencies around the world engage in frequently. However, what should really piss Americans off is that Epstein was doing his dirt mainly against Americans for Israel, and Israel was supposed to be a trusted friend and ally of the US, working in close concert with US spy agencies and forces in destroying nations like Iraq and Syria and pulling off false flag operations like 9/11.

Treason Season , 2 hours ago link

Mossad + Mayfia = 9/11

[Jul 21, 2019] That a person with the stature of being a former president would hang around with a low-life like Epstein is really telling. He flew perhaps twenty-seven times on Epsteins plane which makes him more than just a passing acquaintance. Birds of a feather flock together.

Notable quotes:
"... The children in some of these poor third-world 'orphanages' aren't really orphans as we understand the term but are just from poor families who can't take care of them. ..."
"... That a person with the stature of being a former president would hang around with a low-life like Epstein is really telling. He flew perhaps twenty-seven times on Epstein's plane which makes him more than just a passing acquaintance. Birds of a feather flock together. ..."
"... If a country next to us, so similar to ours in many ways but with a fraction of our population, has so many that can be exposed at one time then how many could the US have? ..."
"... The Burning Platform has featured a series of posts over the last few weeks that provide a volume of evidence that is impossible to discount. ..."
"... I have no doubt whatsoever that child sex abuse, trafficking and even sex-related murder may well be hung around the necks of very, very famous persons, and the horrors so bad that those persons (if still alive) will not even make it to trial before they're hung from a street lamp. ..."
"... What is clear is that the contention that there is "no evidence", a contention that is asserted or implied in seemingly every mainstream media discussion, is flatly false. There is a vast array of pertinent evidence, much of it circumstantial, but much of it also suggesting something of the mindset of some of the central figures. Anyone who denies this is utterly oblivious, or a liar, or a fool. ..."
"... As to what the evidence establishes, that is a different question. If skilled and intelligent investigators fail to take it up, then motivated and fervent - if not entirely competent - inquirers will surely rise up in their stead. ..."
"... Watch for the "fake news" sources' standard method for dealing with a large set of serious allegations like these from the internet's "real news" sources. They will take the most absurd/least likely allegations and dispose of them. They will then unobtrusively fail to address harder to dismiss allegations. Instead they will argue to the effect that, some of these allegations are false so obviously all must be. ..."
"... The "truther" site Snopes once had a perfect example, since taken down, I suspect because it made the technique so obvious ..."
Jan 24, 2017 | www.unz.com
anonymous December 6, 2016 at 3:47 pm GMT • 300 Words

The children in some of these poor third-world 'orphanages' aren't really orphans as we understand the term but are just from poor families who can't take care of them. These international adoptions are a business where everyone along the line gets paid with the child being the commodity being sold to the end purchaser, people in the west seeking to adopt a child to make themselves feel good. As in the mentioned case, the agencies move around from country to country where people are poor and desperate and legal safeguards are weak. Although the end receivers seem to be mostly naive and well-meaning people there's no telling how many aren't.

That a person with the stature of being a former president would hang around with a low-life like Epstein is really telling. He flew perhaps twenty-seven times on Epstein's plane which makes him more than just a passing acquaintance. Birds of a feather flock together.

The Canadians pulled in over three hundred people. If a country next to us, so similar to ours in many ways but with a fraction of our population, has so many that can be exposed at one time then how many could the US have? Yet we hardly ever hear much, just of a few lone wolves here and there. Look at how Sandusky got away with it for so many years. People didn't want to know, turned a blind eye to it, because he was too valuable.

This entire bunch who hobnob with each other have a very creepy vibe. There's all these 'coincidences' that seem to gather together in one place.

Alfred1860 , December 6, 2016 at 3:50 pm GMT \n

@MQ

This 'story' is complete horseshit / random confirmation bias. Scan the full social media accounts of any group of 100+ people and you could find just as much 'evidence' if you were determined to do so. This is scary -- the day that any social media post involving children that uses the word "chicken" anywhere in it counts as evidence of pedophilia is the day anyone could be smeared.

Ron Unz should be ashamed of himself for giving this kind of unhinged paranoid fear-mongering space.

Do some of your own research on this topic and you will come to a different conclusion if you can get beyond your massive bias. The Burning Platform has featured a series of posts over the last few weeks that provide a volume of evidence that is impossible to discount.

Most people cannot accept something like this would be real because they cannot fathom the depths of evil that exist in this world ..why, I don't know. You'd think the fact that many of the people implicated have also been the ones fully on board with unprovoked wars that have killed, maimed and displaced millions of people, including children, would be evidence enough.

Kudos to Ron Unz for exposing more people to this tragic, disgusting, horrendous story.

dc.sunsets , December 6, 2016 at 3:54 pm GMT \n

Socionomic Theory documents that the public's appetite for scandals is low when stocks and high and high when stocks are low.

Case in point: The "news" about Enron was favorable all the way down, until the stock had lost way over 90%. Only then did "news" about criminality and malfeasance gain traction.

This being the case, with stocks at All Time Highs after an astonishing 7 year vertical rally, pizzagate's very existence here tells us that when the next bear market (in social mood, as revealed by stock prices) is in full swing, the level of sociopathic, demonic behaviors emerging into public consciousness will be unimaginable.

I have no doubt whatsoever that child sex abuse, trafficking and even sex-related murder may well be hung around the necks of very, very famous persons, and the horrors so bad that those persons (if still alive) will not even make it to trial before they're hung from a street lamp.

Public disgust with those who ran (and run) the Federal Government will in all likelihood be so pervasive that it will undermine the very political cohesion of the United States.

Jus' Sayin'... , December 6, 2016 at 4:30 pm GMT \n
200 Words

@BucephalusXYZ

This is by far the best survey of this topic that I've read.

What is clear is that the contention that there is "no evidence", a contention that is asserted or implied in seemingly every mainstream media discussion, is flatly false. There is a vast array of pertinent evidence, much of it circumstantial, but much of it also suggesting something of the mindset of some of the central figures. Anyone who denies this is utterly oblivious, or a liar, or a fool.

As to what the evidence establishes, that is a different question. If skilled and intelligent investigators fail to take it up, then motivated and fervent - if not entirely competent - inquirers will surely rise up in their stead.

Watch for the "fake news" sources' standard method for dealing with a large set of serious allegations like these from the internet's "real news" sources. They will take the most absurd/least likely allegations and dispose of them. They will then unobtrusively fail to address harder to dismiss allegations. Instead they will argue to the effect that, some of these allegations are false so obviously all must be.

The "truther" site Snopes once had a perfect example, since taken down, I suspect because it made the technique so obvious. One popular right-wing internet site claimed to link 100 or so suspicious deaths to the Clintons. Snopes attacked the obviously absurd linkages and was left with about twenty cases of persons who (1) were involved or rumored to be involved with nefarious activities involving the Clintons; (2) were scheduled to testify against the Clintons or rumored to be brokering plea deals; and (3) died under suspicious circumstances soon after. Snopes dismissed these with a comment to the effect that all public figures had numbers of known associates die like this; let's just move on, folks; nothing to see here.

Jus' Sayin'... , December 6, 2016 at 4:55 pm GMT \n
200 Words @MQ This 'story' is complete horseshit / random confirmation bias. Scan the full social media accounts of any group of 100+ people and you could find just as much 'evidence' if you were determined to do so. This is scary -- the day that any social media post involving children that uses the word "chicken" anywhere in it counts as evidence of pedophilia is the day anyone could be smeared.

Ron Unz should be ashamed of himself for giving this kind of unhinged paranoid fear-mongering space.

In one of my many different careers I worked for a couple of years as an outside consultant to the FBI's ViCAP (now VICAP) program. About the time I was thus delving the depths of human depravity - and they are far deeper than the more fortunate readers of this are ever likely to learn - a scandal similar to this broke in Belgium, involving the highest levels of society, politics, and the EU bureaucracy in criminal conspiracies to kidnap children, sexually violate them, torture them, and even use them in the production of snuff films. A full investigation dead-ended after many suicides and suspicious deaths and disappearances. IMHO, based on some experience with criminal conspiracies of this type, the mass of material presented here is a pretty overwhelming indication that something very bad is happening. That the MSM ("fake new") sources are not paying more attentionto this is scandalous.

eah , December 6, 2016 at 5:03 pm GMT \n
200 Words

I'm not going to commit myself to the idea that this is going to be as huge as Rotherham was.

Sorry, but you are deluded if you believe Rotherham was "huge" in the media - even after the story broke, the English media did its best to downplay and underreport it - when they did report it, especially the BBC, it was always in a professional monotone, with no hint of outrage, or how disgusting and appalling all of it was, including/especially the behavior of the authorities - however let the BNP or EDL protest in front of the court where some of the Paki scum were being tried, and there you saw and felt media outrage - at this point, Rotherham has practically disappeared from the news - which is pretty sad because as everyone knows, it was just the tip of the iceberg.

And as currently being framed and investigatively fleshed out, if Rotherham was "huge", then Pizzagate will be a scandal of positively galactic dimension.

People will not let this go the way they did with the Jeffrey Epstein sleaze.

Beaderino , December 6, 2016 at 6:26 pm GMT \n
200 Words

Thank you for this article. It is well written and makes the point I have been trying to make. That the Wikileaks taken together with the Instagram photos warrant an investigation. A person with a predilection to pedophilia (based on the Instagram photos, choice of music, and music recordings at the Pizza Parlor premises) at the least, should not be running a "child-friendly" pizza parlor without some kind of societal due diligence to ensure the safety of our children.

On the one hand, what is lost if an investigation occurs and it turns out there is no wrong doing? We would have wasted some tax dollars and time of the law enforcement teams, but James Alefantis would in fact benefit from being exonerated. If however, there is ANY truth and any harm has and is occurring to children, then the greater good resulting from the investigation would be without price.

Alfred1860 , December 6, 2016 at 7:12 pm GMT \n
@Jus' Sayin'... In one of my many different careers I worked for a couple of years as an outside consultant to the FBI's ViCAP (now VICAP) program. About the time I was thus delving the depths of human depravity -- and they are far deeper than the more fortunate readers of this are ever likely to learn -- a scandal similar to this broke in Belgium, involving the highest levels of society, politics, and the EU bureaucracy in criminal conspiracies to kidnap children, sexually violate them, torture them, and even use them in the production of snuff films. A full investigation dead-ended after many suicides and suspicious deaths and disappearances. IMHO, based on some experience with criminal conspiracies of this type, the mass of material presented here is a pretty overwhelming indication that something very bad is happening. That the MSM ("fake new") sources are not paying more attentionto this is scandalous.

The Belgian case, among other high-profile quashed investigations, is summarized here:

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2016/11/29/could-the-pizzagate-allegations-be-true/

It was known as the Dutroux Affair.

FKA Max , December 6, 2016 at 7:28 pm GMT \n
400 Words @FKA Max
Furthermore, Tony Podesta's favorite artist is Biljana Djurdjevic, whose art heavily features images of children in BDSM -esque positions in large showers.
Psychopathy in the Pedophile (From Psychopathy: Antisocial, Criminal, and Violent Behavior, P 304-320, 1998, Theodore Millon, Erik Simonsen, et al, eds.--See NCJ-179236)
This paper argues that pedophilia may represent a special case or subcase of psychopathy and that the main aims of both the psychopath and the pedophile are to dominate, to use, and to subjugate another person in service of the grandiose self. [...] It notes that the major differences between psychopaths and pedophiles are that the object of the predation for the pedophile is a child and that the overt behavioral manifestation of the pathology is sexual.
- https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/Abstract.aspx?id=179240

I just wanted to reemphasize Scott Adams' statement about the scandal:

Over on his blog, Scott Adams asks us to keep in mind cases where confirmation bias did lead to false allegations of institutional pedophilia, to caution against excessive confidence.

These types of investigations and scandals can easily lead to 'witch hunts' and 'panics' and need to be handled with the greatest care, prudence, and levelheadedness possible.

----

I wanted to add the following study/information, because as the study states ' These results provide further evidence of the importance of distinguishing between these groups of offenders. '

This might just be an irrelevant distinction for most people appalled by this potential/alleged abuse of power and authority of 'our' elites; but I believe we might mostly be looking at and dealing with psychopathy and not necessarily 'just' pedophilia in this Pizzagate scandal.

This has several different implications for how this scandal might be handled or be covered up, etc., because psychopaths are master liars, deflectors, charmers, etc., i.e. 'pillars of the community,' 'movers and shakers,' etc.

There is another curious connection here; Professor Robert Hare – the father of psychopathy research – said this:

Hare considers newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell to have been a strong candidate as a corporate psychopath.[10]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy_in_the_workplace#General

Robert Maxwell is the father of Ghislaine Maxwell, who is close friends with Jeffery Epstein:

In an American court case that was made public in January 2015, a woman identified as 'Jane Doe 3′ said she was approached by Maxwell in 1999, and claimed that Maxwell procured under-age girls to have sex with Epstein. Maxwell has always denied any involvement in Epstein's crimes.[10] She said: "She [Ghislaine] said she'd hit hard times. Jeffrey offered her a job and then, I guess, because of her ability to procure girls, she became a vital asset to him.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghislaine_Maxwell


Psychopathy among pedophilic and nonpedophilic child molesters.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22571910

Abstract
OBJECTIVE :
Among men who commit sexual offenses against children, at least 2 distinct groups can be identified on the basis of the age of the primary targets of their sexual interest; pedophiles and nonpedophiles.
METHOD :
In the present report, across 2 independent samples of both types of child molesters as well as controls, a total of 104 men (53 pedophilic and 51 nonpedophilic) who had sexually offended against a child age 13 or younger were compared to each other (and to 49 non-sex offender controls) on psychopathy as assessed by the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI).
RESULTS :
In both samples of child molesters, the nonpedophiles scored as significantly more psychopathic than the pedophiles.
CONCLUSIONS :
These results provide further evidence of the importance of distinguishing between these groups of offenders.

Olorin , December 6, 2016 at 9:36 pm GMT \n
500 Words @MQ This 'story' is complete horseshit / random confirmation bias. Scan the full social media accounts of any group of 100+ people and you could find just as much 'evidence' if you were determined to do so. This is scary -- the day that any social media post involving children that uses the word "chicken" anywhere in it counts as evidence of pedophilia is the day anyone could be smeared.

Ron Unz should be ashamed of himself for giving this kind of unhinged paranoid fear-mongering space.

Your comment sounds familiar to me. Are you writing from the UK perchance?

Back in the mid-Aughts I was surprised by how often I saw commenters at MSM news sites talking about the grooming and abduction of white girls in cities in England. At the time I was regularly reading BBC, Guardian, Telegraph, and Times. The stories where these comments appeared were diverse in topic.

Sometimes other comments would share similar experiences. Some would say they talked to someone who claimed similar experience. Others would say they'd heard murmurs of such things.

These voices repeatedly called on the MSM outlet to investigate, or they wondered why no response was forthcoming from elected officials or policymakers.

This was after–I later learned–Ann Cryer (MP for Keighley) had bravely stepped forward on behalf of girls whose parents had approached her for help. IOW, the cat was emerging from the bag, but the MSM were trying to stuff it back in.

Dismissive responses to these comments frequently were framed as yours is here: nothing to see here, move along, it's confirmation bias, you people are nuts, mods, step in and censor them!

In the Rotherham/etc. case, racism, Islamophobia, etc., were trotted out to inflict silence.

What was most noteworthy to me, and creepy, was how these comments would be removed from the comment streams of these outlets.

Sometimes the comments would be deleted but the response calling them racists or Islamophobes allowed to stand.

By the late Aughts I was convinced some sort of coverup was underway of something terrible indeed.

We now know that the MSM were key players in that.

Similar murmurings were afoot in Pennsylvania for many years prior to the revelations of the sexual abuse of children by Penn State coach Sandusky. I knew men who steered their sons away from football in general, guiding them instead to hockey or lacrosse, because the word on the street was that football camp was not a safe place for boys anymore. (Nor, increasingly, Boy Scouts or church camps.)

The gig is up for the MSM acting as panderers and pimps in the Cathedragogue of their own degenerate Narrative-religion.

They won't go down without a fight. They have more power and money to lose than any of the kids victimized by pedocidal perverts.

But what those kids have to lose is a treasure of vastly more importance than power and money.

Thing is, truth and goodness of spirit will win. This is part of why these degenerates fight back as they do. They can put truth and goodness on the run for only so long. They fight back not because they are losing, but because, by nature, they can never join the winning side of truth and goodness. It's just not in them.

All the more reason they need to be found out and reined in hard.

One last thing, regarding some people's assertion that these symbols, in-jokes, etc., are all "just a game." Or, worse, "art." (Which implies getting money and power by representing degeneracy to decorate rich people's businesses, homes and bedrooms.)

If pedophilia, grooming, and child rape are now matters to take lightly as shibboleths of entrance to circles of power, then those circles of power need to be napalmed.

"In the beginning there were the swamp, the hoe, and Jussi."

Sunbeam , December 6, 2016 at 10:52 pm GMT \n
100 Words

I think the crux of the problem is that most people find two different things equally plausible.

1) That the people who are talking about this (pizzagate) are lunatics.

or

2) That Podesta and the rest actually are involved in things like this.

Personally I think a nation that has reached this point, that it is totally believable that our leaders and elites are a bunch of monsters well that's a real problem.

Another problem is that the UK article a poster above linked to is two years old. Has anyone heard anything about that since? Expect to?

Sandy Berger's Socks , December 6, 2016 at 11:13 pm GMT \n
100 Words

How many members of the media political class, that are dismissing this as fake news have enjoyed "pizza" at Besta or at a similar place?

What if criminal deviancy rather than disqualifying a person, is not instead some weird prerequisite for elite status? Don't have to worry about rock throwers if they're inside the same glass house.

Blackmail seems as good an explanation as any for things like John Roberts sudden change of heart on the constitutionality of the Obama care mandate.

Aaron B. , December 7, 2016 at 12:09 am GMT \n
100 Words

This is a very good summary; thank you for publishing it.

The speed with which the old media have declared the entire thing false, far sooner than they possibly could have explored all the latest information and come to that conclusion, is astonishing. In other cases of conspiracy theories they think are false, they are willing to stand back and ridicule the theorists. Obama Birthers, 9/11 Truthers, Boston Bombing hoax, Sandy Hook . all certainly called false and ridiculed, but that's all. I don't think I've ever seen them try to squelch an entire line of discussion from the start like this before, even threatening lawsuits and prosecution.

Kirt , December 7, 2016 at 12:16 am GMT \n
200 Words

There may be something to pizzagate but I'm very skeptical of accusations of widespread institutional pedophilia. I initially fell for the "Satanic panic" of the 1980s; I learned my lesson.
I see that this case relies a lot on cryptic symbols. Reminds me of the people who see swastikas and white supremacy runes wherever they look and try to make a case for a vast neo-Nazi underground. But the author states that 470,000 children "disappear" each year in the US alone. Really? The link goes to "reported missing" which is a whole different thing. I once reported one of my kids missing; he turned up shortly afterwards at a friend's house. He hadn't even run away, just overstayed and not informed us where he was. That sort of thing happens all the time, but genuine disappearances? I don't know of a single case and I know plenty of people with kids. In some third world country in a war, tens of thousands of missing kids might be believable, but even in most such countries (Syria for example) 470,000 disappearances per year would be a stretch.

TelfoedJohn , December 7, 2016 at 12:23 am GMT \n
100 Words

In the U.K., all the abuse took place by people in power. Catholic clergy over choirboys. Celebs over their fans. Pakistanis targeted girls from broken homes. The wealthy and 'noble' preyed on the lesser born.

The worst though are the politicians, who have maximum power. I'm not sure I believe the pizzagate thing – the evidence is not conclusive (show me a victim or witness). But I certainly believe it is possible.

Cortes , December 7, 2016 at 12:44 am GMT \n

The reliably excellent John Helmer provides an oblique reference to Pizzagate in the following linked piece about Propornot and its marvellous 200 Putin Stoogesites:

http://johnhelmer.net/?p=16851

Avery , December 7, 2016 at 12:49 am GMT \n
200 Words @utu "What 'relatively obscure charge'?" - Making payments in a manner hiding the detection of payments. Payments were not illegal but he was doing it in amounts below the amounts that automatically would require reporting. In my opinion he did nothing illegal. The crimes he allegedly committed were beyond the statute of limitation and paying hush money is not illegal either.

I kinda thought that's what you were referring to, but wanted to make sure.

His real crime was something else.

He was a high school coach years ago and was raping underage boys in his charge. The cash he was withdrawing was for payments to one of the boys to keep him quiet. If memory serves, another one of his victims had committed suicide (not sure though). But the one Hastert was paying off wanted to burn him.

In addition, Sibel Edwards, when she was working for the FBI and translating foreign language intercepts, picked up some conversations by Turkish officials, who were bribing Hastert, and claimed they "owned him". He reportedly got $500K, but not sure for what. FBI had courts put a gag order on Sibel, so she could not reveal any more details. The story was buried: probably because too many high ranking swine were involved.

Hastert pleaded guilty to a Mickey Mouse charge so that there would no public child-rape trial, where the public might learn all the lurid details of what the filthy swine did to those underage boys.

Hastert got away with destroying the lives of many boys.
Hopefully he will be savagely beaten and crippled in prison – but not killed – so he can suffer for years.

Johnny Smoggins , December 7, 2016 at 2:19 am GMT \n
200 Words

Like a lot of people I have gone from completely ignoring this story, thinking it was Alex Jones type fantasy to starting to wonder if there might not be some truth to it after all. So far I haven't seen any definitive evidence that kids are actually being molested, or worse. And because the accusations are so damning I would want to be very cautious about casually tossing them around.

That being said, a lot of the stuff that's surfaced; the artwork, the cryptic messages, Spirit cooking, the odd choices of entertainment for a family friendly pizza restaurant and the Instagram pictures are just flat out creepy .

Even with a presumption of innocence I wouldn't allow anyone under the age of 18 anywhere near the Podesta brothers, Alefantis and everyone else involved without adult supervision.

I'm glad Unz has decided to publish this. I'm interested to see if anything more will come of it. It certainly warrants further investigation.

James Kabala , December 7, 2016 at 3:04 am GMT \n
@DanC Rotate the old logo for Besta Pizza 180 degrees. It is the pedophile BLogo symbol.

That's why when it got publicised, Besta's management immediately deleted the old one and converted to a new, BLogo-free symbol on all their website and printed materials.

What is interesting to note in mainstream media "debunkings" of PizzaGate is that they focus on the doubtful evidence, things that could be "interpreted either way" and they leave out the glaringly obvious pedophilia links, like the Besta Pizza logo.

Just look at all the "debunking articles." Do any of them mention the old Besta logo? I haven't seen any.

It seems to me this is the way to wean the public off the mainstream media. Hammer on the fact that the MSM insists on leaving out the clear, obvious evidence and tries to imply that everything is doubtful and open to interpretation. Then people will start to associate them with coverup and BS. The MSM can't recover from that.

Actually the logo issue is a prominent part of this Washington Post article (and a tweet by the fairly well-known Dave Weigel highlighted that part in particular):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/were-going-to-put-a-bullet-in-your-head-pizzagate-threats-terrorize-dc-shop-owners/2016/12/05/39469a82-bb2e-11e6-94ac-3d324840106c_story.html?utm_term=.af2e34c09164

pepperinmono , December 7, 2016 at 3:48 am GMT \n
100 Words @Johnny Smoggins Like a lot of people I have gone from completely ignoring this story, thinking it was Alex Jones type fantasy to starting to wonder if there might not be some truth to it after all. So far I haven't seen any definitive evidence that kids are actually being molested, or worse. And because the accusations are so damning I would want to be very cautious about casually tossing them around.

That being said, a lot of the stuff that's surfaced; the artwork, the cryptic messages, Spirit cooking, the odd choices of entertainment for a family friendly pizza restaurant and the Instagram pictures are just flat out creepy .

Even with a presumption of innocence I wouldn't allow anyone under the age of 18 anywhere near the Podesta brothers, Alefantis and everyone else involved without adult supervision.

I'm glad Unz has decided to publish this. I'm interested to see if anything more will come of it. It certainly warrants further investigation.

pepperinmono , December 7, 2016 at 3:48 am GMT \n
100 Words @Johnny Smogg

Podesta is a creepy fuck period.
How did such a dweeb get to be such a big person in our national conversation?
He is an obvious hack , but not a particular clever one. He just comes off so "are you fucking kidding me?". Where do they get these dudes? James Carville. Paul Begala. Bill Burton. Robby Mook. Even right has George Will, Buckley. Strange unnormal people.

utu , December 7, 2016 at 3:48 am GMT \n
@for-the-record See, for example,

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-24513267

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/madeleinemccann/10377714/Madeleine-McCann-E-fit-suspect-was-carrying-child-police-reveal.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Efit_images_of_Madeleine_McCann_suspect.jpg

http://www.thelastamericanvagabond.com/top-news/podesta-brothers-revealed/

Tulip , December 7, 2016 at 4:23 am GMT \n
100 Words

I confess I don't get it. I can understand pizzagate as a brutal and nasty last minute campaign tactic, but the election is over, drop it. A mighty tissue of "coincidences" woven together in a manner that would make Glenn Beck envious. I guess I need to fashion a tin foil hat and then re-read the article. I think it just discredits the source more than the target.

If someone is actually raping children, then where are the children? The kids related to the socialite that she is bringing to a pool party? Come on, that is what plebes are for. How are the children procured? Where do they live? There is necessarily logistics to this kind of activity, and zero evidence of logistics, just some weird emails and weird art. Its like saying someone is a coke head because they had a runny nose. tweet at early hours in the morning, and behave very alpha.

Anon , December 7, 2016 at 4:45 am GMT \n

In the 70s, I hear that NY pizzerias were fronts for narcotics dealers.

Are they now used by pedo-dealers?

I love pizza, but this issue is making me feel a bit icky about it.

Anon , December 7, 2016 at 5:02 am GMT \n
500 Words @Anonymous "Every aspect of British society seems to have ties to pedophilia, from Parliament, to the elites, the City of London, the government, public schools, Oxbridge, the universities, all the way down to Paki immigrant communities and even British soccer."

Why do pedos gain such power? Same reason why homos do? Since many of them don't have families and since they resent the Normal World(from which they must hide their deviance or sickness), do they have extra time/energy for gaining power? Are they fueled by resentment toward Normal Society? It seems like homos had a kind of revenge streak, and it all came out with New Normal. Homos really want to rub our faces in their feces. They want to force us to accept the New Normal or be totally destroyed. They want to turn us into their bitches. They are into Bitch-Hunting.

Working in the shadows, homos and pedos seemed to gained considerable power. And since they are associated with Vice Industry, they have the dirt on everyone else and can blackmail them. Bill Clinton prolly never had sex with a minor, but surely homos and pedos have a lot of dirt on him about his many affairs and orgies. And since they have many connections, they serve as essential middlemen for those who seek power.

Also, there is a code of silence among the powerful. They watch out for one another. And homos and pedos are both pushy and gushy. They are very demanding but also accommodating and supportive of the powerful and ambitious. They go all out to serve the powerful and those on the up-and-up, but they also demand a cut of the pie.

The ambitious care most about power and privilege than about right and wrong. If their power depends on a coterie of people committed to them 24/7, they will look the other way even when they know something is up. Also, there is the human factor. People who work together closely develop an emotional bond. It's team politics, us vs them. And loyalty must be favored.
Since homos and pedos have more time on their hands and more energy(fueled by resentment), they might be more available to the powerful or those who seek power.

Hollywood made the media the hero in the movie SPOTLIGHT. But the media seem eager to bury this as fast as possible.

Why did it take so long for the Hastert and Sandusky cases to come to light?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Sandusky

How did they get away with that stuff forever?

Is it a good idea to allow homos into Boy Scouts?

Homos seem to be closely allied with pedos, and the trajectory of our culture is to normalize pedophilia by sexualizing young girls and boys. If young ones are sexualized, it means they can be objects of sexual desire. And then what?

And the scientific community is arguing pedophilia should be treated as a condition than a crime. This may be legit as long as pedos didn't act on their impulses. But if they did, how can it not be a crime?

Rape is 'natural' too given that sexual feelings are natural. But we can't treat rape itself as a condition and not a crime.

Wizard of Oz , December 7, 2016 at 5:48 am GMT \n
200 Words

Regrettably, though one may have grown old without ever feeling the wish to have sexual contact with a pre-adolescent or of anyone of the same sex it hasn't been possible for a long time to deny the prevalence of socially disapproved sex drives and behaviours. So one finds that the nice young presenter on the antique show has been arrested for downloading and keeping pedophile images. And so on But isn't the idea of a large network, and what is needed to keep it covered up, a bit much to swallow? Nasty minds? Conspiracy theories?

Well I suppose not. Sex as a drive and the perverse varieties of expression that we know to manifest themselves are enough to make one accept the pedophile reality. Then the network and the cover up? The cover up, however difficult to make it reliable, is just a consequence of the danger their behaviour exposes them to. And the network? Easy enough to explain once you are in it – like knowing that you could attend mass in a number of aristocratic Elizabethan households. But the detail of why and how it should grow from a very small group is obviously more complex. I guess that there are organisers and facilitators who seek various rewards, some financial, some in young flesh, some in the obtaining of blackmailing power.

NoseytheDuke , December 7, 2016 at 6:07 am GMT \n
100 Words @utu

It's the age difference and the power equation that matters. If a fifteen year old is sexting a thirteen year old it's quite different than a grown man like Anthony Wiener. I couldn't blame any father who administered a sound beating to an adult creep who was sexting a minor. What kind of a society doesn't protect children?

Anon , December 7, 2016 at 6:28 am GMT \n
100 Words

MSM is so eager to kill this story but tried so hard to keep alive the UVA hoax.

Even after it became clear that the whole thing had been made up, NY Times pretended that it wasn't sure.

But then, look at our political culture.

Say nothing of Israel's 200 nukes but never stop bitching about Iran's non-existing nukes.

And even though the West is the aggressor, blame Russia.

Yellow Cake and WMD. Colin Powell's lies and MSM's collusion.

Silence about black thuggery but pretend innocent blacks are murdered by evil white cops.

A real inversion of truth and lies.

Lugenpresse calling its detractors 'fake news'.

Shimshon , December 7, 2016 at 7:30 am GMT \n
100 Words @Tulip

,

First, the emails are not just weird. Second, regarding this:

"There is necessarily logistics to this kind of activity, and zero evidence of logistics "

Actually, there is.

Jeffrey Epstein, the Lolita Express, and his pedophile island. This was obviously covered up.

The Pizzagaters have shed a tiny bit of light on Laura Silsby. Look her up.

Anonymous Nephew , December 7, 2016 at 8:25 am GMT \n
100 Words @Tim Howells

"IMO this is yet another Jimmy Savile case: i.e. literally Satanic pedophilia on a vast scale, with the active collusion of our political and media elites"

Savile case wasn't that at all – more like famous DJ/charity fundraiser with great PR taking advantage of his status with teenage girls. How many of the post-death allegations are true, who knows, but we know some definitely aren't true – we know because long-time blogger Anna Raccoon was a resident of a small children's home where Savile was claimed to have abused girls. She has a whole series of seven posts called "Past Lives and Present Misgivings" on the allegations.

http://annaraccoon.com/2012/10/24/past-lives-and-present-misgivings-part-four/

More "active collusion" is likely in the cases of Cyril Smith and Greville Janner, two pretty high-profile and connected MPs, who seem to have managed to go to their graves scot free.

Blado , December 7, 2016 at 9:21 am GMT \n
@Miro23

The idea of on-camera child rape as a prerequisite of entry into organizations/guarantee of cooperation is a pretty old one. It's no doubt been done.

Skeptikal , December 7, 2016 at 1:58 pm GMT \n
100 Words @Anonymous

How the "fake news" trope works in the real world:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/07/trump-adviser-son-michael-flynn-sacked-pizzagate-comet-ping-pong-restaurant

Flynn's tweet regarding this story was perfectly reasonable.
The story has been stamped "bogus" without any kind of investigation.
No response to questions about the weird content of emails by Podesta and others.
Stonewalling.
Makes one think the shotgun blast at Comet might even have been a false flag!!

PI , December 7, 2016 at 2:00 pm GMT \n

For those wondering about the authenticity of the FBI document, here is the wikileaks page where it was revealed in 2007 and they say "Wikileaks has verified the document":

https://wikileaks.org/wiki/FBI_pedophile_symbols

And here is a MSM article about it:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3560069/The-symbols-pedophiles-use-signal-sordid-sexual-preferences-social-media.html

BB753 , December 7, 2016 at 4:17 pm GMT \n
200 Words @Anonymous

I remember watching an excellent Australian film years ago that covered this very topic. It portrayed in a very realistic way the whole homo/ pedo underground in the upper rungs of society, from posh public schools to university, where grooming of youngsters occurred, to Parliament and Finance, where the powerful pederasts/homosexuals ruled. In this world, the shortest way to power and riches for a young man was to seek out the protection and guidance of an older and powerful homo/pederast lover. It was shot in Australia and in Australian settings and institutions, but it's all so British you'd think the film makers really intended the story to reflect British society and were using Australia as a legal cover.
Sorry, I can't remember the title of the movie or the director. It was quite disturbing to watch but very interesting.
Perhaps Pat Hannagan or some other knowledgeable Australian reader can help.

Anon , December 7, 2016 at 8:01 pm GMT \n
100 Words

Let's say there was no pedo-ring. I'm rather skeptical of it myself.

But just look at that pizzeria. What kind of freako place is that?

And why are some of the 'most powerful' people in DC such downright perverts and degenerates?

The fish rots from the head. Degenerates run government, institutions, and culture.

Government and judges push homo agenda. College push porn and 50 genders. Hollywood pushes drugs and tattoos. Disney turns girls into whores.

And this isn't just a 'left' vs 'right' problem. A lot of Trump voters were ass-tattoo freaks. The working class grew up on Jerry Springer, WWE, mentally deranged metal music, or Goth freakery.

And middle class kids grew up on the nerdy black magic of Harry Potter whose teacher is a happy ass-man.

Whether it's elites and their Pervert Pizza or the underclass with their degeneracy, it's ugly all around.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4006300/Filth-chaos-weird-religious-symbols-Pictures-appalling-conditions-inside-Oakland-warehouse-36-died.html

We need Vito-Corleonism.

This is how a man should be:

https://youtu.be/IeDV0rxBq9E?t=1m35s

Anon , December 7, 2016 at 8:29 pm GMT \n
300 Words @map

I'm not sold on the pedo-ring. Too much risk, though I think those 'elites' are a bunch of pervs.

If anything, this pedo-issue takes our eyes off the ball.

The real issue should be that the governing elites of this nation in government, colleges, cultural institutions, media and even military(look at those tranny freaks) are a bunch of decadents, even degenerates. We are seeing the normalization of freakery and grossness.

The fact that it is considered NORMAL for Hillary to invite Lena Dunham to the DNC speaks for itself. The fact that Newsweek celebrated Obama with a gay 'halo' speaks for itself. The fact that churches hang 'homo flags' speaks for itself.
It is a sick nation.

A tolerant nation has room for decadence and even degeneracy. It belongs in the underground. They always existed.
But now, this underground stuff is the bobo cultural fixation of the elites who consider themselves 'hip' and 'edgy'.
And they even introduce their kids to this stuff from a young age.
Indeed, even without overt pedophilia, introducing sexuality to kids at a very young age is a kind of indirect pedophilia.
When homo-ness is promoted among kids, what is being done? Kids will ask 'what is homo stuff?' And an honest answer will have to be, "some guys wanna stick pee pee into poo poo". But then, the kids will have to be told THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, and if anything, WE SHOULD BLESS THE HOMOS. But why? What is so great about pee pee in poo poo?

We really need Culturegate. The whole culture is a rotten scandal, and the fact that US globo-imperialism spreads this filth around the world speaks volumes about how sick America has become. We don't need real pedo-rings of 'pizzagate' to accuse the elites of filth and vileness. Their cultural life is garbage.

Just look at this: 'mainstream' culture has no problem with it. If anything, it is promoted as the New Norm.

http://rare.us/story/lena-dunham-posts-picture-of-herself-on-the-crapper-before-declaring-herself-a-feminist-hero/

Anon , December 7, 2016 at 9:01 pm GMT \n
@Pablo

As John Helmer points out, the new digital news business model doesn't provide any funds for investigative journalism.
So who is going to pay for a serious journalist to do the legwork and paperwork and FOIA requests, etc.?

Skeptikal , December 7, 2016 at 9:20 pm GMT \n
100 Words

Re "And why are some of the 'most powerful' people in DC such downright perverts and degenerates? "

I thought you were going to say:
What are the most powerful people in DC doing hanging out at this creepy pizza parlor and doing fundraising events there?
We all know where Hillary goes for "real" money: The Saudis, Goldman Sachs, billionaires' glitzy summer compounds in the Hamptons, places like that-you know, where the money is.
So WTF is she doing in one of these pizza joints? Why would there be any real money there?
With creepy, tawdry "artwork" on the walls?
Something here does not pass the smell test.

Tim Howells , December 7, 2016 at 9:43 pm GMT \n
100 Words @Anonymous Nephew

I'm intrigued by the Anna Racoon stuff, but I found it completely incoherent. Could you explain what these claims are, and why they should be taken seriously?

Re Sir Savile and Satanic child sex abuse, at least two victims gave entirely credible and consistent accounts. Here's a mainstream source:

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/370439/Jimmy-Savile-was-part-of-satanic-ring

NoseytheDuke , December 7, 2016 at 11:36 pm GMT \n
100 Words @Skeptikal

Agreed. Often one wonders why such outrageous decisions are made in politics that clearly contradict the public good and one wonders, why? This topic goes a long way to explaining the why. I'm not so sure if the investigating of it is the hard part or the broad exposure, but it needs to happen.

I am probably more tolerant of 'deviates' than most on here. Queers don't bother me much, though I would recommend that they be more discreet and stop the promotion of their peccadilloes as normal. When it comes to children, even teenagers, I am very strict about them not being able to give consent and should be treated with respect, if not revered, by all adults with no exceptions.

There is enough smoke here for a thorough investigation to be demanded and carried out. I hope nothing less ensues.

Stonehands , December 8, 2016 at 4:52 am GMT \n
100 Words @Anon

The fact that it is considered NORMAL for Hillary to invite Lena Dunham to the DNC speaks for itself. The fact that Newsweek celebrated Obama with a gay 'halo' speaks for itself. The fact that churches hang 'homo flags' speaks for itself.
It is a sick nation.

Yep. I don't have to look any further then this perv Alefantis. This is what you get when sodomy is legal. Of course this craven bastard makes all kinds of snarky degenerate comments about children on his instagram

Society has been desensitized to homosexuality- so they have moved on to the "prize".

You have hit it out of the park as usual, I enjoy and concur with your assesments.

glorietalabs , December 8, 2016 at 12:51 pm GMT \n
300 Words

I believe I saw the instagram account of Alefantis before it came down. The girl pictured in several images seems to be the child of a family friend. I thought the taped to the table image and the other pic with #chickenlover tag were at a minimum indicators of a dark humor or innuendo. Who finds this sort of thing funny?
There were more pics of infants and a doll with creepy tags like #hoetard and suggestive comments, again, indicating a level of casual comfort with making implied references to pedophilia. ..wink wink.

Gross, at a minimum. But evidence of a ring? I don't understand why Alefantis doesn't just acknowledge that there is an "appearance" of sick humor.

Regarding the use of supposedly known pedo symbols- I'm skeptical. These are shapes and motifs we see everywhere. It could be that the pedo symbol inventors purposely chose designs that would easily coincide with innocent use so as to hide in plain sight. Or hmm ?

Podesta is definitely using code in his emails but my read was that he's talking about drugs and partying. Didn't we all use "pizza" at one time or another as a reference to party favors back in the day?

The Podestas have bad taste in art. Not a crime, just a general indicator of regular degenerately "hip" tastes so as to impress the cool kids?

And yet no one clears the air. And this is disturbing. I have yet to read one Wapo or nyt article denouncing the "witch hunt" but acknowledging that, yes, it looks bad. Because it really does.

Incidentally, if they haven't been faked, one of Alefantis' instagram commenters is the maker of child sized coffin coffee tables. Nice.

par4 , December 8, 2016 at 4:54 pm GMT \n

Here is the Judge rebuking serial molester Hastert (R) before sentencing.

The Scalpel , Website December 8, 2016 at 7:42 pm GMT \n
100 Words @Sandy Berger's Socks

"What if criminal deviancy rather than disqualifying a person, is not instead some weird prerequisite for elite status? Don't have to worry about rock throwers if they're inside the same glass house.Blackmail seems as good an explanation as any for things like John Roberts sudden change of heart on the constitutionality of the Obama care mandate."

This fits Occam's Razor. I would go so far as to say that pedophilia blackmail appears to have been a method of political control since the days of the British Empire. Much like gang membership, participation is required for entrance into the inner circles of political power, then used as blackmail to enforce conformity and secrecy.

Interestingly, there is a recent episode of "The Black Mirror," a Netflix show, that addresses this very psychology.

FKA Max , December 9, 2016 at 5:11 pm GMT \n
300 Words @FKA Max

There is a rather informative article in the WaPo about Pizzagate and its potential (mass-)psychological origins. It actually indirectly and temporarily "blames" over-zealous feminists with being the originators of the this moral panic. Quite interesting, but of course the article/author reverts back to Trump-bashing, etc. in the end.

What the Pizzagate conspiracy theory borrows from a bogus satanic sex panic of the 1980s

Second, in both cases, social movements were involved in the weaponization of suspicion, although the political center of gravity has shifted from one episode to the next. In the late 1970s, social workers and feminist activists had focused on combating child sexual abuse; they sometimes developed extremely broad definitions of abuse or floated exaggerated estimates of its occurrence in this quest. Such efforts have left deep cultural residues, and these include the acceptance of exaggerated claims about the number of child trafficking victims, and the incidence and forms of organized child sexual abuse. Pizzagate relies on these inflated fears to seem plausible, and it similarly relies on a viewpoint marked by extreme suspicion (of the media, Washington "elites," politicians and the Clinton camp specifically) to decode ordinary events and statements into extraordinary claims.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/12/08/the-satanic-roots-of-pizzagate-how-a-30-year-old-sex-panic-explains-today/

A moral panic is a feeling of fear spread among a large number of people that some evil threatens the well-being of society.[1][2] A Dictionary of Sociology defines a moral panic as "the process of arousing social concern over an issue – usually the work of moral entrepreneurs and the mass media."[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_panic

I had never come across the term "moral entrepreneur" before, very useful term https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_entrepreneur

Stonehands , December 9, 2016 at 8:50 pm GMT \n
100 Words @FKA Max

We know all about "Hysteria", but why did the artist use a decapitated male if not to possibly conflate this in the viewers mind with the atrocities of Dalmer?

What about the other degenerate art, such as the child bondage spankees posing in the easy- to -clean tiled torture chambers?

Some of us will never accept homosexuality as an "alternative" lifestyle.

The fact that Alefantis is a homo; who by dint of his perverse sexuality- has achieved some level of notoriety prior to pizzagate- is certainly part of the underlying rancor towards him.

NoseytheDuke , December 9, 2016 at 11:01 pm GMT \n
100 Words @FKA Max

Incredibly generous of you to quote WaPo as a credible source. I would have done the same at one time but that was ages ago.

BB753 asks why haven't the Posdestas sued? I would ask why haven't they at the very least stepped forward to offer a simple explanation for what most agree is code in the emails?

I would suggest a possibility that blowing the lid off on this exposes exactly how certain "lobby" groups maintain control of the wheelhouse of the US ship of state, and have consistently steered it into troubled waters against the national interest.

Wiz, a simple typo that my computer ran with (very observant of you).

anonymous , December 9, 2016 at 10:02 pm GMT \n
@FKA Max

This clip of Brietbart going off on John Podesta seemed to me more than just a political squabble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgBvPx4CvhI

Keep in mind, this was years before the Wikileaks 'Pizza' stuff. Also keep in mind that Breitbard dropped dead shortly after this was filmed.

Anonymous , December 10, 2016 at 3:17 am GMT \n
200 Words

Pizzagate is not "fake news" at all. It needs to be investigated.

The MSM says it does not disseminate "fake news". However, the MSM will often simply not cover events that ARE real news.

Thus, the MSM is disseminating the opposite of "fake news", namely NO NEWS. The MSM keeps people in the dark because there things that it does not want people to know about. For example, the MSM will often not cover stories about how the LGBTQ movement is brainwashing kids in even the lowest grade in public elementary schools. That's because the MSM does not want people to become upset at the penetration (no pun intended) of the LGBTQ agenda.

In reality, there is relatively little "fake news" out there. Most alternative websites that people visit, such as Unz, simply provide a different perspective on issues that the MSM won't cover at all, or cover in a cursory manner.

Skeptikal , December 10, 2016 at 2:35 pm GMT \n

Agreed.
And the "fake news" trope is an excellent example of misdirection/laying a false trail.

NoseytheDuke , December 10, 2016 at 9:49 pm GMT \n
100 Words @Jus' Sayin'...

Classic disinfo technique, to seed the truth with a few lies that are provably false so that then the whole thing can be claimed to be false and written off.

I don't know about the Podestas but as others here have rightly stated, there's enough smoke for a thorough, open investigation.

Coincidently, the anti-Russian rhetoric has escalated to an even more absurd degree alongside the Pizzagate news. I wonder if the result will be even less people believing the blatant lies of mass media or if people will just demonstrate that there are no limits to gullibility.

anonymous , December 11, 2016 at 5:31 am GMT \n
100 Words @NoseytheDuke

I saw a headline on CNN.com claiming Russia was attempting to smear people by 'planting' child pornography on their computers.

I didn't bother reading it, as CNN is a Gawker level news source these days, but it seems like they may attempt to blame this stuff on Russia – along with everything else.

Mark Green , Website December 11, 2016 at 7:41 am GMT \n

Here's another sex scandal (and a certifiably real one) involving a prominent Canadian who turned out to be a pedaphile. There's a lot in this story that's revealing and fascinating.

http://torontolife.com/city/ben-levin-child-pornography-sting/

Skeptikal , December 11, 2016 at 2:33 pm GMT \n
500 Words @Mark Green

Such a disturbing story. But instructive. In particular the information, or perhaps it is a speculation, that the pedophiliac sexual drive develops early on. This drive must be incredibly strong-stronger than what would be considered normal sexual desire? I don't know. But I have read that it is so strong that pedophiles make major life choices in terms of finding a way to get access to children to use sexually. Such as marrying: so they can father their own children and have them handy for abuse. Or entering a profession, such as the priesthood, or pediatrics, or education, etc. so that they have access to children. Or becoming sports coaches, where they spend a lot of time in locker rooms and also have blandishments to offer young boys such as sports career advances. Etc.

I think this point-the power of the drive-should be taken into account when people such as some commenters on this thread say: "These people [such as Podesta} are too intelligent to risk their careers blah blah." If the pedophilia drive is as strong as, say, a heroin addiction, then the addiction is in the driver's seat, not "intelligence." The more you feed an addiction, the stronger it gets, and the more stimulation it takes to get the charge.

As for the sprinkling of a few lies in with a story that is targeted for debunking: In a normal police investigation the police solicit leads from the public. (It is true that in this case there is not an obvious victim, so that must also be taken into account; but this was also the situation with the Ben Levin [Toronto] case; nevertheless what he did was criminal and dangerous.) They examine the leads and follow them up. This is detectives' job.

Often an obscure lead does lead to further useful information needed to build a hypothesis of the motive-means-opportunity for the crime and widen the scope of an investigation. Every American with a TV set has seen hundred of such police procedurals showing how crimes have been solved, often cold cases. Bona fide detectives who get leads from the public don't immediately start to smear the source of leads as looney-tunes. In this case the public, in the face of apparent inaction by law enforcement to follow up on this case, is responding by posting ideas and hypotheses and possible leads.

An honest law enforcement agency would be conducting an aggressive investigation and checking out any useful info and ideas that members of the public come up with, whether online or off. Honest news outlets should either be calling for a thorough investigation, or staying mum if they have been informed that an investigation is ongoing. The fact that the MSM, absent any sign of an investigation, are blaring out the "nothing here; move on; blogger are rabid fools" message is in itself suspicious and suggests that someone is being protected. The MSM have put out just enough info to warn the possible wrongdoers to get their act together, change their signage, and run for cover.

Miro23 , December 11, 2016 at 4:40 pm GMT \n
100 Words @Skeptikal

The fact that the MSM, absent any sign of an investigation, are blaring out the "nothing here; move on; blogger are rabid fools" message is in itself suspicious and suggests that someone is being protected. The MSM have put out just enough info to warn the possible wrongdoers to get their act together, change their signage, and run for cover.

My feeling exactly. Too much volume, no doubts, too orchestrated and nothing being investigated, in fact just like WMD, and 9/11.

Anon , December 11, 2016 at 5:23 pm GMT \n

Ping Pong Comet Pizza should rename itself as Suck-E-Cheese.

Btw, more pedo stuff.

https://www.rt.com/news/367652-norway-pedophiles-arrested-scandal/

Media seem less enthused about going after secular pedos, just like rabbi pedos got less public scrutiny than the Catholic pedo priests did.

Intelligent Dasein , Website December 11, 2016 at 6:07 pm GMT \n
800 Words

I believe that Pizzagate is a Trojan Horse being pushed into Alt-Right internet circles by Hillary/Soros' former CTR trolls in order to help the Democrats and the MSM continue to flog the "fake news" narrative. The idea behind it is to enable them to say, "Look, you see what kind of crazy conspiracies those Alt-Righters consume and repeat amongst themselves? This is the kind of fake news believing nutjobs we're up against." If you think back upon the history of the meme (I hate that word, but I have no other to use in its place), you'll find that its original and most vocal proponents were exhibiting clear trolling behavior. Given their flaky commenting histories, their pretended expertise on this then-obscure topic, their ostentatious expressions of optimism that this breaking news would ensure a Trump victory (itself a rather obsequious and scarcely believable attempt to paint themselves as one of our number), and their single-minded determination to talk about (and to get us talking about) nothing else, one can only suspect the presence of some sort of agenda behind their sudden exuberance over Pizzagate.

I believe we are up against a new and rather sophisticated sort of Concern Troll here-a veritable Stuxnet of concern trolling. A perfect example here at the Unz Review is the poster "anonguy". Look at his commenting history. Look at the sudden acceleration of his offerings as Election Day neared. And then look at his militant megaphoning of the Pizzagate narrative all over Sailer's blog in the days immediately preceding the election. Furthermore, pay attention to his unusual style, i.e. how he structures his comments as detached musings about the goings-on in the "infosphere" (his word), how he jejunely assures us the "the narrative is forming" (yes, he actually said that, and at a time when there was no narrative to speak of), and his links to literally fake news sites (the Denver Guardian? Give me a break). Now tell me that this is the behavior of someone who actually has the health of the body politic as his primary objective.

Now, after having sifted all that, do try to remember that the larger general public really doesn't know or care anything at all about Pizzagate, and that the leaked Podesta emails (all 37,000 of them, or whatever the final tally was) influenced the vote of precisely no one who did not have the time or inclination to read through them all, which is practically every one of us. Remember that the only people talking about this in the first place are the Alt-Right bloggers and their followers, the very venues of "fake news" whom the Left is attempting to discredit and sully. Remember that the Clintons and Soros specialize in public deception and that they employ all sorts of people for that very purpose. Now consider who is rendered vulnerable by all of this. It isn't going to be the Clintons or Podesta. If Hillary Clinton was not prosecuted for trafficking in state secrets from her private server-a crime for which she should have been executed- then Podesta is not going to be investigated for this. But you all, on the other hand, have been tainted with it. You have been successfully associated in the public mind with a "conspiracy theory," with the "fake news."

My conclusion: Pizzagate is a "thought worm" designed to infect, distract, and destroy the Alt-Right, and most of you have been infected with it. This is not to say that there is no pedophilia going on in Podesta's circle. There may be or there may not be, I really don't know. The point is that there isn't anything you can do about it. The accusations will be turned against the accusers instead-classic Clinton behavior. It would be better not to take the bait anymore. Recent history has demonstrated over and over again that the public is not going to rise up with one voice and clamor for the punishment even of credibly accused child molesters unless there is something more to be gained from doing so, and in this case there clearly isn't. What this says about the spiritual state of the modern West or the psychology of fallen mankind are subjects I will leave for another discussion. For now it is simply a fact of life with which we have to account. The only way to beat these people is the Chicago Way: hit them harder than they hit you. We dealt them a stunning blow by electing Donald Trump, but now we are in danger of losing our advantage by immersing ourselves in a mire of toothless recriminations, and this is exactly what they want. Let's not fall for this again; let us rather rekindle the spirit that got us this far, and take these vile people down once and for all.

robt , December 11, 2016 at 6:28 pm GMT \n
@Anon

The Washington Post found the funds to assign 27 investigative reporters for over a year to dig dirt on Trump, and bragged about it. Judging by what they came up with, it wasn't too fruitful.

map , December 11, 2016 at 8:50 pm GMT \n
100 Words @Intelligent Dasein

Your comment is ridiculous.

First you say the entire pizzagate meme is fake and it's fakery will undo the alt-right. Then you say that you can't do anything about pedophilia anyway, pizzagate or otherwise.

Which is it? Is the story fake and thereby discrediting to those who support it, or is it real but pointless to cover because you can't do anything about it?

Then you suggest we do this "the Chicago way" which is hitting harder than them whatever that means. If you are not going to open investigations against these people, then what does "hitting harder" entail?

There is no way that Soros or anyone else is going to construct an elaborate criminal conspiracy out of whole cloth and tag one of his own loyal operatives.

Skeptikal , December 11, 2016 at 9:55 pm GMT \n
100 Words @map

I agree.
Intelligent's comment looks to me like an elaborate misdirection.
All such blah blah gets no one any closer to an answer as to what is behind the coded language in the Wikileaks emails.

It is a classic example of throwing up a convolution of dust to obscure the smoking emails.
Stick to the evidence.
Ignore irrelevant baroque musings.

NoseytheDuke , December 11, 2016 at 11:45 pm GMT \n
300 Words @Intelligent Dasein

You make some good points but have missed the real issue entirely. Whilst I and many others here DO care about pedos and want them locked away from society, what makes this matter much more important is that it involves many top level power brokers in politics.

Pedophilia is more of a compulsion rather than addiction, why matters less than the fact that recidivism is the norm and society deserves protection both from the crime itself and from the crimes of blackmail that can result from knowledge of it..

Blackmail is a very powerful tool in the work of pure evil and is the reason why even Marines and Embassy guards have restrictions on who they may or may not consort with whilst on active foreign postings. I would estimate that there is no greater threat of exposure than one of sexually exploiting children. Even hardened criminals have contempt for such perverts who are usually granted special protection when incarcerated.

I would venture the suggestion that people with a compulsion towards sexual contact with children are identified early in their careers and consequently put forward for rapid progress within government institutions by those working behind the scene to exercise control over others with decision making capacity in the highest levels of government.

This is not a matter to be swept away if the swamp is to be drained, rather, this may well be where the "plughole" to the swamp itself is to be uncovered. It will require a special investigation team but not one like the Warren Commission or 9/11 "Investigation", a real investigation. Americans should settle for nothing less and it is incumbent of them to demand it.

Erebus , December 12, 2016 at 11:07 am GMT \n
100 Words @NoseytheDuke

This is not a matter to be swept away if the swamp is to be drained, rather, this may well be where the "plughole" to the swamp itself is to be uncovered.

I'm willing to believe something pretty sordid is required to keep the bung hole as tightly plugged as it is and I can't imagine anything else creating a more tightly woven, impenetrable web of mutual blackmail. Imagine what they have on each other, and imagine what foreign intelligence services could do with same if they got hold of it. Come to think of it, maybe they have

America must get to the bung, dislodge it and deal with the stench that will cover the country for a generation. Until then, America can't hope to be great again.

Skeptikal , December 12, 2016 at 12:51 pm GMT \n
100 Words @NoseytheDuke

This makes a lot of sense.
That string pullers are on the lookout for rising political stars who can be compromised along the way.
Hmmmmm . . .
Seems like a lot of political families have dynastic aspirations. That would mean that such offspring might be natural targets for monitoring for any "quirks."

Ace , December 16, 2016 at 7:25 am GMT \n
100 Words @jacques sheete

Craig Spence's call boy business in Washington clearly involved high civilian and military officials. And Spence was able to take friends on midnight tours of the White House.

Spence's house was provided by the Japanese ruling party. The house they provided him had at least one bedroom wired for audio and video. I'm sure the Japanese didn't know that.

The Washington Times covered it for two or three weeks and it was never mentioned again.

Kids from Boys Town in Nebraska were allegedly used.

Unpack that and hope your hair doesn't turn white.

Skeptikal , December 17, 2016 at 1:37 pm GMT \n
100 Words @NoseytheDuke

"Nobody is suggesting a rush to judgement here but clearly a prompt and thorough investigation is called for especially given the supporting evidence, as other commenters have pointed out."

Really.
If the putative "circumstantial evidence" that Russia-no! Putin himself!!-interfered in the American election suffices to launch the CIA on a nutty investigation whose purpose is, obviously, to "prove" that this is the case to the satisfaction of enough electors for them to become "faithless," then I think the Pizzagate emails plus "circumstantial" Pizzagate evidence are by comparison much more compelling and really scream for an investigation. In the Pizzagate case the investigating agency would presumably be the FBI. Which *might* be grounds to expect a genuine investigation.

No reasonable person would think that the emails really are about Podesta's playing dominos and having cheese for dinner. quite apart from the fact that cheese is usually mixed in with pasta!! Come on. I bet Podesta doesn't know how to play the game of dominos. What are these people really emailing about?

BB753 , December 18, 2016 at 1:35 pm GMT \n
@NoseytheDuke

The Podestas' silence about the leaks seems pretty damning in itself. Silence is an admission of guilt.

Eagle Eye , December 22, 2016 at 5:56 am GMT \n
100 Words @Sunbeam

For U.S. readers to gauge whether something like this COULD be happening in an advanced country, look to other countries where such incidents ARE known to have happened.

In Belgium, the Marc DUTROUX scandal led to political consequences and appears to be ongoing.

In the UK, the claims against Ted Heath and Cyril Smith (see picture of both in article linked below) are broadly seen as having at least some factual basis, and were reported in a number of newspapers including the Independent, the Guardian and the Daily Mail (see link below). Other names were rumored about.

There were also years of investigations and cover-ups involving various orphanages such as KINCORA (in Northern Ireland) and HAUTE GARENNE (on the Isle of Jersey). Both were conveniently located in somewhat remote locations outside the direct reach of English law.

There were also extensive rumors regarding several locations in London. Investigations were accompanied by the usual fortuitous deaths of potential witnesses, mysterious disappearance of documents, etc.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3189951/A-vanished-file-troubling-claims-Heath-young-musicians-s-no-smoking-gun-week-shocking-headlines-Mail-s-unearthed-fresh-allegations.html

FKA Max , December 24, 2016 at 10:11 pm GMT \n
200 Words @FKA Max

Mr. Cassiel concludes his 3-part series of Pizzagate articles:

Precedents for Pizzagate
Aedon Cassiel Published: December 23, 2016

http://www.counter-currents.com/2016/12/precedents-for-pizzagate/

To reiterate a point that should be clear to the more astute reader, my goal in this series (part 1, part 2) has not been to defend "Pizzagate" as such. My goal has been to defend the people who want to investigate it against specific accusations levied against them by people who think Pizzagate has revealed no intriguing information at all-for a specific reason, which I will be honing in and focusing on much more directly in this closing entry.

Whereas the mainstream critics of Pizzagate would have you believe that the world is divided between paranoid conspiracy theorist followers of "fake news" and level-headed people who follow trustworthy news sources and rely on cold, hard reason to determine the truth, my goal has been to show that-whatever is or is not happening with Pizzagate itself-this framing of the issue is arrogant, insulting, and the product of extremely narrow tunnel vision. [...]

And if the media is telling you only about the most bizarre, reaching accusations without telling you any of the more interesting points that have been uncovered (which it is), it is not doing its proper job."

foolisholdman , December 27, 2016 at 9:45 pm GMT \n
100 Words @Sandy Berger's Socks

If in fact making all the "elite" blackmailable is the object of the exercise and at the same time being blackmailable is the requisite entry ticket to the elite, then not all the people taking part in all this sinister deviancy need be actual pedophiles! Some of them could be "merely" psychopaths furthering their careers. (Not that that makes them any better.)

If this story is what it appears to be – the tip of a very nasty and very large iceberg, then it could be the mechanism by which the "Deep State" keeps its control of the US government. That would make getting an investigation by official investigators going, very difficlt indeed.

Ron Unz , December 27, 2016 at 10:07 pm GMT \n
200 Words @foolisholdman

If in fact making all the "elite" blackmailable is the object of the exercise and at the same time being blackmailable is the requisite entry ticket to the elite, then not all the people taking part in all this sinister deviancy need be actual pedophiles! Some of them could be "merely" psychopaths furthering their careers.

Well, I don't really have anything to contribute to the "Pizzagate" discussion myself, except to say that some of the supposed evidence plus the behavior of the media makes me very, *very* suspicious.

However, here's a somewhat related paragraph from one of the articles I published a year or two ago:

An obvious problem with installing puppet rulers is the risk that they will attempt to cut their strings, much like Putin soon outmaneuvered and exiled his oligarch patron Boris Berezovsky. One means of minimizing such risk is to select puppets who are so deeply compromised that they can never break free, knowing that the political self-destruct charges buried deep within their pasts could easily be triggered if they sought independence.

I have sometimes joked with my friends that perhaps the best career move for an ambitious young politician would be to secretly commit some monstrous crime and then make sure that the hard evidence of his guilt ended up in the hands of certain powerful people, thereby assuring his rapid political rise.

http://www.unz.com/runz/american-pravda-when-tokyo-rose-ran-for-president/

Junior , January 20, 2017 at 2:17 am GMT \n
1,100 Words

This is ALL about the child trafficing that the Clinton-Bush Foundation was doing in Haiti. It is the weakpoint in a global child trafficing network and it is why the Clinton-Bush Foundation has taken down their website and are attempting to cover up any traces of it as we speak. Trump knows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMJoNl2RHIU

Anyone who believes that it is ludicrous to think that pizzerias could be used for such nefarious operations, I 'd like to point out to you the case of "The French Connection" which later became known as "The Pizza Connection" in which a huge global network of pizzerias were being used to distribute drugs in the 1980′s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza_Connection_Trial

Anyone who believes that the pedophile code is purely circumstantial needs to take a look at the Katy Perry video "This Is How We Do" which appears to be an homage to Comet Pizza. It is absolutely rife with the code words from the Podesta emails revealed by Pizzagate. They prance around with convicted sex offender, who plea bargained out of a child porn charge, Pee-Wee Herman( http://people.com/celebrity/pee-wee-actor-settles-kiddie-porn-case/ ) singing about "this is how they do" and "it's no big deal".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RMQksXpQSk

Here is a video "Kids" by the group MGMT. The quote at the beginning of the video is from the quintessential Satanist Nietzsche("Free spirits", by contrast to the philosophers of the past, are "investigators to the point of cruelty, with rash fingers for the ungraspable, with teeth and stomach for the most indigestible" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyond_Good_and_Evil ). The video shows them bragging about how prevalent they are through our community. The "do as thou wilt" bastards are laughing at us about how they control positions of authority like policemen(3:36 of video) and how childrens TV programs are filled with their garbage of wolves in sheeps clothing(4:24 of video). And of course the Pizza and Hot Dog symbology throughout the end which culminates with them eating the child. This trash has 77 million views on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe4EK4HSPkI

Here is the video "Criminal" by Fiona Apple. It is all about placing the blame on the victim, by saying that the victim enticed the pedo scum, instead of the perpetrator. This homage to Child Porn makes great pains to highlight Pizza(:21 and :38 of the video) and tiled kill rooms with easy clean-up(:45 of the video and blood stains on carpet at :48 and :54).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFOzayDpWoI

Junior , January 20, 2017 at 3:06 am GMT \n
100 Words @Junior

The lyrics from "In Bloom":
Sell the kids for food. Weather changes moods. Spring is here again. Reproductive Glands. We can have some more. Nature is a whore. Bruises on the fruit. Tender age in bloom . But he don't know what it means when I say "Yummmmmm"

It should be noted that there are two versions of this song. The original one has the Yummmmm heard at the end at 4:15 in this version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdlrEJk9RDY

FKA Max , January 20, 2017 at 5:55 am GMT \n
500 Words @FKA Max

Some potential victims of James Alefantis have been identified and one gave an anonymous testimony.

What James Alefantis allegedly did here is not illegal, but speaks volumes about his character, in my opinion, if the story indeed is true:
[...]
It turns out that Carole's son, who is +/-18 at this time, is also working at the restaurant. I think his name is Dylan/Dillon. He grew up without a father and turned to James Alefantis often for advice.
One night Carole walked into the comet pizza kitchen, and saw James Alefantis fucking her son in the kitchen. She was furious because she immediately knew how completely James had taken advantage of her son. She quit immediately and denounced James viciously in private, unwilling to do so publicly for professional reasons.

http://www.unz.com/article/precedents-for-pizzagate/#comment-1732211

The story checks out, so far: Carole Greenwood is a single mom and has a son named Dylan, who was 13 years old/young in 2003. [...] [–] daj 16 points (+16|-0) 11 hours ago (edited 10 hours ago)

It's legit: http://hollaforums.com/thread/8359034/politics/james-alefantis-fucks.html

Archive: https://archive.fo/iDbWN

http://www.unz.com/article/precedents-for-pizzagate/#comment-1732521

Disclaimer : I have absolutely no idea if this person is authentic, but since many Pizzagate critics argue that the scandal has not a leg to stand on, because no victims have come forward so far, I believe this testimony is important to share.
[...]
This is how he answered one of the questions on a voat comment thread. He seems to know/be aware of Dylan Greenwood
[...]
Here is one of the email exchanges between he and James Alefantis, that he did not delete: http://archive.is/8423t
[...]
After a little while when it was nearing the final exams, I was stressed out, exhausted and let my guard down and went out for some drinks with James a few times after work to get stuff off my chest. James would drug me up and then take advantage of me. When I threatened to go to the police he implied that he would harm me physically and said he would sue me. He had so many friends around DC that I believed him, I really was afraid, and just kept it all bottled up. I ended up getting PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, from what were effectively rapes, and later I began to realize that I likely had Stockholm Syndrome. I eventually quit the job, but James would send me lewd photos and texts for another 2 or three years at the rate of once about every 2 to 3 months, I think 6 months was the longest in that period. I had to kick him out of the place I worked when he came in every other month or so for about a year. Let this be a lesson: do not trust sociopaths and pathological liars.

http://www.unz.com/article/precedents-for-pizzagate/#comment-1733621

FKA Max , January 21, 2017 at 1:15 am GMT \n
200 Words @FKA Max

Former Comet Ping Pong Employee Alleges: "James Alefantis sexually assaulted me"
5 hours ago by abortionburger in pizzagate

https://steemit.com/pizzagate/@abortionburger/victim-comes-forward-i-was-sexually-assaulted-by-james-alefantis

Note: I have personally verified this person's identity and backstory. I obviously cannot verify his accusations. He wishes to remain anonymous.

By now, most people are at least vaguely familiar with the so-called "fake news" story known as Pizzagate. For those that aren't, the brief version is that self described "internet investigators" caught wind of some strange wording in the John Podesta emails released by Wikileaks, and went down the largest internet rabbit hole in recent history.

The story was quickly written off as mass hysteria, a conspiracy theory, and fake news by nearly all of mainstream media, and censored from the internet forum site Reddit. The theory, which has a plethora of circumstantial evidence, lacked one key factor: a victim. [...] The anonymous nature of internet forums leads to skeptics demanding proof of any seemingly outrageous claim. The publication of these emails adds credibility to his story.

[Jul 21, 2019] The Billionaire Pedophile Who Could Bring Down Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton by Brandy Zadrozny

This is from 2016 campaign
Notable quotes:
"... A judge threw out Guiffre's motion in 2015, but Guiffre stands by her claims and is suing Ghislaine Maxwell, whom she claims acted as Epstein's madam. ..."
"... Buckingham Palace has also denied the allegations against Prince Andrew, calling them "categorically untrue. ..."
"... Requests for comment to Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Clinton Foundation were not returned. The former president, who flew on the "The Lolita Express" at least 26 times from 2001 to 2003, has never addressed his ties with Epstein, a onetime major Democratic donor, according to Federal Election Commission records, who also gave millions to the Clinton Foundation even after his arrest for abusing underage girls. ..."
Jul 30, 2016 | www.thedailybeast.com

Trump's supporters have long wondered whether he'd use billionaire sicko Jeffrey Epstein as ammo against the Clintons-until a lurid new lawsuit accused The Donald of raping one of Epstein's girls himself. Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the withdrawal of Virginia Roberts Guiffre's allegations against Alan Dershowitz and the striking of the allegations from the court record by a federal judge. For Jeffrey Epstein and his famous friends, the Aughts were a simpler time, when the businessmen, academics, and celebrities who counted themselves among the playboy philanthropist's inner circle could freely enjoy the fruits of his extreme wealth and connections. Epstein's little black book and flight logs read like a virtual Who's Who: Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Larry Summers, Kevin Spacey, Prince Andrew , and Naomi Campbell all hitched rides on Epstein's private planes. Socialites and distinguished scientists went to visit Epstein's island in St. Thomas, and cavorted at epic dinner parties at his palatial townhouse-then the largest privately owned residence in New York, as he liked to brag .

There, they picked at elaborate meals catered by celebrity chefs like Rocco DiSpirito, marvelled at Epstein's opulent decor, and noted the pack of very, very young model-types with whom Epstein always seemed to surround himself. But a darker story was going on underneath the glamour. In 2008, Epstein was convicted of soliciting sex from an underage girl and quietly paid settlements to scores of alleged victims who said he serially molested them. But the girls kept coming out of the woodwork-in 2014, another young woman filed a lawsuit claiming that Epstein used her as a sex slave for his powerful friends-and that she'd been at parties on his private island with former President Clinton. And just last week, yet another "Jane Doe" filed a suit in New York accusing Epstein and Donald Trump of raping her at a series of sex parties when she was only 13.

... ... ...

By the time Epstein was arrested in 2008, police in Palm Beach County, Florida, had already spent months monitoring his movements, rifling through his trash, and interviewing potential victims and witnesses. Police reported to prosecutors that they had gathered enough evidence to charge the money manager with several felonies: lewd and lascivious molestation and four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Epstein's freedom, his wealth, his little black book full of famous folk-including princes, presidents, and prime ministers-all were seemingly at stake.

So Epstein did what the mega-rich do in these situations: hired star attorneys Gerald Lefcourt and Alan Dershowitz, who defended their client vigorously, reportedly having witnesses followed and discrediting the alleged victims by offering their MySpace pages as evidence of supposed drug use and scandalous behavior.

Prosecutors said Epstein's dream team made successful prosecution unlikely. "Our judgment in this case, based on the evidence known at the time, was that it was better to have a billionaire serve time in jail, register as a sex offender, and pay his victims restitution than risk a trial with a reduced likelihood of success," U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta explained in a 2011 letter.

And so, despite a decade of alleged serial sexual abuse and rape of an unknowable number of girls, some as many as 100 times according to court filings, the notoriously secretive financier was offered a deal. For the alleged systematic victimization of young girls-most of whom were plucked by Epstein's assistants from Palm Beach's poorer neighborhoods and groomed to adore or acquiesce to him-he was slapped with a 2008 conviction on a single charge of soliciting a minor; and sentenced to an 18-month stay in a Palm Beach county jail-of which he served only 13 months and was allowed to leave six days out of every week for "work release." He also agreed to a few dozen confidential, out-of-court payoffs to his accusers, the most recent of which was finalized in 2011.

Epstein's "potential co-conspirators," as the U.S. Attorney called them-women who allegedly procured girls for Epstein-also received immunity from prosecution as a condition of the 2007 agreement that enraged the local police force for its leniency. As of 2015, according to The Guardian, two of these women had changed their names, and were operating businesses out of a building owned by Epstein's brother, where it was alleged in court documents that Epstein had housed young women.

Though Epstein must register as a sex offender for life, and arguably suffer the world's most revolting Google presence, he has seemingly retained his collection of elite academic and media friends as well as his fortune. Since his release in 2009, Epstein has gone about his business, running a mysterious money management firm (clients unknown, income unknown, investments and activities unknown) from his private 70-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands and spending time at his Uptown stone mansion. The palace was gifted to Epstein, some say, by its previous owner-Epstein's guardian angel and the founder of The Limited Inc., Leslie Wexner.

... ... ...

In December 2014, just as the Palm Beach lawsuits were winding down, another alleged victim emerged and her claims were salacious: Epstein, she said, had loaned her out as an underage sex slave to his famous friends -- including Britain's Prince Andrew and Epstein defense attorney Dershowitz (both men denied the charges). Coming forward in Britain's Daily Mail in 2011, Virginia Roberts Guiffre-called Jane Doe #3 in a related lawsuit ( PDF )-claimed that Epstein and his "girlfriend," alleged madame Ghislaine Maxwell, forced her to have sex with the pair's powerful pals and gather intel that Epstein could later use. In court documents, Guiffre testified, "Epstein and Maxwell also told me that they wanted me to produce things for them in addition to performing sex on the men. They told me to pay attention to the details about what the men wanted so I could report back to them."

Guiffre noted that Epstein appeared to be collecting information on Prince Andrew-particularly on his alleged foot fetish-and claimed, "Epstein also trafficked me for sexual purposes to other powerful men, including politicians and powerful business executives. Epstein required me to describe the sexual events I had with these men presumably so that he could potentially blackmail them. I am still very fearful of these men today." A judge threw out Guiffre's motion in 2015, but Guiffre stands by her claims and is suing Ghislaine Maxwell, whom she claims acted as Epstein's madam. Meanwhile, the men named by Guiffre seem eager for her to go away. "It's as if I've been waterboarded for 15 months," Dershowitz told the Boston Globe after the settlement of a defamation case related to Guiffre's claims. "This has taken a terrible toll on my family, on my friends " Buckingham Palace has also denied the allegations against Prince Andrew, calling them "categorically untrue."

UPDATE: This April, Giuffre's lawyers withdrew her allegations against Dershowitz and said that it was a "mistake" to have filed the accusations in the first place. A federal judge later struck her allegations against Dershowitz from the court record. At Dershowitz's request, Louis Freeh, the former head of the FBI, also conducted an independent investigation of her claims and published a statement noting, "Our investigation found no evidence to support the accusations of sexual misconduct against Professor Dershowitz."

In her lawsuit, Guiffre had claimed that during trips to Epstein's private island, she'd also encountered another very famous person: former President Bill Clinton. Guiffre alleges the former U.S. president visited Epstein's "Orgy Island" when there were underage girls present, but added that she never had sex with him and never saw him have sex with any of the young women. Still, it's these sorts of allegations that have journalists and Clinton-haters circling. Just last month, pundits on MSNBC's Morning Joe were speculating about Bill Clinton's oft-discussed friendship with Epstein and whether it would be the go-to play for a Trump campaign looking to combat Hillary Clinton's claims that Trump is bad for women .

Requests for comment to Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Clinton Foundation were not returned. The former president, who flew on the "The Lolita Express" at least 26 times from 2001 to 2003, has never addressed his ties with Epstein, a onetime major Democratic donor, according to Federal Election Commission records, who also gave millions to the Clinton Foundation even after his arrest for abusing underage girls.

"I invest in people-be it politics or science. It's what I do," Epstein has reportedly said to friends. "There's a 100 percent chance [Trump] is going there," said former McCain strategist Steve Schmidt on Morning Joe , referring to Clinton's friendship with the pervy moneyman.

[Jul 20, 2019] As the Jeffrey Epstein Case Grows, Manhattan and DC Brace for Impact> by Gabriel Sherma

Notable quotes:
"... The Jeffrey Epstein case is an asteroid poised to strike the elite world in which he moved. No one can yet say precisely how large it is. ..."
"... The questions about Epstein are metastasizing much faster than they can be answered: Who knew what about Epstein's alleged abuse? How, and from whom, did Epstein get his supposed $500 million fortune? Why did Acosta grant Epstein an outrageously lenient non-prosecution agreement? (And what does it mean that Acosta was reportedly told Epstein "belonged to intelligence"?) But among the most pressing queries is which other famous people might be exposed for committing sex crimes. "There were other business associates of Mr. Epstein's who engaged in improper sexual misconduct at one or more of his homes. We do know that," said Brad Edwards, a lawyer for Courtney Wild, one of the Epstein accusers who gave emotional testimony at Epstein's bail hearing. "In due time the names are going to start coming out." (Attorneys for Epstein did not respond to a request for comment.) ..."
"... Epstein remained a fixture in elite circles even after he was a registered sex offender. A few years ago, for example, he was a guest at a dinner in Palo Alto hosted by LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman for the MIT neuroscientist Ed Boyden. At the dinner, Elon Musk introduced Epstein to Mark Zuckerberg. ("Mark met Epstein in passing one time at a dinner honoring scientists that was not organized by Epstein," Zuckerberg spokesman Ben LaBolt told me. "Mark did not communicate with Epstein again following the dinner.") ..."
Jul 17, 2019 | www.vanityfair.com

Jeffrey Epstein "It's Going to Be Staggering, the Amount of Names": As the Jeffrey Epstein Case Grows More Grotesque, Manhattan and DC Brace for Impact

The disgraced financier "collected people," said a source. Could some of them be implicated in his crimes? Meanwhile, Alan Dershowitz ("He's a bad person") and David Boies ("He's a liar") are already at war over the case.

The Jeffrey Epstein case is an asteroid poised to strike the elite world in which he moved. No one can yet say precisely how large it is. But as the number of women who've accused the financier (at least, that's what he claimed to be) of sexual assault grows to grotesque levels -- there are said to be more than 50 women who are potential victims -- a wave of panic is rippling through Manhattan, DC, and Palm Beach, as Epstein's former friends and associates rush to distance themselves, while gossiping about who might be ensnared. Donald Trump 's labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, architect of the original 2007 non-prosecution agreement that let Epstein off with a wrist slap, has already been forced to resign.

The questions about Epstein are metastasizing much faster than they can be answered: Who knew what about Epstein's alleged abuse? How, and from whom, did Epstein get his supposed $500 million fortune? Why did Acosta grant Epstein an outrageously lenient non-prosecution agreement? (And what does it mean that Acosta was reportedly told Epstein "belonged to intelligence"?) But among the most pressing queries is which other famous people might be exposed for committing sex crimes. "There were other business associates of Mr. Epstein's who engaged in improper sexual misconduct at one or more of his homes. We do know that," said Brad Edwards, a lawyer for Courtney Wild, one of the Epstein accusers who gave emotional testimony at Epstein's bail hearing. "In due time the names are going to start coming out." (Attorneys for Epstein did not respond to a request for comment.)

Likely within days, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will release almost 2,000 pages of documents that could reveal sexual abuse by "numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known prime minister, and other world leaders," according to the three-judge panel's ruling. The documents were filed during a civil defamation lawsuit brought by Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a former Mar-a-Lago locker-room attendant, against Epstein's former girlfriend and alleged madam, Ghislaine Maxwell. "Nobody who was around Epstein a lot is going to have an easy time now. It's all going to come out," said Giuffre's lawyer David Boies. Another person involved with litigation against Epstein told me: "It's going to be staggering, the amount of names. It's going to be contagion numbers."

Epstein remained a fixture in elite circles even after he was a registered sex offender. A few years ago, for example, he was a guest at a dinner in Palo Alto hosted by LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman for the MIT neuroscientist Ed Boyden. At the dinner, Elon Musk introduced Epstein to Mark Zuckerberg. ("Mark met Epstein in passing one time at a dinner honoring scientists that was not organized by Epstein," Zuckerberg spokesman Ben LaBolt told me. "Mark did not communicate with Epstein again following the dinner.")

In an email, Elon Musk responded: "I don't recall introducing Epstein to anyone, as I don't know the guy well enough to do so, Epstein is obviously a creep and Zuckerberg is not a friend of mine. Several years ago, I was at his house in Manhattan for about 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon with Talulah [Riley] , as she was curious about meeting this strange person for a novel she was writing. We did not see anything inappropriate at all, apart from weird art. He tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined." A Musk spokesperson also emailed: "Elon never introduced Jeffrey Epstein to Mark Zuckerberg and does not know either person well enough to do so. They simply happened to be guests at a neuroscience dinner organized by Reid Hoffman." Advertisement One source who's done business with Epstein told me that Epstein's 21,000-square-foot townhouse on East 71st Street welcomed a steady stream of the Davos crowd in the past decade. The source said Bill Gates, Larry Summers, and Steve Bannon visited the house, which has been called one of the largest private residences in Manhattan. "Jeffrey collected people. That's what he did," the source said. Gates and Summers did not respond to requests for comment.

Thus far, the name most publicly associated with Epstein's alleged crimes is famed lawyer Alan Dershowitz, who's been waging a public battle with David Boies for years. In April, Boies's client Giuffre sued Dershowitz for defamation after Dershowitz called her a liar (a strategy similar to that of seven of Bill Cosby 's accusers ). In the days since the FBI arrested Epstein at Teterboro Airport a week and a half ago, Dershowitz has been going on television and dialing up friends and reporters to profess his innocence and label Giuffre and Boies liars. "I want everything to come out! I'm not afraid of anything because I did nothing wrong," Dershowitz told me on the afternoon of July 15.

He called me a minute after I had emailed him for comment. He said he'd been friends with Epstein since 1996, when they were introduced at a party on Martha's Vineyard by Lynn Forester de Rothschild. "She begged me to meet him. She told me, 'here's this smart academic.'" A few days later, Epstein invited Dershowitz to Les Wexner 's 59th birthday party at Wexner's mansion in New Albany, Ohio. "It's a tradition that Jeff invited the smartest person he met that year. He told them I was the smartest." They remained close for years. Dershowitz strenuously denied ever participating in Epstein's underage sex ring and said he'd only been in Epstein's presence with his wife. "I got one massage!" he told me. "It was from a 50-year-old Russian woman named Olga. And I kept my shorts on. I didn't even like it. I'm not a massage guy."

Dershowitz said he secretly (and legally) tape-recorded settlement conversations with Boies and that the phone calls capture Boies admitting that Giuffre's allegations aren't true. "Boies is a bad person," he told me.

"I never said that," Boies responded when I asked about Dershowitz's version of the phone calls. "What Alan does is he plays a second or two out of context; he never lets anybody listen to the whole thing." Boies also dismissed Dershowitz's claim that he never met Giuffre at Epstein's house. According to Boies, Epstein's former employees said in sworn depositions that they saw Dershowitz at the house multiple times without his wife. "This Olga woman doesn't exist. Epstein's barely kept women around who were over 25. It's a figment of Alan's imagination," Boies said. On Wall Street, Epstein is a subject of mystery -- and fear. "I knew Jeff. He came across as very smart, very sophisticated," one hedge fund manager told me. "He always had a good read on people. But manipulative people are good at that." Another person who's been in meetings with Epstein told me: "He's very clever."

How Epstein obtained his fortune is a matter of feverish speculation. His claim to a billionaire-only client list now seems laughable to the bankers I spoke with. One Wall Street source with direct knowledge of Epstein's business said one source of Epstein's income was providing "tax advice and estate planning" to rich clients, like Apollo Global Management founder Leon Black , presumably because Epstein had experience with offshore funds after basing his office in the Virgin Islands. In 2015 Black made a $10 million donation to Epstein's foundation. (Black declined to comment.) Advertisement In the absence of much other information, the reigning theory on Wall Street currently is that Epstein's activities with women and girls were central to the building of his fortune, and his relations with some of his investors essentially amounted to blackmail.

Similarly, DC is on edge. "Epstein bragged about his contacts in Washington," Boies said. Reporters are likely to dig into why the Justice Department decided not to prosecute Epstein and kept the deal secret from his victims. One theory circulating among prominent Republicans is that Epstein was a Mossad agent. Another is that the George W. Bush White House directed Acosta not to prosecute Epstein to protect Prince Andrew on behalf of the British government, then the U.S.'s closest ally in the Iraq war. "The royal family did everything they could to try and discredit the Prince Andrew stuff," Boies told me. "When we tried to follow up with anything, we were stonewalled. We wanted to interview him, they were unwilling to do anything." (Prince Andrew could not be reached for comment).

Of course, the two Epstein friends that people are most curious about are Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, both of whom have denied anything untoward. During the 2016 presidential race, Hillary Clinton 's campaign consulted Bill's post–White House Secret Service logs because they were worried Trump would bring up Bill's close association with Epstein and wanted to get ahead of the story, a source told me.

For those in Epstein's orbit, the stakes of exposure are bound to get higher as more and more women come forward. Every day seems to bring new horrors about Epstein's alleged depravity. At a press conference on Tuesday, Courtney Wild's lawyer Brad Edwards said that after interviewing dozens of Epstein's accusers, it appeared Epstein spent almost all of his time abusing underage girls. "It was his full-time job," Edwards said. "We have not found anyone who has provided information about a legitimate business he was engaged [in]."

This article has been updated to include a comment from Elon Musk, and to clarify Epstein's relationship to Leon Black.

[Jul 20, 2019] America s Economic Blockades and International Law by Jeffrey D. Sachs

US unilitarism is the attempt to leverage the advantages obtained when the USSR collapsed. Those advantages will gradually expire.
Jul 20, 2019 | www.project-syndicate.org

Jeffrey D. Sachs Trump is often called an isolationist, but he is as interventionist as his predecessors. His strategy is simply to rely more heavily on US economic power than military might to coerce adversaries, which creates its own kind of cruelty and destabilization – and embodies its own brand of illegality.

NEW YORK – US President Donald Trump has based his foreign policy on a series of harsh economic blockades, each designed to frighten, coerce, and even starve the target country into submitting to American demands. While the practice is less violent than a military attack, and the blockade is through financial means rather than the navy, the consequences are often dire for civilian populations. As such, economic blockades by the United States should be scrutinized by the United Nations Security Council under international law and the UN Charter.

When Trump campaigned for office in 2016, he rejected the frequent US resort to war in the Middle East. During the years 1990-2016, the US launched two major wars with Iraq (1990 and 2003), as well as wars in Afghanistan (2001), Libya (2011), and Syria (2012). It also participated in many smaller military interventions (Mali, Somalia, and Yemen, among others). While the Syrian War is often described as a civil war, it was in a fact a war of regime change led by the US and Saudi Arabia under a US presidential directive called Timber Sycamore .

None of these US-led wars (and others in recent history) achieved their political objectives, and the major conflicts have been followed by chronic violence and instability. The attempt to force Syria's Bashar al-Assad from power led to a proxy war – eventually involving the US, Syria, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Turkey, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates – that displaced over ten million Syrians and caused around a half-million violent deaths.

While Trump has so far eschewed a new war, he has continued US regime-change efforts by other means. Trump is often called an isolationist, but he is as interventionist as his predecessors. His strategy, at least so far, has been to rely more heavily on US economic power than military might to coerce adversaries, which creates its own kind of cruelty and destabilization. And it constantly risks flaring into outright war, as occurred with Iran this month.

The Trump administration currently is engaged in three attempts at comprehensive economic blockades, against North Korea, Venezuela, and Iran, as well as several lesser blockades against countries such as Cuba and Nicaragua, and an intensifying effort to cut off China's access to technology. The blockade against North Korea is sanctioned, at least in part, by the UN Security Council. The blockade against Iran is in direct opposition to the Security Council. And the blockade against Venezuela is so far without Security Council engagement for or against. The US is attempting to isolate the three countries from almost all international trade, causing shortages of food, medicines, energy, and spare parts for basic infrastructure, including the water supply and power grid.

The North Korean blockade operates mainly through UN-mandated sanctions, and includes a comprehensive list of exports to North Korea, imports from North Korea, and financial relations with North Korean entities. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports that ten million North Koreans are at risk of hunger, partly owing to sanctions. "[T]he unintended negative impact sanctions can have on agricultural production, through both direct and indirect impacts, cannot be ignored," the FAO warns. "The most obvious are restrictions on the importation of certain items that are necessary for agricultural production, in particular fuel, machinery and spare parts for equipment."

The draconian US sanctions on Venezuela have come in two phases. The first, beginning in August 2017, was mainly directed at the state oil company PDVSA, the country's main earner of foreign exchange; the second round of sanctions, imposed in January 2019, was more comprehensive, targeting the Venezuelan government. A recent detailed analysis of the first round of sanctions shows their devastating impact. The US sanctions gravely exacerbated previous economic mismanagement, contributing to a catastrophic fall in oil production, hyperinflation, economic collapse (output is down by half since 2016), hunger, and rising mortality.

US sanctions against Iran have been in place more or less continuously since 1979. The most recent and by far most draconian measures, introduced in August 2018 and intensified in the first half of this year, aim to cut Iran off from foreign trade. The US sanctions are in direct contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 , which endorsed the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. The effects have been devastating. The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Iran's economy will shrink by 10% between 2017 and 2019, with inflation reaching 30% this year. Medicines are in short supply .

One might expect that other countries would easily circumvent US sanctions. But the US has threatened to punish foreign companies that violate the sanctions and has used the dollar's global clout as a bludgeon, threatening to sanction foreign banks that finance trade with Iran. European companies have fallen into line, despite the European Union's express desire to engage economically with Iran. Over the longer term, it is likely that more ways will be found to circumvent the sanctions, using renminbi, ruble, or euro financing, yet the erosion of US sanctions will only be gradual.

Despite the intense economic pain – indeed calamity – inflicted on North Korea, Venezuela, and Iran, none of them has succumbed to US demands. In this sense, sanctions have proved to be no more successful than military intervention. North Korea has maintained, and most likely is expanding, its nuclear arsenal. The Iranian regime rejects US demands concerning its missile program and foreign policies. And Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro remains in power.

The US blockades have been carried out by presidential decree, with almost no public debate and no systematic oversight by Congress. This has been a one-man show, even more so than in the case of president-led wars, which trigger vastly more public scrutiny. Trump realizes that he can impose crippling sanctions abroad with almost no direct costs to the US public or budget, and with virtually no political accountability.

Military blockades are acts of war, and therefore subject to international law, including UN Security Council oversight. America's economic blockades are similar in function and outcome to military blockades, with devastating consequences for civilian populations, and risk provoking war. It is time for the Security Council to take up the US sanctions regimes and weigh them against the requirements of international law and peacekeeping. Jeffrey D. Sachs , Professor of Sustainable Development and Professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University, is Director of Columbia's Center for Sustainable Development and of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. His books include The End of Poverty , Common Wealth , The Age of Sustainable Development , Building the New American Economy , and most recently, A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American Exceptionalism .

Nico Lau Jul 8, 2019
As long as a country neither conducts a genocide, nor attacks other countries, nobody should interfere in its internal affairs. If a country like Venezuela or Cuba goes broke due to its incompetent leadership, it should get help from the IMF etc. in exchange for reforms as happens with any other country. Other than that it is their business whether they want to be socialist, capitalist or whatever. That whole ideological crusade against leftist countries has to stop, it has cost millions of lives already.

And there is a simple way to stop Iran's activities in the Middle East: let's finally solve the conflict there after decades during which the West simply looked the other way when land, water and oil were stolen from the Palestinians and others.

In my view the US has long turned into a rogue state. The rest of the world has to prune that country by working together and isolating it. For instance, let's create a new global currency for commodities, the Com, in order to drive the dollar out.

Let's move the UN out of the US to a neutral, peaceful country, Switzerland for instance.

vivek iyer Jul 1, 2019
Sanctions are legal and based on national sovereignty and not a proper subject of scrutiny by an international body. Blockades are subject to international law. By calling something which is legal by another term which may involve illegality one is guilty of shedding false light.

Sachs thinks that if sanctions have the same effect as a blockade then sanctions are blockades. This is foolish. It is like saying 'since a woman can get pregnant either through consensual sex or through rape, it follows that all fathers are rapists'.

Trump is carrying on policies previously applied. He has made no great innovation. It appears likely that no 'regime change' will occur. That is why there is no real 'geopolitical' risk here. The effect of sanctions is to create a widening chasm between regime 'insiders' and the great mass of the people. This has a demoralizing effect and reduces the ability of the regime to use its brain-washed subjects for an aggressive purpose. In other words, sanctions reduce, not increase, the threat potential of a bitter adversary.

Petey Bee Jul 1, 2019
Current sanctions attempt to effectively have jurisdiction over third parties, i.e. not the US, who would trade with Iran. ( that, in full compliance with international law and a binding prior agreement to which the US is a party.) I am curious how you square that with "national sovereignty", unless that is something over which the US has a higher priority than third parties.
Robert Wolff Jun 30, 2019
As in all other times that are precursors to War, the laws of disparate nations mean nothing. We all have our own laws, to rule our own geopolitical nations, which disserve the interests of other geopolitical nations.

Most recently, the WTO admits it is insufficient to resolve trade disputes among nations, and must change its hypotheses. This is only another precursor admission that binding international laws are becoming irrelevant, and that we must "Start all over again", i.e. the rule of the strongest, which means one state must conquer another before we can reestablish "Common Rule."

... ... ...

Paul Daley Jun 29, 2019

Economic sanctions are not tantamount to acts of war and should not be treated that way at the UN Security Council or anywhere else. To do that would just leave acts of war as the only alternative in the case of serious disputes. But neither should nations necessarily cooperate with sanctions they see as poorly motivated or poorly designed. In those cases, the best response is usually technical -- new institutional arrangements that raise the costs or limit the effects of poorly justified unilateral sanctions.
Petey Bee Jun 28, 2019
The Trump administration is using sanctions like a resource that will soon expire.
Mirek Fatyga Jun 28, 2019
it is the beginning of the end for the special role of the US$ in the world economy. Dethroning the US$ has now become a matter of national security for 95% of the planet. Not that this would not have happened anyway, nothing lasts forever, but present events accelerate the process.

This can be good for the US in the long run, if painful at first. One sometimes quips about the curse of natural resources. US suffers from the similar curse of the Dollar, which is a natural resource of sorts, as it can be printed out of thin air, seemingly without consequences. The dethroning of the US$ will cause a pretty significant, perhaps shocking, drop in living standards given US social inequalities, but it may be beneficial in the long run by imposing some sobriety and discipline upon the political system. Then, it could also break up the country for good. May you live in interesting times, as the saying goes.

Paul Friesen Jun 28, 2019

Fortunately, the ability of the U.S. to do this is fading fast, as it loses its economic domination to China. So far, China has shown rather less tendency to meddle in the affairs of other countries, with the notable exceptions of certain territories which it regards as part of its territory. The world is slowly becoming fairer.

[Jul 20, 2019] Dave Collum Goes Deep On Conspiracy Theories 9-11, Epstein, Pizzagate, JFK, The Vegas Shooting Zero Hedge

Jul 20, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Cornell professor, and long-time friend, David Collum recently appeared on an episode of the Quoth the Raven podcast to talk all things conspiracy. Collum is an economic commentator, chemist, Betty R. Miller Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University and is known for writing his "Year in Review", which appears here on Zerohedge at the end of every year.

On the episode, host Chris Irons notes that Collum's appearance was prompted by a recent Tweet he put out, in defense of being a conspiracy theorist which sparked a massive social media response and outpouring of reactions, both pro and con.

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On the podcast, Collum and host Chris Irons tap into every major conspiracy theory over the last couple of decades, as well as several current events and the world of finance.

Some highlights:

Collum Thinks Jeffrey Epstein Could Have Been Working For "Powerful People" And "Setting People Up"

The discussion starts with analysis of the current Jeffrey Epstein fiasco and Collum ponders what "can of worms" could open for Bill Clinton and Donald Trump as a result of Epstein going to trial and documents relating to his indictment coming to light.

"It's going to be bi-partisan," Collum says about the Epstein allegations. "Epstein was working for powerful people, to get dirt on powerful people. Epstein wasn't just a dirtball, he was setting people up," he continues.

Collum comments:

"Nowadays getting photographed on a boat with a blonde sitting on your lap doesn't even cause you to lose a vote. Now they gotta get you with something much dirtier. I think that's where the underage kids come in. I think Epstein has been building a portfolio of dirt, like J. Edgar Hoover."

"What if that crazy ass pizzagate conspiracy turns out to be true?" he asks.

* * *

Collum Doesn't Buy The 9/11 Narrative - "Physics Tells Me There's Problems"

Collum then discusses why he doesn't believe the mainstream narrative behind the 9/11 attacks. He cites physics, Building 7 and the lack of video footage of the plane crashing into the Pentagon as two of the big reasons that he questions the official story.

"I think there's problems with 9/11, but no one wants to say that because they're embarrassed to say that. But the laws of physics tell me there's problems. I don't give a shit about the squibs or Larry Silverstein saying they decided to pull the building. When I watch two towers come down perfectly and I go 'chaos theory alone says they should have gone asymmetric and stopped tumbling'..."

Collum continues:

"" I can't believe Building 7 should have fallen . There's really not a shred of footage of the plane hitting the pentagon. Not one frame. The official frame isn't a frame. If someone's got the footage, let me see it."


Scipio Africanuz , 29 minutes ago link

Epstein is tripartisan - Democrats, Republicans, and Likudist, cheers...

captain noob , 40 minutes ago link

Las Vegas CIA

9/11 Israel

Eipstein Mossad

Posa , 1 hour ago link

There's conspiracy theory and conspiracy fact... important distinction... The Congressional 9/11 Inquiry strongly points to CIA- FBI collaboration with the Saudis (the 28 pages redacted by Bush) to stage the 9/11 Terror Spectacle...

Willie the Pimp , 1 hour ago link

I am a "conspiracy theorist". I believe men and women of wealth and power conspire. If you don't think so, then you are what is called "an idiot". If you believe stuff but fear the label, you are what is called "a coward".

So well said.

Ignorance is bliss , 1 hour ago link

I was on Yahoo commenting on a stupid article about Trump and some Kurdish lady asking for asylum. All the comments were anti-Trump. I posted a couple of above board comments and they were all erased. Yahoo articles are heavily censored and bots are posting most of their liberal views. I wonder how long before sites like ZeroHedge will last.

847328_3527 , 1 hour ago link

Good article. However, i am still waiting for even one, at least ONE, demoRat or pedophile to be indicted on anything.

[Jul 20, 2019] There Were Photos Of Topless Women Everywhere Epstein's Former IT Guy Quit Over Disturbing Pictures

Jul 20, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Jeffrey Epstein's former IT contractor, Steve Scully, says that he ended his business relationship with the 66-year-old pedophile over hordes of young women all over his infamous private island, as well as an extensive collection of photographs depicting topless women displayed in the island's various compounds , according to Good Morning America.

... ... ...

Scully told ABC News that he owned and operated a telecommunications business on nearby St. Thomas island when he was hired by Epstein to set up a communications network on Little St. James, also known as 'Pedo Island.' He visited the island over 100 times, and says that his memories of Epstein are 'vivid.'

" He was the most intense person I ever met ," said Scully.

Epstein wanted phone or internet access nearly everywhere on the 72-acre island, Scully said, including in a secluded cove that the financier referred to as "the grotto." Given his work in high-volume financial trading, Scully said, Epstein "never wanted a call to drop" because of weak digital coverage on the island .

The island's primary compound was arranged in a "Danish style" layout -- with individual bedroom suites in individual buildings surrounding a courtyard, Scully recalled, including a pair of large cockatoo statues lording over the island's gardens. He said that at one point, he recalled Epstein wanting to change the name of the island from "Little St. James" to "Little Saint Jeff."

According to Scully, that the strange 'temple' structure was actually a gym , which contained a massive framed photo of a topless woman.


Give Me Some Truth , 6 minutes ago link

Yes, Epstein and Maxwell were obviously operating a major "sex trafficking" operation that involved plenty of girls who were underage.

But Epstein was also, in effect, operating a bordello. A whore house. One assumes that any man who "paid" to be in Epstein's company, had his choice of women or girls.

This is why these places are so "out of the way" and secluded. The island and the ranch in New Mexico.

cleg , 5 minutes ago link

On season St Thomas is awash in bimbo tourists from all over the US & Europe

Ask the St Thomas police how many are reported missing and the estimate of those never reported. Cruise ships don't care..they leave. Airplane don't wait. The assumption is that they got drunk or went native. If they don't show up somewhere looking for a ride home, is any one really looking for them ? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Offer them a party on a PRIVATE Island !..A helicopter or boat ride ! Keep em fed..$2.00 a quart duty free rum...keeping the island stocked with bimbos is the easy part...especially for his less discerning quests. Now the " prime stock " of young uns is a different matter but just keeping a " horde " of bimbos in stock is a breeze for his staff.

When they get stale or become troublesome...drop them back on St Thomas and let the authorities send them back to whence they came with a nice annual retainer to the local constabulary. Rounding up drunks and miscreants and putting them on airplanes is routine duty in island life

I'm sure New Mexico offers the same opportunities and that has its own airstrip.

Give Me Some Truth , 18 minutes ago link

It seems that Vanity Fair is taking the lead in producing informative articles about Epstein's "world."

I gather from a recent story that The Miami Herald might, in fact, be trying to "follow the money."

Both good developments. The more "mainstream" journalists who get involved - and score "scoops" and produce content with big audiences - the more other news organizations might say, "Let's join in and do the same thing."

That's when big stories get exposed - when a pack of journalists and news organizations are simultaneously pursuing different avenues of the same story.

... I still haven't seen a story where authorities explain why they haven't arrested Ghislaine Maxwell or raided the islands or the ranch in New Mexico . So it's not like the press is actually "fishing where the (big) fish are." At least not yet.

... But they might be getting closer to going here.

Your Good Friend , 24 minutes ago link

Epstain has all the behaviors of a bonafide homosexual.

And we all know the predatory nature of homosexuals.

buzzsaw99 , 28 minutes ago link

epstein motto: no child left behind.

[Jul 20, 2019] Decoding Jeffrey Epstein's Mysterious, Star-Studded Black Book Vanity Fair

Jul 20, 2019 | www.vanityfair.com

Vanity Fair: You started digging into Jeffrey Epstein after writing The Franklin Scandal. What are some of the similarities you found?

Nick Bryant: That book is a template for what's happening now and how high up it goes. A major parallel between the two stories is that Lawrence King, who was one of the primary pimps of this pedophile network I wrote about, and Jeffrey Epstein, they were both flying children interstate, and they had both done it with impunity for a number of years. In both instances you have officials who were unwilling to back down. In Epstein, you had the Palm Beach Police Department that was unwilling to back down, and in Lawrence King, you had the Nebraska Senate that was unwilling to back down. Epstein had an island, and I'm sure he had these parties also at his place in Manhattan and elsewhere, and there were hidden cameras. In this particular venue in Washington, DC, where the Nebraska victims were trafficked, there were also hidden cameras. The individual who owned the house in Washington, DC, he had intelligence affiliations. We're seeing with Epstein that he also had alleged intelligence connections. King and Epstein collected children in the same type of fashion. King would have kids conscript other kids, just like Epstein would have kids conscript other kids. In both cases the victims were threatened and hassled. Both Jeffrey Epstein and Lawrence King had lavish lifestyles, but there wasn't an obvious explanation for their wealth, and both were prominently associated with power brokers of the highest order. [Editor's note: A grand jury concluded there was no evidence to charge King with any sex crimes.]

... ... ...

What was your first impression when you read through it and saw all the names?

I'd seen this exact same thing before with The Franklin Scandal. It was like déjà vu. I felt like, well, here's another power broker pedophile network. Definitely.

What stood out to you the most?

His lofty social connections were pretty mind-boggling. There were approximately 22 contact numbers for Bill Clinton. And the names of the people the house manager had circled were pretty stunning. Did you just start calling everyone?

I started calling victims. And they were very, very hard to talk to at that point.

How many did you call?

I called as many as I could call. A lot of the numbers were disconnected, but I was able to talk to some of them, and they essentially corroborated what I thought, that Epstein was the pimp of a very large network.

... ... ...

Did it get any traction at that point?

Gawker got a lot of hits. They published his flight manifest too. But ultimately I was stunned that no one in the mainstream media was willing to touch the subject matter.

Now, this is arguably the biggest story in the mainstream media, and the narrative is starting to turn to, who else in Epstein's network might this touch? How important is the black book as a piece of evidence, and what does it actually tell us? It's not a crime to be in someone's Rolodex even if that someone is an accused serial pedophile.

Well, the black book shows that Epstein had connections to Mount Olympus. He was hanging out with the gods. Why would he have 20-something contact numbers for Bill Clinton? Why did the house manager circle Donald Trump's name? Why did he circle Ehud Barak's name? Alan Dershowitz's name? The house manager's credibility is questionable, no? He got busted for trying to turn a profit on the book.

In these types of investigations, you're gonna deal with some very sordid people. Even the victims, their credibility can be problematic, because they can come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, repeatedly molested at a very young age, some turn to drugs to assuage their pain. That's what makes this type of thing perfect for the perpetrators. The victims' credibility is easy to compromise.

To your mind, which are the most interesting names that appear in the book, or that might prove to be relevant to the current legal proceedings?

There are people in that book whose names aren't circled who I've been told are perpetrators. One of them is a former U.S. senator.

Who told you that?

One of the lawyers. The black book provides the scaffolding so people can start digging into Epstein's life. His life is contained in that black book, and a lot of those people have nothing to do with molesting children, but it just shows the diversity of Epstein's life and the power brokers he hung out with.

What's your sense of the extent to which the black book might be used as an investigative road map?

I haven't talked to law enforcement about it, but I'd say the book would be hugely helpful. Although the majority of the individuals in the book aren't perps, some will invariably be privy to inconvenient truths about Epstein. Plus, the black book also contains perps who law enforcement can compel to disclose the particulars of Epstein's network.

To your mind, which are the most interesting names that appear in the book, or that might prove to be relevant to the current legal proceedings?

There are people in that book whose names aren't circled who I've been told are perpetrators. One of them is a former U.S. senator.

Who told you that?

One of the lawyers. The black book provides the scaffolding so people can start digging into Epstein's life. His life is contained in that black book, and a lot of those people have nothing to do with molesting children, but it just shows the diversity of Epstein's life and the power brokers he hung out with.

What's your sense of the extent to which the black book might be used as an investigative road map?

I haven't talked to law enforcement about it, but I'd say the book would be hugely helpful. Although the majority of the individuals in the book aren't perps, some will invariably be privy to inconvenient truths about Epstein. Plus, the black book also contains perps who law enforcement can compel to disclose the particulars of Epstein's network.

Do you have any reporting about Epstein that hasn't yet been made public?

Most of it has been corroborated and confirmed at this point. I was one guy against a machine, and now there's all kinds of news entities with all kinds of reporters digging into it.

Where does this whole thing go from here? What are your predictions?

I don't know. In The Franklin Scandal, there were two primary pimps. One committed suicide, the other did 10 years in prison for embezzlement, and he's had a pretty comfortable life since. It all depends on whether Epstein's gonna talk or not. If Epstein talks, there's gonna be a lot of powerful people who could go down. It's really contingent upon how far the Department of Justice wants to take this. But like I said earlier, the Epstein scandal will also go all the way up to Mount Olympus.

[Jul 20, 2019] Palm Beach Sheriff Launches Internal Investigation Into Handling Of Epstein Work Release

Notable quotes:
"... Edwards said during the press conference that he raised the accusation to challenge the idea that Epstein was a model citizen while in jail. Edwards also said that Epstein was in his office most of the day during his 18-month sentence, of which he served 13 months, and that he had female visitors under the age of 21 . ..."
"... Edwards said Epstein had sexual interactions with the female visitors that constituted abuse and were similar in nature to the abuses described in the indictment and charges Epstein faces in court, which are one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors. - Business Insider ..."
Jul 20, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office has launched an internal affairs investigation into how it handled convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's work release following a 2007 plea agreement that allowed him to work out of his Palm Beach office for up to 12 hours per day, according to the Miami Herald - which has been instrumental in Epstein's arrest 12 years later.

Specifically, it will look at the decision more than a decade ago to allow Epstein to be free 12 hours a day on work release while serving a short sentence in the county stockade on a prostitution-related charge.

On Friday, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw -- the same sheriff who oversaw the controversial work release arrangement -- ordered the investigation be done.

" Sheriff Bradshaw takes these matters very seriously and wants to determine if any actions taken by the deputies assigned to monitor Epstein during his work release program violated any agency rules and regulations, during the time he was on PBSO work release program," a news release said. - Miami Herald

Epstein was given a slap on the wrist over allegations that he sexually abused girls as young as 14 - many of whom were coerced into sex acts after being told they were there to offer massages.

The US Attorney's office, headed by disgraced former Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, scrapped a 53-page sex-trafficking indictment against Epstein , instead allowing him to plea guilty to solicitation of a minor - a much lesser charge. He served 13 months in the county stockade vs. the decades-long sentence he faced under the federal indictment , according to the Herald .

Epstein has been accused of sexually abusing girls while on work release , according to attorney Brad Edwards, who represents some of Epstein's accusers.

During a Tuesday press conference in New York City, Edwards introduced a woman named Courtney Wild, who says Epstein began abusing her when she was 14-years-old, according to Business Insider .

Edwards said during the press conference that he raised the accusation to challenge the idea that Epstein was a model citizen while in jail. Edwards also said that Epstein was in his office most of the day during his 18-month sentence, of which he served 13 months, and that he had female visitors under the age of 21 .

Edwards said Epstein had sexual interactions with the female visitors that constituted abuse and were similar in nature to the abuses described in the indictment and charges Epstein faces in court, which are one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors. - Business Insider

Wild appeared in court on Monday during Epstein's bail hearing, saying "I was sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein starting at the age of 14," while standing just feet from the pedophile money manager.

Epstein was denied bail on Thursday , with Wild's appearance cited in Judge Richard M. Berman's decision.


White Nat , 2 hours ago link

SND #42 Whitney Webb Talks On Her Groundbreaking Epstein Report!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhQNtEDedLk

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Shocking Origins of the Jeffrey Epstein Case

https://www.mintpressnews.com/shocking-origins-jeffrey-epstein-blackmail-roy-cohn/260621/

Good in-depth look into how ruthless zionist gangsters control our political process through blackmail.

Bronfman, Cohn, Epstein, Wexner, Dalitz, Lansky, Rosensteil - all here.

Now you know why DC sucks zio-****.

Jumanji1959 , 3 hours ago link

Find the common denominator:

Straddling-the-fence , 4 hours ago link

...that he sexually abused girls as young as 14 - many of whom were coerced into sex acts after being told they were there to offer massages.

Why in the hell were fourteen-to-seventeen year old girls even "giving massages??????" That should be a clear indicator right there!

MsCreant , 3 hours ago link

Are you blaming the girls, that they should have known better? Or?

Asking to get clear.

Straddling-the-fence , 3 hours ago link

I wouldn't say "blame" is the right word at all. In fact, I wasn't even posting that coming from the viewpoint/consideration of the girls.

But, for the sake of being the devil's advocate, let's take that route:

Let's say you are a 14 or 15 year old child. Why would an older, rich man even be approaching you for.....anything? Further, why would you them give them the time of day, let alone go to their house/apartment. Further, why would you then allow yourself to be in the position of being alone with them? Further still, why would you then "agree" to "give them a massage?"

The only reasons I can come up with are: 1) Homelessness/Poverty/Hunger/some other extreme condition of life or health, 2) Attention/the promise of gifts or money, 3) Wanting to **** an older guy and/or daddy issues.

MsCreant , 3 hours ago link

#1 and #3 = vulnerable, which is why our culture has decided to protect this age group.

I have step daughters. At 16, I had one who was dressed to kill, going to a party with a lot of older men. I sat her down and explained to her how she looked and the attention she would draw. I did not judge her, I flattered her and told her it was a responsibility. Later, I was made the bad guy for being mean and "scaring her." She cried that I had spoiled her party, that men were not really like that. I had to back off.

My point? So many parents don't talk to their girls about this stuff. And by the time you get to them, if they have not been gently brought along, they think you are trying to control them, and may actually rebel.

Berspankme , 4 hours ago link

Corrupt dept investigates itself. What could go wrong?

White Nat , 4 hours ago link

The real investigation should be into Barry Krischer, the jewish democrat State Prosecutor who only charged his fellow *** Epstein with solicitation despite the mountains of child molestation evidence provided by the Palm Beach PD.

Florida Dem Who Gave Epstein a Pass is Providing "Training" on Prosecuting Sexual Violence Crimes

https://www.frontpagemag.com/point/274255/florida-dem-who-gave-epstein-pass-providing-daniel-greenfield

Would be interesting to know who waived off Acosta and what intelligence agency was involved.

And did Acosta become Labor Secretary in a quid pro quo? If so, who made that deal?

[Jul 20, 2019] How Long Is Jeffrey Epstein For This World

Notable quotes:
"... Mr. LLargi, you need to ask, "Why did this Epstein thing go public now?" This is hard core betrayal of an arrangement Epstein had with government entities and it was done for a reason. Probably a political reason. ..."
"... Epstein seems to be a fairly smart guy, academic-wise, even without the formal degrees. But his inclinations and then being adopted by Mossad entirely corrupted his being. ..."
"... Chances are few elites will go down with Epstein. However, it is very likely the Blackmail material changed hands on who controls it. When it comes to the power structure of the western world, that is a very big deal. ..."
Jul 20, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

This I found interesting, Fox, also from July 18, because it targets Prince Andrew. Is MI6 going to be able to muffle away the obviously very strong and long-term connection between Epstein and Andrew? I'm thinking they'd probably have to get those 2,000 pages re-sealed. Or, you know, burned down. Nuked.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/DQ1JQvi3GSA

And then there's George Webb. Now he is, I understand, someone who's known as a conspiracy theorist, but then many people are in some circles, including myself, This video was posted on July 8 2019, 2 days after Epstein's arrest. My thought while watching this is he may be wrong on some things, he may even be making a few points up, but when you're that detailed on events that occurred over such a long time, you're either on very powerful drugs or you're not entirely wrong. Check for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/RZlDb6vG6XM

To summarize my thoughts on this, and the reason I started writing this, I can't see Epstein living much longer. There are too many people who would rather see him dead, including perhaps himself. And there are very few people who want him to get into lengthy talks with prosecutors who are actually looking for the truth.

Now of course we must wonder if any prosecutor wants that truth. Alex Acosta left his US government job because "Epstein is intelligence" was not enough to let him keep his job. And if we can believe some of the stories about the CIA, the State Dept and Mossad being linked to Epstein (and we got worse than that), it looks like he's just got to go. Unless someone, or some party involved, has a reason to protect him against all odds. If only to handicap some other people.

After this piece I really hope I never have to write about this topic again. My hopes of that are not overly high, but I do have to say I have a very hard time thinking about child -sex- abuse. I also think we must think much harder about why it is that we pick predators to lead our societies. Because this hardly ever fails, doesn't it? A bunch of sexual deviants rise to the top everywhere.

Sexual predation appears to be some inevitable part of political power. Not everywhere and not all the time, but far too much for comfort.

Let's hope enough of those predators are exposed through the Jeffrey Epstein case. But, you know, listening to George Webb, you think of the oil sheikhs and the girls being trafficked by Epstein and others, from the Balkans and dirt poor African countries, and you ask yourself, what are the odds of full exposure?


Baron von Bud , 11 minutes ago link

Mr. LLargi, you need to ask, "Why did this Epstein thing go public now?" This is hard core betrayal of an arrangement Epstein had with government entities and it was done for a reason. Probably a political reason.

There has to be some systemically critical reason to expose certain people on that list. Epstein never imagined he would be used as criminal evidence against them. Lured back to America, he goes from mega rich with money from unknown sources to a super-max where he can never speak the truth to anyone. I'd guess #2.

Thom Paine , 7 minutes ago link

There seems to be an attempt to rewrite Epstein's history of attendance at Dalton School as a math's teacher. Changing the dates of Epstein's attendance and who employed him. Not sure why, but must be something behind it.

Don Barr was headmaster there and put his resignation in Feb 1974 and left in June 1974. He hired Epstein apparently, though the assertion now is that Epstein started in Sept 1974. Barr as the story in the news back then goes had a habit of employing effective smart people for the job rather than just relying on qualifications.

And stories of Epstein's tenure at Dalton School showed that he was charismatic and a very effective teacher, though some kids have since reported being uncomfortable at times, most liked him., so of the students said though that they saw Epstein flirting with the girls.

Don Barr was the absolute opposite of Epstein in every way imaginable (video interviews of the1970s) and had trouble with the school board for being too strict and conservative when they wanted progressiveness (NY Times of the day). After Barr quit many members of the school committee wanted him re-employed and had a lot of support for him, but the Admin didn't offer it back to him.

The guy that replaced Barr as Headmaster then got into trouble for pedophilia accusation, getting some familys' daughter to 'live in' in his home and provide housework support for the family, in exchange for him paying for her school admittance.

It seems that Epstein has had an early predilection for under age girls? and one wonders if that new headmaster introduced him to the world, or it was coincidence that they both ended up in the school together.

Epstein seems to be a fairly smart guy, academic-wise, even without the formal degrees. But his inclinations and then being adopted by Mossad entirely corrupted his being.

Ms No , 22 minutes ago link

Its very clear now why the British government, American government and the Catholic Church were stacked with pederasts.

Mossad and their puppet CIA run everything. Edit: You can see the dominoes fall by following ownership of currency. There is no global power that they wont target.

rag_house , 44 minutes ago link

Chances are few elites will go down with Epstein. However, it is very likely the Blackmail material changed hands on who controls it. When it comes to the power structure of the western world, that is a very big deal.

[Jul 19, 2019] The Epstein story discredits American justice, American media, reaches into the White House as well as represents the power of Israel over the governments of the US, Britain and Canada

Jul 19, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

curious man , Jul 19 2019 0:44 utc | 67

Epstein and the American Lie Machine
https://www.veteranstoday.com/2019/07/18/neo-epstein-and-the-american-lie-machine/

"The Epstein story touches everywhere, discredits American justice, American media, reaches into the White House, perhaps through numerous occupants and eventually settles in, a continuing mystery, still protected by a controlled media as it leads us to not one but 20 billionaires, a secret society tied to Epstein, that represents the power of Israel over the governments of the US, Britain and Canada."

"What is the real story? First of all, sex with children is nothing new in America. Child sex was the norm when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620 and little changed other than it becoming a convenient tool to smear political opponents.

For two centuries, girls as young as 12 were regularly married off, sometimes forcibly, to men as old as 70 while others were sold into slavery to work in the mills or join the endless hordes serving in America's brothels."

[Jul 19, 2019] The significant amount of overlap between Epstein s and Cohn s covert activities in sexual blackmail and their ties to many of the same powerful individuals and circles of influence strongly suggest that Epstein was one of Cohn s successors

Notable quotes:
"... Is it just me, or is this pedo-Epstein op starting to look like a Bibi op to take Barak out of the election? Yes, Bibi might just be piling on to an existing situation as an opportunity to take out Ehud, but... ..."
"... That has seemed to be one thing it is being used for, to get Barak to retire again. And both Barak and Dershowitz seem to be seriously spooked by the Epstein case. ..."
"... Years later, Samuel Bronfman's children and grandchildren, their family's ties to the criminal underworld intact, would later go on to associate closely with Leslie Wexner, allegedly the source of much of Epstein's mysterious wealth, and other mob-linked "philanthropists," and some would even manage their own sexual blackmail operations , including the recently busted blackmail-based "sex cult" NXIVM. ..."
"... The significant amount of overlap between Epstein's and Cohn's covert activities in sexual blackmail and their ties to many of the same powerful individuals and circles of influence strongly suggest that Epstein was one of Cohn's successors . ..."
"... As will be shown in the final installment of this report, Epstein is only the latest incarnation of a much older, more extensive and sophisticated operation that offers a frightening window into how deeply tied the U.S. government is to the modern-day equivalents of organized crime, making it a racket truly too big to fail. ..."
"... Epstein's remaining in jail will make many powerful people nervous. They must be wondering if Epstein will get special treatment from the intelligence agencies once again , or if Epstein will make a deal to save himself. ..."
"... Speaking of Epstein, thought some here may find this very long, detailed article of interest. I can't vouch for it but damn if it doesn't provide background on the folks Epstein has surrounded himself with such as Ghislane Maxwell as well as ties to Israel and how he likely made a ton of dough - ..."
"... The Most Valuable Commodity Today: Human Data – Robert Maxwell Understood Data - https://www.abeldanger.org/the-most-valuable-commodity-today-human-data-robert-maxwell-understood-data/ ..."
Jul 19, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

casey , Jul 18 2019 17:52 utc | 9

Is it just me, or is this pedo-Epstein op starting to look like a Bibi op to take Barak out of the election? Yes, Bibi might just be piling on to an existing situation as an opportunity to take out Ehud, but...

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-17/camouflaged-israeli-ex-pm-pictured-entering-epsteins-mansion-same-day-hotties-show

Bemildred , Jul 18 2019 18:41 utc | 14

casey @9: That has seemed to be one thing it is being used for, to get Barak to retire again. And both Barak and Dershowitz seem to be seriously spooked by the Epstein case. But of course you can't take that at face value either. Dershowitz is practically beshitting himself, the big-shot lawyer, hmm, do we believe that? "I kept my undies on." This guy saved OJ?

On the other hand atacking Barak with it looks sort of opportunistic to me, I don't think it is the reason Epstein got outed again. That seems to be about some sort of war in the "elites" and spook communities whose details remain obscure, but I expect we will learn a lot more about it as time goes on.

jsb , Jul 18 2019 19:30 utc | 29

A good article by Whitney Webb from MintpressNews:


Hidden in Plain Sight: The Shocking Origins of the Jeffrey Epstein Case

...

Years later, Samuel Bronfman's children and grandchildren, their family's ties to the criminal underworld intact, would later go on to associate closely with Leslie Wexner, allegedly the source of much of Epstein's mysterious wealth, and other mob-linked "philanthropists," and some would even manage their own sexual blackmail operations , including the recently busted blackmail-based "sex cult" NXIVM.

...

The significant amount of overlap between Epstein's and Cohn's covert activities in sexual blackmail and their ties to many of the same powerful individuals and circles of influence strongly suggest that Epstein was one of Cohn's successors .

As will be shown in the final installment of this report, Epstein is only the latest incarnation of a much older, more extensive and sophisticated operation that offers a frightening window into how deeply tied the U.S. government is to the modern-day equivalents of organized crime, making it a racket truly too big to fail.

https://www.mintpressnews.com/shocking-origins-jeffrey-epstein-blackmail-roy-cohn/260621/


Rick Wiles of TruNews did a segment about this and the other sordid details yesterday. Worth a listen to (start @18:15):

https://youtu.be/voWj44_w_3M

Jackrabbit , Jul 18 2019 19:49 utc | 33
casey @9: starting to look like a Bibi op to take Barak out

bemildred @14: That has seemed to be one thing it is being used for

Epstein's remaining in jail will make many powerful people nervous. They must be wondering if Epstein will get special treatment from the intelligence agencies once again , or if Epstein will make a deal to save himself.

What people that matter would dare to publicly object to war with Iran when they know that they could be named by Epstein as part of a plea bargain (that includes Trump, of course).

Ultimately, it may all turn out to be a farce as the intelligence agencies will likely insist on another sweetheart deal (or, more likely, that the former sweetheart deal must be honored) . But the timing of Epstein's time in jail seems very advantageous to Israel's goal to spark a US-Iran war.

Now USA downs an Iranian drone - just as Paul starts a peace initiative. LOL.

h , Jul 18 2019 20:15 utc | 40

Speaking of Epstein, thought some here may find this very long, detailed article of interest. I can't vouch for it but damn if it doesn't provide background on the folks Epstein has surrounded himself with such as Ghislane Maxwell as well as ties to Israel and how he likely made a ton of dough -

The Most Valuable Commodity Today: Human Data – Robert Maxwell Understood Data - https://www.abeldanger.org/the-most-valuable-commodity-today-human-data-robert-maxwell-understood-data/

[Jul 19, 2019] American Race Hustle Is A Sure-Loser For Dems; Kunstler Warns Of Walking Time-Bomb Epstein

Notable quotes:
"... At the center of it all is former President Bill Clinton, listed twenty-six times on the Lolita Express's flight manifest -- though the ex-Prez said last week in a statement that it was only four times. (Consider the source.) ..."
"... A raft of unsealed documents in the matter has been court-ordered to drop any day, and power-players all over the world -- especially in our nation's capital and on Wall Street -- are rumored to be chewing their fingernails down to the nubbins as they wait for it. ..."
Jul 19, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

... Every candidate in the first Democratic “debate” raised a hand in favor of providing free medical care to illegal border-jumpers. I wonder how that sits with the Americans who now pay $12,000 a year for health insurance with a $5,000 deductible.

Of course, this policy of unfettered illegal immigration does not economically favor the sizable demographic of poor Americans, many of whom are people-of-color. In theory, the border-jumpers are taking away an awful lot of jobs. But I think the argument there is that 300 years of slavery gives bonafide US citizens-of-color a pass on manual labor - so it is not against their interests to ally with the open border advocates - while both groups have an interest in getting any free stuff the government may offer.

... ... ...

Finally, there is the walking time-bomb known as Jeffrey Epstein, Democratic Party poohbah and impresario of an underage sex racket featuring the "Lolita Express" airplane service to his private "Orgy Island" in the Caribbean, with auxiliary party shacks in New York City and the New Mexico Desert. Rogue reports have been styling Epstein's doings as an international blackmailing operation associated with the CIA and other Intel outfits, including the UK's MI6 and Israel's Mossad, for the purpose of keeping international bigshots on a short leash. Who knows?

At the center of it all is former President Bill Clinton, listed twenty-six times on the Lolita Express's flight manifest -- though the ex-Prez said last week in a statement that it was only four times. (Consider the source.)

A raft of unsealed documents in the matter has been court-ordered to drop any day, and power-players all over the world -- especially in our nation's capital and on Wall Street -- are rumored to be chewing their fingernails down to the nubbins as they wait for it.

What a cargo of wickedness is borne by the garbage barge called the Democratic Party as it chugs out to sea toward a sickening, slightly radioactive orange sunset for what is looking like its final voyage.

[Jul 19, 2019] Clintons and Epstein

Jul 19, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Formerly T-Bear , Jul 19 2019 10:53 utc | 105

|@ Jackrabbit | Jul 18 2019 19:49 utc | 33

Have been studiously avoiding all things Epstein but it seems metastasising everywhere to the extent it eliminates all from serving jury duty at any trial.

Consider this: The timing is such that suggests an attempt to 'hole below the waterline' the Clinton machine [Billary is prime example that the species Homo Sapiens is the only one that is best led by the smallest protrusion below the waistline]. Recent U.S. history records the Clintons used the DLC (Democratic Leadership Committee) to ascend to the WhiteHouse.

The DLC subsumed and subverted the existing DNC (Democratic National Committee), replacing it entirely and still holds control over the Democratic Party itself. I think verification might be obtained by examining the makeup if the Democratic National Finance Committee and look at the membership of that committee and discern their loyalties.

In whom controls the money, you will find the control of the party. The re-emergence of the Epstein saga cannot help but expose the Clintons to that limelight and what would follow. This may be the only method to liberate the Democratic Party before the time removes the actors from the stage. Just my opinion - helpfully offered.


Mina , Jul 19 2019 11:27 utc | 106

Obviously Hillary could not use the Epstein case during her campaign since she had her own Anthony Weiner. And too many pictures of Bill with prostitutes around the net (one is said to be taken at Epstein resort in St James).
bevin , Jul 19 2019 13:32 utc | 114
"What the Epstein case reveals about the US is that either this country is so poor that it finds completely normal to have dozens, or rather hundreds, of 15 years old girl going directly from school to an old pervert's apartment 'give a massage' or more for 200 bucks or it wants to impose this kind of society as a model. "
Mina@99

That is it Mina: the problem, however, is not 'poverty' (the USA is very rich in relative terms) but inequality.

Prostitution is the very essence of capitalism: the teenager selling his/her transient sexual attractions; the 'loyal worker' tugging his forelock and thanking the Boss for 'giving him employment'; the NYTimes or Torstar journalist faithfully recording the propaganda leaked by the CIA; the politician...etc.

In a system in which everything is for sale why would not a nubile 15 year old sell the only thing that she can sell-in a seller's market?

The bases of the Epstein scandal are these: Capitalism and Hypocrisy. Capitalism forces people to sell themselves or starve, hypocrisy-of the sort exemplified in the mass pretense that young women only become sexually attractive after their 18th, 16th or twenty first birthdays (depending upon jurisdictions). It is hypocrisy that vastly increases the value of these liaisons, thus making it possible to persuade a man to betray his country rather than have it generally known that he employed a nubile young woman to 'massage' him.
It is a weird society in which Epstein is widely reviled for his sleazy practices while veterans of the appalling attack on Fallujah-including the Commanding Officer- are held to be honourable men.
As Robert Burns said "I'd rather give the life to one than be the death of twenty."

Acar Burak , Jul 19 2019 13:49 utc | 115
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Shocking Origins of the Jeffrey Epstein Case
Jackrabbit , Jul 19 2019 14:39 utc | 123
Mina @99: What the Epstein case reveals about the US ...

Bevin @114: Prostitution is the very essence of capitalism ...

The Epstein case is not about inequality, prostitution, or capitalism and doesn't "reveal" anything except how corrupt/corrupting ideologues (in this case, Zionists) are.

The women were lured with the prospect of giving massages and then coerced into sex and groomed for use in an influence operation - likely with Mossad knowledge and blessing. To blame anyone except those directly involved: Epstein, Ghislane/Mossad is finger-pointing that benefits the culprits.

See my comment @77 for more and my comment from the Epstein thread , which includes:

A smart minority group that seeks to push a country into illegal wars for their own purposes would anticipate some degree of backlash. Epstein compromised "people that matter" who might lead a backlash or could be useful to quell it.

The Mega Group sought to safeguard their position in American/Western society against a backlash - exactly what Epstein said his job was.

[Jul 19, 2019] Over a dozen years ago, Russo published a pair of massive volumes on the history of organized crime focused on two particular regions, with The Outfit in 2001 discussing Chicago and Supermob in 2006 dealing with California.

Jul 19, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

aye, myself & me , Jul 19 2019 8:22 utc | 100

Has anyone else read this article over at Unz, by their editor and chief?
http://www.unz.com/runz/american-pravda-the-power-of-organized-crime/

"Given that organized crime had apparently played a far greater national role in twentieth century American history than I had realized from my readings of mainstream newspapers and magazines, I recently decided to expand my knowledge in that area. Someone brought to my attention the work of investigative journalist Gus Russo, a prominent author on that topic. Russo had worked as a lead reporter for the award-winning PBS Frontline series and filled similar roles at other television networks, while being nominated for a 1998 Pulitzer Prize for his book on the JFK-Mafia alliance against Castro."

"Over a dozen years ago, Russo published a pair of massive volumes on the history of organized crime focused on two particular regions, with The Outfit in 2001 discussing Chicago and Supermob in 2006 dealing with California. Taken together these two works of deep investigative research run more than 1100 pages and over a half million words, apparently dwarfing almost anything else in that subject area. By the 1990s declassification of a vast quantity of government documents, including FBI wiretaps and Congressional files, allowed Russo access to this previously unavailable material. He supplemented this crucial archival research with the secondary source material contained in hundreds of books and articles, as well as more than 200 personal interviews, and his especially extensive second volume references this wealth of source material with more than 1500 footnotes. The numerous laudatory cover-blurbs by prominent prosecutors, former law enforcement agents, and experts on organized crime strongly attest to the credibility of his research, which certainly must have absorbed many years of concentrated effort."

Sure explains a lot to me how we wound up with thugs like Bolton and Pompeo. We have separation of church and state, who knew we needed separation of state and organized crime too?

[Jul 17, 2019] What did Victoria s Secret Boss Wexner new about epstein and wht he knew it

Jul 17, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Originally from Victoria's Secret Boss Wexner Swears He Didn't Know About Epstein Penchant For Pedophilia

by Tyler Durden Tue, 07/16/2019 - 09:53 0 SHARES

Billionaire and former Jeffrey Epstein associate Les Wexner told his employees Monday that he regrets ever crossing paths with the disgraced pedophile financier, according to Bloomberg .

Wexner, founder of L Brands Inc. which owns Victoria's Secret, said in an internal email that he " was NEVER aware of the illegal activity " Epstein is accused of committing. "As you can imagine, this past week I have searched my soul ... reflected ... and regretted that my path ever crossed his. " said the 81-year-old mogul of Epstein.

After launching a business relationship in the 1980s, Wexner and Epstein formed 'a financial and personal bond that baffled longtime associates,' according to the New York Times .

"I think we both possess the skill of seeing patterns," Wexner told Vanity Fair in 2003. "But Jeffrey sees patterns in politics and financial markets, and I see patterns in lifestyle and fashion trends."

Wexner would go on to open doors for Epstein - who managed "many aspects of his financial life."

By 1995, Epstein was a director of the Wexner Foundation and Wexner Heritage Foundation and president of Wexner's N.A. Property Inc ., which developed the Ohio town of New Albany, where Wexner lives. Epstein also was involved in Wexner's superyacht, "Limitless," attending meetings at the London studios of the firm that designed the vessel. - Bloomberg

In the email to employees originally reported by the Columus Dispatch , Wexner says that he severed ties with Epstein nearly 12 years ago - after the financier pleaded guilty to a sex crime involving a teenage girl.

"I would never have guessed that a person I employed more than a decade ago could have caused such pain to so many people," Wexner said in the email. "I would not have continued to work with any individual capable of such egregious, sickening behavior as has been reported about him."

Yet, Epstein portrayed himself as a way for young models to perform sexual favors in exchange for a backdoor into Victoria's Secret . According to a former Manhattan-based modeling agent cited by the New York Post , " Some of those girls got in. "

"It was still significant cash for a young model doing the catalog," an agent told the Post . "They weren't making hundreds of thousands but they could make about $5,000 a week modeling for the campaigns or the catalog. Not all the girls sent to him got jobs, but a lot of them did."

Italian model Elisabetta Tai who claims Epstein tried to coerce her into performing sex acts in exchange for a Victoria's Secret gig.

In short, Wexner had an extremely close business relationship with Epstein - who allegedly engaged in sexual favors with girls, some of whom later worked for Wexner, yet the 81-year-old knew nothing of Epstein's proclivities.

Others have distanced as well, reports Bloomberg .

Others have also sought to distance themselves from Epstein in recent days, including hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin and his wife Eva Andersson-Dubin.

Andersson-Dubin, a former model who became a physician, previously dated Epstein and continued to socialize with him after his time in jail. Epstein had invested in Dubin's hedge fund and was also considered a friend. - Bloomberg

" The Dubins are horrified by the new allegations against Jeffrey Epstein," they said in a statement. " Had they been aware of the vile and unspeakable conduct described in these new allegations, they would have cut off all ties and certainly never have allowed their children to be in his presence."

And despite Epstein being a registered sex offender and pedophile, Andersson-Dubin thought he had rehabilitated himself and deserved a second chance.

"She is mortified that she, like so many others, was deceived by him, and feels terrible for the young women who have been harmed by his actions," reads their statement.

Former President Bill Clinton similarly 'disavowed' Epstein , claiming on Monday that he "knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York."

Clinton also claimed that he's only been on Epstein's recently-sold 'Lolita Express' a total of four times , despite flight logs and pilot records clearly indicating otherwise.

According to research by investigative journalist Conchita Sarnoff, Clinton " was a guest of Epstein's 27 times, " adding "many of those times Clinton had his Secret Service with him and many times he did not."

And as the New York Times points out, despite Epstein's status as a registered sex offender beginning in 2008, and his 13 month work-release sweetheart prison stay, many people continued to associate with him.

Powerful female friends served as social guarantors: Peggy Siegal, a gatekeeper for A-list events, included him in movie screenings, and Dr. Eva Andersson-Dubin, a champion of women's health, maintained a friendship that some felt gave him credibility. Mr. Epstein put up a website showing Stephen Hawking and other luminaries at a science gathering he had organized.

" If you looked up Jeffrey Epstein online in 2012, you would see what we all saw ," Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, said in an interview. He seemed "like an ex-con who had done well on Wall Street," who was close to the Clintons and gave money to academic pursuits, Dr. Botstein said. That was why, he noted, Bard accepted an unsolicited $50,000 in 2011 for its high schools, followed later that year and in 2012 by another $75,000 in donations. - NYT

Now that Epstein is decidedly radioactive, none of his past associates seemingly knew anything - and are horrified at the monster they never saw coming.


Crusader75 , 20 hours ago link

Shocked! Shocked! Your winnings, monsieur...

Yog Soggoth , 1 day ago link

From an important friend, " https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102302/http://theterramarproject.org/#tabs1-js

An archived link of the now-discontinued Terra Mar Project website reveals that members of the world's most wealthy families collectively threw in their support for Ghislaine Maxwell's Terra Mar project, a charity allegedly supporting the health of our oceans around the world. According to their website:

The TerraMar Project is a nonprofit ocean organization dedicated to building a global community built around our mutual love of the ocean and the need to protect and conserve the seas. We will use the power of our global community to be the voice that leads the clarion call for change on how we manage the ocean and the creatures that call it home.

Endorsements at the Bottom of the page came from members of several billionaire families, including:

Sir Richard Branson, David De Rothschild, Francesca von Habsburg, Shepard Fairey, Lord Peter Mandelson, Nick Pritzker, Leon Koffler, Jonathan Soros, Jacqueline and Mortimer Sackler (Purdue Pharma), Richard Rockefeller, Barry Diller.

Many of these names have been previoiusly named by Pizzagate researchers, including the Sackler family, who held events in Washington DC attended by Tony Podesta and James Alefantis. Ghislaine Maxwell is particularly interesting because her father, Robert Maxwell, has been associated with Mossad and MI6.

Most incredibly, however, this charity actually links David Brock and James Alefantis to Maxwell, the Rothschilds and a series of "Ocean Health" charities . A 2010 Washington Post article shows that the ex-couple hosted celebrity diver Philippe Cousteau at their Kalorama home . To quote from the article:

Fabien, a square-jawed 40-something, beseeched a young policy wonk/socialite crowd at the Kalorama home of writer David Brock and restaurateur James Alefantis Monday night to open their wallets as "armchair divers" for his new cause. Plant a Fish launched this month, in time for the original Cousteau's 100th birthday, with Fabien leading Brooklyn schoolchildren in a dive to seed new oyster beds in the Hudson.

Now what did Earth Echo International do in DC? They organized UNDERGROUND TOURS OF THE SEWER SYSTEM , meaning that a Rothschild-linked charity hosted an opening event at the Brock-Alefantis residence for programs hosting underground tours:

Join EarthEcho International and DC Water for a truly behind-the-scenes look at how the nation's capital is combatting its storm and wastewater pollution problems. Engineer James Wonneberg will take you 100 feet underground to explore Washington, DC's new stormwater tunnels: over 13 miles of massive tunnels that hold and treat storm and wastewater before it pollutes local waterways."

"Wow. Just wow." Pizzagate never died, it just got bigger.

Whoa Dammit , 1 day ago link

All of the people Epstein associated with knew what he was. They just didn't care.

Yog Soggoth , 1 day ago link

I disagree. The past 18 crowd cared very much about themselves. Saying that the young girls knew what he was, is why we have laws against that kind of thing. Most young people are not smart enough yet to make life decisions, and every single one should be afforded equal protection as decided by State.

Yog Soggoth , 1 day ago link

Something interesting search engines will not allow right now. Barr's father resigned as headmaster of Dalton Feb. 4th, 1974. Epstien got hired as a math teacher in the fall. We need a Way Way back machine here!

[Jul 17, 2019] Trump probably did not ordered Epstein's arrest, but Barr could as this is powerful card to pay against Clinton gang

Jul 17, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org
Tom Lawrence , Jul 14 2019 22:54 utc | 45

There is a great deal of 4D Chess-beating that Epstein is "Trump's revenge against the DNC" (Hillary) Steele dossier attempted coup, and 'now we'll drain the swamp!' Hoo-ahh!

I find that boast problematic. Trump could not (would not) have ordered Epstein's arrest. Those who serve the DNC within FBI (CIA-NSA) would have informed Epstein in advance, and no doubt, bleached Hillary and Bill and Clinton Foundation's servers before the arrest. So the order didn't come from Trump. And the 'lone prosecutor' and 'honest judge' theory is simply not possible in that district, where human trafficking, fashion industry and sex slavery is one of their biggest profit pipelines.

It has to be a DNC Hail Mary. DNC needs to impeach Trump so badly, they've already committed treason! The 2011 Budget Control Act keeps the lid on Federal spending, but only until 2021. That's why DNC is desperately trying to seize the reins of power for 2020-2024, when the budget caps come off, then it's laissez les bon temps roulez! and $5,000 BILLION a year Fed bleedout, at 10% increase every year Open Boarders Green New Steal, ...until USA folds under the sheer grift of the Social Democrats.

That griftfest was actually their plan way back in 2016 with Rodham. But wait! There's MOAre!

Not once in 80 years has a president who supported Pentagon-MIC-AIPAC **NOT** been re-elected!

- Kennedy: refused to start a war with Cuba -- assassinated
- Johnson: could not stomach Kissinger-Pol Pot -- gone
- Carter: refused to start a war in Iran -- gone
- George HW Bush: tried to cut Pentagon budget in half after Soviets fell -- gone

Since Roosevelt in 1933, every president who supported Pentagon-MIC-AIPAC got re-elected!

So Democrats have an APPROACHING ZERO chance of winning in 2020. Biden is their one shot, and he's a perv peacenik! DNC are using Epstein virus to white-wash Old Joe, and to flog Trump in a desperate attempt to lure the Single White Female block, after an astounding poll came out that 69% of Democrat voters are TURNED OFF BY SOCIAL DEMOCRATS and their 'Free Stuff' and 'Open Borders' Antifa Bolshevism.

2020 will be the End of Days for one Party or the other. Whoever wins will ride the Golden Chariot of Blowout Spending, but the loser ... the loser gets only a mouthful of sand. DNC's only chance to survive is to impeach (or assassinate) Trump, by hook or by crook.

Paging Ms. Clinton, please come to the Red Phone! /s

[Jul 17, 2019] Epstein Sexually Abused Girls During Work-Release Jail Sentence; Settled With Accusers For Millions

This is really over the top...
Jul 17, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

During a Tuesday press conference in New York City, Edwards introduced a woman named Courtney Wild, who says Epstein began abusing her when she was 14-years-old, according to Business Insider .

Edwards said during the press conference that he raised the accusation to challenge the idea that Epstein was a model citizen while in jail. Edwards also said that Epstein was in his office most of the day during his 18-month sentence, of which he served 13 months, and that he had female visitors under the age of 21 .

Edwards said Epstein had sexual interactions with the female visitors that constituted abuse and were similar in nature to the abuses described in the indictment and charges Epstein faces in court, which are one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors. - Business Insider

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCBS12News%2Fvideos%2F2403959823155915%2F&show_text=0&width=560

Wild appeared in court on Monday during Epstein's bail hearing, saying "I was sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein starting at the age of 14," while standing just feet from the pedophile money manager.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reveals that Epstein paid millions of dollars to silence accusers - including Wild.

Some of Epstein's civil settlements exceeded $1 million, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Three were for a total of $5.5 million, court records show . The total amount of Epstein's civil payments is unknown, but it's likely a small fraction of the $559 million that prosecutors say Epstein has claimed as his net worth.

...

More than two dozen lawsuits were ultimately resolved in private settlements after Epstein signed a non-prosecution agreement in 2008 that allowed him and four accomplices to avoid federal charges. - Bloomberg

Epstein's attorneys also used aggressive tactics with the women, according to the report - interviewing friends, neighbors and employers in abusive ways. The girls were grilled about their lives - including criminal records, drug use, and in one case - a history of abortions.

"Does it give you any, any emotional pain that you aborted three fetuses?" asked Epstein attorney Mark Luttier. "Wouldn't you agree with me that aborting three fetuses would be far more traumatic than giving a man a massage in the nude?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Epstein's publicist fed stories to the media "impugning the credibility of the victims" which suggested that their "allegations of abuse were made solely to extract money."

According to the New York Post , Epstein also approached New York City publicist R. Couri Hay several years ago to 'beg for help with his image,' allegedly saying "I don't want 'billionaire pervert' to be the first line of my obituary."

Of note, Epstein is not a billionaire .

Hay's advice? Go to a mental-health facility for a year, donate to charity, meet the Pope and go meet with his rabbi. Now that he faces up to 45 years in the slammer, he may also want to engage a prison coach .


Spinifex , 1 hour ago link

Epstein Sexually Abused Girls During Work-Release Jail Sentence;

It's called a 'Breach of Conditions' and it NULL AND VOIDS ALL AGREEMENTS. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Do not think you can get off!

Break your conditions and you go to jail. Break the law and you goto jail. What the hell is with U.$. Prosocutors who DON'T APPLY THE LAW.

June 12 1776 , 2 hours ago link

No such thing as the national government, No Rule of Law, crooked lawyer's "no prosecution agreements," with the People's "court".

Ghislaine Maxwell.

Jdhank , 2 hours ago link

Remember, Trump signed his Exec.Order allowing the federal gov't to confiscate (attainture) the assets of persons who commit trafficking in persons and pedo' crimes; I don't remember the specifics.

Confiscating Epstein's and the Clinton's wealth WILL be GLORIOUS!

Blue Boat , 2 hours ago link

Yep, and you know an interesting factoid about that EO that was signed late Dec 2017? Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google resigned the next day. Maybe unrelated but there had been no prior announcement that he was going to.

Give Me Some Truth , 2 hours ago link

To prove that Epstein was involved in "trafficking" at his Virgin Island islands and at his New Mexico ranch, it seems to me the government would need to secure search warrants and thoroughly search and inspect these properties. Something that has not happened to date (as far as I know).

But, yes, under the law, any property involved in trafficking can be forfeited to the government. So why not also investigate what was going on at these places?

Of course to do this the government would also have to investigate the people who were visiting these places.

Give Me Some Truth , 3 hours ago link

I just watched the NBC footage of Epstein and Trump laughing it up together at Mar-A-Lago in 1992. One take-aways from this video:

Epstein is much thinner (less muscle-bound) than he later became. This adds credence to what one of his alleged victims said - that Epstein was probably a steroid user. This girl noted that he was real "built up" or "thick" from weight-lifting.

So the guy is calling girls for massages up to three times a day, and also apparently pumping a lot of iron. When did the guy have time to be a "hedge fund money manager?" I thought this was supposed to be some time-consuming job.

Anyway, note the difference in his physique - circa 1992 and circa 2008.

If he is/was a droid head, this probably affected his behavior/personality.

Link:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tape-shows-donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-discussing-women-1992-party-n1030686

Give Me Some Truth , 2 hours ago link

Epstein looks like he put on at least 30 pounds. But not of fat, muscle. Just like Barry Bonds or just like Tiger Woods, who once was a string bean and then one day he suddenly looked like an NFL free safety.

So I'd also investigate any potential steroid dealers in Epstein's life/circle of friends.

alfbell , 3 hours ago link

If this is all true, man this guy had more sex drive than 100 men put together. What a maniac. Obsessed. Scary guy.

Give Me Some Truth , 3 hours ago link

But still he allegedly had time to become a "billionaire hedge fund manager."

See my post above: He's also had plenty of time to pump a lot of iron.

[Jul 17, 2019] What a terrific guy Jeffrey Epstein is

Epstein puts a black shadow on Trump.
Jul 17, 2019 | www.nytimes.com

archer717 Portland, OR July 8

"In 2002, Mr. Trump described Mr. Epstein as "a terrific guy." "He's a lot of fun to be with," Mr. Trump told New York Magazine. "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." I wonder how this will play with Trump's base and the Oh so holy evangelicals. Any comment Senator McConnell ?
Larry Buchas New Britain, CT July 8
"Terrific guy." - Donald J. Trump Alex Acosta, current Labor Secretary, allowed Epstein to walk. There's more to this pedophile ring. The public demands a complete investigation. Just don't give it to Congress.

Elizabeth
Roslyn, NY July 8
Of course he is a flight risk. Owner of a private jet recently returned from Paris. He could just fly away to some non extradition country or his private island and say 'see ya later suckers'. Child pornography was found at his home. He's been free since 2011. What does anyone think this criminal has been up to? I'm sorry we are just not That stupid.

Full disclosure of all proceedings is only one small part of the 'justice' that must finally be applied to this creep. No secret deals. That mansion is serious, pricey NYC real estate. We are talking major, major bucks. Epstein will use that wad to buy the best defense he can which is his right. But he should not be allowed to buy secrecy.

Treat him like any other perp. Put him in an orange jumpsuit and try him in a public court. I do not care who his disgusting pals are. No more hiding. Sunlight is the only disinfectant that can begin to wash away the appalling stain of the Epstein case for the past decade.

Nancie San Diego July 8
So many "terrific guys" and gals surround trump. He must be overwhelmed by the brilliance of these friends. Cohen, Manafort, Epstein, Acosta, Sanders, Conway, Miller, Bannon, Flynn, Pruitt, Gorka, Price, Zinke, DeVos, Duke, Kushner, et al - all fine people, like the white supremacists in Charlottesville. Not fine to trump: Pres. Obama, Robert Mueller, Sen. McCain, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, VP Biden, NYT, Washington Post, the press, all democrats in the United States, James Comey, Frank Bruni...on and on and on.

nom de guerre
Kirkwood, MO July 8
@Greg Jones And Ken Starr, who served as an Epstein defense lawyer along with Dershowitz. The very man who spent millions of taxpayer money publicizing each lurid detail of Clinton's affair with above legal age of consent Lewinsky was paid well to cover up Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls. The epitome of hypocrisy. His affair with Lewinsky wasn't illegal; his denial of the affair to Congress was, but Starr had a political vendetta under the guise of "morality". Not that Clinton's role, if any, in this story is known - hopefully the truth will emerge and he will be either cleared or convicted.

Dave T.
The California Desert July 8
What's so incredibly vile about this is that he got off with a light wrist slap in Florida and - wait for it - he's still doing it. He is so arrogant that he kept pictures of his victims to this day. Many thanks to SDNY for pursuing this case. Please, please nail him and all who participated/enabled him. This sordid case is a metaphor for our Gilded Age II.
CLee, Oregon, July 8
@EC

I'm surprised the reporting here is so light on the web of friends that Epstein has and their involvement in the sexual assaults of these girls. Epstein kept a book of contacts- basically, a 92 page Who's Who of people who attended his parties in Florida and New York and flew to his island on his private jet. Hollywood actors, financiers, attorneys, a prince, Trump, Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, among many, many others.

It also kept details of the likes and dislikes of his buddies. It was known that at these parties that the girls were sent upstairs and guests were brought up by a handler to supply towels, lotions, etc. This book can be viewed quite easily if you Google it.

Trump indeed is involved and there is an affidavit filed by two women- one the victim of a brutal rape and beating of a then 13-year-old-girl first by Trump, next by Epstein. It was all witnessed by another young girl. The affidavit itself is quite horrific. For more detailed reporting, read the three-part series from the Miami Herald. These journalists kept this story alive because they believed in these young women. James Patterson also wrote a book, Filthy Rich, about Epstein and his web of girls.

Many were homeless or from very poor families and were lured in with the promise of money for school clothes and books.

Little did they know that they were being groomed for rape by Epstein and his dozens and dozens of high-powered friends.


Charlotte Amalie Oklahoma July 8

Again, news that makes you wonder how deep this boys club goes. In his Playboy interview in 1987, Gore Vidal said that the genius of our ruling class is that "they're so brilliant that no one knows they even exist." He went on to defend himself from accusations that he's a conspiracy theorist. "'You think they get together at the Bohemian Grove and run the United States.' Well, they do get together at the Bohemian Grove and do a lot of picking of Secretaries of State, anyway. But they don't have to conspire. They all think alike." Don't know what the Bohemian Grove is? Look it up.
lleit Portland, OR July 8
Labor trafficking is a horrific crime. Sex trafficking is more horrific whether it is occurring a strip mall "spa" in Jupiter, Florida or the mansion of some rich white guy in New York City. How do the men who participate in this not understand that?? Girls are NOT play toys. Meanwhile back in January, the President of the United States said, "This is an urgent humanitarian issue. My administration is committed to leveraging every resource we have to confront this threat, to support the victims and survivors, and to hold traffickers accountable for their heinous crimes." Except when they are your friends. And you have a Secretary of Labor who, as a prosecutor, let at least one trafficker off with a hand slap.
stevenjv San Francisco, Calif July 8
@Dennis W The slap on the wrist was administered by Miami's top federal prosecutor Alex Acosta (today trump's Labor secretary) who ironically is responsible for monitoring human trafficking.
Karn Griffen Riverside, CA July 9 Times Pick
Acosta must be investigated here. He is the key figure in this horrible case. 3 Replies
northwestman Eugene, OR July 8
A man is involved in casino ownership and construction, two of the dirtier businesses--- and he has a history of going broke and stiffing his contractors. He also owned a modeling agency and beauty pageant and was known for spontaneously entering the changing rooms between events and ogling the (sometimes) underage participants. Many women have come forward accusing him of sexual crimes, including that of rape. This man has an associate that now is under indictment for sex trafficking charges. Can someone help me connect these dots?
marvinhjeglin hemet, californa July 8
This case conclusively demonstrates that the rule of law does not prevail in America. Law enforcement and the courts operate two separate justice systems: One for the powerful and rich and another for the 99% per cent. AG Acosta not have cut the same deal a poor citizen, charged with just one instance of Epstein'[s conduct. Instead, for a single instance, it would be 10 years in prison, without an office furlough at 85% per cent (15% reduction in time for good behavior).

Hopefully Epstein is finished now, and the other powerful persons sweat. In my view, Acosta should be charged with misprision, US Code Title 18, Part 1,Chapter 1, Section 4 "Whoever, having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States, conceals and does not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other person in civil or military authority under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both."

The court has already found the Epstein Agreement negotiated by Acosta violated the law. So much for the "rule of law", just words on paper, like the Constitution. us army 1969-1971/california jd

[Jul 17, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein Is Indicted on Sex Charges as Discovery of Nude Photos Is Disclosed by Ali Watkins

Jul 08, 2019 | www.nytimes.com

[Read our previous coverage of the arrest of Jeffrey Epstein .]

A trove of lewd photographs of girls, discovered in a safe inside the financier Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion the same day he was arrested, is deepening questions about why federal prosecutors in Miami had cut a deal that shielded him from federal prosecution in 2008.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged Mr. Epstein on Monday with sex trafficking , dealing an implicit rebuke to that plea agreement, which was overseen by Alexander Acosta, then the United States attorney in Miami and now President Trump's labor secretary.

The indictment in Manhattan could prompt a moment of reckoning for the Justice Department, which for years has wrestled with accusations that it mishandled the earlier case and has faced a barrage of litigation from Mr. Epstein's accusers . In February, the Justice Department opened its own internal review into the matter.

Attorney General William P. Barr said on Monday during a trip to South Carolina that he had recused himself from the case because Mr. Barr's former law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, had represented M r. Epstein . Sign Up for Summer in the City

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Listen to 'The Daily': United States v. Jeffrey Epstein

Hosted by Michael Barbaro, produced by Clare Toeniskoetter and Michael Simon Johnson, and edited by Larissa Anderson

The financier, long accused of sexually assaulting underage girls, has been shielded from federal charges for decades. Now, in the #MeToo era, a new indictment has revived the case.

... ... ...

Archived Recording (Geoffrey Berman)

Epstein is charged in a two-count indictment -- first, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and second, the substantive crime of sex trafficking of underage girls.

Patricia Mazzei

According to prosecutors, Epstein created this network between 2002 and 2005.

Archived Recording (Geoffrey Berman)

The victims were all underage girls at the time of the alleged conduct.

Patricia Mazzei

In which he invited girls -- underage girls -- into his mansion in New York and in Palm Beach, and he paid them to give him nude massages.

Archived Recording (Geoffrey Berman)

These massages became increasingly sexual in nature and would typically include one or more sex acts, as specified in the indictment.

Patricia Mazzei

Those encounters often ended in masturbation, oral sex and, in at least one case, rape.

Archived Recording (Geoffrey Berman)

As alleged, Epstein also paid certain victims to recruit additional girls to be similarly abused.

Patricia Mazzei

And he also paid them to recruit more girls that could come to his house, therefore creating this sort of ever-expanding network of sex trafficking.

Archived Recording (Geoffrey Berman)

The alleged behavior shocks the conscience. And while the charged conduct is from a number of years ago, it is still profoundly important to the many alleged victims, now young women. They deserve their day in court, and we are proud to be standing up for them by bringing this indictment.

Patricia Mazzei

And the prosecutors said that even though some of these encounters happened a long time ago, that some of this is old, these girls, who are now women, deserve their day in court.

Archived Recording (Geoffrey Berman)

Thank you.

Michael Barbaro

So the prosecutor in New York makes a point of saying, this alleged behavior dates back years and years -- basically to 2002. So why are we just seeing these charges today?

Patricia Mazzei

That's the key question, Michael. Because what is stunning about this case when you listen to the U.S. attorney in New York on Monday is that it sounded so familiar to allegations made against Jeffrey Epstein in Florida more than a decade ago. In that case, the girls in Florida did not get their day in court. But the story of how the Florida case against Epstein unraveled is one of the reasons why we are here today talking about this case against him in New York.

Michael Barbaro

So what exactly is the story of what happened in Florida?

Patricia Mazzei

The story begins in 2005 when a girl and her parents go to the police in Palm Beach and tell them that she has been molested by Epstein and paid for it. And the police start investigating. And what they find is not just one girl, but many girls with stories about being molested by Epstein. And some girls just lead to more girls. And so they wind up with what they think is a very big case on their hands. They take it to the state attorney, but, eventually, the police feel like Epstein might not get as harsh of a charge as they would like, given the number of victims that they have seen. And concerned about that, they take the case to the F.B.I. and say, help us. We think there is a big case here.

Michael Barbaro

And why do the local police have that suspicion, that Epstein will not be appropriately charged? What exactly did they fear?

Patricia Mazzei

They become anxious that either because of Epstein's wealth or name in the community or the fact that he didn't have a criminal history, that he just might not be charged as strongly as they think he should be charged. For example, that instead of some sort of sex abuse charge, he might end up with something like soliciting prostitution that would elicit a less harsh penalty.

Michael Barbaro

So what does the F.B.I. do when the police bring this case to them?

Patricia Mazzei

The F.B.I. starts investigating and finds more victims and victims corroborating the stories that the police had found. Stories about massages and nude massages and payment for these massages that ended up in various sex acts and a web of recruitment where one girl would be paid by Epstein and his associates to bring in more girls to his Palm Beach house for these massages. And, eventually, the U.S. attorney's office in Miami, which, at the time, was run by a man named Alex Acosta, drafts a 53-page indictment against Epstein.

Michael Barbaro

And what does this indictment say?

Patricia Mazzei

The indictment lays out these allegations of sex trafficking against minors and carries a potential punishment of up to life in prison.

Michael Barbaro

It's a serious indictment.

Patricia Mazzei

Yeah, it was pretty thorough.

Michael Barbaro

And so what happens?

Patricia Mazzei

So weeks go by and then months go by. And finally, in 2008, the victims learn that there will be no federal criminal indictment against Epstein. Unbeknown to the victims, behind the scenes, Epstein and his high-powered defense lawyers had negotiated with federal prosecutors so that they would not charge him in federal court. They negotiated what is called a non-prosecution agreement. And so in the end, Epstein pleaded guilty to a single count of soliciting prostitution in state court. He had to register as a sex offender. He had to pay financial restitution to some of his victims. And he got 18 months in county jail, in which he could leave six days a week to go to work.

Michael Barbaro

Leave prison six days a week -- just kind of walk out of jail and go to work?

Patricia Mazzei

Yeah, it was an extraordinary arrangement. It raised eyebrows even at the time, but the prosecutor said it was how they were going to guarantee that Epstein served some time in jail and that he register as a sex offender, which they viewed as important to help the community around him.

Michael Barbaro

So the local police brought this case originally to the F.B.I. because they were worried that the state attorney would be rolled over by Epstein -- by his wealth, by all his connections, and his fancy lawyers -- and that he would get a sweetheart deal.

Patricia Mazzei

Prosecutors would tell you that they did their best, and that meant sending Epstein to jail. But, in the end, he faced a prostitution charge in state court and not a sex trafficking charge in federal court. And that's exactly what the Palm Beach police worried could happen at the start of the case.

Michael Barbaro

But with the F.B.I. and the federal prosecutors.

Patricia Mazzei

Right -- the people who they had turned to for help.

Michael Barbaro

Pati, you said that this was unknown to the victims. Why would that be?

Patricia Mazzei

The victims were not given a chance to speak up against this agreement before it was signed. It was essentially just negotiated between Epstein's attorneys and the prosecution. And so the victims didn't find out until after the fact and after Epstein had already agreed to the plea deal.

Michael Barbaro

And what's the reaction from the victims who have been cut out of this plea agreement and are now learning that he's going to be facing an unusually light sentence?

Patricia Mazzei

The victims are outraged. And as soon as they find out about this non-prosecution deal in 2008, they go to court asking for the agreement to be nullified -- for them to get their day in court. And this argument turns into years of legal battles over what was negotiated in secret that the victims did not know about.

Michael Barbaro

And what's going on with Epstein during this time -- as this battle over the plea agreement is playing out in courts?

Patricia Mazzei

Epstein gets out of jail about five months early. He reportedly has a party to celebrate his return to society. And he has to register as a sex offender. But, other than that, he basically goes back to his old life. He had his lavish lifestyle that he continued -- traveling between his properties in New York and Palm Beach and the Virgin Islands. And the case kind of receded from public view for years, until President Trump asks Alex Acosta, the former top prosecutor in Miami who reached the secret deal not to indict Epstein with federal charges, to be his labor secretary.

... ... ...

Archived Recording

You are aware that Mr. Epstein served that 13 months. He was allowed out during the day, and he had to sleep at a county jail, but he was basically allowed to move and go around the community and do whatever he wants. And then that became a subject of significant criticism.

Archived Recording (Alexander Acosta)

And I am on record condemning that, and I think that was awful.

Patricia Mazzei

Despite those questions, Acosta gets confirmed by the Senate and becomes the labor secretary, which he still is now. But The Miami Herald, his hometown paper, decides that it's going to dig even deeper into the Epstein case and see what happened, especially now that not only is Acosta the labor secretary, but that the #MeToo movement has happened. And that, perhaps, these victims, who are now young women, might be willing to talk publicly for the first time.

Michael Barbaro

And what does The Herald find?

Archived Recording

The Herald is reporting that Acosta gave a sweetheart deal to a wealthy man accused of sex crimes, including sexually abusing underage girls.

Patricia Mazzei

The Herald's investigation, which was published in late 2018, found a trove of documents showing how the secret non-prosecution agreement was negotiated.

Archived Recording

The paper found that as a U.S. attorney in Florida in 2007, Acosta and another federal prosecutor struck a plea deal with Epstein's legal team.

Patricia Mazzei

And the documents show Epstein's defense lawyers being chummy with prosecutors on a first-name basis, while the victims didn't know anything about what was going on.

Archived Recording

I was young. I was scared. I knew these people were powerful. I didn't know what would happen if I said no. I didn't know what would happen if I reported them. That 16-year-old girl just let it happen.

Patricia Mazzei

In addition to that, The Herald finds more victims, and victims who are going on the record for the first time now that they're adults.

Archived Recording

It takes a long time to start the healing process. I mean, I will never heal. There are pieces for me that can never be put back together.

Patricia Mazzei

And the combination of the behind-the-scenes communications about this agreement and the additional victims and the victims putting a face and details to these allegations starts to build new public pressure for something to be done in the case. And it's not long after that Miami Herald report that something else happens. That lawsuit that the victims in Florida had filed seeking to invalidate the secret non-prosecution agreement, a judge finally issues a ruling. And he rules in the women's favor. He says the prosecutors made a mistake in not letting them know that this was being negotiated.

Michael Barbaro

And by prosecutors, you mean Alex Acosta, who is now the United States labor secretary.

Patricia Mazzei

That's correct. The judge ruled that Acosta and his office violated the victims' rights by not letting them know about this secret deal that they had negotiated with Epstein. And that's where everything was until we got to Monday in New York.

Michael Barbaro

Is that what led the U.S. attorney in New York to bring these charges on Monday?

Patricia Mazzei

We don't know, exactly. That case is still pending in Florida. What we do know is that the prosecutor in New York apparently found a new victim in his jurisdiction. And that seems to be a primary driver in his decision to pursue this case now. And it's possible for him to also draw in some of the allegations from Florida into his case. We know that he went out of his way to say on Monday that the non-prosecution agreement in Florida does not apply to them in New York. But it is key to note that they have found a victim there, and so that gives a new dimension to their findings.

Michael Barbaro

So it's possible that these girls, now women, in Florida, who alleged that Jeffrey Epstein had done these things to them and who were kind of boxed out of this non-prosecution agreement, that they may be drawn into this case and have their day in court here in New York.

Patricia Mazzei

Possibly. We're going to have to wait and see, given this sort of tricky dynamic between having somebody in the Justice Department in New York signing off on a new case that had been sort of closed and done by somebody in the Justice Department in Miami.

Michael Barbaro

It seems like the U.S. attorney in New York is saying something about how the case was handled in Florida.

Patricia Mazzei

It sounded like the U.S. attorney in New York was implying that this case maybe wasn't handled so well the first time around, either by his predecessors in New York or by his colleagues in Florida. And that now, he has another shot. They get a do-over here, and they plan to take it. And they have a chance to make things right for all these victims after all these years.

Michael Barbaro

Pati, you've been covering this case as a reporter in Florida for years. What do you make of these latest developments?

Patricia Mazzei

To me, it's an illustration of how society has changed in the time since this case first came up and now. I think between the #MeToo movement that has exposed some very powerful men and their behavior towards women, I think some of society's impatience now with, perhaps, wealthy people having a bigger say in the criminal justice system than people who don't have money. And it's also just interesting that the charge Epstein faced was for soliciting prostitution.

Michael Barbaro

Right. I'm so struck by the fact that the resolution of that first Florida case was a prostitution charge, which meant that prosecutors there essentially labeled a minor, who was allegedly paid for sex by Jeffrey Epstein, as a prostitute, not a victim.

Patricia Mazzei

Actually, the former police chief in Palm Beach, whose department first started investigating this, has said that what he would really like to see here, in addition to an apology to the victims, who did not get what he would consider timely justice, he would like to see lawmakers keep that from happening again. He would like to make it impossible for prosecutors to treat minors like prostitutes in future cases like this one, to prevent what he considers was a miscarriage of justice.

Michael Barbaro

Pati, where is Jeffrey Epstein right now?

Patricia Mazzei

He is in jail in New York -- and not the kind of jail where you could leave every day to go to work like he was in Florida. And he faces the prospect of up to 45 years in prison if this case moves forward and he's found guilty.

Michael Barbaro

Pati, thank you very much.

Patricia Mazzei

Thank you, Michael.

Michael Barbaro

On Monday, federal investigators said they had found hundreds of photographs of nude and partially nude young women and girls inside Jeffrey Epstein's New York home. After reviewing the photos, prosecutors said that Epstein, quote, "is not reformed. He is not chastened. He is not repentant. Rather, he is a continuing danger to the community." Shortly after, Epstein pleaded not guilty in federal court. Later on Monday, Attorney General Bill Barr was asked about how Alex Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in Florida and now the president's secretary of labor, had handled the original Epstein case in Florida. Barr declined to comment. We'll be right back. Here's what else you need to know today. In a highly unusual move, the government lawyers defending the president's efforts to ask about citizenship on the 2020 census have left the case, apparently in protest. The lawyers had been asked to defend the question despite a recent ruling by the Supreme Court that found that there was no legal basis for including the question. And in Sudan, military leaders and protesters have reached an unexpected agreement to share power after the military carried out a deadly crackdown on the protesters. Under the agreement, an army general will run Sudan for nearly two years, followed by a civilian leader for the next year and a half. The plan offers the possibility of an eventual transition to democracy after 30 years of dictatorship. That's it for "The Daily." I'm Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow. Listen 26:00

Eric Holland, the deputy assistant secretary of labor for public affairs, said on Monday that Mr. Acosta had no comment. The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, said late Monday night that Mr. Acosta should resign because of the "unconscionable agreement" that he made with Mr. Epstein in 2008.

Late on Tuesday morning, Mr. Acosta, writing on Twitter, defended his actions a decade ago. With the evidence available at the time, he said, his prosecutors had insisted Mr. Epstein go to jail and register as a sex offender. He called the financier's crimes "horrific."

"Now that new evidence and additional testimony is available, the N.Y. prosecution offers an important opportunity to more fully bring him to justice," he wrote.

Secretary Acosta @SecretaryAcosta · Jul 9, 2019 Replying to @SecretaryAcosta

With the evidence available more than a decade ago, federal prosecutors insisted that Epstein go to jail, register as a sex offender and put the world on notice that he was a sexual predator.

Secretary Acosta @SecretaryAcosta

Now that new evidence and additional testimony is available, the NY prosecution offers an important opportunity to more fully bring him to justice.

2,184 11:41 AM - Jul 9, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy

Accusations of sexual predation have dogged Mr. Epstein for decades. Until his arrest on Saturday, his case had been held up as a prime example of how insulated, powerful men can escape accountability.

Mr. Epstein , a hedge fund manager, avoided the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, largely because of a secret agreement his lawyers struck with federal prosecutors in 2008. His social circle is filled with the rich and famous, including former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew of Britain.

Mr. Clinton's office said in a statement on Monday that he knows nothing about "the terrible crimes" connected to Mr. Epstein.

In 2002, Mr. Trump described Mr. Epstein as "a terrific guy," telling New York Magazine , "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

As he unsealed an indictment charging Mr. Epstein with sex trafficking on Monday, the United States attorney in Manhattan, Geoffrey S. Berman, made an appeal to other women who may have been abused by him to come forward.

"They deserve their day in court and we are proud to stand up for them by bringing this indictment," Mr. Berman said.

He declined to say why his office decided to pursue charges against Mr. Epstein now, since federal prosecutors knew about his potential crimes in New York a decade ago. Mr. Berman said his office had been "assisted by some excellent investigative journalists," an apparent reference to The Miami Herald's reporting from November .

The indictment said that Mr. Epstein and his employees engaged in a sex-trafficking scheme, bringing dozens of vulnerable girls, some as young as 14, to his Upper East Side mansion and to his palatial compound in Palm Beach, Fla., between 2002 and 2005.

Mr. Epstein, 66, then engaged in sex acts with the young women during naked massage sessions, paying them hundreds of dollars in cash, prosecutors said. He also asked some of the girls to recruit other girls, many of whom prosecutors say were underage, and paid them for bringing in new victims, the indictment said.

"This conduct, as alleged, went on for years and involved dozens of young girls, some as young as 14," Mr. Berman said. "The alleged behavior shocks the conscience."

Mr. Epstein is charged with sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy, and faces a combined maximum sentence of up to 45 years in prison if convicted.

[Read the indictment .]

Mr. Epstein's lawyer, Reid Weingarten, said the allegations in the indictment had already been settled in 2008. "To us this indictment is essentially a do-over," he said. "This is old stuff. This is ancient stuff."

Mr. Epstein, looking disheveled in a navy blue jumpsuit, pleaded not guilty. He stared silently ahead as prosecutors outlined the charges, never glancing at the packed courtroom behind him. He is expected back in court on Thursday.

The discovery of the photo trove was detailed by prosecutors as they argued against allowing Mr. Epstein to be freed on bail. His wealth and means -- including six homes and two private jets -- made him a significant flight risk, they said.


Deb CT July 9 Times Pick

Secretary Acosta, now calling Epstein's crimes 'horrific", but let Epstein plead to a charge of prostitution, carrying a much lesser sentence. Epstein was allowed to leave jail 6 days a week for 12 hours a day. No child of the age of 14 can be a prostitute, no matter if money was exchanged for sex. These girls were raped and abused. Secretary Acosta needs to step down immediately. No one can give an incredibly generous plea deal to a remorseless child molester and still expect to hold the public's trust. He failed Jeffrey Epstein's victims. He failed the people of South Florida. He cannot continue to serve. Why is every single republican such a hypocrite?
Karn Griffen Riverside, CA July 9 Times Pick
Acosta must be investigated here. He is the key figure in this horrible case.
ModerateOne DC July 9 Times Pick
So, if they were able to go back into a previously settled case and retry Bill Cosby, who is now in jail, then they should be able to do the same to Mr. Epstein. Bill Cosby was also once 'untouchable' and received some dubious legal deals, but , in the end, he got his just desserts. And even now, some question the legality of how Mr. Cosby was retried and subsequently received jail time. If it was good for Mr. Cosby, who was also rich and influential, then it should be good for Mr. Epstein. He should also finally face his long overdue day of reckoning.
TM Boston, MA July 9 Times Pick
Thank goodness for brave reporters. But we have all protected the Epsteins of the world for too long. We all protect the Epsteins of the world when we show that we value riches and status over all else. Our churches, our legal system, our colleges, our very laws, do more to protect the rich than the vulnerable. Someone without status in our country can suffer more for public urination than Epstein has so far for his horrific crimes. The way we, as a culture, value status above all else, paves the way for the Epsteins of the world to thrive. We can clutch our pearls all we want to, but when we clamor for admission to an elite school, buy houses and cars we can't afford, buy knockoff designer goods we know were made by foreign children, because we are desperate to show that we have status, we create a culture where status is the only protection; we show that we value perceived status over integrity, financial solvency, decency, justice, peace, even over the safety of our children. The fact that status is our number one value lay the path for Trump to be elected. The fake billionaire promised to restore status to those who felt that the little they had had been robbed from them by minorities, women, gays. And while many of us are horrified with the results, everything we do that shows that we, too, value perceived status over anything else, makes us part of this problem. If we did not adore the rich and powerful, they would not have so much power.

4 Replies
Elizabeth Grey Yonkers New York July 9 Times Pick
I've more than a few questions; but my main one is why we continue to put up with a government that has shielded this pedophile, headed by a President accused of sexual assault himself? Trump & Acosta would resign if there were a shred of decency in either of them. Putting up with their leadership is unequivocally abusive to over half of the population of the United States.
DooDah BC Canada July 9 Times Pick
If you can afford Epstein's lawyers his sentence is the kind of outcome you expect. His lawyers dictated to Acosta the sentence they would accept. Acosta was rewarded and part of the service was to insure everything was kept quiet all those years.
MarkyT Toronto July 9 Times Pick
The Epstein saga reminds me of that long-running joke (and movie) The Aristocrats. A joke so filthy and disgusting that it's been told, retold and embellished for decades. What's that saying about many a truth told in jest? Epstein shows there's moral debauchery that comes with obscene wealth. The 1 per cent have lost their ethical bearings. Good journalism has shined some antiseptic light on this perversion of justice. Well done.
SHAKINSPEAR In a Thoughtful state July 9 Times Pick
I have no confidence in the validity of this investigation that appears to me to be a retaliation against Democrats by the political Trump Justice Department. The motive is glaringly apparent. Aside from the political motivations of this case, the Press conference was clearly an attempt at tampering with the potential Jury pool, national in scope.
EM Tempe,AZ July 9 Times Pick
Let no one be above the law. Victims need to have their day in court. Search his other homes and hide-outs, and don't let him post bail or plea out. Sordid to say the least. I hope there is justice.
Donna Nieckula Minnesota July 8 Times Pick
@Richard This is not a Democratic or Republican issue... in spite of many political comments to this article. This is about wealthy, well-connected men and boys who are sexual predators with perverse predilections for girls and young women. This is about wealthy and well-connected predators who, when caught, may never face trial... and who, if tried and found guilty, are handled with kid gloves, usually receiving inappropriately weak sentences.

20 Replies
Ben in Oakland Oakland July 8 Times Pick
They really threw the book at him the first time, didn't they? Are you in jail, and able to leave six days a week. It's almost as if they didn't see it as a serious offense, except for the year in jail and being able to leave six days a week. I wonder if the girls he molested back then are able to work six days a week.
Elin Minkoff Florida July 8 Times Pick
He was allowed to leave the Palm Beach County jail 6 days a week to work????? What kind of sentence is that????? He is obviously not just a predator but a very bold and unconcerned one, to have kept all this evidence showing apparently under-age girls in his Manhattan home. When you have that much money, and you have gotten away with such filth and corruption your entire life, you think that you will always be able to buy your way out of trouble. And most of these kinds of people do. I do hope that this time he pays dearly for what he has done. It is hard to imagine what kind of a mind preys on children like this.

16 Replies
Heidi Upstate, NY July 8 Times Pick
Well done to the current law enforcement officers, investigators and prosecutors who were willing to go after this rich connected man, who should spend years in prison for such terrible crimes against children. Keep the coverage in the news, so his victims this time see justice served.
Denise Brooklyn, NY July 8 Times Pick
Re: the deal that Acosta cut. According to a February 2017 NYT article, "...As part of the agreement, Mr. Acosta's office agreed not to bring federal charges against Mr. Epstein or any of his potential co-conspirators, court papers show..." Who comes to an agreement with a defendant promising not to charge other "potential" co-conspirators? Who else was Acosta protecting??? This stunk to high heaven then and stinks now.
MS Cambridge July 8 Times Pick
As a sex trafficking survivor and advocate for others caught up in the traps set for us (sex trafficking is sexual activity instigated through fraud, force, and/or coercion) most of us would point to the privileged and fraudulent deal Epstein got as a reason to logically have zero trust in the Lord and social process. This action taken by New York Federal Prosecutors against Epstein challenges our logical distrust. I want to believe in this new day. The trick Epstein and his lawyers used was to twist the narrative - fraudulently procured women engaged in an act of prostitution - viola - the act of prostitution (even through fraud my friends) has socially conferd the identity of prostitute.... And could these young corrupt prostitutes be seen as lilly white witnesses for the prosecution? This twisted reframing of identity for the exploitation of Epstein legal team was yet another crime. Then, third hit was not informing victims - how was this justice. I want to believe.
Sammy Florida July 8 Times Pick
This case is local to me, live in Palm Beach, and one I've followed from day 1. The case and the treatment of Epstein never made sense. Obviously the Feds were in charge of the deal that was brokered, but local officials played a part as well. Former Palm Beach State Attorney Krischer signed off on this deal. PBSO sheriff Bradshaw signed off on the sweetheart jail deal. Both of these offices need to be investigated as well.

8 Replies
Paul Kramer Poconos July 8 Times Pick
As an attorney, it is misleading to the public to suggest that one can be prosecuted twice for the same crime. First, there is the issue of the scope of the Florida disposition. Rest assured Epstein's attorneys will focus on cramming all the "new" evidence into the Florida package. Second, Berman will have to prove the "new" evidence post-dates the Florida matters. Third -probably most critical- Berman must convince the court that probable cause to look into Epstein's alleged behavior arose from something OTHER than the mere fact of the Florida matter.
Alicia Walker Culver City July 8 Times Pick
I grew up in NYC in the 60's. My sister brother and myself all went to the school Birch Wathen. I have nothing but the fondest memories of my early school years. It sickens and saddens me that a place where so many children received an amazing education devolved to a place where hundreds or thousands of young girls were victimized and sexually abused. 9 east 71st St use to be a place of learning and love. I hope the building in its next incarnation will returns to an institution that will teach and nurture children.
Dennis W So. California July 8 Times Pick
So the Justice Department gets a 'do-over' after bungling their first try over a decade ago. A slap on the wrist was administered to this predator who has continued to prey on young women. Let's see if money, power and connections once again win the day and put him back on the street. One would think justice will certainly prevail, but look at all the people who are not even prosecuted due to influence and wealth.
Ron Carroll July 8 Times Pick
My only concern with the MeToo movement is our loss of the presumption of innocence. It's fundamental to our judicial system. But if he IS found guilty -- AFTER due process -- then he should be punished to the full extent of the law. These sorts of crimes are far too common and no one should be given a plea bargain, no matter how far up it reaches.
CrackerJack NYC July 8 Times Pick
Shine a light into the darkest corners. Anyone - and I mean ANYONE - right, left or center who was involved needs to be brought to justice.
Ellen Williamburg July 8 Times Pick
Epstein and his wealthy powerful covert treated girls as disposable playthings to be passed around and used up, with no concern for their autonomy or humanity. Even when caught, he had enough connections that he served virtually no time, and his case was sealed. And the guy that brokered the deal, Acosta, was rewarded mightily for that. Is there any wonder we have such and abysmal record of abuse of females and femicide? Is it any wonder that rape kits go untested? That our full health care s up for debate and decided by panels made up of men alone, with no female input? These abusers protect each other and continue to keep females under their thumbs because they can and because they themselves benefit from female oppression.
MSC Virginia July 8 Times Pick
I was pretty impressed by both the NYC prosecutor and the FBI during this morning's press conference. They seemed firmly in the corner of the young women who were sexually abused by doing a good job explaining why this was criminal abuse by Epstein, not choice on the part of the victims. The press conference participants also made a point of showing a display with Epstein's photo and an FBI contact number for other victims to call. The FBI went so far as to explain what buttons to push when victims called in. I would like to see wide dissemination of Epstein's photo and the FBI number in the press so that victims know where to call to lodge their complaints

[Jul 17, 2019] Note on the level of corruption of the USA justice system in the initial Epstein case

Clinton was involved is not he? So was it Clinton who advised Mueller to list Epstein as an intelligence asset.
Notable quotes:
"... As a sex trafficking survivor and advocate for others caught up in the traps set for us (sex trafficking is sexual activity instigated through fraud, force, and/or coercion) most of us would point to the privileged and fraudulent deal Epstein got as a reason to logically have zero trust in the Lord and social process. ..."
"... he trick Epstein and his lawyers used was to twist the narrative - fraudulently procured women engaged in an act of prostitution - viola - the act of prostitution (even through fraud my friends) has socially conferd the identity of prostitute.... ..."
"... This twisted reframing of identity for the exploitation of Epstein legal team was yet another crime. Then, third hit was not informing victims - how was this justice. I want to believe. ..."
"... So much truly disgusting, criminal, evil behavior. Acosta catered to a pedophile while he threw the child victims under the bus. He should be behind bars as an accomplice. A president whose "modeling" agency served as a model for Epstein's "modeling" agency. ..."
Jul 17, 2019 | www.nytimes.com

Denise Brooklyn, NY July 8 Times Pick

Re: the deal that Acosta cut. According to a February 2017 NYT article, "...As part of the agreement, Mr. Acosta's office agreed not to bring federal charges against Mr. Epstein or any of his potential co-conspirators, court papers show..." Who comes to an agreement with a defendant promising not to charge other "potential" co-conspirators? Who else was Acosta protecting??? This stunk to high heaven then and stinks now.

Sammy
Florida July 8 Times Pick
This case is local to me, live in Palm Beach, and one I've followed from day 1. The case and the treatment of Epstein never made sense. Obviously the Feds were in charge of the deal that was brokered, but local officials played a part as well. Former Palm Beach State Attorney Krischer signed off on this deal. PBSO sheriff Bradshaw signed off on the sweetheart jail deal. Both of these offices need to be investigated as well.

Ellen
Williamburg July 8 Times Pick
Epstein and his wealthy powerful covert treated girls as disposable playthings to be passed around and used up, with no concern for their autonomy or humanity. Even when caught, he had enough connections that he served virtually no time, and his case was sealed. And the guy that brokered the deal, Acosta, was rewarded mightily for that. Is there any wonder we have such and abysmal record of abuse of females and femicide? Is it any wonder that rape kits go untested? That our full health care s up for debate and decided by panels made up of men alone, with no female input? These abusers protect each other and continue to keep females under their thumbs because they can and because they themselves benefit from female oppression.

MSC
Virginia July 8 Times Pick
I was pretty impressed by both the NYC prosecutor and the FBI during this morning's press conference. They seemed firmly in the corner of the young women who were sexually abused by doing a good job explaining why this was criminal abuse by Epstein, not choice on the part of the victims. The press conference participants also made a point of showing a display with Epstein's photo and an FBI contact number for other victims to call. The FBI went so far as to explain what buttons to push when victims called in. I would like to see wide dissemination of Epstein's photo and the FBI number in the press so that victims know where to call to lodge their complaints

Donna Nieckula
Minnesota July 8 Times Pick
@Richard This is not a Democratic or Republican issue... in spite of many political comments to this article. This is about wealthy, well-connected men and boys who are sexual predators with perverse predilections for girls and young women. This is about wealthy and well-connected predators who, when caught, may never face trial... and who, if tried and found guilty, are handled with kid gloves, usually receiving inappropriately weak sentences. 20 Replies
Elin Minkoff Florida July 8 Times Pick
He was allowed to leave the Palm Beach County jail 6 days a week to work????? What kind of sentence is that????? He is obviously not just a predator but a very bold and unconcerned one, to have kept all this evidence showing apparently under-age girls in his Manhattan home. When you have that much money, and you have gotten away with such filth and corruption your entire life, you think that you will always be able to buy your way out of trouble. And most of these kinds of people do. I do hope that this time he pays dearly for what he has done. It is hard to imagine what kind of a mind preys on children like this. 16 Replies

steve
CT July 8
"Under the agreement, Mr. Epstein pleaded guilty to state prostitution charges and spent about a year in a Palm Beach jail. He was permitted to leave the facility six days a week for 12 hours a day to work." "The agreement was negotiated in part by Alexander Acosta, a former federal prosecutor who is now President Trump's secretary of labor." As Labor Secretary, Acosta is responsible for monitoring human trafficking. Trump placed the fox Acosta in charge of the henhouse. Trump needs to be held accountable, for his links to Epstein and Acosta, and we need to know what kind to backroom deals were made. Unfortunately we have a two tiered justice system, one for the super wealthy and one for the rest.

MS
Cambridge July 8 Times Pick
As a sex trafficking survivor and advocate for others caught up in the traps set for us (sex trafficking is sexual activity instigated through fraud, force, and/or coercion) most of us would point to the privileged and fraudulent deal Epstein got as a reason to logically have zero trust in the Lord and social process.

This action taken by New York Federal Prosecutors against Epstein challenges our logical distrust. I want to believe in this new day. T he trick Epstein and his lawyers used was to twist the narrative - fraudulently procured women engaged in an act of prostitution - viola - the act of prostitution (even through fraud my friends) has socially conferd the identity of prostitute....

And could these young corrupt prostitutes be seen as lilly white witnesses for the prosecution? This twisted reframing of identity for the exploitation of Epstein legal team was yet another crime. Then, third hit was not informing victims - how was this justice. I want to believe.

Dennis W So. California July 8 Times Pick
So the Justice Department gets a 'do-over' after bungling their first try over a decade ago. A slap on the wrist was administered to this predator who has continued to prey on young women. Let's see if money, power and connections once again win the day and put him back on the street. One would think justice will certainly prevail, but look at all the people who are not even prosecuted due to influence and wealth. 8 Replies
Avatar New York July 8
So much truly disgusting, criminal, evil behavior. Acosta catered to a pedophile while he threw the child victims under the bus. He should be behind bars as an accomplice. A president whose "modeling" agency served as a model for Epstein's "modeling" agency. A president who praised Epstein and winked at his penchant for girls "on the young side." Lawyers, including Alan Dershowitz, who ran interference for Epstein so that he was free to molest so many other children. Dershowitz stands accused, in civil suits, of being a party to the horrors. He claims he's innocent. Whether or not he committed a felony, he committed a crime against morality by helping to keep Epstein on the prowl for years. As yet unnamed big shots who wallowed in the swamp with Epstein and also belong behind bars. Anyone and everyone associated with Epstein in his felonies needs to be named and exposed to the light of day, whoever they are. They ALL deserve punishment and universal condemnation.


Charlotte Amalie
Oklahoma July 8

Again, news that makes you wonder how deep this boys club goes. In his Playboy interview in 1987, Gore Vidal said that the genius of our ruling class is that "they're so brilliant that no one knows they even exist." He went on to defend himself from accusations that he's a conspiracy theorist. "'You think they get together at the Bohemian Grove and run the United States.' Well, they do get together at the Bohemian Grove and do a lot of picking of Secretaries of State, anyway. But they don't have to conspire. They all think alike." Don't know what the Bohemian Grove is? Look it up.
RP Potomac, MD July 8
I told my 14 yr old daughter what this monster has been accused of and she looked like she was going to vomit. Dirty old men have been around for centuries, time to expose them and protect our daughters!!!

lionelqdeveraux
new York City July 8
@MS "In a particularly unusual provision of that agreement, Acosta agreed that prosecutors would “not institute any criminal charges against any potential co-conspirators of Epstein” and would “suspend” the grand jury investigation. That provision suggests that Epstein was seeking to protect others beyond himself." This stinks! Acosta should be disbarred and indicted as an accomplice. Justice was not served here!

Paul Kramer
Poconos July 8 Times Pick
As an attorney, it is misleading to the public to suggest that one can be prosecuted twice for the same crime. First, there is the issue of the scope of the Florida disposition. Rest assured Epstein's attorneys will focus on cramming all the "new" evidence into the Florida package. Second, Berman will have to prove the "new" evidence post-dates the Florida matters. Third -probably most critical- Berman must convince the court that probable cause to look into Epstein's alleged behavior arose from something OTHER than the mere fact of the Florida matter.

faivel1
NY July 8
Yes, great injustices occur in this country on a daily basis, now we'll have to watch and see how many scums will be revealed... Full blown banana republic, where sexual predators flying all over the world on their private jets, living in a most exclusive mansions in NYC, sailing on their luxury yachts and avoiding justice for decades with non prosecution deal constructed in hush-hush dark rooms of shadow justice. I wonder how Barr's DOJ will twist itself in pretzels to include the question of citizenship on 2020 census. Nothing will shock me anymore.
Deb CT July 9 Times Pick
Secretary Acosta, now calling Epstein's crimes 'horrific", but let Epstein plead to a charge of prostitution, carrying a much lesser sentence. Epstein was allowed to leave jail 6 days a week for 12 hours a day. No child of the age of 14 can be a prostitute, no matter if money was exchanged for sex. These girls were raped and abused. Secretary Acosta needs to step down immediately. No one can give an incredibly generous plea deal to a remorseless child molester and still expect to hold the public’s trust. He failed Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. He failed the people of South Florida. He cannot continue to serve. Why is every single republican such a hypocrite?

TM
Boston, MA July 9 Times Pick
Thank goodness for brave reporters. But we have all protected the Epsteins of the world for too long. We all protect the Epsteins of the world when we show that we value riches and status over all else. Our churches, our legal system, our colleges, our very laws, do more to protect the rich than the vulnerable. Someone without status in our country can suffer more for public urination than Epstein has so far for his horrific crimes. The way we, as a culture, value status above all else, paves the way for the Epsteins of the world to thrive. We can clutch our pearls all we want to, but when we clamor for admission to an elite school, buy houses and cars we can't afford, buy knockoff designer goods we know were made by foreign children, because we are desperate to show that we have status, we create a culture where status is the only protection; we show that we value perceived status over integrity, financial solvency, decency, justice, peace, even over the safety of our children. The fact that status is our number one value lay the path for Trump to be elected. The fake billionaire promised to restore status to those who felt that the little they had had been robbed from them by minorities, women, gays. And while many of us are horrified with the results, everything we do that shows that we, too, value perceived status over anything else, makes us part of this problem. If we did not adore the rich and powerful, they would not have so much power.

Red Sox, ‘04, ‘07, ‘13, ‘18
Boston July 8
I’m a lifelong cynic. Poor folks, minority folks and women never get full justice. Harvey Weinstein paid up but was there justice? Was there full restitution? I’m saying here that the defendant—white, male, wealthy and a friend of the president—walks. Because money talks. I dare justice to prove me wrong. Just once. These girls had mothers. These girls had a future. Once upon a time.
Peggy Jenkins Moscow, Idaho July 8
@Paul Kramer you are citing textbook law but this is not a textbook case. A federal judge ruled the 2008 deal was illegal. The NY prosecutors are NOT saying they are limited to post-2008; stuff they are saying that deal only binds the Southern District of Florida. That could easily be a reference to the illegality finding.

The Prosecutors in Florida may say they don't see a reason to recharge after that finding of illegality, but since the agreement has no force or effect the NY feds could conclude otherwise. Especially because there was always criminal conduct with SDNY and they should not be bound by an illegal deal entered into by prosecutors elsewhere.


MarkyT
Toronto July 9 Times Pick
The Epstein saga reminds me of that long-running joke (and movie) The Aristocrats. A joke so filthy and disgusting that it's been told, retold and embellished for decades. What's that saying about many a truth told in jest? Epstein shows there's moral debauchery that comes with obscene wealth. The 1 per cent have lost their ethical bearings. Good journalism has shined some antiseptic light on this perversion of justice. Well done.

Multimodalmama
The hub July 8
@Paul Kramer In case you didn't read the article, these are entirely New York charges. No Florida here. He also had porn of young girls and that is also something very bad for a registered sex offender. You seriously underestimate the league that these prosecutors have been playing in.

Baddy Khan
San Francisco July 8
News reports say that in the Florida case co-conspirators were kept secret and not charged. Hopefully this list becomes public soon. Could there be an orange colored dude currently in Washington on that list?

Dan
Redding, CT July 8
Send me the next breaking news alert notification when he is actually scheduled to go on trial. Because until then, nothing will have changed.

NYC Mama
Ny, Ny July 8
My 13-year-old just read the article in The York Times. Here are her questions: “Mommy, is it true our president was accused of raping a teenager?” “Mommy, why would a lawyer allow Jeff Epstein who hurt teen girls to go to work everyday instead of being in jail?” “Mommy, what’s masturbation and sex toys?” “Mommy, what happens to the photos of naked girls? Do they know he has them? Do their parents and friends know? You said once a photo is on-line, it can be on other people’s computers forever. What’s going to happen to them?” “Mommy, why would this man’s girlfriend help him find girls to give him naked massages?” Innocent Children! This man corrupted the innocence of children—those he directly abused—and every child exposed to his disgusting perversions via the news. I want justice now, as does every single adult who cares about our youth!
Joe From Boston Massachusetts July 8
@Elin Minkoff said "It is hard to imagine what kind of a mind preys on children like this." A very sick mind, one that is self-important, egotistical, unconcerned with the interests or rights of anyone else, and has no regard for the law or for societal norms. Doesn't that sound just like a man who has been a public servant since January 20, 2017?
Mary Maine July 9
The real hero here is Julie Brown of the Miami Herald. The evidence was there all the time and law enforcement knew about it. By publishing the long piece in the Herald, she made it impossible to ignore any longer. 1 Reply
Loner NC July 8
@Ellen Epstein's lawyers included Ken Starr, whose role in all this should be investigated as well.
ML Boston July 8
"Seeking to detain" -- does that mean that they are considering the possibility that this man should be let out on bail AGAIN. Poor and minority Americans languish in the mass incarceration-industrial-complex for minor infractions for years, or for not having the ability to pay fines or bail, but this serial pedophile might go free again because he has money? There should be no chance that this creep receives a "get out of jail free" card again, unless we want to highlight to the world -- over and over -- how thoroughly corrupt and morally bankrupt our system of justice is in America.
J. Cornelio Washington, Conn. July 8
Epstein didn't get his sweetheart deal in 2008 because he is one of those "insulated, powerful men [who] can escape accountability." He got it because he has information, damning information, about a slew of other powerful men, who then intervened to protect him. The US attorney for the SDNY has unwittingly opened a can of doo-doo which will either be quickly closed again with some clever lawyering and strained legalistic parsing or, if not, will reveal a dark underbelly at the highest ranks of society that I think even those calling for Epstein's scalp might wish had never been exposed.
Covfefe Long Beach, NY July 8
This Epstein is a serial killer of children’s souls. No way should he be let out.
Marjorie Charlottesville, VA July 8
That he would still be in possession of child pornography illustrates just how insulated and safe he felt in his position. And why wouldn't he? Protected on all sides by powerful political and financial connections. As E.J. Dionne said in his column today, we are in the Age of Impunity. Well, maybe no more for this arrogant perverted abuser. Next up, Acosta's day of reckoning. Noted in a different publication is his accomplice for over a decade, a woman, Ghislaine Maxwell, who facilitated many of the girls' victimization. Not sure why she is not mentioned in this article.
marklee nyc July 8
@Dennis W This case was not "bungled." The prosecutor made a deal behind closed doors, the terms of which we are not privy to. It is not surprise to find this slimeball Acosta working in te Trump administration. There was a quid pro quo we do not yet know about, and there were co-conspirators not charged, also powerful, wealthy individuals. There is an entire iceberg beneath this dirty tip.

[Jul 16, 2019] Did Jeffrey Epstein "Belong to Intelligence by THOMAS KNAPP

Notable quotes:
"... More money buys more formidable lawyers (in Epstein's case, Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr). More money usually means friends with more money, and with the influence that goes with having more money. It's just a fact of life that more money sometimes means getting away with -- or at least getting off easier for -- things would put you or me in jail for a long, long time ..."
"... "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone." ..."
"... Suppose you were a wealthy and influential man with wealthy and influential friends -- not just celebrities, but business moguls and politicians -- from around the globe. Suppose you held wild sex parties on your private island and invited those wealthy and influential friends, even ferrying some of them to the island on your personal Boeing 727 airliner. ..."
"... Suppose those wild sex parties included the presence, voluntary or coerced, of young (perhaps illegally so) women. ..."
"... That's pretty good extortion material, isn't it? Now suppose a government intelligence agency offered to protect you from prosecution for your escapades -- perhaps by leaning on a federal prosecutor to make the matter go away with minimal punishment -- in return for that extortion material? ..."
"... Since World War Two, the United States has built itself into a "national security state" which recognizes no ethical or legal constraints. It's doesn't exist to protect the American public. It exists to protect itself. And, too often, it protects the predators among us. ..."
Jul 12, 2019 | www.counterpunch.org

In 2008, billionaire asset manager Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers negotiated a very favorable plea bargain in Florida, under which he served a mere 13 months in jail -- in his own private wing, with 12 hours of daily "work release" -- on a single charge of soliciting prostitution from a minor (the FBI had identified 40 alleged victims of sexual predation on his part).

Epstein's in jail again, this time in New York, on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex. Again, prosecutors allege at least 40 victims.

A prospective 41st casualty of the case, perhaps not an undeserving one, is Alexander Acosta. As US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Acosta negotiated that sweetheart 2008 plea agreement. Now he faces calls for his resignation as US Secretary of Labor.

How did the plea agreement come about? For an easy explanation, look to a (supposed) exchange between F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway in the 1920s:

Fitzgerald: The rich are different from you and me.

Hemingway: Yes, they have more money.

More money buys more formidable lawyers (in Epstein's case, Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr). More money usually means friends with more money, and with the influence that goes with having more money. It's just a fact of life that more money sometimes means getting away with -- or at least getting off easier for -- things would put you or me in jail for a long, long time.

But another possibility rears its ugly head. In an article for The Daily Beast, investigative journalist Vicky Ward quotes a former senior White House official, in turn quoting Acosta's response to questions about Epstein during his interview with President Donald Trump's transition team:

"I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone."

Yes, we're getting that quote at third hand. Unfortunately, yes, it sounds plausible.

Suppose you were a wealthy and influential man with wealthy and influential friends -- not just celebrities, but business moguls and politicians -- from around the globe. Suppose you held wild sex parties on your private island and invited those wealthy and influential friends, even ferrying some of them to the island on your personal Boeing 727 airliner.

Suppose those wild sex parties included the presence, voluntary or coerced, of young (perhaps illegally so) women.

That's pretty good extortion material, isn't it? Now suppose a government intelligence agency offered to protect you from prosecution for your escapades -- perhaps by leaning on a federal prosecutor to make the matter go away with minimal punishment -- in return for that extortion material?

Is that how things happened? Your guess is as good as mine. But if so, it would be far from the first time that innocent men, women and children have been sacrificed to the false idol of "national security."

Since World War Two, the United States has built itself into a "national security state" which recognizes no ethical or legal constraints. It's doesn't exist to protect the American public. It exists to protect itself. And, too often, it protects the predators among us.

Join the debate on Facebook More articles by: THOMAS KNAPP

Thomas L. Knapp is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism ( thegarrisoncenter.org ). He lives and works in north central Florida.

[Jul 15, 2019] Epstein Procurer Ghislaine Maxwell s 1986 Frontpage Political Sex Scandal - caucus99percent

Notable quotes:
"... For her own part, Maxwell, who has been largely overlooked, was granted immunity from prosecution as part of Epstein's prosecution deal. It turns out that Ghaislaine Maxwell has a spectacular past in the UK that has gone altogether ignored by the U.S authorities and systematically obfuscated by the U.S. media, which has repeatedly spiked stories about the pair. ..."
"... I spent many months on his trail in 2002 for Vanity Fair and discovered not only that he was not who he claimed to be professionally, but also that he had allegedly assaulted two young sisters, one of whom had been underage at the time. Very bravely, they were prepared to go on the record. They were afraid he'd use all his influence to discredit them -- and their fear turned out to be legitimate. ..."
"... Not until after the rearrest of Epstein in July 2019 have details about Maxwell and the Farmer sisters started to reemerge. In reality, Ghislaine Maxwell has a history of entanglement with political sex scandals that goes back to when she was 23 ..."
"... An extraordinary 1986 front-page British tabloid story in a British tabloid revealed that Ghislaine had a relationship with a Conservative Member of Parliament reportedly involving compromising photos taken of him with naked boys whom the MP had beaten with a cane ..."
"... It's still a pretty damned strange story though ... the claim is that some unknown person threatened to "expose" an inappropriate liaison between GM and a young Marquis, Lord Granby (son of a Duke, I guess), unless Maxwell's paper laid off a series of stories about the Tory MP's sex life ..."
"... Even if she was 23 at the time, for Robert Maxwell to use his daughter in this way was a form of abuse. He was capable of worse, and did worse ..."
"... bottom line: Ghislaine Maxwell has a 30 year history of involvement in political sex scandals and compromise operations that the corporate media has missed. ..."
Jul 15, 2019 | caucus99percent.com

leveymg on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 1:29pm

Despite her 30 year career in political kompromat operations, the FBI and major media have ignored Ghislaine Maxwell. Here's where she got her start, as detailed in 1986 on Page One of one of her father's tabloids. Complete with canes and school boys:

For decades, the US and UK governments knew about Epstein and Maxwell's sexual kompromat operations. Maxwell and her famous father, it turns out, have made them a family business. But, the FBI and Scotland Yard did nothing to stop them. Why? For details - SEE FULL UPDATED REPORT: https://caucus99percent.com/content/epstein-turned-informant-muellers-fb...

As was previously reported:

In 1996,

the FBI failed to act on an accusation that they had together sexually abused a 15 year old girl and her older sister in a bedroom inside Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. Documents in a recent law suit filed by an alleged victim, Maria Farmer, show that the FBI had been aware of Epstein and Maxwell's child abuse activities in New York for at least a dozen years before Epstein was finally prosecuted in 2008 under much-reduced Florida state offenses. https://www.yourtango.com/2019323698/who-maria-farmer-latest-woman-accus...

For her own part, Maxwell, who has been largely overlooked, was granted immunity from prosecution as part of Epstein's prosecution deal. It turns out that Ghaislaine Maxwell has a spectacular past in the UK that has gone altogether ignored by the U.S authorities and systematically obfuscated by the U.S. media, which has repeatedly spiked stories about the pair.

Here is some additional background and new details.


For years the rape of the Farmer sisters and the larger child sex scandal was publicly ignored by the authorities and the media. A story intended to expose it in Vanity Fair was spiked by the editor. According to reporter Vicky Ward: https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epsteins-sick-story-played-out-for...

I spent many months on his trail in 2002 for Vanity Fair and discovered not only that he was not who he claimed to be professionally, but also that he had allegedly assaulted two young sisters, one of whom had been underage at the time. Very bravely, they were prepared to go on the record. They were afraid he'd use all his influence to discredit them -- and their fear turned out to be legitimate.

As the article was being readied for publication, Epstein made a visit to the office of Vanity Fair's then-editor, Graydon Carter, and suddenly the women and their allegations were removed from the article. "He's sensitive about the young women," Carter told me at the time.

Not until after the rearrest of Epstein in July 2019 have details about Maxwell and the Farmer sisters started to reemerge. In reality, Ghislaine Maxwell has a history of entanglement with political sex scandals that goes back to when she was 23.

An extraordinary 1986 front-page British tabloid story in a British tabloid revealed that Ghislaine had a relationship with a Conservative Member of Parliament reportedly involving compromising photos taken of him with naked boys whom the MP had beaten with a cane. English public school kinky. Extraordinarily, The People tabloid was controlled by the Mirror press syndicate, owned by Ghislaine's father, Robert Maxwell, whose picture appears on the masthead above his daughter's Page One photo.

Robert Maxwell was himself a Member of Parliament for the opposing Labour Party . . .

Talk about spinning a story and flipping the narrative . . . extraordinary. Very Old School.

See the complete story: https://caucus99percent.com/content/epstein-turned-informant-muellers-fb...

UntimelyRippd on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 4:29pm
SD, I think you've misread that article ...

There's no implication of any connection between GM and the kinky Tory MP.

It's still a pretty damned strange story though ... the claim is that some unknown person threatened to "expose" an inappropriate liaison between GM and a young Marquis, Lord Granby (son of a Duke, I guess), unless Maxwell's paper laid off a series of stories about the Tory MP's sex life.

The strange part of the business is that ... I'm not sure what would be inappropriate about any particular relationship between GM and Lord Granby. Was he married? If not, then ... what? I mean, yeah, it was 1986, but that's not the same as 1956, and they were both in their early 20s. Really weird. And presumably there never was any follow-through on the threat so ... huh!?!?

leveymg on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 9:40pm
The story was a way of making the accusations public

@UntimelyRippd @UntimelyRippd under the guise of defense of Ghislaine Maxwell's character. I don't buy that a telephone call was received at the editorial office of The People from a mysterious blackmailer, at all. Smells like a smear job against an opposition politician that Maxwell's daughter, GM had gotten to know, intimately, as insinuated.

The tabloid's "investigation" was an exceptionally nasty smear job, but that's not terribly unusual for British tabloids and politics. We're just beginning to catch up over here.

The references to a man claiming to be a homosexual partner giving the tabloid compromising photos of "naked boys" four months earlier, and to the Conservative MP caning them, is at least intriguing and potentially significant (particularly in light of Ghisaile's later activities), but, as far as I know were never substantiated. Would not be surprised, nonetheless, if the Marquis was not returned to Parliament.

The ongoing scandal this fed into was enough, apparently, to disaffect the poor MP's constituents and backers. Read the last paragraph. "IN THE NAME OF GOD, GO!"

Even if she was 23 at the time, for Robert Maxwell to use his daughter in this way was a form of abuse. He was capable of worse, and did worse.

UntimelyRippd on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 5:34pm
I don't think the Marquis was in Parliament to begin with.

@leveymg

The Marquis in question is young Lord Ganby, who is not Harvey Proctor, the Tory MP accused of caning boys.

I agree with you on one point: I don't think anybody called The People and threatened them with exposing "compromising" photos of GM and Lord Ganby. I think the editor of The People made the whole damned thing up, probably on RM's instructions, in order to increase the hype around their ongoing expose of the Harvey Proctor sex scandal (with caning etc.). Which is probably why the scandalous relationship supposedly being used as a threat isn't actually very scandalous at all -- they wouldn't want to create a really scandalous fictitious relationship, because juicy rumours are hard to put down once you've created them.

In other words, nothing in any of this connects Ghislaine Maxwell to the alleged caning of boys by Harvey Proctor.

leveymg on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 9:34pm
Thanks for looking that up. Bigger picture

@UntimelyRippd and bottom line: Ghislaine Maxwell has a 30 year history of involvement in political sex scandals and compromise operations that the corporate media has missed.

There's a reason for that.

gulfgal98 on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 5:01pm
This is a huge rabbit hole

down which one could easily get lost. Ghislaine Maxwell's father ( Robert Maxwell ) was a publisher who had strong ties to Israel and was buried there after his mysterious drowning death. There have been rumors that Maxwell worked for the Mossad.

Maxwell, 57, comes from money. Her father was publisher Robert Maxwell - who himself faced accusations of being a Mossad double (and possibly triple) agent and a "bad character" who was "almost certainly financed by Russia," according to the British Foreign Office. Robert Maxwell died in 1991 when he fell from his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine - however the circumstances surrounding his demise have been rife with speculation (including that it was a Mossad assassination - a theory which attorney and longtime Epstein associate Alan Dershowitz slammed in a 2003 op-ed).

Ghislaine Maxwell is a good friend of the Clintons too and was pictured having attended Chelsea Clinton's wedding . Thus far, Ghislaine Maxwell has been protected and if she continues to be protected, then we will know that she is definitely a government asset, (CIA or Mossad?).

No one really knows what is the real story of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, but this is more than just what it appears to be. There are many questions about how Jeffrey Epstein acquired his vast fortune and how he was able to become friendly with many high level politicians and influential people, including the British royal family.

One more item: the most amusing thing about Epstein is that not a single source/person can say how he made his money. That's a topic for a next essay, but there's this: 20 years after -ostensibly-, leaving Bear Stearns Epstein turns up as a director for one of their SIV's.The vehicle was called Liquid Funding Ltd, and Epstein is listed as a director and chairman. The entire vehicle went stone dead, as did Bear. But Jeffrey did not.

Leveymg, thank you for having the nerve to broach this subject because Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and their sex peddling business may have far greater ramifications than any of us can imagine, if the truth is ever allowed to come out. I wrote most of my comment before reading your linked essay thoroughly and I apologize for duplicating some of the content. Blackmail is a great form of control.

We should keep a watchful eye on this story because this may be the tip of a very large and dirty iceberg that has infected our government for a long time. Finally, Zero Hedge has an interesting editorial article up today by "Tyler Durden" that asks a very puzzling question. Why did Epstein fly back to the United States when he knew that the courts were unsealing 2,000 pages of his previous case?

Alligator Ed on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 6:22pm
Zounds! What a spirited ZeroHedge article

@gulfgal98 Why, indeed did Epstein fly back into the U.S.? He should have suspected that Barr would arrest him on orders from the Chief. Or, is JE being presented as a sacrificial lamb, being led before the rest of the herd, to succumb as a bloody example of who calls the shots (pardon the horrible mixed metaphors, but, hey. These do occur).

I am reminded of an old FarSide cartoon in which two bears are walking on their hind legs and one of the bears has a red and white target painted on his back. That bear-with-target would be JE, if I'm not mistaken. Wexner and associates will not take lightly to the pressure of the klieg lights being constantly upon them.

I wish I wrote essays as good as your comment.

dfarrah on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 8:25pm
Maybe Epstein

@gulfgal98 would rather face justice in the US rather than elsewhere?

snoopydawg on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 8:15pm
After Epstein was released from his 13 month inconvenient

He went right back to being accepted in the high society. Not long after he got out he had dinner with Katie Couric and George Stephanopoulos and started right back up where he left off. You'd think that his friends would want to put some distance between them and his perversions.

But when people talked about his registering as a sex offender he said this:

"I'm not a sexual predator, I'm an 'offender,' Epstein told The New York Post in 2011. "It's the difference between a murderer and a person who steals a bagel."

Uh no.. Jeff you are a sexual predator and you should be still sitting in a regular prison cell for a few more years or decades if the original case had gone to the original conclusion.

Fresh out of jail, Jeffrey Epstein was welcomed by the rich, powerful

In 2010, the year after he got out of a Florida prison, Katie Couric and George Stephanopoulos dined at his Manhattan mansion with a British royal. The next year, Epstein was photographed at a "billionaire's dinner" attended by tech titans like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. A page popped up on Harvard University's website lauding his accomplishments, and superlative-filled news releases described his lofty ambitions as he dedicated $10 million to charitable causes.

Powerful female friends served as social guarantors: Peggy Siegal, a gatekeeper for A-list events, included him in movie screenings, and Dr. Eva Andersson-Dubin, a champion of women's health, maintained a friendship that some felt gave him credibility. Epstein put up a website showing Stephen Hawking and other luminaries at a science gathering he had organized.

"If you looked up Jeffrey Epstein online in 2012, you would see what we all saw," Leon Botstein, president of Bard College, said in an interview. He seemed "like an ex-con who had done well on Wall Street," who was close to the Clintons and gave money to academic pursuits, Botstein said. That was why, he noted, Bard accepted an unsolicited $50,000 in 2011 for its high schools, followed later that year and in 2012 by another $75,000 in donations.

Siegal threw the dinner party at Epstein's Upper East Side mansion for Prince Andrew, giving Couric, Stephanopoulos, Chelsea Handler and others a chance to speak to a member of the royal family a few months before the much-anticipated wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

"It was just one of those strange nights," Handler said in an interview. Siegal had not emphasized who was hosting, several guests recalled. "The invitation was positioned as, 'Do you want to have dinner with Prince Andrew?'" Siegal said. Epstein did not speak much. Andersson-Dubin was there, but others said they barely knew who Epstein was or what he had been convicted of.

People close to Epstein had to know what his true history was and yet they all welcomed him back in their fold.

[Jul 15, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein Is Exhibit A for Capitalism's Moral Bankruptcy

Highly recommended!
Jul 15, 2019 | truthout.org

By throwing millions of dollars at the legal system, Epstein successfully enlisted Alex Acosta, a sitting U.S. Attorney who just resigned as Trump's Labor Secretary, to grant the admitted sex offender a non-prosecution and an immunity agreement.

That deal, that a federal judge has since ruled illegal, helped conceal a vast child-sex trafficking operation that targeted vulnerable minors by offering them $300 and then employed a kind of pyramid scheme where victims were recruited to find new victims.

For decades now, as a general assignment reporter, I have had front row seats for a procession of these kinds of defendants. I have seen the likes of Epstein before.

Over my life as a journalist, as the whirlwind of wealth concentration stripped so many threadbare, these guys have prospered on an unprecedented scale. In our era of late-stage vulture-capitalism, it is these most ruthless predators that are elevated before their fall by our corporate media as living deities.

Rogues Rushmore

The elevation of Donald Trump to the Presidency marks the high-water mark for this underworld crew who masterfully play the compliant corporate media that's transfixed by great wealth and confer upon those that hold it all sorts of intellectual prowess so as to cultivate proximity to them.

As we saw in the Federal prosecution and conviction of Michael Cohen for his role in facilitating the payoff of Stormy Daniels, Trump knows everybody has a price.

These great white men are their own law. They see themselves as the smartest guys in the room. They have the cunning to know how to hollow out others so that they can own their souls. With the precision of an acupuncturist, they pinpoint that pressure point that's the nexus of desire, sexual pleasure or ambition.

These must be done with sleight of hand but even if you are caught red-handed, as long as you have high priced representation on retainer, you can outmaneuver prosecutors.

Weaponized Sex

Charles Kushner, the father of Jared Kushner, President Trump's senior advisor, is another case in point.

Kushner, the real estate mogul and major Democratic campaign donor, was appointed by Governor McGreevey to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2002 and was nominated by the Governor to be the chairman of the board of the sprawling bi-state multi-billion-dollar enterprise in 2003.

McGreevey had to withdraw that nomination and Kushner had to resign when allegations surfaced that the developer's massive donations to his campaign might have run afoul of campaign finance and conflict of interest laws.

The year before Kushner's appointment, while on a trip to Israel, McGreevey crossed paths with Golan Cipel, who was in his early 30s. Subsequent press reports boiled down the young Israeli's bio to his being a former member of the Israeli Navy and a published poet.

In 2002, it was Kushner who sponsored Cipel, for a hard to obtain work visa in the U.S. and gave him a $30,000-a-year job in his northern New Jersey office after Cipel had worked on the McGreevey campaign.

In the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001, Cipel was nominated by McGreevey to a $110,000 job to lead the state's freshly minted Homeland Security office. Cipel's status as an Israeli citizen and his lack of executive-level counter-terrorism experience sent up multiple flares which McGreevey ignored.

The young Governor doubled down, as he blew through his very limited 'honeymoon' political capital trying to make the appointment stick. But the Governor's wild overstatement of Cipel's work experience doomed the pick and Cipel handed in his resignation in March of 2002. Yet, he was kept on at the same salary as a "policy counselor" a position he would resign from a few months later.

In August of 2004 McGreevey resigned from office disclosing that he was "a gay American", explaining he was compelled to make the bombshell disclosure because Cipel, with whom he had an affair, was threatening to sue him unless he was paid $5 million (McGreevey reportedly called the U.S. Attorney Chris Christie to report the alleged extortion).

But as Cipel tells it on his own website he was the victim of sexual harassment. "All those things that I rationalized to myself seemed very logical at the time, but the sad truth is that I was acting out of confusion and fear," Cipel writes. "Like many other victims of sexual harassment, I chose to deny what had happened."

The Art of the Deal

In August of 2004 the elder Kushner, a towering figure in both American and Israeli politics and philanthropy, pled guilty to a long list of corruption charges that could have sent him to jail for many years if he had been your run of the mill federal defendant of color in a drug conspiracy case.

Kushner admitted to hiring a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, who was working with federal investigators against him, then videotaping that sexual rendezvous and sending it to his brother-in-law's spouse, who was Kushner's sister.

But Kushner and his lawyers would ultimately outmaneuver U.S. Attorney Chris Christie , whose major vulnerability was his own infinite ambition for power as we saw with Bridgegate. The night before Kushner was supposed to be in court to plead guilty, the U.S. Attorney leaked the still un-inked deal to reporters.

But as the media waited in Newark the next day for the official deal to be confirmed in the federal courtroom, the appointed time came and went. Behind the scenes, Kushner's lawyers and Christie's team were going back and forth over the terms and conditions of the deal.

By the end of the day, Kushner would enter a guilty plea as advertised, but he made no commitment to cooperate with the government or to offer up any potential co-conspirators. According to the Department of Justice's press release, Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 counts of filing false tax returns, one count of retaliating against a cooperating witness and one count of making false statements to the Federal Election Commission.

By the evening news cycle, the morning's news of a plea deal was finally true, and Christie could bask in the glory. "This is a great victory for the people of New Jersey," said the federal prosecutor who would soon run for governor. "No matter how rich and powerful any person may be, they will be held accountable for criminal conduct by this office."

Each of Kushner's 18 tax counts carried a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $100,000, according to the DOJ; the witness retaliation count carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000; and the false statement charge provided for a maximum prison term of five years and a fine of $250,000.

Scroll forward to March of 2005, though, and Kushner was sentenced to just two years -- which, The New York Times reported at the time, was the most he "could have received under a plea agreement reached last September," with Christie.

It was clear that Christie's office had been out-lawyered by the Kushner team. And the Christie-approved leak -- before he had closed the deal -- definitely hadn't helped. Before sentencing, the Department of Justice wrote a letter to the judge observing that, in the final analysis, Kushner showed a "failure to accept responsibility" for a long litany of criminal acts that could have landed him in federal prison for decades."

Without a truly thorough prosecution, the House of Kushner would endure and prosper and Kushner would see his son go on to greater things sitting in the star chamber of ultimate power deciding who the U.S. should bomb or sell weapons to.

Equal Justice Not

Our collective attention span is so short and the non-contextual way the news is reported assures we lose track of the narrative thread so when types like Epstein and Kushner cut their deals we miss it.

Without the candle power of the Miami Herald 's probe of the Epstein plea deal, we remain in the dark about how every day great wealth can insulate the guilty, no matter heinous their crime, from really being held accountable.

Meanwhile, those without means, who are innocent, are chewed up and spit out by a criminal justice system that is neither blind nor fair.

"We have a system of justice in this country that treats you much better if you're rich and guilty than if you're poor and innocent," said civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson in his TED Talk. "Wealth, not culpability, shapes outcomes. And yet, we seem to be very comfortable. The politics of fear and anger have made us believe that these are problems that are not our problems."

[Jul 15, 2019] Epstein 007, by Gilad Atzmon

Notable quotes:
"... I cannot verify whether Robert Maxwell was a Mossad agent or if association with the Mossad is an hereditary trait, but the possible conjecture that Epstein and Maxwell were running an intelligence operation makes sense of the questions surrounding this gruesome spectacle. ..."
"... This intelligence postulate raises a crucial question. If Epstein was a spy, who did he work for? Was it the Russians? I only ask because every time Tel Aviv comes up as a likely suspect American media tends to blame the Russians . ..."
"... Another possibly is that this affair is a classic MI6 operation and Epstein is actually the paedophile model of 007. ..."
"... it is difficult to believe that the Mossad acting by itself was powerful enough to procure for Epstein his remarkably lenient plea deal. ..."
"... If it was the Mossad, they likely enjoyed significant support from within the American intelligence community. ..."
"... Something is just not quite right about Epstein's 'career'. Hugh Hefner could live the 'Playboy' life into his nineties and never run afoul of the law or public opinion because his 'girls' driver's licenses said 18. ..."
"... As a practical matter, to a 40 or 50 year old man looking for some young flesh being 16 or 18 is a distinction without a difference but it makes a world of difference if your goal is blackmail but this begs another question. ..."
"... If you are Prince Andrew, a billionaire or an ex POTUS do your really need the services of Epstein and Maxwell to get laid- even by a teeny bopper? ..."
"... The biggest item missing from Gilad Atzmon's look at Jeffrey Epstein, is Epstein's historically biggest financial partner, Les Wexner ..."
"... In 1988 Jeffrey Epstein declared net worth of only USA $20 million where did he get the huge fortune after that? ..."
"... Wexner's trust bought the New York mansion Epstein lives in, which was raided the other day, Wexner turning it over to Epstein around 1995 ..."
"... On 30 June during the USA 2016 election, The Daily Beast ran a story about how the Jeffrey Epstein files, could destroy either the Clintons or Donald Trump https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-billionaire-pedophile-who-could-bring-down-donald-trump-and-hillary-clinton ..."
Jul 15, 2019 | www.unz.com

JULY 11, 2019 600 WORDS 43 COMMENTS REPLY RSS

It is possible that Epstein is just an ordinary paedophile, a slave to his own sick depravity. But this now seems unlikely, it leaves too many questions unresolved: why did Epstein build a sex trafficking network? Why did he seek the company of the world's most influential characters? Why did he schlep all those royals, once and future presidents, Harvard professors and movie stars around the world in his 'Lolita Express'? And then we get to the big question: how did he get away with it all? Back in 2007, registered sex offender Epstein was supposed to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Instead he spent a mere thirteen months in a VIP prison.

The Daily Beast reported yesterday that when Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in Miami who infamously cut Epstein a non-prosecution plea deal back in 2007 , was being interviewed for the job of US labor secretary by the Trump administration's transition team, Acosta's conduct in the Epstein affair came under scrutiny. In that interview Acosta allegedly said, "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone."

The more we look into this registered sex offender's saga, the more it appears to have the characteristics of a gargantuan espionage operation. If so, then Epstein was running a multi-million intelligence apparatus set to accumulate dirt on some of the world's most influential people. The walls of his Caribbean island palace were rigged with cameras, and likely for reasons other than his personal libidinal gratification. Epstein didn't work alone. Press reports allege that Ghislaine Maxwell functioned as Epstein's 'madam.'

Multiple court filings reviewed and reported on by the Miami Herald reveal that lawyers for one of Epstein's alleged victims claim that Maxwell helped traffic girls and women to powerful figures. The same documents report that the alleged victims were lured into the sex ring by offers of modelling, fashion, and educational opportunities.

Ghislaine is the youngest child of the flamboyant Jewish media tycoon Robert Maxwell, who died under mysterious circumstances in November 1991. Shortly before he died, a self-proclaimed former Mossad officer named Ari Ben-Menashe had approached a number of news organisations in Britain and the United States with the allegation that Maxwell was a long-time agent for the Israeli intelligence service.

I cannot verify whether Robert Maxwell was a Mossad agent or if association with the Mossad is an hereditary trait, but the possible conjecture that Epstein and Maxwell were running an intelligence operation makes sense of the questions surrounding this gruesome spectacle.

This intelligence postulate raises a crucial question. If Epstein was a spy, who did he work for? Was it the Russians? I only ask because every time Tel Aviv comes up as a likely suspect American media tends to blame the Russians .

Maybe Epstein was working for the Iranians, all indications are that the Trump's administration is desperate for a pretext for a war with Iran. Another possibly is that this affair is a classic MI6 operation and Epstein is actually the paedophile model of 007.

If the espionage conspiracy theory is correct, then the Mossad and the CIA would be the natural suspects. Yet it is difficult to believe that the Mossad acting by itself was powerful enough to procure for Epstein his remarkably lenient plea deal.

It is almost impossible to imagine that Acosta, acting as the federal prosecutor, would take instructions from Israel. If it was the Mossad, they likely enjoyed significant support from within the American intelligence community. I assume that Alan Dershowitz, Epstein's former attorney, may be able to answer some of these questions. He seems to know the details:


David Martin , says: Website July 12, 2019 at 3:03 pm GMT

Why are we hearing so little these days about Kenneth Starr's role in getting Jeffrey Epstein his sweetheart deal from the Feds? https://www.justice-integrity.org/791-ken-starr-explains-his-help-for-billionaire-pervert-jeffrey-epstein

Could there be a connection to Starr's role in covering up the Vince Foster murder? See "Was Vince Foster's Murder PizzaGate-Related? http://dcdave.com/article5/161213.htm . Maybe Starr is an all-purpose Deep State fixer when it comes to pedophilia.

melpol , says: July 12, 2019 at 3:07 pm GMT

Gangbangers are known to be extremely stimulated by teens on the young side. Epstein sent invitations to socially acclaimed gangbangers letting them know that dozens of young teens were going to be at his parties. Epstein's was a voyeur, his reward was to enjoy watching the high and mighty descend into depravity. He masturbated while watching the orgy.

Rabbitnexus , says: July 13, 2019 at 8:36 am GMT

Epstein has been pegged for more than a decade in my books as a MOSSAD agent running a global, THE global pedo ring used to blackmail and bribe powerful, connected people for his masters. It was NO secret.

I know that Gilad knows the VT crew, they reported on this many years ago I think. besides which you'd have to be a retard not to have put 2 and 2 together years ago from what was public knowledge.

Unless of course one is naive and doesn't understand the nature of 'intelligence agencies' and their methods. Particularly MOSSAD/CIA. Circumstantial evidence alone would just about convict him.

What I am wondering is if Trump is dirty or clean. This will be hugely significant going forward. If Trump is dirty, then Epstein is in the right place at the right time for his masters to make sure Trump dances to their tune without fail. Only remaining queston besides who are his masters? Do they want war with Iran, or not? Guess we will know when the next false flag in the Gulf goes off.

unit472 , says: July 13, 2019 at 12:40 pm GMT
@Tono Bungay

@Tono Bungay Sure, the 'international man of mystery' , Epstein, is the issue but the labeling of him as a paedophile by the media is not an accident. Almost 30 years ago, Rep. Gerry Studds could stand on the floor of the House of Representatives and defend his pouring vodka down the gullet of a 16 year old page boy before sodomizing him as 'consensual sex'. Studds was not called a paedophile by the Washington Post or the NYTs.

Raúl Ilargi Meijer has an interesting article at his website ( https://www.theautomaticearth.com/2019/07/why-did-jeffrey-epstein-fly-back-to-the-us/ ) that asks the important question of why did Epstein come back to the US knowing he was going to be indicted?

Something is just not quite right about Epstein's 'career'. Hugh Hefner could live the 'Playboy' life into his nineties and never run afoul of the law or public opinion because his 'girls' driver's licenses said 18.

As a practical matter, to a 40 or 50 year old man looking for some young flesh being 16 or 18 is a distinction without a difference but it makes a world of difference if your goal is blackmail but this begs another question.

If you are Prince Andrew, a billionaire or an ex POTUS do your really need the services of Epstein and Maxwell to get laid- even by a teeny bopper? None of this story makes much sense save for the fact that Epstein has fallen out of favor and must have feared for his life had he stayed in Paris.

bad goy productions , says: Website July 13, 2019 at 4:27 pm GMT

Look into Epstein's connections to the "Mega Group".

https://badgoyproductions.blogspot.com

Brabantian , says: July 13, 2019 at 4:31 pm GMT

The biggest item missing from Gilad Atzmon's look at Jeffrey Epstein, is Epstein's historically biggest financial partner, Les Wexner

Wexner the lead figure in a group of about 20 aggressive Zionist Jewish billionaires named as the 'Mega Group' in the 1990s Wexner possibly the main funder & creator of the whole 'blackmail via under-age girls on an island' scheme

Did Les Wexner, with his fierce wish to destroy the enemies of Zionism, along with his fellow 'Mega Group' billionaires, fund the expensive show of 'Jeffrey Epstein billionaire with private jet' all in order to create a Mossad honeypot blackmail scheme abusing under-age girls, in order to entrap major politicians into being compelled to support Israel? To 'save & protect Jewish lives'?

https://www.henrymakow.com/2019/07/epstein-arrest-is-mossad-operation.html

In 1988 Jeffrey Epstein declared net worth of only USA $20 million where did he get the huge fortune after that?

Wexner's trust bought the New York mansion Epstein lives in, which was raided the other day, Wexner turning it over to Epstein around 1995

Les Wexner has himself been named as the paymaster of kidnappers of a menaced young woman, in a court filing involving Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, Alan Dershowitz etc

https://www.veteranstoday.com/2019/07/12/court-document-ties-wexner-and-dershowitz-to-epstein-maxwell-rape-ring/

Dershowitz admits he had a massage at Epstein's place, tho by an 'older Russian woman' and Dersh 'kept his underwear on' maybe this 'Russian' a girl who looked older with all her make-up?

In the 2008 'deal' after Epstein's 2007 indictment, ultra-Zionist Alan Dershowitz was a leading lawyer brokering that deal

Now Dershowitz seems to have sabotaged Epstein, Dershowitz arguing in court that Epstein files should be unsealed and made public Dershowitz won that battle in a US federal appeals court 2 July, 4 days before Epstein was arrested

https://biglawbusiness.com/dershowitz-wins-unsealing-of-epstein-related-defamation-case

Dershowitz claimed he was trying to defend himself but that seems silly Epstein files cannot 'prove a negative' that Dershowitz never raped children, there can only be a lack of evidence and files show Dershowitz deeply connected with Epstein

Daily Beast is the media leading the charge against Epstein now with 'insider scoops' from prosecutors

Daily Beast was founded in 2008 by Jewish media kingpin Barry Diller, & Tina Brown 'who has Jewish grand-father'

On 30 June during the USA 2016 election, The Daily Beast ran a story about how the Jeffrey Epstein files, could destroy either the Clintons or Donald Trump https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-billionaire-pedophile-who-could-bring-down-donald-trump-and-hillary-clinton

https://www.henrymakow.com/2019/07/what-behind-epstein-arrest-now.html

The 'prosecution' of Jeffrey Epstein is ... involving prosecutors connected to both Trumps & Clintons

Lead prosecutor of Epstein is Jewish Geoffrey Berman, law partner of Rudy Giuliani 'Mr 9-11' who is now Donald Trump's top personal lawyer

Assisting Berman, is Maurene Comey, daughter of Hillary ally & former FBI Director James Comey, fired by Trump, Maurene Comey married into the Zionist Issacharoff family, her new father-in-law having taught at Tel Aviv University

Wikipedia, run by CIA-Mossad ex-pornographer Jimmy Wales, close friend of Israeli presidents, has edited Epstein's biography to delete the USA Democrats connected with Epstein and to delete references Epstein is Jewish

Epstein made the same claim as Jimmy Wales, of getting their mysterious money by 'foreign currency trading', which crushes most people who try to do it it seems this is a cover story for getting political money from Jewish sources

EU Police Agency and Prosecutor Report on Wikipedia, an Intel Agency Fraud
http://pastebin.com/BeppgiMJ

At the age of 20, university drop-out Jeffrey Epstein, was hired to teach maths & physics to teen-age girls & boys, at the prestigious private Dalton School in Manhattan, where he worked from 1973-75

The headmaster who hired Epstein, was Jewish convert to Christianity Donald Barr (1921-2004), who is the father of Donald Trump's current Attorney General William Barr (born 1950) who thus has Jewish ancestral heritage

Sean , says: July 13, 2019 at 6:46 pm GMT
@Brabantian hind all these accusations by the woman who has accused Wexner of having sex with her. Her unpublished manuscript for a book did not mention Dershowitz, he was a very late addition. She also originally claimed to have been 15 when she started work with Epstein but now acknowledges she was 17.

No one in their right mind is going to involve their lawyer or allow his to have knowledge of the very crimes that the lawyer is defending him on. First of all, you cannot expect a lawyer to stand up police pressure. Secondly, lawyers are far more effective if they believe their client is innocent.

Colin Wright , says: Website July 13, 2019 at 8:23 pm GMT
@Sean

'Secondly, lawyers are far more effective if they believe their client is innocent.'

No decent lawyer has clients who are innocent.

Colin Wright , says: Website July 13, 2019 at 8:35 pm GMT
@Brabantian llionaires named as the 'Mega Group' in the 1990s Wexner possibly the main funder & creator of the whole 'blackmail via under-age girls on an island' scheme

This works better than either the 'jus' a feller who liked 'em young' or the 'Mossad agent' extremes.

Epstein, Wexner, et al would be like Sheldon Adelson; 'mighty warriors for Yahweh.' They're taking their money and talents and using them to fight the good fight for Israel.

Certainly Israel's happy to benefit -- and no doubt she cooperates fully -- but she's not really the driving engine of this scheme.

I'm not convinced of this myself -- but it makes a better working hypothesis than anything else I've read yet.

Colin Wright , says: Website July 13, 2019 at 8:41 pm GMT
@unit472

' If you are Prince Andrew, a billionaire or an ex POTUS do your really need the services of Epstein and Maxwell to get laid- even by a teeny bopper? '

If you think through the practical scenarios, the answer might be 'yeah, you do.'

that is, unless you shortly want to read all the details about your weekend together with your love-toy in the National Enquirer.

Sean , says: July 13, 2019 at 9:16 pm GMT
@Colin Wright

Lawyers need brains, but also to have a lot of the actor about them to be good in court. They suspend their disbelief, and don't expect the fourth wall to be broken. Even after an acquittal, it is considered very bad form for the client to tell the lawyer he was guilty.

Supposing they are found guilty, there is then less reason than before the trial to make even implicit admissions, because they have one last hope of a successful appeal. So no one is going to give their their lawyer any reason to think they are guilty. Prison is full of innocent convicts.

Sean , says: July 13, 2019 at 9:44 pm GMT
@Colin Wright liked older women, as with Sarah Ferguson (he went gay for a while after that) and Koo Stark. Before that he astounded the the Queen by asking out a friend of hers who was decades older than him.

Anyway the woman fabricating all these these allegations was at least 17 years old at the time. He could have had young looking 18 or 19 year olds as a single man if that was his thing. He could have married a 16 year old if he wanted. Andrew official position at the time was to drum up business for UK exporters, so he hung out with moneyed Wall Street figures. The allegation against him is bullcrap.

Sean , says: July 13, 2019 at 10:05 pm GMT

Epstein was running a multi-million intelligence apparatus set to accumulate dirt on some of the world's most influential people.

Prince Andrew?

Jonathan Mason , says: July 14, 2019 at 12:37 am GMT
@Sean beaten 5-3 by Portugal in the World Cup of 1966 after leading 3-0. This occurred on July 23rd, 1966, 5 days after my fifteenth birthday. (53 years ago.)

I would never confuse that with hearing about the first man walking on the moon on July 20th 1969, 2 days after my eighteenth.

Even if her memory is not as good as mine, she would surely know how old she was and what grade she was in high school when she started working at Mar-A-Lago, and even if she didn't, making legal depositions is not the same as a casual conversation after a few drinks when a slip of the tongue might give the wrong year.

Fran Taubman , says: July 14, 2019 at 12:50 am GMT

You have had a real field day, more like a feast on Epstein for your diet of champions: SCAPEGOATING JEWS.
How delicious it must be for you to have someone so loathed a defense is non existent.
A billionaire pedophile with secret money. Check every box. So easy my poodles could write this feast of Scapegoat crap.
The true test of a lazy mind to figure 3 articles about this guy. Have you done Kabbalah numerology to decipher the meaning of his name in the Torah, or did they find the protocols amongst his belongings, or secret nuclear codes with notes to take over the world? You are a true mental midget Gilad, to weaponize this guy among the Jew hating crowd. But that is your true calling article after article pin the tail on the Jewish scapegoat artist, feed the frenzy.
I leave you with this article by Hirshi Ali, talking about the white elephant in the room. Baked into the DNA of muslims. Interesting how she points out the myth of the Jews buying power, vs the Islamist.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-ilhan-omar-overcome-her-prejudice-11562970265

Fran Taubman , says: July 14, 2019 at 1:00 am GMT

The allegation that Jewish or Zionist money controls Congress is nonsensical. The Center for Responsive Politics estimates that the Israeli government has spent $34 million on lobbying in Washington since 2017. The Saudis and Qataris spent a combined $51 million during the same period. If we include foreign nongovernmental organizations, the pro-Israel lobbying figure rises to $63 million -- less than the $68 million spent lobbying for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Hirsi Ali

Islamists have understood well how to couple Muslim anti-Semitism with the American left's vague notion of "social justice." They have succeeded in couching their agenda in the progressive framework of the oppressed versus the oppressor. Identity politics and victimhood culture also provide Islamists with the vocabulary to deflect their critics with accusations of "Islamophobia," "white privilege" and "insensitivity." A perfect illustration was the way Ms. Omar and her allies were able to turn a House resolution condemning her anti-Semitism into a garbled "intersectional" rant in which Muslims emerged as the most vulnerable minority in the league table of victimhood.

Colin Wright , says: Website July 14, 2019 at 1:21 am GMT
@Sean depressing that he spent his time securing acquittals for people who not only were guilty, but were usually very bad actors to boot. After all, first-time offenders can usually do alright with the public defender. By the time anyone hired Spencer, they were usually repeat offenders, had done something horrific again , and were looking at some serious time unless the family threw money into the kitty and paid Spencer's fee.

The other lawyer was a guy who'd gone back to teaching high school after his kids were grown up -- he thought other lawyers sucked. Thinking back over his career, he could think of one client he'd had who was convicted that he genuinely thought was innocent.

Colin Wright , says: Website July 14, 2019 at 1:37 am GMT
@Sean

'Prince Andrew?'

Prince Andrew presumably served to give the operation some 'class.'

Plus, it furnishes some protection. A lot of people would just as soon not see the Royal Family dragged through the mud.

Think of Prince Andrew as the fine wine to go with the meal. Not precisely the steak, but it's certainly an appreciated adjunct.

Colin Wright , says: Website July 14, 2019 at 1:39 am GMT

Epstein's dead meat now. Fran Taubman's taking over the defense.

Notice how the other Zionists are just keeping quiet, Fran?

There's a reason for that.

Fran Taubman , says: July 14, 2019 at 2:15 am GMT
@Colin Wright

There is no defense of him. You never comprehend what I wrote. My point being, the only reason he is being written about is that he is Jewish. So you can imprint all your Jewphobia on to him.
IE: All Jewish men are pedophiles. Its called racism and scapegoating, you are always so slow to understand.
My fault is with Gilad posting every criminal Jew he can get his hands on. "look, look a criminal Jew."

Colin Wright , says: Website July 14, 2019 at 4:04 am GMT
@Fran Taubman bout is that he is Jewish '

I think you actually believe that.

No, Epstein is not being written about because he is Jewish. He is being written about because he variously seduced and raped girls as young as thirteen and trafficked in them to the rich and famous, including almost certainly a former US president.

It's all incredibly corrupt and lurid, including suborned courts and government officials, hints of involvement on the part of a member of the British Royal family, a personal 737 equipped with a bed, and a private island.

This guy would be a story no matter what he was. Face it. If the Jewish angle is having any impact at all, it's probably making some people back off.

Sean , says: July 14, 2019 at 7:30 am GMT
@Colin Wright l their mothers that he had duped them (he paid out tens of millions in compensation as part of the deal). He could have had 18 year olds galore, paid them properly, and even if they went to the press he could say. "So What!"

Instead he is a convicted sex offender who had to agree to register as such to get his plea deal, now any charge against him will be a slam dunk. And the trafficking a 14 year old charge is going to get him life in prison, and because of the previous deal the judge will specify a real prison, which is somewhere Epstein will have to be isolated and soon wish himself dead.

freedom-cat , says: July 14, 2019 at 8:05 am GMT

And the focus will stay on Epstein so that all the Elites who were sexually assaulting 11-16 year old girls and boys on that island will remain covered up. So far, they have only mentioned the same names they have already mentioned the first time this story broke; Clinton, Prince Andrew, and a couple others.

So, it is likely that much more powerful people who were involved will be protected from indictment.

anon [300] Disclaimer , says: July 14, 2019 at 1:00 pm GMT
@Bill Jones

Because Jewsus loves all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. We all bleed red, man! "He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth." (Acts 17:26)

Colin Wright , says: Website July 14, 2019 at 4:38 pm GMT
@Sean hey'd have a hell of a time if they started trying to make sure he never got drunk and fired off his assault rifle in the camp ground.

My point here is that like the N.R.A., Israel can command the allegiance of quite an army of supporters. It's not, however, a very disciplined army, and Israel can't actually keep many of these troops from acting like idiots if they feel like acting like idiots. They're allies, actually; not servants. Israel goes to them, and says 'would you,' or they come to Israel and say 'I could' -- but then they go off on their own and have that hot little shiksa who wouldn't even look at them when they were a pimply adolescent. There's nothing Israel can do about that.

Sean , says: July 14, 2019 at 8:36 pm GMT

A) As part of a sophisticated secret service operation for compromising VIPs, Epstein became a self confessed child molester who pled guilty to specimen charges. He then helpfully left thousands of photos of victims he had not faced charges about strewn around his properties, so that investigators could easily frame new charges that would–will–put him in prison for the rest of his life.

B) Epstein got his dick caught in his zipper. No one can understand how a financial conjurer of considerable personal charm could have been so stupid, so it is being assumed that there was much more to it than other sex scandals like Weinstein, Luis K . But the accounts of Epstein's victims are in fact very similar to the aforementioned cases. Epstein liked mastubating in front of the girls as much as if not rather more rather than actually having sex with them. The assertion that Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and the prosecutor was told to "to leave it alone" (although Epstein was sent to prison amid huge publicity) came from the prosecutor himself, Acosta, who was bullshitting.

Parisian Guy , says: July 14, 2019 at 9:13 pm GMT
@Fran Taubman

As usually practiced by those who want to hide reality, unfitted comparison is made by Fran Taubman.

The way that zionists control Congress is not by the power of money. It is by the power of medias. Bad press can kill any congressman reelection.

[Jul 14, 2019] MI6 was allowing Prince Andrew to be blackmailed by mr nobody, lone blackmailer?

Notable quotes:
"... "Epstein is a weapon being used by one faction of the oligarchy to dispossess another faction of an important tool, to wit - Donald Trump, so that the one faction can either co-opt this important tool or insert their own important tool into the White House to gain control over the U.S. military." ..."
"... Well revenge is a dish best served cold so maybe the Clinton cabal is about to finally get those much talked about orange jumpsuits? ..."
"... You don't get rich people to come to your parties without seed money and recommendations from other wealthy people beyond your dealings as a bank employee . You also don't get someone like Maxwells daughter to recruit the young girls without someone behind you. ..."
"... The Jeffrey Epstein case opens up a huge can of worms that is only just beginning to unravel. It has the potential to set Wall Street against Israel, if anyone thought that was possible. ..."
Jul 14, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Alaric , Jul 14 2019 1:06 utc | 101

Hillary Clinton attempted a soft coup against trump that was aided by the US intellIgence community and the sitting president (obama). But she couldn't handle a lone blackmailer (epstein). No i don't think so. Keep in mind that Hillary was also backed by incredibly powerful interests who would also literally burry Epstein if need be.

MI6 was allowing Prince Andrew to be blackmailed by mr nobody, lone blackmailer?

There is more to this story. Epstein was (is) protected by someone or an entity of enormous power.


JasonT , Jul 14 2019 1:11 utc | 102

Bemildred #96

Yes. We should see more in the next few weeks/months.

uncle tungsten #100
The big players are not on the boards of the listed corporations. The board members are flunkies - important flunkies but flunkies nevertheless. The big players stay behind the scenes.

frances , Jul 14 2019 1:15 utc | 103
"Epstein is a weapon being used by one faction of the oligarchy to dispossess another faction of an important tool, to wit - Donald Trump, so that the one faction can either co-opt this important tool or insert their own important tool into the White House to gain control over the U.S. military."
Posted by: JasonT | Jul 14 2019 0:07 utc | 94

I agree with Epstein being a weapon, but whose is the question, Barr is running this remember so my guess is Epstein may be Trump's weapon. If so, who is his target? Well revenge is a dish best served cold so maybe the Clinton cabal is about to finally get those much talked about orange jumpsuits?

This act of revenge wouldn't negate the possibility he is going to be used to get sign-off from congress for an attack on Iran. I hope not, but I have a very, very bad feeling about this.

psychohistorian , Jul 14 2019 1:16 utc | 104
@ uncle tungsten who wrote about the unknown elite
"
There has been a lot of discussion on various threads as to who the big players are.
"
I have written here multiple times about how misleading it is to have a Fortune 500 of the richest people but knowing what we all do about Trusts, how come there isn't ongoing reportage of the Fortune 500 biggest Trust funds in the world and their owners?
frances , Jul 14 2019 1:23 utc | 105
reply to
frances @93 & JasonT @94: The problem is Trump doesn't look like one of the most likely targets, and he is not blabbering uncontrollably about it now. It seems unlikely to work...If Epstein is really in the middle of a war among the elites, I expect we will see more evidence of it soon,"
Posted by: Bemildred | Jul 14 2019 0:24 utc | 96

I don't think Trump is the target, I think Congress is the target and the one(s) running the play is Israel and its Zionist supporters. Trump if forced/supported by Congress concurrent with a False Flag or two will probably attack but only if they guarantee him a second term. The only possible fail safe is the US military who know a meat grinder when they see one and might refuse.

paul , Jul 14 2019 1:25 utc | 106
As I think someone else mentioned, it seems very plausible that Epstein played a game like the one described. But I don't think you can play that game on the level he seems to have done without some heavy backing. Alphabet agency? Or something deeper than that?
Bemildred , Jul 14 2019 1:30 utc | 107
karlof1 @97: Yes, I just read a story where he (Dershowitz) claims there is sealed evidence that will exonerate him. I dunno if I believe it, but it does explain it. And he does seem to think better of speaking out now.

For the larger question of who is out to get whom, it's clear some people want to use it to get Trump, it's not clear that Trump is afraid. I think we need more evidence for that. Right now it looks to me like more of the Trump Show(tm).

Pft , Jul 14 2019 1:34 utc | 108
Doesnt pass the sniff test to me.

You don't get rich people to come to your parties without seed money and recommendations from other wealthy people beyond your dealings as a bank employee . You also don't get someone like Maxwells daughter to recruit the young girls without someone behind you.

You also find yourself dead or in jail pretty quick blackmailing too many rich and powerful people unless you have serious muscle behind you. My money is the blackmailing was done by intelligence agencies who warned them what happens if anything happens to their pal Jeffrey

But if you want to propose a theory where intelligence agencies that Dershowitz and Acosta believed were involved weren't involved, then go for it. Many people will believe anything if it comes from someone they trust.

karlof1 , Jul 14 2019 1:36 utc | 109
As for Mike Cernovich's outlook on this affair, he retweeted this cartoon implying he agrees with its message: Taking down Epstein somehow gets Bill Clinton. Recall I provided grounds for such angst/motivation by DNC tactics against Trump during election campaign, and Cernovich is clearly a Trumpster. Indeed, IMO Cernovich is the unknown entity in this, his motivation he has yet to provide, although he somewhat hints at it in this post from his blog, which includes a rough timeline of the court proceedings. In reading a few more of Cernovich's blog entries, I still don't get a clear indication of his motivation to join Dershowitz in 2017. Perhaps given his stated disappointment in the charges filed, he wanted to get to the bigger fish that Epstein catered to, which is a good reason....
div> frances @103 & 105: Yes I've seen that theory too, and it works better, but still lots of speculation.

Posted by: Bemildred , Jul 14 2019 1:37 utc | 110

frances @103 & 105: Yes I've seen that theory too, and it works better, but still lots of speculation.

Posted by: Bemildred | Jul 14 2019 1:37 utc | 110

William Gruff , Jul 14 2019 1:51 utc | 111
The CIA gets the bulk of its financing from trafficking in drugs, weapons, and people (a lot of sex slaves but also weird stuff like live organ donors). All of the large cartels have been destroyed yet the volume of cocaine entering the US has remained the same, so clearly the CIA has largely cornered the market on cocaine trafficking.

Yet for some reason law enforcement has suddenly started busting large shipments. `Till now the CIA has had no difficulty bringing in cocaine by the ton, but something seems to have changed recently. What could that be?

A large scale CIA kompromat operation has been effectively shut down with the arrest of Epstein. Why now?

It could just be that the CIA has lost its mojo and is now fumbling everything. Considering the current crop of delusional cricket-fearing youngsters that have been replacing the crusty oldsters in the CIA, this is entirely possible if not probable.

Or it could be that someone has amassed some power and is retaliating for Russiagate and is hitting the CIA where it hurts the most in order to bring them to heel.

Either way, things are starting to look tough for the empire's kneecappers.

Piotr Berman , Jul 14 2019 2:17 utc | 112
The Jeffrey Epstein case opens up a huge can of worms that is only just beginning to unravel. It has the potential to set Wall Street against Israel, if anyone thought that was possible. Posted by: Lochearn | Jul 13 2019 22:32 utc

Can we make a small bet that the story will peter out without huge sensations? Preposition A: the story does not have much potential. So nothing much will happen, JE will probably serve some time. Preposition not A: the story hides explosive aspect. Well, such stories have a tendency to be buried (or prosecutors have a tendency to bury them). So either way, we can enjoy some speculations, but earth will not shake.

Concerning "setting Wall Street against Israel", it is more probable to see a civil war in Israel before that will happen. Perhaps I did not catch that this is a joke.

Albert , Jul 14 2019 2:24 utc | 113
To me this is the most plausible explanation from Dr. Steve Pieczenik who was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State under Henry Kissinger, Cyrus Vance and James Baker.[2] His expertise includes foreign policy, international crisis management and psychological warfare.[7] He served the presidential administrations of Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush in the capacity of deputy assistant secretary.[8]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6-gUqNPi4I&feature=em-uploademail

Wakan , Jul 14 2019 2:43 utc | 114
The fact that the federal reserve has seen Powell and Shelton, both goyim, is connected to Epstein being taken down. We are witnessing the slow dismantling of Jewish influence and power in this country.
karlof1 , Jul 14 2019 2:50 utc | 115
I wonder what Epstein would think of all this time and energy spent on his predicament? What might he say to us regarding where to look. IMO, if we can dig up the roots, we can determine what made his tree grow. The clues are likely in all that documentation that was just unsealed but not yet released to the public.

[Jul 14, 2019] A Plausible Theory Of What Jeffrey Epstein Was Actually Doing

Not so plausible: MI6 was allowing Prince Andrew to be blackmailed by mr nobody, lone blackmailer?
Notable quotes:
"... If CIA/Mossad/MI6 got wind of a whole bag full of influential people being extorted by Epstein how long until they wanted in on the game? ..."
"... A clever, high dollar blackmail scheme as described could very easily draw the attention of the CIA/Mossad. Very useful to them. Important government officials involved - along with those that fund them. ..."
"... I am thinking one has to be a little careful about blackmailing billionaires - I hear the price to have someone eliminated is not very high but I really have no knowledge in that area. People would have to fear the guy. Likely he would have to be pretty well connected with people who are taken seriously. ..."
"... An intel connection is far and away the best explanation of the kid-gloves treatment Epstein got. ..."
"... It seems clear that there's an effort to paint Epstein as simple blackmailer accompanied by wringing of hands over the rich vs. poor dynamic. Epstein's connections to wealthy Jewish Zionists and possible connections to intelligence agency(s) (as per Acosta) is being played down. A good example of this is provided by a link from the last thread: The case of Jeffrey Epstein and the depravity of America's financial elite where: ..."
"... The idea that the CIA/Mossad/FBI etc. might be involved in the Epstein affair isn't new. In fact such tactics are as old as the hills. Such tactics are known in the trade as "honey traps." What may separate the Epstein affair is its extensive reach. ..."
"... The most important question has to be What role played the intelligence agencies, the FBI, the legislative and the executive in this 'poor/abducted-children-sex-slave-market'? ..."
"... I find it totally unbelievable that Epstein was not a front for a bigger organization or he would be dead by now. ..."
"... AFAIK, the unsealing had nothing to do with Epstein's recent arrested. Instead, it appears that the arrest was based on a new allegation that resulted in a search of his NY home which turned up evidence of child sex. ..."
"... Trump seems unworried to me, Luongo seems to think Trump is behind it, and Barr runs DOJ these days, Trump's own private St. Bernard dog AG. ..."
"... I ask you to explain how Epstein's large jet, a Boeing 737, shares a tail number with one used by the Department of State? That's like my car sharing the same plate number as Mike Pompeo. Life just doesn't work like that. But, with a tail number that corresponds to Epstein's aircraft being identified at the tower as Mike Pompeo's the benefits to that are huge ..."
"... Yes. The Monica honey trap pushed Bill Clinton into attacking Yugoslavia by way of creating a distraction from the Monica honey trap. Of note is that Hillary boasts (in a Clinton biography) about her persuasive efforts in getting Bill to bomb civilians in Belgrade. ..."
"... it is like throwing a bomb into the usa political theatre a little over a year before the next usa election circus.. Acosta is now gone and the question is, who is next?? the fact Epstein came back suggests he is a puppet on a string.. whose string?? i am leaning towards jrs view this is aimed at trump, but don't have the same conviction as jr.. we'll see how it unfolds.. ..."
"... If the stories about the CIA's participation in the drug trade are correct, they have essentially unlimited sums of money to throw around. ..."
"... To me, this seems like the 2 sides who are fighting for control of DC have both invoked their nuclear options and now both sides are fighting to control the narrative so that it smears their opponents more than them. I say that because this happened from 2 different directions. You had the Cernovich lawsuit about unsealing and the sudden rush to do something in NY. ..."
"... Epstein's climb up the greasy pole was too easy for a lazy pervert. But he was of high value as a honey trap maestro. ..."
"... So I don't see this as a simple case of blackmail for profit. It's a nice scam, and perhaps that was also involved. But sooner or later - especially with Maxwell's involvement - Israel's Mossad and other intelligence agencies would see this as the perfect way to get dirt on tons of people in the US elites. ..."
"... Quantian's theory looks neat and elegant, as would be expected of someone who studies mathematics, but it does lead MoA barflies (a few of whom have done so) to ask how Epstein could have got his scheme started in the first place, even given that he'd worked for Bear Stevens in the past and already had a tiny financial pile from which to launch his blackmailing scheme. Epstein would not have been the only person spruiking a very exclusive boutique hedge fund in the early 1980s, when he first started it and when there were few billionaires in the US and beyond. ..."
"... Clinton could be the sacrificial fall guy to close up this case and put it to bed. I do not expect much out of a Republican DOJ other than to cover its friends asses. Either way I expect the Democrats to take the bigger hit. ..."
"... The Jeffrey Epstein case opens up a huge can of worms that is only just beginning to unravel. It has the potential to set Wall Street against Israel, if anyone thought that was possible. ..."
"... What happens to Israel if it's proven that Epstein was running a honey pot operation involving pedophiles for the benefit of Mossad blackmail of the most powerful people - including Presidents - in the US and elsewhere? ..."
"... People don't generally continue to hang out with someone who is blackmailing them. Epstein maintained relationships for almost two decades with his clients. They only distanced themselves after the bust and probably not even then. ..."
"... Epstein provided VIPs with a service and they trusted and protect him to this day. They even rehabilitated him after his jail time. ..."
Jul 14, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org
KC , Jul 13 2019 17:44 utc | 1

The first Jeffrey Epstein thread has grown a bit long. Here is a follow up.

For an introduction to the Epstein case please read this .

A question that no one could so far answer is how Epstein got as rich as he appears to be. A person who calls himself Quantian has an interesting theory of what Epstein was actually doing.

Here is the short version:

Epstein offered the post puberty teenyboppers he seduced and/or bribed to the rich people he knew. He invited lots of interesting people - artists, scientists, politicians, rich businessman - to his exclusive parties. There were always these young girls around. There was always a free bedroom. There were also cameras in place. When one of the rich guys messed with a girl Epstein would blackmail him.

But instead of taking cash he asked them for investments in his offshore hedge fund. For someone who owns billions it is peanuts to put a few dozen millions into a fund. It is legal. The money isn't gone. It will even bear interests.

Epstein is not known for having done much currency trades or other larger Wall Street transactions. His company is small, he didn't work a lot. It is likely he mostly re-invested the money in a simple index stock fund which follows the S&P 500. Those type of funds brought over the years quite a good profit.

Epstein would have taken the typical hedge fund fee of 2/20 which is 2% of the investment per year plus 20% of the profits. The hedge fund would be completely legal and there would be no tax troubles. The entrapped people would simply have to stay invested to keep Epstein quiet and the video tapes off the broadsheet market. Some billionaires might have invested upfront to gain access to the girls.

For Epstein the scheme would have been a very elegant way to pursue his personal 'hobby' while creating an ever growing income.

Quantian's theory sounds very plausible to me. It conforms with everything that is publicly known about Epstein and about what he was doing. It does not require any additional conspiracy theory about Mossad/Mafia/CIA involvement. But it also doesn't exclude that there is some.

Posted by b at 17:30 UTC | Comments (114) Invariably some CIA, Mossad or other deep cover employees and assets would have been caught up in such a scheme, attended a party etc. I still think Epstein himself was at one time such an asset.

librul , Jul 13 2019 17:45 utc | 2


If CIA/Mossad/MI6 got wind of a whole bag full of influential people being extorted by Epstein how long until they wanted in on the game?
fastfreddy , Jul 13 2019 18:05 utc | 3
Very plausible theory. Makes a lot of sense.

When there are other avenues of revenue generation available, these will be exploited by a con man like Epstein.

A clever, high dollar blackmail scheme as described could very easily draw the attention of the CIA/Mossad. Very useful to them. Important government officials involved - along with those that fund them.

No reason why Epstein would not find himself suddenly involved and much appreciated.

c1ue , Jul 13 2019 18:06 utc | 4
There is much more credible evidence that Epstein was/is simply a scammer.
Note this lawsuit from a convicted felon, accusing Epstein of enjoying the spoils of a pyramid scheme run by said felon .
jared , Jul 13 2019 18:13 utc | 5
@b
That sounds like the official version, nobody at fault, nobody hurt. I think the blackmail part is a little bit illegal and the person on giving end would not be too happy about it.

Also I am thinking one has to be a little careful about blackmailing billionaires - I hear the price to have someone eliminated is not very high but I really have no knowledge in that area. People would have to fear the guy. Likely he would have to be pretty well connected with people who are taken seriously.

You would think the fine people in the intelligence service would have sucked-down all that info would probably lead to some interesting people and endeavors, but that does not appear to be what happened. Did Acosta just make that up about he is an asset of IC? Is Trump (or others) worried about the guy being in custody?

The time line is worth considering, he is let go ten years ago and no fuss is made, now a reporter investigates and suddenly all breaks loss and Lindsey is horrified. So they pry into his home and can you believe they find pictures of criminal activity on his coffee table (like passport of terrorists - leave them at home guys). And suddenly they don't care where it will lead.

Separately if anybody isn't aware, kidnapping of children and slavery of all kinds is widespread - it appeared they were on track to legalize it - think Oxfam, sexual tourism, not to mention I don't think guys check ID when using prostitutes and that is now legitimate (taxable) profession - they advertise in my local paper.

Weird story has me thinking: When I was getting married many years ago, my "friends" throw bachelor party for me involving gambling hookers and hotel room. I was not interested in the hookers (scared of that) but girls starts dancing around the room to get everyone excited (Im not sure her age) and while this is happening one of the instigators (a "friend" who also happens to be federal employee) pulls out an SLR and starts snapping away. Through drunken fog I am thinking this is too weird and left. I feel like most people in government are seriously screwed-up.

lysias , Jul 13 2019 18:26 utc | 6
An intel connection is far and away the best explanation of the kid-gloves treatment Epstein got.
Jackrabbit , Jul 13 2019 18:30 utc | 7
Sharks in the water
Swim at your own risk

It seems clear that there's an effort to paint Epstein as simple blackmailer accompanied by wringing of hands over the rich vs. poor dynamic. Epstein's connections to wealthy Jewish Zionists and possible connections to intelligence agency(s) (as per Acosta) is being played down. A good example of this is provided by a link from the last thread: The case of Jeffrey Epstein and the depravity of America's financial elite where:

> no mention is made of Acosta's "belonged to intelligence" claim;

> no mention is made of the billionaire Jewish Zionists that were Epsein's pals/clients; and

> no mention is made of his compatriot Ghislane Maxwell.

Anyone that's unsure if such suspicions have merit should take note of the transparent manipulation.

Here's another example:

Commenter 'somebody' has taken the misdirection to new heights with his concern-trolling about child poverty. 'somebody' would probably give Epstein a medal for his humanitarian efforts.

div> Harvey Swinestein and Jeffry Epstein: just two more lecherous rich jews caught with their pants down.

Posted by: Young American , Jul 13 2019 18:35 utc | 8

Harvey Swinestein and Jeffry Epstein: just two more lecherous rich jews caught with their pants down.

Posted by: Young American | Jul 13 2019 18:35 utc | 8

Jayne , Jul 13 2019 18:37 utc | 9
A fluff and distraction piece that doesn't' bother (really!) to bring in the 'Hidden in Plain Sight' occult component.

Symbolism and ritual is rife with the Uber-Elite -- partly (and I would say partly) because they have so much time on their hands. He was chosen for some reason by whom we may or may not find out to do any heinous act they asked of him. He obviously got paid very well for doing it -- as well as being extremely protected -- until now -- maybe? By the way, wondering where Maxwell is?

Foxbat , Jul 13 2019 18:40 utc | 10
Another explanation is that this operation was the product of a consortium of rich and powerful pedos. In exchange for parking your money with Epstein you gained access to his girls in NY and the pedo fantasy island. The blackmail material as such was collected in order to insure that no one could snitch out others without implicating themselves.
Stever , Jul 13 2019 18:40 utc | 11
"Revealed: Jeffrey Epstein Entered Partnership Worth Millions With Ehud Barak in 2015"

"In 2015 Barak set up a limited partnership, in which he is the sole shareholder. That company invested in Reporty Homeland Security, established in 2014, becoming a major shareholder. Last year Reporty changed its name to Carbyne. The company develops call-handling and identification capabilities for emergency response services."

"One of Epstein's prominent clients was Leslie Wexner, founder and chairman of the parent company of Victoria's Secret's and other companies. Epstein financed and managed the Wexner Foundation, a philanthropic organization that operates training programs to advance leadership and excellence in Israel and among North American Jews."

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-revealed-jeffrey-epstein-entered-million-dollar-partnership-with-ehud-barak-in-2015-1.7493648

pierrep , Jul 13 2019 18:41 utc | 12
Please don't forget that many of the so called blackmailed subjects certainly had access to INSIDE INFORMATION that they could have shared and thus much higher profits.....
GeorgeV , Jul 13 2019 18:43 utc | 13
The idea that the CIA/Mossad/FBI etc. might be involved in the Epstein affair isn't new. In fact such tactics are as old as the hills. Such tactics are known in the trade as "honey traps." What may separate the Epstein affair is its extensive reach.

The US Secretary of Labor has already resigned and it may be likely that many more will be implicated in one way or another. There are already rumors that former US President Bill Clinton and current President Donald Trump may be involved. In any case, we may learn that this scandal is like a proverbial iceberg: 10 percent in view, 90 percent below the water. This may be a Titanic-like scandal and like that ill-fated ship, many will be dragged down and there won't be enough life boats.

somebody , Jul 13 2019 18:44 utc | 14
I doubt the simple explanation. Epstein seems to have been involved in a lot of "charities", "foundations", whatever.

So I guess he did a lot of moneylaundering via charity .

The gist of the money laundering allegation is that parents made fake "charitable contributions" to the foundation, ostensibly to help "underprivileged children" but actually as payment in exchange for somebody helping them cheat on the ACT or SAT, or to bribe athletic coaches and officials at the "highly selective" universities to which the parents (and/or their children) aspired. The charity substantiated the "contribution" by issuing letters attesting that "no property or services" were given in exchange for the "contribution."

Epstein started out as a teacher for rich kids, so he would know what parents would do to get their kids to universities, jobs, art projects whatever, especially if tax deductable.

The guests at his island seem to have come from science, universities, the arts, politics - they were groomed to be corrupt, to receive money, not blackmailed to give money.

Stumpy , Jul 13 2019 18:45 utc | 15
Sounds plausible. The IC connection may be a good guess if the harvesting of young flesh is a recruiting tool, both for future assets of enticement as well as dark-channel ops support.

Given the reach of both the Epstein case and the Mueller investigation, the delay in Mueller's appearance on Capitol Hill might be to clear the public palate of one scandal in order to not steal thunder from another, or some re-orchestration of who owes whom given the threat of pending revelations. Just a thought.

They will one day ask you to kill your closest friends. Who said that?

nottheonly1 , Jul 13 2019 18:49 utc | 16

The most important question has to be What role played the intelligence agencies, the FBI, the legislative and the executive in this 'poor/abducted-children-sex-slave-market'?

It is also interesting that people point to Libya, while referring to the outcome of a Clinton/Obama campaign to sodomize Colonel Qaddafi, that ended up creating a flourishing slave-market.

"Would you like to buy a young Bedouin girl? She is really pretty. We have ways for her to get to you in New York. We'll take care of the procedure..."

The bucket stops here. It didn't stop with the organ-snatchers obviously. Or with water boarding, torture, DU, war crimes and crimes against what goes for Humanity.

This much more than the personal sexual preferences of a con artist. It is the con artist of the agencies and the deep state. There are more rich people who fantasize about a manga-like teenager than is allowed to allure. But that's how it is. It is culture to have naked young women everywhere. Just set your search engine to 'no filter' and you will see.

Do you know how many music industry hits exist that feature a 'sweet young girl'? A sweet 16? And what would they do with a sweet 16? Looking at the stamp collection? Playing Wolfenstein 3D?

This is the final call to destroy the network of organized crime with government participation. In a very odd way one could say that they might snatch your young daughter, too, if you don't stop them from doing it. That's called 'preventative measures'. The time to protect the people from their out- and above law government agencies.

This will be a global revolt. Because one thing these people have forgotten about. Like they forget about the arctic dynamics. The 'self-dynamics' of life/the universe. Things turn always out different from what one wanted them to. There will be more attempts to put grey noise over this vast conspiracy to exploit the working class/poor.

The implications are incomprehensibly multifaceted.

bad goy productions , Jul 13 2019 18:51 utc | 17
This nickel and dime theory doesn't add up. Epstein allegedly refused any investment under a billion dollars. Epstein was mossad connected vis Ghislaine Maxwell and the "Mega Group".

https://badgoyproductions.blogspot.com

lysias , Jul 13 2019 18:53 utc | 19
The scientists and academics were there to provide superrespectability. Same reason the Sacklers fund art galleries.
Jackrabbit , Jul 13 2019 18:55 utc | 20
Did Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein Work for Mossad?
Epstein's contact with the Israeli intelligence service may have plausibly come through his associations with Ghislaine Maxwell, who allegedly served as his key procurer of young girls. Ghislaine is the daughter of Robert Maxwell, who died or possibly was assassinated in mysterious circumstances in 1991. Maxwell was an Anglo-Jewish businessman, very cosmopolitan in profile, like Epstein, a multi-millionaire who was very controversial with what were regarded as ongoing ties to Mossad. After his death, he was given a state funeral by Israel in which six serving and former heads of Israeli intelligence listened while Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir eulogized: "He has done more for Israel than can today be said".
Bemildred , Jul 13 2019 18:58 utc | 21
A question I've had on my mind:

Why Did Jeffrey Epstein Fly Back To The US?

lysias , Jul 13 2019 19:00 utc | 22
Any connection between this Mega Group and the Mega superspy that Israeli/Jewish messages said they only contacted on supremely important matters?
mh505 , Jul 13 2019 19:04 utc | 23
It does not require any additional conspiracy theory about Mossad/Mafia/CIA involvement.

It does get a bit tiresome to inform b that his use of the term "conspiracy theory" is not only counter-productive but false. A theory is a theory and not a conspiracy, unless proven otherwise. Moreover, he is falling once again into that old trap laid by the CIA in the 60s

Stumpy , Jul 13 2019 19:05 utc | 24
Posted by: nottheonly1 | Jul 13 2019 18:49 utc | 16

Marketing tools.

"Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise."

– The Duchess, Alice in Wonderland

karlof1 , Jul 13 2019 19:10 utc | 25
I concur with most that the hypothesis cited by b isn't complete as it doesn't account for how Epstein was "seeded."

Furthermore, there's a big problem with people thinking this just suddenly happened now when the lawsuit to unseal Epstein's trial and plea agreement was filed on 27 JAN 2017 just after Trump became POTUS. Additionally, Epstein was one of Mueller's Russiagate sources, and Mueller was part of the BushCo DoJ team involved with the plea bargain.

So, people in the know knew the Epstein case was going to be reopened on some level; however, the Miami Herald didn't start its reinvestigation until recently, although Mike Cernovich--the co-plaintiff along with Alan Dershowitz--doesn't try to say its efforts were worthless.

No, something bigger is at work here as it's already cost one former BushCo DoJ member his high position within TrumpCo, which makes the seemly simple, Occam's Razor-like, explanation an attempt to sweep it all back under the rug.

james , Jul 13 2019 19:11 utc | 26
sorry b, but i agree with lysias and a few others.. this has intel agencies written all over it..
Harry Law , Jul 13 2019 19:16 utc | 27
I suspect Epstein used blackmail to gain his millions rather similar to the MO of Jerad Kushners father.....

Jerad Kushners father Charles was jailed for illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering, the witness-tampering charge arose from Kushner's act of retaliation against William Schulder, his sister Esther's husband, who was cooperating with federal investigators; Kushner hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, arranged to record an encounter between the two, and had the tape sent to his sister. He was sentenced to two years in prison,[ and served 14 months at Federal Prison Camp, Montgomery in Alabama. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kushner

somebody , Jul 13 2019 19:29 utc | 29
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 13 2019 19:10 utc | 25

Epstein was one of Mueller's Russiagate sources, and Mueller was part of the BushCo DoJ team involved with the plea bargain.

I need a link for this. Muller was FBI director during Epstein's sweet deal and ...?

psychohistorian , Jul 13 2019 19:37 utc | 30
@ b with the theory that Epstein was acting alone

I find it totally unbelievable that Epstein was not a front for a bigger organization or he would be dead by now.

The timing of this kabuki in the middle of all the other geo-political stuff going on says tons about how deep Epstein is in the "management of the puppets"

Do MoA barflies know about the movie Wag the Dog? This has Wag the Dog written all over it.

I continue to posit that the crime at the bottom of all this is global private finance that has been running the show for centuries. They are pulling the Epstein situation out of the bag now for one or more reasons, deflection being a big one.....deflection from what?

Maybe it relates to Trump and his immigration stomp in America tomorrow?

Epstein is a symptom of a structural problem in the social contract of the West having private finance instead of public. Global private finance is the cancer and all the rest are symptoms of this cancer

Jackrabbit , Jul 13 2019 19:43 utc | 31
Bemildred @21: Why Did Jeffrey Epstein Fly Back To The US?

karlof1 @25: something bigger is at work here

There's nothing 'bigger' than war with Syria or Iran. Trump said he called off an attack on Iran. Maybe Israel didn't like that and feels the need to exert additional pressure?

@karlof1: Bemildred's link @21 provides a good review of the unsealing of records. The unsealing was first rejected, then an appellate court order the unsealing of only a small portion: apparently only "summary judgement" material. But releasing redacted versions of the summary judgement material could take a long time.

AFAIK, the unsealing had nothing to do with Epstein's recent arrested. Instead, it appears that the arrest was based on a new allegation that resulted in a search of his NY home which turned up evidence of child sex.

<> <> <> <> <> <>

Many (mostly trolls) are saying that this could be bad for the Democratic Party because Bill Clinton was close to Epstein. But AFAICT, Bill Clinton is no long active in the Democratic Party (except indirectly as Hillary's husband and private political consultant). It's unlikely that Israel cares much about Bill Clinton's already-tarnished reputation.

As the current President, Trump has much more to lose from ANY association with Epstein. Epstein's arrest sets up a new blackmail: do what we say (war!) or Epstein will spill the beans via a plea bargain. IT DOESN'T MATTER if Trump partook in the sexual abuse - if Epstein names him then Trump loses the 2020 election and the 'Trump' reputation at the core of his lucrative licensing business. A loss of value that could easily be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

This is perfect leverage against a man that we all know to be very ego-centric and money-motivated.

lysias , Jul 13 2019 19:44 utc | 32
I recently learned that China only has government banks, not privately held banks. This is enough to explain why they are beating us so badly economically. Unless we learn lessons from their success, they will continue to beat us.
lysias , Jul 13 2019 19:48 utc | 33
Was the Monica scandal the way the Powers That Be forced Bill Clinton to attack Serbia in the Kosovo War?
Bemildred , Jul 13 2019 20:00 utc | 34
Jack Rabbit @31: Well that is the question, who is trying to get whom here? Are there perhaps more than one effort to get someone going on here? Epstein seems to have precipitated his own arrest, did he risk one more quick trip and get caught, or did he walk into it knowingly? What is all that incriminating evidence doing still there in his mansion? He doesn't look that sentimental about his victims. Maybe that is what he came back for?

Trump seems unworried to me, Luongo seems to think Trump is behind it, and Barr runs DOJ these days, Trump's own private St. Bernard dog AG.

I'm not taking any position on it, I'm just not happy with what I'm being told. Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

joetv , Jul 13 2019 20:01 utc | 35
The author makes it all seem less than it really is. I ask you to explain how Epstein's large jet, a Boeing 737, shares a tail number with one used by the Department of State? That's like my car sharing the same plate number as Mike Pompeo. Life just doesn't work like that. But, with a tail number that corresponds to Epstein's aircraft being identified at the tower as Mike Pompeo's the benefits to that are huge .

Was he able to avoid international customs when he traveled? Probably. Could he transport illicit items, or people without fear of scrutiny? Probably. Use your imagination. This guy is connected, and it wouldn't surprise me if he's a member of Mason Lodge P2.

Kristan hinton , Jul 13 2019 20:03 utc | 36
33

Yes. The Monica honey trap pushed Bill Clinton into attacking Yugoslavia by way of creating a distraction from the Monica honey trap. Of note is that Hillary boasts (in a Clinton biography) about her persuasive efforts in getting Bill to bomb civilians in Belgrade.

Jayne , Jul 13 2019 20:09 utc | 37
More real noodle stuff for you guys and gals...

Thank You Steve Pieczenik!!! I don't always agree with you, but I'm so with you on this -- Evil is Evil -- period...

There is another esoteric layer but maybe this is the start and less painful path way to lay down the truth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=438&v=R6-gUqNPi4I

David , Jul 13 2019 20:14 utc | 38

Epstein is a man who has the means to live anywhere in the world he choices. Why would he risk a return to the US at this time, shortly after a court rules that his court record be unsealed? Why would he keep highly incriminating evidence in his home? He is either breathtakingly arrogant and stupid or something else is going on.
james , Jul 13 2019 20:15 utc | 39
as for quantians theory on epsteins money - it is a viable hypothesis...but to me the money focus is a complete distraction.. all of these freaks are insane kleptomaniacs + more to begin with.. almost no one with vast amounts of money has gotten it legally, or they've written the laws to make what they do legal..

why now? it is like throwing a bomb into the usa political theatre a little over a year before the next usa election circus.. Acosta is now gone and the question is, who is next?? the fact Epstein came back suggests he is a puppet on a string.. whose string?? i am leaning towards jrs view this is aimed at trump, but don't have the same conviction as jr.. we'll see how it unfolds..

Ike , Jul 13 2019 20:16 utc | 40
@31 Epstein's arrest sets up a new blackmail: do what we say (war!)

That line nails it. More disturbingly what Epstein reveals could all be bullshit and the Trump campaign would still be seriously wounded.

Netanyahu wants a war. The western financial elite needs a war/scapegoat to distract public attention in their desperation to hold onto global financial power

Activist Potato , Jul 13 2019 20:20 utc | 41
I do not believe Epstein was simply a con man with an elegant scheme. A simple con man does not get away with blackmailing extremely powerful people on his own. Something big was behind him - exactly what is open to debate and speculation.
pantaraxia , Jul 13 2019 20:21 utc | 42
The popularised version of Epstein's source of wealth, which fits in nicely with b's offering, seems to be along the following lines:

Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/index1.html

"In 1982, according to those who know Epstein, he set up his own shop, J. Epstein and Co., which remains his core business today. The premise behind it was simple: Epstein would manage the individual and family fortunes of clients with $1 billion or more. Which is where the mystery deepens. Because according to the lore, Epstein, in 1982, immediately began collecting clients. There were no road shows, no whiz-bang marketing demos -- just this: Jeff Epstein was open for business for those with $1 billion–plus."

and

"From the get-go, his business was successful. But the conditions for investing with Epstein were steep: He would take total control of the billion dollars, charge a flat fee, and assume power of attorney to do whatever he thought was necessary to advance his client's financial cause. And he remained true to the $1 billion entry fee. According to people who know him, if you were worth $700 million and felt the need for the services of Epstein and Co., you would receive a not-so-polite no-thank-you from Epstein.

Yet according to Forbes:

In 1982 there were 13 billionaires; in 1983 15; in 1984 12; in 1985 13;

So in the first 4 years of Epstein and Co. there were only a dozen or so American billionaires qualifying for his services. The notion that a significant percentage were pedophiles and also came in to contact with Epstein is, well, ludicrous.

Even if one lowers the bar to extremely wealthy individuals who have a couple of hundred million in liquid assets kicking around, the number who were both pedos and acquaintances of Epstein would be exceedingly small and unlikely to account for Epstein's wealth.

lysias , Jul 13 2019 20:27 utc | 43
If the stories about the CIA's participation in the drug trade are correct, they have essentially unlimited sums of money to throw around.

Then there's their association with Wall Street and the Federal Reserve, which prints all the dollars.

Sorghum , Jul 13 2019 20:31 utc | 44
This makes me wonder if this isn't part of the reason Trump refuses to release his tax returns. Having investments with Epstein would be hard to explain away for the non-cult members.

To me, this seems like the 2 sides who are fighting for control of DC have both invoked their nuclear options and now both sides are fighting to control the narrative so that it smears their opponents more than them. I say that because this happened from 2 different directions. You had the Cernovich lawsuit about unsealing and the sudden rush to do something in NY.

les7 , Jul 13 2019 20:33 utc | 45
Part off the bigger question around this is the timing... why now?

IMO Distraction.

With Barr in motion the intelligence apparatus appears to be uniting and willing to sacrifice one of it's own- Epstein- with implicit ties to trump & co, in order to send the message that if Barr is unleashed (threatening FBI, CIA etc) the intelligence guys will unleash Epstein and take out the politicians on both sides of the aisle.

The political scandal of intelligence documented pedophilia will utterly bury and trivialize their Russiagate misdemeanors, will rebuild trust in them to hold politicians accountable and functionally be a coup against US political leadership

bjd , Jul 13 2019 20:34 utc | 46
I heard the daughter of James Comey is the DA there in the SDNY.
sarz , Jul 13 2019 20:39 utc | 47
Here is my speculation about what's behind the arrest of Epstein:

Epstein's arrest : Rothschild vs Trump http://www.twf.org/News/Y2019/0711-TrumpRothschild.html

Please read the final version, linked to beneath the body of the article. The link says UPDATED PDF

Bernhard's views on the position of Iran with respect to US aggression are a critical part of my argument.

Hoarsewhisperer , Jul 13 2019 20:42 utc | 48
This case is such a dog's breakfast of unconfirmed rumours and innuendo that I'd like to see some actual evidence that Epstein is a pedophile. Quantian's theory is quaint but implausible. Imo, a career based on blackmailing one billionaire would be hazardous but a career based on blackmailing many billionaires would be virtual suicide.

There are lurid rumours about Epstein's perversions such as kidnapping and rape. But logic suggests that if Epstein's Honey Pot Kingdom was based on kidnap victims then it would have been necessary to kill some of them to shut them up. I think I'll just wait for the result of his trial, if any.

...

It's incidentally funny that Michael Wolff wrote an Epstein white-wash article which wasn't published due to fact-checking flaws. I'd say his Fire And Fury smear-campaign book on Trump should have been spiked because of all the rumours and asinine drivel in it.

lysias , Jul 13 2019 20:53 utc | 51
Plenty of details about Epstein's pedophilic misdeeds in "Filthy Rich" by James Patterson, which appears largely to be based on testimony by the victims.
karlof1 , Jul 13 2019 21:09 utc | 52
somebody @29--

I've been reading Techno_Fog's Twitter for almost 2 years now as he's a dogged follower of many criminal cases beyond the Russiagate Hoax involving US DoJ. I just spent quite awhile scrolling through his tweets and retweets (searching twitter is very difficult beyond the first page) to get to your request . As you see, it's a tweet from May 2018, and note who its paired with: Mike Cernovich!

I currently don't have the time to continue scrolling through tweets to provide further evidence of linkage between Mueller and Epstein, sorry. I do suggest taking more than a cursory look at the material Techno_Fog posts as it unveils numerous cases of DoJ illegality going back to Enron.

His current focus is on the Flynn case, although he clearly follows others, including Epstein. I recall providing some basic info about Techno_Fog back when I first happened upon his Twitter but few seem to have added him to their reading list.

IMO, he's an Old-school Conservative fighting for Justice and against Injustice--particularly that perpetrated by the Federal Government. Here's the last one I'll post ; what's interesting is the thread as it implies that Cernovich jumped in well after the initial suit was filed by Dershowitz along with various assessments of Cernovich's character.

pantaraxia , Jul 13 2019 21:13 utc | 54
Vicky Ward, who wrote the 2003 Vanity Fair piece on Epstein (with his sex proclivities edited out of the story) had an interview with Chris Hayes (MSNBC) a couple of nights ago. From the transcript:


... he (epstein) gave a deposition and in a different suit in the - I think late 1980s saying that really what he was doing – and he lived by the way, in a quite a humble apartment back then, was running a round recovering stolen money for the government and for private clients.

And the interesting thing about that is if you know how to recover stolen money, you also know how to hide money. And the reason I mentioned that is that what I did discover is that before Les Wexner his mentor who I went to meet within jail at the time, the man called Steve Hoffenberg was serving a 20-year jail sentence for what was then the biggest Ponzi scheme in American history.

The Ponzi scheme ran from 1988 to 1993. The money, some $475 million, was never recovered.

So a number of years after Epstein launched his vaunted 'golden goose' company, he was living in 'a quite humble apartment' and if his deposition is to be believed 'recovering stolen money for the government and for private clients'. Not quite the success story we were led to believe. It also seems to indicate his wealth was acquired after the 'late 80s deposition' as 'humble apartment' and 'Epstein' seems like a contradiction in terms.

Arioch , Jul 13 2019 21:13 utc | 55
> blackmailing many billionaires would be virtual suicide.

> Why would he risk a return to the US at this time, shortly after a court rules that his court record be unsealed? Why would he keep highly incriminating evidence in his home?

Hmmm... WHAT IF....

Mere speculation, but what if there came a threat to Epstein so real, that he now considers American jail to be his safe haven? Especially if that would be the same kind of "jail" that he enjoyed under his "sweet deal" sentence? Blackmailing billionaires is not the only job that can lead you to grave. Sometimes being witness in the know is enough to it

Just speculatinf.

dh , Jul 13 2019 21:22 utc | 56
@55 So if he likes jail so much why is he trying to get bail? Keep the theories coming guys. Personally I'll wait for the photographs and videos.
bjd , Jul 13 2019 21:23 utc | 57
Here's what I was referring to in (46): Daughter of ex-FBI director Comey is prosecutor in Epstein case .
karlof1 , Jul 13 2019 21:27 utc | 58
I'm reposting the following in bold so maybe most will read it and understand what it means:

There's a big problem with people thinking this just suddenly happened now when the lawsuit to unseal Epstein's trial and plea agreement was filed on 27 JAN 2017 just after Trump became POTUS.

Cernovich filed his appeal to unseal @ 6 MAR 2019. There was no need to gather any further evidence as plenty was on hand at DoJ to arrest Epstein although an additional complaint was filed.

Why Epstein chose to return to USA is an outstanding question. Also, his sudden wealth occurred at a time when CIA was fueling the Crack Epidemic, was awash in drug money and needed as many ways to launder it as possible. Some may have seen the film Less Than Zero ; Epstein strikes me as being able to figure out a way to avoid becoming the victim in that film by turning the outcome on its head.

Arioch , Jul 13 2019 21:39 utc | 59
@56 under this speculation, because mansion in USA is better than jail in USA, but both are better than grave outside USA.

Remember, there were speculations that both Skrypal and Berezovski negotiated their return to Russia short before they were delt with. So, in such a thought line, Epstein got the lesson and decided to return first, negotiate later

pantaraxia , Jul 13 2019 21:40 utc | 60
Posted by: lysias | Jul 13 2019 19:00 utc | 22

"Any connection between this Mega Group and the Mega superspy that Israeli/Jewish messages said they only contacted on supremely important matters?"

Israel Shamir and others believe it to be one and the same. In other words there was no superspy. It was an erroneous assumption based the conversation.

Shamir: The megabucks call themselves 'Mega group'. This name appeared in the media a couple of years ago, as a name for the secret Israeli mole in the upper reaches of the US establishment. It came up in an overheard phone conversation, later denied by the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC. The newshounds and spook watchers got it wrong. 'Mega' was not an agent, Mega was the boss."

Lochearn , Jul 13 2019 21:40 utc | 61
@ 31 Jackrabbit

Yes, it is the biggest issue for Israel; it is an obsession. If only the ISIS Caliphate had worked as planned and the Jihadists had moved on to Lebanon to smash Hezbollah after gaining control of Iraq and Syria. Maybe the plan was for the Jihadists to take on Iran after that.

It hadn't occurred to me to link Iran and Epstein in a move to get at Trump. I have seen photos of the two looking like good buddies. Epstein's climb up the greasy pole was too easy for a lazy pervert. But he was of high value as a honey trap maestro.

In that other sex scandal case, namely the Harvey Weinstein one, he had produced a film called "Miral" which was considered, according the American Jewish Committee, to have "portrayed Israel in a very negative light." It was back in 2011 but these things take time!

Except when they don't. After the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission found Israel guilty of war crimes in Nov, 2013, the Malaysian MH370 just happened to disappear without trace in March, 2014. Then a few months later we had the Malaysian MH17 shot down over Ukraine.

Richard Steven Hack , Jul 13 2019 21:47 utc | 62
Powerful people who have blackmail problems do one of two things: 1) they hire a hit man to make the problem go away by forcing the guy to give up the blackmail material before wasting him, or 2) they go to other powerful people who are not under the thumb of the blackmailer and get them to get the guy to stop (which may or may not involve wasting him as well.)

So I don't see this as a simple case of blackmail for profit. It's a nice scam, and perhaps that was also involved. But sooner or later - especially with Maxwell's involvement - Israel's Mossad and other intelligence agencies would see this as the perfect way to get dirt on tons of people in the US elites.

So my guess is it's all one and the same.

dh , Jul 13 2019 21:50 utc | 63
@59 Well he'll need a new door on his New York mansion. The cops smashed the old one.
Jen , Jul 13 2019 21:51 utc | 64
Quantian's theory looks neat and elegant, as would be expected of someone who studies mathematics, but it does lead MoA barflies (a few of whom have done so) to ask how Epstein could have got his scheme started in the first place, even given that he'd worked for Bear Stevens in the past and already had a tiny financial pile from which to launch his blackmailing scheme. Epstein would not have been the only person spruiking a very exclusive boutique hedge fund in the early 1980s, when he first started it and when there were few billionaires in the US and beyond.

Plus such a scheme would need a personality with considerable, er, balls to carry it off - unless Epstein had support from other people. Intelligence and security agencies could have given him that support indirectly through front organizations or representatives.

There is also the issue of what Epstein was doing with all the pictures collected over the decades - he surely wasn't stashing them away in digital photo albums just to look over once in a while or to share with, er, friends. They had to have more active, ongoing value than merely an archival purpose for a future one-off blackmailing proposition, especially for someone whose main motivation in life is to continuously make money.

Jackrabbit , Jul 13 2019 21:57 utc | 65
karlof1 @58

Again, I would urge you to read the link @21 ("Why did Jeffrey Epstein fly back to US?").

AFAICT the lawsuit to unseal and the ruling for unsealing is irrelevant to what is happening now. In fact, the ruling was not necessarily very damaging to Epstein (he's already a known sex offender) - the vast majority of the material remains under seal.

The conviction in 2008 settled the matter up to then. AFAICT that can not be re-opened.

A new case was started (in 2013, I think) but was SETTLED. The unsealing motions are only related to this 2013 case. Unsealing was denied by a lower court but a LIMITED unsealing was approved on appeal (recently) which ONLY unseals "summary judgments" in the case. Apparently that's a small amount of material compared to the whole. Such judgments are essentially fact-based and probably not very controversial. Nevertheless, there will still be some redaction and that process could take weeks or months.

What appears to have happened here, is that there was an entirely NEW complaint that prompted a searching of Epstein's NYC home, which turned up child sex material.

Instead of focusing on the long-standing request to unseal or the (apparent) failure to avoid arrest by returning; we should be questioning why Epstein would put himself in jeopardy by fooling around with young girls in USA and keeping evidence at a home in USA.

It seems very convenient that a new allegation is made and Epstein had evidence in his NYC home. If not for that, he would be free to roam the world with his millions, doing whatever he pleases. Is Epstein that dumb/sick that he would put himself at such risk? Or, could it be that someone wants this song bird in jail, ready willing and able to sing?

Lochearn , Jul 13 2019 21:58 utc | 66
@ 58 karlof1

Thanks for a very informative comment. The CNN narrative caught my attention for some reason:

The Miami Herald reported in 2018 that it had identified about 80 women who say they were molested or sexually abused by Epstein between 2001 and 2006. The newspaper's continued reporting on the case, including articles about Epstein's 2008 plea deal that kept him from being prosecuted for federal crimes, caught the attention of federal prosecutors in New York who brought the new charges against him.

librul , Jul 13 2019 22:11 utc | 67
@Posted by: Stumpy | Jul 13 2019 18:45 utc | 15
Given the reach of both the Epstein case and the Mueller investigation, the delay in Mueller's appearance on Capitol Hill might be to clear the public palate of one scandal in order to not steal thunder from another, or some re-orchestration of who owes whom given the threat of pending revelations. Just a thought.

A decent theory but pretty sure there is a clearer explanation for the Mueller delay. Mueller will show contempt for the court if during his testimony he claims once again that the Russian Government was behind the Facebook ads "used to influence our 2016 election".

Mueller and the Democrats are gobfkd. Half of Russiagate was sunk by a judge just last week. Only the supposed hacking of servers by the Russians remains usable in Russiagate.

So what kind of testimony can Mueller give to the salivating Democrats now that the Facebook ad claims are an embarrassment to Mueller (AND the MSM)(AND the Democrats)?

A US District court judge has dealt a major blow to special counsel Robert Mueller's theory that the Kremlin engaged in "sweeping and systematic" meddling in the 2016 US election.

Judge Dabney L. Friedrich ruled this week that the Special Counsel's indictment of a Russian troll farm "does not link the defendants to the Russian government," and "alleges only private conduct by private actors."
...
Judge Friedrich writes "It is significant and prejudicial that the government itself drew a link between these defendants and the Russian government," adding "In short, the Court concludes that the government violated Rule 57.7 by making or authorizing the release of public statements that linked the defendants' alleged activities to the Russian government..."

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-11/judge-shreds-mueller-evidence-kremlin-meddling

Do not be surprised if the Mueller testimony is postponed indefinitely. The only other option is for Mueller to withdraw the law suit against the Russians, and **that** would be amazing to even think about!

Just Me , Jul 13 2019 22:20 utc | 68
Various mentions of "Wag the Dog" up there. The real one to me was using the Iraq war to cover up Tony Blair's affair with Wendi Deng. We need a paternity test on Chloe, and maybe Grace also. Ooo, boy! That will topple Big Ben!
librul , Jul 13 2019 22:20 utc | 69
@Posted by: librul | Jul 13 2019 22:11 utc | 67

For further reading see this link:

https://consortiumnews.com/2019/07/12/concord-management-and-the-end-of-russiagate/

alaric , Jul 13 2019 22:22 utc | 70
Quantian's theory has some rather large holes:

1) Where did Epstein get money to set this up?
2) Where are the videos of the perps?
3) You really think you can blackmail such powerful people without blow back or death?
4) Epstein is connected to some vile zionists with Mossad ties (Wexner, Bronfman, Maxwell, etc.)
5) The weird temple?
6) Too many levels of gov stepped in to help Epstein. That suggests high level protection. Mueller, Acosta and Ken Star did not step in to protect Bill Clinton's good name.
7) This was an entrapment scheme of some of the most powerful and influential politicians around. The legacy media is completely ignoring this facet of the case.

Epstein was (is) likely working for Jewish billionaires who happen to be rabid Zionists. There was likely support from Mossad.

the pessimist , Jul 13 2019 22:22 utc | 71
Acosta's breezy dismisal of his handling of the Epstein case, with the excuse that he was advised to back off, during his background check suggests that he believed that there wouldn't be any repercussions because higher authority was at work which would protect him as well. At least that is how I see it. This is not compatible with an explanation of 'simple blackmail'. The people involved weren't just rich, but politically powerful.

So is his island in the British or US VI? There are rumored to be secrets stored there in a room with a special safe. Wonder if a search warrant has been served there...

dltravers , Jul 13 2019 22:27 utc | 72
Jackrabbit @ 31

It is not that I love Trump but we must look at the plausible turns of events whether he be friend or foe.

It is interesting that Trump was one of the first one's invited into the Manhattan apartment given to Epstein in 2002. Trump was always floating in those party circles and I suspect they were using each other for inside information as the Quantian thesis speculates. As word got out in those largely democrat NY social circles I am sure it was like drawing flies to shit. The background of the giver was posted by others and that speaks for itself.

Trumps tightness with him ended after that. Trump is Israel's boy so Epstein is not going to out him and I do not think there is anything to out anyway. In the 80's and 90's Trump was a straight arrow party follower and chaser of women not little girls. He did not drink. Bunches of that crowd were snorting coke but he was high on business. He loved sex, money, and business. That was his drug.

The attorney of one of the lead girls that has been suing Epstein for a long time says Trump was the only one that helped him. Trump helped him contact all the people that he wanted to subpoena and he dropped Trump's subpoena as he provided all the information he needed voluntarily.

Another aspect is that the reason why Acosta took the case. The District Attorney for that county in Florida refused to take the case. He was eager until the police chief turned it over to him and he found out it was Epstein. The police chief begged the FBI to get involved as the DA refused an open and shut case. The District Attorney is purported to be in articles a big time Democrat and an ADL awardee.

Trump's DOJ is retaking the case. Where are the heavily democrat NY DA's in this? Trying to get Trump and ignoring Epstein. They just quietly dropped another canard case against him. Again the State DA does nothing and heavily supports one side. This shit went on for decades in NY high echelon party circuits and NYPD intelligence units never got a whiff of it? Really? Does anyone really believe this shit could happen and go down quietly for decades?

Clinton could be the sacrificial fall guy to close up this case and put it to bed. I do not expect much out of a Republican DOJ other than to cover its friends asses. Either way I expect the Democrats to take the bigger hit.

There is way to much smoke for it not to he an intelligence operation supported by the big ones. There are way to may power players involved for a deal not to be made. That deal could be for the next four years after 2020.

Lochearn , Jul 13 2019 22:32 utc | 73
The Jeffrey Epstein case opens up a huge can of worms that is only just beginning to unravel. It has the potential to set Wall Street against Israel, if anyone thought that was possible. He was involved with jailed junk bond king Michael Milken in the 1980s where he met Leon Black of Apollo Management, a private equity mafia scam boss, who may be about to fall due to close association with Epstein.
somebody , Jul 13 2019 22:49 utc | 74
Epstein got his money from a Ponzi scheme
While the financial world has been puzzling over the question for years, it is really not that complicated, according to Steven Jude Hoffenberg, Epstein's former mentor. Epstein used fraudulently gotten funds as seed money, he told Quartz.... In 1997, Hoffenberg -- the head of bill-collection firm Towers Financial -- was sentenced to 20 years in jail for running one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in US history. Thousands of investors were bilked of more than $450 million.

Hoffenberg now tells Quartz that Epstein was deeply involved in the fraud. Epstein was never charged in the case, but he was "totally in the mix," Hoffenberg said. He added that Epstein helped him set up the Ponzi scheme.

"He was my colleague daily, seven days a week," Hoffenberg added.

Hoffenberg said Epstein's connection to the crime didn't come up at the time because he pled guilty. "When you plead guilty you don't go in for elaborate discovery."

psychohistorian , Jul 13 2019 22:57 utc | 75
I wrote a comment in response to another at the end of the last Epstein thread that I am going to share here as well. I will also provide a link to the song at the end

"
@ Richard (S)teven Hack who wrote
"
What happens to Israel if it's proven that Epstein was running a honey pot operation involving pedophiles for the benefit of Mossad blackmail of the most powerful people - including Presidents - in the US and elsewhere?
"
If you replace Israel with the unknown those that own global private finance I would agree 100% and it is why

this is happening now.......Go listen to the jaunty blues song by James Taylor titled "Steamroller Blues" and think of China singing that song to the West.......I do

To Grieved and karlof1
I am a butterfly flapping its wings madly in tune to the song mentioned above.

"James Taylor on YouTube with Steamroller Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfzMLRzH2yw

somebody , Jul 13 2019 23:00 utc | 76
Epstein Flourished as He Forged Bond With Retail Billionaire
Mr. Morosky, the executive who worked for Mr. Wexner, says he was perplexed by his boss's relationship with Mr. Epstein. Mr. Wexner told him that Mr. Epstein could "introduce him to important people," Mr. Morosky recalls.
Lochearn , Jul 13 2019 23:05 utc | 77
@ psychohistorian

Really enjoyed that, specially the pianist. Send us more!

Lozion , Jul 13 2019 23:05 utc | 78
@47 sarz. One question that comes to mind reading your essay is why the crypto game?
NY (and the US by extension) is shock full of the chosen ones & dual-citizenship Israelis so why pretend?
Alaric , Jul 13 2019 23:11 utc | 79
People don't generally continue to hang out with someone who is blackmailing them. Epstein maintained relationships for almost two decades with his clients. They only distanced themselves after the bust and probably not even then.

Those VIP people run in the same circles. If Epstein was really black mailing them then the entire social circle would have known, making his scam impossible.

Epstein provided VIPs with a service and they trusted and protect him to this day. They even rehabilitated him after his jail time. That's not how people treat blackmailers. If anything investment in his fund paid for access to said service. The VIPs probably found out about the videos and some the age of the girls after his indictment. The videos were an insurance policy for epstein's backers (mossad?).

Busting Epstein now is a crude way of letting sitting politicians know Epstein (Mossad, AIPAC) have them by the balls. And said organizations want war with iran.

Rob , Jul 13 2019 23:11 utc | 80
This sort of wild speculation based on scant, if any, evidence, is not what I expect to find on MoA. How about everyone (including b) stepping back and waiting for facts to emerge?
Jackrabbit , Jul 13 2019 23:11 utc | 81
dltravers @72

Yes. It's unclear if Trump was ever involved with under-age women. It doesn't really seem like Trump has such a proclivity.

But that will hardly matter if Epstein chooses to name him in a plea deal. The press will drag Trump through the mud. They will note that Trump was known to have been associated with Epstein and Trump ran the Miss America Contest (featuring young, but not under-age women) for many years.

And that is the point I was making @31. Epstein is a threat to Trump - even if Trump happens to be completely innocent. One must ask: who might benefit? and why now? Those questions naturally lead to Israel's desire for USA to eliminate it's Iran problem.

I imaging that Israeli leaders are fed up with USA cautiousness. Obama didn't bomb Syria in 2013, and Trump didn't attack Iran after Iran downed the drone a few weeks ago.

Maybe CIA will eliminate Epstein in jail so that Trump and others are not blackmailed into starting a war? Or maybe Mossad will eliminate Epstein because Trump demands to be free of blackmail potential before he starts the war they want?

Sasha , Jul 13 2019 23:19 utc | 82
As some here, I was also wondering about the opportunity of reviving this case, when everybody knows that no rich person in the US ends in jail, and thus, Epstein will go again scot free.

I think that this is a great distractor to keep the US populace busy while other events are in the cooking. But which events those could be....I was thinking that the reviving of this case could well lead to the definitive implosion of the US political system, and after seeing the strong opposition this current administration has managed to build in its first mandate, thye are most probably sure thye would never win the elections again, all the more when Trump bases are getting nothing from electoral promises...

What if the demolition of the US parliamentary system is needed to cop with coming events and the reviving of this case comes to help on this, so as to facilitate, for example, the take over by the military in an escenario of chaos, like the resulting of the mother of all crisis?

Wall Street reaches record highs, the fall is imminent

The markets are euphoric. Wall Street reaches record highs, driven upwards, in particular, by low interest rates. This week, for the first time in its history, the Standard and Poor's index, the reference for investors, has exceeded 3,000 points. The Dow Jones is also at the highest level.

It is the "paradox of tranquility." Everything seems to be going well when investors take more and more risks and, therefore, more speculative securities develop until a disturbance of growth or interest rates causes a change and, immediately, a financial crisis.

The markets seem more and more disconnected from a growth that slides on the bottom of the commercial war. The real economy is stagnant. In the United States, growth is not expected to reach 2.5 percent next year. The slowdown is even more pronounced in Europe. Even China is lagging behind.

But stock exchanges are more interested in interest rates than in real growth. Interest rates will fall further, as the Central Bank of the United States will announce a cut in interest rates during the next week.

If the central banks, both in the United States and in Europe, keep interest rates low, it is because of the pressure of the speculators, because if the rates rise they could cause a collapse.

Low interest rates encourage speculators to borrow. In 10 years the global debt of companies, states and families has increased by 50 percent. If we take the public debt of all the countries of the G20, the figure of 135,000 million dollars is reached, a huge bubble.

The capitalist crisis reduces interest rates to maintain the illusion of growth and that reduction is the fuel of a new crisis, even greater.

Curtis , Jul 13 2019 23:28 utc | 83
lysias 51
That's the answer to
Hoarsewhisperer 48.

And there are lots of details in the Miami Herald investigation. Some of it reads like child porn with girls 14+ giving details of the inside of the West Palm Beach mansion as well as his "body parts."

A coworker told me about being on a jury that convicted a couple of abusing their children. The young women had to testify with details which he said made jurors sick.

psychohistorian , Jul 13 2019 23:35 utc | 84
@ Alaric who wrote
"
Busting Epstein now is a crude way of letting sitting politicians know Epstein (Mossad, AIPAC) have them by the balls. And said organizations want war with iran.
"
I am pleased to be reading more and more of this analysis but still assert we really don't know who owns global private finance and so attributing these actions to those that you did is questionable in my understanding.....the elite WANT you to focus your ire on people rather than structure so they can deflect the misdirected passion.
Sorghum , Jul 13 2019 23:36 utc | 85
I agree that there is far too much circumstantial evidence for Epstein to not have had powerful, violent if need-be, backers (ie intelligence agencies). It's trivial to eliminate an individual who tries to blackmail the rich and/or powerful so he had to have some form of state sanctioned protection.

What so many who use Trump volunteering information as his proof of innocence forget, is that he has a pathological inability to STFU. Of course he'd talk to the prosecutor to control the narrative if nothing else. Being willing to talk to anyone is his political schtick, too. It's his "Art of the Deal".

What nobody can explain is why or how Acosta got a plum Cabinet position if there was no Epstein connection. Sure seems like yet another "crazy" coincidence.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is an Israeli attempt to force Trump's hand against Iran.

ben , Jul 13 2019 23:41 utc | 86
Yep, just another pimp for the rich and connected. Just another diversion for the uber-wealthy to engage in.

Another triumphant moment for Capitalism untethered by morals or justice.

Anyone who thinks this will lead to anything resembling justice is a bit delusional.

RayB , Jul 13 2019 23:47 utc | 87
"It does not require any additional conspiracy theory about Mossad/Mafia/CIA involvement. But it also doesn't exclude that there is some." NOT or SOME ya think? So are you seriously suggesting that it's possible that MI6, Mossad and the CIA turned a blind eye and just stood by idle while a Royalty, PM of Israel, POTUS and Secretary of State, dignitaries and famous Academics got themselves entangled in a billionaire pedophiles blackmail web? "Conspiracy theory's" aside, ya think that even after PA Acosta admitted that he was forced to take his hands off and stand down and let Epstein of the hook because he was their "intelligence Asset"?
Sorghum , Jul 13 2019 23:48 utc | 88
Excellent points alaric @79

JR @ 81
There is evidence Trump likes young girls. He even bragged about walking in on contestants in pageants he owned. He owned Miss Teen USA as well as Miss USA and Miss Universe. He bragged about using his position to see contestants naked in the latter 2. That takes a certain type of individual.

Sorghum , Jul 13 2019 23:51 utc | 89
I should have added that like most of the dirty parts of Trump, there is lots of smoke so it's hard to believe there isn't some fire somewhere.
Bemildred , Jul 13 2019 23:51 utc | 90
Why was Dershowitz involved in the 2017 suit to get the Epstein deal partially unsealed? For some sort of selective release of information for what? It would not seem to be in Dershowitz interest to bring all that up again, he appearing to be one of the protected parties. It is noticeable that he felt compelled to come out with a statement now.

MSM seems to be making hay with the story too. Not suppressing it. Not all following the same script (yet at least).

Jackrabbit , Jul 13 2019 23:57 utc | 91
It seems that I may have been wrong about a new allegation. I might have confused new victims coming forward with "new allegations" if past conduct to mean a recent offence.

SDNY seems to be prosecuting for activity that occurred during the same time period as covered by the non-prosecution agreement.

Explained here .

Acosta's nomination by Trump is very suspicious. Will Acosta be disbarred?

uncle tungsten , Jul 14 2019 0:01 utc | 92
Thank you Jackrabbit #7, I do appreciate your cold water wake up critical analysis and commentary. I accept that the simple analysis of what Epstein was doing was correct, but only in part. Epstein was building capital and potential in many resources through the investment front: he could sell his data to any bidder.

The simplistic front made him wealthy for sure but the combination gave him power and access that $ wealth could not reach.

Many writers seem reluctant to go near any semitic discourse. The piece I linked to by Elizabeth Voss in Consortium news, and the WSWS piece are examples. They desperately avoid writing an multi dimensional storyline that might enrage the ADL.

frances , Jul 14 2019 0:04 utc | 93
"...This was an entrapment scheme of some of the most powerful and influential politicians around. The legacy media is completely ignoring this facet of the case.
Epstein was (is) likely working for Jewish billionaires who happen to be rabid zionists. There was likely support from Mossad."
Posted by: alaric | Jul 13 2019 22:22 utc | 70

I agree completely, this answers why he was able to blackmail so many for so long and live.
I think he was brought back now, and a new case started, to put pressure on said politicians to get them behind a war on Iran.

A very nasty war; probably with a bunker buster swarm leveling the country and probably to start soon, my guess is in August.

For if Trump can continue to resist those pressuring him and gets reelected without Adelson and co's support, it is the end of Israel's dreams of middle east conquest for 4 years at least. Can't have that.

JasonT , Jul 14 2019 0:07 utc | 94
The Epstein matter is really quite simple.

The oligarchy has thoroughly defeated the peasants in the grasp for power. The oligarchy is now fighting among themselves to see who will be king.

Epstein is a weapon being used by one faction of the oligarchy to dispossess another faction of an important tool, to wit - Donald Trump, so that the one faction can either co-opt this important tool or insert their own important tool into the White House to gain control over the U.S. military. After all, neither faction of the oligarchy can be successful at naming the king if they do not have control over the world's most destructive military.

karlof1 , Jul 14 2019 0:20 utc | 95
JR @65--

Ah yes, my old buddies (from The Oil Drum days) at The Automatic Earth still produce good work. The only logical reason IMO for Epstein to return right on the heels of the unsealing is to show he's worthy of being allowed to post bail, and do another plea bargain so he still has some life to live and enjoy the riches he's accumulated. Of course, maybe he was ordered so his case pushes that of George Nader under the rug ("Since the arrest of George Nader on June 3 in New York relating to child porn offences – and his story being unearthed by investigative journalists – we are witnessing a wising up of Trump.) provided Epstein has genuine Intel links.

It would be nice to know this file's contents :

"There's more - what evidence did the FBI/DOJ have on Epstein?

"An FBI file entitled 'Summary of Sexual Activity,' containing an analysis of victim-specific information chart showing phone calls, travel, and grand jury evidence."

On that thread, there's speculation that then DCI Hayes was involved, may have even told everyone what to do.

Bemildred , Jul 14 2019 0:24 utc | 96
frances @93 & JasonT @94: The problem is Trump doesn't look like one of the most likely targets, and he is not blabbering uncontrollably about it now. It seems unlikely to work. Of course these are Neocons and Zionists involved so that doesn't necessarily matter. And he is an actor. But nevertheless, Barr seems totally un-upset by all this noise too. Go for it boys. If it's an attempt to get Trump, he seems very un-Trump-like in his attitude towards it, amused not worried or blathering on twitter. If Epstein is really in the middle of a war among the elites, I expect we will see more evidence of it soon,
karlof1 , Jul 14 2019 0:47 utc | 97
Bemildred @90--

As I noted when I went to find Dershowitz's explanation for his filing, he ceased using his Twitter after 5 July, the day prior to Epstein's return and arrest. His last Facebook entry is from 26 FEB 2019, and he seems to have mostly disappeared from news stories--certainly nothing within the past 48 hrs. He's 80, so his health is telling him something, perhaps.

Ninel , Jul 14 2019 0:50 utc | 98
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/07/13/epst-j13.html
colin , Jul 14 2019 0:52 utc | 99
jeff epstein loan wolf confidence trickster
ok dokey b
bbb b
sure thing mr mossadick

Epstein Stories You Won't Find in the News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc-uysS6Tlw

uncle tungsten , Jul 14 2019 0:52 utc | 100
Thank you psychohistorian #84

'we really don't know who owns global finance"

Take a read of GIANTS by Peter Phillips. See Michael Hudson too.

The main thing missing is a photograph of each of the board members of each of the corporations listed.

There has been a lot of discussion on various threads as to who the big players are.

[Jul 14, 2019] blackmailing 'influential' individuals is a simple modus operandi used by the 'government' of 'israel', for decades, in order to push its agenda and control those who 'support' it

Notable quotes:
"... To me, it starts with Wexner, and goes through the Mega Group. They were/are powerful deep interests out to help themselves and their pet cause Israel. Powerful non-state actors who could benefit Israel while still maintaining an arm's length relationship. Perhaps Bush wasn't the only state leader surprised on 9/11. It would seem a safe bet that Larry Silverstein moves in the same socioeconomic circles as the Mega Group. ..."
"... I find this suspiciously implausible. After the first blackmail attempt no one would visit him again and he'd be dead. There are proven/known repeats. This fact kills the blackmail facade. ..."
Jul 14, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

opposition_X , Jul 14 2019 4:00 utc | 118

Epstein's Mossad connection is becoming more clear - it's an 'open secret' that blackmailing 'influential' individuals is a simple modus operandi used by the 'government' of 'israel', for decades, in order to push its agenda and control those who 'support' it. It's also an 'open secret' that israel and a number of its 'citizens' are the most active of all states in the 'white slave trade' - as well as the black market for human organs.

Of course, this won't be noted in the west's controlled media - but it's discussed quite frequently in the alternative media around the world. Americans are ignorant of these facts, so it's not really surprising that the epstein operation appears shocking to the average person. It's actually par for the course in the u.s. since the late 50s-early 60s - epstein is only one of many involved with this type of 'nwo' operation of control.


imo , Jul 14 2019 4:01 utc | 119

Posted by: pierrep | Jul 13 2019 18:41 utc | 12
"Please don't forget that many of the so called blackmailed subjects certainly had access to INSIDE INFORMATION that they could have shared and thus much higher profits....."
------

Agreed, safe insider 'win-win' trading (until it blows up).

The 'b' scenario is indeed very plausible, but it does not need to necessarily rely on blackmail. These rapacious predatory fiat money 'elites' are quite capable of scoring a bit of fluff anytime they want it. Just ask the doorman and slip a $100 note etc.

What they could equally have desired was an 'in' on a little exclusive Jewish-run "Hellfire" club which, along with mutual investment opportunities (as the ticket in), simply made Jeffrey Epstein a convenient host and 'Pimp/Madam' for quality kiddy fluff.

For these types it is more about psychic power and moral corruption than sex per se. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellfire_Club

Doing all this via the likes of Epstein is simply a form of financial and moral'off shoring.'

Lastly, why now? Another mass distraction campaign no doubt. And as odious as the Epstein (and Clinton) types are I don't necessarily automatically buy into the 'evil' mass hysteria meme. Sure, if 16 is the age of consent then younger than that is a legal matter. But in other aspects, on a case-by-case basis, there are well mature 14-15 year olds biologically ready for sexual experiences. At first glance I thought the 'pedo' label was referring to 7-10 year olds like the Catholic priest variety etc. Not so, it seems. Or have I missed something? And was it only young females? Are none of these billionaire class homosexual? Or was Epstein homophobic and only interested in a privileged hetero niche market?

dltravers , Jul 14 2019 4:14 utc | 120
An excellent article here that mentions Quantian ...

Given this puzzling set of data points

More fuel for the fire, more pieces of the puzzle.

alaric , Jul 14 2019 4:25 utc | 121
Here is another thought. This case may authentically be resurfacing because of the work of Julie K Brown at the Miami Herald and said pubs court victory to unseal court documents related to Virginia Guiffre's suit of Epstein.

This was not sought after by the powers that be and the establishment is on the defensive so they're trying to redirect this into a case about Trump, notably while ignoring a lot of facts.

Maybe that's why this case has been assigned to SDNY which is full of democrats and even Comey's daughter...maybe.

In any case i doubt much will come of it. Epstein's victims might get a little more justice but not much and the higher ups will be protected.....except trump but i doubt they have much on him.

I don't believe the lone blackmailer operation but more information will emerge and we can all reassess. What is valuable is that this case will further erode the credibility of the political, moneyed and media classes (often one if the same).

Roy G , Jul 14 2019 4:57 utc | 123
The problem with this theory is that it posits an improbably large and ongoing pay off. Mutual self interest is much stronger in the long run. Do you really believe that Les Wexner and his security team are going to allow some nobody like Epstein to blackmail them?

To me, it starts with Wexner, and goes through the Mega Group. They were/are powerful deep interests out to help themselves and their pet cause Israel. Powerful non-state actors who could benefit Israel while still maintaining an arm's length relationship. Perhaps Bush wasn't the only state leader surprised on 9/11. It would seem a safe bet that Larry Silverstein moves in the same socioeconomic circles as the Mega Group.

RayB , Jul 14 2019 6:42 utc | 125
'Explosive': Was Epstein an 'intelligence' asset? -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaN1MXfJmXs
sarz , Jul 14 2019 7:06 utc | 126
Lozion @78

... Look at Trump. Do you think he would have won the election if he campaigned as a Zionist promising to do all he could for big finance and Israel?

He ran as a heritage American promising to save his supposed fellows from their dire straits -- unemployment, heroin addiction, suicide, and being overrun by strange immigrants displacing them...

Look up Kevin MacDonald's research to understand how Jews look at the issue.

nJH , Jul 14 2019 7:11 utc | 128
I find this suspiciously implausible. After the first blackmail attempt no one would visit him again and he'd be dead. There are proven/known repeats. This fact kills the blackmail facade.

Have commentators touched too close to the truth on the previous thread? Terrible backtrack that was most assuredly planned by someone/people really out of touch with internet discussions.

[Jul 14, 2019] EXPLOSIVE- Acosta claimed Epstein 'belonged to intelligence,' report says - TheBlaze

Jul 14, 2019 | www.theblaze.com

According to investigative journalist Vickie Ward -- who has been covering the Jeffrey Epstein case since 2003 -- Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. attorney who cut Epstein a sweetheart plea deal back in 2007, did so because he had been told to "back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade."

"I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," Acosta, who resigned as Secretary of Labor on Friday, reportedly claimed.

"The case is getting uglier and more weird the more we look into it," said Glenn Beck on Friday's radio program. "Back in 2007, the charges brought against [Epstein] were brutal. I want you to listen to this quote . 'The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office determined that from 2001 to September 2007, Epstein had conspired to persuade minors to engage in prostitution, conspired to transport minors across state lines for the purpose of illicit sexual conduct, and recruited a minor across state lines to engage in a commercial sex act'."

me title=

"Despite what appeared at the time to be a slam-dunk case, the government chose to offer Epstein a plea deal," Glenn continued. "They slapped him on the wrist with a lesser charge and serving minimal time. Now, not only did this deal get him off easy, but it also immunized him and his co-conspirators from prostitution."

Glenn noted Vicky Ward's most recent article in which she wrote of Acosta:

Epstein's name, I was told, had been raised by the Trump transition team when Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in Miami who'd infamously cut Epstein a non-prosecution plea deal back in 2007, was being interviewed for the job of labor secretary. The plea deal put a hard stop to a separate federal investigation of alleged sex crimes with minors and trafficking.

"Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for confirmation hearings]?" Acosta had been asked. Acosta had explained, breezily, apparently, that back in the day he'd had just one meeting on the Epstein case. He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had "been told" to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," he told his interviewers in the Trump transition, who evidently thought that was a sufficient answer and went ahead and hired Acosta. (The Labor Department had no comment when asked about this.)

... ... ...

[Jul 14, 2019] Federal prosecutors said Friday that accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein should stay locked up until trial because he's willing to use "intimidation and aggressive tactics" to tamper with witnesses

Notable quotes:
"... That Epstein would try and intimidate witnesses and victims is a central part of the argument made by prosecutors to keep him in jail until trial. ..."
Jul 14, 2019 | www.thedailybeast.com

Federal prosecutors said Friday that accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein should stay locked up until trial because he's willing to use "intimidation and aggressive tactics" to tamper with witnesses -- including recent payments totaling $350,000 in an effort to silence two associates who allegedly helped him.

"Epstein's efforts to influence witnesses continue to this day," the U.S. Attorney's Office said Friday evening in a court filing in response to the financier's request to be released on bail. A hearing before Judge Richard Berman is scheduled for Monday.

That Epstein would try and intimidate witnesses and victims is a central part of the argument made by prosecutors to keep him in jail until trial.

Prosecutors noted the payments were part of a pattern that stretched back to November 2018, when the Miami Herald started publishing its investigation of the pedophile billionaire.

Just two days after the stories began to appear Epstein "wired $100,000 from a trust account he controlled to an individual named as a possible co-conspirator" in the Florida non-prosecution agreement, the prosecutors wrote.

Three days later, they noted, he "wired $250,000 from the same trust account to another individual named as a possible co-conspirator" in the Florida agreement who is also identified an Epstein employee in the indictment.

read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-has-been-paying-off-alleged-accomplices-feds-say?ref=home

[Jul 13, 2019] Did Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein Work for Mossad by Philip Giraldi

Jul 13, 2019 | www.unz.com

The extent of Israeli spying directed against the United States is a huge story that is only rarely addressed in the mainstream media. The Jewish state regularly tops the list for ostensibly friendly countries that aggressively conduct espionage against the U.S. and Jewish American Jonathan Pollard, who was imprisoned in 1987 for spying for Israel, is now regarded as the most damaging spy in the history of the United States.

Last week I wrote about how Israeli spies operating more-or-less freely in the U.S. are rarely interfered with, much less arrested and prosecuted, because there is an unwillingness on the part of upper echelons of government to do so. I cited the case of Arnon Milchan, a billionaire Hollywood movie producer who had a secret life that included stealing restricted technology in the United States to enable development of Israel's nuclear weapons program, something that was very much against U.S. interests. Milchan was involved in a number of other thefts as well as arms sales on behalf of the Jewish state, so much so that his work as a movie producer was actually reported to be less lucrative than his work as a spy and black-market arms merchant, for which he operated on a commission basis.

That Milchan has never been arrested by the United States government or even questioned about his illegal activity, which was well known to the authorities, is just one more manifestation of the effectiveness of Jewish power in Washington, but a far more compelling case involving possible espionage with major political manifestations has just re-surfaced. I am referring to Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire Wall Street "financier" who has been arrested and charged with operating a "vast" network of underage girls for sex, operating out of his mansions in New York City and Florida as well as his private island in the Caribbean, referred to by visitors as "Orgy Island." Among other high-value associates, it is claimed that Epstein was particularly close to Bill Clinton, who flew dozens of times on Epstein's private 727.

Alex Acosta (L) Jeffrey Epstein (R)

Epstein was arrested on July 8th after indictment by a federal grand jury in New York. It was more than a decade after Alexander Acosta, the top federal prosecutor in Miami, who is now President Trump's secretary of labor, accepted a plea bargain involving similar allegations regarding pedophilia that was not shared with the accusers prior to being finalized in court. There were reportedly hundreds of victims, some 35 of whom were identified, but Acosta deliberately denied the two actual plaintiffs their day in court to testify before sentencing.

Acosta's intervention meant that Epstein avoided both a public trial and a possible federal prison sentence, instead serving only 13 months of an 18-month sentence in the almost-no-security Palm Beach County Jail on charges of soliciting prostitution in Florida. While in custody, he was permitted to leave jail for sixteen hours six days a week to work in his office.

Epstein's crimes were carried out in his $56 million Manhattan mansion and in his oceanside villa in Palm Beach Florida. Both residences were equipped with hidden cameras and microphones in the bedrooms, which Epstein reportedly used to record sexual encounters between his high-profile guests and his underage girls, many of whom came from poor backgrounds, who were recruited by procurers to engage in what was euphemistically described as "massages" for money. Epstein apparently hardly made any effort to conceal what he was up to: his airplane was called the "Lolita Express."

The Democrats are calling for an investigation of the Epstein affair, as well as the resignation of Acosta, but they might well wind up regretting their demands. Trump, the real target of the Acosta fury, apparently did not know about the details of the plea bargain that ended the Epstein court case. Bill and Hillary Clinton were, however, very close associates of Epstein. Bill, who flew on the "Lolita Express" at least 26 times , could plausibly be implicated in the pedophilia given his track record and relative lack of conventional morals. On many of the trips, Bill refused Secret Service escorts, who would have been witnesses of any misbehavior. On one lengthy trip to Africa in 2002, Bill and Jeffrey were accompanied by accused pedophile actor Kevin Spacey and a number of young girls, scantily clad "employees" identified only as "massage." Epstein was also a major contributor to the Clinton Foundation and was present at the wedding of Chelsea Clinton in 2010.

With an election year coming up, the Democrats would hardly want the public to be reminded of Bill's exploits, but one has to wonder where and how deep the investigation might go. There is also a possible Donald Trump angle. Though Donald may not have been a frequent flyer on the "Lolita Express," he certainly moved in the same circles as the Clintons and Epstein in New York and Palm Beach, plus he is by his own words roughly as amoral as Bill Clinton. In June 2016, one Katie Johnson filed lawsuit in New York claiming she had been repeatedly raped by Trump at an Epstein gathering in 1993 when she was 13 years old. In a 2002 New York Magazine interview Trump said "I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy he's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it – Jeffrey enjoys his social life."

Selective inquiries into wrongdoing to include intense finger pointing are the name of the game in Washington, and the affaire Epstein also has all the hallmarks of a major espionage case, possibly tied to Israel. Unless Epstein is an extremely sick pedophile who enjoys watching films of other men screwing twelve-year-old girls the whole filming procedure smacks of a sophisticated intelligence service compiling material to blackmail prominent politicians and other public figures. Those blackmailed would undoubtedly in most cases cooperate with the foreign government involved to avoid a major scandal. It is called recruiting "agents of influence." That is how intelligence agencies work and it is what they do.

That Epstein was perceived as being intelligence-linked was made clear in Acosta's comments when being cleared by the Trump transition team. He was asked "Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for confirmation hearings]?" "Acosta had explained, breezily, apparently, that back in the day he'd had just one meeting on the Epstein case. He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had 'been told' to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. 'I was told Epstein belonged to intelligence and to leave it alone.'"

Questions about Epstein's wealth also suggest a connection with a secretive government agency with deep pockets. The New York Times reports that "Exactly what his money management operation did was cloaked in secrecy, as were most of the names of whomever he did it for. He claimed to work for a number of billionaires, but the only known major client was Leslie Wexner, the billionaire founder of several retail chains, including The Limited."

But whose intelligence service? CIA and the Russian FSB services are obvious candidates, but they would have no particular motive to acquire an agent like Epstein. That leaves Israel, which would have been eager to have a stable of high-level agents of influence in Europe and the United States. Epstein's contact with the Israeli intelligence service may have plausibly come through his associations with Ghislaine Maxwell, who allegedly served as his key procurer of young girls. Ghislaine is the daughter of Robert Maxwell , who died or possibly was assassinated in mysterious circumstances in 1991. Maxwell was an Anglo-Jewish businessman, very cosmopolitan in profile, like Epstein, a multi-millionaire who was very controversial with what were regarded as ongoing ties to Mossad. After his death, he was given a state funeral by Israel in which six serving and former heads of Israeli intelligence listened while Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir eulogized : "He has done more for Israel than can today be said"

Trump (left) with Robert Maxwell (right) at an event

Epstein kept a black book identifying many of his social contacts, which is now in the hands of investigators. It included fourteen personal phone numbers belonging to Donald Trump, including ex-wife Ivana, daughter Ivanka and current wife Melania. It also included Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia, Tony Blair, Jon Huntsman, Senator Ted Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, David Koch, Ehud Barak, Alan Dershowitz, John Kerry, George Mitchell, David Rockefeller, Richard Branson, Michael Bloomfield, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Elizabeth, Saudi King Salman and Edward de Rothschild.

Mossad would have exploited Epstein's contacts, arranging their cooperation by having Epstein wining and dining them while flying them off to exotic locations, providing them with women and entertainment. If they refused to cooperate, it would be time for blackmail, photos and videos of the sex with underage women.

It will be very interesting to see just how far and how deep the investigation into Epstein and his activities goes. One can expect that efforts will be made to protect top politicians like Clinton and Trump and to avoid any examination of a possible Israeli role. That is the normal practice, witness the 9/11 Report and the Mueller investigation, both of which eschewed any inquiry into what Israel might have been up to. But this time, if it was indeed an Israeli operation, it might prove difficult to cover up the story since the pedophile aspect of it has unleashed considerable public anger from all across the political spectrum. Senator Chuck Schumer , self-described as Israel's "protector" in the Senate, is loudly calling for the resignation of Acosta. He just might change his tune if it turns out that Israel is a major part of the story.

Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is [email protected]


9/11 Inside job , says: July 11, 2019 at 4:08 pm GMT

aanirfan.blogspot.com in an article entitled " Epstein , Trump, 9/11 ' has identified Epstein's links not only to Mossad but to his business relationships with CIA controlled airlines and perhaps to the false flag attacks on 9/11 .According to Aangirfan , Epstein is a member of both the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission. The CIA and Mossad have strong ties resulting from the efforts , according to the Wall Street Journal no less, of former CIA chiefs William Casey and James Angleton . As Acosta has confirmed , Epstein has links to "intelligence " .

SunBakedSuburb , says: July 11, 2019 at 4:08 pm GMT

The presence of Ghislaine Maxwell is proof of Mossad's ownership of Epstein's kompromat operation. Ghislaine's father, Robert Maxwell, created the Neva network -- a consortium of technology companies, banks, and Russian and Bulgarian organized crime networks -- for his Mossad masters. Keeping up the family business, Ghislaine was running Epstein for the Israelis.

Sean McBride , says: July 11, 2019 at 4:26 pm GMT

Speculation or scenario: the highest levels of the CIA and Mossad have been closely allied since the late 1940s (see especially the role of James Angleton) and are pursuing common strategic objectives.

The New York Post remarked in March 2000:

"Epstein is an enigmatic figure. Rumors abound -- including wild ones about a career in the Mossad and, contrarily, the CIA."

Perhaps Epstein has been sponsored, funded, directed and protected by both agencies working in combination.

j2 , says: July 11, 2019 at 5:39 pm GMT

A question for Giraldi. You write:

"Those blackmailed would undoubtedly in most cases cooperate with the foreign government involved to avoid a major scandal. It is called recruiting "agents of influence." That is how intelligence agencies work and it is what they do."

But would not a single intelligence agency typically target and trap one isolated person, not a whole set of interconnected people? That is, this is more like the way the P2 lodge worked in Italy, that is, a society.

RobinG , says: July 11, 2019 at 6:25 pm GMT
@Patrikios Stetsonis

Thanks for posting Alison Weir's statement. The same Israel-First crowd that lobbied for Iraq war is now eager [for U.S.] to attack Iran.

"Only a General with balls, can save the USA and to an extension, the rest of the World." How about a Major? TULSI 2020.

Mark in BC , says: July 11, 2019 at 7:14 pm GMT

With all the mystery surrounding how Epstein obtained such great wealth, I can't help but think it may be a global money laundering operation connected to the global drug trade.

Books have been written about the CIA's involvement in cocaine and heroin distribution. Whether it's HW Bush and Iran Contra(cocaine) and Bill Clinton with Mena, AR airport complicity in same or the explosion in poppy (HW's nickname just a coincidence ) production in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion, drugs seem to connect all these dots and more.

And, let's not forget the Israeli "Art Student" operation that targeted DEA offices.

A way for Epstein to get out from under this with the CUFI crowd might be to point out Mary, mother of Jesus, was pregnant out of wedlock at 14 so what's the big deal?

Tired of Not Winning , says: July 11, 2019 at 7:16 pm GMT

NYT and Bloomberg have been writing about the mysterious source of Epstein's wealth. Epstein's hedge fund is established offshore and has a hush-hush list of "clients". He was once sued by a guy named Michael Stroll who said he lost all $450k of his money investing with Epstein, and he told an interviewer that everyone thought Epstein "was some kind of genius, but I never saw any genius, and I never saw him work. Anyone that wealthy would have to work 26 hours a day, Epstein played 26 hours a day." Bloomberg estimated that at best his net worth is $77m, which obviously is not enough to support his lavish lifestyle with 12 homes, a private island, private jet, 15 cars.

Epstein was "let go" by Bear Sterns because of his involvement in an insider trading case involving Edgar Bronfman, whose firm Seagram was in a hostile takeover bid of another firm. Bronfman, former president of World Jewish Congress, and his two daughters are investors in NXIVM which was recently charged with sex trafficking and other corruptions. Bronfman and Les Wexner, the single largest investor in Epstein's "hedge fund", were co-founders of the Zionist org. Mega. All these people are in one way or another connected with Israel.

I suspect Epstein and Bronfman were in fact running an international sex trafficking-racketeering ring on behalf of Mossad. That would explain his mysterious source of wealth. His little black book is rumored to include 1,500 names of who's who in politics, business and arts, and includes royalty, several foreign presidents and a famous prime minister.

Tired of Not Winning , says: July 11, 2019 at 7:52 pm GMT

Acosta needs to show some integrity and resign. But of course, if he had any, he would never have signed that plea bargain to begin with.

First Mueller, now Epstein, two chances for Barr to turn the Deep State inside out, upside down once and for all. Will he do it? I have my doubts. William Barr's father, Donald Barr, was the one who recruited Jeffrey Epstein, a two time college dropout, to be a calculus and physics teacher at the prestigious Dalton School in NYC when he was the headmaster there. Donald Barr, born Jewish but "converted" to Catholicism, was later ousted by a group of "progressive" parents at Dalton for being too conservative. But he was the one who gave Epstein the foot in the door. From there he got to teach the son of Bear Stern's CEO Ace Greenberg, and was recruited by the latter to work at Bear Sterns.

anon [398] Disclaimer , says: July 11, 2019 at 8:38 pm GMT

I wouldn't count out the CIA here. It is telling that one of Epstein's havens was overseas, several of them. These are locations where the CIA could legally operate. After collecting dirt, they could then funnel some of it selectively to the Israelis for distribution so the CIA could maintain plausible deniability while having a wall of separation between themselves and the Mossad-picked third party that leaked the info.

In fact, this is the most plausible scenario; it fits with everything we know: 1) "intelligence" reportedly told Acosta to back off 2) Epstein has been linked to the CIA 3) some of these locations were overseas, giving the CIA a legal justification for spying 4) these were largely American politicians and American allies 5) the CIA reportedly threatened Trump when he came into office by implying they would leak stuff on him: the Micheal Wolfe book, Fire and Fury I believe it was, related a story of Trump being pressured to set up a meeting with the CIA where he'd speak to them and, essentially, pledge loyalty to them because they would be his enemies otherwise (that's treason, btw); Trump dutifully complied 6) Epstein's mysterious wealth and property management would have attracted CIA attention long ago, meaning they should have been aware of this unless they helped set it up, including the guy's fake wealth (a front to get close to the powerful) anyone got a tax return for this guy?

This smells like CIA-Mossad joint op. If it were solely Mossad, the CIA should have stepped in and broken up this guy's little operation considering his targets. They should have followed up by either eliminating Epstein as a message to Mossad not to leak any of their dirt or threatened Epstein with punishment if he leaked or continued his activities. Tellingly, they covered for the guy.

follyofwar , says: July 11, 2019 at 9:57 pm GMT
@follyofwar

Also, does this sorry state of affairs make it more likely that Trump will "Wag the Dog" on Iran? Would the Epstein arrest have even happened if Trump had done Bibi's bidding and attacked Iran when the False Flag of the drone shoot down had been teed up for him like a driver smacking a golf ball. Conspiracy Theories is all we have left in the crumbling Empire of Lust and Greed. Perhaps I'm just paranoid.

Jacques Sheete , says: July 12, 2019 at 12:40 am GMT

Milchan was involved in a number of other thefts as well as arms sales on behalf of the Jewish state

One of many apparently.

The scum described here was rewarded with becoming the mayor of Jerusalem.

We've been involved in everything we've been asked to do [re Israel].

[Dad] went and he bought all of the equipment from the plant. It ended up being shipped to Israel. Because you know at that time, there was a complete embargo from the United States, and what little [the Israelis] got– well Most of what they got were smuggled in.Most of them were illegal, all the arms. That's what Teddy Kollek did. That was his job before he became a mayor [of Jerusalem]. He was a master smuggler. And he was good. Oh was he good! [laughter]

-Philip Weiss, Was it 'jihad' when Henry Crown smuggled plane parts to Israel?,July 29, 2013 27
http://mondoweiss.net/2013/07/was-it-jihad-when-henry-crown-smuggled-plane-parts-to-israel-and-when-jeffrey-goldberg-moved-there.html

The vid is good too. Shows the typical smug "Cheney" smirk of the speaker.

Hillbob , says: July 12, 2019 at 12:53 am GMT
@Art

Any wonder why Trump is so overtly and disgustingly pro Israel?

trelane , says: July 12, 2019 at 1:49 am GMT

The honey trap is one of the most powerful (and legitimate) ways to compromise public officials, including heads of state. Epstein is almost certainly Mossad.

Rabbitnexus , says: July 12, 2019 at 2:16 am GMT

This has been the talk and pretty obvious conclusion now for some time. Of COURSE Epstein was/is a MOSSAD asset if not agent. What's more his usefullness to them isn't over yet, especially if Trump is one of the names he has.

I think if Trump caves next false flag and has a go at Iran, it will imply that Trump is dirty and Epstein can prove it. I'm saying MOSSAD could be behind Epstein going down now as it makes his blakmail potential an imperitive. Hopefully Trump is clean and there are indications he is. If not then he just lost any ability to resist whatever the zippers now want of him.

Rabbitnexus , says: July 12, 2019 at 2:31 am GMT
@j2

The sort of influence Zionist "Israel" needs to wield and does requires exactly such an interconnected and multilayered stable of highly placed assets. Redundancy built in and how else do you think they manage to control so much AND avoid accountability? They cast a wide net. But you knew that I think.

renfro , says: July 12, 2019 at 2:54 am GMT
@Tired of Not Winning deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had "been told" to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," he told his interviewers'

#4 Offshore Tax Schemes / Money Laundering
Deutsche Bank seems to be the Gordian Knot of financial filth and corruption. Epstein was a client of Deutsche Bank's 'special services department' same as Trump and Kushner ..same Deutsche bank as already fined for money laundering.

Possible Epstein and whoever was behind him engaged in all of these. If congress is going to question Acosta .first question should be who told him Epstein belonged to intelligence.

the grand wazoo , says: July 12, 2019 at 3:10 am GMT
@j2

You mentioned the Masonic Lodge P2 in Italy. If you haven't done so yet I recommend Paul Williams book "OPERATION GLADIO".

Achilles , says: July 12, 2019 at 3:29 am GMT

That 2002 New York piece Phil mentioned has some great tid-bits:

For more than ten years, he's been linked to Manhattan-London society figure Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of the mysteriously deceased media titan Robert Maxwell

He is an enthusiastic member of the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Indicative of globalism, Zionism and Jewish group interest.

those close to him say the reason he quit his board seat at the Rockefeller Institute was that he hated wearing a suit.

Obviously a falsely contrived reason, wonder what the deal was here

"I invest in people – be it politics or science. It's what I do," he has said to friends. And his latest prize addition is the former president [Bill Clinton].

Certainly suggestive of an intelligence operative mindset.

Before Clinton, Epstein's rare appearances in the gossip columns tended to be speculation as to the true nature of his relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell. While they are still friends, the English tabloids have postulated that Maxwell has longed for a more permanent pairing and that for undetermined reasons Epstein has not reciprocated in kind. "It's a mysterious relationship that they have," says society journalist David Patrick Columbia. "In one way, they are soul mates, yet they are hardly companions anymore. It's a nice conventional relationship, where they serve each other's purposes."

Friends of the two say that Maxwell, whose social life has always been higher-octane than Epstein's, lent a little pizzazz to the lower-profile Epstein. Indeed, at a party at Maxwell's house, her friends say, one is just as apt to see Russian ladies of the night as one is to see Prince Andrew.

Another interpretation is that his combination with Ghislaine was bringing a bit too much public attention to Epstein and his activities and therefore it was decided to let things die down a bit.

in 1976, he dropped everything and reported to work at Bear Stearns, where he started off as a junior assistant to a floor trader at the American Stock Exchange. His ascent was rapid.

At the time, options trading was an arcane and dimly understood field, just beginning to take off. To trade options, one had to value them, and to value them, one needed to be able to master such abstruse mathematical confections as the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For Epstein, breaking down such models was pure sport, and within just a few years he had his own stable of clients. "He was not your conventional broker saying 'Buy IBM' or 'Sell Xerox,' " says Bear Stearns CEO Jimmy Cayne. "Given his mathematical background, we put him in our special-products division, where he would advise our wealthier clients on the tax implications of their portfolios. He would recommend certain tax-advantageous transactions. He is a very smart guy and has become a very important client for the firm as well."

In 1980, Epstein made partner, but he had left the firm by 1981. Working in a bureaucracy was not for him

Obviously, important facts are being left out. He is a talented options analyst but they have him advising clients on investment structures to save taxes? Why wouldn't they put him on principal trades for Bear if he was such an options whiz?

And why did he leave? Trading firms are notoriously NOT bureaucracies, and anyone with a talent for making money, especially in the early 80s, would find few fetters. Whole story not given here.

In 1982, according to those who know Epstein, he set up his own shop, J. Epstein and Co., which remains his core business today. The premise behind it was simple: Epstein would manage the individual and family fortunes of clients with $1 billion or more. Which is where the mystery deepens. Because according to the lore, Epstein, in 1982, immediately began collecting clients. There were no road shows, no whiz-bang marketing demos – just this: Jeff Epstein was open for business for those with $1 billion–plus.

Getting clients in asset management is a cut-throat business. But Epstein did not even have to make a pretense of competing for business?

His firm would be different, too. He was not here just to offer investment advice; he saw himself as the financial architect of every aspect of his client's wealth – from investments to philanthropy to tax planning to security to assuaging the guilt and burdens that large sums of inherited wealth can bring on.

the conditions for investing with Epstein were steep: He would take total control of the billion dollars, charge a flat fee, and assume power of attorney to do whatever he thought was necessary to advance his client's financial cause. And he remained true to the $1 billion entry fee. According to people who know him, if you were worth $700 million and felt the need for the services of Epstein and Co., you would receive a not-so-polite no-thank-you from Epstein.

Minimum $1b invested, no track record by the asset manager, and he claims the clients give him carte blanche? This is not normal wealth management.

Turning down giant new stakes just because they fall short of $1b? Nonsense. The name of the game on the buy side on Wall Street is size, because that gives you negotiating power with the sell side.

Epstein runs a lean operation, and those close to him say that his actual staff – based here in Manhattan at the Villard House (home to Le Cirque); New Albany, Ohio; and St. Thomas, where he reincorporated his company seven years ago (now called Financial Trust Co.) – numbers around 150 and is purely administrative. When it comes to putting these billions to work in the markets, it is Epstein himself making all the investment calls – there are no analysts or portfolio managers, just twenty accountants to keep the wheels greased and a bevy of assistants – many of them conspicuously attractive young women – to organize his hectic life. So assuming, conservatively, a fee of .5 percent (he takes no commissions or percentages) on $15 billion, that makes for a management fee of $75 million a year straight into Jeff Epstein's pocket.

Epstein makes all the daily investment decisions on $15b, yet no one on the sell side knows him? In other words Epstein does not invest in new issues. But new issues are the gravy for making money on the buy side – think IPO discount. This is not normal asset management.

some have speculated that Wexner is the primary source of Epstein's lavish life – but friends leap to his defense. "Let me tell you: Jeffrey Epstein has other clients besides Wexner. I know because some of them are my clients," says noted m&a lawyer Dennis Block of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. "I sent him a $500 million client a few years ago and he wouldn't take him. Said the account was too small. Both the client and I were amazed. But that's Jeffrey."

You can always trust the word of an M&A lawyer. They would never mislead anyone for advantage.

he found himself spending there [in Santa Fe], talking elementary particle physics with his friend Murray Gell-Mann, a Nobel Prize–winning physicist and co-chair of the science board at the Santa Fe Institute.

his covey of scientists that inspires Epstein's true rapture. Epstein spends $20 million a year on them

Gerald Edelman won the Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine in 1972 and now presides over the Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla. "Jeff is extraordinary in his ability to pick up on quantitative relations," says Edelman. "He came to see us recently. He is concerned with this basic question: Is it true that the brain is not a computer? He is very quick."

Stephen Kosslyn, a psychologist at Harvard. Epstein flew up to Kosslyn's laboratory in Cambridge this year to witness an experiment that Kosslyn was conducting and Epstein was funding. Namely: Is it true that certain Tibetan monks are capable of holding a distinct mental image in their minds for twenty minutes straight?

Epstein has a particularly close relationship with Martin Nowak, an Austrian biology and mathematics professor who heads the theoretical-biology program at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton. Nowak is examining how game theory can be used to answer some of the basic evolutionary questions – e.g., why, in our Darwinian society, does altruistic behavior exist?

Danny Hillis, an MIT-educated computer scientist whose company, Thinking Machines, was at the forefront of the supercomputing world in the eighties, and who used to run R&D at Walt Disney Imagineering

An intelligence operative would certainly have no interest in cultivating, buying or blackmailing scientists in the fields of nuclear physics, controlling human behavior or supercomputers!

And by the way, the need to explain "altruism" in terms of game theory is a tip-off that Epstein and Nowak have no spiritual life and cannot comprehend of it in other people. No surprise to find "do what thou wilt" as his guiding principle.

Strangely enough, given his scientific obsessions, he is a computer-phobe and does not use e-mail.

Before taking a big position, Epstein will usually fly to the country in question. He recently spent a week in Germany meeting with various government officials and financial types, and he has a trip to Brazil coming up in the next few weeks. On all of these trips, he flies alone in his commercial-jet-size 727.

Friends of Epstein say he is horrified at the recent swell of media attention around him

He has never granted a formal interview, and did not offer one to this magazine, nor has his picture appeared in any publication.

The final straws. If he's not an intelligence operative, he's doing everything he can to give that impression!

He "flies alone." LOL! Poor Jeffrey, he so ronery!

Tsigantes , says: July 12, 2019 at 3:47 am GMT
@SunBakedSuburb

When Bob Maxwell died at sea or disappeared it turned out that he had used or stolen every penny of ALL the pensions of his employees .which were never recovered. After her father was given a state funeral in Israel (not England where he and his family lived and worked) there followed a 2 year court case in which his 6 children were finally excused from any responsibility for these pensions, despite inheriting his money and two of them working in his companies.

And now Ghislaine turns up as a US socialite, multi-decade pedophile procurer and international human trafficker. Nice family .nice values! ...

tac , says: July 12, 2019 at 3:52 am GMT

Since the Little SAINT James pedo-island that was allegedly owned by Jeffery Epstein did not have an airport (the closest one being Curil E King airport in St. Thomas (about ten miles away)) that means the 'guests' would either have to take a boat trip or a helicopter trip. Since Little SAINT James does have a clearly marked helicopter landing site at the north central east part of the island (when viewed on google maps in satellite view) one would suspect that is how these so-called 'guests' arrived at this pedo-island.

... ... ...

Parisian Guy , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:11 am GMT
@9/11 Inside job

According to Aangirfan , Epstein is a member of both the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission.

This trilateral+CFR membership is plainly written on the Epstein Foundation website.

anon [189] Disclaimer , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:14 am GMT

First Weinstein then Epstein and how about the Clinton's or should we call them clintstein.birds of feather

Tired of Not Winning , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:16 am GMT
@renfro

Those activities are not mutually exclusive. It could be #5: All of the above. We all know how Mossad operates. Nothing is beyond them. The end justifies the means.

Israhell has a right to exist.

Tsigantes , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:16 am GMT
@Tired of Not Winning

Acosta is a distraction .and possibly innocent since he did what he was told which was to go easy on an intelligence asset.
Forget the small fry and concentrate on the real criminals please.

Sean , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:17 am GMT

Senator Chuck Schumer, self-described as Israel's "protector" in the Senate, is loudly calling for the resignation of Acosta. He just might change his tune if it turns out that Israel is a major part of the story.

Schumer would already have been tipped of if is was an Israeli operation. It's an anti Trump thing.

Tsigantes , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:27 am GMT
@follyofwar

The fact that the case has been moved to the Southern District of New York validates your cynicism.

Has the Only Democracy in the Middle East decided to sacrifice Epstein (he can be sprung later, his jig was up anyway) so that an Epstein circus can replace Russiagate?

ChuckOrloski , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:30 am GMT
@renfro

From renfro, the following great point:
"If congress is going to question Acosta .first question should be who told him Epstein belonged to intelligence."

, renfro! Thanks & my respect.

Because I have special enthusiasm for renfro's advice to "Congress," such will not fly with "congress."

Daniel Rich , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:47 am GMT

@ Philip Giraldi,

Quote: "It will be very interesting to see just how far and how deep the investigation into Epstein and his activities goes."

Reply: We'll get a glistening kabuki show, with lots of wailing [walls], thunder and lightening, twists and turns, but, in the end [as this case will go on and on – Harvey Weinstein, anyone?] people will forget about it.

Huh?

Oh, look. The Cartra$$hians!!!

Intelligent Dasein , says: Website July 12, 2019 at 4:53 am GMT

I fear that this is all rapidly turning into a modified limited hangout. A whole lot of dirt will be inconclusively exposed and, even though everyone will have a pretty good idea of what happened, there won't be enough will to do anything about it.

The caveat will be when the financial system finally implodes. A horde of jobless and desperate people will rapidly lose their patience for being governed by a bunch of incompetent pedophile oligarchs, but until then everyone will just go with the flow.

j2 , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:06 am GMT
@Rabbitnexus ut it looks more like a millionaire club. Intelligence agencies prefer to use secretaries and other less visible people as spies. I would look for some association of friends of Israel, something that has lots of money, wants lots of power, spies on people, both enemies and friends, and has some special love for Israel.

I maybe wrong, but this does not seem to me to be a single intelligence agency of any country. It operates in an age old method of a secret society, like mafia or masons. It is neither mafia nor masons, but some that especially likes to help Israel and probably created it. I guess there are such friends of Israel organizations, several.

jack daniels , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:10 am GMT
@Achilles

In social science it is often assumed that people are selfish. The attempt to show that altruism contributes positively to the prospects for survival and reproduction is important in defeating the presumption of underlying selfishness. It's not a very deep idea. If ten people carry a gene that causes one of them to throw himself on a hand-grenade, thereby saving the other nine, that gives the gene a better chance of being passed along than if the grenade goes off and most or all of the carriers are killed. If interested, see the book Evolution of the Social Contract by Brian Skyrms.

Wizard of Oz , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:10 am GMT
@Tired of Not Winning ld that one of the names is supposed to be Queen Elizabeth.

First a question: who says the telephone numbers were the sort only an intimate or ultimate insider would have? Queen Elizabeth's would surely have had to be the Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham or Balmoral switchboard.

Then there is what a sleazy or dangerous guy like Epstein might be expected to do, namely toss in a whole lot of names (with or without true up to date direct line numbers) to confuse and provide diversion and cover. Cute though isn't that he was supposed still to be using an old fashioned address book in the 21st Century rather than an encrypted or at least password protected smartphone.

Anon [255] Disclaimer , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:11 am GMT

From Tennessee,

The Palm Beach mansion Epstein owned was rigged with hidden cameras in some of the guest bedrooms according to an article I read a couple of years back.

Im glad we have forums like this so the word can get out: honeypot operations are not a thing of just the KGB/Cold War past, but of the Soros/intel orgs/globalist/Establishment present.

Future politicians and wealthy businesspersons need to be aware of this. The Bible has a great old verse that goes something like, "Be sure your sins will find you out".

Tono Bungay , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:25 am GMT

"Pedophilia"? Has anyone accused Epstein of mistreating pre-pubescent girls? I don't think so. If Mr. Giraldi wants to deplore what Epstein is accused of, fine. But don't try to confuse us by suggesting that he attacked children rather than underage teens.

gsjackson , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:55 am GMT
@follyofwar even Israel understand this would not be regime change business as usual.

U.S. war gamers for years have been saying there's no way the U.S. could significantly "win" the war. It would surely drive gas prices way up, and wake up the American public, creating a probably insurmountable political problem for Trump. Israel is liable to get pelted from all sides -- Hezbollah has promised to attack in the event of war, and there are probably ways of striking from Syria and Iran. Then there are the wild cards of Russia and China. No one knows for sure what Putin would do if Iran were attacked, but he could certainly turn Israel into a parking lot very quickly if he wanted to.

Wizard of Oz , says: July 12, 2019 at 9:12 am GMT
@Achilles

Well founded scepticism. Still, now we know the extent of what Bernie Madoff got away with perhaps someone who was clever and charming and appealed to those who wouldn't have invested with Madoff just might have put together enough billion dollar portfolios to be able, as long as he managed his tax affairs well to become very rich during the 80s. It would be interesting to know how he handled the October 1988 melt down.

A1N2O3N , says: July 12, 2019 at 10:47 am GMT

Good article. I was waiting for someone to come out and state the obvious regarding the Mossad connection.

My guess is that everything will be swept under the carpet, as usual, just as it was with the famous "DC Madam" case and her black book of DC clients.

Kartoffelstampfer , says: July 12, 2019 at 11:00 am GMT

One aspect of this entire Epstein Talmudic child abuse saga that really p*sses me off is the active participation of the IRS. It was the same with Madoff and Maxwell. None of these talmudic ponzi's could have gotten off the ground if these gangsters had been correctly filing all the correct tax forms like all the other goy schmucks.

Since 2012, with the Statute of Limitations retroactively extended 3 years to a total of 6 years backwards to 2006, all undeclared foreign bank accounts of US persons or green card holders on IRS FBAR forms (Foreign Bank Account Report), and since 2012 form 8948 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets), which is even more intrusive, face IRS penalties of 50% of the highest annual balance, and many tax sinners have been forced to pay more in taxes than these bank accounts ever contained. This is the tip of the iceberg compared to jewish charity and foundation and estate fraud.

Epstein supposedly was "gifted" the NY mansion from his "mentor" at the defunct and fraudulent money changer Bear Stearns for what must have been more than 50 Million. Rick Wiles drilled down in detail into this gift on Thursday .

These kinds of shenanigans, like flying "friends" around the world to your various child abuse temples in your private jets, are taxable gifts. In fact double taxed, taxed first as income and second with the gift tax. The Lolita Express could never be declared as a business expense either.

The entire rotten affair stinks on every level and it gets more putrid at every layer of talmudic control is peeled bank. At each level more Jews and Zionists come wiggling out and scurrying off to disappear from social and dinosaur media. But also as each layer gets peeled bank we get closer to the core, which with ever more certainty is ritual child sacrifice used for talmudic control.

Vetran , says: July 12, 2019 at 11:32 am GMT
@Tsigantes

Forget the small fry and concentrate on the real criminals please.

It's going to be difficult

Maurene Comey, one of the lead prosecutors who is handling the Epstein case, happens to be James Comey's daughter, the ex FBI boss.
It remains to be seen if she will be giving Bill Clinton special treatment, just like her father gave to Hillary's "lock her up".
Moreover, Judge Berman who preside the case, happens to be also a Clinton appointee (in 1998).

Jacques Sheete , says: July 12, 2019 at 11:34 am GMT
@ChuckOrloski

Chuck, have you seen this recent PG article?

The Death of Privacy: Government Fearmongers to Read Your Mail
Philip Giraldi • July 11, 2019 • 1,200 Words • 7 Comments • Reply

I say we dumb goyim pay more attention to that, and less to Errp-stain.

hobo , says: July 12, 2019 at 11:43 am GMT

In 1982, according to those who know Epstein, he set up his own shop, J. Epstein and Co., which remains his core business today. The premise behind it was simple: Epstein would manage the individual and family fortunes of clients with $1 billion or more. Which is where the mystery deepens. Because according to the lore, Epstein, in 1982, immediately began collecting clients. There were no road shows, no whiz-bang marketing demos – just this: Jeff Epstein was open for business for those with $1 billion–plus.

The fly in the ointment of this carefully cultivated cover story:

"Statistics published in Forbes magazine's annual survey of America's billionaires expose this little known but shocking reality. In 1982 there were 13 billionaires; in 1983 15″

DanFromCT , says: July 12, 2019 at 11:51 am GMT
@Tired of Not Winning

There's no need for anything so crude as either the head of the CIA or FBI reporting directly to the Mossad when both agencies are riddled from top to bottom with de facto Israeli espionage agents.

MLK , says: July 12, 2019 at 11:51 am GMT

A few no doubt unappealing observations.

It's a Fool's Errand to think you can solve Epstein like a puzzle. Most, like Giraldi, are engaged in bias confirmation. That isn't to say his speculations are entirely wrong but that we're all part of the play in one way or another.

In my view timing is rarely if ever coincidental. That seems glaringly obvious here. The Epstein scandal was resurrected now for a reason. I suspect that like the Academic Admissions scandal the Permanent Government is throwing its weight around. Warning (once again) that it can inflict casualties if exposing its 2016 malefactions is taken too far.

Weinstein served the same function -- with poor Meryl Streep the Sgt. Schultz headliner.

Put yourself in the mind of the various filth (e.g. Brennan) implicated in attempting to throw the election to Hillary and, failing that, frame-up and destroy the duly elected POTUS. They think they're entitled to a pass given all they've turned a blind eye to over the years.

Epstein's arrest strikes me as a shot across the bow in the context of the upcoming IG Report/Durham Investigation. I'm not picking on Giraldi but all of his fans here should note he's been Mumble Mouth at best on those malefactions. Nor am I saying that isn't the wise move for him.

The scandal that needs to be buried is that they built a global surveillance (and storage) apparatus, including of the American people. There was widespread, systematic abuse of it during the Obama Administration ('000s of people). Whatever limitations there were, effectively Mutually Assured Destruction with the establishment factions keeping an eye on each other, collapsed as they all united to stop Trump.

Epstein, like Weinstein and the Academic Admissions scandal, is both distraction and a warning to the Governing and Business Classes -- keep you heads down and mouths shut about these powerful intelligence/national security entities.

EliteCommInc. , says: July 12, 2019 at 12:34 pm GMT

I generally think waiting to see how matters fall out is a very good idea. But when I read the information of Mr. Acosta's interview, I sank a bit. Because it strongly suggested vested interest by the government – not to get to the truth.

That even the circus that usually comes to surround even credible cases will so muddy the waters as to avoid a rendering of what actually took place.

And given how compromised the collusion matter is was or will continue to be – the stakes may be higher here such that muddying the waters will be some relief for those involved.

And why due process matters

anon [499] Disclaimer , says: July 12, 2019 at 12:35 pm GMT

Myth of brilliance has been created to explain origin of his wealth . But even that shit was not enough , more myths had to be created like capacity of having brilliant discussions with Nobel laureate ( Physics) or with great educators , and with world renowned economist .

I guess authorities can get away with saying what F lies they can say until it blows up on their faces . Jew thinks goym are stupid , so tell them whatever come to mind like having a great autonomous brain that doesn't depend on education or training or publicly visible job to figure out the finances , economy, hard computer , physical and cognitive sciences and earning millions ,
while busy with
1 taking nude picture and storing them in 3-4 different areas
2 ferrying big guns from 3 different continents to Orgy Islsnd
3 Getting their intimate information , charting them connecting them and storing them
4 having parties with semi nude girls but attended by celebrities
5 holding message parkour parties from girls procured from shanty , trailer park ,
6 having serial girl friends
– there are more .

Oh yeah!!! No wonder people under pressure , lack of information , from removal of connecting dots , undue respect for glory money power , fear for being seen as ' naysayer ' or pessimist or low IQ uninformed , and fear of public ridicule can believe or can feign to believe the wildest whoopers / lies/ plaint shit dished out by the upper echelon of the society .
( then we wonder why people believe in UFO , big foot ,
, personal angels , apparitions, or America is a force for good )

DESERT FOX , says: July 12, 2019 at 12:48 pm GMT

Epstein in my opinion is a mossad officer whose agenda is to compromise zio/US politicians for the benefit of Israel and in this he is just one of many in the zio/US and in fact the zio/US gov is infested with dual Israeli citizens whose first and only loyalty is to Israel.

Read the book Blood in the Water by Joan Mellen about the attack on the USS Liberty by Israel and the US government to see how intertwined the mossad and the CIA are and remember the joint Israeli and zio/US gov attack on the WTC on 911, the zionists rule America!

RoatanBill , says: July 12, 2019 at 1:13 pm GMT

"CIA and the Russian FSB services are obvious candidates, but they would have no particular motive to acquire an agent like Epstein."
This is an assertion with nothing to back it up. The CIA, in particular, has every reason to use an 'Epstein' for its nefarious purposes as it IS the deep state or at least a major part of it.
The CIA owns the drug trade in Afghanistan and Mena, Arkansas can easily be connected to CIA activities along with gun running in Mexico. The CIA is the official criminal organization within the US gov't and it went rogue decades ago. It can afford to have multiple 'Epstein' clones running around to make sure it can control the US political class to not investigate its activities too closely.
The CIA and Israel are indistinguishable from each other. Israel runs US foreign policy via the CIA and their own Mossad.

Jacques Sheete , says: July 12, 2019 at 2:03 pm GMT
@A1N2O3N

My guess is that everything will be swept under the carpet, as usual, just as it was with the famous "DC Madam" case and her black book of DC clients.

Most certainly.

BTW, what ever happened with Podesta and Pizzagate? Anyone know?

Ludwig Watzal , says: Website July 12, 2019 at 2:48 pm GMT

Come on, Phil Giraldi. Do you believe in an independent American justice system? What a joke. It's corrupt to the bone. Weinstein, Epstein, Maxwell, Adelson, Saban, Koch you name it, have America in their pocket like Sharon used to say. During a furious beef between Sharon and Shimon Peres, Sharon turned toward Peres, saying "every time we do something you tell me Americans will do this and will do that. I want to tell you something obvious, don't worry about American pressure on Israel, we, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it."

Mike from Jersey , says: July 12, 2019 at 2:49 pm GMT

I read the Miami Herald's articles on the "plea deal" by which Epstein got a slap on the wrist.

I recommend that everyone read them.

This is just one of them.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article214210674.html

Now ask yourself a question?

Could anyone but an intelligence agency get away with all of the following: 1) harassing witnesses (forcing their cars off the road public highways), 2) searching the trash of police officers in an attempt to find dirt on the officers and 3) obtaining a sweet heart plea bargain when the police had dozens of victims (who didn't even know each other) telling the exact same story and ready to testify – as well as photos of nude adolescents seized in a search.

Who could have done such things and got away with it.

Epstein must have been an operative. The only question is: for whom did he work?

Amerimutt Golems , says: July 12, 2019 at 3:37 pm GMT
@Curmudgeon

Gasp!!! Are you suggesting sweet, innocent Monica was blowing Slick Willie for reasons other than his taking advantage of her?

In his book Gideon's Spies the late Welsh author Gordon Thomas claimed Mossad had tapes of the same for blackmail reasons. However, this has never been confirmed.

TGD , says: July 12, 2019 at 3:45 pm GMT

Epstein will "cop a plea" and avoid a trial. That is certain.

A couple of things I'd like to ask the brilliant Epstein: Why did you engage in your nefarious sexual activity in New York State and Florida? The "age of consent" in both states is 18. In New Jersey, PA and other states, it's 16. Now US federal law prohibits sex between people 12 to 16 if one of the participants is 4 years or more older than the other. The law says "between" not inclusive of 16. So 16 might be OK. That's young enough.

Also Jeffrey, why didn't you take your "Lolita Express" to Tel Aviv? It's legal in Israel and no one checks up of the actual ages of the "working girls." And most are the tall blond/blue and slim types from Eastern Europe.

SafeNow , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:13 pm GMT

"Pedophile" is incorrect, as a commenter noted. The age cutoff is 13 for pedophilia. DSM-5. These escapades comprise different serious felonies. However, the Epstein colleagues can rest easy, if Rush's instinct about prosecuting Hillary is correct. Rush has said that prosecuting Hillary will not happen, because it would "roil" the nation. Same here. I expect to see a lot of MSM passive voice, and intransitive verbs, but no roiling. "The car drove off the side of the bridge."

jack daniels , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:13 pm GMT
@niteranger

Asimov's father once wrote a book called "The Sensuous Dirty Old Man." Hmm .

More seriously, did it ever occur to you that someone might want to know your source before accepting your claim that Mueller "supposedly classified Epstein as an informant"? Supposed by whom?? Eh????

Rurik , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:36 pm GMT
@Talha sh meat.

believes Epstein allegedly preyed on Araoz when she was 14 because she was vulnerable.

"She had just transferred to a new school and didn't know anybody," attorney Kimberly Lerner said in an interview. "She didn't have a father. Her mother was very poor. She was from a single-parent home. She was really struggling, and she wanted to be a model and an actress. He absolutely preyed upon the most vulnerable."

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/epstein-accuser-jennifer-araozs-lawyer-165000048.html

S , says: July 12, 2019 at 4:53 pm GMT
@Lou123 n Ring' which supposedly was providing child prostitutes to high level US politicians who in turn were then being blackmailed by the existence of surreptitious recordings having been made of these incidents by US intelligence agencies.

The below newspaper article explains what ultimately happened to the lead investigator of the case. Gary Caradori had been hired by the Nebraska state legislature to find out what had actually transpired regarding the alleged Nebraska based ring.

Needless to say his investigation was unexpectedly 'cut short'.

kiers , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:12 pm GMT
@Tired of Not Winning

What if .Acostoa is just a stooge, In fact he probably insisted on SOME jail time here. Otherwise the rest of the US "justice" system could care less. Even NYC is complicit. It's a snow job of theater, this democracy is. It's a joke. It only looks like a democracy on tv.

AnonFromTN , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:16 pm GMT

Mossad, CIA, FBI, MI5, who cares? All of these are criminal enterprises, just like the governments providing them cover and "legitimacy".

Really interesting aspect of any elite in-fighting is that it exposes an "uncomfortable truth" that there is only one elite running the show. That there is only Republicratic party, which regularly organizes (for the benefit of sheeple still believing in "democracy") puppet shows called elections, where ostensibly Democrats battle Republicans. In fact, both are just two hands of the same puppet master. That's why the same criminals are prominent at all "Republican" and "Democratic" functions.

The other thing that the story of that Epstein character clearly shows is that all those "respectable people" are nothing more than rich criminals, and the only reason they aren't in jail is that they have enough money to get away with any crime.

Bombercommand , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:23 pm GMT
@Talha refully scripted to identify girls who could be vulnerable to manipulation, have a chaotic family life, need money, need social connections for career advancement . The female procurer would report to Epstein and receive instructions to abandon or continue to recruit the "candidate". A female procurer is used as she will not arouse suspicion in a young girl. These are simple techniques that have been used for centuries worldwide. A father must cultivate a close relationship with his daughter, know when she is OK or not OK, and most importantly be an example of a quality man that his daughter will compare to every man she meets(being overprotective merely makes her more vulnerable).
Republic , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:35 pm GMT
@Mike from Jersey

If Epstein worked for Mossad, why wasn't he tipped off in Paris not to return to the US?

Israeli Intel is the best in the world. They knew about the secret grand jury and the indictment.

On a side note even if Epstein is convicted and jailed, there is a possibility that he could be secretly released.

In US penal history that has happened before.

JimDandy , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:41 pm GMT

Meh. Get ready for a tidal wave of MSM articles talking about how the deranged, alt-right internet conspiracy theorists are having a field day with the Epstein case, after which your average American moron will be programmed to just smirk and roll his eyes whenever the facts touched on in this article are brought up.

RobinG , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:56 pm GMT
@Patrikios Stetsonis

Well you 've got a point there

Yes, I do, but y'all seem to have missed it.

Talha , says: July 12, 2019 at 6:58 pm GMT
@Bombercommand

Ms. Aroaz's father was deceased before she met the female procurer

Well, then I take back what I said – obviously can't blame a dead man for not being there.

A father must cultivate a close relationship with his daughter, know when she is OK or not OK, and most importantly be an example of a quality man that his daughter will compare to every man she meets

Excellent points.

have a chaotic family life,

This seems key.

Peace.

niteranger , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:09 pm GMT
@jack daniels

Here's at least one link: https://goldfiremedia.net/2018/07/07/muellers-fbi-may-have-given-jeffrey-epstein-a-sweetheart-deal/

There are many more if you look them up! Mueller is a Bag Man in the intelligence agencies.

anonymous [375] Disclaimer , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:13 pm GMT
@Talha

Fathers are passé in America. Strong, intelligent wimmin are doing things for themselves.!

renfro , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:16 pm GMT
@Kartoffelstampfer

Agree.

If Epstein's tax returns aren't brought out /investigated in his trial then that means this trial will be another cover up.

niteranger , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:17 pm GMT
@Patrikios Stetsonis

I don't know if Giraldi is a plant or not. However, the first law of understanding "intelligence agents" or ex spooks is to always be suspicious of everyone. The group he belongs too seems legitimate enough but we have been set up before. I've be reading Giraldi a long time and he has a similar "theme" in every piece but he also leaves small things out that should be in his articles. The Devil is in the Details and man with his experience should be "Detailed Oriented."

He should know about Epstein and Muller and a few other things since this is the stock and trade of all intelligence agencies.

Alden , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:17 pm GMT
@Tired of Not Winning

Acosta did resign

Alden , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:21 pm GMT
@ChuckOrloski

Unless he had a recruiter pimp in Slovenia 40 years ago I doubt Melania was an Epstein girl.

Tired of Not Winning , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:38 pm GMT

The interesting thing about this case is, the left wants it exposed because they think it'll take down Trump, the right wants it exposed because they think it'll take down Bill Clinton. My guess is, more Dems will go down than Republicans. Trump was a Democrat and a big supporter of Clintons and Chuck Schumer before he decided to run as a GOP in 2016. He could've gone either way.

Sex scandals tend to plague the left, especially sexual perversions like porn, prostitution, child sex or gay sex. It's coz the left is dominated by Jews who are prone to sexual perversion, and also because liberals believe feelings and passion trump all, anything you do is not your fault as long as you are just following your feelings.

One reason Trump is so pro-Israel and hell bent on attacking Iran could be because the Jews have something on him, which is not too hard since he's been in business with them for a lifetime and is as unctuous and unscrupulous as any of them. They might be getting impatient with him on Iran and wants someone who can get the job done like Mike Pence to take over. Epstein could take down both Clinton and Trump, Clinton has outlived his usefulness to them since Hillary didn't win, he'll be the sacrificial lamb while they take out Trump for Pence.

ChuckOrloski , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:43 pm GMT
@Republic

Republic asked the following critical question which should not be cast away:
"If Epstein worked for Mossad, why wasn't he tipped off in Paris not to return to the US?"

! Mossad deception is sophisticated & patterns of telling a lie upon another improved lie ar characteristic.

Also, Mossad's implemented practices/techniques are adaptable to circumstances which seem supportive of what dumb goyim consider "justice served," but they actually benefit Israel.

A thought. I figure Epstein knew what fate awaited him prior to landing at Teterboro Airport tarmac.

Thanks & my respect, Republic.

Hillbob , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:48 pm GMT
@AnonFromTN

ah mr AnonfromTN you are always so , so perspicacious

Alden , says: July 12, 2019 at 7:49 pm GMT
@NoseytheDuke

Well, Giraldi did work there and would have heard people complaining about the presence and influence of Israeli spies. Colonel Kiatowoski's book about the presence of Israeli spies in the Pentagon made it clear Pentagon personnel resented the Israeli spies but could do nothing about it.

We all know about workplace gossip and gripes.

Rurik , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:02 pm GMT
@Talha ing to a recently divorced man whose x-wife hates him (nothing new), and who has two teenage daughters. The x has poisoned the daughters against him, (nothing new), and because he was trying to be strident with his elder daughter vis-a-vis drugs, (nothing new), he now is not allowed to have any contact with them via the skewed courts, (nothing new).

They're doing a Weimar regime redux. That was the apex of their heyday, when the children of Germany were their playthings, and Berlin was a giant brothel- girls and boys for sale, especially the ones whose fathers had died in their holocaust that was WWI.

Such a deal!

Alden , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:05 pm GMT
@j2 has maybe 10 Israeli immigrants or American Jews who work for him. Each has 10-15 American Jews who can be called upon. So it's a wide network.

You're right that clerks secretaries accountants have great access to information. But the Israeli system is widespread. Plus, the information needn't always come from Jews.

It really does exist. There's an Israeli who hosts sabbath dinners in Los Angeles. He invites American Jews to be briefed on what's going on in Israel. I'm positive he also recruits agents in place he spots at those dinners. Guests who have no access to anything useful at least get to feel they're participating in the cause.

renfro , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:07 pm GMT
@AnonFromTN he only reason they aren't in jail is that they have enough money to get away with any crime.

True. And this Epstein coverage is bringing out more nooks and crannies of how the really rich control systems for their own benefit.

Like why was Epsteins tax rate on his NY mansion only 0.6% .why is Bill de Blasio tax rate on his mansion only 0.2% ..when other NY'ers taxrate is 12%.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-edit-one-perverse-system-20190710-l7hryfwdd5gqndsyor3j5tsyiq-story.html

Kartoffelstampfer , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:08 pm GMT

@ChuckOrloski howed the original twelve members in indecent poses . At the entrance to the abbey, there was an inscription which read Fay ce que voudras – do what thou wilt – a term which Aleister Crowley borrowed nearly 200 years later. "

Ben Franklin likely would have been a prominent visitor to Little St. James, just as he was to West Wycombe in his day. Thomas Paine too.

PetrOldSack , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:25 pm GMT

There is regular sex and "deviation", pornography, pedophilia

There is drugs, illegal and legal, hard and soft

Then there is finance, always pimping, always on exploitation, abuse of minors, as young as not yet born, globally, and to be comitted legally. Pedophilia and drugs are soft core, barely leveling at the sock suspenders of our financiers.

A few hundred of the top tier Wall Street-ers belong in jail, as rats eating their own tail, they only can be administered there. Starting with Mnuchin. Epstein should be let alone, so he can decoy a little longer, and await his turn, pecking order obliges. Ah, the public sector, the ones with faces, real fungi are minding the dark.

Linked on this same site today, Michael Hudson, seems to attribute Empire and financial capitalism, debt, the demise of the dollar, to Trump. ?. Of all men, another scripted clown gets the blame. The shredding is spoiling the carpet.

If unz.com is so willingly pointing out the third liners, as Maya sacrifices to the deities in the shades, then there you have one more reason the rag is impervious to censorship.

Alden , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:27 pm GMT
@Wizard of Oz

Gardner's and retail store clerks have personal phone numbers of the rich and famous. For instance, clerks at high end retail clothing stores are supposed to cultivate shoppers on a personal level so they can call them up with the great news of items they'd like to buy.

Actors producers directors numbers and home addresses can be obtained from people who work at their agents accountants PR and attorney offices

Police departments have access to all phone numbers. Most of the Find a Number websites don't have the private number of celebrities. But there are plenty of people who can access all the cell phone records.

It's not difficult

renfro , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:40 pm GMT

How to get away with blackmailing without blackmailing.

First, you need to recruit people in. Have lots of massive parties at your spacious home for wealthy men. Have lots of women mostly teens and under aged.

Sooner or later there will be some mingling going on. Some billionaire will get handsy and end up in a room with a girl ..and hidden cameras.

Epstein informs him later the girl was really 15, but offers him a nice, neat way to buy silence: a large allocation to his hedge fund, which charges 5% ..with power of attorney for himself.

To ease the pain for the black mailee Epstein puts the money in something as safe as treasury notes or money market fund.

Then Epstein collects his 'fees' ..x millions on the interest from treasury notes or etc..

Soooo no traceable blackmail payoff checks or wire transfers from his fellow pedos.

Epstein may also try this on other important political figures, mayors, prosecutors, etc. He doesnt blackmail them to 'invest' in his fund but has them in his pocket.

The evidence would probably be in a deposit box in his offshore Caribbean bank.

Miro23 , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:44 pm GMT
@Tired of Not Winning v>

One reason Trump is so pro-Israel and hell bent on attacking Iran could be because the Jews have something on him, which is not too hard since he's been in business with them for a lifetime and is as unctuous and unscrupulous as any of them. They might be getting impatient with him on Iran and wants someone who can get the job done like Mike Pence to take over. Epstein could take down both Clinton and Trump, Clinton has outlived his usefulness to them since Hillary didn't win, he'll be the sacrificial lamb while they take out Trump for Pence.

Just what I was going to write, but you got there first.

Alden , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:45 pm GMT
@Tono Bungay

Thank you very much. pedophilia stops at the victims 13th birthday. Then it's various degrees of molestation of a minor . It's usually 13 and 14, then 15. Then 16 and 17. In some states the age of consent is 16. Epstein's activities weren't just molestation of minors. They were procuring for prostitution as well.

Sean McBride , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:51 pm GMT
@Lo ry, blackmail, careerism, etc.)

@Lo

I have been meaning to ask this for a while, Dr. Giraldi, let’s say stuff you write about Israel is all true, you are ex-CIA, then can we assume there are many like you or is that not the case? If that’s the case, then why none of them stand up and oppose? Or are they too afraid of standing up for their country?

There are at least nine factions in the CIA concerning Israeli politics:

1. anti-Israel for emotional reasons (instinctive hostile feelings towards Jews, Judeophobia)

2. anti-Israel for ideological reasons (reasoned opposition towards Judaism and Zionism as doctrines)

3. anti-Israel for strategic reasons (bad for long-term American interests)

4. pro-Israel for emotional reasons (warm feelings towards Jews)

5. pro-Israel for ideological reasons (for instance, Christian Zionists)

6. pro-Israel for occult reasons (the world’s most powerful secret society mandates support as part of a grand mystical scheme)

7. pro-Israel for reasons of personal self-interest (issues concerning bribery, blackmail, careerism, etc.)

8. pro-Israel for strategic reasons (good for long-term American strategic interests)

9. pro-Israel for strategic reasons AND hostile to Jews (Jewish nationalists provide a counterweight to Jewish leftists in the Diaspora, divide and conquer tactics)

Since the late 1940s, the pro-Israel factions in the CIA have easily dominated the anti-Israel (or Israel-skeptical) factions.

By the way, most CIA employees, including many high level employees, don't have a full understanding of what is going on in the CIA, including knowledge of the most influential players and operations and their connections.

Alden , says: July 12, 2019 at 8:53 pm GMT
@hobo

Thanks for looking it up. I wondered about
1 how many billionaires there were at the time.
2 how many had a billion to give to Epstein's control

Most of the billion would have been tied up in the companies and property, not cash to invest.

[Jul 13, 2019] There have long been rumors of Epstein's possible ties to what Dick Cheney so memorably described as the "dark side."

Jul 13, 2019 | www.counterpunch.org

+ There have long been rumors of Epstein's possible ties to what Dick Cheney so memorably described as the "dark side." As Vicky Ward disclosed in an excellent piece for the Daily Beast , Alex Acosta told the Trump's vetting team that he was told to go lightly on Epstein because he was "above his pay grade" and that " he belonged to intelligence ." Given Epstein's enduring relationship with Dershowitz, we can perhaps deduce the intelligence agency with which Epstein was allied

+ According to the NYT, Jeffrey Epstein keeps a framed photo of MBS in his mansion. (Is anyone checking the flight logs of Air Lolita for Netanyahu's travels?)

+ There's a lot of giddy talk about how the arrest of Jeffrey Epstein is a sign of the collapse of the Establishment. I don't know. The Establishment started to crumble during the French Revolution. It's been a slow, gravity-defying fall.

[Jul 12, 2019] Is Epstein case a start of Trump counterattack on the Clinton wing of Dems

Jul 12, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Moon Reader , Jul 11 2019 4:45 utc | 125

Mr Reader

Interesting post in that it raises many of the key issues and how they may fit together.

Generally agrees with my initial (or maybe secondary) impression that this is result of Trump triggering backmail clause by failing to act as required by those running the show.

But, I have I think a better theory more fits the situation. Acosta (the human "sh*t-grenade) was hired because he knew stuff and knew people who knew stuff. Trump was being blackmailed with Epstein affair - dems/cia/etc... It almost work, he almost attacked Iran, was led to believe it could be done in a way that would not lead to war - likely by you-know-who.

He balked and called their "bluff". They were not bluffing. Problem for them is that Trump can maybe weather the sh*t-storm they can bring - comey/brennan/clapper/et al... For now, I am inclined to side with Trump.
I don't know why but in spite of his lack of polish, he's brought some crude and interesting results.

ralphieboy , Jul 11 2019 12:19 utc | 149
Why would intelligence services want to make an intelligence op out of someone so sleasy and easily compromised?
Ghost Ship , Jul 11 2019 12:27 utc | 150
Epstein was just a young "dirty old man". Trump is innocent - can anybody point to any incident where Trump committed a real felony, not some breach of landlord regulations, For all the accusations of him being the capo di tutti capi, nothing has really stuck, so he gives the impression of being a criminal but really isn't but it's good theatre. So my guess is that Trump told Barr to go to it and bring Epstein in and bang him up for life. Reasons:
1. Trump was getting bored with Acosta
2. Epstein may drag down others - the Clintons being prime candiadates
3. This is a poke in the eye for Obama
4. Trump looks good when Epstein does the time he deserves
Meanwhile the anti-#resistance investigations role on and implicate Hillary for making false statements and Obama for trying to fix the 2016 election.
Trump'll romp home in 2020. If Adelson, etc. tries to push another Republican candidate, Trump'll run as an independent and probably still win. Trump now has his main "problems" by the balls.
As for the Daily Beast they have an article claiming that there was co-ordination between Trump and Russia instead of collusion . I'd love some of the shit the author's been smoking, 'cos it's up there with S T Coleridges Kubla Khan as a work of fantasy.
nottheonly1 , Jul 11 2019 12:52 utc | 151
'Appalled' does not suffice any longer. All this shit is more than a mentally healthy Human Being can bear - and in that fact lies also a motive to bombard the population 24/7 with shit like that. Therefore it appears that this, too is part of an orchestrated effort to rile up people against each other and destroy whatever peace still exists.

You could call it 'distraction' from insurmountable problems created by this specific sub-species of Homo Sapiens. But I am not commenting about that.

I am as pissed as a decent person can get without losing its temper. But I am utterly disgusted that this childfucker Epstein has soiled the name of one of my favorite Human Beings in history:

Brian Epstein - the one person that gave Humanity The Beatles.

I can not emphasize enough how effed up this is. There must be a court order to rename him into Jeffrey Childfucker, in order to protect the name of one of the greatest music managers ever.

But I do concede to the fact, that this kind of damage might as well limited to people who know who The Beatles were.

JasonT , Jul 11 2019 12:53 utc | 152
The wealthy class has defeated the poor class. What we are seeing now is a civil war in the wealthy class. The Epstein business is just one of the skirmishes in that civil war.
Really? , Jul 11 2019 12:57 utc | 153
Today's CJR media feed focuses on Acosta and the 2007 plea deal without mentioning either Bush or Obama. Focus is still on Trump. Of course Acosta is now a member of the Trump administration. But Trump was not in charge with this particular POS went down.

??????

https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/alexander_acosta_jeffrey_epstein.php

harry , Jul 11 2019 9:12 utc | 139

Trump is fighting for his life and money. Lose the next election and spend the rest of both fighting imprisonment. What makes me think its time to remind people that the office of POTUS has teeth?
somebody , Jul 11 2019 9:43 utc | 140
"I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone,"

does not say he "worked for intelligence". It might just mean that "intelligence" made the deal with him in return for information and that they then estimated the fall out and cleaned up (ie took people that could be blackmailed out of sensitive positions).

They don't care about the fall out any longer, so this now is allowed to blow up.

The plea deal was in 2007 under president Bush.

Really? , Jul 11 2019 10:08 utc | 141
# 123 Travers

"The left is going wild thinking that this will "get Trump" but quite the opposite is happening. . .

Now this story will run into 2020 largely damaging democrats into the 2020 election. Trump's DOJ is running the operation."

That is my perception, although I am not a qualified observer.

But as to the "why now" of Epstein, surely it is 2020. As for Barr being a CIA kid, that does give some pause, except he is working for Trump, and so presumably he is playing his part in the 2020 event.

From what I have read and heard, Trump is not tainted by the Epstein story. The attempts of those on the left or whatever (I can't even call it the left anymore) to associate Trump with the Epstein story are very belabored. "Grabbing pussy" of adult women who cluster around is not the same as recruiting young girls and teenagers and running sex camps for grown-up boys such as Randy Andy, RAndy Bill, and other Randy boys.

To me the big question is why Dersh was part of the FOIA action to unseal the docs. If just appearing in a photo with Epstein is enough for "the left" to try to hang Trump, the Dersh is in a lot more image trouble, with him name on the plane manifest.

Is Trump's name on the plane log? I don't think so. So, imagewise Dersh is going to take a big hit. And, by defending Trump last summer as he did, he has now associated himself with both Trump and Epstein. Trump comes out clean. Dersh comes out Derty.

PS. Why is so much blacked out on the plane logs that have been published?

Really? , Jul 11 2019 10:20 utc | 142
125 Moon Reader

the Macow sounds "about right" to me, but only "about." I can very well imagine that Dersh is taking orders from the JSP, but if he rode the Lolita Expres, he is in trouble.

AFAIK Trump did not ride the Lolita Express. The rumors about raping a 13-year-old in Epstein's apartment will have to become more than rumor to harm Trump, no matter how much the left pushes an Epstein = Trump narrative.

As they pushed the Weinstein = Trump narrative. I.e., whenever you see Weinstein's name, think "Trump." But I don't think that really worked except with the very ones who were pushing that equation in the first place. In other words, auto-suggestion.


William Gruff , Jul 11 2019 11:00 utc | 144
O @110 sez: "...every good gamblers knows to hedge their bets.

You bet equally on both wrestlers in the ring? You don't make much profit that way. Much better to arrange who wins ahead of time with the competitors and the referee and then just bet on the one everyone agrees to make the winner.

Sure, Trump was in on the fix, so even if he won the power elites still win, but that is true for all of the other contestants in the primaries as well, with the possible exception of Sanders. The problem is that the power elites have very specific plans, and those plans depended upon their tool in the White House being Clinton, not Trump. It isn't that Trump would be their enemy or anything silly like that, but rather that a Trump victory would not resonate; would not synergize with the megatrends they were manufacturing within the population.

On the contrary, the Trump victory introduced a societal forcing function that is 180° out of sync with the larger narrative the power elites were trying to create. Trump was chosen to be the loser in the 2016 elections because his defeat would have had the opposite effect, damping trends in society that the power elites wanted quashed and reinforcing the ones that they wanted amplified. Hundreds of $billions in entertainment-base narrative generation that have been fed to the public since 2016, and had been in the production pipeline from years prior, were supposed to be reflected in the real world by the victory of the first woman president. Instead that media is being fed to the public while the top office in the world is occupied by an unrepentant pussy grabber. The messaging is diametrically opposed and interferes with itself rather than reinforcing itself.

Sure, Trump is still the tool of the power elites, but he is not the tool they were planning on.

pantaraxia , Jul 11 2019 11:20 utc | 145
@62 fastfreddy

"I am trying to link Wexner with the Bronfman's (Seagrams Liquor Family) via a source other than the Mega Group (which may not be credible, IDK)."

The existence of the Mega Group was revealed in the Wall Street Journal in 1998 under the headline 'Titans of Industry Join Forces To Work for Jewish Philanthropy'. According to the Journal , it was founded in 1991 by Wexler and Charles Bronfman.

Membership included Edgar Bronfman, the chairman of the World Jewish Congress, Charles Bronfman, Edgar's brother and a top executive of the family's flagship Seagrams Corp.; Leslie Wexler of Limited, Inc.; Charles Schusterman, chairman of Samson Investment Co. of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Harvey "Bud" Meyerhoff, Baltimore real estate magnate; Laurence Tisch, chairman of Loews Corp.; Max Fisher, the Detroit oil magnate and Republican Party powerhouse; bagel magnate Max Lender; Leonard Abramson, the founder of U.S. Healthcare; and hedge-fund manager Michael Steinhardt.

One of its so-called 'philanthropic' projects entitled "Wexner Analysis: Israeli Communication Priorities 2003," was leaked to Electronic Intifada.

Leaked document exposes pro-Israel lobby's manipulation of US public
https://electronicintifada.net/content/leaked-document-exposes-pro-israel-lobbys-manipulation-us-public/4540

Israel Shamir also writes about the Mega group in 2001 entitled Kugel Eaters,
https://www.mediamonitors.net/kugel-eaters/

"...when they met in the Edgar Bronfman mansion in Manhattan. The head of the World Jewish Congress hosted a meeting of the fifty richest and most powerful Jews of the US and Canada. There was no press coverage, no limelight, just a few lines in the newspapers. The gathered multibillionaires discussed the ways to achieve Jewish unity, and strengthen the Jewish identity of American Jews, tersely reported Shlomo Shamir for Haaretz. They also agreed to launch a PR program under the Orwellian codename of 'Truth' with the purpose of influencing American public opinion regarding Israeli policies.

The megabucks call themselves 'Mega group'. This name appeared in the media a couple of years ago, as a name for the secret Israeli mole in the upper reaches of the US establishment. It came up in an overheard phone conversation, later denied by the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC. The newshounds and spook watchers got it wrong. 'Mega' was not an agent, Mega was the boss."

curious man , Jul 11 2019 11:55 utc | 146
Defense Department Computer Network Among Top Sharers of Child Pornography

Defense Department computers are among the top distributors of child pornography. An untold number of Department of Defense (DOD) employees and contractors have subscriptions to child pornography websites, and the problem is apparently so pervasive it requires new technical solutions to address it.

"Hundreds of DoD-affiliated individuals" were recently identified as suspects in child pornography cases, according to an investigation by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

So far, authorities have only looked into about 20 percent of these cases. But already, they've found "several" individuals "using their government devices to download or share said pornographic material."

Last year, an investigation by the National Criminal Justice Training Program found DOD computers were among the top networks nationwide for peer-to-peer sharing of pornographic images of minors. DOD's network ranked 19th out of 2,891 computer networks studied.

To prevent such widespread abuse going forward, the "End National Defense Network Abuse Act" would "crack down on this activity by upgrading the training and technical capacity of military criminal investigative organizations to confront the misuse of DoD computers, facilities, and equipment," according to a press release. It would also arrange for DOD authorities to work more closely with civilian law enforcement on these cases.

"The notion that the Department of Defense's network and Pentagon-issued computers may be used to view, create, or circulate such horrifying images is a shameful disgrace, and one we must fight head on," said Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D -- Va.), who co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Mark Meadows (R -- N.C.).

A companion bill in the senate has been introduced by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R -- Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D -- Hawaii).

LINK 1 LINK 2

curious man , Jul 11 2019 12:02 utc | 147
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNue92Gta3s

2014 Aerial drone video of Little St. James. The island is owned privately by Jeffrey Epstein and is located southeast of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

jared , Jul 11 2019 12:11 utc | 148
@

[Jul 12, 2019] When Epstein gets released on bond to his mansion....would you want to be one of his bodyguards?

Jul 12, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Chuckster , 5 hours ago

When Epstein gets released on bond to his mansion....would you want to be one of his bodyguards? How much $.

Chuckster , 5 hours ago

So...there is some rot among us?

Anunnaki , 5 hours ago

If that happens he will be in Tel Aviv by nightfall with a 14 year old under each arm.

[Jul 12, 2019] Welcome to the Hellfire Club by MICHAEL WARREN DAVIS

This debauchery is a part of the crisis of neoliberalism. It does increases the level of de-legitimization of neoliberal elite.
As one commenter pointed out: we need the names of scum, wealthy perverts from the United States who travelled to Epstein island-sized rape dungeon off the coast of Saint Thomas.
Notable quotes:
"... This appears to be something of a pattern. "What is so amazing to me is how his entire social circle knew about this and just blithely overlooked it," Ward says of Epstein's pederasty. "While praising his charm, brilliance and generous donations to Harvard, those [I] spoke to all mentioned the girls as an aside." ..."
"... The Epstein case is first and foremost about the casual victimization of vulnerable girls. But it is also a political scandal, if not a partisan one. It reveals a deep corruption among mostly male elites across parties, and the way the very rich can often purchase impunity for even the most loathsome of crimes ..."
"... our elites still love Epstein, even if he does rape little girls ..."
"... This is how America is. This is how our ruling class works: Democrat, Republican, whatever. As the inimitable Matthew Walther points out , there's a reason people believe in Pizzagate. The Hellfire Club is real. And for decades, we've emboldened them considerably. ..."
"... Surely I'm not the only one who noticed that the Epstein sex abuse timeline is nearly identical to the Catholic Church sex abuse timeline. Both investigations were initiated in the early 2000s. Both revealed that the exploitation of children was an open secret in the highest echelons of power. Both investigations were closed a few years later, though not resolved. We assumed justice would take its course, and slowly began to forget. And then within two years of each other, both scandals emerged again, more sordid than ever. And on both occasions, we realized that nothing had changed. ..."
"... Of course, we know where that leads us. For two centuries, conservatives have tried to dampen the passions that led France to cannibalize herself circa 1789. ..."
"... Yes: those passions are legitimate. We should feel contempt for our leaders when we discover that two presidents cavorted with Epstein, almost certainly aware that he preyed on minors. We should feel disgust at the mere possibility that Pope Francis rehabilitated Theodore McCarrick. And we should be furious that these injustices haven't even come close to being properly redressed. ..."
"... This isn't about politics. This is about common decency and respect for the most vulnerable. Clinton? Trump? Who cares? If--and that's a big "if"--it comes to pass that either or both were involved in the Epstein festivities then either or both are scum and should be punished accordingly --along with the rest of their playmates at the Epstein playground. ..."
"... Does the author have some evidence to prove that President Trump is a pedophile, as he suggests in this article? Are all persons who may have been friends with Epstein perverts and criminals? ..."
"... If our decadent elite falls at all, it will be from imperial over-reach and losing a major foreign war, not from pedophilia, which is rapidly being normalized along with the rest of LGBTQWERTYUIOP. ..."
"... The so called elites seem above reproach. Our morality has been skewed through the soul. ..."
"... I applaud the courageous outliers like Ryan Dawson and Phil Giraldi that have considerably more guts than me. Blessings ..."
"... I don't think there is going to be a revolution, whether in UK or US, at most people would be outraged for couple of weeks and then forget. ..."
"... Excellent article. But off the mark on one key point. The corruption of the elites and Ruling Class -- and they are sickeningly corrupt -- is only a reflection of, or if you will a leading indicator, of a related corruption of the body politic. ..."
"... So Trump simply makes a comment, has no record of any flights, attendance or participation and this article would have you believe that it equates as despicable as a frequent flyer on the Lolita Express? This author is no different than the fake news. ..."
"... Trump did allegedly make one flight on the plane, from the NY area to Florida. No records show him flying to the "orgy island". ..."
"... Actually, the logs don't show that he was on the plane. Epstein's brother CLAIMS he was on the plane...the most anybody else has said to support that is that Trump looked at the plane on the ground. ..."
"... It's a Trump problem insofar as he continues to defend Acosta. This is the Sec of Labor who effectively let Epstein walk and who now oversees anti-human trafficking efforts (which he has repeatedly tried to gut the funding for). ..."
"... Did you see Acosta's press conference? The local State DA wanted to let Epstein walk - on a lesser state charge through a Grand Jury. Acosta's US Attorney office stepped in to get the charges increased as much as they could so that Epstein would do SOME jail time and - more importantly - have to register as a sex offender. ..."
"... I agree. As much as I detest Trump, I don't think that he was involved with Epstein's debauchery. However, I do believe the women that claim being assaulted, because he is on tape claiming to do what they describe. And there is so many of them. And he has had multiple documented affairs while married to every one of his wives. But no evidence yet of him with underage girls. ..."
"... Right, because those Kavanaugh accusers were so credible, right? No evidence, decades later? Nope. Unlike Kavanaugh, Trump was on a big stage for decades and was a pretty easy target with the tabloids looking for dirt...but none of them came forward. ..."
"... Trump owes America an apology, reading his comments it is obvious he was aware of, and disapproved of, Epstien proclivities, but didn't have the guts to stand up. (I do not believe the stories of Trump being involved, but if it turns out I am wrong on that, fry him ) ..."
Jul 11, 2019 | www.theamericanconservative.com

Our elites cavorted with a pedophile, almost certainly aware of what he was up to. This is how revolutions begin.

Bill Clinton (Wikipedia Commons); Jeffrey Epstein mugshot (public domain) and Donald Trump (Gabe Skidmore /Flickr)

For once, I'm with New York Times writer Michelle Goldberg: Jeffrey Epstein is the ultimate symbol of plutocratic rot.

In her latest column , Goldberg interviews Vicky Ward, who covered the 2003 revelations of Epstein's sex abuse for Vanity Fair . Ward's editor, Graydon Carter, allegedly ran interference for the high-flying pervert, nixing her discussion with two women who claimed to have been assaulted by Epstein. "He's sensitive about the young women," Carter explained to Ward.

This appears to be something of a pattern. "What is so amazing to me is how his entire social circle knew about this and just blithely overlooked it," Ward says of Epstein's pederasty. "While praising his charm, brilliance and generous donations to Harvard, those [I] spoke to all mentioned the girls as an aside."

Back to Goldberg:

The Epstein case is first and foremost about the casual victimization of vulnerable girls. But it is also a political scandal, if not a partisan one. It reveals a deep corruption among mostly male elites across parties, and the way the very rich can often purchase impunity for even the most loathsome of crimes. If it were fiction, it would be both too sordid and too on-the-nose to be believable, like a season of "True Detective" penned by a doctrinaire Marxist.

Of course, Goldberg -- being a Democrat -- doesn't want us to think of this as a partisan scandal. Yet Nancy Pelosi's daughter conspicuously tweeted that it's "quite likely that some of our faves are implicated." We all know by now that President Bill Clinton was a frequent flyer on the Lolita Express, Epstein's private jet, which ferried wealthy perverts from the United States to his island-sized rape dungeon off the coast of Saint Thomas.

Still, a few Republicans will almost certainly be implicated, too. Now, look: I voted for President Donald Trump in 2016. If I don't vote for him in 2020, it will be because I've lost faith in the whole democratic process and have moved to a hole in the ground to live as a hobbit. Having said that, Trump is definitely tainted by Epstein. In a 2002 interview with New York Magazine , the president called him a "terrific guy." "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do," Trump said, "and many of them are on the younger side."

Don't pretend that's an innocent remark. It's like when Uncle Steve passes out face-down on the kitchen floor at the family Christmas party and Uncle Bill says, "I guess that one likes to drink." We still love Uncle Steve, even if he does overdo it on the fire water. And our elites still love Epstein, even if he does rape little girls. None of us is perfect, after all.

This is how America is. This is how our ruling class works: Democrat, Republican, whatever. As the inimitable Matthew Walther points out , there's a reason people believe in Pizzagate. The Hellfire Club is real. And for decades, we've emboldened them considerably.

Remember how Democrats and centrist Republicans mocked conservatives for making such a stink about Monica Lewinsky's blue dress? The media elite competed to see who could appear the most unfazed by the fact that our sax-playing president was getting a bit on the side. "I mean, heh heh, I love my wife, but, heh, the 1950s called, man! They want their morality police back."

Well, look where that got us. Two confirmed adulterers have occupied the White House in living memory; both are now under fire for cavorting with a child sex slaver on Orgy Island. Go ahead and act surprised, Renault.

♦♦♦

Surely I'm not the only one who noticed that the Epstein sex abuse timeline is nearly identical to the Catholic Church sex abuse timeline. Both investigations were initiated in the early 2000s. Both revealed that the exploitation of children was an open secret in the highest echelons of power. Both investigations were closed a few years later, though not resolved. We assumed justice would take its course, and slowly began to forget. And then within two years of each other, both scandals emerged again, more sordid than ever. And on both occasions, we realized that nothing had changed.

Whew. Now I get why people become communists. Not the new-wave, gender-fluid, pink-haired Trots, of course. Nor the new far Left, which condemns child predators like Epstein out one side of its mouth while demanding sympathy for pedophiles out the other.

No: I mean the old-fashioned, blue-collar, square-jawed Stalinists. I mean the guy with eight fingers and 12 kids who saw photos of the annual Manhattan debutantes' ball, felt the rumble in his stomach, and figured he may as well eat the rich.

Of course, we know where that leads us. For two centuries, conservatives have tried to dampen the passions that led France to cannibalize herself circa 1789.

Nevertheless, those passions weren't illegitimate -- they were just misdirected. Only an Englishman like Edmund Burke could have referred to the reign of Louis XIV as "the age of chivalry." Joseph de Maistre spoke for real French conservatives when he said the decadent, feckless aristocracy deserved to be guillotined. The problem is, Maistre argued, there was no one more suitable to succeed them.

Yes: those passions are legitimate. We should feel contempt for our leaders when we discover that two presidents cavorted with Epstein, almost certainly aware that he preyed on minors. We should feel disgust at the mere possibility that Pope Francis rehabilitated Theodore McCarrick. And we should be furious that these injustices haven't even come close to being properly redressed.

... ... ...

Michael Warren Davis is associate editor of the Catholic Herald . Find him at www.michaelwarrendavis.com .


Gerald Arcuri a day ago

Words fail.

Connecticut Farmer fuow a day ago • edited

"Us Democrats"??? This isn't about politics. This is about common decency and respect for the most vulnerable. Clinton? Trump? Who cares? If--and that's a big "if"--it comes to pass that either or both were involved in the Epstein festivities then either or both are scum and should be punished accordingly --along with the rest of their playmates at the Epstein playground.

The only question is whether or not those who participated in this apparent debauch will ever be brought to justice--so, on that note--let the dissembling begin!

LeeInWV fuow a day ago

Look at the Nevada legislature and it's recent legislation if you want to know how to improve this problem in our society.

Rossbach a day ago

Does the author have some evidence to prove that President Trump is a pedophile, as he suggests in this article? Are all persons who may have been friends with Epstein perverts and criminals?

TheSmokingArgus Rossbach a day ago

You are as my grandfather told me repeatedly: "You are your associates & colleagues, their morality or lack thereof, will in time infect you as well, despite all protests to the contrary; choose wisely."

Katherine TheSmokingArgus an hour ago

Not true. I associate every day with people at work that I do not like, because I need to pay my mortgage.

kirthigdon a day ago

If our decadent elite falls at all, it will be from imperial over-reach and losing a major foreign war, not from pedophilia, which is rapidly being normalized along with the rest of LGBTQWERTYUIOP.

In France, the generation of aristocrats and especially the royal family who were guillotined were relatively conservative in their sexual habits compared to the bloodthirsty sexual revolutionaries who murdered them. And the libertine aristocrats of Great Britain (I believe that's where the actual hellfire club was from) led the war against Napoleon and the temporary victory of the old order which followed his defeat.

Kirt Higdon

C. Reef a day ago • edited

The so called elites seem above reproach. Our morality has been skewed through the soul. Tribalism is alive and well. Wars, diversity, erasing of our most cherished values, and a mainstream media that is in lockstep the rulers and those who see fit to erase Freedom of Speech and make arbitrarily decisions as to what we can and cannot say. It is like living a bad dream. I applaud the courageous outliers like Ryan Dawson and Phil Giraldi that have considerably more guts than me. Blessings

LeeInWV C. Reef a day ago

It's the mainstream media that forced this into the light. The elites and the justice system did all they could to cover it up, same as with the Catholic Church.

As for "our most cherished virtues", this has all been going on forever. Kings and courtiers, masters and slaves, the son of the manor and the serving girls. Give me a break.

The only thing that is changing it is a shift in power to women.

paradoctor LeeInWV a day ago

And the fact that we talk about it.

paradoctor a day ago

A regime's cruelty creates motive for revolution; its folly creates methods for revolution; and its weakness creates opportunity for revolution.

Didaskalos a day ago

"Paederasty" is better reserved for relationships between patrician men, and boys, in which there was an expectation that the boy would eventually approximate the social rank of his lover. Not to be applied to a man running a little-girl brothel.

Rick Steven D. Didaskalos a day ago

From the musical Hair, a major, representative work of the culture that brought us the Sexual Revolution:

Sodomy/fellatio/cunnilingus/paederasty
Mama/why do these words sound so nasty?

Kessler a day ago

In UK thousands of girls were raped and nobody lost their job over it. Well, correction, people who tried to bring attention to the horrific crimes happening lost their jobs or were prosecuted. After the scandal could no longer be contained and arrests were finally made, there was no reckoning. No people marching in the streets, demanding heads of the goverment. I don't think there is going to be a revolution, whether in UK or US, at most people would be outraged for couple of weeks and then forget.

EliteCommInc. Kessler 21 hours ago

Or might possibly be that upon examination, it became abundantly clear that the allegations were highly exaggerated as is typically the case in these matters.

It might be a good idea to keep a clear head and hope that evidence "actual evidence" will determine events as opposed to the salacious hysetria that usually surrounds these cases.

Bungalow Bill a day ago

Bingo!

Rick Steven D. a day ago • edited

"...the decadent, feckless aristocracy deserve to be guillotined. The problem is...there is no one suitable to replace them."

100%. And I work as a psychiatric RN in a busy Emergency Room. Believe me, depravity in this country is not in the least bit confined to 'elites'. They just make convenient scapegoats. I can tell you hundreds of stories. But conservatively, I would estimate that anywhere from 50% to 75% of the women I care for were abused as children. And I have cared for literally thousands of women over the years.

"This is how revolutions are born."

Not so fast. The French peasants were rioting over bread, not aristocratic decadence. In 21st Century America, no one is starving. The poor in this country are obese, for Chr-sakes! And half the country is implicated in so-called 'aristocratic decadence', through online porn.

And like John Lennon once wrote, "You say you want a revolution?" Be careful what you wish for...

Sid Finster Lee Jones a day ago

Prosecutors will tiptoe around anything that puts them in an awkward position vis-a-vis the rich and powerful.

These are people that prosecutors want to owe you favors, and these are also people that can ruin the lives and career prospects of law enforcement.

This explains why, to give instance, Comey engaged in comically tortured legal reasoning to justify not bringing charges against HRC for servergate, when she would be cooling her heels in a SuperMax if she were a normie. According to conventional wisdom, HRC was going to be the next president, already anointed practically, and that meant that she was someone that would be in a position to do Comey big favors, and at the same time, someone that you did not want to make an enemy of.

Jerry a day ago

Excellent article. But off the mark on one key point. The corruption of the elites and Ruling Class -- and they are sickeningly corrupt -- is only a reflection of, or if you will a leading indicator, of a related corruption of the body politic.

The Clintons, for example, have been getting away with sordid and even criminal behavior for a long time. It didn't stop a major political party from putting one of them at the top of its presidential ticket only a few years ago nor a majority of voters from pulling the lever for her.

In fact, going back to the Lewinsky saga, it was not only the elites who pooh-poohed the whole thing; it was also the citizenry. Check the record. Yeah, the Clintons are Exhibit A of the Real Problem. Anyway, there ain't gonna be a revolution, at least not the kind that Michael Warren Davis warns of.

Barry_D Jerry 19 hours ago

"In fact, going back to the Lewinsky saga, it was not only the elites who pooh-poohed the whole thing; it was also the citizenry. Check the record. "

The equivalent today would have been if Mueller's replacement spent a few more years 'investigating' Trump, only to set him up with a perjury trap over whether or not he committed adultery.

Coonie a day ago

This piece at the very least is not well researched hit piece on Trump but seems more to be a rabble rousing class warfare type click bait filler. James Patterson reports that Trump kicked Epstein out of Maro-a-Lago 15 years ago after there were complaints that he was abusive to women and more recently has said he is not a fan of Epstein. I've seen no evidence that Trump participated in the abuse of underage girls with Epstein. Trump is no saint but sensationalizing this story and implicating Trump to sell your copy is not journalism.

Michael D. Nichols a day ago • edited

So Trump simply makes a comment, has no record of any flights, attendance or participation and this article would have you believe that it equates as despicable as a frequent flyer on the Lolita Express? This author is no different than the fake news.

chrismalllory Michael D. Nichols a day ago

And it was a comment made three years before the first known report to police about Epstein's behavior. I read Trump's comment as Trump being Trump. Unless he is responding to a personal attack, Trump tends to layer on the compliments and tries to speak positive about people.

Trump did allegedly make one flight on the plane, from the NY area to Florida. No records show him flying to the "orgy island".

TrustbutVerify chrismalllory an hour ago

Actually, the logs don't show that he was on the plane. Epstein's brother CLAIMS he was on the plane...the most anybody else has said to support that is that Trump looked at the plane on the ground.

TruthsRonin a day ago

The author throws around "revolution" so casually... The guillotine definitely needs a resurgence; unfortunately, it's not just the aristocracy that needs it; moreover, there are still none better suited to take over after they chopping has stopped.

The Arioch TruthsRonin 20 hours ago

And throws without not even a thought but also without care to learn or now. It is funny that American journo is now invoking Stalin's ghost, but.... Stalinists were COUNTER-revolutionaries. And he says he is sure he knows who they felt?
.
Inflation, words means nothing today for journos, being merely a click-bait

WilliamRD a day ago

According to the Washington Post Trump Banned Epstein From Mar-a-Lago Years Ago because he propositioned an underage girl at the club.

This is not a Trump problem.

Dave WilliamRD a day ago

It's a Trump problem insofar as he continues to defend Acosta. This is the Sec of Labor who effectively let Epstein walk and who now oversees anti-human trafficking efforts (which he has repeatedly tried to gut the funding for).

Also, Trump supposedly told a campaign aide that he barred Epstein. Perhaps that's true. Hard to know with this inveterate liar.

TrustbutVerify Dave an hour ago

Did you see Acosta's press conference? The local State DA wanted to let Epstein walk - on a lesser state charge through a Grand Jury. Acosta's US Attorney office stepped in to get the charges increased as much as they could so that Epstein would do SOME jail time and - more importantly - have to register as a sex offender.

Now, should the Feds have interfered in a State case is a matter for another discussion. But Actosta's office did MORE than what they should and everything they could with the evidence at the time.

As to Trump banning Epstein - it isn't "Trump told some aide", it is in the court records of the trial. Trump was subpoenaed and talked voluntarily to the attorney for the girls. The attorney for the girls researched it and he says, and it is in the court record, that Trump banned Epstein.

This is not a "Trump problem" as the media is trying to make it...this is a Dem problem.

JeffK from PA WilliamRD 21 hours ago

I agree. As much as I detest Trump, I don't think that he was involved with Epstein's debauchery. However, I do believe the women that claim being assaulted, because he is on tape claiming to do what they describe. And there is so many of them. And he has had multiple documented affairs while married to every one of his wives. But no evidence yet of him with underage girls.

TrustbutVerify JeffK from PA an hour ago

Right, because those Kavanaugh accusers were so credible, right? No evidence, decades later? Nope. Unlike Kavanaugh, Trump was on a big stage for decades and was a pretty easy target with the tabloids looking for dirt...but none of them came forward.

THAT is your biggest clue that their claims are, as the judge recently said in dismissing one of these laughable cases, ""As currently stated, the Complaint presents a political lawsuit, not a tort and wages lawsuit,"

Then, of course, the Trump lawyers just released a video of what happened that shows he gave her a peck on the cheek during a conversation as he was leaving. She lied.

Xanadu a day ago

I think some conservative, maybe Rubio, needs to stand up and simply state they are going to lead on this, and then do so.

Simply go after anyone that is involved and make the casual nature of peoples knowledge of this kind of behavior into a something that has to be repented of.

Trump owes America an apology, reading his comments it is obvious he was aware of, and disapproved of, Epstien proclivities, but didn't have the guts to stand up. (I do not believe the stories of Trump being involved, but if it turns out I am wrong on that, fry him )

For a republican leader to stand up as I am suggesting, would force the left to make a decision. Either abandon their current attitudes towards sexual permissiveness, or defend them. Either way conservatives win.

TrustbutVerify Xanadu an hour ago

That comment was from three years before Epstein was charged. But YOUNG does not mean TOO young, always, and Trump was obviously speaking of what OTHERS say, not what he knew for a fact.

Dave a day ago

Davis--and many TAC readers--voted for Trump even though the then-candidate sexually assaulted women and got caught bragging about it.

While I welcome conservatives to the #metoo era, it must be acknowledged that their "outrage" didn't come to life until they could attach the dirty deeds to Bill Clinton and other "elites" (whatever that overused term means).

TrustbutVerify Dave an hour ago

No, it came with Weinstein...who proved what Trump ACTUALLY said on the bus to be true. Not that HE, Trump, HAD grabbed women, but that young women seeking fame would LET the rich and famous grab them. Shortly after we found out that this was true when we found out about Weinstein and what those young starlets allowed. What people knew, all good Hollywood liberals and Dems, and LET continue while accepting Weinstein's political contributions and working with him professionally.

Please.

[Jul 12, 2019] https://www.google.com/url?sa=i source=web cd= ved=2ahUKEwjP4cj_1q3jAhUHwMQHHe42BE4QzPwBegQIARAC url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanityfair.com%2Fnews%2F2019%2F07%2Fhow-trump-kept-tabs-on-jeffrey-epstein psig=AOvVaw00x3I27o3z9ZOCVhSSzPkp ust=1562962452658171

Jul 12, 2019 | www.google.com

play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 3 hours ago remove link

If that freeeking punk is still breathing- it makes me question the existance of a GOD! play_arrow 2 play_arrow Kefeer 4 hours ago remove link

I suspect much of his wealth deals with the acquisition of control files on wealthy people. Blackmail for sale, which is "pay if you have been played". play_arrow 5 play_arrow NAV 2 hours ago remove link

And then there's blackmail for power. The American Anti-Defamation League has long made it a practice for decades to tail all Congressmen – liberal or conservative -- as was brought out in allegations in the San Francisco trial of its head operative Roy Bullock on charges of buying blackmail information from members of the San Francisco Police Department as reported by the San Francisco Examiner. Bullock had collected information and provided it to the ADL as a secretly-paid independent contractor for more than 32 years.

Can it be that there's a connection between data of this kind and the unbelievable unification of almost every congressman behind every Israeli position?
6 play_arrow 2 Mah_Authoritah 4 hours ago (Edited) remove link

Lex Wexner is a big time pro Israeli with ties to the mob. Bet he was never caught on Jeffy's candid camera. play_arrow PKKA 4 hours ago remove link

According to Fox News, the plane was called the Lolita Express. It is noted that the owner of the aircraft was convicted of pedophilia. On the plane of a man who even organized an "island of sex slaves," even flew Hillary Clinton.

Epstein is known in the States as the organizer of the search for underage girls for private parties, the media said, citing a source.

According to some data, in 2016 in the United States 52,147 children were illegally imported from other countries. All these children are imported into the United States unaccompanied, but with the constant sponsorship of a well-known family foundation.

I even wondered if Hilary's old pan loves little boys or girls? play_arrow 2Blondboys 4 hours ago remove link

He supposedly was part of the Tri Lateral Commission. Also never reported in to NYC cops every 90 days as ordered. So while authorities have been watching him for years, nothing ever was done. Comey's daughter is a prosecutor on this case? play_arrow Anunnaki 4 hours ago remove link

Epstein was furious he had to register as a sex offender. ay_arrow 1 Proudly Unaffiliated 4 hours ago remove link

Ladies and Gentlemen, behold. This is the face of the Clinton wing of the Democratic party. Pedophiles.
3 play_arrow FKTHEGVNMNT 5 hours ago (Edited) remove link

He will be broke AND EVERYTHING IS COMING OUT REGARDLESS IF HE TALKS.

NEW YORK - A new state law in New York could give Jeffrey Epstein's alleged victims more opportunities to seek justice.

In January, the state legislature passed the Child Victims Act , which expanded the statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases to give survivors more time to seek criminal charges or sue their abusers -- or both.

Under the new law, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed in February, survivors of child sexual assault can pursue criminal felony charges until they turn 28, and file a civil lawsuit before age 55. www.channel3000.com/news/national-news/new-york-state-law-could-help-jeffrey-epsteins-accusers/1093318764 . _arrow Captain Chlamydia 5 hours ago remove link

Clear case. Epstein tricked men with capital into sex with minors. Had it all on tape.

Blackmail.

Forced them into investing into his firm or sell for ridiculous prices.

Then he ran with the money.

The more men were tricked, the mightier he became. Politicians, investment bankers, you name it.

The honey trap. Blackmail. Makes no sence otherwise. play_arrow 8 play_arrow VWAndy 5 hours ago remove link

Not possible without state backing. As proof look at the courts handling of it. play_arrow 5 play_arrow Captain Chlamydia 5 hours ago remove link

I did not say he worked alone.

It's standard Deep State protocol. play_arrow 8 play_arrow Berspankme 4 hours ago remove link

he had to have deep state backing or one the guys he blackmailed would have had him offed long ago
1 play_arrow darkstar7646 5 hours ago remove link

Another reason I think Epstein is a dead man walking.

Here's another fun exercise. When do we get to the point that the same crew surrounding Epstein also filters into that Florida mess they barely covered up with the likes of Robert Kraft?

They're better than you... And that's what they are trying to tell you and codify. play_arrow 2 play_arrow Give Me Some Truth 5 hours ago remove link

Robert Kraft can be identified and charged. Bill Clinton or Prince Andrew or Tony Blair or the CEO of Google - nope.

If I was Kraft's attorneys, I'd be screaming "What the hell? Why is my client arrested and shamed and not these people?" play_arrow play_arrow darkstar7646 4 hours ago remove link

A question I've been asking since he was one of the first ones named! play_arrow play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 4 hours ago remove link

For a tug job no less!

It all depends who your friends are- Kraft was a Trump supporter, go figure. play_arrow 1 play_arrow darkstar7646 2 hours ago remove link

I'm more concerned on why so many rich ***** were rooting around a place like that than the tug job -- especially with the caliber of women involved...
4 play_arrow 4 ThorAss 5 hours ago remove link

We really should get the terms right. Having sex with a 14 year old is a crime, known as statutory rape under some jurisdictions. It's not paedophilia. Lusting after a 14 year old is also not paedophilia, which is reserved for pre-pubescent children. [E phebophilia refers to the sexual preference for mid-to-late adolescents, hebephilia refers to the sexual preference for earlier pubescent individuals, and paedophilia refers to the primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children .] Adapted from Wikipedopedia
3 play_arrow 1 FKTHEGVNMNT 5 hours ago remove link

More names-----& Juan Alessi, a long time Epstein household employee, has confirmed that Dershowitz visited Epstein "pretty often. I would say at least four or five times a year" and that he would "typically" stay two or three days. Similarly, Alfredo Rodriguez who worked for Epstein approximately only six months confirmed that during that six months period Dershowitz visited Epstein twice....... Find these ppl please, and do more than that.
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5 play_arrow Anunnaki 5 hours ago remove link

Rodriguez got more time in jail from stealing from Epstein then Epstein did for molesting underage girls.

play_arrow 5 play_arrow 1 FKTHEGVNMNT 5 hours ago remove link

Good sleuthing. More please play_arrow 3 play_arrow Anunnaki 4 hours ago remove link

https://newspunch.com/epsteins-butler-alfredo-rodriguez-who-stole-tell-all-black-book-dies-age-60/ play_arrow 1 play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 4 hours ago remove link

And he died in prison. play_arrow 2 play_arrow

play_arrow
Give Me Some Truth 5 hours ago remove link

Can one picture a scenario where Epstein DID tell the whole truth? Named all the names, all the activities, exactly what happened, all the blackmail, all the spy agencies involved, all the laundered money, all the officials who were bought off with his last pleas deal or went along with his "sweetheart" deal, all the people who looked the other way, etc.

Imagine for a moment how mind-blowing such a story probably would be. How many revered figures would be exposed as the most detestable people. How many businesses and government organizations would be exposed as shams.

I don't know. I find it hard to believe any high-level person in government would allow such a story be told to every person in the world.

In fact, after hearing such a story, some FBI agent would probably pause two seconds, and then shoot Epstein between the eyes.

He would later be given a medal ... for "protecting national security."

play_arrow 4 play_arrow Give Me Some Truth 5 hours ago remove link

This scenario also explains why the government doesn't want Epstein to "talk." They don't want to know. The more people who hear him talk, the more people who could tell this story.

Everyone assumes the government might offer Epstein a "deal" if he "talks." But that's the last thing they want to happen. One reason they won't offer him a deal.
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darkstar7646 5 hours ago remove link

Agreed, because it would probably implicate every economic, social, societal, political, business, sports, entertainment, etc. major player and expose that there is an initiation to the classic Carlin "Club" that you aren't a part of which involves such unspeakable acts (and means that the girls have the same initiation to any degree of real relevance in our society) in the name of "They're better than you." ay_arrow PKKA 5 hours ago remove link

I already said this, I absolutely do not understand why such a wave of indignation is coming? After all, everything is proceeding normally and consistently. Mr Epstein need to reward! For example, you need to make him a knight, like Sir Elton John. After all, pedophilia and pederasty, it is so fashionable now in the West. And right now a number of Western countries are in favor of the legalization of pedophilia. So sir knight pedophile Epstein fits perfectly into this fashionable concept. Don't forget to reward Prince Andrew. And Bill Clinton, in general, you need to reward as much as 2 times! And all pedophiles should now be welcomed and rewarded. y_arrow 1 SummerSausage 5 hours ago (Edited) remove link

I'm not defending Epstein - pedos deserve death - however there's one aspect of the story the news refuses to tell and it explains how he got away with being a pedo for all those years and why getting a conviction in 2007 was so tough.

Epstein selected poor girls. He paid them $200 for giving him a "massage" - even with no sex - and up to $1,000 if they let him do more. None of the girls interviewed said her raped or forced them. Then, he paid the girls $200 for each girl they brought. He insisted the girls know what they were getting into - no surprises.

Some of these girls came back for years.

You can see how a defense attorney would have torn these girls apart in 2007 and how a jury may have said "They were young but if they came back time and again they're just hookers. If they brought their friends to him for money they're guilty pimps."

This information is from the book "TrafficKing" by Conchita Saffron - a crusader against child sex trafficking and "Filthy Rich" by best seller and Palm Beach resident James Patterson. It's taken from the Palm Beach County police files and interviews with the girls. play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 5 hours ago (Edited) remove link

Sex with a girl under age is rape- statutory rape.

An adult has an undue influence on a minor plain and simple, which may cause her to do something that she may not really want to do.

As for solicitation of a prostitute- the prostitute was 14!! That's not prostitution it's pedophilia.

But I get your point- it has a different feel then the Podesta brothers passing around an 8 year old boy to be 'abused'. lay_arrow 1 Give Me Some Truth 5 hours ago remove link

At least one girl did say he raped her.

Yes, he just "groomed" them. Probably had it down to a science. play_arrow 4 play_arrow SummerSausage 5 hours ago (Edited) remove link

He did have it down to a science. I'm not excusing his behavior - just explaining why getting a conviction would have been so difficult in 2006.

Remember that Hillary laughed about getting a rapist off that she KNEW was guilty. The girl he raped was 12 and he left her in a coma. Hillary told the judge she heard the girl was attracted to older men.

If Hillary got him acquitted by doing that, imagine hearing in 2006, that the girls were making more in an hour than the jury members made in a day and they kept going back.

Acosta said that kind of victim shaming would not be allowed now but it was common then.
1 play_arrow Anunnaki 5 hours ago remove link

Ghislaine Maxwell and the Marcincova gal played roles too. play_arrow 1 play_arrow 1 ed31337 5 hours ago (Edited) remove link

Even if we were to buy the story that the girls had no better means of support than hooking up with Epstein, the whole video taping high profile/powerful people having sex with underage girls/boys in order to blackmail those people into doing your bidding is still a heinous crime that needs prosecuting. For years, the population at large has seen people who rise to power suddenly flip-flop, propose and pass the most insane, corrupt, backhanded legislation with little excuse for why these people in power would do such things. If Epstein was pulling the strings behind the scenes using his powers of blackmail, that would explain a lot.
2 play_arrow SummerSausage 5 hours ago remove link

I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just providing the whole picture so you'll understand why getting a conviction in 2007 was so dicey so having Epstein plead guilty, register forever as a sex offender and pay restitution to the girls was considered a "win".

It would have been a different story if Epstein raped every girl and threw her out the door. He was much smarter than that and compromised them to protect himself.

I hope everyone who had sex with any one of these girls is found out, stands trial and gets punished. ay_arrow Anunnaki 5 hours ago remove link

I read Filthy Rich. Dooshewitz harvested raunchy posts from the girls Myspace accounts and was gonna use that to destroy their credibility arrow 1 SummerSausage 5 hours ago remove link

Another reason why Acosta was so reluctant to put the girls on the stand. As he said, there would have been victim shaming. Their lives would have been publicly destroyed.

Getting Epstein to plead guilty, register and pay restitution was better for the girls. play_arrow 1 play_arrow Anunnaki 4 hours ago (Edited) remove link

Compounding the shame by having Epstein plead guilty of one count of soliciting prostitution. These victims weren't prostitutes. But they were children of "white trash" and Hispanic immigrants. Totally disposable.
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Moving and Grooving 3 hours ago remove link

I concur with your argument. Think of the difference between a full sentence served in a tight, medium-security prison, under strict supervision, required to work, in gen pop, and the short stay, only there from sundown to sunup, private security detail setup Epstein was allowed to create last time he 'went to prison'.

As it is he's in a 10X10 unit 23.5 hours a day, with little hope of getting bail. Big comedown from Paris, eh sport? play_arrow ReflectoMatic 5 hours ago remove link

All those beautiful young people who flock to Hollywood year after year. Most of them get scooped up into this awful machine of carnage by "wolves" who walk the blvd and bus station looking for them. They get offers of modeling jobs and parts in movies, it's the gateway to hell. Old Phil Marx is probably long dead and gone by now, he was one of the very few who seeked out the worthy and opened doors of possibility in all directions. Thank-You Philsie, Rest in Peace.
1 play_arrow FKTHEGVNMNT 5 hours ago remove link

Giuffre alleged that Dershowitz knew about and participated in Epstein and Maxwell's sex trafficking operation, and, like Maria Farmer, was forced to have sex with Dershowitz and other wealthy men. She claims Dershowitz had sex with her while she was underage and working for Epstein. https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/alleged-epstein-victim-sues-alan-dershowitz-accuses-him-of-hiding-crimes-behind-a-curtain-of-lies/

Boom **** you CNN. FUCKIN PEDO LOVERS DIE DIE DIE!!! play_arrow 1 play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 5 hours ago remove link

I think Dersho-shitz saw the writing on the wall and quit laying into the President on a daily basis. play_arrow 1 play_arrow SummerSausage 5 hours ago remove link

According to James Patterson's book "Filthy Rich" Guiffre was coached to implicate Dershowitz as part of a shakedown. She wanted $1 billion from Wexner (of The Limited & Victoria Secret and close friend of Epstein). She wanted to show Wexner the kind of publicity she could get against him if he didn't pay up. She was to get 1/3, her lawyers were to get 1/3 and a non-profit she set up (with her lawyers money) against sex trafficking would get 1/3.

Dershowitz was one of the attorneys who sued to get the records from 2007 unsealed when he was one of Epstein's lawyers. If he had sex with any of the girls - especially Guiffre who had been with Epstein for several years and who provided him with girls - she would have said so.

There's no doubt big names and wealthy people are being protected but in this case I think Dershowitz is being railroaded.

Guiffre was sexually abused as a child, lived on the streets and was sexually active before meeting Epstein. She's a victim of domestic abuse as well. Not the most stable. play_arrow 1 play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 5 hours ago (Edited) remove link

You do mean James Patterson, the same James Patterson who took Bill Clinton under his wing and co-wrote books with him??

Hardly objective and/or trust worthy. play_arrow 1 play_arrow Anunnaki 5 hours ago remove link

The book is no whitewash. play_arrow 1 play_arrow 1 SummerSausage 5 hours ago remove link

Read the book and compare it to Sarnoff's. He did good, straight reporting on this book.

I hated that he co wrote with Clinton, too, but his book stands on its own. The facts and interviews mesh with the anti child sex advocate. play_arrow play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 5 hours ago remove link

So what was likely a (c) Intelligence Agency- blackmail scheme- was being black mailed by the 15 year old, sounds unlikely and gratuitous play_arrow Mineshaft Gap 4 hours ago remove link

We'll know in good time (or we won't), but your thesis about Dershowitz being railroaded looks possible to me for a couple of reasons.

One, he's seen in liberal land as having betrayed the team over Trump. The knives are out, doubly so as the election season deepens and the Mueller hoax evaporates in an expensive mist.

Two, the failure of the legal system to stop the monster Epstein is creating one of those crises of faith in the hoi polloi.

These roll around whenever the official lies become so glaring that ordinary folk see through the mirages of justice. They begin to grumble, in their unapproved ways, that things just aren't on the level in the best of all possible nations.

To remedy this outbreak of clarity, the old playbook calls for sacrificing some scapegoats. There are easier scapegoats to find than Dershowitz, though, who isn't going to be easily led to the gallows. Hence the hapless Acosta.

This is taking place in an America coming apart at the seams culturally, with nothing certain about her future as we get further from any idea of being a nation that can agree on anything. If anything, the hall of mirrors is only growing longer. play_arrow play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 3 hours ago remove link

"in an America coming apart at the seams culturally"

Not really just an illusion of unraveling by the committed Bolshevik media (who some say are all led by the (C) Intelligence Agency). Nothing easier to control then a divided populace. play_arrow play_arrow petroglyph 6 hours ago remove link

Any grown man with a 14 year old girl is in most cases wrong. The handlers Epstein and the bunch used knew the age and experience and maturity of these girls. I'm old now and don't want anything to do with any of it, and will say that 21 year olds look like little kids to me.

But, but one time when I was 21 I was dating a young lady for a few weeks, and we had drank and had sex, she spent the night and so forth. She lived with her sister. I was working construction and this gal and her sister were moving so I just loaned her my truck during the day, no problem as I had insurance. I never thought to ask if she had a drivers license as she had driven to my place a few times. This was a mature looking woman.

She and I were coming back from having dinner at a nice restaurant and we were both having drinks, several drinks. I was driving home and a cop pulled me over for a tail light out. He came to my window and asked for our ID's which we handed him, and he took them to his patrol car to run them. The gal next to me says, " I have to tell you something". And in my head I'm thinking what, warrants or something? She says, " I'm only 15". And I ******* near screamed nooooooooooooo, nooooooooooo. this can't be, look at you, the restaurant we were just drinking at never even thought of asking you for ID, we've been out to bars, dancing. Why in gods world did you keep that from me? Now I'll be going to pedo prison, god dammit, you just killed me.

The cop comes back to my window, hands us our ID's [hers was from Idaho, apparently at that time they could get dl's at 14?] and the cop says to me, " I think you better take her home". I said, I agree. It was like letting the air out of a dirigible, a long continuous psssssss, as the blood returned and my heart started beating again. I don't know how any 15 year old could look that mature, but no one ever even thought of asking her for ID. I was horrified. Never again, would I come close to making that mistake. But the truth is, I did. She was good in bed to, but it shrinks my **** if I even think of that moment. I was horrified, because what average, real, decent man wants to knowingly bed a 15 year old? Not me. My conscience haunted me for a few months afterward, knowing I had bedded a kid. But she didn't look like no kid I ever saw before. play_arrow Give Me Some Truth 5 hours ago remove link

If you read the story in the Miami Herald, Epstein was looking for girls that looked as young as possible. In fact when they got older, or if their breasts were "too developed," he got rid of them.

We've just heard of the girls his "recruiters" found in NY and Florida. Another part of this was he partnered up with a guy who had an "international modeling agency." These models, not from America, were often 12, 13, 14, 15.

And one doesn't have to use his imagination to figure out why a ranch in the middle of no where in New Mexico was so desirable as one of his compounds. play_arrow 1 play_arrow SummerSausage 5 hours ago remove link

You're correct but the girls were the primary suppliers of girls. According to their own testimony, they recruited their friends asking "do you want to make a lot of money" then they were told what they would have to do.

Not excusing Epstein or condoning in any way. Just informing that he had the system down pat. Yes, he invested $1 million in the modeling agency EM2 and brought in young girls with promises of modeling careers. But he also targeted poor American girls and paid $200 - $1,000 for sex and a $200 commission for every girl they brought to him. play_arrow 1 play_arrow Give Me Some Truth 5 hours ago remove link

No doubt, many (most) of the girls ended up going along. They voluntarily kept coming back.

The crime is that these were "girls." Easily manipulated and intimidated. If they were 18 or older, I guess all you could charge them with was prostitution and him with soliciting prostitutes.

Of course, he did "give" the girls to all his friends with orders to "give so and so what he wants." play_arrow play_arrow Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux 5 hours ago remove link

Ray Chandler owned the modelling agency- short for Rachel, a chick. play_arrow makinbacon 4 hours ago remove link

Put myself through college driving school buses and occasionally a 13-teen year old girl would get on dressed like a hooker....

You be be hard pressed to guess she was under 20.

I would just look at her and say , " Parents are out of town huh? " ....Her reply , " Yep! " play_arrow 1 play_arrow Drop-Hammer 4 hours ago remove link

You are a goy with a conscience. A *** has no soul or conscience and has no consideration for goyim as people/human beings. Jews are sociopathic reptiles. play_arrow 1 play_arrow Give Me Some Truth 6 hours ago remove link

It's worth highlighting that the only reason the Palm Beach Police detectives presented their info to the FBI and the Feds, is that they had first presented it to state prosecutors, who suddenly stopped returning their calls and clearly weren't going to file charges against Epstein (at least all the charges that should have been filed).

So the Republican attorney, Acosta, and the Democratic State prosecutor, both wimped out and covered for Epstein and his associates.

But note how all the focus is only on Acosta, the Republican. play_arrow 2 play_arrow Ms No 6 hours ago remove link

The lights have been flipped on the evil. Its all there for anyone with functioning cognition, a soul or basic instincts.

The evil is exposed for exactly what and where it is. We have done our part and now its up to the world what they do. play_arrow 9 play_arrow 1
heads_and_thales 6 hours ago remove link

Connected with Abercrombie and Fitch founder? Shocker. play_arrow 5 play_arrow ReflectoMatic 5 hours ago (Edited) remove link

Wow! That is an amazing find.

"Once known for its sexualised ad campaigns, the company has toned down its imagery and no longer displays nearly nude models in their advertisements. According to then-chairman Arthur Martinez, these changes provide the hopes that the audience will see the company is evolving along with its consumers, and boost sales. [4] Abercrombie & Fitch is now targeting an older consumer, from ages 21 to 24

"Finally, in 1988, Oshman's sold the company name and operations to The Limited , a clothing-chain operator"

" L Brands, Inc. (formerly known as Limited Brands, Inc. and The Limited, Inc. ) is an American fashion retailer based in Columbus, Ohio.

"Its flagship brands include Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works . L Brands posted $12.63 billion in revenue in 2017..."

Of course, they have connections to modeling agencies for those children, and we know all about the "casting couch". play_arrow 1 play_arrow Give Me Some Truth 6 hours ago (Edited) remove link

Shouldn't this headline read: "Esptein's lack of Wall Street ties revealed"

For a billionaire "money manager" there's no evidence he's managing anyone's money. play_arrow 6 play_arrow Ms No 5 hours ago remove link

He is a front for Mossad and Rothschild banker fuckery. So is Soros.

Soros is just more overt about his activities making it more important that distance is perceived between entities. All they usually have to do is have Bibi and Soros say bad things about each other, because people are literally all that stupid.

Thank God murder detectives arent usually so easily thrown off or not one murder would ever be solved. play_arrow 9 play_arrow 1 gilhgvc 6 hours ago remove link

the connections between them???....THEY ARE PEDOPHILES, LIKE EPSTEIN. Trust me they may start with 16 yr olds, but they will eventually need more danger and excitement and they WILL move on to younger and younger kids...if you think this stopped at some runaway girls, you are a bigger idiot than Bernie Sanders play_arrow 3 play_arrow Ms No 5 hours ago (Edited) remove link

Epstein likes pre teens and teens. He certainly provided children. That will be more hidden because its more dangerous. Thats likely what the island is for. Cant wait to find out who provides security for island.

Epstein is tied to Clinton and Clinton is tied to child traffickers in Haiti after earthquake.

Mossad has long been known by many of us to be primary international player in child and organ trafficking. Just waiting for it to be spelled out to our dumb society by Anne Coulter and MSM, which means they will figure it out after the fact.

Clintons probably helped but would have liked to have replaced Epstein but they cant. They are just willing victims of leverage and not Jewish banking oligarchs, despite marrying-in their daughter. They could never be more. They rose as high as Goy can. Look what happened too. They got everybody caught. Epstein was noticed most because of Bill Clinton. play_arrow 6 play_arrow 1 deFLorable hillbilly 6 hours ago (Edited) remove link

You... can't even work a second job at $15/hr without it being immediately transparent to gov. God forbid you do a side job for cash.

How... can a known criminal of the worst sort hide and access at will 100's of millions of $$?

If this guy and all his "friends" fold away quietly into the night, then all is lost my fellow Americans.

A country ruled by sexual deviants/predators isn't worth defending.
2 play_arrow FKTHEGVNMNT 6 hours ago remove link

More poop to scoop, more names for y'all

Jane Doe #43 vs. Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sarah Kellen, Lesley Groff, and Natalya Malyshev, is the second pending civil lawsuit filed against Maxwell by a sex trafficked survivor.

Filed January 26, 2017,

northwoodssaveachild.blogspot.com
1 play_arrow Give Me Some Truth 6 hours ago (Edited) remove link

Prosecutors DID name names in the Kraft case. One of the "Johns" was identified. Actually all of them were.

This happens in cities all the time when some undercover female police officers pose as prostitutes and then arrest about 20 "Johns" in one night. These people's names and photos are published in the newspaper and on websites. The entire idea is to shame these people, which presumably serves as a deterrent to other would-be customers.

One assumes the government could also name all the "Johns" in the Epstein case too, right? Who actually got "massages" from children?

Name them. Arrest them. Take their picture as a mug shot and publicize it.

But if you are Prince Andrew or Bill Clinton or Tony Blair or some Fortune 500 CEO or Alan Dershowitz you don't have to worry about such an outcome.

It's called "equal justice for all." play_arrow 2 play_arrow Moving and Grooving 3 hours ago remove link

+1 for not adding President Trump to the list. play_arrow play_arrow AAPL Slayer 6 hours ago remove link

Here's an idea,start hauling in every pilot every person that worked on any of these flights clear down to the mechanics it took to keep it faa legal including whoever recorded these flight logs they are all complicit they may as well have been driving the getaway car for a bank robbery and see what they have to say from a cell play_arrow 9 play_arrow 1 ToSoft4Truth 6 hours ago remove link

Trump shooting Epstein with a *** made Glock "in the middle of Fifth Avenue" would get my vote. play_arrow 2 play_arrow 1 Rusticus2.0 6 hours ago (Edited) remove link

I'm sure that option has been looked at.

Since Epstein hasn't suicided himself, one has to assume he's got an insurance policy . play_arrow 1 play_arrow 1 Give Me Some Truth 6 hours ago remove link

It would actually be great if Epstein talked and told all. Named names, gave details, etc.

Not that he's going to do this. Not that the government is even going to ask him to do this. They won't.

[Jul 12, 2019] Only if Rachel Maddow says it is

Jul 12, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Mah_Authoritah , 4 hours ago

Is it true that Epstein & Trump partied with 28 underage girls?

Anunnaki , 4 hours ago

Only if Rachel Maddow says it is

[Jul 12, 2019] Lock Him Up - The American Conservative

Essentially Epstein run a brothel for influential politicians and other stars. Girls were paid so they were hired prostitutes. That fact that he did it with impunity for so long suggest state sponsorship.
Notable quotes:
"... In fact, the case against Epstein seems so overwhelming that it's already been reported , albeit not confirmed, that his lawyers are seeking a plea bargain. Yet even if Epstein doesn't "flip," it's a cinch that many luminaries -- in politics, business, and entertainment -- will at least be named, if not outright inculpated. ..."
"... Yet perhaps the most aching parallel to Epstein is the NXIUM sex slave case, which has already led to guilty pleas and entangled not only Hollywood stars but also heirs to one of North America's great fortunes, the Bronfmans. ..."
"... In 1944, film legend Charlie Chaplin, too, found himself busted on a Mann Act rap. Chaplin was accused of transporting a young "actress" across state lines; he was acquitted after a sensational trial, but not before it was learned that he had financed his lover's two abortions. Chaplin's career in Hollywood was effectively over. ..."
"... In fact, if one takes all these horrible cases in their totality -- Varsity Blues, NXIUM, Epstein -- one might fairly conclude that the problem is larger than just a few rich and twisted nogoodniks. ..."
"... Hardly. It merely puts it into historical perspective. Epstein is but one of a long line of serial sexual predators through the ages. ..."
"... Biological parentage is no guarantee of virtue towards children. Predatory behaviour towards children is most likely to come from within the family. ..."
"... Bill Clinton had at least 26 international trips on Epstein's private plane, including 18 to Epstein's private Caribbean island, which was reportedly staffed with dozens of underage women, mostly from Latin America. It was referred to as "Orgy Island" or "Pedo Island" by the locals. ..."
"... I disagree show me where the Progressives have any morals after all look at Clinton. Even the so called fake republicans are guilty. Our country is in the toilet . The schools are hotbeds of moral decay teaching kids LGBT sex education etc. ..."
"... Marx himself understood, capitalism is a fundamentally chaotic, disruptive, even revolutionary force that destroys everything that conservatives value the most (and want to "conserve.") The free-market fundamentalism that so many conservatives accept as gospel truth really is nothing more than a "false consciousness." ..."
"... If ever a situation called for rendition, this is it. I've been following this since 2007, and my intuition tells many more important people are involved than those we know. ..."
"... Be very skeptical. Why is DOJ suddenly resurrecting a case that was settled 10 years ago? I can't help to wonder if this isn't yet another part of the coup attempt. ..."
"... Trump also gave other evidence and information he had gleaned to prosecutors during the first Epstien trial. ..."
"... We should point this out as often as possible because liberal media is trying to smear Trump by including his name next to Epstien in every article. ..."
Jul 12, 2019 | www.theamericanconservative.com

Jeffrey Epstein's trial may do what no other could: Bring populists and progressives together against predatory elites. By JAMES P. PINKERTON July 10, 2019

Jeffrey Epstein mugshot (public domain)

The legal proceedings against financier Jeffrey Epstein are going to be spectacular. The sober-minded New York Times is already running headlines such as "Raid on Epstein's Mansion Uncovered Nude Photos of Girls," describing the victims as "minors, some as young as 14." So, yes, this story is going to be, well, lit .

Epstein is the pluperfect "Great White Defendant," to borrow the phrase from Tom Wolfe's 1987 novel The Bonfire of the Vanities. In Epstein's case, even the left, normally indulgent on crime, is going to be chanting: lock him up.

In fact, the case against Epstein seems so overwhelming that it's already been reported , albeit not confirmed, that his lawyers are seeking a plea bargain. Yet even if Epstein doesn't "flip," it's a cinch that many luminaries -- in politics, business, and entertainment -- will at least be named, if not outright inculpated.

Which is to say, the Epstein case is shaping up as yet another lurid look at the lifestyles of the rich, famous, and powerful, sure to boil the blood of populists on the right and class warriors on the left. In this same vein, one also thinks of the "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal, as well as the post-Harvey Weinstein #MeToo movement.

Yet perhaps the most aching parallel to Epstein is the NXIUM sex slave case, which has already led to guilty pleas and entangled not only Hollywood stars but also heirs to one of North America's great fortunes, the Bronfmans.

In that NXIUM case, it's hard not to notice the similarity between "NXIUM" and "Nexum," which was the ancient Roman word for personal debt bondage -- that is, a form of slavery.

The Romans, of course, were big on conquest and enslavement, and such aggression always had a sexual dimension, as has been the case, of course, for all empires, everywhere. Thus we come to a consistent theme across human history, namely the importation of pretty young things from the provinces for the lecherous benefit of the rich and powerful.

It's believed that Saint Gregory the Great, the pope in the late sixth and early seventh centuries, gazed upon English boys at a Roman slave market and remarked, non Angli, sed angeli, si forent Christiani ; that is, "They are not Angles, but angels, if they were Christian." Gregory's point was that such lovely beings needed to be converted to Christianity, although, of course, others had, and would continue to have, other intentions.

If we fast-forward a thousand years or so, we see another kind of enslavement, resulting, at least in part, from profound economic inequality. William Hogarth's famous prints , "A Harlot's Progress," follow the brief life of the fictive yet fetching Moll Hackabout, who comes from the provinces to London seeking employment as a seamstress -- only to end up as a kept woman, then as a prostitute, before dying of syphilis.

Interestingly, a traditional song about descent into earthly hell, "House of the Rising Sun," made popular again in the '60s , also makes reference to past honest work in the garment trade -- "my mother was a tailor."

If we step back and survey civilization's sad saga of exploitation, we see that it occurs under all manner of political and economic systems, from feudalism to capitalism to, yes, communism. As for ravenous reds, there's the notorious case of Stalinist apparatchik Lavrenti Beria, whom one chronicler says enjoyed "a Draculean sex life that combined love, rape, and perversity in almost equal measure."

In the face of such a distressing litany, it's no wonder that there have been periodic reactions, some of them violent and extreme, such as the original "bonfire of the vanities" back in the 15th century, led by the zealously puritanical cleric, Savonarola.

Yet for most of us, it's more cheering to think that prudential reform can succeed. One landmark of American reform was the White-Slave Traffic Act , signed into law in 1910 ("white slavery," we might note, is known today as "sex trafficking"). That law, aimed at preventing not only prostitution but also "debauchery," is known as the Mann Act in honor of its principal author, Representative James R. Mann, Republican of Illinois, who served in Congress from 1897 to 1922.

Mann's career mostly coincided with the presidential tenures of two great reformers, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. And it's hard to overstate just how central to progressive thinking was the combatting of "vice." After all, if the goal was to create a just society, it also had to be a wholesome society; otherwise no justice could be sustainable. Thus when Roosevelt served as police commissioner of New York City in the mid-1890s, he focused on fighting vice, rackets, and corruption.

Of course, Mann, Roosevelt, and Wilson had much more on their minds than just cleaning up depravity. They saw themselves as reformers across the board; that is, they were eager to improve economic conditions as well as social ones.

So it was that Mann also co-authored the Mann-Elkins Act , further regulating the railroads; he also spearheaded the Pure Food and Drug Act , creating the FDA. It's interesting that when Mann died in 1922, The New York Times ran an entirely admiring obituary , recalling him as "a dominating figure in the House [a] leader in dozens of parliamentary battles." In other words, back then, the Times was fully onboard with full-spectrum cleanup, on the Right as well as the Left.

To be sure, the Mann Act hardly eradicated the problem of sex-trafficking, just as Mann's other legislative efforts did not put an end to abuses in transportation and in foods and drugs. However, we can say that Mann made things better .

Of course, the Mann Act has long been controversial. Back in 1913, the African-American boxer Jack Johnson was convicted according to its provisions. (Intriguingly, in 2018, Johnson was posthumously pardoned by President Trump.)

In 1944, film legend Charlie Chaplin, too, found himself busted on a Mann Act rap. Chaplin was accused of transporting a young "actress" across state lines; he was acquitted after a sensational trial, but not before it was learned that he had financed his lover's two abortions. Chaplin's career in Hollywood was effectively over.

Cases such as these made the Mann Act distinctly unpopular in "sophisticated" circles. Of course, criticism from the smart set is not the same as proof that the law is not still valuable. That's why, more than a century after its passage, the Mann Act is still on the books, albeit much amended. Lawmakers agree that it's still necessary, because, after all, there's always a need to protect women from wolves .

Now back to Epstein. If we learn that he was actually running something called the "Lolita Express," that would be a signal that prosecutors have a lot of work to do, rounding up the pedophile joyriders. So it was interesting on July 6 to see Christine Pelosi, daughter of the House speaker, posting a stern tweet : "This Epstein case is horrific and the young women deserve justice. It is quite likely that some of our faves are implicated but we must follow the facts and let the chips fall where they may -- whether on Republicans or Democrats."

So we can see: the younger Pelosi wants one standard -- a standard that applies to all.

In fact, if one takes all these horrible cases in their totality -- Varsity Blues, NXIUM, Epstein -- one might fairly conclude that the problem is larger than just a few rich and twisted nogoodniks.

That is, the underlying issues of regional and social inequality -- measured in power as well as wealth -- must be addressed.

To put the matter another way, we need a bourgeoisie that is sturdier economically and more sure of itself culturally. Only then will we have Legions of Decency and other Schlafly-esque activist groups to function as counterweights to a corrosive and exploitative culture.

Of course, as TR and company knew, if we seek a better and more protective American equilibrium, a lot will have to change -- and not just in the culture.

Most likely, a true solution will have "conservative" elements, as in social and cultural norming, and "liberal" elements, as in higher taxes on city slickers coupled with conscious economic development for the proletarians and for the heartland. Only with these economic and governmental changes can we be sure that it's possible to have a nice life in Anytown, safely far away from beguiling pleasuredomes.

To be sure, we can't expect ever to solve all the troubles of human nature -- including the rage for fame that drives some youths from the boondocks. But we can at least bolster the bourgeois alternative to predatory Hefnerism.

In the meantime, unless we can achieve such structural changes, rich and powerful potentates will continue to pull innocent angels into their gilded dens of iniquity.

James P. Pinkerton is an author and contributing editor at . He served as a White House policy aide to both Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.


SOL 2 days ago

"Most likely, a true solution will have "conservative" elements, as in social and cultural norming, and "liberal" elements, as in higher taxes on city slickers coupled with conscious economic development for the proletarians and for the heartland."

Neither of which will happen with the blue megacities having political control.

TruckFumpf SOL 2 days ago

Oh Lord.

Even after a thoughtful piece like this, here come the endlessly partisan hacks...

Xanthippe2 2 days ago

"(T)here's always a need to protect women from wolves." It should be noted that boys who are sex-trafficked also fall under the Mann Act. This may not be clear from Wikipedia.

LeeInWV 2 days ago

Wow! What a wonderful article! The compassion for the young victims just jumps off the screen along with the disgust at the corruption that has allowed this predator to damage so many lives over at least three decades.

No, the fact is that your dispassionate, detached, political assessment objectifies and dehumanizes the girls that were abused by Epstein and by the stupidly named "justice system" and reflects the obnoxious rot at the root of our society when it comes to the abuse of women and children.

When it comes right down to it, this doesn't really matter to you, it is just another political amusement.

disqus_t9AqZQH8T0 LeeInWV a day ago

Hardly. It merely puts it into historical perspective. Epstein is but one of a long line of serial sexual predators through the ages.

LeeInWV disqus_t9AqZQH8T0 a day ago

"Most likely, a true solution will have "conservative" elements, as in social and cultural norming, and "liberal" elements, as in higher taxes on city slickers coupled with conscious economic development for the proletarians and for the heartland. Only with these economic and governmental changes can we be sure that it's possible to have a nice life in Anytown, safely far away from beguiling pleasuredomes."

Liberal "social and cultural norming" (as in feminism, consent, discussion of sexual matters (gasp!) in the public sphere, #MeToo, etc.) is what is making a difference more because such things are encouraging victims and giving them support. The (cough) "justice" system needs reform so that rape kits get processed, victims are listened to instead of shamed, cases are actually investigated, rapists aren't let off because "he comes from a good family" etc. The Nevada Legislature with it's recent legislation is leading the way, because it has a female majority. THAT is what will change things FINALLY.

His "historical perspective" is just more of the same sh*t we have heard for millennia as are his prescriptions for solutions.

Eric 2 days ago

A key conclusion of the article is that Epstein and other recent scandals about the abuse of power mean "issues of regional and social inequality -- measured in power as well as wealth -- must be addressed."

So if all regions and all social classes were equal, this would go away? First, gifts have always been and will always be distributed unequally, so this egalitarian utopia will never be obtained -- leading to the indefinite justification "we have more work to do" to force people and society into an unattainable intellectual ideal, and justifying endless injustices in the process. Second, the article itself points out that the Soviets who ostensibly pursued an egalitarian state had a famous abuser among the ranks of their political bosses (and likely had others we don't known about).

Ultimately, kids are best cared for and defended in family with their biological parents -- the very unit of society that's been under unceasing attack for decades. Support the family and support small business which is responsible for something like 80% of new jobs created in the US. Then vigorously enforce the laws that are already on the books. A key problem with Epstein was the law was for years or decades not enforced against him, I strongly suspect because he had very highly placed political connections, probably several of which were sexually abusing young girls (and/or boys?) Epstein "introduced" them to. What amount of social engineering or experimentation is going to eliminate that kind of political corruption? I highly doubt any will. Once it's discovered, everyone involved should be prosecuted and exposed -- and any other cases of sex slavery rings discovered in the process likewise have all their members prosecuted & exposed.

kalendjay Eric 2 days ago

Lavrenti Beria as the prescient symbol of Soviet Babbitry v. worldwide immorality! So was Ernst Rohm! Thank god for the KGB and SS as harbingers of true moral concern over sex abuse!

Stephen Ede Eric a day ago

"Ultimately, kids are best cared for and defended in family with their biological parents "

LMAO. Historically the family and biologoical parents were part and parcel in many of the deals involved with these trades.

Biological parentage is no guarantee of virtue towards children. Predatory behaviour towards children is most likely to come from within the family. I can't remember the family name but there was a family that made a big thing of their "Proper Christian Family" even while one son was abusing his younger sister/s and the Parents protected and shielded him.

I'll pass on that "protection" thank you.

JeffK from PA 2 days ago

"In Epstein's case, even the left, normally indulgent on crime, is going to be chanting: lock him up." - You almost lost me on that one. The Left is not normally 'indulgent on crime'. However, The Left is resistant to making 'immorality' (pot smoking, sodomy, gambling, gay marriage, etc) criminal, given how driving 'vice' underground and making it illegal has unintended consequences (such as creating the mafia and Latin American drug cartels) that are worse than 'the crime', but I decided to read on.

"That is, the underlying issues of regional and social inequality -- measured in power as well as wealth -- must be addressed." - All in for that one. Glad to see your 'wokeness'. Please send a check to Bernie.

"In the meantime, unless we can achieve such structural changes, rich and powerful potentates will continue to pull innocent angels into their gilded dens of iniquity" - Like Donald Trump, Roger Ailes, Roy Moore, David Vitter, Dennis Hastert, Chris Collins, Duncan Hunter, Michael Grimm, and on and on.

The Democrats have shown they are more than willing to ostracize members of their own team (Al Franken) for alleged and actual wrongdoing. The Republicans, not so much, since they usually overlook all kinds of deviance if a politically expedient. Such as Tim Murphy from PA and Scott DesJarlais from TN, both married 'anti-abortion' zealots caught urging their mistresses to have abortions.

Sid Finster JeffK from PA 2 days ago • edited

"The Democrats have shown they are more than willing to ostracize members of their own team (Al Franken) for alleged and actual wrongdoing."

Like Bill Clinton. The same Team D Wokemon champions who insisted that any form of sexual or romantic contact between a male supervisor and a female subordinate was by definition sexual harassment suddenly changed their tune when Bill Clinton was the supervisor.

Not only that, but they came up with the most hilarious tortured redefinitions of "perjury" in order to justify their hero.

For the record: I am not a Team R fan either, but I am not so naive as to think the problem is limited to one team.

JeffK from PA Sid Finster 2 days ago

It is not. Bill Clinton was a cad. No doubt. But I find it very interesting that Juanita Broaddick recanted her allegations against Clinton when Ken Starr put her under oath.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

kalendjay JeffK from PA 2 days ago

The only outrage Democrats will actually express over Epstein is to again tar and feather Trump in the usual fashion: Nibble at the toes of hapless political operatives and bureaucrats like Acosta, and then accuse the President of colluding in his own purported ignorance and self-enrichment.

SirMagpieDeCrow1 2 days ago • edited

There is an elephant in the room I think many conservatives are ignoring right now. A real big one...

"President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, the 66-year-old hedge fund manager charged this week with sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, were the only other attendees to a party that consisted of roughly two dozen women at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, according to a New York Times report."

"In 1992, the women were reportedly flown in for a "calendar girl" competition that was requested by Trump, The Times said.

"At the very first party, I said, 'Who's coming tonight? I have 28 girls coming,'" former Trump associate George Houraney reportedly said. "It was him and Epstein."

"I said, 'Donald, this is supposed to be a party with VIPs. You're telling me it's you and Epstein," he recalled saying."

"Houraney claimed to have warned Trump about Epstein's behavior and said the real estate tycoon did not heed his notice. Houraney, a businessman, reportedly said Trump "didn't care" about how he had to ban Epstein from his events."

https://www.businessinsider...

EliteCommInc. SirMagpieDeCrow1 2 days ago

This is an old elephant. It raised its head during the campaign and did not make much in the way of waves. Will it come back to bite the president today -- one hopes that its all rumor hearsay and gossip.

I am willing to grant that the president may have been a "masher" in his day. Whether that means relations with children is another matter.

Hunt Miller SirMagpieDeCrow1 2 days ago

Bill Clinton had at least 26 international trips on Epstein's private plane, including 18 to Epstein's private Caribbean island, which was reportedly staffed with dozens of underage women, mostly from Latin America. It was referred to as "Orgy Island" or "Pedo Island" by the locals.

Guy Person Hunt Miller 2 days ago

One is a retired politician. The other is the current POTUS. If Bill is guilty, lock him up. If Trump is guilty - we need to know ASAP and he can no longer be the president.

SirMagpieDeCrow1 2 days ago

If Jeffery Epstein is such a monster then what is one to make of a man who has been quoted as saying "You can do what ever you want, grab them by the *****." and then during a presidential debate shamelessly state "I have great respect for women. Nobody has more respect for women than I do."?

Sid Finster SirMagpieDeCrow1 2 days ago

Distasteful at best, and I am being charitable, but neither statement is a crime.

FWIW, I am not a trump fan.

IntelliWriter Sid Finster 2 days ago

How about the rape and assault allegations?

EliteCommInc. SirMagpieDeCrow1 2 days ago

Laughing good grief --- First I have to get passed the suggestion that guys bragging nonsensically about their female conquests is the same hiring teens to for relations.

Good grief . . . these types of issues are ripe for hysterics.

excuse my politically incorrect suggestion of making the categorical distinctions

dukielouie 2 days ago

I disagree show me where the Progressives have any morals after all look at Clinton. Even the so called fake republicans are guilty. Our country is in the toilet . The schools are hotbeds of moral decay teaching kids LGBT sex education etc. Cultural Marxism is at play and next they will soften up and normalize pedophile. As far as the women's movement they are bitter progressives who on there Facebook moaning about how they make less money then men. Who is taking of the kids? There are no real men any more they have become boys!! Sex is every where and no one cares they all going along with the new world order!

FVCKDEPLORABLES dukielouie 2 days ago

You forgot to mention our current thrice divorced President who cheats on his wife with porn stars and pays them to stay quiet. Strong moral leadership....

Hank Linderman 2 days ago

Let the chips fall where they may, without limit, without special deals: expose them all.

Bill In Montgomey Hank Linderman 18 hours ago

If this happened, my faith in the "rule of law" and in prosecutors and law enforcement treating everyone equally might be restored. But, alas, we all know this is not going to happen.

Connecticut Farmer 2 days ago

"...the younger Pelosi wants one standard -- a standard that applies to all."

Don't we all. But if history teaches us anything it teaches that the higher up the socioeconomic food chain we go, the more "flexible" that standard becomes.

So we'll see about Epstein--and all the other big shots who were in on this debauch.

Snikkerz Connecticut Farmer a day ago

"...the younger Pelosi wants one standard -- a standard that applies to all."

Does she want that single standard to apply to people that flaunt our laws by having, say, a clandestine and illegal email server that was used for classified correspondence?

SatirevFlesti 2 days ago

Mr. Pinkerton apparently (like many) needs to learn what the definition of pedophile is (hint: It's doesn't mean any and all sex under he legal age of consent). However illegal (to say nothing of distasteful and immoral) Epstein's actions may have been, based on the claims I've seen, he is not a pedophile.

I also find it hard to believe that Clinton and others didn't know. Rumours of Epstein's proclivities, and his plane being called "Lolita Express," have been around for along-time, but Epstein has been protected by his connections and wealth. Clinton flew nearly 30 times on Epstein's private jet. Is he the only person in the world who never heard the stories about him? What did he know and when did he know it?

JonF311 SatirevFlesti 2 days ago • edited

If you're asking that question about Clinton- a 90s has-been politician whose own party has moved on past him, then I hope you're also asking it about the current president who was also a bosom buddy to Epstein.

Hunt Miller JonF311 2 days ago • edited

According to flight manifests, Trump flew one time, from New York to Palm Beach, on Epstein's plane. Clinton took at least 26 international trips on the Lolita Express, including 18 trips to Epstein's private Caribbean island, where he supposedly had dozens of underage women from Latin America kept. The locals referred to it at 'Orgy Island" and "Pedo Island". We're not exactly comparing apples to apples here, are we?

polistra24 2 days ago

Nope, won't bring anyone together.

Compare the Mueller soap opera. The characters in that story were sleazy international fixers and blackmailers who worked for everyone. Same type as Epstein. They worked for KGB, CIA, Clinton, Trump, Mossad, Saudi. Despite the universality of the crimes, Mueller meticulously "saw" only the crimes that involved Trump and Russia. FBI always works that way. Any accusation or evidence that doesn't fit the predefined story disappears.

Same thing will happen here.

u.r.tripping polistra24 2 days ago

Like the film Shooter- "Maybe I should wait for your report before I remember".

JonF311 polistra24 a day ago

Muller had a specific investigatory mission. He was not empowered to look into every government scandal since Alexander Hamilton was blackmailed by Maria Reynolds.

FL_Cottonmouth 2 days ago • edited

Part of what doomed the post-WWII "Right" was the "fusionism" between conservatism and capitalism. While the latter got real policy results, the former was merely pandered to during elections but otherwise ignored. As a result, leftists and centrists mistakenly came to believe that being "right-wing" means being a corporate shill lobbying to cut taxes for the rich and pay for it by cutting programs for the poor.

At the same time, as Marx himself understood, capitalism is a fundamentally chaotic, disruptive, even revolutionary force that destroys everything that conservatives value the most (and want to "conserve.") The free-market fundamentalism that so many conservatives accept as gospel truth really is nothing more than a "false consciousness."

A recent essay in Law & Liberty summarizes the contradictions at the heart of fusionism:

Many traditionalists (such as Russell Kirk) resisted fusionism for placing too much emphasis on markets and not enough on the conservative commitment "to religious belief, to national loyalty, to established rights in society, and to the wisdom of our ancestors." And many libertarians (such as F.A. Hayek) explicitly rejected conservatism for being too nationalistic and hostile toward open systems.

If conservatives want any political future in this country, then they're going to have to "de-fuse," so to speak, with capitalism, which has been exploiting their support in order to advance policies against their own interests and values. If "Woke Capitalism" isn't the final straw, then what will it take? Conservatives could learn a lot from the Progressive Movement of the 1890s-1920s, which despite its name was far more conservative than the David-Frenchist National Review is nowadays. Indeed, the Progressives' reformist playbook (which recognized that the rapid changes brought by industrialization, immigration, and urbanization had caused corruption, poverty, and vice) could and should be dusted off for today.

As far as Epstein goes, I'm rather pessimistic that he'll ever be punished and that the public will ever learn the full extent of his crimes. While Nancy Pelosi's daughter may be principled (and good for her), the fact that so many wealthy and powerful people may be incriminated is precisely why he'll be let off easy and the evidence will be covered up, just like last time. I have zero confidence in our justice system, particularly in the hyper-politicized SDNY.

u.r.tripping 2 days ago • edited

If ever a situation called for rendition, this is it. I've been following this since 2007, and my intuition tells many more important people are involved than those we know. Anyone involved would be terrified; they'll have to break someone to get the facts. As someone who was almost abducted at age 9, I say get on it.

Steve Coats 2 days ago

The problem is men behaving badly.

Sid Finster Steve Coats a day ago

Ghislaine Maxwell is a dude, too?

Jake Jones 2 days ago

Be very skeptical. Why is DOJ suddenly resurrecting a case that was settled 10 years ago? I can't help to wonder if this isn't yet another part of the coup attempt.

Millie Vanilli Jake Jones 2 days ago

There was a lawsuit by Mike Cernovich to unseal the court records which was granted by the judge. That' why he was arrested

JonF311 Jake Jones a day ago

Knart may be moribund, but someone found a blue light special on tinfoil hats.

Maddock631 2 days ago

Twisted sisters will do what they do with or without social disparities. All you can do is bury them when you catch them. If the rich and famous get caught up, no ones fault but their own.

jimbino 2 days ago

The Mann Act mainly served to enforce Roman Catholic ideas about marriage's being somehow special. The Bible offers no such thing as an example of a religious marriage, whether Muslim, Catholic or Protestant, unless it be that of Job.

JonF311 jimbino a day ago

So Protestants and atheists are A-OK with shanghaing young girls into prostitution?

Sid Finster 2 days ago

(Unfortunately) there is no such thing as law. There is only context.

https://nypost.com/2018/12/...

kalendjay 2 days ago

You expect a free pass for this term paper theory that downright American types are going to unite to stop sexual predation, and their brains will swirl with reminiscences of St. Gregory and Sen. Mann?

I am unaware that Chaplin's career was "effectively over" after his sex trial. Chaplin made "Monsieur Verdoux" in 1947 in good time after the modern Bluebeard of France, Marcel Petiot made headlines (this predator swindled Jews of safe passage money out of France, poisoned them, and burned their bodies in his home. No time of reckoning for France or Francophiles here). Five years later he released "Limelight", which could be called a loving tribute to vaudeville and silent film at the same time (Buster Keaton appeared, and it is said that many omitted segments were his finest hour in the sound era. Note that financially and at box office, Keaton was as ruined and burned out as countless others, but was in the end a hard working trouper who even made it to Samuel Beckett!). Chaplin flagged thereafter, but made films at exactly the pace he wished, as characterized by the slow linger from "Modern Times" to "The Great Dictator".

Errol Flynn on the other hand was boosted by his sex scandal as alleged with a 15 year old. His release "They Died With Their Boots On" made reference to the allegation that Flynn was naked except for a pair of boots. And remember the original Hollywood Confidential scandal that rounded up dozens of celebrities including Lizbeth Scott in a prostitution ring? All forgotten.

So if your going to make big analogies between Hollywood, celebrity, and yet another paroxysm of soon to evaporate Puritan righteousness, at least know what you're talking about.

For the record, I believe that if Epstein punched 8 years above his weight in his choice of femmes, he might never have been caught.

Edgar Lane 2 days ago

The article is way to long and I read the first paragraph and after the words "The sober-minded New York Times" I jumped to the comments. The headline was enough for me...I agree, Lock Him Up.

CapitalistRadical a day ago

Trump was a hero here. When Epstien was making inappropriate advances to young girls Mar a Lago, Trump kicked him out and banned him for life.

Trump also gave other evidence and information he had gleaned to prosecutors during the first Epstien trial.

We should point this out as often as possible because liberal media is trying to smear Trump by including his name next to Epstien in every article.

[Jul 12, 2019] no title

Notable quotes:
"... Bear Stearns -- the bank that had given Mr. Epstein his start -- was still among his investments when the crisis hit. According to a lawsuit he later filed against the bank, Mr. Epstein controlled about 176,000 shares of Bear Stearns, worth nearly $18 million, in August 2007. ..."
"... Mr. Epstein sold 56,000 shares at $101 each that month. He sold the remaining 120,000 shares in March 2008 as the firm was collapsing -- 20,000 at $35 and the rest at $3.04, losing big. He also lost about $50 million in one of Bear's hedge funds. ..."
"... By the time Bear Stearns came apart, Mr. Epstein was at the center of his first abuse case. He pleaded guilty to prostitution charges in 2008, receiving a jail sentence that allowed him to work at home during the day but also required him to register as a sex offender ..."
"... The court document alleges: "Epstein also sexually trafficked the then-minor Jane Doe (a name used in US legal proceedings for people with anonymity), making her available for sex to politically connected and financially powerful people. ..."
"... "Epstein's purposes in 'lending' Jane Doe (along with other young girls) to such powerful people were to ingratiate himself with them for business, personal, political, and financial gain, as well as to obtain potential blackmail information. ..."
"... Journalist George Webb, watch his Youtube channel, has been following Epstein 'activities' for decades, connecting him all the way back to the Bush Sr. and Jr. Boys Town White House peadophile ring. Epstein was the 'go to guy' for rat line trafficking missions, into Kosovo, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, every war zone across the world one can think of, to move dark ops in and out of, closely linked to DynCorp, which core business is 'aviation security services' and infamous for enabling and promoting underage transgressions of all of its personnel in Yugoslavia where Bill Clinton has murdered many thousands unbeknownst to the gullible and rather retarded Americuh public ..."
Jul 11, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Jeffrey Epstein's wealth has long been a topic of discussion since becoming known as a 'billionaire pedophile' and other similar monickers. Described by prosecuitors this week as a "man of nearly infinite means," a 2011 SEC filing has provided a window into the registered sex offender's elite Wall Street links, according to the Financial Times .

Epstein, who caught a lucky break tutoring the son of Bear Stearns chairman Alan Greenberg before joining the firm, left the investment bank in 1981 to set up his own financial firm. While he reportedly managed money for billionaires for decades, most of Epstein's dealings have been done in the shadows.

A 2011 SEC filing reveals that Epstein's privately held firm, the Financial Trust Company , took a 6.1% stake in Pennsylvania-based catalytic converter maker Environmental Solutions Worldwide (ESW) backed by Leon Black, the billionaire founder of Apollo Global Management .

ESW itself has a checkered past. In 2002, its then-chairman Bengt Odner was accused by the SEC of participating with others in a $15 million "pump and dump" scheme with ESW stock. The case was settled a year later according to FT , with Odner ordered to pay a $25,000 civil penalty. Of note, ESW accepted Epstein's investment several years after he had registered as a sex offender in a controversial 2008 plea deal in Florida.

Epstein's connection to Black doesn't stop there - as the financier served as a director on the Leon Black Family Foundation for over a decade until 2012 according to IRS filings. A spokeswoman for the foundation claims that Epstein had resigned in July 2007, and that his name continued to appear on the IRS filings "due to a recording error" for five years. A 2015 document signed by Epstein provided to the Financial Times appears to confirm this.

Epstein also built his wealth with Steven J. Hoffenberg and Leslie H. Wexner, the former of whom was convicted of running a giant Ponzi scheme, and the latter a clothing magnate.

Mr. Epstein's wealth may have depended less on his math acumen than his connections to two men -- Steven J. Hoffenberg, a onetime owner of The New York Post and a notorious fraudster later convicted of running a $460 million Ponzi scheme , and Leslie H. Wexner, the billionaire founder of retail chains including The Limited and the chief executive of the company that owns Victoria's Secret.

Mr. Hoffenberg was Mr. Epstein's partner in two ill-fated takeover bids in the 1980 s, including one of Pan American World Airways, and would later claim that Mr. Epstein had been part of the scheme that landed him in jail -- although Mr. Epstein was never charged. With Mr. Wexner, Mr. Epstein formed a financial and personal bond that baffled longtime associates of the wealthy retail magnate, who was his only publicly disclosed investor. - New York Times

"I think we both possess the skill of seeing patterns," Wexner told Vanity Fair in 2003. "But Jeffrey sees patterns in politics and financial markets, and I see patterns in lifestyle and fashion trends."

Those around Wexner were mystified over Wexner's affinity for Epstein.

" Everyone was mystified as to what his appeal was ," said Robert Morosky, a former vice chairman of The Limited. "I checked around and found out he was a private high school math teacher, and that was all I could find out. There was just nothing there."

As the New York Times noted on Wednesday, Epstein's "infinite means" may be a mirage, as while he is undoubtedly extremely rich, there is "little evidence that Mr. Epstein is a billionaire."

While Epstein told potential clients he only accepted investments of $1 billion or more, his investment firm reported having $88 million in capital from his shareholders, and 20 employees according to a 2002 court filing - far fewer than figures being reported at the time.

And while most of Epstein's dealings are unknown, his Financial Trust Company also had a $121 million investment in DB Zwirn & Co, which shuttered its doors in 2008, and had a stake in Bear Stearns's failed High-Grade Structured Credit Strategies Enhanced Leverage Fund - the collapse of which helped spark the global financial crisis.

Epstein was hit hard by the financial crisis a decade ago, while allegations of sexual abuse of teenage girls caused many associates - such as Wexner - to sever ties with him.

Bear Stearns -- the bank that had given Mr. Epstein his start -- was still among his investments when the crisis hit. According to a lawsuit he later filed against the bank, Mr. Epstein controlled about 176,000 shares of Bear Stearns, worth nearly $18 million, in August 2007.

Mr. Epstein sold 56,000 shares at $101 each that month. He sold the remaining 120,000 shares in March 2008 as the firm was collapsing -- 20,000 at $35 and the rest at $3.04, losing big. He also lost about $50 million in one of Bear's hedge funds.

By the time Bear Stearns came apart, Mr. Epstein was at the center of his first abuse case. He pleaded guilty to prostitution charges in 2008, receiving a jail sentence that allowed him to work at home during the day but also required him to register as a sex offender. - New York Times

In trying to determine what Epstein is actually worth, Bloomberg notes that " So little is known about Epstein's current business or clients that the only things that can be valued with any certainty are his properties. The Manhattan mansion is estimated to be worth at least $ 77 million , according to a federal document submitted in advance of his bail hearing."

He also has properties in New Mexico, Paris and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he has a private island, and a Palm Beach estate with an assessed value of more than $12 million . He shuttles between them by private jet and has at least 15 cars, including seven Chevrolet Suburbans, according to federal authorities. - Bloomberg

Deutsche Bank, meanwhile, severed ties with Epstein earlier this year - right as federal prosecutors were preparing to charge him with operating a sex-trafficking ring of underage girls out of his sprawling homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, according to Bloomberg , citing a person familiar with the situation. It is unknown how much money was involved or how long Epstein had been a client.
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FKTHEGVNMNT , 1 hour ago

That black book is still missing, it is actually a meticulous journal. His butler who died at 60 due to mesothelioma kept it as insurance, those snippets was just him saying " I got the goods.

Dr.Strangelove , 1 hour ago

The Feds should do what they did with Al Capone, and put him in the slammer on tax evasion charges. I'm sure Epstein has reported all of his ill gotten billions to the IRS tax man.....NOT.

CheapBastard , 43 minutes ago

I wonder how many human assets, aka, slave girls, he owns? I guess they could value the slave child based on how much revenue they brought in.

FKTHEGVNMNT , 2 hours ago

The court document alleges: "Epstein also sexually trafficked the then-minor Jane Doe (a name used in US legal proceedings for people with anonymity), making her available for sex to politically connected and financially powerful people.

"Epstein's purposes in 'lending' Jane Doe (along with other young girls) to such powerful people were to ingratiate himself with them for business, personal, political, and financial gain, as well as to obtain potential blackmail information.

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Prince+Andrew+underage+sex+claim+denied+by+Palace%3B+Palace+denies+...-a0395804374

truthordare , 3 hours ago

I wonder if Prince Andrew has deleted him from Facebook

marcel tjoeng , 3 hours ago

Journalist George Webb, watch his Youtube channel, has been following Epstein 'activities' for decades, connecting him all the way back to the Bush Sr. and Jr. Boys Town White House peadophile ring. Epstein was the 'go to guy' for rat line trafficking missions, into Kosovo, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, every war zone across the world one can think of, to move dark ops in and out of, closely linked to DynCorp, which core business is 'aviation security services' and infamous for enabling and promoting underage transgressions of all of its personnel in Yugoslavia where Bill Clinton has murdered many thousands unbeknownst to the gullible and rather retarded Americuh public.

Trafficking underage girls from Ukraine back and forth to the USA to pimp out to every diplomat from every country that bought and sold state secrets, flying underage girls to the Middle East to peddle to oil sheiks, involved with obtaining and exchanging state secrets of for instance American DARPA, the top secret military research giant, to any 'diplomat' connected to the secretive network of an 'Illuminati' type deep state collusion, the power brokers of war and sex.

The Irgun of Menachem Begin, the Mossad of Moshe Dayan were infamous for their poolside parties where all the jewish female 'pretty' Israeli agents were used and trained to be honey pot sex objects, with mandatory sex orgies that lasted for days, the worst of a James Bond type environment but without the glitter.

on the contrary, the secret world of parasites that practice and trade in massive scale rape, war, torture, sex aberrations, ***********, blackmail, extortion, paedophilia, child trafficking, international orphan trafficking, drugs, trafficking underage sex slaves to be used as dolls and much much worse,

that is who is Jeffrey Epstein is.

The front cover of rape, murder and mayhem international Inc., the go-to-boy of sick Wall Street, Washington DC, the CIA, NSA, Dyncorp, the power brokers within the DNC and the GOP,

all the usual sick subjects whose code mantra is 'we have unlimited funding', which means the FED, Wall Street, the BIS, the whole of the Central Bank System that originated in Europe in Venice, and then spread to Amsterdam, the Dutch House of Orange, London, New York, the British paedophile Empire,

all of these a lot worse than just scum.

ReflectoMatic , 2 hours ago

Epstein's Zoro Ranch in New Mexico, where the military brass, MIC, and West Coast celebrities party

Epstein lives in what is reputed to be the largest private dwelling in New Mexico, on an $18 million, 7,500-acre ranch which he named Zorro.

Jeffrey Epstein's palatial New Mexico home is relatively near to a top military base. The Epstein home is in Stanley in New Mexico.

Albuquerque now has a variety of Jewish synagogues and a Chabad house.

Mossad sex party, according to former Mossad case officer Victor Ostrovsky

There were about 25 people in and around the pool and none of them had a stitch of clothing on.

The second-in-command of the Mossad -- today, he is the head -- was there.

Hessner. Various secretaries. It was incredible. Some of the men were not a pretty sight, but most of the girls were quite impressive. I must say they looked much better than they did in uniform! Most of them were female soldiers assigned to the office, and were only 18 or 20 years old.

Some of the partiers were in the water playing, some were dancing, others were on blankets to the left and the right having a fine old time vigorously screwing each other right there...

It was the top brass all right, and they were swapping partners. It really shook me. That's sure not what you expect. You look at these people as heroes, you look up to them, and then you see them having a sex party by the pool.

-- Ostrovsky, Victor, By Way of Deception, (1990), pg. 96

ReflectoMatic , 2 hours ago

Because what George Webb is saying is so important in expanding the scope of understanding what is going on: George Webb on youtube

JSBach1 , 3 hours ago

Researcher Wayne Madsen: Trump's Connection to Epstein Needs to Be Exposed

https://youtu.be/w7bIi04y0aY

Give Me Some Truth , 3 hours ago

I think that's the main point. No real investigation can take place. Too dangerous if too many people learned what's been happening.

They've got enough to lock Epstein away and keep him somewhere where he can't talk.

It's kind of like Assange is no danger as long as he is locked up (even in a prison on in a room in an Embassy).

FKTHEGVNMNT , 3 hours ago

Epstein's chief pilot Larry Visoski, 54, has admitted he knew minors were being flown on his boss' plane but said he never suspected him of having sex with them "with a bed in the plane????". www.thefreelibrary.com/Pilot+who+flew+young+girls+and+VIPs+for+Andrew%27s+paedo+pal%3B+AS+PRINCE...-a0397002208

guy has a kid too

Golden Showers , 7 minutes ago

I like Miles' work a lot, but I don't always agree with the results of his studies. There are a great many fabricated events. Events like those are cover for other very real events. The clowns will fake (or real) blow up townships just to prevent a case from going to trial or getting news feed, OKC comes to mind. And there's always more than one reason for it behind the BS cover story. It's tactical. Ep is just another arm of the octopus: Ep is definitely a middle man, a bag man, a front man, an intel asset (for several agancies no doubt) and he got his cover job as a "financier" along with a client that got rich selling women's underwear and kids clothes as whitewash. A guy who wrote a paper on how America perceives Israel and how to influence that perception. That is the definition of magic and it's intel.

Ep definitely uses his own product... He had to be sure he could bounce those children off his clients, for one. Years of grooming, investing in an asset, categorizing each one. It's an industry, for sure. I don't think the numbers are fabricated. I don't think his black book was fabricated. Bloomberg was in there, btw, along with Bronfman, and Murdoch. The remoteness of 7500 acres in New Mexico, an Island, the planes, all neon signs that say "SECRET". But, you have to recruit from large population areas to find suitable victims, er, individuals. I think it's more likely that this is real world and not a manufactured event.

Look: there are theories. I collect theories. Miles is a great researcher and he makes distinctions and observations that are all very good. Reading him, I throw a lot of theories and music and vomit in the trash after. But when you peel back all the fake events... the "Kansas"... One day Kansas is gone. Once and for all. What's left is this: there's some very real **** on the down-low going on that has, until now, been permitted and some people who liked it that way are gonna be on the news for it. Pelosi's kid tweeted it. What about, say, what might a sheriff of a certain New Mexico county know? Santa Fe is totally compromised because it's an "Art" hub, for one. The unincorporated location is called "Stanley" which ought to ring bells. Right by a military base, Kirtland and Los Alamos Demo Army base, god knows what else. It's the perfect M.O. of the fake events Miles writes about. Miles sees patterns.

There is everything that is not real, and then there is everything that is real. For me it comes down to the Cartesian Brain in a Vat theory, that, indeed, is "the Matrix" pop culture go-to of today, err, 20 years ago. Red pilled means you can't go back. Get blue pilled you Get woke and go broke. It doesn't mean that everything is fake, but for all I know 2012 was real and we live on this timeline now and maybe I am a brain in a vat. So cogito ergo sum. And that is kind of a statement of faith or belief. It's the deep irony of philosophy. It's the glitch.

Ep is not the psyop. He's the guy you do the psyop to cover up. It's a better question to ask what generation MK Ultra are we on? What subset? What might Cathy O'Brien have to say about it? Don't flame the victims, or make Miles look stupid because you think it's all fake. Andrew Breitbart didn't think this **** was fake and he's dead. God bless him.

Theosebes Goodfellow , 3 hours ago

~Those around Wexner were mystified over Wexner's affinity for Epstein.~

Apparently those around Wexner were not familiar with the term "fourteen year-old spinner".

Lumberjack , 3 hours ago

...

Dershowitz was one of several heavy-hitters on Epstein's first legal defense team. Epstein's lead attorney in the Florida case was Jack Goldberger, who now represents New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. His legal team also included Roy Black, Jay Lefkowitz, Gerald Lefcourt, former U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis and Kenneth Starr, the special prosecutor who investigated Bill Clinton's sexual affair with Monica Lewinsky.

Asked why he took Epstein as a client, given the unsavory nature of his alleged crimes, Dershowitz stated bluntly, "That's what I do."

"I take controversial cases and I will continue to do so," he told Sinclair Broadcast Group in a Tuesday interview. "I defended Jeff Epstein for the same reason John Adams defended the people accused of the Boston Massacre

https://www.google.com/amp/s/wjla.com/amp/news/nation-world/connections-to-jeffrey-epstein-threaten-prominent-politicians

Lumberjack , 3 hours ago

On that note, Schumer said he'll give the money he received to help children and women.

I'd bet twice that amount it goes to Israeli causes. Not to real victims and the kahkzucker gets another nice write off.

Epstein's intel connections must be brought forth. My guess is when Kraft got busted that there were really big names that are still being hidden. A long time and VERY TRUSTED ZH member that I know a bit and collaborated a bit with on the Linda Green fiasco caught on and commented about it including providing solid evidence.

Maybe they should stop blaming Iran and Russia and look at Linda herself.

Lj

[Jul 12, 2019] Epstein story is somewhat uncomfortable for Trump. Looks like he might know That eptein abused under age girls

Notable quotes:
"... Pretty uncomfortable for him while its all being exposed. He knew. He stated that Epstein liked young girls. He said this so not to threaten them when running against long term ZOG apparatchik Clintons. ..."
"... This is what they were afraid of all along. Epstein exposes fifth column completely. It was already exposed before the race and Clinton, who would shelter them 100%, was unelectable. They were vulnerable and paranoid. Paranoid that this would happen. Trump isn't doing this. It us just happening around him. ..."
Jul 12, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Boogity , 7 hours ago

And Bonespurs, by his own admission, is the best friend the Jews ever had. That tells you all you need to know about him and this **** mess.

vienna_proxy , 6 hours ago

he betrayed us on Syria by not removing American soldiers, all to serve israel

Ms No , 6 hours ago

Pretty uncomfortable for him while its all being exposed. He knew. He stated that Epstein liked young girls. He said this so not to threaten them when running against long term ZOG apparatchik Clintons.

Its as if he was saying "Dont worry I wasn't your first choice but I am no threat to you. I will fill positions with Goldman Sachs and Jews just like every other ZOG puppet. My daughter is also married in and you finance my ****."

This is what they were afraid of all along. Epstein exposes fifth column completely. It was already exposed before the race and Clinton, who would shelter them 100%, was unelectable. They were vulnerable and paranoid. Paranoid that this would happen. Trump isn't doing this. It us just happening around him.

[Jul 12, 2019] Epstein Island has No Airport and Richard Branson has an Island next to Epstein's Pedo-Island

Jul 12, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

fersur , 7 hours ago

Talk is ( My Understanding ) that Epstein had only One Billionaire client, the guy that owns Victoria Secret and more, who gave Epstein the Eastside New York Mansion for $1.00 ( my guess Is Blackmailed ) revealing all the Epstein lifetime earnings being Child Prostitution related' including Blackmailings and other dastardly deeds, just a Con Man extraordinaire, when Epstein Blackmailings tie into Hugh Hefner ( Bill Mahers best friend ) Blackmailings their will Not be enough Rocks on the Planet Earth for the Deep State to find and hide under, because Ray(chel) Chandler Obamas squeeze filmed for Blackmailing the goings-on at Orgy Island, Note' Chandler became a common term for Child that works at being a Child Handler, or Ray Chandler could be a boy or assorted Raychel Chandler girls, the actual Ray(chel) Chandler was often pictured with Obama thru the years and took the Lolita Express arm in arm with Bill Clinton at 15 years old, she trained underagers sex and liked taking pictures !

Epstein Island has No Airport and Richard Branson has an Island next to Epstein's Pedo-Island, I heard Branson's Island is mostly undeveloped except for one area with a big fancy Hotel where the Beach allows swimmers to walk out to Sea for a roundabout a Mile in Four foot deep water, see Picture Comey took with Bill Clinton and Four others standing in Four foot deep water posing, second picture identifies James Comey standing near small boat, ( Raychel Chandler is supposed to be one of the Two girls on the Boat Not standing in Ocean Shallows posing for the pictures ) the Hotel and developed neighborhood is seen in background !

Xingqiwu , 7 hours ago

Does anyone know if Judge Roberts ever flew on the plane?

fersur , 7 hours ago

Have Not heard his name being tied in, most of the next release about Epstein Island will relate to who was there in 2011 when the 16 pictures were taken, it will take at least a year for some information release !

Xingqiwu , 7 hours ago

And Comey's own daughter will be "prosecuting" Epstein, is that right?

fersur , 6 hours ago

Yes and No, if she us a White Hat Yes !

My guess is that she us a Black Hat, 80% to 20% !

[Jul 12, 2019] A new place for a fair trial for Epstein

Jul 12, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Lumberjack , 3 hours ago

BREAKING:

Epstein's trial is being moved to Tel Aviv. His dream team claim he cannot get a fair trail... Even in New York.

[Jul 12, 2019] Congress and the courts are the enablers of America's destruction. Legislation is morality; it's the definition of how you live together, where people can live together and raise their families. Our Congress instead serves the sex industry

Jul 12, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

NAV , 2 hours ago

Congress and the courts are the enablers of America's destruction. Legislation is morality; it's the definition of how you live together, where people can live together and raise their families. Our Congress instead serves the sex industry, whether it be in our schools and universities or in our homes via television and the internet and magazines. Yvonne Ridley in "**** in the USA" wrote on June 2, 2011:

"In Obama's Apple Pie America, cable and satellite companies pump *********** into millions of homes where the American Dream has, for some, become X-rated.

"And the Americans are keen to share – I remember one of the first things that followed the arrival of US forces in Afghanistan was the sex industry. Scores of channels promoting straight and gay **** suddenly became readily available on television sets without even the need to subscribe ."

And, our media, upon arrival, gleefully subjected small children to **** just to watch their innocence torn asunder.

*********** and its consequences in America wears a Supreme Court robe... *********** is the law of the land.

[Jul 12, 2019] The Heart of Darkness: The Sexual Predators Within America's Power Elite: book on the pedophile "epidemic in America and the purchase children for sex at least 2.5 million times a year in the United States

Notable quotes:
"... Of course the types who perpetrated this horror should go down but if you are naive enough to believe the lie that zionists pull all the greedies (jew/gentile/saudi) strings instead of the blindingly obvious, that all the greedies pull the strings of everyone they can, including those of the stupid & ignorant israeli settlers, then the odds of you anon, finding any 'truth' in the machinations of empire are slim. ..."
Jul 12, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

anon , Jul 11 2019 6:36 utc | 134 whatever, coward. I won't be staying long I see little point is spending time at a place taken over by nonce's who can only read stuff that adheres to their tiny world view. Otherwise they lose their sh1t.

Even worse few do more than hunt out anything, including stuff from the very same msm they profess to eschew, which buttresses that view in an odd and pointless game of "see what I just read, one upmanship". Actually getting out and involved helping even one of the humans whose life is sh1t thanks to the empire is never even considered.

Of course the types who perpetrated this horror should go down but if you are naive enough to believe the lie that zionists pull all the greedies (jew/gentile/saudi) strings instead of the blindingly obvious, that all the greedies pull the strings of everyone they can, including those of the stupid & ignorant israeli settlers, then the odds of you anon, finding any 'truth' in the machinations of empire are slim.

If there weren't any twisted Clintons or Trumps prepared do do any damn thing just to sodomise a preadolescent girl, no one would abduct the girls in the first place.

Every f++ker who went to edelsteins island should be locked up for the rest of their lives unless they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they only cut the grass/washed the dishes.

ps if 'the jews' control everything why are so many of em on the bones of their arses? Surely any jew who was stuck with driving a cab/pushing a pen/ or even robbing a bank would just manipulate the nearest billionaire 'goy' into handing over his/her dosh?

C I eh? , Jul 11 2019 8:01 utc | 137
@ anon

(((Debisdead))) comes back from the dead to tell everyone the rampant child abuse is the fault of anyone except the jewish names actually involved...

You said it.

What brought me here at 3:30 am was an Amber Alert on my phone, with an incredibly obnoxious alarm, for a child apparently abducted 500kms away. I've received three such alerts in the past hour so I know everyone in Ontario will be talking about it tomorrow.

Psych ops are ramping up ladies and gents...

john , Jul 11 2019 10:25 utc | 143
.

Krollchem , Jul 11 2019 5:19 utc | 129

For more on the pedophile "epidemic in America and the purchase children for sex at least 2.5 million times a year in the United States.

The Heart of Darkness: The Sexual Predators Within America's Power Elite
https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/the_heart_of_darkness_the_sexual_predators_within_americas_power_elite
By John W. Whitehead

Krollchem , Jul 11 2019 5:31 utc | 131
See also the global incident map for a small portion of sex trafficing in the US and around the world. http://human.globalincidentmap.com/

This site covers lots of other criminal incidents and other issues.


anon , Jul 11 2019 6:36 utc | 134
(((Debisdead))) comes back from the dead to tell everyone the rampant child abuse is the fault of anyone except the jewish names actually involved

etc etc etc... ad nauseum

Debsisdead , Jul 11 2019 7:45 utc | 136
re #

[Jul 11, 2019] As Acosta told his interviewers in the Trump transitiotion team "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone"

Notable quotes:
"... Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for confirmation hearings]?" Acosta had been asked. Acosta had explained, breezily, apparently, that back in the day he'd had just one meeting on the Epstein case. He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had "been told" to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. ..."
"... "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," he told his interviewers in the Trump transition, who evidently thought that was a sufficient answer and went ahead and hired Acosta. (The Labor Department had no comment when asked about this.) ..."
Jul 11, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

It seems necessary to give some room to the discussion of the Epstein case. Vicky Ward, who wrote a 2002 portrait of Epstein for Vanity Fair , has a short recap of the case at the Daily Beast : Jeffrey Epstein's Sick Story Played Out for Years in Plain Sight .

This bit from it is quite interesting:

Epstein's name, I was told, had been raised by the Trump transition team when Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in Miami who'd infamously cut Epstein a non-prosecution plea deal back in 2007, was being interviewed for the job of labor secretary. The plea deal put a hard stop to a separate federal investigation of alleged sex crimes with minors and trafficking.

" Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for confirmation hearings]?" Acosta had been asked. Acosta had explained, breezily, apparently, that back in the day he'd had just one meeting on the Epstein case. He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had "been told" to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade.

"I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," he told his interviewers in the Trump transition, who evidently thought that was a sufficient answer and went ahead and hired Acosta. (The Labor Department had no comment when asked about this.)

'Belongs to intelligence' makes a lot of sense. The question is to which one. A lot of people will says "Mossad" but I don't believe that to be the (full) truth.

[Jul 11, 2019] Who is the real target of Jeffrey Epstein investigation: Clintons or Trump

Some commenters have an impression that this is the result of Trump triggering backmail clause by failing to act as required by those running the show.
Notable quotes:
"... So Epstein is a pimp. In the employ of blackmailers? Why is the New York AG after his ass now? After all these years. Who is the target if not Trump? I doubt the Justice Department is out to get the Mossad. ..."
"... Well, it was certainly supported by _some_ intelligence agency or agencies of _some_ country or countries. After all, gathering blackmail information on prominent public/private figures around the world is part of their job description. ..."
"... This renewed prosecution of Epstein isn't about protecting young girls from billionaire predators, it's an excuse to subpoena any human who ever stepped foot into Maralago so that the Democrat staffed SDNY can find other unrelated info on Trump to accuse him of bad deeds. It's more GetTrump and anyone who ever breathed near him. ..."
"... What evidence is there that Mueller, as FBI Director, would have issued such a stand-down order to U.S. Attorney Acosta? Wouldn't it have been much more likely to have come from AG Mukasey or his deputy? (Who was the Deputy AG then?) ..."
"... What's good is that most people commenting on the threads understand just how deep the rot goes and that it's not confined to North America. ..."
Jul 11, 2019 | www.unz.com

WorkingClass , says: July 11, 2019 at 10:24 am GMT

So Epstein is a pimp. In the employ of blackmailers? Why is the New York AG after his ass now? After all these years. Who is the target if not Trump? I doubt the Justice Department is out to get the Mossad.

Justvisiting , says: July 10, 2019 at 5:23 pm GMT
@lysias

Vicky Ward's new piece in the Daily Beast said that Acosta explained his signing off on the nonprosecution agreement by saying he had been told by a superior that Epstein was intel's deal and above his pay grade, so he should back off. I take it the NYT left that out?

Epstein's criminal enterprise was a CIA operation.

Well, it was certainly supported by _some_ intelligence agency or agencies of _some_ country or countries. After all, gathering blackmail information on prominent public/private figures around the world is part of their job description.

Winnetou1889 , says: July 10, 2019 at 5:24 pm GMT
@Tipsy

This renewed prosecution of Epstein isn't about protecting young girls from billionaire predators, it's an excuse to subpoena any human who ever stepped foot into Maralago so that the Democrat staffed SDNY can find other unrelated info on Trump to accuse him of bad deeds. It's more GetTrump and anyone who ever breathed near him.

tac , says: July 10, 2019 at 5:33 pm GMT
In addition to the phenomenal work that Miami Herald has done to revive this scandal and the inherent injustice there in, TruNews ran a expose on this back in March of this year (watch the video and start from 23:12 onward):

https://www.trunews.com/stream/mossad-meltdown-why-the-truth-cannot-be-reported-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-sex-crimes

Alan Dershowitz was one of Epstein's lawyers who constructed the lenient deal with Acosta (surprise, surprise):

"Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for confirmation hearings]?" Acosta had been asked. Acosta had explained, breezily, apparently, that back in the day he'd had just one meeting on the Epstein case. He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had "been told" to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," he told his interviewers in the Trump transition, who evidently thought that was a sufficient answer and went ahead and hired Acosta.
[ ]
After the one meeting with then-U.S. Attorney Acosta, where presumably "intelligence" was mentioned, the indictment was shelved and, instead, Epstein signed a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors, pleading guilty to one count of solicitation of prostitution and one count of procurement of minors for prostitution, which earned him a cushy 13 months in county jail, from where he was allowed to leave to work at his office and go for walks.

The deal granted immunity to "any potential co-conspirators." Most significantly, federal prosecutors agreed to keep the deal secret from Epstein's victims, which meant they would not know to challenge it in court. As it turned out, this actually broke the law, because victims have a right to know of such developments, under the Crime Victims' Rights Act.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epsteins-sick-story-played-out-for-years-in-plain-sight?ref=undefined

riff of raff , says: July 10, 2019 at 7:24 pm GMT
@Tired of Not Winning

Prince Charles and the Epstein will be sanitized

nickels , says: July 10, 2019 at 7:50 pm GMT
That's funny because I always thought the New York Times was the ultimate symbol of plutocratic rot.
tac , says: July 10, 2019 at 10:07 pm GMT
Wayne Madsen wrote some interesting pieces on Jeffrey Epstein:
[MORE]

[ ]
Epstein served a mere 13 months in prison on prostitution charges, not the longer term he would have seen had he been convicted on pedophilia counts . The deal worked out between Epstein's attorneys and Florida prosecutors also involved the Florida Attorney General at the time, then-Republican and close Bush friend Charlie Crist. Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum actually signed a sweetheart plea deal with Epstein's attorneys in 2007 . Crist, of course, is no stranger to sex scandals involving underage individuals, but in Crist's case, they were individuals of the same sex.
[ ]
Justice for the teens abused by Epstein, and allegedly by his friends Andrew and others, may be elusive. Florida prosecutors who worked for both Jeb Bush and, later, GOP Governor Charlie Crist , arranged for a "non-prosecution agreement" (NPA) that shielded Epstein and any "potential co-conspirators" from federal prosecutions after Epstein agreed to the plea deal that saw him plead guilty to a single state charge of soliciting prostitution, without any mention of the age of the so-called "prostitutes." The no-further-prosecution deal was worked out between Epstein's lawyers and Florida and the federal government. Epstein's lawyers happened to be Alan Dershowitz; Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel of "Monicagate" fame; and Miami celebrity trial lawyer Roy Black. The terms of the NPA were called into question in a letter written in 2011 by former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, R. Alexander Acosta, and the dubious deal-making with Epstein's lawyers during Bush's and Crist's tenure is clearly apparent:

https://www.abeldanger.org/billionaire-degenerate-jeffrey-epsteins/

[ ]
It is noteworthy that Attorney General William Barr , seen as Trump's personal lawyer and hatchet man, may have known Epstein in the 1970s. In 1973, Donald Barr , the headmaster of Manhattan's elite Dalton Schoola private school for children of some of New York's wealthiest families, hired Epstein, who did not even possess a college degree, to teach mathematics, physics, and calculus . Students attending Dalton at the time included the son of Alan Greenberg, the chairman of the now-defunct Wall Street firm Bear Stearns. In 1976, Greenberg hired Epstein to be a trader at Bear Stearns and the degree-less math teacher soon became a billionaire . Others attending Dalton during Epstein's tenure include actresses Jennifer Gray and Tracy Pollan and television's "Bizarre Foods" chef Andrew Zimmern. Epstein's association with Barr have some observers jokingly referring to the matter as the "Epstein-Barr" case.

https://www.opednews.com/articles/Epstein-busted-by-feds-at-by-Wayne-Madsen-Airport-Security_Charged_Conspiracy_Corruption-190709-277.html

Researcher Wayne Madsen: Trump's Connection to Epstein Needs to Be Exposed:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/w7bIi04y0aY?feature=oembed

George , says: July 10, 2019 at 10:42 pm GMT
Conspiracy theory: Netanyshu threw Epstein under bus to derail Barak

LIKUD TO A-G: INVESTIGATE BARAK AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN
https://m.jpost.com/Israel-News/Likud-to-AG-Investigate-Barak-and-his-relationship-with-Jeffrey-Epstein-595184

annamaria , says: July 11, 2019 at 12:14 am GMT
@Buck Ransom https://www.moonofalabama.org/2019/07/room-to-discuss-the-epstein-case.html#comments

Comment section:

1.

"Mueller issued the stand-down order to Acosta under the Bush regime. My gut instinct: the cover-up of Prince Andrew and the open border cartel human/narco/Weapons smuggling was driving Bush, owned by the Koch's and Brits and the rest of the coverup was the Dims. Both are globalists."

All that cover-up occurred during BushCo with Mueller involved up to his eyes. The amount of dirt and dead bodies covered by this is likely quite large and implicates Current Oligarchy actors.

2.

What evidence is there that Mueller, as FBI Director, would have issued such a stand-down order to U.S. Attorney Acosta? Wouldn't it have been much more likely to have come from AG Mukasey or his deputy? (Who was the Deputy AG then?)

3.

As Cernovich notes:

"Cy Vance – Democrat, gave Epstein a pass on sex offender status.
Acosta – Republican, approved plea deal.
Muller – Republican, signed off on FBI closing file on Epstein.
Schumer – Took money from Epstein.
Bill Clinton – Travel.
This isn't partisan. Corruption at all levels."

What's good is that most people commenting on the threads understand just how deep the rot goes and that it's not confined to North America.

[Jul 11, 2019] Pollard was an amateur. Is Epstein the professional? His role was not money management but blackmail or something more nefarious

Notable quotes:
"... Bill's close association with this t--d raises questions in light of his Marc Rich pardon caper. ..."
"... I suspect that he is an asset of some foreign government and handled their money as Rich did. ..."
"... I believe you are on to something. At least Marc Rich was an oil trader. With Epstein there doesn't seem to be any information on his trading activity. ..."
"... I suppose his role was not money management but blackmail or something more nefarious. Could this foreign government be our "staunchest ally" in the ME? ..."
"... The prediction here is that Epstein will offer to cooperate sooner rather than later. It would not surprise me at all if hasn't already been given the opportunity and wanted to wait to see what cards the government was holding, try to figure out who from his old team had turned and were witnesses against him. ..."
"... A big question now is that if and when he does cooperate, what kind of corroborative materials he would be able to bring along with him to bolster the victim testimony which will be recollections of abuse from women when they were adolescents that happened quite a while ago. ..."
"... if you ask around the trading desk in nyc Epstein and his org is unknown. how is it a billionaire finance guy is unknown on the trading desks? ..."
"... his fortune did not come from trading or investment or anything typically understood to be finance related. ..."
"... perhaps epstein and his sexual predilections was a way for....say... the mossad........ to aggregate wealthy powerful and political figures into revealing the stuff needed to control them in the future as favors are needed. ..."
"... Nobody knows what Epstein is really worth. The $billions figure comes from a single source; a stipulation in his original trial. He would say what his worth was and the prosecutors asked "$billions?" and E's lawyers said "sure". That's it ..."
"... The guy is a sleazy con artist. He's probably happy to have people think he has way more than he does for various reasons. ..."
"... Some will recall the name "mega" surfacing during and after the Pollard contretemps. An as-yet unidentified Israeli spy operating at a high level. Now consider the following quote: ..."
"... "Epstein, who recently loaned his jet to President Clinton, is usually seen in the company of Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of deceased publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell. After Maxwell fell or was pushed off his yacht in 1991, it was revealed that he was working for the Israeli government and the Mossad, the Israeli Intelligence service ..."
"... While Maxwell's ties to the Mossad are well-documented, Epstein's connections are less well known. The London Sunday Times quoted a New York social observer describing Epstein as follows: "He's Mr. Enigmatic. Nobody knows whether he's a concert pianist, property developer, a CIA agent, a math teacher or a member of Mossad." New York Magazine claims Epstein is the man who moves Wexner's billions around the globe. ..."
"... Wexner's philanthropic side is more public. In 1998, the Wall Street Journal reported that Wexner was part of the "'Mega Group,' a loosely organized club of 20 of the nation's wealthiest and most influential Jewish businessmen." The Mega Group meets purportedly to discuss "philanthropy," but others have speculated that their charitable interests are often a cover for lobbying activities on behalf of Israel." ..."
"... The link optimax provides below (and reproduced here ) to an EIR (LaRouche) piece on "Mega" is very interesting. It pulls a lot of this together and seems to be the main source for your linked article. The title quote; "'Mega' was not an agent, Mega was the boss" refers to the NYC-based Mega Group of Jewish billionaires (incl. Wexner) who actually run the show. Epstein's operation looks to me like an subsidiary SPV to manufacture kompromat, as you say. ..."
"... The EIR piece is frustratingly lacking in links/citations, but the crucial one backing up this quote does check out (link below). I have taken the liberty of saving it into the Internet Archive in case it now 'disappears' due to the publicity. The author refers to Mega Group as "the Megabucks" and describes an interesting twist on the traditional Mossad-run Z0G narrative. He asserts that they are actually out for themselves and influence/buy politics in Israeli every bit as much as in the US to further their own ends. Israel to them is merely a useful too ..."
"... EIR quotes the WSJ article (paywall) saying Wexner and Charles Bronfman founded the Mega Group in 1991. Charles' brother; Edgar Bronfman is also listed as a member. I came across someone on reddit ) saying that Hillary basically handed over Libya to the Bronfmans. Edgar's daughter Sara and her husband; Basit Igtet ( http://basitigtet.com) appear to have run the coup (see their wikis on Libya). Basit is coincidentally chairman of an energy co. now looking to exploit Libyan oil and apparently had/has ambitions to become president. ..."
"... It may be antisemitic to characterize Jews as power-hungry money-obsessed world dominators, but this group sure seem to fit the characterization rather well. ..."
"... There's more about the Mega Group in this LaRouche website before 9/11. I know, LaRouche had some crazy ideas but this article is well referenced and jibes with other sources. Seymour Hersh claimed Epstein was Mossad. ..."
"... Mossad honey trap operation. ..."
Jul 11, 2019 | turcopolier.typepad.com

ex-PFC Chuck -> turcopolier ... , 10 July 2019 at 11:07 PM

The Twitter stream linked up-thread by rho seems plausible as a description of the "business model" of his "hedge fund." Here's the link again for convenience:

https://twitter.com/quantian1/status/1148303672742469634

turcopolier , 10 July 2019 at 03:11 PM

JimmyW

It doesn't have to be a US government agency. Bill's close association with this t--d raises questions in light of his Marc Rich pardon caper.

Eric Newhill -> turcopolier ... , 10 July 2019 at 04:08 PM

Sir,

Would a foreign govt really utilize someone with Epstein's life style to handle their money? The guy doesn't exactly fly under the radar. It was only a matter of time before he was busted. Seems highly irresponsible and stupid of whichever government(s).

turcopolier , 10 July 2019 at 03:17 PM

Jack

I suspect that he is an asset of some foreign government and handled their money as Rich did.

Jack -> turcopolier ... , 10 July 2019 at 07:36 PM

Sir

I believe you are on to something. At least Marc Rich was an oil trader. With Epstein there doesn't seem to be any information on his trading activity. Would a foreign government or intelligence agency keep a depraved loose cannon as an asset? I suppose his role was not money management but blackmail or something more nefarious. Could this foreign government be our "staunchest ally" in the ME?

Flavius , 10 July 2019 at 03:32 PM

We haven't seen anything yet of which I'm aware to allow for a determination of what led to Epstein's serial abuses getting revisited. I very much doubt that it was a political appointee new to the system who came into the job while harboring a determination to right a wrong if given the chance. I think it more likely that it's a bottom up initiative, a witness having developed as a result of having gotten jammed up in another case and offering up a bigger fish, a newspaper story, new victims coming to light as a result of civil process, the review process prior to releasing the disclosure materials triggering outrage, something along these orders. Whatever it was, once the case was underway, in the era of #MeToo and with new political appointees in place, there would be no stopping it.

It will be interesting to see who will be the ultimate targets. It was a travesty that in the original case Epstein was the only person charged, unless I missed something. It's obvious that there had been a facilitating organization that he was running and boatloads of cash coming and going. No curiosity about that?

The prediction here is that Epstein will offer to cooperate sooner rather than later. It would not surprise me at all if hasn't already been given the opportunity and wanted to wait to see what cards the government was holding, try to figure out who from his old team had turned and were witnesses against him.

A big question now is that if and when he does cooperate, what kind of corroborative materials he would be able to bring along with him to bolster the victim testimony which will be recollections of abuse from women when they were adolescents that happened quite a while ago.

The indictment forecloses on any opportunity to use Epstein actively; and what kind of deal do you offer to this guy anyway who right now appears to be the principal malefactor in order to get to others, culpable users of his scheme surely, but not integral to his organization per se, largely because they are newsworthy figures of one sort or another. Not an easy call, but I would argue Epstein should take a major hit even if it means risking not getting his cooperation.

LG -> Flavius... , 11 July 2019 at 12:27 AM

"We haven't seen anything yet of which I'm aware to allow for a determination of what led to Epstein's serial abuses getting revisited."

An important figure pushing for the re-opening of the case is Mike Cernovich. He along with Breitbart are the main cheerleaders for the conviction -- the draining of the swamp.

They are Trump's mouthpieces who talk directly to his base. I believe the Trump admin is completely supporting the re-trial.

AG Barr's father had to leave the posh school where he had worked as a principal for a decade, soon after he employed college dropout Epstein as a Math teacher.

The guy who replaced Barr Sr was a pedo (perhaps appointed with Epstein) and left under a cloud. I think there is some personal revenge angle here as well.

ted richard , 10 July 2019 at 03:40 PM

if you ask around the trading desk in nyc Epstein and his org is unknown. how is it a billionaire finance guy is unknown on the trading desks?

answer:

because his fortune did not come from trading or investment or anything typically understood to be finance related.

perhaps epstein and his sexual predilections was a way for....say... the mossad........ to aggregate wealthy powerful and political figures into revealing the stuff needed to control them in the future as favors are needed.

whats is a service like that IF epstein was indeed just a pimp for the deviant.........worth?

how many billions to have a file on a who's who of international power would you pay?

Eric Newhill -> ted richard... , 10 July 2019 at 04:17 PM

Nobody knows what Epstein is really worth. The $billions figure comes from a single source; a stipulation in his original trial. He would say what his worth was and the prosecutors asked "$billions?" and E's lawyers said "sure". That's it.

He manages money held in off-shore accounts. Forbes thinks he has a fraction of that.

The guy is a sleazy con artist. He's probably happy to have people think he has way more than he does for various reasons.

Outrage Beyond , 10 July 2019 at 06:47 PM

Pollard was an amateur. Is Epstein the professional?

Some will recall the name "mega" surfacing during and after the Pollard contretemps. An as-yet unidentified Israeli spy operating at a high level. Now consider the following quote:

"Epstein, who recently loaned his jet to President Clinton, is usually seen in the company of Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of deceased publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell. After Maxwell fell or was pushed off his yacht in 1991, it was revealed that he was working for the Israeli government and the Mossad, the Israeli Intelligence service.

While Maxwell's ties to the Mossad are well-documented, Epstein's connections are less well known. The London Sunday Times quoted a New York social observer describing Epstein as follows: "He's Mr. Enigmatic. Nobody knows whether he's a concert pianist, property developer, a CIA agent, a math teacher or a member of Mossad." New York Magazine claims Epstein is the man who moves Wexner's billions around the globe.

Wexner's philanthropic side is more public. In 1998, the Wall Street Journal reported that Wexner was part of the "'Mega Group,' a loosely organized club of 20 of the nation's wealthiest and most influential Jewish businessmen." The Mega Group meets purportedly to discuss "philanthropy," but others have speculated that their charitable interests are often a cover for lobbying activities on behalf of Israel."

Source: https://freepress.org/article/wexner-war

This could be entirely coincidental. Or is Epstein (or Wexner) mega? It sure looks like his operation was all about getting kompromat for Mossad. Whether that comes out with any veracity remains to be seen.

Barbara Ann -> Outrage Beyond... , 11 July 2019 at 07:30 AM

Outrage Beyond

The link optimax provides below (and reproduced here ) to an EIR (LaRouche) piece on "Mega" is very interesting. It pulls a lot of this together and seems to be the main source for your linked article. The title quote; "'Mega' was not an agent, Mega was the boss" refers to the NYC-based Mega Group of Jewish billionaires (incl. Wexner) who actually run the show. Epstein's operation looks to me like an subsidiary SPV to manufacture kompromat, as you say.

The EIR piece is frustratingly lacking in links/citations, but the crucial one backing up this quote does check out (link below). I have taken the liberty of saving it into the Internet Archive in case it now 'disappears' due to the publicity. The author refers to Mega Group as "the Megabucks" and describes an interesting twist on the traditional Mossad-run Z0G narrative. He asserts that they are actually out for themselves and influence/buy politics in Israeli every bit as much as in the US to further their own ends. Israel to them is merely a useful tool. From the article:

" Israel for them is only a means to Jewish unity, on a par with the Holocaust propaganda. The idea is to keep Jews together, away from hanging with other folks. The heads of the American Jewish community need it, as they have a fair chance to find themselves without soldiers, all chiefs, and no Indians. "

EIR quotes the WSJ article (paywall) saying Wexner and Charles Bronfman founded the Mega Group in 1991. Charles' brother; Edgar Bronfman is also listed as a member. I came across someone on reddit ) saying that Hillary basically handed over Libya to the Bronfmans. Edgar's daughter Sara and her husband; Basit Igtet ( http://basitigtet.com) appear to have run the coup (see their wikis on Libya). Basit is coincidentally chairman of an energy co. now looking to exploit Libyan oil and apparently had/has ambitions to become president.

It may be antisemitic to characterize Jews as power-hungry money-obsessed world dominators, but this group sure seem to fit the characterization rather well.

https://www.mediamonitors.net/kugel-eaters/

turcopolier , 10 July 2019 at 09:13 PM

All

Epstein's victims were all goyim and a lot of blacks among them.

optimax , 10 July 2019 at 11:27 PM

There's more about the Mega Group in this LaRouche website before 9/11. I know, LaRouche had some crazy ideas but this article is well referenced and jibes with other sources. Seymour Hersh claimed Epstein was Mossad. https://larouchepub.com/other/2001/2833mega_spy.html

J , 10 July 2019 at 11:27 PM

Mossad honey trap operation.

[Jul 11, 2019] Ghislaine's role as a pimp was quite creative. Her father Robert Maxwell was a Mossad agent who was instrumental in organizing mass emigration of Russia Jews in Isreal. In this sense Epstein saga reminds Margnistky saga and Eposten -- Biill.Browder which puts MI6 in the picture

Notable quotes:
"... Third, if the legalities are any obstacle at all, the fact that the CIA's legal remit is for foreign intelligence matters. How and why the CIA works domestically needs to be explained. If the agency is supposed to be Mossad, how the Mossad can expect impunity needs to be explained, not assumed on the grounds International Jewry secretly rules the world. ..."
"... Ransacking the biographies is a lot of sampling. The more sampling the more random correlations can be made, which is not, not, not the same as demonstrating causal connections. Causal connections is what justifies saying a model is correct. ..."
"... Robert Maxwell was a Mossad agent. He was assassinated in a slick Mossad operation but did get the Jerusalem burial that he so coveted. He biggest contribution to Zionism- achieved with the complicity of Mrs Thatcher- was his facilitation of the mass emigration of Russian Jews to Israel. ..."
"... Ghislaine and Jeffrey make a fascinatingly suspect couple. Vast wealth acquired nefariously, the manipulation of power through contrived sexuality, the cultivation of social elites, and an inviolable sense of exceptionalism. And in the background, only darkness. There's bound to be some kind of intelligence agency connection there somewhere. Methinks that Ghislaine's role as pimp was quite creative. ..."
"... Think recent Epstein news may be part of plan to impeach Trump or worse, JFK Trump. CIA/Mossad asset Epstein was/is working with Mueller. ..."
"... Acosta was put in his current position to further link Trump admin to Epstein story. Don McGhan, the most cited person in the Mueller report according to Wikipedia was the person who recommended Acosta for his current job ..."
"... Trump, Macron, Obama, May, Blair, Bush, the Clintons, Pelosi, Walker, and all too many more are the manifestations of the evil spoken of above. And there is no God for them to fear; so, they must be taught to fear their fellow humans who must decide to no longer abide their behavior ..."
"... list of evidence, sensible account, explain impunity, explain relationship Epstein to agencies , demonstrate facts support the proposition by: steven t johnson @ 66 <=thanks ..."
"... Now this story will run into 2020 largely damaging democrats into the 2020 election. Trump's DOJ is running the operation. My question is will creepy Joe Biden figure into this? Those videos with his hands all over other people children are beyond weird and creepy. ..."
Jul 11, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

steven t johnson , Jul 10 2019 21:57 utc | 65

Those who want to go all medieval with the lurid fantasies about invincible conspiracies of sexually depraved people who enjoy killing, be it Jews or witches, should at least get modern.

First, blackmail evidence doesn't have to be tapes (Betamax? VHS?) or DVDs. It can be semen stained sheets, used condoms thrown into the waste basket, pubic hairs and possibly a child who passes the paternity test. The disappearance of this evidence needs to be accounted for. If it was never collected

Second, there needs to be a sensible account of where and when this blackmail evidence is stored and how the approach is made. The usual thing so far as I can tell is the use of lawyers. Intermediaries with legal privilege are invaluable. In particular, if Epstein is supposedly an extortionist for some intelligence agency, it is the agency which will have the materials, not Epstein.

Third, if the legalities are any obstacle at all, the fact that the CIA's legal remit is for foreign intelligence matters. How and why the CIA works domestically needs to be explained. If the agency is supposed to be Mossad, how the Mossad can expect impunity needs to be explained, not assumed on the grounds International Jewry secretly rules the world.

Fourth, in either case, someone needs to explain what Epstein is doing for these agencies with all this stuff. The great problem here is not just proving that none of these politicians are doing things they don't already want to do. The implicit idea that they would suffer somehow by an independent policy is enough of a stretch. You have to show the extortion is necessary to achieve whatever the alleged goal is, so vital to success the risk of provoking the enmity of wealthy and powerful people, or getting caught at it, must be taken.

Fifth and most important, all these propositions and other "facts" need to be demonstrated strongly enough to rule out, or at least compete with alternative explanations. For a single example, to make much of Epstein teaching at the Dalton School you should have an idea how often uncertified teachers worked at the Dalton School, how important the right social background (as in recommendations from influential figures,) is for their hiring and not least how long Epsteing even worked at Dalton.

News reports demonstrate very little about complex propositions. Even simple facts that aren't verified by scrutiny from different parties can be unreliable. Generally the best thing is to rely on evidence that is actually sound enough to introduce in court without being blasted apart by an attorney.

In a complex proposition, which can be view as a proposed model, the probability of the whole model being correct equals the probability of the least likely new element. The difficulty there is that the probability of any given element---such as the likelihood of Barr's father getting Epstein a job and this establishing a meaningful connect between Barr's son and Epstein---depends on the amount of sampling. Ransacking the biographies is a lot of sampling. The more sampling the more random correlations can be made, which is not, not, not the same as demonstrating causal connections. Causal connections is what justifies saying a model is correct.

Australian lady , Jul 11 2019 2:23 utc | 114

Robert Maxwell was a Mossad agent. He was assassinated in a slick Mossad operation but did get the Jerusalem burial that he so coveted. He biggest contribution to Zionism- achieved with the complicity of Mrs Thatcher- was his facilitation of the mass emigration of Russian Jews to Israel. There is even a "6 degrees of difference" association between Maxwell and Bin Laden, but that requires research.

Ghislaine and Jeffrey make a fascinatingly suspect couple. Vast wealth acquired nefariously, the manipulation of power through contrived sexuality, the cultivation of social elites, and an inviolable sense of exceptionalism. And in the background, only darkness. There's bound to be some kind of intelligence agency connection there somewhere. Methinks that Ghislaine's role as pimp was quite creative.

Zack , Jul 11 2019 2:23 utc | 115
Trump labor secretary who cut Epstein deal plans to slash funds for sex trafficking victims
Alexander Acosta, the US labor secretary under fire for having granted Jeffrey Epstein immunity from federal prosecution in 2008, after the billionaire was investigated for having run a child sex trafficking ring, is proposing 80% funding cuts for the government agency that combats child sex trafficking .

Acosta's plan to slash funding of a critical federal agency in the fight against the sexual exploitation of children is contained in his financial plans for the Department of Labor for fiscal year 2020. In it, he proposes decimating the resources of a section of his own department known as the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) .

Think recent Epstein news may be part of plan to impeach Trump or worse, JFK Trump. CIA/Mossad asset Epstein was/is working with Mueller.

Acosta was put in his current position to further link Trump admin to Epstein story. Don McGhan, the most cited person in the Mueller report according to Wikipedia was the person who recommended Acosta for his current job .

Appears Trump may be on the other end of someone-else's maximum pressure campaign after balking on Iran.

Grieved , Jul 11 2019 2:34 utc | 116
The thread before this one was about Russia, and I just now made a comment saying that in my view, not all intelligence services throughout the world or throughout history have been degraded in the way that out western agencies appear very clearly to be.

I made the claim that the service which Putin led was one with a culture of honor and uprightness in its institutional fiber, which explains much about how he came to be leader of his nation.

One could look at the almost unthinkably corrupt and degenerate "leaders" in the west and surmise much about their intelligence services.

~~

In some ways this is an interesting thread but in others an unsatisfactory one because the team is still performing forensics on the situation. I'm reading you and rooting for you, but otherwise have nothing to offer.

It's a dirty business being dissected here. But it's a necessary dissection. I offered a glimpse of honor and morality just to keep up the spirits of the team.

There is a thick layer of something very bad in the world, and it intends nothing good for children. To destroy one's own children seems to me the ultimate decadence. One hopes that the future holds the massive revealing of this layer. And that the global mind of humanity will change from this.

Please, don't mis-construe this as exculpating the culpable. Simply, that awareness is the beginning of change.

And please, carry on.

karlof1 , Jul 11 2019 3:44 utc | 121
Grieved @116--

Your indictment immediately brought Dickens and the US Congress's 1926 vote allowing of lead --a well known destroyer of youthful and adult brains at the time -- to be spewed all over creation via the tailpipes of internal combustion engines; Rachael Carson and the trio of Our Stolen Future authors all to mind. Sadly, there are many more. I'm currently taking a course about Trauma; and it's the criminally immoral trauma children are subjected to that rightfully resurrected debsisdead.

To put an end to most such trauma, the systems of unaccountable power must be eviscerated-- All of Them , Clerical included. Someone up the thread alluded to the fact that most children are raped via corporations and are born with their own a priori trauma, pollution being universally ubiquitous. All of the above is the main reason I vehemently oppose the status quo, attempt to educate people about its evils, and work for its demise. I believe that all here at the MoA bar share that goal--except the trolls. I wonder if the trolls understand just how morally compromised they are through their support of evil, if they have children who're already carrying their own trauma which will afflict them sometime if they live long enough.

Trump, Macron, Obama, May, Blair, Bush, the Clintons, Pelosi, Walker, and all too many more are the manifestations of the evil spoken of above. And there is no God for them to fear; so, they must be taught to fear their fellow humans who must decide to no longer abide their behavior .

snake , Jul 11 2019 3:50 utc | 122
list of evidence, sensible account, explain impunity, explain relationship Epstein to agencies , demonstrate facts support the proposition by: steven t johnson @ 66 <=thanks

@steven johnson <=At the very least you could do a modicum of reading on CIA domestic operations.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/10/23/cia-is-expanding-domestic-operations/7e62ab9b-8c1c-4202-b7bd-44b3fb6931c0/?utm_term=.18efa3cb14e3 And that's from Jeff Bezos' CIA funded Washington Post.

KC@73 thinks running Epstein as Charles Augustus Milverton isn't a black op. I do. CIA agents helping the FBI get around domestic laws on intelligence gathering isn't the same thing at all, even if deplorable. Turning pretty much all US nationals abroad they can into assets is also deplorable, but still not the same. by: steven t johnson @ 83

After years of study and many many books I believe the Mossad and CIA are one and the same. The Mossad is very useful when leaving sovereign footprints is verboten--and vice versa. by: last day of grace @ 79

the interests of American, British, Israeli and other nations' intelligence agencies are surely so entwined that picking them apart is impossible. One thing for sure though: none of them serve the interests of the nations they supposedly work for. Posted by: Jen @ 80

awareness is the beginning of change. by: Grieved @ 116

Part two of three parts on the issues here..
http://themillenniumreport.com/2017/04/46146/

In my opinion Grieved captured the essence.. if you are human then you will rebel that a poor sap holds up a liquor store for $100 to buy his girl friend a fix, gets 10 years, but the Intelligence agencies, kill millions, to pay bastards like those mentioned here millions and promote to President people none of us would want to be associated with, and provides life of Riley status to scum with get out of jail free cards.. BS.. we humans are better than animals. where is our pride, where is our humanity, I say get the prosecutors that do not imprison these low life for eternity.. blame the prosecutors.. and leave the victims and the perpetrators alone.. get the prosecutors make them do their job.. concentrate on that and that alone..

dltravers , Jul 11 2019 4:09 utc | 123
The left is going wild thinking that this will "get Trump" but quite the opposite is happening. It appears to me to be a "limited hang out" of an operation that has lost its usefulness long ago. It surfaced during the election to damage the Clinton's but did not receive widespread acclaim.

Now this story will run into 2020 largely damaging democrats into the 2020 election. Trump's DOJ is running the operation. My question is will creepy Joe Biden figure into this? Those videos with his hands all over other people children are beyond weird and creepy.

Trump and some of the other socialites dumped Maxwell and Epstein after finding out what was going on. That is part of the record. The anti-goyim activists that own much of the mainstream media will trim the record accordingly as Trump appears to be their boy. They do not need to blackmail him.

The true sponsors of the operation will be left out of the mainstream accounts and the focus will be on the salacious details of sex with whomever and little girls. The "limited hang out" will bolster Trumps election opportunities into 2020. Once again, the Left will be Left with unconsumed egg on their faces. Like the idiots they are, they are driven by their hate and their ideology and not by intelligence, understanding, and facts.

This is a great opportunity to understand how the world works behind the scenes, use it.

Loyal , Jul 11 2019 4:45 utc | 124
One reason he was able to bargain and got light sentence was his connection with intelligence. There were diplomats even high ranking officials, foreign dignitaries attending his special party and service. He had a trump card with several videos. More likely he is an Israeli Asset.
Moon Reader , Jul 11 2019 4:45 utc | 125
Well, how about this take, sound about right to me:

https://www.henrymakow.com/2019/07/what-behind-epstein-arrest-now.html

Debsisdead , Jul 11 2019 4:51 utc | 126
see, not even a speed bump. A slight slow down before everyone gets back to where they were, continuing the exploitation of these once children to further their own ends. With Trump, Clinton and the Windsor creep, their 'excuse' was that their innate instinct to spread their genes has become corrupted - no doubt as punishment for all their good works.

I dunno how anyone who has parented a daughter - no matter how long ago, can reduce this story down to dispassionate elements such as "Its mossad" or "no it aint, its those decadent brits/the cia/kgb blah blah". I think most of us know that 'it' could be any/all of the above.

Given the probably correct supposition that today's exploitation hasn't resulted in even a minor jism rush, what is the justification?

It's capitalism/communism/fascism?

I'll say it again. It doesn't matter what story about the forces behind this is portrayed as the truth, bugger-all is going to happen as long as the issue is which crooked pol took money from which crooked banker, or which two bit amerikan owned ME colony put the pimp up to kidnapping children and perverting them.

Insult to injury in addition to getting anally raped, at least one of these 11 year old girls then had to put up with a shouting match between Edelstein and a US prez about who had 'the right to take her virginity'

Deep down, even if they won't even admit it to themselves people already know that all pols are crooks, just as they know israel and saudi are a pair of manipulative pseudo-states run by corrupt asshats prepared to fight their indigenous population down to the last remnant of nato cannon-fodder.

As long as the issue is about allegedly omnipotent remote figures, everyone will shrug their shoulders and say "Yuk! - that's what you get eh, anyway I better get back to putting food on the table,"

On the other hand if ordinary humans are presented with the story of 11 year old girls being snatched off the street outside a pizza joint while mom is inside ordering the evening meal, the story stops being remote and becomes something so real they desperately search around to make sure the all young girls in their family are safe.
Do that while making sure the initial victims are adequately protected from thugs and exploitative 'journalists' and many many more victims will appear creating a situation mass media cannot 'massage' or ignore.

mrtmbrnmn , Jul 11 2019 4:55 utc | 127
Another example of Occam's Razor? The thing that makes the most sense in a complex situation is probably the right answer. Seems like Epstein, a world class pimp, sexual predator and bagman for Mysterious Moneymen has been teed up this time to snare Trumptard, to sing a song or compose one (as they say in interrogation rooms) on the uncontrollable narcissist.

Epstein and the Unmentionables were protected by the Cuban-American hack malpracticer Acosta in Fla. The message today to Epstein is: You are not protected this time unless... Do not be surprised to hear one day before too long that Epstein is swimming with the fishes, not unlike the fate met by Robert Maxwell (father of Epstein's Number 1 recruiter and gatekeeper of his secrets).

The Mystery Men can always find another pimp and bagman on the dirty boulevard.

Krollchem , Jul 11 2019 5:02 utc | 128
Additional Youtube discussions with further information on this massive international pedophile ring:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PExjwXlwi2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV3-IQLSiT0
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ClYrAtDNAGy5J0N-AwBNw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzl7zRsiIjk

[Jul 11, 2019] Acosta Scrapped 53-Page Epstein Indictment In 2008 -After Secret Negotiations-- Fmr State's Attorney -

Jul 11, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Former Palm Beach County state's attorney, Barry Krischer, says that Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta's account of a 2008 plea arrangement his office cut with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein is "completely wrong," and that Acosta " should not be allowed to rewrite history," according to a Wednesday statement by Krischer.

Earlier in the day Acosta held a press conference in which he vehemently defended the deal to serve just 13 months in county jail - saying that Krischer would have let Epstein walk otherwise.

"Simply put, the Palm Beach State Attorney's Office was willing to let Epstein walk free. No jail time. Nothing," said Acosta. "Prosecutors in my former office found this to be completely unacceptable, and we became involved."

Not true says Krischer - who said that Acosta abandoned a 53-page federal indictment " after secret negotiations between Mr. Epstein's lawyers and Mr. Acosta, " according to The Hill .

View image on Twitter
Peter Alexander ✔ @PeterAlexander

READ IT HERE: Former Palm Beach (FL) State Atty Barry Krischer challenges Acosta's characterization of why Acosta pursued a plea deal for Epstein: "I can emphatically state that Mr. Acosta's recollection of this matter is completely wrong."

3,470 1:25 AM - Jul 11, 2019
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The Miami U.S. Attorney's Office had prepared a federal indictment against Epstein, but it was never filed. Acosta has also faced criticism for failing to disclose the plea deal to Epstein's victims, something he said would have jeopardized the agreement.

Krischer downplayed his office's role in the eventual plea deal, and alleged the U.S. Attorney's Office abandoned its federal indictment after "secret negotiations between Mr. Epstein's lawyers and Mr. Acosta."

" If Mr. Acosta was truly concerned with the State's case and felt he had to rescue the matter, he would have moved forward with the 53-page indictment that his own office drafted ," Krischer said. - The Hill

https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-35/html/container.html

That said, Palm Beach police told the Miami Herald that they felt pressured by Krischer to downgrade Epstein's case to a misdemeanor or to drop it entirely

Palm Beach home of registered sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Pedro Portal via the Miami Herald

While Epstein has allegedly victimized up to 60 girls, many of them underage according to the Miami Herald , his sweetheart deal for just two counts of solocitation of prostitution (one with a minor), and included working from his West Palm Beach office for as much as 12 hours a day for up to six days a week. He was also required to register as a sex offender, and was given immunity from federal prosecution.

Acosta avoided mentioning Krischer by name on Wednesday, referring only to the Palm Beach County state's attorney.

"Everything that the victims have gone through in these cases is horrific, and their response is entirely justified," said Acosta. "At the same time, I think it's important to stand up for the prosecutors of my former office and make clear that what they were trying to do was help these victims. They should not be portrayed as individuals that just didn't care."

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_I1SRNYDwbw

Law Crime
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Steele Hammorhands , 3 minutes ago

Everything Acosta has said on the subject is a blatant lie. He, himself should be investigated, then given a fair trial and, finally disemboweled along with Epstein and the entire Clinton family.

Sorry, I've had two cups of coffee this morning. Was that a little too harsh?

boattrash , 3 minutes ago

I'm sure that protecting the Clintons didn't play into the decision making.

Strawboss , 4 minutes ago

Acosta is selling the idea that he didnt have a strong case and there was concern that they wouldnt be able to win it in front of a jury...so they went along with a deal that included at least some jail time...

I call ******** for 2 reasons.

Firstly - the victims deserve to have their day in court and to have our justice system fight for them. Acosta wants us to believe that he is convinced that Epstein is dangerous and needed to be locked up. IF that were true...why the **** didnt he take it to trial - put his best prosecutor on it and fight for it with everything hes got? Thats what honorable people do in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens. You fight for whats right.

Secondly - I cant decide whether its corruption that led to the sweetheart deal (secret payoffs or maybe Epstein had dirt on Acosta...who knows...) OR...its a problem with our current system where prosecutors only bring cases that are slam dunks because they want their record to show a 99% conviction rate (mostly plea deals) so when they later go into public office - they have their resume already padded...

**** Acosta. He even looks and talks slimy...

Put him and Epstein in a cell with Bubba and T-bone...after we have extracted all the confessions from Epstein about who all was raping kids.

These sick fuckers need to just die. They need to be exterminated - like cockroaches. Or rats...

They are a clear and present danger to the national security of our country.

swmnguy , 5 minutes ago

Nice try, Acosta. But nobody is criticizing the other attorneys in your former office. Everybody is criticizing YOU. You Personally.

I wonder who Acosta is really protecting, and who is continuing to protect Acosta. Epstein and Trump aren't wealthy or important enough to merit this level of protection, going back decades. There's way more to this, which we'll probably never see.

Fishthatlived , 47 seconds ago

"They're" criticizing him to deflect blame. The DOJ ran this.

Anunnaki , 5 minutes ago

Acosta even looks like a ******* loser. Cut your losses Orange Jewlius. No one cares about Secy of Labor. He means nothing but is becoming a millstone.

dont let that gas bag Pelousy and the rest of the perverted Dem hypocrites keep gaslighting you.

ZekeSwampZombie , 5 minutes ago

It's obvious Epstein is being protected because he is an "intelligence" apparatchik. What a joke this world is.

Roger Ramjet , 5 minutes ago

The truth will be found by following the money. Follow the money!

Sofa King Confused , 4 minutes ago

Hang Acosta right next to Epstein !!

More-Cowbell , 6 minutes ago

Swamp that drain, swamp that drain.

takeaction , 5 minutes ago

Just my thoughts....

What I don't understand is that the MSM is running with this story. Yet they are not mentioning who is involved.....they keep trying to drag Trump into it with all kinds of twists, but I don't think he is involved. He may have "almost" got involved, but I think he saw what was going on and said "Screw you guys, this is going to bite you in the ***".....so with the planes logs of Bill Clinton being on the plane 27 times, and the Black Book showing so many famous people involved, I think that the prosecutors in this case are just letting it build, and then BOOM. They will flip Epstein for a lighter sentence and many many many people go down.

These 2 paeopple bother me....I don't understand how Pelosi's daughter keeps coming up, and then Comey's daughter is one of the prosecutors in this case. Many this swamp is deep.

Anunnaki , 7 minutes ago

Why isn't Ghislaine Maxwell arrested? Sick of (((Amish))) exceptionalism.

bigdumbnugly , 12 minutes ago

apparently Epstein's crimes don't rise to the level of what i got for rolling through a stop sign last month.

ScreaminLib , 9 minutes ago

Yeah, but you're not Jewish nor are you an Israeli blackmail agent so there's that.

DudleyjouWrite , 10 minutes ago

Bullshid "apartheid-state-of-Israel" psychos' political propaganda(?)

Netanyahu dirties up Ehud Barak over Jeffrey Epstein scandal so he ...

https://www.haaretz.com/.../.premium-netanyahu-dirties-up-ehud-barak-over-jeffrey-e...

19 hours ago - In the Netanyahu -Barak mudslinging over Jeffrey Epstein , the real winner is . The arrest of Jeffrey Epstein shortly after Ehud Barak announced that he was returning to Israeli political life was a much-needed lucky break for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . ... Spearheading the ...

WHATDIFFERENCEDOESITMAKE , 9 minutes ago

Acosta would have been a dead man if he so bolden himself to move forward. That's the facts mame!

Fishthatlived , 15 minutes ago

The DOJ ran this case. Their embarrassment is what you are seeing now.

notfeelinthebern , 14 minutes ago

Everything under Obama was a sham. Including everything about him.

Rusticus2.0 , 8 minutes ago

The deal was cut by the Bush DOJ but don't let facts get in the way.

Fishthatlived , 6 minutes ago

True. Robert Mueller's FBI.

Anunnaki , 10 minutes ago

In James Patterson's book Filthy Rich, Acosta was intimidated by Epstein's legal team of Roy Black, Ken Starr and Allen Douchewitz.

The Douche had harvested some of the girls' raunchy posts from their Myspace pages and was vociferously attacking their character.

Acosta, the ****, lost his nerve and cut and run

PanApollo , 12 minutes ago

There is so much more to this whole case; Mossad, CIA are just a couple that comes to mind. The "Dome of the Rock Temple" on Little St. James Island is too convenient and an eyesore. This hole charade is playing out like a movie. It is as if "all the world's a stage, and we are merely players," but most of us are just spectators.

44magnum , 2 minutes ago

yes, and they make us pay for the tickets

notfeelinthebern , 13 minutes ago

The average person would not know what to make of anything anymore. Clearly, some evil forces are at work from behind the scenes but just who is the force is, is impossible to ascertain. Lawyers are ALL ******* weasels - Hillary and Bill being primary examples.

I watched the clip later, and was a bit pissed when Mr Acosta disregarded a legitimate question about Epstein being used by a foreign agency as "going down a rabbit hole".

[Jul 11, 2019] Bombshell- Alex Acosta Reportedly Claimed Jeffrey Epstein -Belonged To Intelligence- -

Jul 11, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Bombshell: Alex Acosta Reportedly Claimed Jeffrey Epstein "Belonged To Intelligence"

me title=

by Tyler Durden Wed, 07/10/2019 - 08:10 88 SHARES Twitter Facebook Reddit Email Print

Authored by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,

To appreciate the significance of what I'm about to share, you really need to go back and read yesterday's post: The Jeffrey Epstein Rabbit Hole Goes a Lot Deeper Than You Think.

In that piece, I shared many lesser known, but extremely bizarre facts about Jeffrey Epstein and the people around him. I also noted that it appeared his real job was to run a blackmail operation to ensnare some of the most wealthy and powerful people on earth. I alluded to the possibility that he was collecting this priceless information on behalf of a third party, and then just today we learn the following via the Daily Beast :

me title=

me marginwidth=

"Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for confirmation hearings]?" Acosta had been asked. Acosta had explained, breezily, apparently, that back in the day he'd had just one meeting on the Epstein case. He'd cut the non-prosecution deal with one of Epstein's attorneys because he had "been told" to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone," he told his interviewers in the Trump transition, who evidently thought that was a sufficient answer and went ahead and hired Acosta. (The Labor Department had no comment when asked about this.)...

For almost two decades, for some nebulous reason, whether to do with ties to foreign intelligence, his billions of dollars, or his social connections, Epstein, whose alleged sexual sickness and horrific assaults on women without means or ability to protect themselves is well-known in his circle, remained untouchable.

It should be noted the reason I attach credibility to the above is based on who wrote it, Vicky Ward. She has an extensive history of digging into Epstein, and wrote one of the earliest profiles on him back in 2003. As she notes in today's article:

I spent many months on his trail in 2002 for Vanity Fair and discovered not only that he was not who he claimed to be professionally, but also that he had allegedly assaulted two young sisters, one of whom had been underage at the time. Very bravely, they were prepared to go on the record. They were afraid he'd use all his influence to discredit them -- and their fear turned out to be legitimate.

As the article was being readied for publication, Epstein made a visit to the office of Vanity Fair's then-editor, Graydon Carter, and suddenly the women and their allegations were removed from the article. "He's sensitive about the young women," Carter told me at the time. (Editor's Note: Carter has previously denied this allegation.) He also mentioned he'd finagled a photograph of Epstein in a swimsuit out of the encounter. And there was also some feeble excuse about the article "being stronger as a business story." (Epstein had also leaned heavily on my ex-husband's uncle, Conrad Black , to try to exert his influence on me, which was particularly unwelcome, given that Black happened to be my ex-husband's boss at the time.)

Many people had assumed Epstein was untouchable merely because he had so much dirt on so many powerful people, but it increasingly looks far bigger than that. It appears he may have been untouchable because he was systematically collecting this information on behalf of an intelligence agency. If so, we need to find out precisely who he was working for.

This should be the number one story in the country right now. Blackmail at this level is a genuine national security issue.

Michael Krieger @LibertyBlitz · Jul 9, 2019 Replying to @LibertyBlitz

Wow.
Apparently Acosta claimed Epstein "belonged to intelligence" and was told to back off.
It's all making sense now. https://www. thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstei ns-sick-story-played-out-for-years-in-plain-sight

Michael Krieger @LibertyBlitz

If we can somehow get to the bottom of Epstein I suspect we'll learn a lot about how the world of the powerful really works, and why everything is so fked and corrupt.

355 8:58 PM - Jul 9, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy
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ZD1 , 1 minute ago

Multiple Democrat socialists have been involved in child sex scandals over the years.

Democratic Seattle Mayor Ed Murray resigned after more allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced after a fifth allegation of child sexual abuse surfaced -- this time from a family member.

Anthony Weiner? The ex-husband to Hillary Clinton's top aide Huma Abedin had a long history of sexual misconduct. Weiner became involved in an online sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl. Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor.

Jacob Schwartz, 29, was an up-and-coming young Democrat who worked on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's staff until he was arrested in on child *********** charges in which he allegedly kept more than 3,000 images and 89 videos of pornographic acts committed by children.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was on trial facing federal corruption charges, which started in 2012 over allegations that he and another man were having sex with underage prostitutes.

Convicted sex offender and longtime friend of former Democratic President Bill Clinton, Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, was accused in January in a federal lawsuit of luring a woman into "his elaborate sex trafficking enterprise," the Daily Mail reported. "The lawsuit alleges that Epstein had a compulsive sexual preference for little girls as young as 13-years-old."

The co-owners of backpage.com , a website allegedly directly linked to child prostitution and trafficking, gave lots of money to Democrats recently, including donations to:

David Garcia -- a Democratic candidate for governor in Arizona

A political action committee backed by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

The Arizona State Democratic Executive Committee

The Colorado Democratic Party

The Democratic Party of New Mexico

Two separate donations to Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO)

Two separate donations to Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ)

Democratic Connecticut Councilman Scott Chamberlain was forced to step down after photographs of him allegedly emerged on a private website for "furries," a weird subculture of people who dress up in furry costumes for sexual gratification.

https://www.dailywire.com/news/20982/multiple-democrats-currently-involved-child-sex-ryan-saavedra

Vlad the Inhaler , 1 minute ago

Here's a bombshell for you- Whatever they discover, the mainstream media won't report it.

Ban KKiller , 7 minutes ago

Compromising elected officials? This is a time honored system, isn't it? Gee, who does that kind of thing? My oh my!

**** this ****. I voted to blow the place up.

Captain Archer , 58 seconds ago

I imagine the intellegence agencies spend half their time ******* with each other.

DarthVaderMentor , 18 minutes ago

To find out whether Epstein was working for or even associated with anyone in the US or UK Intelligence Community should be a trivial task for the DOJ. The question is whether the Trump DOJ has the political will to investigate this and whether they would make the resulting answer public knowledge or not. So far, Trump's DOJ hasn't shown much backbone and hasn't really delivered for the Trump constituency in other matters. let's face it, essentially every single issue that Trump pandered to his base on when campaigning he has either intentionally thrown the issue in a way that is guaranteed to result in a loss or failed to prosecute the issue in the first place. He hasn't proven himself yet when it comes to legal challenges.

IMHO, Epstein was assisted by some politician who threatened Acosta by using the intelligence community as the reason to back off on Epstein. This would have been the perfectly natural excuse, especially in the years just after 9/11.

I'm pretty sure that Trump had no "collusion" or helped Epstein in anyway. This is a golden opportunity for Trump to really inflict damage to the "Deep State" he claims is against him. Let's hope he actually gets someone in DOJ to DO SOMETHING. So far Barr, Durham, Horowitz and Huber haven't done anything. Is it a matter of timing or is Trump not getting things done but putting up a good show?

Although the Epstein affair is probably a huge Democratic exposure, I believe the Globalist RINOs of the GOP and their mega donors are also involved here.

Wild Bill Steamcock , 23 minutes ago

Is it then end, though? This is going in front of the Southern District of New York....they've been fairly hostile toward Trump and have a vested interest in shielding these filthy democrat cocksuckers.

I see this as a way to diffuse the bomb, sweep it away, and try to take a swipe at Trump all the while.

I want this ****** and all of his associates and buddies to burn, but I'm not holding my breath

His last go-round with the law ended in a "NON-PROSECUTORIAL AGREEMENT" Let that sink in, folks. He spent time in the COUNTY JAIL, with 12 hours of work time at his OFFICE, six days a week and was taken back and forth by LIMO.

This guy is ******* garbage, and will weasel right out and fly off to some foreign destination just like Roman Polanski

Wild Bill Steamcock , 13 minutes ago

Anyone one else would've spent DECADES in PRISON, but this guy, a level 3 sex offender- highest probability to re-offend, and he got a sweetheart deal of the millenium.

Question is, why?

jeff montanye , 10 minutes ago

like imran awan, a mossad get out of jail free card? apparently meant more to g.w. bush and obama than it does to trump.

Wild Bill Steamcock , 5 minutes ago

That guy...there's some really dirty business there....not Mossad, I'm pretty sure he's Pakistani ISI...those guys don't **** around

And these Presidents you've mentioned? None of them worth a ****

Wild Bill Steamcock , 24 minutes ago

That smarmy lispy **** will walk. Just watch.

Pardero , 16 minutes ago

If the trail leads to Mossad and Israel, Trump may be compelled to pardon him, lest the whole ugly system be revealed. I imagine that a lot of sinister minds are scheming on ways to shut in this blowout.

Wild Bill Steamcock , 15 minutes ago

This guy will some how skip out and fly off to some country without an extradition agreement with the US.

Jaded and cynical? Sure am.

jeff montanye , 5 minutes ago

but don't forget that jonathan pollard spent thirty years in prison.

Wild Bill Steamcock , 3 minutes ago

He was originally given a life sentence. Then released and sent to Israel. He's a national hero over there

Equinox7 , 36 minutes ago

A Zionists, Jewish Moussad agent gathering information on US political leaders? Highly plausible and highly possible.

I'm sick to death with these Zionist Christians and Jews screaming "anti semite" every time some truthful statement with merit criticizes Israel.

Just today I saw some independent large tow truck owner riding around with the words "Trump, Christian, God, Pro-Life, Israel" written on the large crane arm of the tow truck.

I am pro-Trump, a Christian, believer in God, Pro-Life, but I'm not pro-Israel. What in the Hell does Israel have to do with the first four things written? I am pro-USA and proud US patriot. My allegiance is to the country of my birth, which is the USA. I owe absolutely no allegiance to Israel.

Those Zionist Jewish bastards murdered US service men on the USS Liberty on June 8th, 1967.

My brothers and sisters in Christ in the Southern Baptist and non denominational faiths have been brainwashed to believe they should and must support Israel. That Israel shares our values and are more Godly than the USA.

Really? Would it shock the Hell out of those brainwashed Christians to know that Israel openly believes in and has no problem with abortion?

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/As-abortion-fight-heats-up-in-US-termination-in-Israel-easily-accessible-589923

Would it shock the Hell out of those brainwashed Christians to know that the **** industry is booming in Israel, and Israelis are obsessed with ****?

https://www.haaretz.com/life/.premium.MAGAZINE-israeli-****-is-booming-and-the-industry-insists-it-s-about-more-than-just-sex-1.5472336

Would it shock the Hell out of those brainwashed, Zionist US Christians to know how intolerant the Zionist Israelis are becoming toward Christian brothers and sisters in Israel?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9529123/Vatican-official-says-Israel-fostering-intolerance-of-Christianity.html

We, in the US, hear all the time from these evangelical Zionist Christians the USA is an unGodly nation that God will not allow to stand much longer, while God protects and watches over Israel. What a misrepresentation of facts and truth.

With all that said, it is highly plausible and believable to conceive that a Jewish billionaire pedophile, and close friend to the Clintons, is also a secret Moussad agent gathering blackmail information on US political leaders and business leaders.

Equinox7 , 30 minutes ago

Your not going to sit there and attempt to change the narrative away from Israel. The Arab Muslims are an entirely different issue. I have issues with Arab Muslims running around trying to sever heads, stab people to death, and blow people up with explosives.

The issue is America's sick undevoted, unquestionable obsession with Israel.

PJBloggs , 37 minutes ago

The elites control the politicians, judges, CEOs etc via paedophile rings for blackmail purposes.

See:

UK:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bezVbPCK5Q8

EU:

https://disobedientmedia.com/2017/09/special-report-the-truth-dies-in-darkness-dutroux/

US:

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-franklin-cover-up/

Jackprong , 41 minutes ago

POTUS Clinton may have given Epstein access to the Intel Community in order to employ a very complex Black Mail OP! Why would a prosecutor with scads of evidence back off and give Epstein a slap on the wrist? Clinton is the ONLY common denominator. NOT POTUS Trump! Trump was actually a Whistleblower! Clinton and Epstein were partnered up! Epstein was protected by the Clinton Body Count.

Jackprong , 52 minutes ago

Former POTUS Clinton and Epstein were PARTNERS!

TheSharpenedPen , 37 minutes ago

Yep, Epstein bragged that he was a cofounder of the corrupt Clinton Foundation.

Respect_The_Cock , 51 minutes ago

Implications of the "Chosen People" Myth | "Goyim Were Born Only to Serve Us"

Reading Yosef's remarks I also thought of Netanyahu's 2001 interview, leaked last July, in which he frankly discussed his intention to ignore the Oslo Accords, continue settlements and launch a "total assault" on the Palestinian Authority. When asked about a possible negative U.S. reaction, he exclaimed: "Especially now, with America, I know what America is. America is a thing that can be easily moved, moved in the right direction. They will not bother us. Let's suppose that [the Americans] will say something . . . so they say it Eighty per cent of the Americans support us. It's absurd! We have such support there! And we say what shall we do with this?" He was virtually ridiculing the pathetic manipulability of the U.S. public and Congress.

And then there was that statement by former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon (also known as the "butcher of Sabra and Shatila" due to his complicity in the annihilation of up to 3500 Palestinians refugees in Beirut during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982) to Foreign Minister Shimon Peres in October 2001: "Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it."

Last March Vice President Joe Biden visited Israel to pledge the U.S.'s undying loyalty to the Jewish state. His message was that, despite President Obama's request -- based on U.S. geostrategic interests -- that Israel freeze settlement on occupied Palestinian land, and Israel's refusal to do so more than partially and temporarily, U.S. support would continue as always. The Israeli Interior Ministry (headed by Shas Party member Eli Yishai) used the occasion of the visit to announce the construction of 1,600 new homes for Jews in occupied East Jerusalem. The insult was so brazen that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "condemned" the move which she said "undermined trust and confidence in the peace process." Zionists responded with their typical indignation. (The Anti-Defamation League called Clinton's remarks a "gross overreaction" towards a "policy." Former New York City mayor Ed Koch accused Obama of wanting to "make Israel into a pariah" and called Clinton's comments "outrageous.")

Then as Biden was addressing the Jewish Federations of North America two weeks ago assuring them that U.S. support for Israel was "literally unbreakable," and would "continue forever," and dismissing the recent rift as being "only tactical" in nature, Israel's cabinet announced more illegal settlement housing construction plans.

Is all this mere chutzpah? Or is it the behavior of a true effendi? Is it not amazing that a regime claiming to represent the Jews in Israel (under 0.01% of the total global human population) or even all the Jews on the planet (under 0.02% of humankind) can boast of its ability to arm-twist U.S. presidents? That officials in a country with a stagnant economy with no raw materials dependent annually on two or three billion dollars in direct U.S. aid (matched by private U.S. donors) to sustain a First World type living standard (for Jews if not for the Palestinians in the occupied territories) can claim to "control America"? That it has been able since 1972 to count on the U.S. to veto practically every UN resolution even mildly critical of its behavior, often supported by all other member states except Israel itself?

Is it not amazing that such Zionists enjoy free license to provoke, thorough their occupations and aggressions, the outrage of 1.57 billion Muslims (23% of the world's population), some of whom predictably vent their rage on the U.S. as Israel's unconditional friend?

And is it not amazing that agents for Israel within AIPAC (Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman) could spy in the U.S., obtain classified documents pertaining to Iran (which Israel demands the U.S. bomb), get arrested by the FBI and charged with serious crimes in 2005, only to have all charges dropped in 2009? Or that ranking Congresswoman Jane Harmon, who agreed to "waddle in" to that case in an FBI-intercepted call with an Israeli agent, could escape any charges?

https://dissidentvoice.org/2010/11/implications-of-the-"chosen-people"-myth/

Grouchy Marx , 1 hour ago

It could all be as simple as a wholly corrupt man taking advantage of all his corrupt connections. There may be a foreign connection, but there might not be as well. It could be that "he belongs to intelligence" was said simply because the person that said it risked blackmail, or a case of simple cowardice in the face of influence and money.

"He smells dirty" - a line from the Fugitive movie, applies here. Hopefully the prosecutors will expose the entire rat's nest, wherever it leads. Hopefully the prosecutors have bodyguards.

ZD1 , 1 hour ago

Every Democrat presidential candidate in the last 25 years has had pedophilia ties.

Take Obama for example.

Two weeks after the 2014 election, Terry Bean was busted in Portland. Bean was the co-founder of the Human Rights Campaign, the most effective gay rights lobby in the country, whose donors included Harvey Weinstein.

Bean was a big donor to Obama, Kerry and Gore.

At the Human Rights Campaign, Obama had directed a remark to "my great friend and supporter, Terry Bean." Bean had raised over $1 million for Obama's political career.

Bean was accused of having sex with a 15-year-old boy. Bean's boyfriend, who had been brought along to the White House to meet Obama, was also arrested. The boyfriend's mother accused Bean of using him to "get young kids" by grooming them with gifts of alcohol and Viagra.

According to prosecutors, the Obama backer had engaged in this sort of behavior as far back as '79 when he had sex with a 16-year-old boy and plied him with alcohol and drugs. The victim, who is now a middle aged doctor, had come out so that Bean would not be able to "keep on abusing young boys."

Despite denying the charges, Bean attempted to settle out of court with the boy. The prosecutor stated that Bean had offered the victim at least $200,000.

That's a good deal of money. But only a fifth of what Obama got.

The boy declined to testify. Bean walked free.

Since then, Bean appears to have maxed out his donations to Hillary Clinton. There is no evidence that Hillary or her people have returned them.

But that's business as usual.

https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/268399/every-democrat-presidential-candidate-25-years-had-daniel-greenfield

Azesus , 1 hour ago

You are a moron because there is no left or right bent to corruption, corruption is an equal opportunity opportunist depends on the context of that situation presents itself of that particular time like a market, just like when you go shop a car maybe that particular time a Ford mustang was on sale so you picked it up and then some others times its a chevy camaro

beemasters , 1 hour ago

Acosta said that had his office not been involved, Epstein would have only faced one charge from state prosecutors.

"Without the work of our prosecutors, Epstein would have gotten away with just that state charge," Acosta said. "He was and is a sexual predator."

During a press conference on Wednesday, Acosta gave no indication he would resign after days of calls by Democrats for him to step down and said he has the support of Republican President Donald Trump .

"My relationship with the president is outstanding," Acosta said.

The labour secretary would not say if he would make the same decision regarding Epstein again today.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/alex-acosta-trump-labour-chief-defends-jeffrey-epstein-plea-deal-190710192250250.html

Speechless!

JGResearch , 1 hour ago

Best-selling author Vicky Ward reported Tuesday that Alexander Acosta told the Trump transition team when asked about his handling of Jeffrey Epstein's case that "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave it alone."

Gordon Thomas and Martin Dillon's 2002 book " Robert Maxwell: Israel's Superspy " states definitively that he was a Mossad agent.

Jeffrey Epstein's madame was Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of Robert Maxwell - a Mossad Agent. What are the odds Epstein was also working for Mossad, CIA, and MI6? I mean the guy was blackmailing the top politicians/businessmen in the USA via underage sex.

Source: http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=60461

Here's a clue as to what intelligence agency may be behind Epstein via The Memory Hole :

Epstein's pals include heads of state, entrepreneurs, academics and research scientists, celebrities, and numerous beautiful women, notably Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of media mogul Robert Maxwell (né Ján Ludvík Hyman Binyamin Hoch). Robert Maxwell, head of the Mirror Group Newspapers, was alleged to be a Mossad agent by Seymour Hersh in his 1991 book on Israel's nuclear program,
Expendable Container , 1 hour ago

Was/is Epstein working for the Mossad?

July 9 2019 – The David Duke Show: Dr Duke & Andy Hitchcock Expose The Epstein Island International Sex Ring & Reveal The Evidence It Is A Mossad Operation!

https://andrewcarringtonhitchcock.com/2019/07/09/july-9-2019-the-david-duke-show-dr-duke-andy-hitchcock-expose-the-epstein-island-international-sex-ring-reveal-the-evidence-it-is-a-mossad-operation/

ZD1 , 1 hour ago

From 1989 up until 2003, Epstein donated more than $139,000 to Democratic federal candidates. Notable recipients included former President Bill Clinton.

From 1999 to 2003, Epstein donated $77,000 to Democrats John Kerry, Richard Gephardt, Chris Dodd, and other high-profile politicians and committees.

Epstein gave to independent Connecticut House candidate Gwendolyn Beck in 2014 and U.S. Virgin Islands Democratic Delegate Stacey Plaskett both in 2016 and the most recent midterms.

Most recently, Epstein contributed $10,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in October 2018.

Epstein was one of the largest investors in the hedge fund managed by Bear Stearns and a key federal witness in the criminal prosecution of two of Bear Stearns' top executives in 2008 -- the same year a non-prosecution agreement between federal prosecutors and Epstein's legal team was negotiated. It isn't clear if Epstein's involvement in the Bear Stearns case played a role in his plea deal.

https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2018/12/billionaire-sex-offender-epstein-gave-heavily/

SHADEWELL , 1 hour ago

Of course Epstein contributed to Bubba...dat was a regular customer, [gee was it 26 times or only four? only Clintons hairdresser and Epstein know for sure] and Epstein also got a fabulous amount of black mail footage on Bubbs, which then allowed Esptein to leverage this, to allow him to peddle to diddlers at will, as well as doing his own diddling, while becoming fabulously rich

Here is a theory you may want to think about...say your Epstein (I know ******* repulsive to think about) but still...say you know that they all know you have the drop on all of them, you know you are surely going to get whacked fairly quickly (with Horowitz report weeks away from hitting the streets). You run to the feds and say "take me in by the hairs on my pedo chinny chin chin", and Ill spill the beans...I will look those deep state ***** right in the eye and say goodbye pedo, nice to know you....

This whole thing could be a movie production orchestrated by Trump as the ultimate **** you in the *** with the magic mushroom head revenge moment...You folks fucked with the wrong President, this aint no Nixon you can roll over

WOW...This is MAJOR forest fire, and if it does not get shut down, will burn those sick ***** to the mother ******* ground....the chief architect pyro for this conflagration (Epstein)...gotta be getting taken out by some amazing "accident" in prison, a la Whitey Bulger style, unless (as always) the screen play has a plot twist.

Burn away bitches I say, let the fire fry your ******* ball sacks off you sick *****...when that is over, you can look forward to swimming in the lake of fire with the Clintons for eternity

PKKA , 1 hour ago

Stop advertising the Mossad. Mossad is not so omnipotent as you think. More empty advertising than real affairs. For all the time they caught and stole only one old Nazi alcoholic Eichmann, who did not occupy such a big post in the 3rd Reich. For the stench and advertising was, to the whole world! Jews can do advertising, and you immediately believe everything. Hezbollah also stole Israeli military Gilad Shalit. Look at the failure of the Mossad and Israel in the second Lebanon war of 2006. It was Lebanon and Hezbollah.
At 9 am on July 12, Hezbollah militants from Lebanon struck a rocket and mortar attack on the fortified Nurit point and the border village of Shlomi, wounding 11 people. Simultaneously with this distracting action, a group of militants crossed the border and attacked two Humvi patrol vehicles from an ambush. Three soldiers were killed, two captured - Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. The operation to free the captives after two hours resulted in the loss of 5 more Israeli soldiers.
And in the future, the events unfolded for Israel is very unfortunate

Johnbrown , 1 hour ago

They did 9/11, and still not prosecuted.

PKKA , 1 hour ago

What is your evidence? Are you the director of the CIA or the FBI?

ZD1 , 1 hour ago

A-List Democrats and left wing journalists partied with Jeffrey Epstein who was a raging Democrat.

Epstein was let out of jail, Palm Beach County jail, after serving 10 months, but he was allowed to leave for 12 hours a day and then basically spend the night. He was allowed to go to his Palm Beach house and do whatever he was doing, ankle bracelet kind of thing, and then go back and spend the night in the jail. Obviously a sweetheart deal for 10 months and then he was released for a time with I think home whatever.

When he got out of jail, he has a dinner party and at the dinner party, Katie Couric , George Stephanopoulos , all of these A-list, left-wing journalist and socialite A-listers that show up at cocktail parties, they're all there, and they know what the guy did, they know who he is, they know what he does.

https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2019/07/08/a-list-democrats-and-journalists-partied-with-epstein/

beemasters , 1 hour ago

Alan Dershowitz, Jeffrey Epstein's former lawyer, claims plea deal was fair and would do it again

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alan-dershowitz-jeffrey-epsteins-former-lawyer-claims-to-have-proof-accuser-virginia-roberts-giuffre-is-lying/

Another woman, Sarah Ransome, also submitted an affidavit with the lawsuit with new details about sex she claims she had with Dershowitz.

Ransome says that she was introduced to Epstein when she was 22 years old and living in New York. She claims that she spent time at Epstein's mansion and was "lent out" by him to his friends for sex. Among those friends was Dershowitz, she said in the affidavit. She alleges she had a three-way sexual encounter with Dershowitz and Nadia Marcinkova, who also worked for Epstein.

"I recall specific, key details of his person and the sex acts and can describe them in the event it becomes necessary to do so," Ransome said in the affidavit.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/new-jeffrey-epstein-accuser-goes-public-defamation-lawsuit-targets-dershowitz/ar-BBW0oPi

Alan Dershowitz is a Fox news contributor and has been a vocal Trump defender/supporter....Not looking good for him at all.

Respect_The_Cock , 56 minutes ago

Jews Must Never Be Afraid to Use Their Well-Earned Power

by Alan M. Dershowitz

When I hear that Jews are too powerful, my response is, we are not powerful enough. When I hear that AIPAC is too influential a lobby, I say it must become even more influential. When I hear that Jews contribute too much money to support pro-Israel causes, I say we must contribute more. When I hear that Jews control the media, I ask "Why is so much of the media so anti-Israel?" When I hear that Jews have too much influence on the outcome of elections, I say we need to increase our influence. We aren't doing enough. We must do more.

Jews have contributed enormously -- disproportionately -- to America's success. Along with other immigrants, Jews have helped change our country for the better: academically, scientifically, economically, politically, militarily, medically, legally, technologically and in so many other ways. We have earned the right to act as first-class citizens. No other group is ever accused of having too much power and influence. That false claim -- dating back to times and places where Jews had little or no influence -- is an anti-Semitic trope that tells us more about the anti-Semites who invoke it that it does about the Jews.

History has proven that Jews need more power and influence than other groups to secure their safety.

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/13960/dershowitz-jews-power

Doesnt occur to him that the perpetual Jewish effort to grab disproportionate power as a hostile minority elite is WHY they need 'safety.' Or the ways in which Judaism teaches Jews to regard their non-Jewish ethnic host.

http://www.unz.com/tsaker/a-crash-course-on-the-true-causes-of-anti-semitism/

http://holywar.org/jewishtr/02hos.htm

ZD1 , 1 hour ago

Stacey Plaskett, the delegate to the U.S House of Representatives from the Virgin Islands, is unlikely to return the thousands of dollars donated to her campaign by Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire sex offender recently arrested for child sex trafficking.

Plaskett, a black Democrat, has served as the island territory's representative to Congress since first being elected in 2014. Throughout her tenure, Plaskett has received $8,100 from Epstein, who owns his own private island in the Virgin Islands territory called Little Saint James. The majority of the money, $5,400, was donated during Plaskett's 2016 reelection campaign when she faced a strong primary opponent. Epstein's latest donation of $2,700 -- the maximum contribution allowed at the time under FEC guidelines -- was during the 2018 campaign cycle.

Prior to his 2008 conviction, Epstein was an influential political donor, noted for his support of Democrat candidates and causes. From 1989 to 2003, he donated more than $139,000 to Democrats running for federal office, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2019/07/08/democrat-congresswoman-will-not-return-campaign-contributions-from-epstein/

Vigilante , 1 hour ago

The Epstein case looks like a 'honeypot' operation

Involve the rich and powerful in degenerate liaisons then (if need be) blackmail them.

Was it a Mossad or a Deep State operation is irrelevant

The big question is ...was Trump partaking in these sordid deeds or not?

I would hazard a yes

Can't believe philandering Trump would turn down an offer of underage beaver.

Needless to say the whole shebang of East Coast Dem/wall st pantheon must have some partaking

beemasters , 2 hours ago

Pedophilia isn't a partisan issue. All on Epstein's black book should be investigated!

philosophers bone , 2 hours ago

At the end of his press conference, Acosta was asked if he said that Epstein was owned by intelligence.

Listen closely to his answer. He beats around the Bush and does not ever answer the question.

consider me gone , 2 hours ago

Well, don't tell anyone but I heard...now don't tell anyone! But I heard....Trump is a Russian mole. I believe it. I mean come on, very important people say so. But unfortunately I can't mention any names.

Rhal , 2 hours ago

It's about time the people knew the CIA has gone rogue.

They made it official on March 31 1981.

Their blackmail library must be massive by now. Some ambitious sobs in Washington even volunteer into the Brownstone just to have the deepstate promote them on a promise.

Deal with the Devil.

Taras Bulba , 2 hours ago

Why is this a bombshell? Clickbait headline. Anyone looking at this for more than, say 30 seconds, would agree that this is a foreign power blackmail operation.

ken , 2 hours ago

So nothing has been done about it, why? Because War/Slaughter-for-Profit in the Middle East is so profitable for American warmongers, and so beneficial for Israel? Is that why? Which foreign government is behind the Jeffrey Epstein Hedge Fund/Child Trafficking Front?

toady , 3 hours ago

It's completely bizarre to me that "someone" can just tell a high level prosecutor "don't prosecute that guy, he's too important" and they just say "okay".

Walking Turtle , 3 hours ago

Shouldn't BE that way. But it sure WAS and in many, many current instances still IS.

Damn shame. But nonetheless, it still is far better to light even a single candle than ever it was to sit and curse the Darkness. Been that way for thousands of years of Human Life on Earth, in fact. So now the Truth is coming to Light. Beds and bridges are BURNING. Enjoy!

Please take time to remember to breathe, now and then, and give up some gratitude to Heaven in those little moments if at all so inclined. And that is all. 0{;-)o[

Generation O , 3 hours ago

You'll remember the film, "Sex, Lies, and Videotape", and the Mob reference to a videotape that Jon Voight wanted in the 1998 "Enemy Of The State" (which laid out the 911 attacks three years beforehand, such as at 1:54:00 in the film). These two widely separated references both stem from the same case which involved the FBI and stretch back to Israeli actions in the 1970's. And yes, there is (so much) more to say. What did you think of that nuclear missile fired at Hawaii? How do you think Trump got the files on this case from Netanyahu? The same way Netanyahu got historical recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Take some deep breaths before going on here, because there is more. Much more.

El Vaquero , 3 hours ago

It really looks like Epstein is potentially the stopper that needs to be pulled to start draining the swamp. If true that Epstein is an intel asset, which I won't get my hopes up for but would absolutely believe, that has even deeper implications than just a pedo billionaire blackmailing powerful people around the world. Though the latter is still something that if understood by the general populace, would be ground-shattering in its own right. But if this goes back to the CIA or Mossad or Five Eyes, HOLY ****, the fallout will be beyond epic.

Real Estate Guru , 3 hours ago

After what we just saw with Obama/Clinton/the FBI, CIA, 911, etc, etc, etc.. etc nothing is impossible. In fact, it is almost a certainty at this point that all of our worst fears are going to be realized.

The **** is about to hit the fan. or should I say pizza....

El Vaquero , 3 hours ago

If the CIA wasn't dirty since its inception in 1947, it only took a few years for it to become absolutely corrupt. There was some seriously fucked up human experimentation done in the '50s by the CIA under MKULTRA that goes well beyond just dosing people with LSD. Just understanding that an organization which deals in the trade of lying, cheating and stealing is going to be corrupt by its very nature will get you a long way. Do I have evidence that the CIA put a pedo billionaire up to ensnaring rich and powerful people and using that for blackmail? No. Do I find it plausable that such an organization would do such a thing? Absolutely.

sbin , 2 hours ago

Start calling the "intelligence agencies" by the correct name unaccountable secret police then declassify everything so those responsible can be held accountable.

Bush sr was an evil person.

JSBach1 , 3 hours ago

Another piece per Wayne Madsen:

It is noteworthy that Attorney General William Barr, seen as Trump's personal lawyer and hatchet man, may have known Epstein in the 1970s. In 1973, Donald Barr, the headmaster of Manhattan's elite Dalton School a private school for children of some of New York's wealthiest families, hired Epstein, who did not even possess a college degree, to teach mathematics, physics, and calculus. Students attending Dalton at the time included the son of Alan Greenberg, the chairman of the now-defunct Wall Street firm Bear Stearns. In 1976, Greenberg hired Epstein to be a trader at Bear Stearns and the degree-less math teacher soon became a billionaire . Others attending Dalton during Epstein's tenure include actresses Jennifer Gray and Tracy Pollan and television's "Bizarre Foods" chef Andrew Zimmern. Epstein's association with Barr have some observers jokingly referring to the matter as the "Epstein-Barr" case.

...

What is most interesting is the fact that the SDNY's Public Corruption Unit (PCU) is handling the case against Epstein. This has raised eyebrows among experienced former federal prosecutors because it indicates that the Epstein case may involve malfeasance in office by government officials . Also, one of the SDNY prosecutors handling the Epstein case in Maureen Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, who Trump fired in 2007 during a fit of rage. Ms. Comey, a graduate of Harvard Law School, has been with the SDNY since 2015 and is with the Office's Violent and Organized Crime Unit. WMR has compiled a 'massive database showing thousands of Trump links to organized crime elements in New York and elsewhere'.

...

Epstein victim, Giuffre, represented by David Boies, the chairman of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, has a pending lawsuit against Maxwell, claiming that Epstein's assistant turned her into a "sex slave." The suit also involves making public sealed court documents that not only implicate Maxwell in Epstein's trafficking ring but also Dershowitz and other VIPs.

The involvement of British citizen Maxwell and Prince Andrew in the Epstein matter is drawing attention to another recent story concerning top secret cables sent to London from Washington by British ambassador to the United States Kim Darroch . Among the recipients of Darroch's cables was Mark Sedwill, the British national security adviser and Cabinet Secretary. Darroch warned in one dispatch to London that, with Trump, "we could also be at the beginning of a downward spiral, rather than just a roller coaster: something could emerge that leads to disgrace and downfall."

With the FBI involved in the renewed criminal probe of Epstein that links to Maxwell and Prince Andrew, the British ambassador would have, as a matter of course, been briefed by federal authorities on prominent UK citizens being in legal extremis in the United States .

https://www.opednews.com/articles/Epstein-busted-by-feds-at-by-Wayne-Madsen-Airport-Security_Charged_Conspiracy_Corruption-190709-277.html

Real Estate Guru , 3 hours ago

1970??? so 50 years ago he was doing this? lol!...

Buck Johnson , 4 hours ago

I have people saying in the comments that the Mossad couldn't have gotten the federal prosecutor to back off and other things in regard to America the CIA did it, yes and no. I'm going to bring up 2 movies one a real movie called Safehouse and the other a documentary. Remember Safehouse with Denzel Washington, you remember when he went to that bar in the beginning to get blackmail information to protect himself and/or have leverage over others that want him dead. There was a scene toward the end with Brendan Gleeson talking to Vera Farmiga *(both CIA agents) before he killed her about having to do your job but having people following you and always watching and recording what you do. I think this comment was essentially a dig at the Mossad and how they do their work. The Mossad are used to help CIA or other world intelligence organizations and when they do help they make sure to keep record, tapes, information on the people and what happened so they can essentially blackmail those agents at a later time to help them and then when they do they become more compromised and eventually their own agents are afraid of being outed to their superiors and maybe the Mossad say look we will help you to get up in your boss position so those agents help to take down their bosses and such and now you see how those agents are so beholden to the Mossad and have done so much both privately and helping the Mossad that they don't dare go against them and end up doing life in some dark hole somewhere for being a traitor.

This is classic, classic spy 101 to slowly get them so buried in that hole that their only way out is to stay on the Mossad team and there was no way out. Also the second film which was a documentary of sorts I need help with, so anybody that can find this documentary that was on HBO/encore please tell me the name I was flipping channels when I stopped on the channel to watch it. In this documentary it was in a part of India where there was alot of white/european hippies, but as the documentary continued you started to noticed that the ones being filmed where Israeli and they even had one that actually said (Older guy) he was retired Mossad. It was essentially them living around in this area but while they lived there one older guy acted like a watcher/fixer for the group. Because one of the crowd of Israeli (youngish guy I would say 27 but they wouldn't show his face), started to spout about conspiracy **** that we have heard and kept on going and going as if he did things real bad and was trying to clear his soul in some ways. Well this "fixer" was able to get in contact with some Israeli govt. official that "happen" to fly into that part of India for some state issue. The camera man was able to video tape this Israeli watcher/fixer taking the official to the side and talking to him with his hand over his mouth and later in the documentary we found out that the same young guy that was talking and saying all that stuff was put on that private plane that flew in and flew out with that govt. official.

Remember everyone over 6 years ago that Mossad hit team that was shown by video surveillance taking out a Hamas weapons dealer in Dubai or some other country (first time seeing this ever) and forensic put it all together. Where do people like this and others who do black back or blackmail or steal or do whatever the Mossad wants where do they retire or go to get away? Not all of them can be wealth, nope they can't. I think that documentary that I saw showed a Mossad spy (not retirement home) but a place for them to essentially chill out for awhile. But as it was pointed out why was a documentary film person filming this, who knows.

But I do know that what little bits and pieces that we have put together, it's possible for them to have circumvented intelligence agencies. Remember, they are only men and women with the same problems we have working in those important places.

Tex1954 , 3 hours ago

Not sure but this might be the one

http://www.jewishpost.com/culture/Former-Israeli-Soldiers-Flipping-Out-in-India.html

wonder warthog , 4 hours ago

Rosemary's Baby was another one of those movies like Eyes Wide Shut.

Per wiki: " Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 American psychological horror film written and directed by Roman Polanski , based on Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin . The cast features Mia Farrow , John Cassavetes , Ruth Gordon , Sidney Blackmer , Maurice Evans , Ralph Bellamy , Angela Dorian , Clay Tanner , and, in his feature film debut, Charles Grodin . The film chronicles the story of a pregnant woman who suspects that an evil cult wants to take her baby for use in their rituals.

Minnie brings them individual cups of chocolate mousse. Rosemary passes out and experiences a dreamlike vision in which she is raped by a demonic presence in front of Guy, the Castevets, and other Bramford tenants, all of them naked .

Drugged and raped . . . a familiar theme.

In the wiki article, the Catholic Church is mentioned

Anunnaki , 4 hours ago

SCOOP FOR YOU TYLER

From my Mom's Fartbook Page. Since Tyler hates memes this is what it says

According to sources CNN Pres. Jeff Zucker has ordered CNN employees to downplay Bill Clinton's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. "We have to make it look like Epstein was Trump's partner in all this. Don't mention the Clinton's. This could kill us in 2020!"

karp4cy , 4 hours ago

Sexual exploitation of children is the addicts' drug of choice for many of the global elite. As the effects of the drug use lessen with time, a more potent (taboo, violent) concoction is required to achieve a comparable high. Names will be forthcoming, hopefully.

youshallnotkill , 5 hours ago

Before everybody gets onto the rabid-hole express for why this case is again opened and this time in NYC. There are new victims identified outside of Florida. They were abused at Epstein's NYC mansion.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-jeffrey-epstein-accuser-he-raped-me-when-i-was-n1028011

MrButtoMcFarty , 5 hours ago

https://www.nationalreview.com/news/jeffrey-epstein-lawyer-claimed-alleged-pedophile-helped-devise-clinton-global-initiative/

Clinton flew on Epstein's private plane on at least 26 occasions between 2002 and 2003, including as many as ten flights without his secret service detail, according to flight logs published by Fox News in 2016 . Clinton distanced himself from the accused pedophile and characterized the 26 flights as representing just "four trips," all of which he took in the company of his secret service detail, in a statement issued Monday evening.

Michael Musashi , 5 hours ago

Although I voted for Trump, and probably will in the next election, it looks like he may have been into young girls, too. There's an excellent tweet stream by @iansmadrig back in 11/2018 that makes a persuasive case for the Trump/Epstein relationship.

That said, myself having done the tour in SE Asia, there's nothing worse than seeing these types of perverts roaming the streets of the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Real freak'n losers--mostly old, fat, and German or Scandinavian though.

There's nothing wrong with prostitutes--I had some great times with them, BUT you have to be one limp ****, lame retarded ******* to want to sleep with underage kids. The inexperience factor along is enough to make a real man cringe, not to mention the lack of physical and mental maturity.

Sick bastards all of them! I hope they burn, and if Uncle Trump is guilty too, well, I hope he get what's coming, too.

beemasters , 5 hours ago

Although I voted for Trump, and probably will in the next election, it looks like he may have been into young girls, too. There's an excellent tweet stream by @iansmadrig back in 11/2018 that makes a persuasive case for the Trump/Epstein relationship.

Checking his posts now... https://twitter.com/iansmadrig

ufos8mycow , 4 hours ago

********.

@iansmadrig is a partisan hack. He runs his page to attack Trump and Republicans.

There is no evidence that prostitute was 13 years old. Just her and another prostitutes word.

In the first video she posted she said she was HIRED as a prostitute for a rape fantasy. She participated willingly.

Her lawyer is Lisa Bloom. That right there is suspect.

I've been watching the MSM since Epstein's arrest and not a single credible mention of Bill Clinton. Alot of 'he's Trump's best friend" though.

Democrats will stop at nothing to take power.

Chuckster , 5 hours ago

Epstein is also connected to Flynn. Holy ****! Israel is probably involved but Israel involvement may be mouse piss in the total scheme of things. Weapons and drugs sales and transportation added to the list of adventures. Where is Donald in all this???? Does he have a part or being a genius was he blinded by light and totally unaware? Was Donald the only one in Washington to be left out? When the smoke clears....we may have a new government with a whole lot of new rules for the turds given power to rule. Maybe this should have happened 100 years (or more) ago.

Chuckster , 5 hours ago

Go watch some George Webb on You Tube and you will be shocked. He is kind of a wild card but I know much of his information is dead accurate so the things he brings up that I didn't know are probably accurate as well. Remember Flynn putting up a go fund me page to pay his attorneys?

****!

UBrexitUPay4it , 5 hours ago

Two possibilities as I see it: either Epstein was caught with his pants down, but some agency thought he might be useful, or his billions bought him agency protection, along with the power of being part of the inner sanctum.

Personally, I don't believe that word didn't get around very, very quickly that Epstein was a dodgy paedophilic blackmailer, so his use would have been limited unless no action was ever taken against his "victims". On balance, the third and most likely option is this is disinformation put out by Epstein to give himself some validity. Don't forget: everybody lies.

Versengetorix , 5 hours ago

James Jesus Angleton brought the fledgling Mossad into the CIA in the 1950s. After the Kim Philby defection, in whom he was heavily invested - he came to lean on his new Jewish friends with increasing devotion. By the time he left - the Mossad had infiltrated the entire Agency. After the USS Liberty, they set their sights on the NSA. Today they own the apparatus of the US Intelligence community. People have no idea about the depth and perversion of the Synagogue of Satin. These people murder for sport and it is thier deeply held belief that all non-Jews are here for their pleasure and use - nothing more.

Call me Al , 4 hours ago

You guys had that with this Pizza Scandal, the UK had it with the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE) -

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM_se7pb8t8

Now strangely enough the UK government is conducting an investigation on the scum AS WE SPEAK, are they (the investigation) connected ?.

Respect_The_Cock , 5 hours ago

Spying for Israel Is Consequence Free Hollywood billionaire was a spy, an illegal arms merchant and a corrupter of politicians

I asked "Why is this scumbag still making movies in Hollywood? Why isn't he in jail?" before concluding that the federal government clearly regards spying for Israel as a victimless crime, rarely arresting anyone and almost never prosecuting any of the numerous easily identifiable Israeli intelligence agents roaming the country.

Milchan was an active Israeli spy in the U.S., working for the Mossad technology theft division referred to as LEKEM. The Mossad frequently uses so-called sayanimin its espionage, which means diaspora Jews that it recruits on the basis of a shared religion or concern for the security of Israel. The threat coming from Israeli Embassy operatives inside the United States is such that the Department of Defense once warned that Jewish Americans in government would likely be the targets of their intelligence approaches.

President John F. Kennedy had tried to stop the Israeli nuclear weapons program but was assassinated before he could end it. By 1965, the Jewish state had nevertheless obtained the raw material for a bomb consisting of U.S. government owned highly enriched weapons grade uranium obtained from a company in Pennsylvania called NUMEC, which was founded in 1956 and owned by Zalman Mordecai Shapiro, head of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Zionist Organization of America. NUMEC was a supplier of enriched uranium for government projects but it was also from the start a front for the Israeli nuclear program, with its chief funder David Lowenthal, a leading Zionist, traveling to Israel at least once a month where he would meet with an old friend Meir Amit, who headed Israeli intelligence.

http://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/spying-for-israel-is-consequence-free/

dibiase , 5 hours ago

WTF the same people have been involved with covering up ******** for years

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inslaw - the company that the promis software was stolen by Maxwell's father and sold to isreal.

Look at the special prosecutor for this one too Mr. Barr...

it all ties in..... epstien, mossad, 9/11 promis software, muellar, comey, and even trump is some how in this mix.

JSBach1 , 5 hours ago

I encourage all interested people to watch this piece by Rick Wiles of TruNews on Epstein, Maxwell (this is his goy name), Vanunu. It ties the connections to Epstein, child sex trafficking, promis software, Mossad, illicit Israeli Nuclear program stolen from the US

(start at 23 mins):

https://www.trunews.com/stream/mossad-meltdown-why-the-truth-cannot-be-reported-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-sex-crimes

Imagine That , 6 hours ago

Hardly a bombshell! The CIA has been running similar operations since the 1950s. This will end the same way.

You want proof?

"What you have to understand, John, is sometimes there are forces and events too big, too powerful, with so much at stake for other people or institutions, that you cannot do anything about them , no matter how evil or wrong they are and no matter how dedicated or sincere you are or how much evidence you have. This is simply one of the hard facts of life you have to face."

Former CIA Director William Colby to Senator John Camp, concerning the Franklin child abuse cover-up.

geo_w , 5 hours ago

Acosta didnt make that deal. He was just the stooge that got stuck with his signature on the paperwork. I want to know who made Acosta give the deal. That's the guy we should be hearing from.

beemasters , 5 hours ago

According to the Miami Herald, Acosta secretly negotiated with Jay Lefkowitz, a partner at Kirland & Ellis. Acosta was previously a partner in that same law firm. Ken Starr is another Kirkland attorney.

It was all planned...including having Acosta involved. All in the family.

JamesinNM , 6 hours ago

Yes, the deep state only allows people "in" who have a closet full of skeletons so they can control them. Read John Perkins' book Secret History of the American Empire and Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. Research interviews with Dutch entrepreneur Ronald Bernard on the Luciferian deep state pedophiles and their child sacrificing rituals. Pray for Christ's return and the destruction of all evil.

JSBach1 , 7 hours ago

Per Wayne Madsen:

Former President Bill Clinton's inane accusation that Russian intelligence is behind news reports concerning the involvement of Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in an underage sex slave ring run by convicted pederast and Florida billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, is a last-ditch attempt by the former president to salvage the flagging 2016 presidential prospects of his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Justice for the teens abused by Epstein, and allegedly by his friends Andrew and others, may be elusive. Florida prosecutors who worked for both Jeb Bush and, later, GOP Governor Charlie Crist, arranged for a "non-prosecution agreement" (NPA) that shielded Epstein and any "potential co-conspirators " from federal prosecutions after Epstein agreed to the plea deal that saw him plead guilty to a single state charge of soliciting prostitution, without any mention of the age of the so-called "prostitutes." The no-further-prosecution deal was worked out between Epstein's lawyers and Florida and the federal government. Epstein's lawyers happened to be Alan Dershowitz; Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel of "Monicagate" fame; and Miami celebrity trial lawyer Roy Black . The terms of the NPA were called into question in a letter written in 2011 by former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, R. Alexander Acosta, and the dubious deal-making with Epstein's lawyers during Bush's and Crist's tenure is clearly apparent:

https://www.abeldanger.org/billionaire-degenerate-jeffrey-epsteins/

Respect_The_Cock , 7 hours ago

Police Dismantle Massive Child Sex Slavery Ring Run By Israelis, Fmr IDF Soldier -- MSM Silent

MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA -- (MPN) A large child sex slavery ring overseen by Israelis was dismantled by Colombian police earlier this week, in a story that has shocked Colombia and much of Latin America but received minimal coverage from mainstream Western media outlets. The network had been active since 2011 and expressly "recruited" young, underage females in situations of economic hardship or domestic abuse to work as "sex slaves" catering to Israeli tourists visiting Colombia.

According to judicial sources cited by El Colombiano , the tourism packages sold by Mush and his cohorts involved taking Israeli men – most of them businessmen or men who recently ended their compulsory military service in the IDF – to parties at a variety of locales such as hostels, hotels, farms and yachts, where the main attraction was the sexual exploitation of underage women and the mass consumption of narcotics and alcohol. The sites where the exploitation occurred offered lodging or services exclusively to Israeli tourists, a practice that is surprisingly common in frequented tourist destinations throughout South America.

Mush was expelled from Colombia in November of last year after a massive sex party was broken up by police and illicit drugs were found at the scene. By that time, authorities had already determined the existence of the network and his accomplices.

https://thefreethoughtproject.com/israeli-soldier-child-trafficking-ring/

vienna_proxy , 7 hours ago

jews enslaving the world, the talmud according to plan

Psadie , 7 hours ago

Twitter investigative sources saying the 11th hr witness coming forward may be Rachel Chandler who took photos of underground rooms at Lolita Island & Bill Clinton with his arm around her on the plane. This kid will take them all down.

PopeRatzo , 7 hours ago

Just so you know: Acosta was just asked about this directly in his press conference - whether he was ever told Epstein was "with intelligence" - and he denied it.

So once again, Zerohedge reports on a story that's complete ******** because it fits some Qanon jackoff agenda.

JSBach1 , 7 hours ago

According to those who have accused Epstein of sexual abuse, Maxwell's predilection for managing his life extended to his sex life as well. In 2018, Epstein and Maxwell settled a lawsuit brought against them by a woman named Sarah Ransome , who alleged that Maxwell hired her to give Epstein massages at his home. Between 2006 and 2007, Ransome alleged, the two promised to pay her tuition to FIT in exchange for Ransome providing sexual favors to Epstein and his friends, including lawyer Alan Dershowitz . (Dershowitz has repeatedly denied the charges; Ransome's suit was settled in 2018 under undisclosed terms.)

Last April, another woman and former Epstein employee, Maria Farmer, alleged that Maxwell and Epstein had sexually abused her and her 15-year-old sister on two separate occasions in the mid-1990s. She also alleged that she frequently saw a "number of school-age girls" come to Epstein's New York City home . "When I asked Maxwell why these young girls were coming over to the house so often she said that the girls were interviewing for modeling positions," Farmer said . "At the time, based on my observations at the home, it did not seem credible to me that these young girls were interviewing for modeling positions."

Farmer's allegations surfaced as the result of a defamation lawsuit filed against Dershowitz by Virginia Giuffre, who also named Maxwell in a 2015 civil suit against Epstein. In the suit, Giuffre (then identified as Jane Doe 3) alleged that during the summer of 1999, when she was 16 years old and working as a towel girl at Trump's Palm Beach resort Mar-a-Lago, Maxwell recruited her to serve as Epstein's massage therapist. Giuffre alleged that Maxwell and Epstein instructed her to have sex with him and his friends, including Dershowitz . Dershowitz publicly denied her claims and accused Giuffre of making them up, prompting Giuffre to sue him for defamation. Last week, Dershowitz filed a motion for a federal judge to dismiss the defamation suit .

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-arrest-856874/

JaxPavan , 7 hours ago

When Acosta says "intelligence" he means CIA. That's the missing link here folks. However much the Mossad was running Epstein, the Mossad doesn't get the FBI to ignore complaints for decades, and the Mossad doesn't get prosecutors and judges to give sweetheart deals, not in the USA, in the USA the CIA does that.

cashback , 7 hours ago

http://www.renegadetribune.com/the-evidence-for-jeffrey-epsteins-mossad-connection/

JaxPavan , 7 hours ago

The Mossad often does the dirty work for Israel's creator, the British, so they can maintain their "special relationship" with US on the one hand while playing hardball on the other. Given the Queen was on the list for pedo-island too, it's probably all three: MI6, Mossad and CIA. My point is that in the USA, the Mossad would have had to have at least gotten the CIA in on it in order to call off the FBI for decades, and then finally get the sweetheart deal from Acosta and the judge. (Don't forget, a judge had to sign off on the plea deal too; I don't see the judge mentioned?)

dibiase , 6 hours ago

the five eyes are just one agency in real life. although they are compartmentalized. sometimes even going against one another. they are owned by bankers...

beemasters , 7 hours ago

When Acosta says "intelligence" he means CIA. That's the missing link here folks. However much the Mossad was running Epstein ....

Or possibly, there was no "intelligence" at all - at least not on Acosta's part-, but just some powerful individuals or state-sponsored program. The entire deal was unprecedented. No one should have agreed to a deal that would have given immunity to all his pedophile clients ("known AND unknown" - possibly to include future clients?), while officially labeling the victims "whores."

JaxPavan , 7 hours ago

Who was the judge who signed off on it? Did he have a visit from two FBI agents on behalf of the CIA? That's how this usually works. What powerful individuals kept the rank and file, bright eyed and bushy tailed FBI agents from investigating complaints for decades?

beemasters , 7 hours ago

Yeah...I'm not sure. There's been little mention of the judge. That judge was either compromised too or lied to.

666D Chess , 7 hours ago

The big question is... why did Trump appoint Acosta in the first place? What has Acosta got on Trump? I've got the feeling that Epstein is going to commit suicide by stabbing himself 35 times in the back one of these days...

beemasters , 7 hours ago

Epstein is going to commit suicide by stabbing himself 35 times in the back one of these days

Dead man's switch would prevent that. And Epstein isn't stupid not to have one. His associate, Maxwell, on the other hand, may not have any. She might have to go first especially now that she is reported to be showing signs of turning against Epstein.

HoPewGassed , 7 hours ago

Live: Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta holds press conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRBrTmDtYA

quiz kid , 7 hours ago

Trump found Melania at a party hosted by Epstein..wow!

https://www.veteranstoday.com/2019/07/10/was-melania-trafficked-trump-hosted-party-with-epstein-and-29-girls/

Kinskian , 7 hours ago

Gordon Duff hates Trump and has accused Melania of being a hooker at the time she met Trump. The problem with Duff is that he's got a murky past himself. Jeff Rense has had to distance himself from Duff a couple of times since Trump took office.

JoeBattista , 7 hours ago

To anyone with an inquiring mind Epstein has always been someone's tool. My early guess is CIA and Mossad. Where his wealth originated has never been properly explained. The people who flew the Lolita Express have to be really stupid or Sexual deviants unable to control their impulses. a combo of both is likely. How does Epstein's jet share a tail number with a jet registered to the US Dept. Of State?

fuglysheepleco , 7 hours ago

Dyncorp

Psadie , 7 hours ago

Ghislaine Maxwell is a jet pilot and certified submersible pilot. Last week actress Ellen Barkin tweeted that GM told her she trafficked children. Barkin who was married to Ron Perelman just implicated herself for she never reported GM. These crimes are deep and wide...not enough space to hold all of them.

LarryHH , 7 hours ago

DynCorp's Child Trafficking Incidents by Country

Kathryn Bolkovac , the women who became the whistleblower on https://archive.fo/6fFmK#selection-611.0-835.1

"DynCorps deeds in Bosnia , said in an interview: [16] (Archived Version)

There were many cases, but they were never prosecuted: Young girls from Romania, Ukraine, Moldova and other Eastern European countries being brought in to service the UN and military bases as sex-slaves. The cases involved the officers from many foreign countries, including the USA, Pakistan, Germany, Romania, Ukraine, government contractors, and local organized criminals.

The human rights investigators were never allowed to fully investigate, the suspects were immediately removed from the mission or transferred to other missions. The young women were simply sent back to their home countries."

Layman Economist , 7 hours ago

So, who told Acosta that Epstein worked for intelligence? Acosta broke the law, and this excuse without any evidence or name trail doesn't get him off the hook in any way. Time to arrest Acosta and get him to assist in working up the chain of command.

cashback , 8 hours ago

Possible Mossad connection via Ghislaine Maxwell.

https://www.unz.com/isteve/jeffrey-epstein-and-foreign-intelligence/

JSBach1 , 7 hours ago

http://www.renegadetribune.com/the-evidence-for-jeffrey-epsteins-mossad-connection/

khnum , 8 hours ago

There is a world wide network of these creeps in my country former victims have claimed Prime Ministers,an attorney general,high profile media celebrities and others in high places were involved,select kids get flown around the world one on you tube as 'Candy girl' claims both Nixon and Billy Graham were in on it at the Bohemian grove so this sort of crap has been going on for decades we are run by people with filthy habits and sick minds and the prosecution of this case is only the tip of the iceberg and a test case as to whether any cahones still exist in law enforcement.

JSBach1 , 8 hours ago

Alex Acosta had the temerity to tweet this little gem yesterday (for which he took a beating in the replies to his tweet):

Secretary Acosta ‏Verified account @ SecretaryAcosta

The crimes committed by Epstein are horrific, and I am pleased that NY prosecutors are moving forward with a case based on new evidence.

FollowFollow @ SecretaryAcosta

8:41 AM - 9 Jul 2019

https://twitter.com/SecretaryAcosta/status/1148618145671917571

Also TruNews did a nice segment on Epstein and his connections back in March (start at 23 mins):

https://www.trunews.com/stream/mossad-meltdown-why-the-truth-cannot-be-reported-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-sex-crimes

Mr. Kwikky , 8 hours ago

EPSTEIN WAS (IS) MEMBER OF THE CFR AND TRILATERAL COMMISSION

Epstein used his money to construct a worldwide network of contacts. He donated large sums toward neuroscience research at Harvard and a California lab. He invited researchers to his New York house and talked math with them over equations scrawled on a blackboard in his dining room. He flew former president Bill Clinton and actor Kevin Spacey to Africa to promote AIDS awareness. He was a member of the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/jeffrey-epstein-accused-of-sexually-abusing-teenage-girls-surrounded-himself-with-influential-network-of-defenders/2019/07/09/67069e12-a259-11e9-bd56-eac6bb02d01d_story.html

Anunnaki , 8 hours ago

Failing TDS magazine Rolling Stone, founded by a sexual predator, Jann Wenner displays perfectly the (((Alinsky))) coverage of the embarassment of Dem donor Jeffrey Epstein.

They put Trump above rapist Bill Clinton in their political connections story. Been a subscriber since '79. Will not be renewing.

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/jeffrey-epstein-political-connections-sex-trafficker-856642/donald-trump-5-856643/

Psadie , 8 hours ago

I read Wexner gave JE $$$millions while Epstein was a college dropout twice. He wasn't that smart but someone offered him a juicy gig. Q posted awhile back that they are saving Israel for last. Uh oh.

Blankenstein , 8 hours ago

This article has a lot of info about Epstein, including his dealings with Wexner.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2003/03/jeffrey-epstein-200303

This was interesting:

"Wexner, through a trust, bought the town house in which Epstein now lives for a reported $13.2 million in 1989. In 1993, Wexner married Abigail Koppel, a 31-year-old lawyer, and the newlyweds relocated to Ohio; in 1996, Epstein moved into the town house. Public documents suggest that the house is still owned by the trust that bought it, but Epstein has said that he now owns the house."

lay_arrow 1
BigWhiskey , 9 hours ago

Let's assume Epstein was running a blackmail op; this may explain his wealth. But, that is only money. The real prize would be an abundance of blackmail material on someone before he/she becomes powerful. The real prize would be absolute control over the most powerful man in the world. Anyone on that list who became powerful? One would think that continuing the blackmail would be preferable to ending such a once in a lifetime windfall to save the blackmailer, no? Epstein will never play his trump card. He has nothing to gain and everything to lose by flipping on Trump. In the meantime, y'all can fill in the blanks for your choice of a name....

SummerSausage , 9 hours ago

Epstein was a major player before this came out. He was on the Trilateral Commission with Henry Kissinger, he was on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation, he was a major donor to Harvard. All the press about him wrote of how brilliant and what a philanthropist he was.

His rolodex included EVERYBODY and his motto was to have everyone owe him a favor.

He never spilled the beans on who he provided girls to and his accomplices walked away just like Hillary's did in the email scandal.

Names came out in depositions but those were sealed until a judge ruled them to be released a few days ago. We should have some interesting reading by the end of the month.

SummerSausage , 9 hours ago

Just finished reading Conchita Sarnoff's book on Epstein "Traffic King". She's a journalist who is also a crusader against children sex trafficking.

Epstein undoubtedly had big names in compromising sexual situations but he also was a major child sex trafficker which is big business in the US.

He brought young girls in through a modeling agency, promising them and their parents modeling jobs.

There have been tough Federal laws against child sex trafficking since 2000. Epstein wasn't charged under that.

These girls had to have visas. Immigration was never asked to look into the girls' status.

Acosta didn't have the juice to shut those investigations down or ignore the violations.

Makes you wonder if one of the reasons the Dems don't want the borders secure is it will make child sex trafficking more difficult???

Posa , 9 hours ago

Would be no surprise that Epstein had ***** immunity. This was no ordinary perv. He has quite the social pedigree... "Epstein was on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation , a member of the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations , and was a major donor to Harvard University ."... was tied to the Princeton Institute for Advanced Studies (the US residence of Einstein and his circle)... pals with Price Andrew... Sen George Mitchell... media people etc (see Wiki article)

MrBoompi , 9 hours ago

"If so, we need to find out precisely who he was working for."

Even if I would like to find this out as well, I won't be holding my breath. His handlers sure won't be providing info on that. I'm sure Epstein knows when to keep his mouth shut and any sweet deal he gets now would still rely on him keeping his mouth shut. Chances are these same folks are the ones telling him who he can and can't rat on. If Epstein was was of the first to "invest" in the Clinton Foundation, this also adds another piece to the puzzle since the CF also seems to be a protected entity. Like I said before I detect the stench of CIA/Mossad/MI6.

Arizona1234 , 9 hours ago

The "service" that Epstein provided for human scum is simple. You have a plane you provide a human and drug shipping service. By Epstein putting scum bags like a rapists Clinton or some EU fucktard on the plane is then they put diplomat immunity bags on the plane. So they could move drugs and human sex slaves without security (customs) looking too close. For this Epstein was paid. Let's say your one of these Elite scum bags and you want to move a large quantity of cash. Call Epstein. Want to move drugs call Epstein. Then depending on the secrecy of your move depended on cost of what scum bag political fucktard he would put along to cover your ****. Maybe there were more than one intelligence agency that also was paying Epstein. Probably CIA, Mossad , MI6 ,DGSE and SVR .

mendigo , 9 hours ago

Appears republicans are now realizing that what Acosta did was wrong:

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/452299-acosta-on-shaky-ground-as-gop-support-wavers

In light new evidence they say - the old evidence was OK apparently.

Fishthatlived , 9 hours ago

Acosta?

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/11/robert-muellers-fbi-gave-orgy-island-billionaire-epstein-light-sentence-today-details-were-released-on-his-widespread-child-sex-abuse/

sickofthepunx , 9 hours ago

how does an fbi director sentence someone?

you tards will believe anything

StarGate , 10 hours ago

Suspect that Epstein was an blackmail operative for a cooperative program between Israel's Mossad and CIA/FBI to collect compromising material on certain targeted Congress members to maintain control over them.

Suspect it is also related to US Congress members who work for Israel as "DUAL" citizens. Those Israeli DUALS who scream loudest for Acosta to quit as Labor Secy on the top of the list for involvement in the blackmail operation as Handlers within Congress.

"Above then US Attorney Acosta's pay-grade" would be the Chiefs of FBI and CIA at the time. 2007 was Genl Hayden / CIA and Mueller/ FBI. DOJ boss of Acosta was either Mukasey or Gonzales.

Just a guess...

Real Estate Guru , 10 hours ago

This guy is a setup by the deep state all the way. No doubt about it.

"In that piece, I shared many lesser known, but extremely bizarre facts about Jeffrey Epstein and the people around him. I also noted that it appeared his real job was to run a blackmail operation to ensnare some of the most wealthy and powerful people on earth. I alluded to the possibility that he was collecting this priceless information on behalf of a third party, and then just today we learn the following via the Daily Beast :"

Nobody can figure out where he got his $Billions. And he was connected to the Clinton "Foundation".

You do the math

freedommusic , 10 hours ago

Italy arrests 18 for allegedly brainwashing and selling children

Italian police have arrested 18 people including a mayor, doctors and social workers for allegedly brainwashing vulnerable children into thinking their parents had abused them so they could then be sold to foster parents.

( source )

Hey didn't MI6, FBI, and CIA, asset Joseph Mifsud operate out of Italy ?

it is impossible for Mifsud to be a Russian asset because he has a history of working with and training FBI agents .

-- Devin Nunes

Anunnaki , 11 hours ago

This explains it all

https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Billionaires-Scandal-Shocking/dp/1455542687/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Filthy+rich&qid=1562775327&s=gateway&sr=8-1

shining one , 11 hours ago

"If we can somehow get to the bottom of Epstein I suspect we'll learn a lot about how the world of the powerful really works, and why everything is so fked and corrupt."

Then may I suggest you are NOT as good a researcher as you make out. As most of that information is already out there

Fishthatlived , 11 hours ago

The court documents are all public.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/11/robert-muellers-fbi-gave-orgy-island-billionaire-epstein-light-sentence-today-details-were-released-on-his-widespread-child-sex-abuse/

MushroomCloud2020 , 11 hours ago

This came up through the state courts and was fully exposed by the Miami Herald, and it blindsided Barr and Trump. A lot of people here think this is Trump cleaning the swamp. I suggest you recheck the facts. Paul Cessell reopened this case at the state level. Trump's relationship with Epstein will need to be looked at closely, especially the timelines. I'm especially interested in what Trump knew about Epstein, 4 years before he was arrested in 2008 for child trafficking. Holding back information about a crime is a crime.

This looks like Israel, and we all can see with open eyes that Trump has given Israel more than most before him. It doesn't look good and we need to ask the hard questions. This is a national security issue and it befuddles me why Epstein is not at Guantanamo at this very moment. Instead, he is enjoying constitutional rights. This stinks to high heaven.

libertysghost , 11 hours ago

So why didn't Mueller bring this up in his investigation? That would have been prime time to do so...if...if what you "think" is the circumstance, is really the circumstance that is. Mueller would know it all since he was behind letting ol' Jeffrey off the first time. Wouldn't letting him off the first time be a crime of obstruction too...on Mueller? He is the one whose job it was in the first place.

Trump had his suspicions, I'm pretty certain about that...but if you have no "evidence", what can you do...but get SUED or "Arkancided" given all the players we DO KNOW are more likely involved because of some pretty overwhelming "coincidences" in their ties to Epstein.

You're reaching here...anything is possible in this world and nothing can be proven to "not have happened"...but this is pure conjecture at this point on your part regarding Trump compared to where more solid conjecture could be placed toward others we KNOW were already involved in relationships with extensive relationships with Epstein and covering for him after the fact

MushroomCloud2020 , 10 hours ago

Just a few simple questions. Why did Trump unfriend Epstein? Was Epstein a bad golfer? Was he always late paying his club dues. What upset Trump to go from "he is a terrific guy" to "I am not a fan of Epstein"?

Mind you, this all happened, according to Trump, 15 years ago. That is 4 years before the investigation into Epstein started. And by the way, the person who informed the police was a mother of one of the victims.

If Trump knew about Epstein activities, then distancing himself was not enough. He had knowledge of a crime and didn't report it. That is illegal, and more so if children are involved.

[Jul 11, 2019] Is neoliberal elite above the law?

Jul 11, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Kadath , Jul 10 2019 21:12 utc | 49

I highly doubt that Epstein case will result in any arrests of high powered politicians or major celebrities (maybe they'll arrest a few pilots or chauffeurs, but no billionaires). I also remember all the talk of Anthony Wiener's laptop and his "Insurance folder", but that didn't lead to anything.

If even 1/10 of all the rumors surrounding these people were true, it would rank as the greatest political scandal in the last 200 years and would be nothing less than a geopolitical earthquake that would totally reshape the Western world. It would certainly destroy the current Neoliberal international world order, as nations would become terrified that their political stability would harmed if their national elites would become enmeshed in another international scandal

[Jul 11, 2019] Epstein, Trump and CIA

Jul 11, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Alexander P , Jul 10 2019 19:46 utc | 20

We do not know why Epstein resurfaced, there was no need to re-open the case unless 'they' wanted it to be reopened. Thus, there is definitely a deeper political purpose behind this. As I know the higher ups in both Democrat and Republican Party are in one way or another involved in this (both Clinton and Trump visited his island and I am sure many more prominent high ranking US career politicians), this could indeed be equally dangerous for either political party.

However, I don't think Trump needs convincing with regard to Iran he has been all in on that from day 1 of his presidency and never hesitated a moment to tear up the JCPOA. Bibi was right when he said there was never a US president as friendly towards Israel than Donald Trump. His actions have spoken louder than words. So for this case, we will just have to wait and see what pieces of information they allow the MSM to publish and we will know who they are after or what bigger political goal is at play.


jared , Jul 10 2019 20:03 utc | 27

Something does not smell right about this.
It's not like Epstein was some obscure issue or that Trump was uninformed about the case.
Who would allow a person with such baggage on the team?
And the issue was raised so no possibility it was over-looked.
Congress (including the now concerned repubs) had their shot at him, where was the indignation?
Looks like people were told to disregard the issue, until now.
Now like good soldiers they are all barking alert.
Looks like this guy was a plant, an insurance policy maybe.
Now that policy has been triggered - has Trump failed in playing his role?

Pft , Jul 10 2019 21:22 utc | 51

Trumps ex-pal Epstein linked to intelligence. Makes sense given he has Robert Maxwell's daughter doing the procuring. His was likely a black mail operation run by the intelligence agency

Trumps other ex-pal (partner) was also linked to intelligence. Bayrocks Felix Sater. I imagine some of their business practices could have landed Trump in jail unless like Felix he cooperated

Could Trump himself be a an intelligent asset? Perhaps under duress through his activities with Jeffrey and Felix.

If so, indeed the question is if its Israels or the US agency, or is there any difference now.

I don't pretend to know the answers.

Whats the end game?. Comeys daughter is one of the NY prosecutors.Dershowitz is an Israeli puppet and was behind getting the sealed files opened. Is Clinton and the Dems the target or is it meant to pressure Trump to go hard on Iran or risk something coming out? Something else?

I cant help but wonder why nobody choses to remind us about the case filed against Trump in 2016, where a woman claimed rape at age 13 at Epstein's apartment. Is wasn't covered much at the time either. Apparently silently withdrawn. Curious no? Not even the so called Deep State Media that everyone believes was against Trump. Theydon't seem to want to touch it now either. Maybe its just BS.

Of course, maybe just more distraction as they continue fleecing the bottom 90%

Mr. Lucky , Jul 10 2019 21:28 utc | 53

Epstein was/is Mossad. He ran honey traps for Israel.

This is one of the primary ways the Tribe controls US politicians.

This is how Deep State controls Trump, and why Trump betrayed every campaign promise, except the one to Israel.

Acosta was told to give Epstein a sweetheart deal and to stop the Federal investigation.

For his compliance, he was awarded the job of Labor Secretary in the Trump administration.

fastfreddy , Jul 10 2019 21:30 utc | 54

Billionaire, $6 B, Les Wexner, L Brands, Victoria's Secret.

from Wiki

Wexner had a close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who managed Wexner's financial assets. Wexner and Epstein parted when Epstein went to prison.[25] Wexner was believed to be the primary source of Epstein's wealth. [26]

fastfreddy , Jul 10 2019 21:45 utc | 62

I am trying to link Wexner with the Bronfman's (Seagrams Liquor Family) via a source other than the Mega Group (which may not be credible, IDK).Clare Bronfman and NEXIVM.

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/

seagram-heiress-clare-bronfman-pleads-guilty-in-nxivm-sex-slave-case-825103/

https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/about-us/our-offices--staff


Looks like Epstein was running a high powered honey trap to ensnare Politicians, Lawyers, Government employees for the express purpose of promoting the "Greater Israel Project".

KC , Jul 10 2019 21:51 utc | 63

@fastfreddy - While I hesitate to engage in the ubiquitous Israel is at the root of all debacles conjecture, I think you might be onto something there. Sure would be interesting (now or when whatever shakes out of this) to compare the record on votes of importance to Israeli interests of any politician who gets implicated or indicted with who doesn't.

Alaric , Jul 10 2019 21:52 utc | 64

Protecting Epstein and his clients is secondary. The main goal is to protect his billionaire, Jewish, sponsors and whatever state sponsored him. The pleabs cannot know that their gov is corrupt but the bigger secret that must be kept is who is pulling the strings and how they are doing it.

Andrew Kreig , Jul 10 2019 22:02 utc | 68

Am enjoying the insights here and can share a few responses after years of reporting on Epstein, Clinton, Obama, Trump and Barr.

In response to lysias at #34 on Barr's intelligence and corruption cover-up background, here's a full history with links: "Trump Found His Roy Cohn In Deep State Fixer Bill Barr," May 27, 2019. https://www.justice-integrity.org/1659-trump-found-his-roy-cohn-in-deep-state-fixer-bill-barr

Regarding questions on Acosta by Jared at #27, here's a 2017 article showing that the facts were out about Acosta when the Senate confirmed him: "Did Trump Labor Pick Protect Trump, Rich Rapists, Tax Cheats, Crooked Bankers? Do We Find Out Wednesday?" March 14, 2017. http://ow.ly/hk8b309Uerm

Regarding MSM reluctance to mention rape of 12 and 13 year olds by Trump, as several commentators noted, here's a January 2017 wrap up of those matters with leading to other links: "Welcome To Waterbury: The city that holds secrets that could bring down Trump," Jan. 9, 2018. http://www.justice-integrity.org/1445-welcome-to-waterbury-the-city-that-holds-secrets-that-could-bring-down-trump. My colleague Wayne Madsen and I filed a FOIA action today at the U.S. Justice Department seeking further records.

Our view is that this is an intelligence / foreign policy operation and it's likely that Epstein's time has run out, an occupational hazard in that field. Further, Madsen and I have written separate books years ago documenting that all U.S. presidents after Carter -- but not yet Trump as proven -- have been covert assets of the CIA or FBI before -- stress that -- they entered politics. That's the way it is, and helps explain a lot of the complaints in comments above. Trump is in his own category of a corrupt stooge -- that's not necessarily better.

Can recommend excellent 2008 book "Flat Earth News" by longtime UK journalist Nick Davies that describes the deeply flawed nature of MSM from his perspective as a Guardian and other UK journalist, who aptly describes why lies and quarter-truths get printed. That's a longer story but the gist is what many here are suggesting.

last day of grace , Jul 10 2019 23:04 utc | 79

After years of study and many many books I believe the Mossad and CIA are one and the same. The Mossad is very useful when leaving sovereign footprints is verboten--and vice versa.

Jen , Jul 10 2019 23:06 utc | 80

"...'Belongs to intelligence' makes a lot of sense. The question is to which one. A lot of people will says "Mossad" but I don't believe that to be the (full) truth ..."

At the level that Jeffrey Epstein is operating, he is loyal primarily to himself but happily takes his reward from whichever intel agency at any time offers him the most or whose interests might prove the most lucrative for him.

And the interests of American, British, Israeli and other nations' intelligence agencies are surely so entwined that picking them apart is impossible. One thing for sure though: none of them serve the interests of the nations they supposedly work for.

last day of grace , Jul 10 2019 23:09 utc | 81

The function of the CIA/Mossad is to make sure the agenda and the narrative of the Deep State gets served. In that case one could truly blame Epstein's actions on individuals, or groups of individuals who dictate orders to the Mossad/CIA.

Really? , Jul 10 2019 23:31 utc | 85
@29

Epstein is CFR???
What???
HOw can that be?

Mr.Lucky , Jul 10 2019 23:37 utc | 86
Lozion:

I am not implying, I am stating that they absolutely have the goods on Trump.

His supporters knew he was a scum bag when they voted for him, but he promised to stop the invasion and they fell for it.

Why do you think that Trump did a 180 on every campaign promise once elected, except the promise to Israel?

Why do you think that Trump gave Acosta a job after the sweetheart deal?

Ask yourself another question: Why is happening as the election cycle is beginning?

Anyone who says Clinton is in trouble is delusional. Clinton is invincible.

They are going after Trump.

Really? , Jul 10 2019 23:39 utc | 89

"Something does not smell right about this."

Re timing, could it be connected to Mueller soon to be under oath and testifying?

could Mueller be a target of some kind?

jared , Jul 10 2019 23:50 utc | 93

Epstein reminds me of the Bill Browder affair. And the statement: To know who are the rulers not which are the ones you are not permitted to criticize. Or somethinh like that.

Alexander P. , Jul 11 2019 0:09 utc | 99
If indeed they are after Trump as he failed them on 'Iran', then it makes absolute sense that Dershowitz and Cernovich had the records unsealed as both are strong, strong Zionists and supporters of Israel. Getting a judge do the thing they need is just a formality. I agree with some writer above who asked, why the publicity if pressure can be applied in secret without the media being involved? But this may be the stated goal to bring Trump either completely in line now or publicly topple his presidency.

I get why @94 Really? and others would be sceptical at this stage but I know strong powers in the Zionist/Neo-con deep state want a direct confrontation with Iran for myriad number of reasons (stop the BRI, deal a blow to Syria and Hizbollah, take out Israel's No 1 enemy etc, shore up the Petrodollar), and Trump was still the most likely candidate to follow through with this, given his proximity to Zionism. So far he also has dully followed through with everything imaginable, except for actually attacking Iran.

Interesting development indeed. B. Clinton could be collateral damage, at this stage their power is overestimated in my opinion.

karlof1 , Jul 11 2019 0:11 utc | 100
Andrew Kreig @68--

Okay, An "intelligence op," but which one? The Epstein/Mueller link was made several months ago. I don't see any irregularities in the court judgement to order the unsealing as it's been ongoing for almost 2.5 years and involves odd bedfellows. Was Mueller even aware of the attempt to unseal Epstein's case? So many questions!

ekerbacker , Jul 11 2019 0:16 utc | 103

Arnon Milchan? He was Israeli. Should he be punished, absolutely. But you know who should be hung? Robert DeNiro. He knew Arnon Milchan was a spy and kept his mouth shut for decades. He is a POS of epic proportions.

Insofar as Epstein is concerned. It is all about timing. Mueller is set to testify and probably has skeletons in his closet with regards to Epstein's case. He is likely being told implicitly via the Epstein arrest to be on his best behavior by Barr, and Barr at this age probably can care less that Epstein is being sacrificed so he can make his point, particularly since Barr is probably the 2nd most powerful person in the USA right now.

Epstein was extremely likely an Israeli asset. The Israelis have through political power and force convinced many in the US IC that their ship is sailing in the same direction, and that they should be allowed to serve as the US's dog on a leash, and once in a while be unleashed to do what the US won't. So while he was an Israeli asset, his resources (that is compromising material) was often made available to the CIA, and thus Acosta was told that he is an intelligence asset.

The fireworks will start to fly if and when Epstein realizes he is being hung out to dry and won't be saved. But like almost every other case involving such rich and powerful people, don't hold your breath for justice to be served in the US.

Alexander P , Jul 11 2019 0:29 utc | 104
@96 and 33

What does protecting adolescent teenagers from predatory adults have to do with puritanism? Am I understanding this correctly that you advocate sex with minors as long as they have reached biological puberty? Never mind their mental maturity? So sexual relations involving young women is ok what about sexual relations with young men? This has nothing to do with a false pretentious morality but with the fact that teenagers have not yet reached the level of mental maturity that protects them from sexual exploitation that will haunt them for the rest of their lives, never mind their biological functions and ability to conceive or sire children. It is really puzzling that I even need to make these elaborations in here!

Debsisdead , Jul 11 2019 0:35 utc | 105
In many ways this thread is as sickening as the subject it discusses. All sorts of types left and right competing to show that they have the most insight into the forces behind the anal rape of a 12 year old girl See Andrew Kreig's excellent piece which does consider the horror of the acts, rather than just whether or not it plays into the particular vision of 'power politics' each poster invokes). In no instance does anyone express disgust at the actions of these low life scum other than for the corruption of the pols such as Acosta.
The glee which so many have displayed jumping into this horror story because it can be twisted and forced into their own particular theory about "how the world really works" while totally ignoring that these humans who were abducted at age eleven or twelve & then sold like cattle, now inhabit the netherworld of 'the great society' living in the fringes of prosperous cities in a ramshackle 'double wide', reveals a psychic corruption not a million miles away from that of the rapists.

This story is those young boys & girls, anyone who claims to want to use it to force the greedy rapists and warmongering grubs to face justice, will not succeed as long as they waste time speculating who works for who and who is really in control.

Prince Andrew still bludges off taxpayers despite being photographed with his arm around one of his victims, if you're english & really care about stopping this scum, instead of speculating on which shadowy 'palace spokesman suggested that the Daily Mail include the line "There is no suggestion that the duke had any sexual contact at the house, or knew what was allegedly going on there" you will find out how the at the time 17 y.o. Virginia Roberts feels about her public destruction now (A child the Mail described as an erotic masseuse - presumably to reduce the horror a normal human reacts to that pic whilst ensuring the victim is so humiliated she causes no further problem for "the royal family's" number one arms salesman). This victim first hung out with the andrew sleaze when she was 17 at the pimp's Florida hell hole where the age of consent is 18.

Concentrating on the effect on victims while protecting them from further harm will bring the creeps undone - nothing else will. It was only once people began to see past the priests claims that "the victims led me on" and considered the huge power imbalance that the catholic church came unstuck.
Most of all without humanity, there is no difference between any of us and the scum we criticise.

William Gruff , Jul 11 2019 0:55 utc | 106

Woohoo! Debsisdead isn't dead!

Now, to be on topic, why the insistence that Epstein finally getting outed for real is some mysterious intel op? The CIA has been screwing up left, right and center for years, so is it any surprise that one of their major kompromat operations is getting exposed? Their foolproof plan to install their tool Clinton in the White House in 2016 failed spectacularly and blew up in their faces, so tell me again how great they are at running covert ops? The CIA's own version of James Bond gets snuffed by the CIA's own death squads in Benghazi, but people still think the CIA has a clue what they're doing? The CIA's operatives in multiple embassies are being incapacitated by freakin' crickets and people think these clowns still somehow maintain some vestigial link to reality?

No, this is simply another massive screw-up by the establishment. This blind-sided the Deep State and so much took them by surprise that they were too late to get it clamped down in the mass media. If Epstein dies before the real dirt starts getting exposed then it proves me right and proves wrong all those who worship at the alter of the omnipotent Deep State.

[Jul 11, 2019] Obama, Clinton and Epstein

Jul 11, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

karlof1 , Jul 10 2019 21:09 utc | 45

Alexander P @39--

He didn't "win a case" he got the records unsealed:

"The 2nd Cir. has ordered the summary judgment record in Epstein's District Court case to be unsealed.

"Great work from @Cernovich - who intervened to get these particular records unsealed."

As Cernovich notes :

This isn't partisan. Corruption at all levels."

What's good is that most people commenting on the threads I've read, including Cernovich's, understand just how deep the rot goes, and that it's not confined to North America.

Really? , Jul 10 2019 21:11 utc | 48

@ 3 Karlof1

Totally agree.

It would be a most salutary outcomoe if Obama were dethroned and exposed for the lying lounge lizard he is. Scales reallyl need to fall from eyes. I am surprised that Trump doesn't embark on this enterprise with gusto.

Puncture the Obama-Clinton BS balloon once and for all.


[Jul 11, 2019] NYT publishes the article "Jeffrey Epstein Is the Ultimate Symbol of Plutocratic Rot"

Jul 11, 2019 | www.unz.com

nickels , says: July 10, 2019 at 7:50 pm GMT

That's funny because I always thought the New York Times was the ultimate symbol of plutocratic rot.

[Jul 11, 2019] Epstein and "City on a hill"

Jul 11, 2019 | turcopolier.typepad.com

Paco , 09 July 2019 at 01:46 PM

¿City on a hill?

Caligula an Nero look good compared to that tribe.

[Jul 10, 2019] Don t Say Epstein by Gilad Atzmon

Notable quotes:
"... Five years later in 1981 he was fired from Bear Sterns for helping Edgar Bronfman in an insider trading scandal, which Bronfman blamed on his (phantom) Italian partner. ..."
"... While many are focusing on Clinton or Trump the _big_ story on Epstein is that he had blackmail material on a wide range of politicians and business people from around the world. We do not yet know their names. ..."
"... He could have sold that information to the highest bidders (intelligence agencies, corporations, organized crime)–but if he were sharp he would have sold the same information to multiple bidders. ..."
"... He has the ultimate "get out of jail" free cards if he was smart enough to handle them wisely. ..."
"... All the circumstantial evidence supports the allegations that Epstein was operating a "honeypot" to entrap celebrities and politicians such as Bill Clinton , the larger question is was he running this operation for the Mossad , CIA and MI6 or other deep state intelligence agencies . ..."
"... 'All the circumstantial evidence supports the allegations that Epstein was operating a "honeypot" to entrap celebrities and politicians such as Bill Clinton , the larger question is was he running this operation for the Mossad , CIA and MI6 or other deep state intelligence agencies .' ..."
"... Finally, to literally reduce her to a commodity to be sold or traded in exchange for favors if not simply large cash payments is yet a fourth thing. ..."
Jul 10, 2019 | www.unz.com

tac says: July 8, 2019 at 9:59 pm GMT 400 Words

Credit must be given to the Miami Herald which unearthed many of the sordid details pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein's deal struck between his defense lawyers–who dictated the terms of the deal–and Alexander Acosta, now Trump's Labor Secretary.

Here is some background from the series dating back to last year.

Now, there is public pressure building up to either force Alexander Acosta to resign his Secretary of Labor Post or force Trump to fire him. It will be interesting what becomes of that

Miami Herald also released some other tid bits on the unsealed incitement:

[ ]
Three days before Epstein's arrest, a federal appeals court in New York ordered the unsealing of up to 2,000 pages of documents that are expected to show evidence relating to whether Epstein and his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, were recruiting underage girls and young women as part of an international sex trafficking operation. Maxwell, 57, has never been charged ..

As part of its investigation, the Miami Herald was able to identify nearly 80 girls who allegedly were molested by Epstein. Four of the victims, now in their late 20s and early 30s, spoke on video about how they were traumatized first by Epstein, then by his lawyers and private investigators, who delved deeply into their backgrounds and social media accounts, and finally by the prosecutors themselves, who disposed of the case without telling them.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article232398247.html

Also a possibly related story of a former Israeli soldier Assi Ben-Mosh who headed a child prostitution ring in Columbia was arrested in Portugal after initially being deported back to Israel where he continued to run the child prostitution ring:

Ben-Mosh is wanted by Colombian authorities for running a child prostitution ring in the small fishing village of Taganga, located on the South American country's Caribbean coast. He, along with a group of ex-Israeli soldiers, reportedly turned the luxury Benjamin Hostel into a "sex and drug den" in which more than 250 underage girls were subjected to sexual exploitation.

The Benjamin Hostel became known to locals as "little Israel", and acted as a base from which Ben-Mosh ran similar clubs exploiting children in Cartagena, Medellín and the Colombian capital Bogotá. His empire is also thought to have extended to Ecuador, Mexico and Brazil .

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190524-israeli-who-headed-colombia-child-prostitution-ring-arrested-in-portugal/

MarkinLA , says: July 8, 2019 at 10:28 pm GMT

@tac

Wasn't Israel the place where a lot of Eastern European girls were enticed by phony job offers only to be turned into sex slaves and sold into prostitution? I guess that is what they call a mitzvah.

https://www.justice.gov.il/En/Units/Trafficking/HumanTrafficking/Sexualexploitation/Pages/traffickingisrael.aspx

getaclue , says: July 9, 2019 at 1:21 am GMT
@tac on Business Insider but I understand Google is depressing this "algorithm" as they and the Media try and create a Trump/Epstein "scandal" where there is no there there and ignore Clinton/Epstein and more than 20 trips to Lolita Island -- it is stated that Trump booted Epstein out of his club for involvement with an underage girl –so it seems the "journalists" at the Miami Herald are just more of the same as to the Globalist Propaganda Media Dem Complex– seems a Mike Cernovich did much to bring light on Epstein but that isn't mentioned in all the praise of the Miami Herald Dem propagandists/concealers .
Tired of Not Winning , says: July 9, 2019 at 3:20 am GMT

This Epstein story is huge. I think Amazing Polly is just touching on the surface:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vc-uysS6Tlw?start=1&feature=oembed

Epstein dropped out of Cooper Union and NYU at age 20, but mysteriously got a job teaching calculus and physics at the prestigious Dalton school in NYC. He was hired by then headmaster Donald Barr (born Jewish converted to Catholicism), father of current AG William Barr. A year later Donald Barr was forced out by a group of Dalton parents for not being "progressive" enough and replaced by a guy named Dunnan, who was later accused of having an affair with a teacher and also sexually molesting a 14 year old.

While at Dalton, Epstein taught the son of Bear Sterns CEO Ace Greenberg, and ended up working at Bear Sterns. Five years later in 1981 he was fired from Bear Sterns for helping Edgar Bronfman in an insider trading scandal, which Bronfman blamed on his (phantom) Italian partner.

Bronfman' and his two daughters have been embroiled in the NXIVM sex scandal case. Meanwhile, Epstein somehow got his start thanks to one major "investor", billionaire Les Wexner, founder of the Limited, Abercombie & Fitch, Victoria's Secret etc. Bronfman and Wexner co-founded mega, a Jewish organization that promotes Israel.

Epstein-Bronfman smells like a giant international Jew crime network that involves blackmailing of wealthy people, celebrities and politicians for having sex with underage girls. It's how Epstein gained his wealth. He had no money to start out. His "hedge fund" is nothing but a fake front for billionaires to wire their ransom money, which is why it is established offshore and so secretive. There has been two huge fires at his private island in BVI btwn 2018 and Jan. 2019. Speculation is that lots of incriminating video footage was burnt, but of course Epstein kept copies, and Mossad most likely has them as well. Got to keep the blackmailing of our political and economic elites going. Israhell has a right to exist.

Paw , says: July 9, 2019 at 3:45 am GMT
@MarkinLA

The Kincora Orphan house all over again. Certainly ,Junkie with no hope ever to stop his addiction. Even when one pedofile crimes are abused politicaly by feminists and thrown on all men. Propaganda long time in schools.

Blake , says: July 9, 2019 at 5:27 am GMT

Now if Prince Andrew has been of a certain persuasion .

Wally , says: July 9, 2019 at 7:10 am GMT
@the grand wazoo

Anne Coulter sets the record straight on scumbag Epstein and those who shielded him from due process years ago. BTW, Epstein claimed the charges were 'anti-semitic', of course.

Ann Coulter: Media Magic -- How a Democrat Pedophile Became a 'Trump Scandal'
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/03/06/ann-coulter-media-magic-how-a-democrat-pedophile-became-a-trump-scandal/

9/11 Inside job , says: July 9, 2019 at 10:46 am GMT

The Jerusalem Post has reported that Netanyahu has started campaigning against Ehud Barak on Barak's ties to Jeffrey Epstein . Christopher Bollyn claims that Barak is the "architect of 9/11 " . Will those responsible for the false flag attacks on 9/11 ever be brought to justice ?

The British Royal family still wields considerable power in the UK and has extensive land holdings throughout the World , to be seated in Parliament a M.P. has to swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch , the last M.P. who refused to do so was not permitted to take their seat ! Like the US , the UK is not a democracy ,whereas the US is a plutocracy / kakistocracy / pathocracy it appears that the UK is closer to being a monarchy .

With Prince Charle's close ties to the pedophile Jimmy Savile and Prince Andrew's ties to Jeffrey Epstein the death of the "beloved" Queen Elizabeth could present real problems to the future of the British monarchy.

Hippopotamusdrome , says: July 9, 2019 at 1:44 pm GMT

Reddit:

Trump's Longtime Friend Jeffrey Epstein Arrested For Sex Trafficking Minors in Florida, New York

"Trump's Longtime Friend"

Justvisiting , says: July 9, 2019 at 7:43 pm GMT
@getaclue

While many are focusing on Clinton or Trump the _big_ story on Epstein is that he had blackmail material on a wide range of politicians and business people from around the world. We do not yet know their names.

He could have sold that information to the highest bidders (intelligence agencies, corporations, organized crime)–but if he were sharp he would have sold the same information to multiple bidders.

I am amazed he served any time in jail, and will be even more amazed if he serves any more time.

He has the ultimate "get out of jail" free cards if he was smart enough to handle them wisely.

Sean , says: July 9, 2019 at 7:47 pm GMT
@Colin Wright the girls are not the kind of thing he would have revealed by offering to others, and it's a minority interest.

The masseuse/ assistant former employee making all the allegations now says she was 15 at the time instead of 17 and is accusing Prince Andrew and anyone else.

It's probably an attempt to get money by selling her story, but the prosecution are not biting. If everything is true he is being accused of in the current case is very basically Epstein paying underage girls for sex.

The sex trafficking network charge is basically a way to get him serious time for little more than he has already admitted to.

Sean , says: July 9, 2019 at 8:25 pm GMT
@anon

ays off big time because people will help others with a good reputation but not those with a bad reputation. But as with the satirical song be careful not to do good deeds when others are not watching. Hence his philanthropy,

I really do not think Epstein would have let anyone get the slightest hint his disgusting behaviour, he liked to portray himself as a Great Gatsby combined with Hugh Hefner figure.

His wealth comes from his ideas about creative tax evasion, and billionaires are not going to trust someone with their money that cannot control themselves with little girls. .

9/11 Inside job , says: July 9, 2019 at 9:01 pm GMT

All the circumstantial evidence supports the allegations that Epstein was operating a "honeypot" to entrap celebrities and politicians such as Bill Clinton , the larger question is was he running this operation for the Mossad , CIA and MI6 or other deep state intelligence agencies .

bartat , says: July 9, 2019 at 9:19 pm GMT

Seems that there's a long history of coincidental folks and suchlike coincidental happenings.
http://www.shoah.org.uk/2019/05/31/the-jewish-pioneers-of-sexual-degeneracy-in-1920s-berlin/
and:

The murder of Mary Phagan. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/11/25/the-murder-of-mary-phagan/

I like razpaul's take. But personally I anticipate Mr. E's imminent, fatal 'accident'.

Colin Wright , says: Website July 9, 2019 at 11:31 pm GMT
@9/11 Inside job

'All the circumstantial evidence supports the allegations that Epstein was operating a "honeypot" to entrap celebrities and politicians such as Bill Clinton , the larger question is was he running this operation for the Mossad , CIA and MI6 or other deep state intelligence agencies .'

If so, it's interesting that he's been arrested -- and that it's getting play.

Any bets on whether he shortly 'commits suicide'?

I can't see him spilling all. It's not just Trump he may have stuff on. Clinton was obviously a big fan.

Colin Wright , says: Website July 10, 2019 at 2:23 am GMT
@Wally omething else entirely to do something about it.

and it's still a third thing to not merely engage in sex with her but to chew her up and discard her when you've had your week or whatever of fun.

Finally, to literally reduce her to a commodity to be sold or traded in exchange for favors if not simply large cash payments is yet a fourth thing.

We all get off this bus at some point. There aren't very many of us who would ride with ol' Jeffery all the way to stop four. Sean's rather strange attempt to defend him notwithstanding, Jeffery's a pretty disgusting character. In fact, he's a very disgusting character.

I hate being politically correct and all, but sometimes vile really is vile.

Anon [147] Disclaimer , says: July 10, 2019 at 2:41 am GMT
@Sean

Could Murdoch survive one day without kowtowing to Jewish ? No , he can't . As long as Murdoch could provide what's the Jewish need – Iraq war , Syria war and Iran war or sanctions and promote the paid Israeli agents in Congress , he doesn't need to be a born Jews.

Actually the logic – he is not Jew – works for the Jew , helps the Jew to counter any attempt to locate the perfidious influences the Jews play .

anon [147] Disclaimer , says: July 10, 2019 at 2:48 am GMT
@Sean

"nd billionaires are not going to trust someone with their money that cannot control themselves with little girls.."

But they do. . Parents forced their 26 yrs old to go on trip with Wooddy Allen

They do . They trust these people to run country , guide Harvard , and acquire more money , more elites with weakness .

NoseytheDuke , says: July 10, 2019 at 2:52 am GMT
@Tired of Not Winning

Thanks for that video, it was well worth the 30 mins. I had never heard of Amazing Polly before but can see why she is so described. I agree with her that this is a web of crime and deceit that should be picked over very, very carefully and thoroughly.

TRM , says: July 10, 2019 at 2:58 am GMT
@Corvinus

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yqb59n69Z80?feature=oembed

At the 5 minute mark the interviewer asks about Trump.

[Jul 10, 2019] Podesta vs Epstein

Jul 10, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

johnwburns , 1 hour ago

Have another look at Tony Podesta's art collection.

http://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/2016/11/26/sick-lets-revisit-the-podesta-penchant-for-pedophilic-cannibalistic-and-satanic-art/#sthash.6jj0GpQo.dpbs

cat2005 , 21 minutes ago

I never understood why people claimed Podesta had child abuse links until I read that article. It is enough to make even a hardened Podesta supporter cringe.

I need some mind bleach after reading that.

[Jul 10, 2019] Snyder- Epstein Case Has The Potential To Be The Biggest Scandal In American History -

Jul 10, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Snyder: Epstein Case Has The Potential To Be The Biggest Scandal In American History

by Tyler Durden Tue, 07/09/2019 - 16:25 3 SHARES Twitter Facebook Reddit Email Print

Authored by Michael Snyder via The Economic Collapse blog,

We are about to open up a can of worms that could turn our entire country completely upside down by the time it is all said and done.

Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein's horrific crimes have been well known for a very long time, and I have been writing about them for many years. In fact, there were some people that really, really didn't like it when I wrote about Bill Clinton's connections to Jeffrey Epstein and "the Lolita Express" during the 2016 presidential election. Flight records show that Bill Clinton took 26 trips on board Jeffrey Epstein's infamous private plane, and Clinton also spent an enormous amount of time on Epstein's secluded private "sex island" where underage girls were routinely abused. Of course Jeffrey Epstein had lots of other very famous friends as well, and it has been documented that his "black book" was absolutely filled with marquee names from Hollywood, Wall Street and Washington .

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But despite everything that we knew about what was going on, for a very long time it looked like justice would never be served. Epstein got an absolutely ridiculous sweetheart deal from prosecutors in 2008, and none of his famous friends were ever charged with anything. They all probably thought that they had escaped the grasp of law enforcement forever, but this month everything has suddenly changed.

In recent days, authorities apprehended Epstein after his plane returned from an overseas trip, they raided his home, and they formally charged him with sex trafficking and conspiracy

Fund manager Jeffrey Epstein used his wealth and power to sexually abuse dozens of young girls for years at one of the biggest mansions in Manhattan, paying them hundreds of dollars in cash for each encounter and hundreds more if they brought in more victims, U.S. prosecutors said.

Now, federal prosecutors are charging him with sex trafficking and conspiracy. They're seeking to send him prison for years and seize that Manhattan home.

The indictment unsealed on Monday against the well-connected financier came days after his arrest upon returning from overseas and just hours after federal agents used a crowbar to enter the townhouse.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York is prosecuting Epstein, and they don't mess around. They win more than 90 percent of the cases that actually go to trial, and Epstein has good reason to be shaking in his boots at this point.

https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-35/html/container.html

And it is also extremely interesting to note that James Comey's daughter is one of the prosecutors on this case

Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, is reportedly a prosecutor in the new criminal case against convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This details comes out of a new CNN report. The source is described as a person "with knowledge of the case."

Will that turn out to be significant?

We shall see as this drama plays out.

In the legal community, everyone has an agenda, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York certainly has an agenda in this case.

But what is their goal?

Why have they decided to pursue this specific case at this specific time?

Perhaps the primary goal is to nail Epstein to the wall once and for all. If Epstein is convicted of all the charges against him, he will spend the rest of his life in prison. And if that is all there is to this story, it won't be an enormous national scandal.

However, it could also be possible that the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York wants to use Epstein to get to one or more of his famous friends, and that is where things could get very "interesting".

And the fact that this case "is being overseen by the Public Corruption Unit of the SDNY" would seem to indicate that something is up

Second, what should we make of reporting that Epstein's prosecution is being overseen by the Public Corruption Unit of the SDNY? Short answer: It's too soon to say. It could mean that a public official is being investigated or will be charged with Epstein. That could be a minor public figure or a major one. It could mean that SDNY is investigating misconduct in the plea that Epstein was given in 2008. Or it could mean none of those things.

After everything that Epstein went through in 2008, you would think that he would clean up his life and get rid of all the stuff that got him into so much trouble in the first place.

But when authorities raided his home, they discovered a "vast trove" of photographic evidence

Prosecutors said a search of Epstein's Manhattan mansion after his arrest turned up a "vast trove" of nude photos of what appeared to be underage girls. Officials said in court papers that the pictures included some on CDs with handwritten labels, including "Misc nudes 1," "Girl pics nude" and the names of specific young women.

It has also previously been reported that in the old days Epstein would actually record "the sordid orgies he threw for VIPs at his luxury homes using cameras hidden in the walls of guest bedrooms", but it is not known if those recordings still exist or if authorities were able to find any such recordings when they raided Epstein's home.

In any event, there is clearly an enormous amount of evidence against Epstein already, and that means his only hope of avoiding prison for the rest of his life is to cooperate with authorities.

And as former federal prosecutor Elie Honig has pointed out , Epstein's former friends from Hollywood, Wall Street and Washington should be quite scared right now

We do not know if Epstein will cooperate, but even if he does not, others will very likely be implicated. It seems clear from the indictment that others helped Epstein run his alleged sex trafficking operation and otherwise participated in it. At least some of those names will come out in court proceedings, public filings, potentially trial and perhaps additional indictments. And it's worth noting that the Epstein case is being handled by the SDNY's Public Corruption Unit -- in my experience, human trafficking cases usually are handled elsewhere in the office -- which strongly suggests that public officials could be under a microscope here. Anybody who helped Epstein in any way needs to get a lawyer and get scared .

Of course Epstein could choose to sacrifice himself and protect his friends by not talking, but that isn't likely to happen. In fact, Jack Posobiec is reporting that Epstein's lawyers have already made it clear to the SDNY that their client will cooperate as long as he can get a reduced sentence

SCOOP: Epstein's lawyer has already made a proffer to SDNY. Epstein will agree to cooperate with the investigation, including giving up the names of individuals that paid for activities with underage girls in exchange for a maximum sentence not to exceed 5 years

In addition to Epstein's potential testimony, just a few days ago a judge ordered the unsealing of records in a related case that detail allegations of "sexual abuse" by "numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known prime minister and other world leaders"

This news comes just days after a judge ordered the unsealing of nearly 2,000 pages of records related to a civil case that could reveal how he and his accused accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly trafficked underage girls

The documents that will be unsealed are from a defamation case that was settled after Epstein entered a guilty plea guilty to a single charge of soliciting and procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution.

Records in the defamation case contained descriptions of sexual abuse by Epstein along with new allegations of sexual abuse by 'numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known prime minister and other world leaders.'

We will talk about who some of those individuals might be in the second part of this series which I will post later tonight on The Most Important News .

I have been writing about corruption in the political world for a long time , but this could be the scandal of all scandals.

So stay tuned, because I believe that things are about to get extremely interesting.


rosiescenario , just now

There appears to be a link to our state department and potentially the cia based on the plane that was used. More should be exposed on that in the coming days.

Basaltie2017 , 2 minutes ago

Where was Secret Service when Clinton was on these trips with Epstein? Did he ditch them? If so, he should be stripped of the detail because he clearly doesn't need them.

If the detail was with him and observing heinous crimes and did nothing then they should be prosecuted as well.

vienna_proxy , 41 seconds ago

(((secret service))) weren't they involved in raping girls in columbia under obama

pippi68 , 27 seconds ago

At least 5 times he left them behind.

HardAssets , 3 minutes ago

The question is: Will the American people have the courage to look at and face some very nasty, inconceivably horribl stuff ? (And how about the British people ? This has been going on there too for a very long time.)

Archeofuturist , 4 minutes ago

Potential? Sure. But obviously this guy isn't paying attention to how **** actually goes down. In my lifetime I can count the amount times justice was served on politically connected scumbags like this on one hand. I'd bet money he walks..... again. He just has way too much dirt on everybody.

TotalMachineFail , 9 minutes ago

Doom and gloom is suddenly expecting a turn around in the control grid fraud of a criminal hierarchy?

Somehow unregistered foreign agents without and exemption working in conjunction with the same of both sides of the pervbial aisle of the fraudulent criminally rigged now no longer existent JUdiciary is going to expose and round up the long lists including many chosed and put the screws to them are publicly?

Harvey's story dropped off the front page after about a week.

The investigation is going to have to start from the beginning and be done independently. There's a lot of criminals missed and many in the Federal fraud that's been eliminated. All are already expecting consequences for the sedition and treason. Adding the involvement or covering up of sex trafficking of minors, prostitution, ritual murder sacrifices and more has to be done completely outside the hierarchy and it's influence.

What a coincidence Comey's daughter is allegedly prosecuting. Wrong.

tripletail , 12 minutes ago

********! This redo-fake-crisis won't amount to shite, legally. Epstein was the front man for a Mossad honeypot operation - the results of which were shared with other western intelligence agencies. Will Epstein be ultimately sacrificed? In a carefully orchestrated public way, perhaps. Yet behind the scenes, not likely. IMHO.

ya_right , 12 minutes ago

And what about the parents of these minors that allowed or even put their kids into this danger?

JBLight , 11 minutes ago

Many of them orphans, kidnapped, or brought illegally into the country. They had this operation down to a science. Look at Syria. After the war finally calmed down, they find that tens of thousands of children are missing from orphange

bustdriver , 15 minutes ago

You don't hide cameras to photo yourself. There has to be a blackmail part of this. Where did his money come from? With all of the photographic evidence found he is not the only one that is quaking in their boots...

Let the sunshine in.

vienna_proxy , 16 minutes ago

sdny is deep state. and now that comey's daughter is working the case everyone knows everyone will skate free

SmilinJackAbbott , 13 minutes ago

Yep he then racks his brains for the reason the SDNY are suddenly acting on this. They have no choice. Thanks to Cernovich the stuff they've been hiding from the public will soon be public & would've exposed them as corrupt cover up artists for a pedophile network.

JerseyJoe , 8 minutes ago

And he used is own money. Cernovich is a hero and because he is an alt media blogger the media pimps will never mention him.

charlewar , 17 minutes ago

Will slick willy, when convicted in this action, as a former president get the upper or lower bunk in the slammer?

John Law Lives , 23 minutes ago

That was the best scene (imo) in Red Dawn (1984):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooy0GFMYafY

TheABaum , 23 minutes ago

But the MSM will celebrate P*ssy Riot attempting to hack elections in Alabama.

Justapleb , 12 minutes ago

The first youtube video I watched claiming to be "news" introduced one of the principle witnesses as a girl who worked at Mar a Lago.

Not that she was being raped by Clinton and whomever on Epstein's island. No, she was a Trump employee.

Another mentioned Epstein as having powerful connections, like Clinton and Trump. See? One sodomized her, and one paid her appropriate compensation for the job she did. That's the same thing, right?

Patriot Eke , 28 minutes ago

Sex trafficking should be punishable by death. So many young women (and men) disappear each year just in the USA, and they cannot all possibly be runaways. Plenty of evidence you're guilty of kidnapping and forcing children and young adults into sex? Stand against the wall. I'll gladly put a bullet in you. There would be no problem getting volunteers, and bullets are cheap.

JoeTurner , 27 minutes ago

Molloch and Lucifer would not be pleased if child trafficking were abolished.

JBLight , 25 minutes ago

Approximately 33,000 children missing in the US every year. By the numbers- Missing persons in the USA

And it's not just about the lucrative trafficking. A large portion of these children become **** "actors" after years of sexual trauma. Thus making the pigs even more money. This is why this operation has been so heavily guarded and protected.

buzzsaw99 , 36 minutes ago

scandal, yeah right. i doubt it will even make it into the msm. the evidence will be gathered and destroyed by comey's daughter. like father, like daughter. his crimes in florida have already been whitewashed. zhers are the only people in this country who even know this is going on. go ahead, ask someone if they've ever heard of epstein, they'll probably say welcome back kotter or some ****.

JBLight , 27 minutes ago

Where have you been the last 2 days?

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=jeffrey+epstein+arrest&t=h_&ia=news&iar=news

It's everywhere and will continue to grow.

TheABaum , 13 minutes ago

"If Catholic clergy pedophilia didn't do it."

Eighty percent of the abuse (caveat: one case of any is too much); wasn't "pedophilia" but more properly homosexual behavior. That it happened there was your first clue that it was everywhere.

In my relatively small area, there's been something like 8 or ten cases of middle 20's teachers-messing around with students. If they are boys, everybody says "lucky stiff". My mother (long, long ago) went to school with a girl who got knocked up by the gym teacher.

Now its organized and promoted.

romanmoment , 34 minutes ago

Just like "drain the swamp" and "lock her up", I have my evidence based doubts that anything will happen to anyone. I have just lost faith in accountability in the United States....no, I've lost faith in accountability in the world.

Here's the thing. I'm as perverted as the next guy, at least the next average American male. I appreciate beautiful women and if they're particularly enthusiastic about sex then I appreciate them even more.

But, and I mean this sincerely, I would never, ever physically or sexually harm a child. In fact, at 53 years old, I look at a 25 year old woman as more child than adult. The people who prey on children for sexual or physical domination are sick motherfuckers and are not men, I'd kill everyone of them willingly if I could. There's no rationale, no excuse and no forgiving people who hurt or exploit children. People like Epstein are rodents.

TheABaum , 11 minutes ago

I know we just got over Pride month, but digging chicks is normal for males, not perverted.

bunkers , 50 minutes ago

This will be bait and switch... Start with Epstein. Switch to Trump

Comey is the prosecutor

The judge is a Clinton appointee.

AG Barr and Rosen recused themselves.

The investigations are in Trump home towns, Manhattan and Palm Beach.

Yup, Bait and Switch.

Know thy enemy , 51 minutes ago

Good article but I did not find the deeper more insidious information that other media sources have determined was actually going on, i.e. Jeffery Epstein's business was blackmail.

Calling himself a Money Manager gave him the toolbox to invite his wealthy friends to his Island, get them very fucked up, and then let them have sex with his underage victims. Everyone of these very important and wealthy people were secretly filmed and subsequently blackmailed, for large sums, disguised as quarterly payments to his money management firm.

Many of these wealthy men and women are now themselves 'victims' are their own stupidity, sense of superiority, and misguided belief that they were above the law.

This is going to be historic........

Mustafa Kemal , 40 minutes ago

"This is going to be historic......."

If you really pull on this thread, you are going to uncover ALOT.

According to Handrahan

https://soundcloud.com/guns-and-butter-1/americas-traffic-in-child-***********-lori-handrahan-381

we have a huge, not just pedophile problem, but sado pedophelia industry dominated by the US and the UK.

Peak Finance , 1 hour ago

LOLZ

SDNY is where evidence goes to die

Just ask Weiner and the laptop with all of the secrets that just "disappeared"

This case will be closed by Monday, Maybe next Friday the latest

Remember these people investigated 30,000 emails in 72 hours somehow, and then just simply declared everyone involved innocent, and then dared anyone to do anything about it

dead hobo , 1 hour ago

So, according to the little black book, Hillary did not find her way to Orgy Island?

Makes sense to me.

Good way to clear an island.

El Vaquero , 1 hour ago

The little black book was a list of contact information for people. Lots of means of getting contact info and lots of reasons to have it. A name being in it doesn't imply much. It's the flight logs of the Lolita Express that people should be interested in.

William Dorritt , 1 hour ago

NSA if you are listening

If you are not actively monitoring every

Failure to intercept the Extortion and Blackmail calls that are coming in is a total failure to defend the US.

There is little to no doubt Epstein works for a State actor.

PGR88 , 1 hour ago

yeah, Epstein is bad - but I'd rather see John Brennan hanging from a lamppost for an attempted coup and treason against the Constitution. We won't see justice in either case.

Give Me Some Truth , 1 hour ago

Epstein will NOT be offered a deal. Whether he "gives up names" or doesn't give up names, he is going to prison for a significant amount of time.

Those he could "give up" will not be exposed.

I'm not saying that authorities couldn't offer him a deal if they wanted to, they could. But if they let Epstein make a deal, they would have to also investigate and prosecute all of the men who used the services of Epstein's army of underage "massage therapists."

Alas, the government does not want to go down this road, a road that would show the world the true nature of so many of our iconic "leaders."

If authorities really wanted to nab these people, they would have arrested and put pressure on his top assistant, Ms. Maxwell. They have not done this. Probably will not do this. This tells us they are not really seeking to "out" any of the Johns.

Epstein alone is the fall guy and perhaps a few officials that went along with that sham plea deal 10 years ago will get some kind of slap on the wrist.

Now, I guess Epstein could still "talk." Write a letter from jail or agree to a Barbara Walters interview in the pen if the prison system allowed such an interview (which they would not). But even if he did this, it wouldn't reduce his sentence ... so why do this?

Everyone breathes easier if a "deal" is NOT offered.

ZIRPY , 1 hour ago

If Eps has proof of sex with underage girls then he will get a deal.

Give Me Some Truth , 1 hour ago

The prosecutors also don't want to face the charge that they are "making a deal" with one of the world's most infamous sex traffickers and pedophiles. It's easy for them to not offer such a person a deal (especially after the "deal" he got last time).

Any "leverage" Epstein had disappeared when he was arrested. My guess is they are not going to let him out (even on bail) for a long, long time, if ever. He's too dangerous on the outside. They can control what he says or doesn't say a lot easier in a jail cell.

Even if he wanted to talk at this point, I'm not sure how he would get any words out to the world. He's kind of like Julian Assange was. He has no real way to communicate with the world.

Epstein thought he had all this leverage and in the end he didn't have any. Actually, his best hope might be if his former assistant threatened to "sing." He could threaten: You give me what I want or I'm going to make sure that Maxwell brings everyone down, etc.

But she ain't playing along and is keeping her distance from this guy. And, as noted, she hasn't even been arrested. She is as free as the breeze.

21st.century , 1 hour ago

it's a 20yr minimum for possession of any underage , **** images . I had unenviable duty to serve as a jury member on just such a case .

images in a footlocker of a guilty a-hole that possessed the locker ... piles of pictures ( not underage , but equally as bad ) stuck on walls

computer HD's jammed with images .... but the criminal images were found too.

keep in mind-- JE doesn't have to implicate others --- if others can be linked by evidence found-- then sdny has only one duty -- to arrest them too.

Anonymous IX , 45 minutes ago

If I remember correctly, las, the Jerry Lee marriage to his cousin was an enormous scandal. Most people, in that day and age, disapproved, and Jerry Lee suffered from their censure.

What's the difference between "having sex" and using someone for sex? Here's how Ms. Ward described the account from her sources:

What I had "on the girls" were some remarkably brave first-person accounts. Three on-the-record stories from a family: a mother and her daughters who came from Phoenix. The oldest daughter, an artist whose character was vouchsafed to me by several sources, including the artist Eric Fischl, had told me, weeping as she sat in my living room, of how Epstein had attempted to seduce both her and, separately, her younger sister, then only 16.

He'd gotten to them because of his money. He'd promised the older sister patronage of her art work; he'd promised the younger funding for a trip abroad that would give her the work experience she needed on her résumé for a place at an Ivy League university, which she desperately wanted -- and would win.

The girls' mother told me by phone that she had thought her daughters would be safe under Epstein's roof, not least because he phoned her to reassure her, and she also knew he had Ghislaine Maxwell with him at all times.

When the girls' mother learned that Epstein had, regardless, allegedly molested her 16-year-old daughter, she'd wanted to fight back. "At the time I wanted to go after him. I mean, physically, mentally, you know, in every way, shape, and form. And the advice I was given was, you know, he is so wealthy, he can fight you, he can make you look ridiculous, he can make your daughters look ridiculous, plus he can hurt them. And that was the thing that frightened me was that he would know where they lived and could possibly just send somebody when they walk the dog at night or something around the corner, and we'd never hear from them again," she told me.

When I put their allegations to Epstein, he denied them and went into overdrive. He called Graydon. He also repeatedly phoned me. He said, "Just the mention of a 16-year-old girl carries the wrong impression. I don't see what it adds to the piece. And that makes me unhappy."

https://www.thedailybeast.com/i-tried-to-warn-you-about-sleazy-billionaire-jeffrey-epstein-in-2003

Most guys don't "get it." We aren't talking "having sex." We are talking about using your power to gain physical and emotional control over a young girl, who may think she can handle herself, but allow me to disabuse of that antiquated notion. No matter how mature or sophisticated a young girl of 13-15 thinks she is, she cannot in the remotest stretch of anyone's imagination compete against an Epstein. Once he's convinced her to take off her clothes and do what he desires, she realizes how dumb she was. I was lucky. I was basically an out-of-control 13-15 (two alcoholic parents) years old, but I didn't care about money, fame, and material objects. I was just dumb lucky. And I hated to be controlled. And I was in rebellion against my parents and living situation at the time. I've had guys masturbate in front of me because I wouldn't give them what they wanted. I've seen a lot.

Reference Variable , 1 hour ago

Poor Bob Menendez. Poor Bill Clinton. Poor Tony Podesta.

Who will be implicated first? Who will roll first? LOL!

from_the_ashes , 1 hour ago

That happened quite some time back...

https://cloverchronicle.com/2019/01/05/massive-fire-spotted-on-private-island-owned-by-billionaire-jeffrey-epstein/

TBT or not TBT , 1 hour ago

This is only happening to Epstein now because the Clintons are now dispensable, and none of the other federal prosecutor abuse could get anyone to sing anything credible against Trump. Epstein will compose not just sing, at the request of the SDNY.

Clashfan , 1 hour ago

CONNECTION TO AIRCRAFT SHARED BY JEFFREY EPSTEIN, THE CIA, AND DYNCORP

Voat user Freed0mFighter uncovered a special report on Occurrences: Foreign and Domestic (archived)(original PDF)identifying the fact that one of Jeffrey Epstein's suspected trafficking aircraft shared the same tail number as a State department Bronco used under contract by DynCorp. The use of the tail number can be corroborated by official government records.[9]This would mean that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked underage girls using aircraft of the same tail number and during the same time period as DynCorp when they trafficked minors in Bosnia and other parts of the Balkan states. If issued by some sort of accident or if one of the two planes was decommissioned, the statistical odds of just two planes sharing the same number would still be over 1 in over 900,000.[10] Special thanks to User:PeterVenkman, and see also section on Connection to identified criminal activities in Bosnia

detached.amusement , 1 hour ago

GO AHEAD MAUREEEN, JUST TRY IT!!!!!!!!!

Samual Vimes , 1 hour ago

They fucked uo the secondary issues in the Weiner case pretty well.

Sp4Ce F@rCe , 42 minutes ago

Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, is reportedly a prosecutor in the new criminal case against convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

If his daughter has as much integrety as James....Epstein will walk.

alfbell , 23 minutes ago

They aren't investigating Epstein's whole sphere of activity. Not even looking into his island sex paradise. Plus, the judge is a Clinton appointee and one of the prosecutors is Comey's daughter. Rigged.

[Jul 10, 2019] Not NY FBI, but a Miami lawyer Paul Cassell who was responsible for reopening this case

Notable quotes:
"... The cover up & sweetheart deal Epstein got in 2008 is very similar in handling to the sweetheart deal Hillary got from the DOJ/FBI in 2016. ..."
"... Epstein helped start the Clinton Foundation in 2005 with $4 million and made continuous contributions in addition to shuttling Bill to Orgy Island 27 times ..."
"... Blaming it on Acosta is shutting down any investigation is negation of the truth. He was too low on the totem pole to cut this deal. He had to have approval from Main Justice. Mueller was FBI head at the time. ..."
"... Sex trafficking of children is a big business in the US & Epstein was involved according to TrafficKing: Jeffrey Epstein human trafficking case by Conchita Sarnoff. ..."
"... She is right. Pretty obvious. If not a state sponsor this punk would have been dead a long time ago. Someone is protecting him ..."
"... Lots of someones. Epstein had cameras in his home. He cultivated powerful people. Got himself on the Trilateral Committee with Henry Kissinger and on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation. Donated $30 million to Harvard & was friends with Larry Summer who was then Harvard president. He held fundraisers for prominent Democrats and donated to their campaigns. ..."
"... Bill Clinton was just one of his powerful "friends". This goes deep ..."
"... So according to Ann, it was some lawyer named Paul Casel (not sure of the last name spelling) that was responsible for reopening this case. So, this has nothing to do with Trump draining the swamp. In fact, it reads that the Miami Herald did more foot work than the current justice department. ..."
"... It is strange. But remember, it's the Miami Herald. Not the NY Times or the Washington Post. They probably didn't fell the need to control the Miami Herald as tightly, and a real reporter slipped through the cracks. ..."
"... Mike Cernovich - a lawyer and independent blogger who also uncovered the Congressional sex slush fund and got Conyers to resign - sued to have the records unsealed. ..."
"... Paul Cassell, former Federal District Judge from 2002-2007 represents some of the victims. He and Brad Edwards, also representing victims, have been instrumental in the civil cases and keeping this alive. ..."
"... Read the whole story from Conchita Sarnoff, an anti sex trafficking crusader who has investigated this story for years and wrote: TrafficKing: Jeffrey Epstein human trafficking case ..."
Jul 10, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

SummerSausage , 20 minutes ago

The cover up & sweetheart deal Epstein got in 2008 is very similar in handling to the sweetheart deal Hillary got from the DOJ/FBI in 2016.

In both years, Hillary was the presumed Dem nominee and shoo in for president.

Epstein helped start the Clinton Foundation in 2005 with $4 million and made continuous contributions in addition to shuttling Bill to Orgy Island 27 times.

That could have been very embarrassing for Hillary in 2008. May also explain Obama's sudden rise by the same people who covered up the Epstein affair.

Blaming it on Acosta is shutting down any investigation is negation of the truth. He was too low on the totem pole to cut this deal. He had to have approval from Main Justice. Mueller was FBI head at the time.

Even after Epstein did time and was registered in NY as a level 3 sex offender (highest classification) George Stephanopolous, Katie Couric, Chelsea Handler and Woody Allen came to his house for dinner and he kept thousands of pictures of nude children. Epstein felt protected.

Sex trafficking of children is a big business in the US & Epstein was involved according to TrafficKing: Jeffrey Epstein human trafficking case by Conchita Sarnoff.

Dems must know that cartels are trafficking kids for the sex trade over the southern border.

Berspankme , 34 minutes ago

She is right. Pretty obvious. If not a state sponsor this punk would have been dead a long time ago. Someone is protecting him

SummerSausage , 20 minutes ago

Lots of someones. Epstein had cameras in his home. He cultivated powerful people. Got himself on the Trilateral Committee with Henry Kissinger and on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation. Donated $30 million to Harvard & was friends with Larry Summer who was then Harvard president. He held fundraisers for prominent Democrats and donated to their campaigns.

Bill Clinton was just one of his powerful "friends". This goes deep.

MushroomCloud2020 , 31 minutes ago

So according to Ann, it was some lawyer named Paul Casel (not sure of the last name spelling) that was responsible for reopening this case. So, this has nothing to do with Trump draining the swamp. In fact, it reads that the Miami Herald did more foot work than the current justice department.

Trump even stated he knew nothing about the case. Strange that the media, which we all love to call fake, did its job pretty good this time???

Chupacabra , 10 minutes ago

It is strange. But remember, it's the Miami Herald. Not the NY Times or the Washington Post. They probably didn't fell the need to control the Miami Herald as tightly, and a real reporter slipped through the cracks.

SummerSausage , 9 minutes ago

Mike Cernovich - a lawyer and independent blogger who also uncovered the Congressional sex slush fund and got Conyers to resign - sued to have the records unsealed.

As he got low on funds the Miami Herald came in to assist.

Paul Cassell, former Federal District Judge from 2002-2007 represents some of the victims. He and Brad Edwards, also representing victims, have been instrumental in the civil cases and keeping this alive.

Read the whole story from Conchita Sarnoff, an anti sex trafficking crusader who has investigated this story for years and wrote: TrafficKing: Jeffrey Epstein human trafficking case

[Jul 10, 2019] And now a word from our State Sponsor: Top politicians, adolescent girls, what could go wrong?

Notable quotes:
"... Well, one big happy family they all are. I bet there are reunion photos of them all together somewhere on an island. ..."
"... can't wait until uniCRIME Bush Clan is brought down along with uniCRIME Clinton Clan in their Epstein crime caper...oh wait, its all in the wash. ..."
"... The President of the Mukasey, Acosta, Epstein deal?: George W. Bush. "I only hire the best." MOSSAD CIA handled Donald Trump. ..."
"... Mueller was FBI Director then. Do you think he would have passed up the chance for a super informant like that? Mueller's wet dream to have such information on the Elite and Powerful. Epstein certainly was working for the FBI, at least after his first arrest. ..."
Jul 10, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

beemasters , 1 hour ago

According to the Miami Herald, Acosta secretly negotiated with Jay Lefkowitz, a partner at Kirland & Ellis. Acosta was previously a partner in that same law firm. Ken Starr is another Kirkland attorney.

MushroomCloud2020 , 1 hour ago

Well, one big happy family they all are. I bet there are reunion photos of them all together somewhere on an island.

June 12 1776 , 1 hour ago

can't wait until uniCRIME Bush Clan is brought down along with uniCRIME Clinton Clan in their Epstein crime caper...oh wait, its all in the wash.

The President of the Mukasey, Acosta, Epstein deal?: George W. Bush. "I only hire the best." MOSSAD CIA handled Donald Trump.

Vitam Impendere Vero

Thom Paine , 2 hours ago

Mueller was FBI Director then. Do you think he would have passed up the chance for a super informant like that? Mueller's wet dream to have such information on the Elite and Powerful. Epstein certainly was working for the FBI, at least after his first arrest.

Savvy , 2 hours ago

Top politicians, adolescent girls, what could go wrong?

Good grief.

Mouldy , 3 hours ago

Epstein - links to elites

Douchbank collapse

China defaulting

JPM/CIA coke bust

These are mostly deep state operations, is there a war going on we aren't aware of ?

[Jul 10, 2019] Jeffrey Epstein Is the Ultimate Symbol of Plutocratic Rot by MICHELLE GOLDBERG

Notable quotes:
"... Powerful elites enabled the financier accused of trafficking underage girls ..."
"... Over the last couple of months, Ward told me, she's started going through transcripts of the interviews about Epstein she did more than 16 years ago. "What is so amazing to me is how his entire social circle knew about this and just blithely overlooked it," she said of his penchant for adolescents. While praising his charm, brilliance and generous donations to Harvard, those she spoke to, she said, "all mentioned the girls, as an aside." ..."
"... Both sides are likely right. The Epstein case is first and foremost about the casual victimization of vulnerable girls. But it is also a political scandal, if not a partisan one. It reveals a deep corruption among mostly male elites across parties, and the way the very rich can often purchase impunity for even the most loathsome of crimes. ..."
"... In the deal he never admitted having actual sex with any of the girls, and he insists he thought they were over 18, so basically all he has ever got a deal on was acts well short of sex with 16-18 years olds who were paid. ..."
"... Some of them named in the old indictment are now saying they were 2 years younger and had sex with all these VIPs. Doubt it. Still, Epstein's previous admissions mean nobody will believe him if a girl says she was 14 not 18, and he is a tempting target tor civil suits which testifying in a criminal case are a basis for. ..."
"... Cernovich and Dershowitz filed their suit on 19 JAN 2017, 10 days after Trump's inauguration. Obama's DoJ screwed up and the judge ruled in their favor 2.5 years later. Then Epstein's immediately arrested. ..."
"... This RT article reminds us the Republicans tried to use Bill's links with Epstein during the 2016 election, while providing other details. ..."
"... Perhaps Trump is the target? Time will tell. ..."
"... If Epstein was Mossad, then what is arch-zio Dershowitz doing in the trap? ..."
"... Mobster jeffrey epstein's wealth didn't come from being a "financier" ( he is a dull wit w/o market knowledge), it came from his fellow co-mobster , steven hoffenberger , swindling over $650 million from gullible goys in Towers Financial. ..."
"... Possible Mossad connection via Ghislaine Maxwell. https://www.unz.com/isteve/jeffrey-epstein-and-foreign-intelligence/ ..."
Jul 10, 2019 | www.unz.com

Originally from THE NEW YORK TIMES • JULY 9, 2019 • 17 COMMENTS

Powerful elites enabled the financier accused of trafficking underage girls

In 2003, the journalist Vicky Ward profiled Jeffrey Epstein , the financier indicted Monday on charges of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls, for Vanity Fair. Her piece painted him as an enigmatic Jay Gatsby type, a boy from a middle-class family in Brooklyn who had scaled the rungs of the plutocracy, though no one could quite figure out how he made his money. It detailed dubious business dealings and mentioned that Epstein often had lots of beautiful young women around. But it left out Ward's most important finding.

Twelve years later, in The Daily Beast , Ward wrote about how, in the course of her reporting, two sisters allegedly preyed upon by Epstein, as well as their mother, had spoken to her on the record. But shortly before the story went to press, Ward wrote, the Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter cut that section, saying, of Epstein, "He's sensitive about the young women." ( In a statement on Monday , Carter said Ward's reporting hadn't been solid enough.)

Over the last couple of months, Ward told me, she's started going through transcripts of the interviews about Epstein she did more than 16 years ago. "What is so amazing to me is how his entire social circle knew about this and just blithely overlooked it," she said of his penchant for adolescents. While praising his charm, brilliance and generous donations to Harvard, those she spoke to, she said, "all mentioned the girls, as an aside."

On Saturday evening, more than a decade after receiving a sweetheart plea deal in an earlier sex crime case, Epstein was arrested after getting off a private flight from Paris. He has been accused of exploiting and abusing "dozens" of minor girls, some as young as 14, and conspiring with others to traffic them. Epstein's arrest was the rare event that gratified right and left alike, both because it seemed that justice might finally be done, and because each side has reason to believe that if Epstein goes down, he could bring some of its enemies with him.

Both sides are likely right. The Epstein case is first and foremost about the casual victimization of vulnerable girls. But it is also a political scandal, if not a partisan one. It reveals a deep corruption among mostly male elites across parties, and the way the very rich can often purchase impunity for even the most loathsome of crimes. If it were fiction, it would be both too sordid and too on-the-nose to be believable, like a season of "True Detective" penned by a doctrinaire Marxist.


Mungerite , says: July 9, 2019 at 8:50 pm GMT

The funny thing about the Trump quote in the original NYMag article on Epstein is that it's probably the most honest description of the guy, with a none-too-subtle nod to the man's predilections.

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/

foolisholdman , says: July 9, 2019 at 9:31 pm GMT

"The Ultimate Symbol"? I beg leave to doubt it! I suspect that the plutocratic rot is very wide and very deep and "Kiddy fiddling" which is what Jeffrey Epstein seems to be accused of, is only a small (and not the worst) part of it. If he "sings" I think there is no telling how far it will go, but probably he won't and this whole evil mess will slink back into the shadows and silence, with the active help of the media.
Come to think about it, probably even if he does sing, that too will be supressed.

George , says: July 9, 2019 at 10:29 pm GMT

China feared CIA worked with Sheldon Adelson's Macau casinos to snare officials

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/22/china-cia-sheldon-adelson-macau-casinos

Sean , says: July 10, 2019 at 2:07 am GMT

Ward wrote about how, in the course of her reporting, two sisters allegedly preyed upon by Epstein, as well as their mother, had spoken to her on the record.

They said they were all over 18 in other words. He certainly had young women about but Michael Wolff said they ones he say on his plane were visibly late teens or twenty.

No way in hell would someone be trusted with billionaire's money who had ovbiously under age girls around him and was heading for a plea deal in which he might be under so much pressure he would reveal his clients' financial crimes . And it is hardly in keeping with the Gatsby image so important to him. I think he had the young but legal girls for show, no one saw the obvious children but him. He kept the criminal conduct away from visitors, especially ones he posed as a philanthropist to. Someone in his position could not afford to get a reputation for having criminal culpability in anything. He was tax scam artist, and secret sex offender.

On Saturday evening, more than a decade after receiving a sweetheart plea deal in an earlier sex crime case, Epstein was arrested after getting off a private flight from Paris. He has been accused of exploiting and abusing "dozens" of minor girls, some as young as 14, and conspiring with others to traffic them.

People with his money rarely plead guilty. He admitted guilt to get the deal. The new charges he is arrested on say he was the only customer or client , so "trafficking" is quite deceptive.

In the deal he never admitted having actual sex with any of the girls, and he insists he thought they were over 18, so basically all he has ever got a deal on was acts well short of sex with 16-18 years olds who were paid.

Some of them named in the old indictment are now saying they were 2 years younger and had sex with all these VIPs. Doubt it. Still, Epstein's previous admissions mean nobody will believe him if a girl says she was 14 not 18, and he is a tempting target tor civil suits which testifying in a criminal case are a basis for. I don't see him as being all that powerful because money makes you a continuing target of people wanting financial restitution from people down on their luck and no longer able to make money from their looks.

Getting a sweet plea deal for those things was just storing up trouble for the future for someone as rich as him.

karlof1 , Jul 11 2019 5:28 utc | 130
mrtmbrnmn @127

Cernovich and Dershowitz filed their suit on 19 JAN 2017, 10 days after Trump's inauguration. Obama's DoJ screwed up and the judge ruled in their favor 2.5 years later. Then Epstein's immediately arrested.

This RT article reminds us the Republicans tried to use Bill's links with Epstein during the 2016 election, while providing other details. Maybe the stories used in the Steele Dossier on Trump aren't from Russia at all but were collected through Epstein's operation?

Perhaps Trump is the target? Time will tell.

Shyaku , Jul 11 2019 5:38 utc | 132
Epstein, being richer, gets to act out Weiner's fantasy for approximately the same price as the fantasy. If Epstein was Mossad, then what is arch-zio Dershowitz doing in the trap?

- Shyaku

Krollchem , Jul 11 2019 5:46 utc | 133
"Jeffrey Epstein shipped a shredder from the U.S. Virgin Islands to his Palm Beach home in July 2008, shortly after reaching a non-prosecution agreement with then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta, maritime records show. Then, in March of this year, shortly after a Florida federal judge invalidated that agreement, Epstein shipped a tile and carpet extractor from the Virgin Islands to his Manhattan townhouse, the records show."

https://theintercept.com/2019/07/09/jeffrey-epstein-sex-trafficking-shredder/

anon , Jul 11 2019 7:19 utc | 135

Mobster jeffrey epstein's wealth didn't come from being a "financier" ( he is a dull wit w/o market knowledge), it came from his fellow co-mobster , steven hoffenberger , swindling over $650 million from gullible goys in Towers Financial.

I believe nearly all of these ((( "financiers" and "hedge fund managers" ))) are just money laundering for the massive Israhell mob. Most are operated from offshore banks, without auditing, I.e. soros' quantum fund.

curious man , Jul 11 2019 8:52 utc | 138
Posted by: asdf | Jul 10 2019 18:13 utc | 1

Possible Mossad connection via Ghislaine Maxwell. https://www.unz.com/isteve/jeffrey-epstein-and-foreign-intelligence/

Spying for Israel Is Consequence Free
http://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/spying-for-israel-is-consequence-free/

[Jul 10, 2019] I can see this slicing the Gordian knot in multiple ways

Notable quotes:
"... This Tom Luongo guy has the naïveté of a 6 year old. He actually believes that Trump has enough courage and political power base to challenge the well connected high profile pedophile ring where the CIA and the FBI may well have been a principal participant. ..."
"... I've suspected there are two factions in DS, one pushing the NWO death and destruction route, the other more sane side pushing end of empire, conciliation and fixing the homeland. It would explain the weird reversals, half-hearted military strikes, contradictions in policy, stunning non sequiturs that come out of the White House, the crazy then sane tweets, obviously written by different people. We may never know. ..."
"... I'm still waiting to find out what was on Weiner's laptop. ..."
Jul 10, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

NYC80 , 7 minutes ago

I can see this slicing the Gordian knot in multiple ways.

First, I know someone who does basically what Epstein does, so I get how it works. He's at a slightly lower level, I suppose, but part of his job is clearly to lure prominent people, and those on a strong upward trajectory, into compromising situations in order to blackmail them. He tried to do this to me, twice. I told my wife, at the time. She was somewhat incredulous (she has met him many dozens of times, as well, and he's charming), but, ultimately, she agreed there was no other explanation.

I've had time to contemplate all this, and one thing struck me - I still talk to this person. He's extraordinarily well connected. He's fun to be around, even if I haven't visited certain locations with him. I would never, in a million years, want him to be my enemy, and that's why I've never disclosed to anyone other than my wife any specifics.

I'm hopeful it will all come out, as this type of thing has been used to facilitate corruption, but I also feel sorry for the people whose lives will be ruined, and especially for their wives and children. For what it's worth, people should go easy on them. I was lucky. I enjoy drinking, at least enough of one to definitely know how I respond to alcohol. The first time this happened, I was sharing a glass of ridiculously expensive and delicious scotch with the individual I referenced. I suddenly realized I was far more drunk than I should have been based on what I'd had. It was from his private stash, and I'm positive he'd slipped something in the drink. He'd been asking some odd questions, and had just invited me to a mansion, in NYC, for a sort of "party" (it could easily have been at Epstein's house, as we are in similar circles). I was about to agree to go when I realized just how odd the situation was. I excused myself, immediately ordered an Uber, and abruptly left without a proper goodbye to get into the car. I passed out on the drive back to my apartment, but the driver woke me up and I managed to stumble inside and get to bed.

If I hadn't had that moment of clarity, or if there'd been no Uber and he'd simply offered to have his driver take me home on his way to the party, I could very easily have ended up in one of those CDs full of compromising information. I got lucky. These other guys didn't. When their names are dragged through the mud, we should cut them a little slack.

napper , 8 hours ago

This Tom Luongo guy has the naïveté of a 6 year old. He actually believes that Trump has enough courage and political power base to challenge the well connected high profile pedophile ring where the CIA and the FBI may well have been a principal participant. Expect some suicides and mysterious accidents when things begin to get saucy.

The scandal is too big to be uncovered.

YAMAHA32073 , 8 hours ago

Donald was signing along to Mc Hammer, cant touch this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo

IvannaHumpalot , 9 hours ago

Trump did F*** all. Epstein has been arrested for one reason only. Mike Cernovich started a legal case to get the documents on his trial unsealed. It would have looked too bad if the contents of that hit the headlines and nothing was done. Trump can get f****d

dickbutt down-under , 11 hours ago

pelosi's daughter is unveiling her top twenty fave child rapists.

https://twitter.com/sfpelosi/status/1147657745253855233

(same link in article)

Julot_Fr , 14 hours ago

Good article but as usual, one must seek the lie by omission by Luongo.. in that case it should be that Epstein is israeli agent and this law suit should brake some shakles from 'foreign interference' is us policies..

𝑲𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒚 𝑼𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒆 , 14 hours ago

I wonder if Epstein will even make it to trial? My thought is there is, or will be a price on his head. There are too many Elites, with too much to lose, to ever risk Epstein squealing.

Shift For Brains , 12 hours ago

Watch for signs like MSM news stories that say:

If you see those types of stories, Unca Jeffy's lifespan will be measured in days or a few weeks. He'll be found dead of an overdose, bullet to the head or massive (induced) heart attack.

"So tragic, we could have broken open this case and caught a lot of bad people but now (sigh) we'll just never know."

ChaoKrungThep , 15 hours ago

Trump is a punk. He doesn't allow; he is sometimes allowed. He follows orders; his own orders are ignored. Just watch his mumbling about events obviously beyond his ken. He's led by the nose the whole time. Which's safe. That fool could start a war over cold coffee.

yogibear , 16 hours ago

Photos of Bill Clinton a under-aged girls somewhere? Drunk with power.

Rubicon727 , 17 hours ago

Is this another piece of "journalism" by Tom Tuongo? If so, beware.

He's the same writer who heralded Italy's Salvino because he had started the domino effect with "Mini-Bots" in Italy. WRONG!! Luongo reminds my well informed sources in Europe as someone, a foreigner looking afar at an issue. As a result. Luongo was wrong about Mini-bots.

He's committed the same OOPS ..... errors, repeatedly, over the last few months.

The guy doesn't even understand how the US Legal System is largely paid off by the 1% Billionaires, like Epstein, and/or, the judges who have won lucrative positions high in the court system based on their allegiance to the top 5% super wealthy.

Is-Be , 11 hours ago

Goodness! Is there no hope then? May I suggest nuclear war to rid the planet of all this evil life?

Totally_Disillusioned , 17 hours ago

Make no mistake about Epstein's arrest...he's the sacrificial lamb to get Trump. Epstein is expendable - he was sloppy and arrogant.

Even if he takes a few Dimwits with him, it will be worth it if they get Trump.

The Deep State has run out of options eliminating Trump...he's too well protected, mil intel has tightened up the loose bolts and POTUS favorability ratings are on the move upward - now over 50%.

They'e tried everything from trying to gin up war with Russia, Syria, NoKorea and Iran - didn't work. So it's back to the fake innuendo and false smearing.

ChaoKrungThep , 15 hours ago

I've suspected there are two factions in DS, one pushing the NWO death and destruction route, the other more sane side pushing end of empire, conciliation and fixing the homeland. It would explain the weird reversals, half-hearted military strikes, contradictions in policy, stunning non sequiturs that come out of the White House, the crazy then sane tweets, obviously written by different people. We may never know.

Smi1ey , 17 hours ago

I'm still waiting to find out what was on Weiner's laptop.

Also, this time of year we remember Seth Rich.

Maybe there should be a vigil.

Drop-Hammer , 18 hours ago

Uh, don't be too sure. The Deep State/D.C. Swamp/(((Elites))) protect their own. Jeffrey is expendable and will very soon suffer a Seth Rich 'suicide' with two bullets in his back or have an Acme safe falling on his head type accident.

The idea is that they need to get rid of Jeffrey, so they can bury away the whole thing in time for the 2020 election. No sense in having a loose cannon pedo out there causing controversy.

SirBarksAlot , 15 hours ago

But do they need Jeffrey, now that they have the vault of photos labeled with the names of the pedos participating in the ****???

Generation O , 18 hours ago

Nobody is commenting on the shallowness of sexual allegations as determinative of national and global policies. Can we please discuss the theft of tens of trillions of dollars for the elites' survival facilities, inexcusable military waste, and for ridding nations of their children for oil, Sumerian artifacts, and cozy alliances with thugs who are on their way out in historical terms?

If you only knew how issues such as paedophilia have formed the secretive fabric of American intelligence agencies' obsessions as expressed in their collusively-produced films. What a bloody curiousity to behold impassioned and suggestive rhetoric regarding allegations of paedophilia when there has not been anywhere near the impassioned interest in - for example - the annihilation of more than 600,000 Iraqi boys and girls for oil and Sumerian artifacts. And that number apparently pales - if you listen to statements by the Speaker of Iraq

's Parliament - to the number of Christian children who have been beheaded and otherwise slaughtered by America's ISIS terrorists. If it turned out that Tony Blair delighted himself with teenagers down in the Caribbean (although with the $50 million given to him for the Iraq sellout, he should have been able to buy anything he wanted), how does that compare to having supported the Bushes in what was done to the Iraqi people and nation?

They even bombed Iraq's only facility that produced baby products. And then there was Serbia, Rwanda, Yemen, etc. etc. etc. where American "intervention" or the lack of it (Rwanda) cost hundreds of thousands more lives for no good reason. But yeah, leave the kids alone.

We may need them in a decade or two to kill other peoples' kids. The older I get, the less I am averse to the role of a pariah, watching a nation dutifully satiate itself with films profiting from Government's cruel crimes.

ComradeChe , 19 hours ago

Epstein will roll over and start singing. There was stash of Lolita happy snaps in his safe, and likely there are moving pictures-- videos-- stashed somewhere. Given his guest list on Pedo Island there are likely to be a few surprises.

The question is-- will Epstein even make it to his trial. Whitey burger was an embarrassment to the FBI, and he didn't last six hours in the General Population. If you think it was an "administrative oversight" that put him there you are living under the wrong rainbow.

If Jeffery lives through the next six months, I'll be astounded. In the mean time, some of his friends will soon be heading for their nuclear bolt holes in the south pacific.

AKKadian , 19 hours ago

Well I'll be damned. Luongo being objective at least a little bit! It's about the filth in high places. Taking money is one thing, child rape well that is evil and that cannot be tolerated.

Stop Bush and Clinton , 19 hours ago

Unfortunately, this is just wishful thinking.

Trump has nothing to do with Epstein's arrest (remember that Trump is also on the list of Epstein's passengers!). He has been arrested because there's some people in the justice system who aren't totally corrupted (the arrest happened because a judge decided a previous judge's verdict was invalid), and Trump couldn't do anything to stop it.

Epstein will either be released quickly with an apology saying the arrest was in error, or else he'll be found dead in his cell (of "natural causes" of course) before he can spill the beans on either Clinton or Trump, or any of the other criminals who joined him.

FreedomWriter , 11 hours ago

I doubt that, Epstein's arrest is the latest in a major sweep of human traffickers and pedos within the US and worldwide. The more they arrest, the more will squeal. And the gloves are off now. Don't forget Trump's EO from 2017:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-blocking-property-persons-involved-serious-human-rights-abuse-corruption/

The order rightly singles out the national security implications of high-level blackmail and will allow the seizure of assets. A lot of bricking right now in DC, I suspect.

This was tailor-made to take down people like Epstein, particularly when the blackmail material is recovered (likely already the case). Expect high-level resignations, arrests, suicides and worse.

Enjoy the show.

Stop Bush and Clinton , 7 hours ago

I hope you're right, but I don't think so.

That executive order can be read in 2 ways.

Read it as someone who likes Trump, and you see an executive order designed to go after the likes of Epstein and possibly even Clinton.

Read it as someone who strongly distrusts Trump (I think he's the lesser evil compared to Hitlery Clinton and he'll likely be the lesser evil in 2020 again, but especially after his embassy move, his warmongering in Syria, his backing out of the Iran deal [one of 2 things Obama did in 8 years that I agreed with], his failure (at least so far) to drain the swamp and lock her up, etc., I think he can't be trusted), and you see an executive order designed to go after Putin, Xi, Rouhani, Maduro and other foreign leaders the Deep State doesn't like (it's rather easy to make some exaggerated claim of Russia, China, Iran or Venezuela being involved in human rights violations, and then apply the EO to their leaders).

I can't tell for sure which reading is the intended one -- of course those who trust Trump will argue that he wrote it in a way that could be read to be all about Putin and friends to keep the Epsteins in the dark, and equally Never Trump-ers will argue he wrote it in a way that can be read to be all about Epstein to keep his supporters in line. Again either side could be right, so far we don't know what the real intention is.

The fact that Comey's daughter is on the Epstein case makes me think they're out to destroy the blackmail material instead of recovering it - but of course I could be wrong or she could have been assigned to the case by someone other than whoever opened it.

I hope there will be a lot of high-level arrests and resignations - but I fear all that will happen is Epstein's sentence will be reduced to a slap on the wrist in exchange for destroying the blackmail material and some statement that all the "crazy conspiracy theorists" are wrong, he never met Clinton, and "Bill Clinton" on his flight logs is actually a code name for someone else. ("Vladimir Putin thought it was funny to go by the codename Bill Clinton...")

Boing_Snap , 19 hours ago

Some wishful thinking, but the political hatchet material in keeping Epstein roasting in this stew of legality makes the most sense I've heard so far.

FreedomWriter , 11 hours ago

When the names start leaking out, the political blowback will be epic. Voters will be watching who sides with who.

So far only Christine Pelosi seems to be making (stupid) noises. Imagine what will happen if Bill Clinton is dragged in?

TomGa , 20 hours ago

It seems obvious that this is a big reason why the deep state has been so fixated on removing Trump by any means necessary and initiated a coup against him. Thus it makes ANYONE who is or actively supports Never-Trumpers, Democrats, the DNC, etc (McCabe, Comey, Clapper, Brennan, Bill, Hillary, Pelosi, Feinstein, Schumer, etc., and the entire MSN come to mind) complicit in the attempted cover up of years of pedophilia and sexual exploitation and trafficking of minors and possibly of obstruction. Hell, maybe even RICO statutes apply.

[Jul 10, 2019] Neoliberal elite suicide rate might increases dramatically over the next six months.

Notable quotes:
"... US gives Israel billions each year. Israel gives some of that money to Epstein for a hedge fund front. Epstein buys island, planes, mansions, power and influence. Hires attractive under age girls for sexual acts with elites. Tapes the sexual acts. Sends tapes back to Mossad. Blackmails elites for money and favors. Sends money and favors back to Mossad. Epstein keeps the vig. Elites just **** their pants. Elites suicide rate increases dramatically over the next six months. ..."
"... Yes, the blackmailing would not just be for money but foreign policy actions too. And it isn't just the US, it's the UK too. Hence both suckers are trying to start a war with Iran. ..."
"... CCI has the goods on a third of congress and the whole msm. ..."
"... I am not holding my breath for your prediction xbkrisback. Appointing Comey's daughter as the chief prosecutor tells a sorry tale. And Comey and Mueller are best buds. ..."
"... Epstein will not give up the big names. Bubba took 26 trips to Pedo Island on the Lolita Express to refresh his tan. ..."
"... The power structure runs on pedophilia. And the horror of it is that pedophilia is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the abuse of children. Where is Carlos Danger's laptop with Huma's huge "life insurance" file on it? You know, the one that made grizzled NYPD detectives puke when they opened it. ..."
"... Epstein outdoes Berlusconi ..."
"... Have another look at Tony Podesta's art collection. http://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/2016/11/26/sick-lets-revisit-the-podesta-penchant-for-pedophilic-cannibalistic-and-satanic-art/#sthash.6jj0GpQo.dpbs ..."
"... I never understood why people claimed Podesta had child abuse links until I read that article. It is enough to make even a hardened Podesta supporter cringe. ..."
"... Coulter's take on this sounds very plausible, because there certainly was evidence gathering by Epstein. ..."
"... By the way, that was the favorite tactic of the old pervert that ran the FBI ... J. Edgar Hoover. He would gather evidence, then have a couple of his agents pay the offender a visit, warning them to be careful, while delivering the clear message that the Director has the goods on you. ..."
"... If Epstein goes to prison (a real prison) for any length of time, that would negate the idea of state sponsorship, would it not? Conversely, if he gets another sweetheart deal, that would confirm it. ..."
Jul 10, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

xbkrisback , 1 hour ago

I think I figured this scam out. US gives Israel billions each year. Israel gives some of that money to Epstein for a hedge fund front. Epstein buys island, planes, mansions, power and influence. Hires attractive under age girls for sexual acts with elites. Tapes the sexual acts. Sends tapes back to Mossad. Blackmails elites for money and favors. Sends money and favors back to Mossad. Epstein keeps the vig. Elites just **** their pants. Elites suicide rate increases dramatically over the next six months.

smacker , 1 hour ago

Yes, the blackmailing would not just be for money but foreign policy actions too. And it isn't just the US, it's the UK too. Hence both suckers are trying to start a war with Iran.

cayman , 46 minutes ago

CCI has the goods on a third of congress and the whole msm. It's why elections haven't mattered in decades. It's why congress can have a 9% approval rating and yet nothing changes. CIA has so many offshore sources of revenue now, it is sovereign now.

RoyalDraco , 17 minutes ago

I am not holding my breath for your prediction xbkrisback. Appointing Comey's daughter as the chief prosecutor tells a sorry tale. And Comey and Mueller are best buds.

Epstein will not give up the big names. Bubba took 26 trips to Pedo Island on the Lolita Express to refresh his tan.

5 years at Club Fed and a list of names no one ever heard of. The power structure runs on pedophilia. And the horror of it is that pedophilia is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the abuse of children. Where is Carlos Danger's laptop with Huma's huge "life insurance" file on it? You know, the one that made grizzled NYPD detectives puke when they opened it.

HideTheWeenie , 1 hour ago

Epstein outdoes Berlusconi ... Takes bunga bunga parties to the next level - and on the road - in the air - island hopping

Coulter is right ... Nobody in financial circles ever bumped into Epstein. Nobody, nobody knows the guy outside of the teenage ***** connection.

johnwburns , 1 hour ago

Have another look at Tony Podesta's art collection. http://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/2016/11/26/sick-lets-revisit-the-podesta-penchant-for-pedophilic-cannibalistic-and-satanic-art/#sthash.6jj0GpQo.dpbs

cat2005 , 21 minutes ago

I never understood why people claimed Podesta had child abuse links until I read that article. It is enough to make even a hardened Podesta supporter cringe.

I need some mind bleach after reading that.

RayUSA , 1 hour ago

Obviously, the more powerful people that are involved, the less chance this has of going anywhere.

Coulter's take on this sounds very plausible, because there certainly was evidence gathering by Epstein.

There would be no reason for that unless it was going to be used in the future for black mail.

By the way, that was the favorite tactic of the old pervert that ran the FBI ... J. Edgar Hoover. He would gather evidence, then have a couple of his agents pay the offender a visit, warning them to be careful, while delivering the clear message that the Director has the goods on you.

herbivore , 2 hours ago

If Epstein goes to prison (a real prison) for any length of time, that would negate the idea of state sponsorship, would it not? Conversely, if he gets another sweetheart deal, that would confirm it.

[Jul 09, 2019] Epstein and the conversion of politicians into "corrupt and vulnerable" brand

Highly recommended!
Notable quotes:
"... The Epstein case has all the earmarks of CIA protection of an asset. ..."
"... Successful entry into politics requires candidates to first "tag themselves" with a "corrupted and venerable" "CAV" badge? ..."
"... Is the CAV Badge the weapon that has corrupted the intelligence services and stable of politicians in nearly every nation in the world? Did Colin Powell flash a CAV badge as he spoke to UN focus about the most likely presence of non existent WMDs that led to w__ in Iraq? ..."
Jul 09, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

lysias , Jul 9 2019 0:53 utc | 91

The Epstein case has all the earmarks of CIA protection of an asset.

snake , Jul 9 2019 4:03 utc | 99

https://www.veteranstoday.com/2019/07/08/trumpsteingate-the-coverup-of-donalds-little-girl-fetish-hits-high-gear/

Journalism. =>has disclosed the tunnel, and a few of its investigators are exploring its contents, expecting to find at the end of this tunnel Successful entry into politics requires candidates to first "tag themselves" with a "corrupted and venerable" "CAV" badge?

Wonder if this has traction in the persons involved in Grace I, the failure of JCPOA.

Is the CAV badge the weapon that has corrupted nearly every nation state in the western world?

Politicians make promises, and then within hours for unexplained reasons, reverse them..Hmmm?

Is the CAV Badge the weapon that has corrupted the intelligence services and stable of politicians in nearly every nation in the world? Did Colin Powell flash a CAV badge as he spoke to UN focus about the most likely presence of non existent WMDs that led to w__ in Iraq?

How can CAV badge victims be identified and isolated from politics?
The CAV badge could explain so many USA positive, American negative events?

[Jul 09, 2019] Will Epstein be finally brought to justice. Zerohedge commeters are not convinced...

If anything those comments are a troubling sign of the level of delegitimization of the neoliberal elite.
Jul 09, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Sinophile , 20 hours ago

Gabbard is NOT a member of the CFR. She has by her own admission, attended some meetings as an invited guest. According to her, it was to engage members and find out what their inside game is. I don't know if Gabbard is for real. I voted for Trump because I perceived him to be the anti-war and anti-intervention candidate. Period. So, as I said, I don't know what to think about the lady. I do now understand however, why some individuals in olden times became hermits.

beemasters , 22 hours ago

Epstein's arrest tells me he's now out for blood.

Dotard has no control over what Epstein will say. Mossad does and it is the one out for blood.

Justapleb , 22 hours ago

Mike Cernovich got records unsealed that prove Epstein got away with serial raping and pimping for elites that were then blackmailed.

It is not because Trump is out for blood. It is because nothing could stop the criminal conduct of prosecutors being exposed.

The #Metoo crowd knew Clinton was a violent rapist, and sent uniformed, armed officers out to retrieve interns for sex whie governor. Smoking a cigar while having his cigar smoked by Monica Lewinsky, while talking to a Chinese official on the phone.

So no, this won't do anything but continue proving how the #Metoo movement are just leftist hypocrites.

ZD1 , 22 hours ago

"The news is speculative about whether Epstein was being protected by Robert Mueller's special counsel's office, and why the Department of Justice acted now, given that he's been problematic for years. There's also his role as a bigfoot Democrat donor, same as Ed Buck and other perverts who've financed the Democrats. But one thing's pretty clear, based on a tweet by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's daughter Christine: Democrats knew.

All kinds of Democrats are going to be found in Epstein's little black book of clients, not just Bill Clinton.

President Trump, by contrast, banned the pervert from his Mar-a-Lago club years ago. So much for pinning the scandal on Trump as Democrats had hoped."

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/07/so_the_epstein_bust_means_democratic_faves_may_roll_out_of_the_woodwork_nancy.html

scottyji , 22 hours ago

> Maybe this is the moment of Peak Swamp?

WONDERFUL!!!

JGResearch , 22 hours ago

Image Credits: Genevieve de Manio via Getty Images .

The photo provides further proof of Epstein and his associates' close ties to the Clinton dynasty.

Epstein's pimp Maxwell, whose social circle includes members of the UK royal family, has been named in several lawsuits as the woman who helped procure and transport underage girls which provided the billionaire massages and ultimately sexual favors.

The Miami Herald has more on Maxwell's connections to Epstein:

Lawyers for Epstein's victims, in court filings, have often likened Epstein's sex operation to an organized crime family, with Epstein and Maxwell at the top, and below them, others who worked as schedulers, recruiters, pilots and bookkeepers.

For her part, Maxwell, whose social circle included such friends as Bill and Hillary Clinton and members of the British Royal family, has been described as using recruiters positioned throughout the world to lure women by promising them modeling assignments, educational opportunities and fashion careers. The pitch was really a ruse to groom them into sex trafficking, it is alleged in court records.

At least one woman, Sarah Ransome, claimed in a lawsuit that Maxwell and Epstein threatened to physically harm her or destroy any chance she would have of a fashion career if she didn't have sex with them and others.

Maxwell has thus far managed to escape charges, but a lawyer for one of the women suing Epstein predicts she'll eventually be swept up in the sex trafficking litigation.

"The one person most likely in jeopardy is Maxwell because the records that are going to be unsealed have so much evidence against her," said David Boies, the attorney for Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre. "She is in a particularly vulnerable position and will have an interest in cooperating, even though she may have missed that opportunity."

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article232385422.html

Im4truth4all , 21 hours ago

Those 26 trips by Billy Boy on the Lolita Express are only the ones in the log book. How many were there that were not logged? Isn't it amazing that the mainline press never picked up on this. It just shows how corrupt and fraudulent they are. I hope there is a deal and Epstein furnishes the names of his associated scum with proof. I wonder how many congressmen, senators, Judges, etc. There are.

LEEPERMAX , 21 hours ago

Just in . . .

Setting-Up Trump

https://youtu.be/yjuegava1AU

ardent , 21 hours ago

Most IMPORTANT name in Epstein's little Black Book: TRUMP.

LEEPERMAX , 21 hours ago

Flight logs show Bill Clinton flew on sex offender's jet much more than previously known

https://www.foxnews.com/us/flight-logs-show-bill-clinton-flew-on-sex-offenders-jet-much-more-than-previously-known

Dabooda , 21 hours ago

And Hillary went to the sex slave island at least six times .

my new username , 21 hours ago

Wikileaks had a Hillary email about Chelsea bringing a young Haitian girl into the USA, past immigration, on one of those CGI/State Department/Haiti Earthquake flights from Port au Prince.

8iron , 21 hours ago

so Trump is now deciding who to prosecute AND tell the SDNY to do it? This author is as retarded as the Left.

Epstein's case is being unsealed. SDNY knew this was coming so as to not look like idiots, they found some "new" victims. This guy makes most the ***-pedo-sex perverts (but I repeat myself) look like Rabbi's and he needs his d*ck connected to 'ol sparky but WTF?

Something else is going on...clearly nothing being reported or guessed (like above)

Spectorman , 22 hours ago

There are so many ways for these mutually guilty power rapists to cut deals with each other and avoid the real rap. Some patsys might get snipped, but thinking this will be the stake in the heart seems wishful thinking. These guys are busy raping America with an information/internet/media chokehold and a money printing press. That's probably bigger than child rape, and it will take more than a federal prosecutor to stop it.

beemasters , 22 hours ago

The author's theory doesn't make sense at all. They are all Lolita Island visitors. They are friends. Dotard would have implicated himself if he was the one taking Epstein route to get to Killary. Killary is much more vicious and vindictive and will drag him down along with Epstein. Dotard wouldn't dare!

There is already enough evidence to throw the Clintons in jail by the private-server case alone.... if Dotard wanted them them in jail. He really doesn't.

Buck Johnson , 23 hours ago

So true, it's hard to justify ******* and having sex with 14 year old girls. That is why no one is defending this piece of **** and when he starts to sing it's going to take down alot of people (ALAN DERSHOWITZ, hate the ******).

I totally agree that this guy has blackmail material on everyone, everyone. A man like this that was able to do what he was doing for years and still get the president, Alan and alot of others to go to his private island knowing what he did.

Nope, this man is a dirt bag that thought he had the fix in and he went ham in having sex with these girls. Not realizing that someone else in power could go after him and force him to rat out any and everyone.

With this so public there is no way that the fed is going to give him anything light, he's going away for decades unless he could out people to help his case.

from_the_ashes , 23 hours ago

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jul/8/william-barr-ag-says-hes-recused-jeffrey-epstein-c/

Mr. Barr said he is recused because he once worked for one of the law firms that represented Epstein "long ago," the report said. He did not name the law firm.

bobcatz , 23 hours ago

Tom Luongo is filtering this event through a deep-seated hope that Trump the Potus is not too far from Trump the candidate he voted for.

Hate to tell you, Tom, you just got played. Nothing of your estimation will occur. If anyone goes down, it'll be some insignificant nobodies.

Meatballs , 23 hours ago

https://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2019/07/08/the-jeffrey-epstein-rabbit-hole-goes-a-lot-deeper-than-you-think/

Heroic Couplet , 23 hours ago

CNN reported this morning that Epstein's arrest ropes in Trump's Labor Secretary, Alexander Acosta, who evidently was Epstein's Florida attorney who let Epstein walk.

swmnguy , 23 hours ago

No, Acosta was the US Attorney in Florida during the GW Bush Administration, who let Epstein walk over the full-throated objections of every attorney on his staff. Acosta went around behind their back, behind the court's back, to give Epstein a sweetheart deal that raised eyebrows throughout the legal community at the time, in early 2008.

Epstein's actual attorney was somebody else, who wrote Acosta a very grateful letter thanking Acosta for going beyond even what Epstein's own attorney was hoping for in terms of clemency.

There's a reason Acosta did that; beyond the insipid excuses Acosta has gotten away with until now. Just as there's a reason Attorney General William Barr just recused himself on all matters Epstein; above and beyond the stupid and unconvincing reasons Barr just gave.

SummerSausage , 23 hours ago

Acosta worked for the DOJ and the way Epstein's case was handled is almost identical to the way they handled Hillary a few years later.

Only difference is Mueller was head of FBI for the Epstein investigation.

Acosta didn't have the authority to give the deal on his own. It had to come from higher up

j0nx , 22 hours ago

Agreed. US attorneys don't do **** unless the AG tells them to. It's preposterous to think the SDNY is some rogue agency running around prosecuting who they want. If Bill Barr says no then they say yes sir. Of course all of this comes from up high. It's either that or Bill Barr like Jeff Sessions has lost all control of his department.

June 12 1776 , 23 hours ago

A pathetic useless attempt to appease status quo uniCRIME, uniPARTY chimp army.

"But something had to be done to keep our faith in our political and social institutions intact. Because otherwise that way leads to only chaos and collapse."

Wrong, through out all human history, all criminal, unconstitutional outlaw, political and social institutions natural law and faith of nature is COLLAPSE AND DESTRUCTION, one way or another.

bobcatz , 23 hours ago

Tom Luongo is filtering this event through a deep-seated hope that Trump the Potus is not too far from Trump the candidate he voted for.

Hate to tell you, Tom, you just got suckered. Nothing of your estimation will occur. If anyone goes down, it'll be some insignificant nobodies.

SirBarksAlot , 23 hours ago

Maybe.

But I think this is the big payback for their failed attempt to impeach him via a fabricated "dossier." This is the first chance he has been out from under the shadow of that witch hunt that was supposed to prevent this investigation into the Satanists from going forward.

He's just playing Bolton and his buddies by keeping them by his side. Letting them think they're running the show, like they did under Bush, then deciding not to invade Iran at the last minute. Where is Bolton now? Mongolia? He gives a little with the space program, then takes away from the expensive, endless wars to nowhere.

That's why the British tanker is stuck at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz instead of running right though it. Britain royally fucked up.

Solio , 1 day ago

George Washington: "If the laws are to be trampled upon with impunity and a minority is to dictate to the majority, there is an end put at one stroke to republican government." September 9, 1774 at the beginning of the Whiskey Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania, from Ron Chernow's book "Alexander Hamilton," 2004, p. 473

Nunyadambizness , 1 day ago

I most certainly hope that the author is correct, and this vile corrupt sewer in DC gets weeded out--forcefully if necessary.

We the People have allowed unelected bureaucrats to ru(i)n our lives for far too long, protected by those who lust for power and who will do anything for it--yes Cankles, I'm speaking of you AND your former boss Barry Obozo, among dozens (if not hundreds) of others in the sewer. Protected by a wink-and-a-nod to those in power, they've done whatever they wanted knowing that they were untouchable. Here's hoping that this is just the first of dozens of arrests and ultimately convictions of these scumbags and their kin.

Drain the SEWER. FLUSH DC STARTING AT THE TOP.

SummerSausage , 1 day ago

Just a reminder - Mueller was head of the FBI during the Epstein investigation. If Trump had been involved in any way Mueller would have found a way to put it in the Mueller report.

turbojarhead , 23 hours ago

I think Kunstler is exactly right-this is the Trump faction counterstrike.

Conservative Treehouse actually caught something I did not in the indictment:

While these items were only seized this weekend and are still being reviewed, some of the nude or partially-nude photographs appear to be of underage girls, including at least one girl who, according to her counsel, was underage at the time the relevant photographs were taken. Additionally, some of the photographs referenced herein were discovered in a locked safe, in which law enforcement officers also found compact discs with hand-written labels including the following:

"Young [Name] + [Name]," "Misc nudes 1," and "Girl pics nude."

The defendant, a registered sex offender, is not reformed, he is not chastened, he is not repentant;6 rather, he is a continuing danger to the community and an individual who faces devastating evidence supporting deeply serious charges." ( cloud – pdf link )

Notice the young Name + NAME------gee, you think that NAME might be the creeps Epstein was blackmailing? Hahahahhh

SummerSausage , 23 hours ago

That info didn't come from the indictment I don't think. It came from the letter to the judge about bail.

The indictment was drawn up to arrest Epstein. The search of his home took place at the same time as the arrest or just after.

Reportedly, Epstein had quite a few surveillance cameras in his homes. It will be interesting to know what's on the CD's. Hard to believe he didn't have some "insurance" tucked away for a rainy day.

SummerSausage , 23 hours ago

Acosta wasn't Epstein's lawyer. He was US Attorney for S Fl.

The Epstein treatment reads like a dress rehearsal for the Hillary FBI/DOJ whitewash - except instead of just the associates getting of scot-free Hillary did, too. (read the Miami Herald series from Nov https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html

Since Trump hasn't fired him but this story has been circulating for more than 6 months, Acosta was probably ordered to follow the deal cut at the highest levels of Mueller's FBI and the DOJ bureaucracy.

Acosta may well know where the bodies are buried.

NumberNone , 1 day ago

The people in the 'deviant' circles got comfortable after the Obama election. They put the people they wanted in power and the Evil Queen Hillary was guaranteed to be President to reside over 8 years of destroying their enemies. Life was going to be good. There was no reason to hide or be afraid.

Look at Epstein, the guy got off with a handslap and was so fearless rather than destroy his kiddie-****...he still kept in the open.

Now they are in a panic and throwing everything they can at Trump. If you are facing the death sentence, nothing is off-limits to save yourself.

If you are right or left in your political beliefs and think that this sort of absolute evil needs to be weeded out then please shut the hell up about Trump or Clinton and simply demand that no stone be unturned in the pursuit of justice. A golden opportunity has been placed in front of all of us to purge this scum.

Occams_Razor_Trader_Part_Deux , 1 day ago

Pelosi's daughter:

Christine Pelosi warns it's 'quite likely that some of our faves are implicated' in 'horrific' Epstein case.

What does it say when some of your "faves" are pedophiles?

jutah , 1 day ago

BullFuckinShit. He's had 3 years as President and many years prior to that where he was aware of exactly what was going on and did and said nothing . Oh, correction, he did say something when he praised Epstein; ""I've known Jeff (Epstein) for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with . It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

It's too late for that ****. That ship has sailed. These traitors should have been executed on day 1. All the evidence of criminal activities was well documented before you even became president. You are a sorry sack of **** coward to let this continue for so long and in my book an accomplice to it- you and ever other neo-zio-con who went along with it. Now, youre all worried about your re-election campaign, image and being indicted yourself. **** off you Orange Clown. Go ahead and bomb Iran as a distraction as your masters order you to do

Kafir Goyim , 1 day ago

There's video of Trump saying Clinton would have trouble because of his frequent and suspicious (no Secret Service) associations with Epstein. There is a record of Trump helping prosecutors going after Epstein. There is record of Trump barring Epstein from Mar a Lago.

I think you are a little confused ... or engaged in purposeful disinformation, which is more likely.

3rdWorldTrillionaire , 1 day ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=0vh0AklSXkU

SummerSausage , 23 hours ago

Next time, don't quote Fusion GPS. The article that quote came from was a puff piece about Epstein from 2002. It extolled his brilliance and philanthropy with quotes from the Dem Sen Leader, Harvard scientists and just about everyone they could find.

At the time, Epstein served on the board of the Trilateral Commission with Kissinger, Summers and a dozen CEO's of Fortune 50 companies, the Rockefeller Foundation and Harvard.

SirBarksAlot , 23 hours ago

No kidding!

He really does have a blackmail racket going on there!!!!!!!

WhackoWarner , 22 hours ago

Let's not disregard Prince Andy. (old article from Guardian but still...)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/10/jeffrey-epstein-decade-scandal-prince-andrew

Not one person should be spared in this garbage.

AL Tru , 1 day ago

Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were running a Mossad blackmail operation.

Rahm Emmanuel was kicked out of the Clinton WH by the FBI. They had a file on him "Security Risk"...then he got back in with Obama ?

Trump is too smart for the blackmail ****. Roy Cohn taught him that.

BUT Jared Kushner is Trumps Achilles heel. Kushner's father spent two years in prison for blackmail/extorsion.

ZD1 , 1 day ago

Epstein hung with Democrats and donated to them.

No doubt Epstein found what the commie muzzie *** from Kenya craved?

Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker, Katie Couric, George Stephanopoulos, and Woody Allen are some of the celebrities who reportedly traveled and partied with Epstein in the past.

Even Stephen Hawking made a visit to Epstein's island.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/stephen-hawking/11340494/Stephen-Hawking-pictured-on-Jeffrey-Epsteins-Island-of-Sin.html

leodogma1 , 1 day ago

Props to Michael Cernovich, and then there's the make-up Queen Shep Smith who show's Epstein and Trump together, Trump banned this Fukk Epstein from his club and the Clinton's had enough frequent flyer on Epstein's plane to Lolita Island for 2 round trip tickets to Paris. Shepp & the golden sperm seed piss punks of Murdoch must share something in common wonder what it is?

JBLight , 1 day ago

As this continues to pour out, I look forward to seeing the faces of the people I know who voted for Hillary. They voted for child trafficking.

John Law Lives , 1 day ago

This article sounds like speculation, but I am ready to see privileged scumbags get their due. This has been a long time coming (imo).

BandGap , 1 day ago

This is the opening of the portal to hell for a lot of kids' agonies, even deaths.

Watch the names of the rich and famous tumble out. If you read previous articles you know that they also seized tapes Epstein was holding of young girls with older men. This is what fuels the blackmail, and hence the corruption.

The Weiner laptop is also in play with the NXVIUM convictions.

Duc888 , 1 day ago

https://neonnettle.com/features/1409-major-hillary-clinton-donor-to-be-indicted-in-child-sex-trafficking-case

Duc888 , 1 day ago

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-01-25/clinton-silsby-trafficking-scandal-and-how-media-attempted-ignorecover-it

runningman18 , 1 day ago

The Clintons remain free and Trump keeps elitists like Ross, Pompeo and Bolton in the White House. Comey's daughter is one of the prosecutors for Epstein and Epstein is already claiming immunity. He might go to jail again, he might not. But nothing is going to happen with the Epstein thing as far as the fall of the banksters. Nothing.

pmc , 1 day ago

I don't think Trump is behind his arrest. I think it's the head NY prosecutor trying to make a name for himself in order to run for president at a late time! We'll see where this all goes but my money is on the procecutor!

onewayticket2 , 1 day ago

Trump should be "out for blood" but it's the SDNY...and we KNOW they are "out for blood"....trump's. So my read is the opposite. The SDNY is never going to do something that will harm the clintons. The ONLY goal is keeping Trump out of office for these guys. all roads lead to trump at the SDNY...it's job 1.

evoila , 1 day ago

It's ahead of muellers testimony for a reason.

yaright , 1 day ago

Agree, timing is everything

Snípéir_Ag_Obair , 1 day ago

Pedosadist Elites Panic: Congress Bill Wants To End Child **** In Pentagon Networks; Epstein Arrested, Files To Be Unsealed On Powerful Clients

America is receiving a hell of a Christmas in July present – a bill in Congress is being pushed to end child **** sharing in Pentagon networks, and Jeffrey Epstein was arrested for child trafficking. Additionally, an appeal court ordered that all files pertaining to Epstein's case of wealthy powerful clients will be released to the press and public.

Congress is aiming to halt child **** distribution within Pentagon networks according to a bipartisan bill (The End Network Abuse Act) that was introduced by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.)

The National Criminal Justice Training Center, one of the groups that has thrown its weight behind the bill, reported in 2018 that DOD's network was ranked 19th out of almost 3,000 nationwide networks on the amount of peer-to-peer child *********** sharing.

Spanberger described the issues of child sexual exploitation and abuse as "horrific crimes."

"The notion that the Department of Defense's network and Pentagon-issued computers may be used to view, create, or circulate such horrifying images is a shameful disgrace, and one we must fight head on," Spanberger said in statement. (Source: The Hill )

https://www.activistpost.com/2019/07/pedosadist-elites-panic-congress-bill-wants-to-end-child-****-in-pentagon-networks-epstein-arrested-files-to-be-unsealed-on-powerful-clients.html

alibi , 1 day ago

So... if I send child **** to anyone the entire law enforcement apparatus on planet Earth descends upon my location with the full weight of every alphabet agency. Yet, when child **** is trafficked within a government agency we need to pass a bill thru Congress in order to stop it. WTF.

Nekoti , 22 hours ago

Rules for thee, not for me.

chunga , 1 day ago

That's some pretty wild speculation there, but I hear angels singing just the same.

caconhma , 1 day ago

<Epstein's Arrest Tells Me Trump Is Now Out For Blood> Wrong.

Trump and Bill Clinton were willing participants in these crimes.

Don't be surprised when Trump's name will appear in all legal documents. Remember, the lead prosecutor is from Demo New York and Epstein will behave no different from Trump's loyal lawyer Cohen. After all, this case was not resurrected from dead to promote justice in Americ

Friedrich not Salma , 1 day ago

Do a Youtube search for * Trump BBC 1998 * and jump 5 minutes into the vid. You will realize Trump will be out for blood. He waits until the right time.

Here's the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4CqF4hjCGI

BBC: "You talk in your book about getting even. The importance of getting even. Is revenge sweet?"

Trump: "I believe strongly in getting even. If someone has hurt you. If someone's gone out of their way to hurt you. I think that if you have the opportunity, you should certainly go out of your way to do a number on them."

Here's another version when he was on Charlie Rose in 1992 (although it's in a CNN clip so they try to slam Trump at the end."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuoRRDtdHbY

I didn't believe in the "the indictments are coming from Jeff Sessions" lines, but I do believe Trump will nail these people when the time presents itself and that time is coming up fast.

dunlin , 1 day ago

He didn't even write the book.

BaBaBouy , 1 day ago

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-labor-sec-alexander-acosta-helped-epstein-plea-deal-2019-7

JRobby , 1 day ago

How did Epstein get so rich?

Blackmail !!!!!!

Traders say they were not aware of his presence in the markets.

Just confirms how many sick perverts are in these high positions

[Jul 09, 2019] Ann Coulter Thinks Epstein Had a State Sponsor Was Running a Blackmailing Operation

Jul 09, 2019 | www.infowars.com

ANN COULTER THINKS EPSTEIN HAD A "STATE SPONSOR" & WAS RUNNING A "BLACKMAILING" OPERATION

"Something much bigger is behind this"
Paul Joseph Watson | Infowars.com - JULY 9, 2019 Comments Ann Coulter Thinks Epstein Had a "State Sponsor" & Was Running a "Blackmailing" Operation

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter says that sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein had a "state sponsor" backing him and that his operation was a way to blackmail powerful men.

During an appearance on 790 KABC, Coulter suggested that Epstein is merely the front man for a far more powerful network.

"Epstein according to both the girls accounts, he wanted them to have sex with powerful men, come back to him and report on it, describe what they wanted what their fetishes were and he had cameras throughout the house so this is obviously for blackmailing purposes," said Coulter.

"It just seems to me something much bigger is behind this -- perhaps a state sponsor -- powerful enough people it just seems to me there's something a very powerful force behind what's going on here and I am still nervous about this not coming to a conclusion, somehow this getting compromised," she added.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/eNbK-hkZMLY

Coulter said that it remained a mystery as to how Epstein became a billionaire and that the source of his money should be investigated.

Former President Bill Clinton attempted to distance himself from Epstein last night, claiming he only flew on the infamous 'Lolita Express' private jet four times despite flight logs showing at least 26 trips.

As we reported yesterday, speculation is swirling that Epstein may give up names of influential people who used his network in order to secure a maximum prison sentence of no more than five years.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/o1GQehNcZZw

SUBSCRIBE on YouTube:

[Jul 09, 2019] Luongo- Epstein s Arrest Tells Me Trump Is Now Out For Blood by Tom Luongo

Notable quotes:
"... Serial pederast Jeffrey Epstein is going to be arrested again. The big questions are why? And why now? I never doubted Donald Trump's sincerity in wanting Hillary in jail. But the reality is that Trump was not in any position to do so. Until a few months ago. ..."
"... Mueller, his staff of hatchetmen, the Obama administration and the rest of the corrupt old-guard in D.C. fully expected to be allowed free rein to convict Trump politically of Obstruction of Justice based on an interpretation of Federal Statutes that could only be justified in the world of Philip K. Dick's Minority Report. When that didn't happen, they are now looking at potential blowback from a vain and vindictive man occupying the supposedly most powerful office in the world. ..."
"... It seems John Bolton has been more president than Trump recently. ..."
"... I was cautiously optimistic that Trump would turn the corner on his presidency now that Mueller, impeachment and the rest of it would lift from his shoulders. His foreign policy maneuvers didn't fill me with much, if any, confirmation of this hope. ..."
"... Because this goes directly to the heart of the matter. Trump left the Clintons' social circle in disgust and I'm convinced he ran to stop her corrupt sell out of the U.S. Never forget that, while corruption is rampant in D.C., it is not all-pervasive. It's not a black and white thing. ..."
"... The level of corruption of the Departments of Justice, State, Treasury and the intelligence agencies needed to coordinate the RussiaGate hoax all to serve as Hillary's revenge porn was too much for enough people. ..."
"... And there are still plenty of people in all of those departments willing to step up now that the board state has changed. Remember back when Trump said we should just leave Hillary be, she's been through enough? That wasn't him capitulating to the Deep State, that was him offering her a way out. He knew then what was going on but thought he was powerless to stop it, politically. ..."
"... And Robert Mueller is up to his neck in this. Because it was Mueller who helped Epstein mostly get off the hook the last time and had the court documents sealed. ..."
"... Even if Barr and Trump have a marriage of convenience here, it doesn't matter. What matters is that Epstein will no longer be able to hide behind Clinton bag men and will this time have to cut a real deal to stay out of gen pop. ..."
"... This Epstein arrest is a testament to what happens when the pendulum swings too far in one direction. Where despicable people get away with the most heinous acts simply because they are connected in a web of corruption and venality. ..."
"... Maybe this is the moment of Peak Swamp? Maybe it's the moment where we can see things begin, ever so slightly to improve. Is it too little, too late? Likely. But something had to be done to keep our faith in our political and social institutions intact. Because otherwise that way leads to only chaos and collapse. ..."
Jul 09, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Authored by Tom Luongo,

"Bernie Birnbaum is a horse of a different color, ethics-wise that is...

...as in he ain't got none!"

-- Johnny Caspar, "Miller's Crossing"

Serial pederast Jeffrey Epstein is going to be arrested again. The big questions are why? And why now? I never doubted Donald Trump's sincerity in wanting Hillary in jail. But the reality is that Trump was not in any position to do so. Until a few months ago.

When Attorney General William Barr ended the Mueller investigation back in February that was a turning point. I talked about it back then in a piece called " The Old Political Order is Just Old ."

Mueller, his staff of hatchetmen, the Obama administration and the rest of the corrupt old-guard in D.C. fully expected to be allowed free rein to convict Trump politically of Obstruction of Justice based on an interpretation of Federal Statutes that could only be justified in the world of Philip K. Dick's Minority Report. When that didn't happen, they are now looking at potential blowback from a vain and vindictive man occupying the supposedly most powerful office in the world.

But is that really the case anymore? It seems John Bolton has been more president than Trump recently.

I was cautiously optimistic that Trump would turn the corner on his presidency now that Mueller, impeachment and the rest of it would lift from his shoulders. His foreign policy maneuvers didn't fill me with much, if any, confirmation of this hope.

But domestically signs were there that he had stabilized the battlefield.

Epstein's arrest tells me he's now out for blood.

Because this goes directly to the heart of the matter. Trump left the Clintons' social circle in disgust and I'm convinced he ran to stop her corrupt sell out of the U.S. Never forget that, while corruption is rampant in D.C., it is not all-pervasive. It's not a black and white thing.

William Barr may not be a Boy Scout or anything but even he, like Trump, has a disgust circuit. And that circuit has a threshold.

The level of corruption of the Departments of Justice, State, Treasury and the intelligence agencies needed to coordinate the RussiaGate hoax all to serve as Hillary's revenge porn was too much for enough people.

And there are still plenty of people in all of those departments willing to step up now that the board state has changed. Remember back when Trump said we should just leave Hillary be, she's been through enough? That wasn't him capitulating to the Deep State, that was him offering her a way out. He knew then what was going on but thought he was powerless to stop it, politically.

To go after her you go after the person who is her Achilles' heel, Epstein through his association with Bill. Because what if this isn't just about Bill's antics? But this is more than just Hillary and Bill. This is likely far deeper a rabbit hole than anyone in D.C. wants to admit. Don't think for a second that Epstein hasn't been blackmailing very prominent people for years. Because he has. And they are all now scared to death.

And Robert Mueller is up to his neck in this. Because it was Mueller who helped Epstein mostly get off the hook the last time and had the court documents sealed.

Now that Mike Cernovich worked to get those documents unsealed, we have an arrest warrant a week later by a Justice Department led by someone, at this point, loyal to Trump.

Even if Barr and Trump have a marriage of convenience here, it doesn't matter. What matters is that Epstein will no longer be able to hide behind Clinton bag men and will this time have to cut a real deal to stay out of gen pop.

This process will be slow and painful, but it will grind to the kind of conclusion that will only benefit Trump's re-election bid. It will be an epic drip feed of leaks, innuendos, implications, indictments and the rest.

Because there comes a point where the Alinsky method of accusing your enemy of the thing you do backfires when it's raping 14-year-old girls.

Once this thing gets a head of steam, once the #MeToo crowd gets a hold of this, there won't be anyone left standing. I always said Hillary would indict herself. Her insane lust for power and revenge against her obstacles led us here. And it will lead her to the kind of shame and disgrace that befits her avarice.

When Nancy Pelosi's daughter is out there signaling for her mother on this immediately, you know this is bad. Pelosi doesn't roll over for nothing folks. Think what you want about her but she's a pitbull. And she rolled over on border wall funding last week.

This Epstein arrest is a testament to what happens when the pendulum swings too far in one direction. Where despicable people get away with the most heinous acts simply because they are connected in a web of corruption and venality.

Maybe this is the moment of Peak Swamp? Maybe it's the moment where we can see things begin, ever so slightly to improve. Is it too little, too late? Likely. But something had to be done to keep our faith in our political and social institutions intact. Because otherwise that way leads to only chaos and collapse.

* * *

Join my Patreon because you also weep for humanity at where these people have led us.

[Jul 09, 2019] Aldous Huxley said something that points exactly what happening in the world now

Notable quotes:
"... Huxley died at 5:20pm, London time, on 22 November 1963. About ten minutes later, CS Lewis died. Just under an hour after that, of course, JFK was shot and killed in Dallas. There may never have been a deadlier 70 minutes for celebrity ..."
"... Fifty years ago, three great men died within a few hours of each other: C. S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy and Aldous Huxley. In 1982, philosophy professor Peter Kreeft imagined the three of them in conversation after their deaths. ..."
"... I think there's a good deal to be said for this this point of view in in regard to the permanence of any dictatorship. " ..."
Jul 09, 2019 | www.unz.com

Robjil says: July 9, 2019 at 1:06 pm GMT 500 Words @ChuckOrloski

Chuck,

There another famous person who died that day. Aldous Huxley.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/eclipsed-in-death-we-remember-jfk-but-what-about-aldous-huxley-or-cs-lewis-8957192.html

Poor old Aldous Huxley. In other circumstances, his name would be all over the place today, the 50th anniversary of his death. Yet, just moments after his demise, the Brave New World author had the misfortune, if that's the right word, of becoming a key member of the "eclipsed celebrity death club".

Huxley died at 5:20pm, London time, on 22 November 1963. About ten minutes later, CS Lewis died. Just under an hour after that, of course, JFK was shot and killed in Dallas. There may never have been a deadlier 70 minutes for celebrity

A book has been written about these three deaths on the same day by Peter Kreeft. He imagines them talking together in the heavens.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/the-day-c-s-lewis-john-f-kennedy-and-aldous-huxley-died/

Fifty years ago, three great men died within a few hours of each other: C. S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy and Aldous Huxley. In 1982, philosophy professor Peter Kreeft imagined the three of them in conversation after their deaths.

Positioning Lewis as a proponent of ancient Western theism, Kennedy as a modern Western humanist, and Huxley as an ancient Eastern pantheist, Kreeft wrote a conversational book entitled Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C. S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley. "

Aldous Huxley said something that points exactly what happening in the world now. We are lead by a wild species. The Zios don't want to be domesticated by freedom of speech. Spare the rod ( of freedom of speech) spoil the child. The Zios want to be wild forever. They want to do whatever they want on earth with no scolding feedback.

This question and answer talk was at Berkeley Univ. on March 20 1962. This fear of being domesticated is why the ADL went crazy on 6/6/19, closing down websites and videos all over the internet.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/5hJp5JrOTuQ?start=578&feature=oembed

9:23 t0 10:44

Another point which was made by Sir Charles Darwin in his book "The Next Million Years" which I think was one would with in different terms .

I envisaged in brave new world .I mean here he points out that the human species is still a wild species, it has never been domesticated .

I mean domesticated species is one which has been tamed by another species. Well, until we get an invasion from Mars we shall not be tamed by another species. All we can do is to try to tame ourselves.

An oligarchy tries to tame ourselves but the oligarchy still remains wild. I mean however much it succeeded in taming the domesticating the rest of the race it from it must remain wild. And this was the part of the fable the dramatic part of the fable of brave new world is that the people in the upper hierarchy who were not ruthlessly conditioned could break down.

I mean this Charles Darwin insists that because man is wild he can never expect to domesticate himself because the people on top would always be undomesticated sooner or later always run wild. I think there's a good deal to be said for this this point of view in in regard to the permanence of any dictatorship. "

[Jul 05, 2019] Political and media elites had been captured by unshored corporate money. Our voices had become irrelevant.

Notable quotes:
"... Brand's fast-talking, plain-speaking criticism of the existing political order, calling it discredited, unaccountable and unrepresentative, was greeted with smirking condescension by the political and media establishment. Nonetheless, in an era before Donald Trump had become president of the United States, the British media were happy to indulge Brand for a while, seemingly believing he or his ideas might prove a ratings winner with younger audiences. ..."
"... Then he overstepped the mark. ..."
"... Instead of simply criticising the political system, Brand argued that it was in fact so rigged by the powerful, by corporate interests, that western democracy had become a charade. Elections were pointless . Our votes were simply a fig-leaf, concealing the fact that our political leaders were there to represent not us but the interests of globe-spanning corporations. Political and media elites had been captured by unshored corporate money. Our voices had become irrelevant. ..."
"... But just as Brand's rejection of the old politics began to articulate a wider mood, it was stopped in its tracks. ..."
"... These "New Labour" MPs were there, just as Brand had noted, to represent the interests of a corporate class, not ordinary people. ..."
"... It wasn't that Corbyn's election had shown Britain's political system was representative and accountable. It was simply evidence that corporate power had made itself vulnerable to a potential accident by preferring to work out of sight, in the shadows, to maintain the illusion of democracy. Corbyn was that accident. ..."
"... The system was still in place and it still had a chokehold on the political and media establishments that exist to uphold its interests. Which is why it has been mobilising these forces endlessly to damage Corbyn and avert the risk of a further, even more disastrous "accident", such as his becoming prime minister. ..."
"... Listing the ways the state-corporate media have sought to undermine Corbyn would sound preposterous to anyone not deeply immersed in these media-constructed narratives. But almost all of us have been exposed to this kind of " brainwashing under freedom " since birth. ..."
"... The initial attacks on Corbyn were for being poorly dressed, sexist, unstatesmanlike, a national security threat, a Communist spy – relentless, unsubstantiated smears the like of which no other party leader had ever faced. But over time the allegations became even more outrageously propagandistic as the campaign to undermine him not only failed but backfired – not least, because Labour membership rocketed under Corbyn to make the party the largest in Europe. ..."
"... As the establishment's need to keep him away from power has grown more urgent and desperate so has the nature of the attacks. ..."
Jul 05, 2019 | www.unz.com

Originally from The plot to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of power, by Jonathan Cook - The Unz Review

... ... ...

In the preceding two years, it was hard to avoid on TV the figure of Russell Brand, a comedian and minor film star who had reinvented himself, after years of battling addiction, as a spiritual guru-cum-political revolutionary.

Brand's fast-talking, plain-speaking criticism of the existing political order, calling it discredited, unaccountable and unrepresentative, was greeted with smirking condescension by the political and media establishment. Nonetheless, in an era before Donald Trump had become president of the United States, the British media were happy to indulge Brand for a while, seemingly believing he or his ideas might prove a ratings winner with younger audiences.

But Brand started to look rather more impressive than anyone could have imagined. He took on supposed media heavyweights like the BBC's Jeremy Paxman and Channel 4's Jon Snow and charmed and shamed them into submission – both with his compassion and his thoughtful radicalism. Even in the gladiatorial-style battle of wits so beloved of modern TV, he made these titans of the political interview look mediocre, shallow and out of touch. Videos of these head-to-heads went viral, and Brand won hundreds of thousands of new followers.

Then he overstepped the mark.

Democracy as charade

Instead of simply criticising the political system, Brand argued that it was in fact so rigged by the powerful, by corporate interests, that western democracy had become a charade. Elections were pointless . Our votes were simply a fig-leaf, concealing the fact that our political leaders were there to represent not us but the interests of globe-spanning corporations. Political and media elites had been captured by unshored corporate money. Our voices had become irrelevant.

Brand didn't just talk the talk. He started committing to direct action. He shamed our do-nothing politicians and corporate media – the devastating Grenfell Tower fire had yet to happen – by helping to gain attention for a group of poor tenants in London who were taking on the might of a corporation that had become their landlord and wanted to evict them to develop their homes for a much richer clientele. Brand's revolutionary words had turned into revolutionary action.

But just as Brand's rejection of the old politics began to articulate a wider mood, it was stopped in its tracks. After Corbyn was unexpectedly elected Labour leader, offering for the first time in living memory a politics that listened to people before money, Brand's style of rejectionism looked a little too cynical, or at least premature.

While Corbyn's victory marked a sea-change, it is worth recalling, however, that it occurred only because of a mistake. Or perhaps two.

The Corbyn accident

First, a handful of Labour MPs agreed to nominate Corbyn for the leadership contest, scraping him past the threshold needed to get on the ballot paper. Most backed him only because they wanted to give the impression of an election that was fair and open. After his victory, some loudly regretted having assisted him. None had thought a representative of the tiny and besieged left wing of the parliamentary party stood a chance of winning – not after Tony Blair and his acolytes had spent more than two decades remaking Labour, using their own version of entryism to eradicate any vestiges of socialism in the party. These "New Labour" MPs were there, just as Brand had noted, to represent the interests of a corporate class, not ordinary people.

Corbyn had very different ideas from most of his colleagues. Over the years he had broken with the consensus of the dominant Blairite faction time and again in parliamentary votes, consistently taking a minority view that later proved to be on the right side of history . He alone among the leadership contenders spoke unequivocally against austerity, regarding it as a way to leech away more public money to enrich the corporations and banks that had already pocketed vast sums from the public coffers – so much so that by 2008 they had nearly bankrupted the entire western economic system.

And second, Corbyn won because of a recent change in the party's rulebook – one now much regretted by party managers. A new internal balloting system gave more weight to the votes of ordinary members than the parliamentary party. The members, unlike the party machine, wanted Corbyn.

Corbyn's success didn't really prove Brand wrong. Even the best designed systems have flaws, especially when the maintenance of the system's image as benevolent is considered vitally important. It wasn't that Corbyn's election had shown Britain's political system was representative and accountable. It was simply evidence that corporate power had made itself vulnerable to a potential accident by preferring to work out of sight, in the shadows, to maintain the illusion of democracy. Corbyn was that accident.

'Brainwashing under freedom'

Corbyn's success also wasn't evidence that the power structure he challenged had weakened. The system was still in place and it still had a chokehold on the political and media establishments that exist to uphold its interests. Which is why it has been mobilising these forces endlessly to damage Corbyn and avert the risk of a further, even more disastrous "accident", such as his becoming prime minister.

Listing the ways the state-corporate media have sought to undermine Corbyn would sound preposterous to anyone not deeply immersed in these media-constructed narratives. But almost all of us have been exposed to this kind of " brainwashing under freedom " since birth.

The initial attacks on Corbyn were for being poorly dressed, sexist, unstatesmanlike, a national security threat, a Communist spy – relentless, unsubstantiated smears the like of which no other party leader had ever faced. But over time the allegations became even more outrageously propagandistic as the campaign to undermine him not only failed but backfired – not least, because Labour membership rocketed under Corbyn to make the party the largest in Europe.

As the establishment's need to keep him away from power has grown more urgent and desperate so has the nature of the attacks.

Jake , says: July 5, 2019 at 11:43 am GMT

What is the last refuge of the scoundrel in the Anglo-Zionist Empire?

Smearing decent people, people who see things we are not supposed to see, as anti-Semites.

Jake , says: July 5, 2019 at 12:03 pm GMT
@Ordinary Brit

There were no Jews anywhere around most native Britons. And yet the Empire was banked most importantly by Jews back to at least the post-Glorious Revolution closing the 17th century, and that pattern of Jewish bankers being indispensable to the UK and the Brit WASP Empire goes back to Oliver Cromwell.

... ... ...

[Jul 05, 2019] Inside the 21st-century British criminal underworld

Jul 05, 2019 | www.theguardian.com

Inside the 21st-century British criminal underworld - World news - The Guardian

There are almost 5,000 criminal gangs in the UK. But the old family firms are gone – today's big players are multinational, diversified and tech-savvy.

By Duncan Campbell Main image: Underworlds old and new: Curtis Warren, John Palmer, the Hellbanianz and others. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PA

Thu 4 Jul 2019 06.01 BST Last modified on Thu 4 Jul 2019 12.22 BST

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W ho rules the underworld today, and where do they conduct their business? Once there were the familiar mugshots and Runyonesque nicknames, the clubs and pubs where the usual suspects gathered, plotted and schemed. Now organised crime is run like any other business, and its leading figures look like every other broker or tycoon. We have entered into a world of what Sir Rob Wainwright, until recently Europe's most senior police officer, calls "anonymised" crime. The underworld has become the overworld.

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The National Crime Agency has estimated that £90bn of criminal money is being laundered through the UK every year, 4% of the country's GDP. London has become the global capital of money-laundering and the beating heart of European organised crime. English is now the international underworld's lingua franca. Crime is an essential part of the British economy, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs, not just for professional criminals – the NCA reckons there are 4,629 organised crime groups in operation – but for police and prison officers, lawyers and court officials, and a security business that now employs more than half a million people.

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Just as the names of familiar shops have been departing from the high street, the old family firms of criminals are disappearing, whether in London, Glasgow, Newcastle or Manchester. And just as British football fans have had to learn how to pronounce the names of the legions of new foreign players, detectives have had to learn to do the same for the increasing number of new criminals. Britain was once dealing with drugs imports from half a dozen countries; now it is more than 30. A young person who would in the past have sought an apprenticeship in a trade or industry may now find that drug dealing offers better career prospects. And, apart from drugs and guns, British trading channels now facilitate the trafficking of women from eastern Europe and Africa for prostitution and children from Vietnam as low-level drug workers.

The underworld's modus operandi has shifted in the past quarter century. "The international nature of crime and technology are probably the two biggest changes," says Steve Rodhouse, the NCA's head of operations. Speaking at the NCA's unprepossessing headquarters in Vauxhall, south London, Rodhouse explains how the agency's work has mushroomed. "Pretty much all of the NCA's most significant 'high-harm' operations now involve people, commodities or money transferring across international borders. The days of having a drugs gang, a firearms gang or a people-trafficking gang have changed because of the concept of polycriminality. Groups satisfying criminal markets, whatever they may be, is now much more common. These are businesses and people are looking to exploit markets, so why confine yourself to one market?"

Wainwright, who served as Europol chief for nine years, has also noted this internationalisation of crime. Addressing a Police Foundation gathering just after his retirement last year, he said that Europol, the European equivalent of Interpol, having expanded since its foundation in 1998 when "it consisted literally, of two men and a dog – admittedly, a sniffer dog – in Luxembourg," now dealt with 65,000 cases a year. By 2018, he reckoned that 5,000 organised crime groups were operating across Europe and the mafia model had been replaced by a "more nimble" model, with 180 different nationalities operating, mixing legal with illegal business and working with between 400 and 500 major money-launderers. This was multinational business with specialists in recruitment, movement, money-laundering and the forging of documents.

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The internet, of course, is a major factor. Wainwright likened its effect on crime to that of the motorcar in the 1920s and 30s, when suddenly criminals could escape at speed and take advantage of new markets. He cited the dark web, which he said was selling 350,000 different illegal items – 60% of which were drugs – but including everything from guns to pornography and even operating a ratings system for speed of dispatch and quality. The combination of new faces of whom the British police – and often Interpol and Europol – were unaware, along with an increasingly tech-savvy pool of criminals able to disguise their identities, made for a toxic cocktail. Crooks anonymous.


O ne group with little interest in anonymity are the Hellbanianz, a gang of cocky young Albanians based in Barking, east London. They went online in spectacular fashion in 2017 via Instagram and YouTube rap videos to flaunt their ill-gotten wealth and firepower.

Their most prominent member, Tristen Asllani, who lived in Hampstead, was jailed for 25 years in 2016 for drug dealing and firearms offences which included possessing a Škorpion submachine gun. He was caught after a police chase in north London which ended when he crashed his car into a computer repair shop in Crouch End. A photo of Asllani, showing him stripped to the waist after he had apparently spent long hours in the prison gym, appeared on a social media page called My Albanian in Jail, with a caption saying "Even inside the prison we have all conditions, what's missing are only whores".

The flashy cars and bundles of banknotes on display in the Hellbanianz videos were the result of the importation of cocaine and cannabis, but the gang was also involved in the weapons trade. The pictures showed £50 notes wrapped around a cake and their HB logo written in cannabis. After they were arrested and jailed, other gang members have posted pictures of themselves, taken with smuggled mobile phones, from inside prison where they cheerfully inscribe their gang name on the walls.

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Muhamed Veliu, an Albanian investigative journalist, who knows London well, says that the Hellbanianz have been on the crime scene in east London for many years. "They are sending a bad message to young Albanians. By seeing such photos, they think the streets of UK are paved with gold Bizarrely, despite the fact they are in the prison, they show the outside world photos of their life behind the bars." He said that there was a concern that the British media stereotyped all Albanians as criminals but, he added, the 2006 Securitas robbery, in which two Albanians played key roles in the theft of £53m from a depot in Kent, was regarded with some national pride back home. "It was 'the crime of the century', it was seen as very different from making money from prostitution, which is the lowest form of crime. It is wrong, of course, but they did need bravery to get involved, and at least they went for a bank – that was the feeling in the Albanian community." There are currently around 700 Albanians in British jails.

"Albania is Europe's largest producer of cannabis," says Tony Saggers, the former head of drugs threat and intelligence at the NCA. "It is important not to stereotype, but the Kosovan war led to Albanians pretending to be Kosovan in order to get asylum in the UK. Many of the people who came just wanted a better life, but there were criminals among them who were able to set up illicit networks The UK criminal has a get-rich-quick mentality while the Albanians' strategy was get-rich-slow, so they have driven down the price of cocaine in the UK. They knew that if they expanded, they could undercut the market." It helped that their reputation preceded them. "The Albanian criminals may be ruthless and potentially murderous when controlling their organised crime," said Saggers, "but when they come to the UK they try to be more charismatic and they use fear – 'We're here, we need to get on,' that sort of approach. So there is little violence from the older Albanian criminals in the UK, because they know that violence attracts more attention."

The Albanians had already established themselves in a darker fashion when 26-year-old Luan Plackici was jailed in 2003 and said to have made more than £1m from trafficking "poor, naive and gullible" young women who thought they were on their way to jobs as waitresses or barmaids. Some had to service up to 20 men a day to pay for the £8,000 "travel bill" from Romania and Moldova.

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The international nature of people-trafficking was exposed fully in 2014 by a trial of a gang that imported more than 100 women into Britain. The trial ended with the gang leader, Vishal Chaudhary, being jailed for 12 years. Chaudhary, who lived the high life in Canary Wharf in London, contacted young women through social networks in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland, offering work as receptionists, nannies or cleaners in England. But when they got to the UK, the women were forced to work in brothels. Chaudhary's team, all of whom were jailed, consisted of his brother, Kunal, who worked for Deloitte in Manchester, a Hungarian heavy called Krisztian Abel and the latter's sister, Szilvia, who helped recruit the women.

A cannabis farm discovered in a house in Oldham in 2013. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

There are numbers of young people involved in what the legal system terms "forced criminality". The lawyer Philippa Southwell has specialised in such cases, which apply in particular to young Vietnamese people brought illegally into the UK by traffickers and forced to work in cannabis farms to pay back debts of up to £30,000 that their parents have undertaken in order for them to have a new life in Europe.

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"The modus operandi of criminal organisations is to target children or young adults, trafficking them across the world in a journey that can take months," Southwell says. "Those being trafficked from Vietnam, often transit via Russia, Germany and France, by boat, lorry and even by foot. Once at their destination, they will be locked in a premises and made to tend the cannabis plants, by watering them and ensuring the lighting is on. These cannabis grows are sophisticated multi-million-pound drug operations, with the electricity often being extracted illegally and high-value equipment used. The windows of the buildings may be nailed shut. The farms normally operate in rural areas where the chance of detection is reduced."

The boys and young men were in a form of debt bondage, but no matter how hard they worked, their debt never seemed to be paid off. "There is a misconception within the criminal justice system that they are free to leave because the doors may not always be locked," says Southwell, "but the reality is that they have nowhere to go – they are controlled through threats of violence, debt bondage, isolation, fear and other complex control methods that are regularly used by traffickers."


F rom the Chinese opium dealers in the 1920s, the Italian gangsters in the 30s, the Maltese pimps in the 50s, the West Indian Yardies in the 60s, the Turkish heroin dealers in the 70s to the east Europeans gangsters and Nigerian fraudsters today, there has long been an unfair tendency to blame foreigners as dominant figures in the underworld. While they may have all had their parts to play, the homegrown British villain – whether artful dodger or ruthless kingpin – has always been the bedrock of the underworld.

"Everyone wants to be a gangster," says BX, a young former gang member from north-west London. "Everyone's seen it on TV and that's what they want to be. They look at music videos and it looks like the people in them are making hundreds of thousands of pounds, although the reality is that they are still living at their mum's house. Most of them come from estates and they see their parents going to work, struggling to pay the bills. They come home, their mum's not there, and all the places where kids could play are closing down. Nine times out of 10, they leave school without qualifications. So if you're broke, if you can't get a job, you're going to take the opportunity. My parents had no clue what I was up to – I didn't come back with any marks on my face."

The recent upsurge in knife attacks has focused attention on gangs. At one stage last year, there were six separate knife murder trials underway at the Old Bailey, all gang-related, all involving more than one defendant, none older than 22. "It's not a black thing, it's not a white thing, everyone's doing it," says BX. "There's no: 'I'm black, he's white, we can't get along' any more." There were still ample opportunities for smaller-time dealers: "You can make a grand a week."

An organised gang carrying out robberies on scooters in London in 2018. Photograph: MET Police

The hierarchy of gangs remained a key factor. "If you're a drug dealer, you have to find people who will do your dirty work for you. The way it works is the elders, who are, say, 24 or 25, they see you doing well, so they might take you under their wing. The young kids acting as look-outs, they're thinking: 'I'm part of that guy's enterprise. That could be me in however many years, I could get promotion.' As they say, loyalty brings forth royalty."

Territory is important commercially. "If you're doing five keys (kilos) a week and then suddenly you're only doing three a week, it doesn't take long to realise that someone's out there taking your customers. So you have to eliminate the opposition. How do you do that? By either taking them out, or tipping off the police. You are never supposed to snitch, but I know one guy, from Southall, who's a millionaire now; he was in competition with a guy from the same area so he informed the police." There's a not-unfounded suspicion that some informers have continued to commit crimes while under police protection. "All the old-school rules – they're gone. I know people who work with the police to get immunity for themselves. I know one who everyone knows works with the police, he's even been shooting people, but you type his name into Google you won't find anything about him and, believe me, his record is way longer than my arm."

The risks are high. "Of the people I grew up with, only three of us haven't been to jail, although I've been arrested many times. My older brother has been in and out of jail – nine months here, six weeks there. But there are less police than ever, so that gives you the incentive, and even if you get arrested, you're not going to do that long."

While the young gangs have largely replaced the old family-based crews, so have young, helmeted, scooter-riding robbers smashing their ways into jewellers and mobile phone shops taken on the role of the old sawn-off shotgun-wielding bank robbers.


W hile those smalltime home-grown villains may still thrive, an increasing number of members of the British underworld have followed old imperial traditions and headed abroad to cut out the middle-man, establishing themselves not only in the traditional bolt-hole of Spain, but in the Netherlands, Thailand and South Africa. The person who was to rewrite the rulebook on drug dealing is the street-smart Liverpudlian Curtis Warren, better known by his nicknames Cocky or the Cocky Watchman. Born in 1963, his criminal career started at the age of 12 with a conviction for car theft. By 16, he was on his way to borstal for assaulting the police. Other offences followed, but it was only when he moved into the drugs business, working out of Amsterdam, that he established his reputation as one of the most prolific traffickers of modern times – Interpol's "Target One" and the subject of a joint British–Dutch investigation codenamed Operation Crayfish.

While Warren's move to Amsterdam, where fellow British dealers also established themselves, seemed like a smart idea in that he was less exposed to the British police, it was also a weakness, because the Dutch authorities were able to tap his phone without restriction and secure the evidence they needed. (Although they also required English help in translating Liverpudlian for them.) In October 1996, police in the Netherlands seized 400kg of cocaine, 60kg of heroin, 1,500kg of cannabis, handguns and false passports. Nine Britons and a Colombian were arrested, and Warren was soon portrayed as the biggest fish in the net. He was jailed for 12 years for a conspiracy to import what was claimed to be £125m of drugs into Britain. The Observer suggested he was "the richest and most successful British criminal who has ever been caught", and he was the only drug dealer to make it on to the Sunday Times rich list. T-shirts with an old mugshot of Warren on them were still for sale in Liverpool 20 years after Operation Crayfish.

Curtis Warren. Photograph: PA

After his release from jail in the Netherlands in June 2007, Warren was only a free man for five weeks. He headed to Jersey, but was under constant surveillance and soon arrested. In 2009, he was convicted of conspiring to import £1m of cannabis into Jersey and jailed for 13 years. Warren was alleged to have invested his wealth in everything from petrol stations to vineyards, football clubs to hotels. A Jersey court ordered him to pay £198m after he failed to prove his business empire was not built on the proceeds of cocaine trafficking. Detectives had secretly recorded him boasting during a 2004 prison visit of funnelling huge amounts of cash via a money launderer. "Fuckin' 'ell, mate, sometimes we'd do about £10m or £15m in a week," he told some of his visitors. "I was bragging like an idiot and just big-talking in front of them," was Warren's explanation later. The Jersey attorney general, Timothy Le Cocq QC, described him as "one of Europe's most notorious organised criminals". His failure to pay the money resulted in a further 10 years' jail time.

He told Guardian journalist Helen Pidd, when she interviewed him in jail in Jersey, that he disapproved of drugs: "I've never had a cigarette in my life or a drink. I've never tasted alcohol or anything. No interest." His ambition after he was freed was to leave England – "and never come back". He added: "I just wish I'd not been such a worry to me mum."

Few people were better qualified to comment on Warren than former NCA man Tony Saggers, who was an expert witness in Warren's trial and proceeds hearing. "Curtis Warren was a forerunner," he said. "You get people like him who come from a tough background, a council-house environment, and he had a sort of bare-faced courage in some respects, to put himself in places like Venezuela and Colombia, which were probably even more dangerous then than they are now. He put himself at the other end of the supply chain, and in a way established that pattern for the elite drug trafficker. But nowadays, high-level, high-profile criminals play less and less of a role, and make use of others below them in a detached way."

Other British criminals have also cast their nets wide during the past two decades. One of the best-known was Brian Wright, once one of Britain's most active cocaine smugglers, who was nicknamed The Milkman – because he always delivered. He operated from both Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus and Spain. In 1998, he was alleged to have imported almost two tonnes of the drug, with the result, according to one customs investigator, that "the cocaine was coming in faster than people could snort it". The Dublin-born Wright owned a villa near Cadiz, which he named El Lechero – the Spanish for milkman – and had a box at Ascot, a flat in Chelsea's King's Quay and used some of his proceeds to fix races on which he then bet, thus laundering his drug profits. Finally arrested in Spain, he was brought back to England and, in 2007, at the age of 60, found guilty at Woolwich crown court of conspiracy to supply drugs and jailed for30 years .

Some very successful scams have been perpetrated on elderly Britons. John Palmer, who had been involved in the Brink's-Mat bullion robbery (from whence he got his nickname "Goldfinger") made his fortune in a crooked timeshare business in Tenerife. A ruthless operator, he took advantage of thousands of gullible souls, many of them elderly holidaymakers, who believed his spiel about the fortunes they could make by investing in timeshare apartments that were never built. Outwardly, he appeared to have it all: the yacht, the cars with the personalised number plates, dozens of properties. He even made it to No 105 in the Sunday Times rich list. "Remember the golden rule," was the motto he loved to quote, "he who has the gold makes the rules." But in 2001, he was convicted of a timeshare fraud in which 16,000 victims lost an estimated £33m and served eight years in prison.

Then, in 2015, Palmer was shot dead by a hitman in his garden in Essex. There were rumours that he was killed because he might have been cooperating with the Spanish police over another fraud case. His co-accused were convicted in Spain in May this year and the police in Britain have duly issued a fresh appeal for help to find his killer – with a reminder that there is a £100,000 reward on offer in case that tempts an elderly underworld grass.

Any notion that Spain might still be a safe haven for expat criminals was dispelled in 2018 when Brian Charrington – a close associate of Curtis Warren and regarded as one of the major international drug dealers of his generation – was jailed for 15 years for trafficking and money-laundering in Alicante in 2018. Described in the Spanish press as " el narco que escribia en Wikipedia ", because of his reputation for updating and correcting his Wikipedia entry, the former car-dealer from Middlesbrough had been arrested in 2013 at his villa in Calpe, on the Costa Blanca, an area where some estate agents offer bulletproof glass as a special feature along with the spa bath and barbecue area. There had been wild rumours of crocodiles in his swimming pool, but disappointingly, the police found none.

Charrington was alleged to have brought vast quantities of drugs into Spain via a yacht docking in Altea, north of Benidorm. He claimed his money came legitimately. "I buy and sell villas and I pay my taxes," he told the court, but was still fined nearly £30m. Following a lengthy investigation involving Spanish, British, Venezuelan, Colombian and French police, his assets, including a dozen houses and his cars and boats, were impounded. After his sentence, his Wikipedia entry was speedily updated.


T he titles of true crime memoirs published in the past decade or so tell their own tale. The Last Real Gangster by Freddie Foreman came out in 2015; The Last Gangster: My Final Confession by Charlie Richardson arrived just after his death in 2012; The Last Godfather, the Life and Crimes of Arthur Thompson, was published in Glasgow in 2007. A requiem for the old British underworld.

In many ways, it was already slipping into a haze of nostalgia. The television series Peaky Blinders has spawned its own fashion accessory industry. You can now buy Peaky Blinders cufflinks shaped like razor-blades, or wear a Peaky Blinders cap and waistcoat from the new David Beckham clothing line , something that might have prompted a dark smile from the ruthless and acquisitive 1920s Birmingham gang on whom the series was based. The website henorstag.com even recommends "the Peaky Blinders look" as perfect for a stag night: "For a theme the ladies will love, you will need to capture the stylish world of the early 20th century with black peak caps, stylish grey or black suits with waistcoat, as well as a dusty black coat and shoes in order to complete the look." (Add a cosh and a cut-throat razor and you'll really slay 'em.)

While the Kray twins brand continues as the underworld's equivalent of Marks & Spencer – a framed letter from Ronnie Kray in Broadmoor is currently on offer on eBay for £650 – changes in the law have made criminals less prepared to boast about past crimes. In the old days, under the "double jeopardy" rule, once you were acquitted of a murder, you could never be tried for it again. That rule was overturned with the 2003 Criminal Justice Act, so the days when a villain could explain in their memoirs how they got away with a crime have gone. The 2009 Coroners and Justice Act made it an offence for criminals to profit from accounts of their crimes, so they could no longer sell their stories, or at least officially. The 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act and its increasing use against career criminals has meant that illicit incomes can be seized.

No wonder the Hatton Garden burglary of 2015 – that " one last job " carried out by the elderly "diamond wheezers" – received such attention. Even one of the "last of the last", Fred Foreman, was hoping he was going to be offered a role in it. "I heard that Terry (Perkins, one of the ringleaders) was looking for me, not long before the burglary took place, so I presume that would have been what it was about," he says.

ss="rich-link tone-feature--item rich-link--pillar-news"> Organised crime in the UK is bigger than ever before. Can the police catch up? Read more

Perkins died in his cell in Belmarsh prison last year. Foreman, who made his name with the Krays in the 1960s, now lives in sheltered accomodation in west London. He doubts that the current generation of gangsters will ever write their memoirs: "I don't think that anyone who has turned to crime these days is going to live long enough to build up a reputation, are they?"

But the recruiting sergeants of the underworld – poverty, greed, boredom, envy, peer pressure, glamour – will never be short of volunteers, whether they live long enough to make a name for themselves or not.

Underworld : the Definitive History of Britain's Organised Crime by Duncan Campbell is published by Ebury Press on 11 July

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[Jul 01, 2019] The Return of Sammy Glick by Martin Sieff

Notable quotes:
"... As I documented on March 9 on this platform in my article " What Makes Gavin Run ?" Williamson knows no shame or integrity and is the living embodiment of the repulsive, two-faced backstabber, intriguer and liar Sammy Glick in the great writer Budd Schulberg's legendary 1941 novel of Hollywood "What Makes Sammy Run?" So he is a natural fit for Johnson, whose entire career has been dictated by similar shameless, reckless lies, opportunism and crass incompetence. ..."
"... According to many UK media reports – which Williamson understandably denies – his most effective weapons are bullying, bluster and threats. These are patterns of behavior which those who have worked for him or who have bothered following his career over the years find extremely convincing and in character (or, rather, lack of it). ..."
"... Putting Williamson in charge of such a delicate, nervously balanced and ultra-sensitive province is like appointing a Sith Lord as head of the Jedi Knights in "Star Wars" or putting the late Boston underworld mass murderer Whitey Bulger in charge of the FBI. ..."
"... Because like attracts like, competent honorable people in any country and culture seek to promote and advance others with the same qualities and empty, shallow sociopaths and confidence tricksters similarly admire and advance people exactly like themselves. ..."
Jun 30, 2019 | www.strategic-culture.org

As I documented on March 9 on this platform in my article " What Makes Gavin Run ?" Williamson knows no shame or integrity and is the living embodiment of the repulsive, two-faced backstabber, intriguer and liar Sammy Glick in the great writer Budd Schulberg's legendary 1941 novel of Hollywood "What Makes Sammy Run?" So he is a natural fit for Johnson, whose entire career has been dictated by similar shameless, reckless lies, opportunism and crass incompetence.

No one gets every, or usually most, professional predictions right, and in the news business sensible people make the best of their brilliant insights – or lucky guesses – when they can. But I have seldom hit a hole-in-one prediction that came true as quickly as my column on Williamson did.

On March 9, Williamson, after only a decade in the UK main chamber of parliament, the ancient House of Commons was still riding high and making a fool of himself insulting major nations from Russia to China and also the UK's badly-needed European allies as the most incompetent defense chief in the modern history of his nation.

On May 1, less than two months after my article appeared – and with no causality that I could see – Williamson was humiliatingly sacked by his benefactor, Prime Minister Theresa May after being accused of leaking highly confidential national security information to the media.

Williamson immediately turned on his long-time benefactor Mrs. May savagely and helped drive her from office – which was admittedly long overdue. She resigned on June 7, just over a single month after sacking him.

Williamson then joined May's arch-enemy, former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, who had relentlessly schemed to topple her for years and joined Johnson's own campaign to win the leadership of the rapidly disintegrating Conservative Party and thence become prime minister.

At the time of writing, Johnson remains far in the lead in the contest to replace May as prime minister despite repeated attacks on his character, utter lack of political consistency, convictions or achievement and his entertainingly squalid private life.

Johnson is twice divorced with neither marriage lasting longer than five years and he is now being accused of screaming rows with his 20-years-younger girl friend that may or may not have involved him hitting her, which he naturally denies.

Through all this Williamson, who like Johnson himself does not lack for energy in the service of his own ambition, has been rounding up support for his new master among Conservative Party Members of Parliament.

According to many UK media reports – which Williamson understandably denies – his most effective weapons are bullying, bluster and threats. These are patterns of behavior which those who have worked for him or who have bothered following his career over the years find extremely convincing and in character (or, rather, lack of it).

Reports are also circulating in the UK media – which are usually well-connected and informed on such matters – that Williamson is holding out to be reappointed as the UK's defense chief or as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is my native land and is tiny in size. But over the past century and more it has repeatedly displayed an infinite capacity for generating wars, embarrassment and catastrophe for both Ireland and the UK, which otherwise get along easily and well.

Putting Williamson in charge of such a delicate, nervously balanced and ultra-sensitive province is like appointing a Sith Lord as head of the Jedi Knights in "Star Wars" or putting the late Boston underworld mass murderer Whitey Bulger in charge of the FBI.

Therefore it will probably happen.

Because like attracts like, competent honorable people in any country and culture seek to promote and advance others with the same qualities and empty, shallow sociopaths and confidence tricksters similarly admire and advance people exactly like themselves.

On Monday, June 24, without mentioning Williamson once, one of the UK's most experienced and respected journalists, war correspondents and historians, Sir Max Hastings wrote a scathing article in the liberal "Guardian" newspaper entitled "I was Boris Johnson's boss: he is utterly unfitted to be prime minister."

Therefore Johnson will re-elevate Williamson, either to drive Northern Ireland back into civil war or destroy the remaining security of the entire UK as defense secretary once again. And Williamson will remain loyal, until he in his turn sees the chance to stab Johnson in the back and briefly rule as prime minister until he in his own turn is politically knifed and toppled by one of his own hand-picked sociopaths.

And Sammy Glick will rise again – on the suffering and smashed lives of everyone else.

[Jun 28, 2019] On Chosen-mess by Gilad Atzmon

Notable quotes:
"... Jeffrey Epstein's story is similarly abusive. The convicted sex offender prostituted dozens of underage girls and should have spent the rest of his life in jail. Again this is no 'one-off' abuse of an underage child, he was a serial sex predator. ..."
"... According to Joseph Recarey, the lead Palm Beach detective on the case, Epstein was essentially operating a "sexual pyramid scheme." ..."
"... The Vox writes that the girls and women who reported abuse by Epstein, meanwhile, were markedly powerless. Most of them "came from disadvantaged families, single-parent homes or foster care, Many of the girls were one step away from homelessness." ..."
Jun 28, 2019 | www.unz.com

Jeffrey Epstein's story is similarly abusive. The convicted sex offender prostituted dozens of underage girls and should have spent the rest of his life in jail. Again this is no 'one-off' abuse of an underage child, he was a serial sex predator.

According to Joseph Recarey, the lead Palm Beach detective on the case, Epstein was essentially operating a "sexual pyramid scheme."

The Vox writes that the girls and women who reported abuse by Epstein, meanwhile, were markedly powerless. Most of them "came from disadvantaged families, single-parent homes or foster care, Many of the girls were one step away from homelessness."

In November 2017 the genius comedian Larry David was criticized in the Jewish press for admitting on Saturday Night Live that many of those accused of sexual harassment in Hollywood are Jewish.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/G0eeNijdv3I?feature=oembed

... Alan Dershowitz , who was a member of Epstein's legal team and was later accused by one of the victims' lawyers of himself participating in the sex trafficking ring .

[Jun 24, 2019] Foreign policy triumphs of Trump administration

Notable quotes:
"... Real men go to Teheran! ..."
"... Trump treats int'l matters like acrid biz negotiations (see art of the deal) - you pressure your carpet installer for your mega hotels with nasty e-mails, bellowing threats on the phone, rustling up the competition, getting a bunch of staff on your side to shore up da ego, etc. When the carpet-seller makes some bigly concessions on price (all understand the game that is played) you relent and make nicey, and the wives get together for tennis and a ruccola crab lunch and later some mega bash with smiling faces is pictured. ..."
Jun 24, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Noirette , Jun 23, 2019 11:16:27 AM | 10

Trump strove for some foreign policy triumphs. The art of the deal!

Real men go to Teheran!

Except Trump and US forces aren't going anywhere at all and most certainly not to Iran. A real war in that theatre cannot be fought and won by the US. Nor can it be instigated and subsequently 'let drop' or 'become unimportant, trivial, with some claims of victory' for ex. Afghanistan. (very costly btw)

Iran has made it clear that economic sanctions are part of hybrid war, rightly so (but not, as I still claim, by making some minor attacks on tankers round about, to provoke a reaction, NO) -- at some point, one engages, if not: backing down is the only option.

Trump treats int'l matters like acrid biz negotiations (see art of the deal) - you pressure your carpet installer for your mega hotels with nasty e-mails, bellowing threats on the phone, rustling up the competition, getting a bunch of staff on your side to shore up da ego, etc. When the carpet-seller makes some bigly concessions on price (all understand the game that is played) you relent and make nicey, and the wives get together for tennis and a ruccola crab lunch and later some mega bash with smiling faces is pictured.

I think he got on super well with Kim (NK) who understood all this.

Leaves begging what-who-why is the projected aim, potential hoped result of the hybrid attack on Iran, and which parties (USA MIC, Fin. Trade Cos., Banking, FF industry, many other industries; Israel, KSA) support it (again, for what precise aim?) Or are against sanctions...

[Jun 23, 2019] As former right-wing operative Allen Raymond famously said: "this is not about morality, this is about winning"

Jun 23, 2019 | discussion.theguardian.com

1Byron , 5 Mar 2012 17:44

It's no wonder the US is so screwed up these days. Somehow the NeoCons, before and after stealing the 2,000 election for Bush, with the help of abundance of Liars 4 Hire think tanks like CATO, CEI, AEI, Heritage Foundation blah, blah, blah, bankrolled by the likes of the Koch Bros, The Scaifes, Exxon, Monsanto, Dow, Dupont the Nuke Industry etc. were, and are still able to convince low intelligence people that wrong is right, bad is good, meanness is "compassion" and abuse is "tough love".

But it only works if those being duped are already predisposed to hateful philosophy, and that they got in spades with careful conditioning (brainwashing) from bastards like Rush Limbaugh and Rupert Murdoch, people with no moral scruples whatsoever.

Thus the right today (actually for a long while now) is no more than a collection of racists and bigots, pathological liars and scammers, charlatans and greedmeisters.

It's why they care nothing for the poor, nothing for protection the environment, nothing for anyone or anything but themselves. They are the cult of mean.

As former right-wing operative Allen Raymond famously said: "this is not about morality, this is about winning"

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/1/8/how_to_rig_an_election_convicted

[Jun 23, 2019] Argentina s Economic Misery Could Bring Populism Back to the Country by Peter S. Goodman

Notable quotes:
"... Mr. Macri has slashed subsidies for electricity, fuel and transportation, causing prices to skyrocket, and recently prompting Ms. Genovesi, 48, to cut off her gas service, rendering her stove lifeless. Like most of her neighbors, she illegally taps into the power lines that run along the rutted dirt streets. ..."
"... "It's a neoliberal government," she says. "It's a government that does not favor the people." ..."
"... The tribulations playing out under the disintegrating roofs of the poor are a predictable dimension of Mr. Macri's turn away from left-wing populism. He vowed to shrink Argentina's monumental deficits by diminishing the largess of the state. The trouble is that Argentines have yet to collect on the other element the president promised: the economic revival that was supposed to follow the pain. ..."
"... But as Mr. Macri seeks re-election this year, Argentines increasingly lament that they are absorbing all strife and no progress. Even businesses that have benefited from his reforms complain that he has botched the execution, leaving the nation to confront the same concoction of misery that has plagued it for decades. The economy is contracting. Inflation is running above 50 percent, and joblessness is stuck above 9 percent ..."
"... Poverty afflicts a third of the population, and the figure is climbing. ..."
"... Mr. Macri sold his administration as an evolved form of governance for these times, a crucial dose of market forces tempered by social programs. ..."
"... In the most generous reading, the medicine has yet to take effect. But in the view of beleaguered Argentines, the country has merely slipped back into the rut that has framed national life for as long as most people can remember. ..."
"... "We live patching things up," said Roberto Nicoli, 62, who runs a silverware company outside the capital, Buenos Aires. "We never fix things. I always say, 'Whenever we start doing better, I will start getting ready for the next crisis.'" ..."
"... "When our president Cristina was here, they sent people to help us," she says. "Now, if there's problems, nobody helps us. Poor people feel abandoned." ..."
May 10, 2019 | www.nytimes.com

On the ragged streets of the shantytown across the road, where stinking outhouses sit alongside shacks fashioned from rusted sheets of tin, families have surrendered hopes that sewage lines will ever reach them.

They do not struggle to fashion an explanation for their declining fortunes: Since taking office more than three years ago, President Mauricio Macri has broken with the budget-busting populism that has dominated Argentina for much of the past century, embracing the grim arithmetic of economic orthodoxy.

Mr. Macri has slashed subsidies for electricity, fuel and transportation, causing prices to skyrocket, and recently prompting Ms. Genovesi, 48, to cut off her gas service, rendering her stove lifeless. Like most of her neighbors, she illegally taps into the power lines that run along the rutted dirt streets.

"It's a neoliberal government," she says. "It's a government that does not favor the people."

The tribulations playing out under the disintegrating roofs of the poor are a predictable dimension of Mr. Macri's turn away from left-wing populism. He vowed to shrink Argentina's monumental deficits by diminishing the largess of the state. The trouble is that Argentines have yet to collect on the other element the president promised: the economic revival that was supposed to follow the pain.

Mr. Macri's supporters heralded his 2015 election as a miraculous outbreak of normalcy in a country with a well-earned reputation for histrionics. He would cease the reckless spending that had brought Argentina infamy for defaulting on its debts eight times. Sober-minded austerity would win the trust of international financiers, bringing investment that would yield jobs and fresh opportunities.

But as Mr. Macri seeks re-election this year, Argentines increasingly lament that they are absorbing all strife and no progress. Even businesses that have benefited from his reforms complain that he has botched the execution, leaving the nation to confront the same concoction of misery that has plagued it for decades. The economy is contracting. Inflation is running above 50 percent, and joblessness is stuck above 9 percent.

Poverty afflicts a third of the population, and the figure is climbing.

Far beyond this country of 44 million people, Mr. Macri's tenure is testing ideas that will shape economic policy in an age of recrimination over widening inequality. His presidency was supposed to offer an escape from the wreckage of profligate spending while laying down an alternative path for countries grappling with the worldwide rise of populism. Now, his presidency threatens to become a gateway back to populism. The Argentine economy is contracting. Inflation is running above 50 percent, and joblessness is stuck above 9 percent. Poverty afflicts a third of the population. Credit Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

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The Argentine economy is contracting. Inflation is running above 50 percent, and joblessness is stuck above 9 percent. Poverty afflicts a third of the population. Credit Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

As the October election approaches, Mr. Macri is contending with the growing prospect of a challenge from the president he succeeded, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who faces a series of criminal indictments for corruption . Her unbridled spending helped deliver the crisis that Mr. Macri inherited. Her return would resonate as a rebuke of his market-oriented reforms while potentially yanking Argentina back to its accustomed preserve: left-wing populism, in uncomfortable proximity to insolvency.

The Argentine peso lost half of its value against the dollar last year, prompting the central bank to lift interest rates to a commerce-suffocating level above 60 percent. Argentina was forced to secure a $57 billion rescue from the International Monetary Fund , a profound indignity given that the fund is widely despised here for the austerity it imposed in the late 1990s, turning an economic downturn into a depression.

For Mr. Macri, time does not appear to be in abundant supply. The spending cuts he delivered hit the populace immediately. The promised benefits of his reforms -- a stable currency, tamer inflation, fresh investment and jobs -- could take years to materialize, leaving Argentines angry and yearning for the past.

In much of South America, left-wing governments have taken power in recent decades as an angry corrective to dogmatic prescriptions from Washington, where the Treasury and the I.M.F. have focused on the confidence of global investors as the key to development.

Left-wing populism has aimed to redistribute the gains from the wealthy to everyone else. It has aided the poor, while generating its own woes -- corruption and depression in Brazil , runaway inflation and financial ruin in Argentina. In Venezuela, uninhibited spending has turned the country with the world's largest proven oil reserves into a land where children starve .

Mr. Macri sold his administration as an evolved form of governance for these times, a crucial dose of market forces tempered by social programs.

In the most generous reading, the medicine has yet to take effect. But in the view of beleaguered Argentines, the country has merely slipped back into the rut that has framed national life for as long as most people can remember.

"We live patching things up," said Roberto Nicoli, 62, who runs a silverware company outside the capital, Buenos Aires. "We never fix things. I always say, 'Whenever we start doing better, I will start getting ready for the next crisis.'"

Cultivating wealth

... ... ...

In the beginning, there was Juan Domingo Perón, the charismatic Army general who was president from 1946 to 1955, and then again from 1973 to 1974. He employed an authoritarian hand and muscular state power to champion the poor. He and his wife, Eva Duarte -- widely known by her nickname, Evita -- would dominate political life long after they died, inspiring politicians across the ideological spectrum to claim their mantle.

Among the most ardent Peronists were Néstor Kirchner, the president from 2003 to 2007, and his wife, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who took office in 2007, remaining until Mr. Macri was elected in 2015.

Their version of Peronism -- what became known as Kirchnerism -- was decidedly left-wing, disdaining global trade as a malevolent force. They expanded cash grants to the poor and imposed taxes on farm exports in a bid to keep Argentine food prices low.

As the country's farmers tell it, Kirchnerism is just a fancy term for the confiscation of their wealth and the scattering of the spoils to the unproductive masses. They point to Ms. Kirchner's 35 percent tax on soybean exports.

"We had a saying," Mr. Tropini says. "'For every three trucks that went to the port, one was for Cristina Kirchner.'"

reduction in export taxes.

"You could breathe finally," Mr. Tropini, the farmer, says.

He was free of the Kirchners, yet stuck with nature. Floods in 2016 wiped out more than half of his crops. A drought last year wreaked even more havoc.

"This harvest, this year," he says, "is a gift from God."

But if the heavens are now cooperating, and if the people running Buenos Aires represent change, Mr. Tropini is critical of Mr. Macri's failure to overcome the economic crisis.

A weaker currency makes Argentine soybeans more competitive, but it also increases the cost of the diesel fuel Mr. Tropini needs to run his machinery. High interest rates make it impossible for him to buy another combine, which would allow him to expand his farm.

In September, faced with a plunge in government revenues, Mr. Macri reinstated some export taxes .

... ... ...

What went wrong?

... ... ...

In the first years of Mr. Macri's administration, the government lifted controls on the value of the peso while relaxing export taxes. The masters of international finance delivered a surge of investment. The economy expanded by nearly 3 percent in 2017, and then accelerated in the first months of last year.

But as investors grew wary of Argentina's deficits, they fled, sending the peso plunging and inflation soaring. As the rout continued last year, the central bank mounted a futile effort to support the currency, selling its stash of dollars to try to halt the peso's descent. As the reserves dwindled, investors absorbed the spectacle of a government failing to restore order. The exodus of money intensified, and another potential default loomed, leading a chastened Mr. Macri to accept a rescue from the dreaded IMF.

Administration officials described the unraveling as akin to a natural disaster: unforeseeable and unavoidable. The drought hurt agriculture. Money was flowing out of developing countries as the Federal Reserve continued to lift interest rates in the United States, making the American dollar a more attractive investment.

But the impact of the Fed's tightening had been widely anticipated. Economists fault the government for mishaps and complacency that left the country especially vulnerable.

.... ... ...

Among the most consequential errors was the government's decision to include Argentina's central bank in a December 2017 announcement that it was raising its inflation target. The markets took that as a signal that the government was surrendering its war on inflation while opting for a traditional gambit: printing money rather than cutting spending.

... ... ...

The government insists that better days are ahead. The spending cuts have dropped the budget deficit to a manageable 3 percent of annual economic output. Argentina is again integrated into the global economy.

"We haven't improved, but the foundations of the economy and society are much healthier," said Miguel Braun, secretary of economic policy at the Treasury Ministry. "Argentina is in a better place to generate a couple of decades of growth."

... ... ...

Their television flashes dire warnings, like "Danger of Hyper Inflation." Throughout the neighborhood, people decry the sense that they have been forsaken by the government.

Trucks used to come to castrate male dogs to control the packs of feral animals running loose. Not anymore. Health programs for children are less accessible than they were before, they said.

Daisy Quiroz, 71, a retired maid, lives in a house that regularly floods in the rainy season.

"When our president Cristina was here, they sent people to help us," she says. "Now, if there's problems, nobody helps us. Poor people feel abandoned."

... ... ...

Daniel Politi contributed reporting from Buenos Aires. Peter S. Goodman is a London-based European economics correspondent. He was previously a national economic correspondent in New York. He has also worked at The Washington Post as a China correspondent, and was global editor in chief of the International Business Times. @ petersgoodman

[Jun 18, 2019] Have the neoliberal ruling elite gotten lazy or stupid

Notable quotes:
"... The Gulf of Credibility - I really cannot begin to fathom how stupid you would have to be to believe that Iran would attack a Japanese oil tanker at the very moment that the Japanese Prime Minister was sitting down to friendly, US-disapproved talks in https://t.co/P1wE1Y886i ..."
"... When the ruling elite wanted a war with Iraq they invented incubator babies and WMD programs that didn't exist. Their inventions were far fetched, but not unbelievable. However, the idea that the paranoid dictator Saddam was just going to hand over his most powerful weapons to religious fanatics that hated his guts, was laughably stupid. ..."
"... When the ruling elite wanted a war with Libya they invented a genocidal, Viagra-fueled, rape army. Their invention was far fetched, and bit lazy, but you could be forgiven for believing that the Mandarins believed it. ..."
"... This latest anti-Iran warmongering is just plain stupid. It's as if they don't really care if anyone believes the lies they are telling. For starters, look at the shameless liar who is telling these lies. ..."
"... Looking at this incident/narrative from any/every angle leaves one to conclude "false flag". ..."
"... As for the "most obvious culprit is usually responsible for the crime" that also happens to be "bazaar-level conspiracy theories involving a false-flag operation by Israel's Mossad". Because Mossad actually does that. ..."
"... If El Trumpo was going to drain the swamp, why did he take these cretins, Bolton, Pompeo, Haspel, Abrams into his cabinet? Is the tail, wagging the dog as usual? ..."
"... The elite are both lazy and stupid. Even the Orange Man will not be sucked into another Douma style false flag operation. The reasons why this is a basic false flag is obvious. If anybody reading about this doesn't understand the culprits responsible weren't Iranian, then they should be interviewed for mental competency. ..."
"... But Pompous Mike and Bolt-on Bolt-off need to be removed from any semblance of governmental authority. I could go on but this whole affair is making me tired...I'm going back to my swamp. ..."
Jun 14, 2019 | caucus99percent.com

gjohnsit on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 5:42pm

The Gulf of Credibility - I really cannot begin to fathom how stupid you would have to be to believe that Iran would attack a Japanese oil tanker at the very moment that the Japanese Prime Minister was sitting down to friendly, US-disapproved talks in https://t.co/P1wE1Y886i

-- Craig Murray (@CraigMurrayOrg) June 14, 2019

When the ruling elite wanted a war with Iraq they invented incubator babies and WMD programs that didn't exist. Their inventions were far fetched, but not unbelievable. However, the idea that the paranoid dictator Saddam was just going to hand over his most powerful weapons to religious fanatics that hated his guts, was laughably stupid.

When the ruling elite wanted a war with Libya they invented a genocidal, Viagra-fueled, rape army. Their invention was far fetched, and bit lazy, but you could be forgiven for believing that the Mandarins believed it.

This latest anti-Iran warmongering is just plain stupid. It's as if they don't really care if anyone believes the lies they are telling. For starters, look at the shameless liar who is telling these lies.

You mean "Mr. We Lied, We Cheated, We Stole"? What a disgraceful character... pic.twitter.com/pMtAgKaZcG

-- Brave New World (@ClubBayern) June 13, 2019

Then there are the many problems of their "proof".

Where is the video of the Iranians PLACING explosives & detonating them? Removal would be prudent by any Navy/CG. Also location of explosives is VERY high off waterline ...Weird. It's not a limpet mine, it's a demo charge. Had to be put on by fairly high boat w/ a long gaff/pole https://t.co/3qzB7TrrYv

-- Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) June 14, 2019

The distress call went out at 6 am. So, according to CENTCOM's analysis of this video, they're suggesting that 10 hours after the tanker was hit, the IRGC just casually pulled up to the tanker to remove unexploded limpet mine in broad daylight?!

-- Rosalind Rogers راز (@Rrogerian) June 14, 2019

BREAKING: Owner says Kokuka Courageous tanker crew saw "flying objects" before attack, suggesting ship wasn't damaged by mines.

-- The Associated Press (@AP) June 14, 2019

The Japanese company that owns the ship has refused to cooperate in this false flag mission.

But in remarks to Japanese media, the president of the company that owns the ship said the vessel wasn't damaged by a mine. "A mine doesn't damage a ship above sea level," said Yutaka Katada, president of Kokuka Sangyo, the owner and operator of the vessel. "We aren't sure exactly what hit, but it was something flying towards the ship," he said.

When the propaganda begins to fall apart and @realDonaldTrump tries to find another way to start a war to win an election. pic.twitter.com/r8Cp7BNQ7z

-- Bamboozll (@bamboozll) June 14, 2019

Looking at this incident/narrative from any/every angle leaves one to conclude "false flag".

Finally, there is the question of "why"?

What would Iran hope to accomplish by this? I found one establishment source that tried to rationalize.

Iran denied responsibility, with Foreign Minister Javad Zarif descending to bazaar-level conspiracy theories involving a false-flag operation by Israel's Mossad.

If you're not inclined to believe the Trump administration – and such skepticism is entirely reasonable – most detectives would still tell you that the most obvious culprit is usually responsible for the crime.

To those seeking logic behind the attacks, though, it may be hard to see why Iran would do this – but that assumes that the regime in Tehran is a rational actor.

The Gulf of Oman attacks are especially hard to explain: targeting Japanese shipping on the very day that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was meeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on a well-publicized peace mission would seem extraordinarily counterproductive, even for a regime with an almost fanatical commitment to self-harm.

Have you ever noticed that everyone that we want to start a war with is crazy? Regimes that stand solid for generations under hostile conditions are always run by maniacs. You'd think that insanity would prevent them from taking power in the first place, but that seems to only be true with our allies.

As for the "most obvious culprit is usually responsible for the crime" that also happens to be "bazaar-level conspiracy theories involving a false-flag operation by Israel's Mossad". Because Mossad actually does that.

Since the U.S.'s tightening of sanctions has squeezed Iranian oil exports, nobody else's should be allowed to pass through waters within reach of the IRGC.

The Iranians know that these threats, if repeated, can lose their power if not followed with action. The attacks on the tankers, then, can be explained as a demonstration that Khamenei's attack dogs have some teeth.

There is another rationale. If Iran does eventually agree to negotiate with the U.S., it will want to bring some bargaining chips to the table – something it can exchange for the removal of sanctions. In the negotiations over the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was able to offer the suspension of its nuclear program. It doesn't have that particular chip now, although Tehran has recently threatened to crank up the centrifuges again.

Meanwhile, the regime may have calculated that the only way to secure some kind of negotiating position is blackmail: End the sanctions, or we take out some more tankers, and send oil prices surging.

This almost sounds logical, except for one thing: Iran tried that in 1988 and it didn't work. It only caused the one thing the U.S. was itching for: to kill some Iranians.
Do you think that they've forgotten? Or that the U.S. is less warlike? Oh wait. Iranians are crazy and can't be reasoned with, amirite?

US public radio @NPR does not mention it was Iranians who saved the crew. That's how terrible they are at journalism

-- boomerWithaLandline (@Irene34799239) June 14, 2019

The only real question is, why such a transparent lie? Has the ruling elite gotten lazy or stupid? Or do they think that we are that lazy and stupid? I have an alternative theory .

For the last two years, as you've probably noticed, the corporate media have been not so subtly alternating between manufacturing Russia hysteria and Nazi hysteria, and sometimes whipping up both at once. Thus, I've dubbed the new Official Enemy of Freedom "the Putin-Nazis." They don't really make any sense, rationally, but let's not get all hung up on that. Official enemies don't have to make sense. The important thing is, they're coming to get us, and to kill the Jews and destroy democracy and something about Stalin, if memory serves. Putin is their leader, of course. Trump is his diabolical puppet. Julian Assange is well, Goebbels, or something. Glenn Greenwald is also on the payroll, as are countless "useful idiots" like myself, whose job it is to sow division, discord, racism, anti-Semitism, anti-capitalism, anti-Hillaryism, collusion rejectionism, ontological skepticism, and any other horrible thing you can think of.

Their bullsh*t lies have gotten lazy and stupid because real effort isn't required to start a war and kill a lot of people.

WoodsDweller on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 6:18pm

I'm going to go with "desperate"

Something's happening to move up the time table, and it isn't the election, we're already in plenty of wars, another one won't help El Trumpo.

Sirena on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 6:31pm
Who is playing who?

That is the question, I ask thee? If El Trumpo was going to drain the swamp, why did he take these cretins, Bolton, Pompeo, Haspel, Abrams into his cabinet? Is the tail, wagging the dog as usual?

TheOtherMaven on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 6:31pm
All of the above

Lazy, stupid, and desperate.

Alligator Ed on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 6:33pm
The answer to your title is YES

The elite are both lazy and stupid. Even the Orange Man will not be sucked into another Douma style false flag operation. The reasons why this is a basic false flag is obvious. If anybody reading about this doesn't understand the culprits responsible weren't Iranian, then they should be interviewed for mental competency.

My money, the little that I have, is on either the Saudis or the Israelis; maybe even both.

But Pompous Mike and Bolt-on Bolt-off need to be removed from any semblance of governmental authority. I could go on but this whole affair is making me tired...I'm going back to my swamp.

[Jun 18, 2019] Gina Haspel What to Know About the New Director of the CIA

May 08, 2019 | fortune.com
Gina Haspel is facing a Congressional grilling as her confirmation hearings for the CIA director's position get underway.

Should she overcome it, she'll be the first woman to hold the director's job. It's a high profile position, but Haspel has been a pretty low profile person up until this point. So who is Trump's nominee to run the government's spy agency?

Haspel, who would replace new secretary of state Mike Pompeo , has been with the agency since 1985, spending much of her career undercover. She has received several awards, including the George H. W. Bush Award for excellence in counterterrorism and the Presidential Rank Award, the highest award in the federal civil service. She also has overseen the torture of some terror suspects , which is what critics and former ambassadors are worried about.

A 2017 New York Times report says Haspel, in 2002, oversaw the torture of two suspects at a secret prison in Thailand and later was involved in the destruction of videotapes documenting that torture.

One of those prisoners was waterboarded 83 times in a single month, had his head repeatedly slammed into walls , and endured other harsh methods before interrogators decided he had no useful information to provide, says the Times .

As a result of such torture, she was shifted out of her role as head of the CIA's clandestine service.

Haspel was picked to run the CIA's clandestine operations unit in 2013, but Senator Dianne Feinstein , who was the senior Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee at the time, blocked the promotion because of Haspel's history of torture.

Within the agency, though, Haspel is reportedly widely respected – and has support from members of both the Bush and Obama administrations. Where she stands personally on issues such as extreme interrogation techniques is an unknown, as she has not offered any public comments on policy, as you would expect for an undercover officer.

And that's what Senators are hoping to learn more about as their questioning gets underway.

[Jun 10, 2019] Company part-owned by Jared Kushner got $90m from unknown offshore investors since 2017 by Jon Swaine

Notable quotes:
"... Kushner was initially denied a security clearance by career officials when he joined Trump's administration. A whistleblower has told Congress it was blocked due to concerns about Kushner's outside business interests and "foreign influence". Kushner was later granted a clearance, allegedly after a Trump appointee intervened. ..."
"... Richard Painter, a former ethics lawyer in Bush's administration who ran for the Democratic US Senate nomination in Minnesota last year, said he was troubled by the lack of disclosure around some of Cadre's funding. "The problem with Kushner – and with Trump – is that we have all these corporate entities, and often nobody knows who is invested in them and where those investors borrowed their money. We simply have no idea," said Painter. ..."
Jun 10, 2019 | www.theguardian.com
Overseas investment flowed to Cadre while Trump's son-in-law works as US envoy, raising conflict of interest questions

in New York

Jared Kushner, who is married to Donald Trump's elder daughter Ivanka, kept a stake in Cadre after joining the administration. Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters A real estate company part-owned by Jared Kushner has received $90m in foreign funding from an opaque offshore vehicle since he entered the White House as a senior adviser to his father-in-law Donald Trump.

Investment has flowed from overseas to the company, Cadre, while Kushner works as an international envoy for the US, according to corporate filings and interviews. The money came through a vehicle run by Goldman Sachs in the Cayman Islands , a tax haven that guarantees corporate secrecy.

Kushner, who is married to Trump's elder daughter Ivanka, kept a stake in Cadre after joining the administration, while selling other assets. His holding is now valued at up to $50m, according to his financial disclosure documents.

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Cadre's foreign funding could create hidden conflicts of interest for Kushner as he performs his work for the US government, according to some ethics experts, who raised concerns over the lack of transparency around the investments.

"It will cause people to wonder whether he is being improperly influenced," said Jessica Tillipman, a lecturer at George Washington University law school, who teaches government ethics and anti-corruption laws.

Kushner resigned from Cadre's board and reduced his ownership stake to less than 25% after he joined the White House, according to his attorneys. He failed to list Cadre on his first ethics disclosure, later adding the company and saying the omission was inadvertent. Cadre says he is not actively involved in the company's operations.

The names of the foreigners investing in Cadre via Goldman Sachs are not disclosed by the companies, which are not required to make the information public. Two sources familiar with the firm said much of the money came to the Cayman Islands vehicle from a second offshore tax haven, while some came from Saudi Arabia.

Kushner was initially denied a security clearance by career officials when he joined Trump's administration. A whistleblower has told Congress it was blocked due to concerns about Kushner's outside business interests and "foreign influence". Kushner was later granted a clearance, allegedly after a Trump appointee intervened.

The White House and Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Kushner, did not respond to questions about the foreign investors and Kushner's stake in Cadre.

A spokesman for Cadre declined to comment on the record. A spokesman for Goldman Sachs, Patrick Scanlan, said: "Cadre does not have access to any information about the Goldman Sachs clients who have invested in these vehicles."

Cadre was founded in 2014 by Kushner, his brother Joshua and their friend Ryan Williams, who previously worked for Goldman Sachs. The company operates from a building in Manhattan owned by the Kushner family's real estate corporation.

The company styles itself as an online marketplace where investors can come together to buy property. But it has also built a real estate investment fund, now worth more than half a billion dollars, that is used to buy properties across the US. The fund's value has risen fivefold since 2017, when Kushner was appointed a White House adviser, following earlier slower growth.

The offshore Goldman Sachs vehicle began collecting funds for Cadre in August 2017, according to a securities filing . The bank announced in January last year that it had struck a deal for clients to invest up to $250m in total with Cadre.

The vehicle is managed by accountants in the Cayman Islands and is owned by another offshore Goldman Sachs entity. The arrangement is legal. Offshore jurisdictions have come under increased scrutiny in recent years from international authorities concerned about their secrecy.

Funding from the Cayman Islands vehicle goes into Cadre's real estate purchases in the US, according to sources familiar with the company's work. Cadre charges an annual fee and takes a cut of profits made from the properties.

This funding is separate from ownership stakes in Cadre itself bought by venture capitalists in Silicon Valley and foreign billionaires, including the Chinese technology tycoon Jack Ma and the Russian investor Yuri Milner. Cadre last year held talks with a fund backed by money from the Saudi Arabian government, but no deal was done.

Trump and several members of his administration, including Kushner, have bucked precedent by retaining business interests after entering the government. George W Bush and Bill Clinton moved their wealth into "blind trusts", while Barack Obama had few assets beyond savings accounts and investments in index funds.

Richard Painter, a former ethics lawyer in Bush's administration who ran for the Democratic US Senate nomination in Minnesota last year, said he was troubled by the lack of disclosure around some of Cadre's funding. "The problem with Kushner – and with Trump – is that we have all these corporate entities, and often nobody knows who is invested in them and where those investors borrowed their money. We simply have no idea," said Painter.

Government officials are barred by law from being involved "personally and substantially" in actions that benefit them financially, and are obliged to ensure they do not create an appearance of bias.

Kushner says he has excluded himself from government policy on real estate. A footnote to his financial disclosure form said he was recused from "particular matters in the broker-dealer, real estate, and online financial services sectors to the extent they would have a direct and predictable effect on Cadre".

The conflict of interest law treats spouses' financial interests as combined. Ivanka Trump has been credited by Trump with advocating for an administration policy that promises to be lucrative for real estate developers and investors. She denies any impropriety.

Kushner's own recusal on real estate matters in front of the government would not in itself prevent him from taking actions in other policy areas that could entice foreign investors to Cadre.

In all, Cadre's investment arm manages more than $522m in assets, according to its latest filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which was submitted at the end of March.

Kushner has had financial ties to several different countries. His family's single most expensive purchase, a skyscraper on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, was last year refinanced by a fund backed by the Qatari government. In an article for the Washington Post defending the family's businesses, Kushner's father, Charles, said foreign investments were "a legal and appropriate stream of funding".

As Trump's special representative in the Middle East, Kushner has developed a close relationship with Saudi Arabian officials, particularly the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. Cadre says it does not have any sovereign wealth funds among its investors.

Sources familiar with Cadre's setup said a small amount of money in the Goldman-Cadre vehicle, estimated at about $1m, came from Saudi Arabia. Other funding arrived through vehicles based in the British Virgin Islands, adding another layer of offshore secrecy to its origins.

Virginia Canter, the chief ethics counsel at the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said the opaque investments in Cadre would continue raising concerns as Kushner carried out his government duties.

"It was one of the only assets that Kushner retained and it continues to collect foreign investors without transparency," said Canter, a former White House attorney for Obama and Clinton.

Kushner owns a stake worth between $25m and $50m in a "holding company for" Cadre, according to his most recent financial disclosure form, which he filed in May 2018. Kushner and his wife estimate their total wealth at between $235m and $812m.

Cadre was one of dozens of holdings added to a revised version of Kushner's 2017 financial disclosure form that corrected his original filing.

Williams, Cadre's chief executive, has said the firm is "democratizing" real estate investment. The small print of its website says its offerings are intended only for people who earn at least $200,000 a year or have a net worth of $1m excluding the value of their home. The company requires a minimum investment of $50,000.

Cadre recently announced plans to raise multimillion-dollar funds to invest in real estate developments in parts of the US covered by the Trump administration's "opportunity zones" program, which offers valuable tax breaks to developers and investors.

The program was championed by Ivanka Trump, according to her father, who said at the White House that Ivanka had been "pushing this very hard". The remarks raised allegations that policy she worked on could benefit her husband financially. She has denied any impropriety.

[May 28, 2019] PODCAST Michael Brenner on Trump-Russia It's about the Russian mob, not the Russian government -- but Mueller won't go there

May 23, 2019 | www.unz.com

Truth Jihad / Kevin Barrett May 23, 2019 9 Comments Reply

Will Trump's organized crime activity be buried by a bipartisan coverup?

International Affairs professor Michael Brenner writes:

"Mueller supposedly has forwarded some material to federal and New York State prosecutors who have clear legal authority in those domains. It has been known for at least two years, though, that substantial grounds (and evidence) already existed to bring several cases to a grand jury.

That suggests that serious action never will be taken. For one things, a number of prominent people would be exposed: e.g. Bibi Netanyahu, the heads of the Russo-Israeli mafias, Felix Sater, the twice convicted felon and Trump 'counsellor' who avoided a second prison term by agreeing to inform for the FBI and CIA but in fact worked both sides of the street, and God knows who else.

Just as the Panama Papers scandal disappeared over the horizon, and the big 5 financial families got away with massive money-laundering for the drug cartels, and Deutsche Bank was granted immunity by Angela Merkel despite their multiple criminal activities, so will the Trump affair die out in obscurity."

In this interview we discuss Trump-Russia and the deep state, disagree about 9/11, but agree that high-level corruption is out of control.

Michael Brenner is Professor of International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh; a Senior Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, SAIS-Johns Hopkins (Washington, D.C.), contributor to research and consulting projects on Euro-American security and economic issues. He publishes and teaches in the fields of American foreign policy, Euro-American relations, and the European Union.


Haxo Angmark , says: Website May 23, 2019 at 9:22 pm GMT

see if you can figure out why this movie got no (((theatre distribution))):

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HSf_lgV3KYw?feature=oembed

Curmudgeon , says: May 24, 2019 at 6:01 pm GMT
The Russian Mafia isn't Russian, it's (((Russian))), just as it is in the US. They just use Russians (or Italians in the US) as front men.
anon26_ , says: May 25, 2019 at 3:13 am GMT
@Haxo Angmark Anything specific, other than the fact that the Russian mob is mostly ((()))?
The scalpel , says: Website May 26, 2019 at 2:38 am GMT
@Haxo Angmark I just watched the movie. Its good! That's probably why it wasn't seen in theatres lol.
Sean , says: May 26, 2019 at 9:34 am GMT
Trump did business with cement companies run by mafioso thugs because they also controlled the unions and would call strikes if crossed. He was basically a target for shakedowns, and Trump knew those people were not anyone to profitably do business with. I am sure Russian-Israeli organised crime would be the same.

Anything to do with the Mafia back in the days of Gotti was massively investigated Trump is too wary and careful with his money to get burned that way.

As Halifax observed, men often mistake themselves but they never forget themselves, so I would think it is neither conspiracy as Barrett says or the incompetence which Brenner suggests.

You did not need to be in the CIA to have an inkling. In fact the whole plan was virtually public knowledge beforehand. It was broadcast on the BBC well before 9/11 that mullahs in London mosques were advocating the highjacking of airplanes and crashing them into American skyscrapers. This fact was subsequently alluded to by BBC reporters in the aftermath of 9/11.

I think it is becoming clear that a disproportionate amount of FBI and NY DA's resources were put into chasing the Mafia instead of Muslim terrorism.

Giuliani made such a reputation on the back of prosecuting the Mafia, and then the FBI had a household name like Gotti to go after, that the careerists in law enforcement doubled down on a bunch of low level racketeers, even after the first WTC attack.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/al-qaeda-and-the-mob-how_b_34336

The belief that somehow the Mafia was more of a threat to New York than al Qaeda -- that caused the FBI to let their guard down on the bin Laden threat. [ ]

There is now little doubt that if the Feds had devoted as much energy to a surveillance of Sphinx as they had to the Ravenite Social Club, they would have been in the middle of the 9/11 plot months before Black Tuesday. Because in July of 2001, Khalid al-Midhar and Salem al-Hazmi got their fake I.D.'s delivered to them in a mailbox at the identical location the FBI had been onto in the decade since El Sayyid Nosair had killed Meier Kahane. The man who supplied those fake ID's that allowed al-Midhar and al-Hazmi to board A.A. Flight #77 that hit the Pentagon, was none other than Mohammed El-Attriss the co-incorporator of Sphinx with Waleed al-Noor – whom Patrick Fitzgerald had put on the unindicted co-conspirators list along with bin Laden and Ali Mohamed in 1995.

Haxo Angmark , says: Website May 26, 2019 at 9:16 pm GMT
@anon26_ that, and the fact that it's race-realist throughout. Note, for instance, the early juxtaposition of the 2 rich "Russian" mafia Jew sisters (played to the hilt by 2 Jewesses, Gal Gadot and Kate Winslett) reading to the half-'groid kid (while getting their feet manicured) with the elementally poor-but-good, White cop's wife reading to their White kid. It's full of subtle stuff like this, but you have to see it a few times to pick it all out. I also like the way they got actual spic 'bangers playing spic 'bangers. That worked.
restless94110 , says: May 28, 2019 at 12:03 am GMT
@Haxo Angmark I saw this film a year ago and I can tell you exectly why it got no distribution:

It was a shitty, mean-spirited story of horrible people robbing, stealing, killing for no good reasons. Yeah there were reasons but none of them were good ones.

Furthermore the tragic ending made absoutely no sense and was just a stupid contrivance. Despite good acting from Gal Gadot, Woody and Alfeck, nothing could save this movie.

I needed to shower and scrub myself 10 times after watching this horrible nonsense.

Horrible in every respect.

I know that wasn't what you were expecting. It's because of the Jews. Ugh. Had nothing to do with that, but a lot to do with how the movie tested and it tested poorly because if you watch it, you hate humanity and yourself just from this movie.

Highly unrecommended.

[May 20, 2019] The dirty art of politicians entrapment: Blackmail, smear campaigns, various traps via honey or corruption, hookers, gay sex, pedophilia, or what-have-you, all or in combination

Highly recommended!
That remind me how old Kushner tried to smear his relative...
Notable quotes:
"... They are told that the daughter of a Russian billionaire plans large investments in Austria. It was said that she would like to help his party. The alleged daughter of the Russian billionaire, who is actually also Austrian, and her "friend" serve an expensive dinner. Alcohol flows freely. The pair offers a large party donation but asks for returns in form of mark ups on public contracts. ..."
"... The "Russian" female is notably very attractive with a slender build. There is a honey-trap angle here as well. This would likely inspire the boasting (in order to impress her) on the part of the wingnut politician. ..."
"... The far-right is the Troy Horse of transnational corporations and capital and already discredited neoliberal stablishment which comes now disguised under the softening label of "populists". Beware, there seems to be a coordinated effort at several blogs in the ten previous days of the European elections to whitewash the far-right. ..."
"... So this very much hints something more. Right now there is a debate of cocain being visible on the table but this accusation points more towards schnickle with a babe imho. The babe to his right is not that ugly, admittely. ..."
"... As expected the hysteria of "russian" meddling have now publicized to weaken FPÖ in the EU election. Winners? NATO/US parties. ..."
"... Seems indeed to be a honeypot aspect to the entrapment, and it's quite possible Strache stepped down at once to avoid that part to come to light, so that the public revelations would be limited to the economic shenanigans and influence-peddling level. ..."
"... Also, this goes to show that the bulk of our Western politicians, across all the political spectrum, are a bunch of mediocre and quite corrupt fools. For him not to smell that this was a setup from the very first minute, it must be that such proposals are common place all across the board - which will only reinforce my suspicion that our societies, peoples and mankind as a whole would only benefit if we fully wiped out our economic, financial and political establishment and started from scratches. ..."
"... Blackmail, smear campaigns, various traps via honey or corruption, hookers and blow, gay sex, paedofilia, or what-have-you, - all or in combination. Politicians are "all" compromised in these ways. Buck the system or threaten the status quo - whereby it gets somebody's serious attention and the shite hits the fan. ..."
"... The savages in this neoliberal order use the secret services to subvert democracy. Deception and manipulation are the means used to corrupt the public domain. They would push the most pliable and ruthless leaders into office. Catastrophe and violence and disinformation are their most powerful weapons. But I still think that political processes and elections do matter; and what counts is a struggle to improve and reform the system of government. Doing our best to protect and maintain the integrity of electoral processes is something that requires both protests and political campaigns. ..."
"... The very strong implication certainly seems to be that there may be further video of Strache sleeping with the honey pot. He obviously knows what happened that night. If there were video cameras hidden everywhere, that was obviously one of the intentions behind the sting from the outset. ..."
"... B, please do an article on the Nazi penetration of the German security services, Interior Ministry, Army, CDU etc, and links to the NSU affair, shredding of millions of documents by the Interior Ministry when demanded by the courts as evidence, links with the Board members and advisory board members of German big business especially Siemens and Deutche Bank and Bayer, etc. ..."
"... It is a wonder Strache's remark "Journalists are the biggest whores on the planet" and how he says he can subvert an entire media outlet to his political agenda by even firing the few remaining fringe elements. ..."
"... I don't think Strache is as harmless as you portray him, B. You fall for his defence strategy if you attribute all his statements to the influence of alcohol. At that time, the man was very confident that he would soon be at the levers of power, which then materialized. It remains to be proven whether he did not put into practice anything of what he talked about at that house in Ibiza. After all, he was talking about the by far most influential newspaper in Austria. ..."
"... Of course it is true that it is the neoliberal globalisers who have brought us to where we stand today. But that doesn' make people like Strache and Salvini any less dangerous. If they rise to total power, the result will be a naked dictatorship. Strache was beaten with his own weapons, you don't have to be under any illusions. ..."
"... Who could have ordered such an elaborate sting operation? ..."
"... The sophisticated operation using actors and a villa prepared with hidden cameras and microphones shows that this is hardly a normal case of dirty campaigning by political opponents. Most likely, either it was an action by a secret service or someone with deep pockets hired former secret agents. ..."
"... If it was an action by secret services, the most plausible explanation seems to be that Western secret services targeted Strache because FPÖ is one of the parties who is in favor of restoring normal relations with Russia ..."
"... François Fillon comes to mind, a French conservative candidate who also had a quite a friendly attitude towards Russia - shortly before the elections, it was revealed (at least claimed) that Fillon had given his wife ficticious employment, and Fillon lost popularity, which helped Macron enormously. ..."
"... Probably, some of the things Strache said during this sting operation were inacceptable, and Fillon may also not be innocent, but if there is a systematic selective targeting of European politicians who want to normalize relations with Russia by secret services, that would be a huge problem for democracy. ..."
"... In 2016, Joseph Mifsud invited George Papadopoulos to Rome and introduced him to "Putin's niece" with the intent of smearing Trump as "Russian puppet" and destroying his election chances. In 2017, someone (who?) invited Heinz-Christian Strache to Ibiza and introduced him to "Russian billionaire's niece" with the intent of smearing Strache as "Russian puppet" and destroying his party's election chances. Notice a pattern? ..."
"... This is a clear case of Germany interfering in Austrian elections. Austria should deport 60 German diplomats, shut down German embassy in Vienna, and impose sanctions on Germany. Also put a German girl interested in Austrian politics in jail for 18 months. ..."
"... Thinking about it, after revealing e-mail of HRC, Podesta etc. were published, their core supporters were enraged about the dirty trick and did not pay attention to the disclosed content, while for the core opponents of HRC she was already sufficiently vilified so the net change in voting intentions that can be attributed to that incident was modest. ..."
"... Anyone who does not directly have his or her family's nose in the EU trough at this point knows that the policies espoused by transatlantic puppets like Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron push our countries and our continent towards self-destruction. Life in Europe, post-1968 and pre-2013, has been pretty damn good. There's absolutely no good reason for us to rip up our traditions or turn into a continent of immigrants and mobile job seekers. ..."
"... As Strache explains in the video, Austrian dirty tricks are done "via another country". ..."
"... To those who fill that politics of Strache are obnoxious and that justifies entrapment, remembers that methods of that type are not improvised, and that means that there is an apparatus that does it. We noted similarities with provocations against George Papadopoulos. In the latter case the target was cautious, after all, we had to be well aware of such methods. But anyone who is despised by NATO establishment are similar group can be on the receiving end, think about Assange. ..."
May 20, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

During the last days a right wing politician in Austria was taken down by using an elaborate sting. Until Friday Heinz-Christian Strache was leader of the far right (but not fascist) Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) and the Vice Chancellor of the country. On Friday morning two German papers, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Der Spiegel published (German) reports (English) about an old video that was made to take Strache down.

The FPOe has good connections with United Russia, the party of the Russian President Putin, and to other right-wing parties in east Europe. It's pro-Russian position has led to verbal attacks on and defamation of the party from NATO supporting and neoliberal circles.

In July 2017 Strache and his right hand man Johann Gudenus, who is also the big number in the FPOe, get invited for dinner to a rented villa on Ibiza, the Spanish tourist island in the Mediterranean. They are told that the daughter of a Russian billionaire plans large investments in Austria. It was said that she would like to help his party. The alleged daughter of the Russian billionaire, who is actually also Austrian, and her "friend" serve an expensive dinner. Alcohol flows freely. The pair offers a large party donation but asks for returns in form of mark ups on public contracts.

Unknown to Strache the villa is professionally bugged with many hidden cameras and microphones.


A scene from the video. Source: Der Falter (vid, German)

During the six hour long party several schemes get proposed by the "Russian" and are discussed. Strache rejects most of them. He insists several times that everything they plan or do must be legal and conform to the law. He says that a large donation could probably be funneled through an endowment that would then support his party. It is a gray area under Austrian party financing laws. They also discuss if the "Russian" could buy the Kronen Zeitung , Austria's powerful tabloid, and use it to prop up his party.

The evening goes on with several bottles of vodka on the table. Starche gets a bit drunk and boosts in front of the "oligarch daughter" about all his connections to rich and powerful people. He does not actually have these.

Strache says that, in exchange for help for his party, the "Russian" could get public contracts for highway building and repair. Currently most of such contracts in Austria go to the large Austrian company, STRABAG, that is owned by a neoliberal billionaire who opposes the FPOe. At that time Strache was not yet in the government and had no way to decide about such contracts.

At one point Strache seems to understand that the whole thing is a setup. But his right hand man calms him down and vouches for the "Russian". The sting ends with Strache and his companion leaving the place. The never again see the "Russian" and her co-plotter. Nothing they talked about will ever come to fruition.

Three month later Strache and his party win more than 20% in the Austrian election and form a coalition government with the conservative party OeVP led by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Even while the FPOe controls several ministries, it does not achieve much politically. It lacks a real program and the government's policies are mostly run by the conservatives.

Nearly two years after the evening on Ibiza, ten days before the European parliament election in which Strache's party is predicted to achieve good results, a video of the evening on Ibiza is handed to two German papers which are known to be have strong transatlanticist leanings and have previously been used for other shady 'leaks'. The papers do not hesitate to take part in the plot and publish extensive reports about the video.

After the reports appeared Strache immediately stepped down and the conservatives ended the coalition with his party. Austria will now have new elections.

On Bloomberg Leonid Bershidsky opines on the case:

Strache's discussion with the Russian oligarch's fake niece shows a propensity for dirty dealing that has nothing to do with idealistic nationalism. Nationalist populists often agitate against entrenched, corrupt elites and pledge to drain various swamps. In the videos, however, Strache and Gudenus behave like true swamp creatures, savoring rumors of drug and sex scandals in Austrian politics and discussing how to create an authoritarian media machine like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's.

I do not believe that the people who voted for the FPOe (and similar parties in other countries) will subscribe to that view. The politics of the main stream parties in Austria have for decades been notoriously corrupt. Compared to them Strache and his party are astonishingly clean. In the video he insists several times that everything must stay within the legal realm. Whenever the "Russian" puts forward a likely illegal scheme, Starche emphatically rejects it.

Bershidsky continues:

Strache, as one of the few nationalist populists in government in the European Union's wealthier member states, was an important member of the movement Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has been trying to cobble together ahead of the European Parliament election that will take place next week. On Saturday, he was supposed to attend a Salvini-led rally in Milan with other like-minded politicians from across Europe. Instead, he was in Vienna apologizing to his wife and to Kurz and protesting pitifully that he'd been the victim of a "political assassination" -- a poisonous rain on the Italian right-winger's parade.
...
This leaves the European far right in disarray and plays into the hands of centrist and leftist forces ahead of next week's election. Salvini's unifying effort has been thoroughly undermined, ...

This is also a misreading of the case. The right-wing parties will use the case to boost their legitimacy.

Strache was obviously set up by some intelligence services, probably a German one with a British assist. The original aim was likely to blackmail him. But during the meeting on Ibiza Strache promised and did nothing illegal. Looking for potential support for his party is not a sin. Neither is discussing investments in Austria with a "daughter of a Russian oligarch." Some boosting while drunk is hardly a reason to go to jail. When the incident provided too little material to claim that Strache is corrupt, the video was held back until the right moment to politically assassinate him with the largest potential damage to his party. That moment was thought to be now.

But that Strache stepped down after the sudden media assault only makes him more convincing. The right-wing all over Europe will see him as a martyr who was politically assassinated because he worked for their cause. The issue will increase the right-wingers hate against the 'liberal' establishment. It will further motivate them: "They attack us because we are right and winning." The new far-right block Natteo Salvini will setup in the European Parliament will likely receive a record share of votes.

Establishment writers notoriously misinterpret the new right wing parties and their followers. This stand-offish sentence in the Spiegel story about Strache's party demonstrates the problem:

In the last election, the party drew significant support from the working class, in part because of his ability to simplify even the most complicated of issues and play the common man, even in his role as vice chancellor.

The implicit thesis, that the working class is too dumb to understand the "most complicated of issues", is not only incredibly snobbish but utterly false. The working class understands very well what the establishment parties have done to it and continue to do. The increasing vote share of the far-right is a direct consequence of the behavior of the neoliberal center and of the lack of real left alternatives.

Last week, before the Strache video appeared, Craig Murray put his finger on the wound:

The massive economic shock following the banking collapse of 2007–8 is the direct cause of the crisis of confidence which is affecting almost all the institutions of western representative democracy. The banking collapse was not a natural event, like a tsunami. It was a direct result of man-made systems and artifices which permitted wealth to be generated and hoarded primarily through multiple financial transactions rather than by the actual production and sale of concrete goods, and which then disproportionately funnelled wealth to those engaged in the mechanics of the transactions.
...
The rejection of the political class manifests itself in different ways and has been diverted down a number of entirely blind alleys giving unfulfilled promise of a fresh start – Brexit, Trump, Macron. As the vote share of the established political parties – and public engagement with established political institutions – falls everywhere, the chattering classes deride the political symptoms of status quo rejection by the people as "populism". It is not populism to make sophisticated arguments that undermine the received political wisdom and take on the entire weight of established media opinion.

If one wants to take down the far right one has to do so with arguments and good politics for the working class. Most people, especially working class people, have a strong sense for justice. The political assassination of Christian Strache is unjust. What was done during the 2007-8 banking crisis was utterly corrupt and also unjust. Instead of going to jail the bankers were rewarded with extreme amounts of money for their assault on the well being of the people. The public was then told that it must starve through austerity to make up for the loss of money.

While I consider myself to be a strong leftist who opposes the right wherever possible, I believe to understand why people vote for Strache's FBOe and similar parties. When one talks to these people issues of injustice and inequality always come up. The new 'populist' parties at least claim to fight against the injustice done to the common men. Unlike most of the establishment parties they seem to be still mostly clean and not yet corrupted.

In the early 1990s Strache actually flirted with violent fascists but he rejected their way. While he has far-right opinions, he and his like are no danger to our societies. If we can not accept that Strache and his followers have some legitimate causes, we will soon find us confronted with way more extreme people. The neoliberal establishment seems to do its best to achieve that.

Posted by b on May 19, 2019 at 01:10 PM | Permalink


james , May 19, 2019 1:40:31 PM | 1

b - thanks .. i agree "elaborate sting" and "the video was held back until the right moment"... clearly this was a set up.. strache says he is going to pursue this legally..

"working class people, have a strong sense for justice. The political assassination of Christian Strache is unjust." injustices are being done on a constant basis now and being justified by the msm regularly.. i think this is part of the reason people are seeking alternatives - whatever they might be... power to the people..screw the neoliberal agenda and blackmail artists that are so rampant at present...

Bratislav Metulski , May 19, 2019 1:40:51 PM | 2
Funny thing is e.g.- a German comedian Jan Böhmerman knew before. Already in April he said in a Video call live in Austian television duringthe TV-prize-giving of the trophy "Romy" that he couldn´t attend personally to receive the price because right know he was sitting together with some FPÖ-buddies in a Russian oligarch-villa on Ibiza, sniffing cocain, drinking and negotiating the takeover of the "Krone-Zeitung" (the biggest rag in Austira, smth like the "Bild" in Germany or "The sun" in Britain).

Böhmers management released a statement yesterday that Böhermann did know before but didn´t name the source he knew it from.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article193725535/FPOE-Vize-Strache-Was-Boehmermann-mit-dem-Video-zu-tun-hat.html

Cui bono?

Paul Damascene , May 19, 2019 1:43:18 PM | 3
Your article here raises a number of important issues. More or less at random:

* If I understand your characterization of your political leanings, based on this and on the perspectives MoA offers, I share many of your views. And whereas there may be a certain Schadenfreude at seeing a right-wing, B-team operator reveal himself, I agree that the forces behind the sting itself are of potentially far greater interest (and danger)..

* For every sting and smear such as this that we see, how many others take place sub rosa, corrupting our political and social landscapes, leaving no evidence that might trigger criticism or resistance?

* I'm not sure of how this plays out legally, but this seems not just to have been a sting, but entrapment, in which (if these were law enforcement agents) we could protest that the only illegal activity being proposed, was by those conducting the sting.

* If this was, as you suggest, authored by the BND, then this would be a clear instance of election "meddling" -- though not of the sort that our shining democracies are now being warned against. (At least President Putin will not be accused of conducting it, for once. That oligarch's daughter could have come from anywhere, but of course Russia.) Russia gets smeared is probably the larger aim, rather than this particularly Austrian politician.

hallelujah hinton , May 19, 2019 1:55:07 PM | 4
The "Russian" female is notably very attractive with a slender build. There is a honey-trap angle here as well. This would likely inspire the boasting (in order to impress her) on the part of the wingnut politician.
somebody , May 19, 2019 1:56:55 PM | 5
I think the word is protofascist. b. you have got a blind spot seeing geopolitics everywhere. Truth is most of this is simply a battle of billionaires. The key to understand the Ibiza video is the product placement. Everybody there drinks Red Bull plus alcohol (I am not sure about the alcohol the loss of control of the politicians who are present suggests cocaine).

The owner of Red Bull is an Austrian billionaire called Dietrich Mateschitz. Mateschitz is a right wing crank building a media empire in Austria including an "investigative platform" called addendum that is something like the Austrian version of Breitbart.

For some reason "addendum" began to shoot against Rene Benzko, an Austrian real estate billionaire, who intends to take over Kronenzeitung.

And guess what, Rene Benzko was mentioned in the video "as a friend", and a large part of the conversation centered on taking over Kronenzeitung something Rene Benzko is involved in.

Strache, Vice Chancellor of Austria, explained in the video for every Austrian to understand, that his party's scheme is based on accepting illegal contributions via a ngo, and lowering taxes in return. According to what he says in the video he also intends to charge for water by selling the right to the Latvian/Russien "niece of a Russian oligarch" or someone else prepared to pay to his party's ngo.

Anybody who is not a billionaire voting for FPÖ after this must be braindead.

Arioch , May 19, 2019 1:58:49 PM | 6
> with United Russia, the party of the Russian President Putin

Putin himself though stresses his non involvement in that party, he also tried to bootstrap organizations that could supplant or even challenge U.R. at least in some niches.

While U.R. probably is party of Russian ruling elites, it is hardly one-man-show of LDPR/Zhirinovsky kind and whether Putin is "gray cardinal" of U.R. is very questionable.

Sasha , May 19, 2019 2:05:52 PM | 7
It is said that children and drunk people always say the truth... Why is it not to be taken into account what he said once drunk enough?

For to be a strong leftist, b, you spend a great effort in discharging this man, while whitewashing the far-right saying they are no danger for our societies and assuring that they are clean, when that is a thing you do not know since they have not had yet the possibility to rule.

They are neither cleaner nor inocuous for our societies. For starters they have chosen as scapegoat the migrants when who is to blame for the wave of migration is the US, NATO and their imperial ambitions, so as to throw poor against poor and that way the elites could continue quietly looting us, while we fight each other. You will never heard anything agsint banks ans elites from anybody in the far-right.

FYI, it is not Matteo Salvini who is forming a coalition of the far-right to conflude to European elections, but it is Bannon from his HQ in a Cisterciense monastery in Italy who is commanding this operation. Salvini is really a piece, having supported Guiado and the Venezuelan coup intend, and said what he would do with the Yellow Vests , "I don't go to the Yellow Vests with Molotov cocktails, if anything, I put them in prison" ...

Then it is AfD, who goes also in the block, whose members have claimed the Germans should be proud of the performance of the German Army during both WW....

Then Vox, financed by MEK and Israeli lobby and promoted by Bannon and the WH, who only wear clear neoliberal economic policies in their, for the rest, confusing program.

The best to test what the far-right will do in Europe is taking a look at what is happening in Brazil during these last days, an attack on education and research as if it was a military target ...This, after the moving of the embassy to Jerusalem and wide support to coup d´etat in Venezuela...He is also widely supported and financed by the US and Zionists.

The far-right is the Troy Horse of transnational corporations and capital and already discredited neoliberal stablishment which comes now disguised under the softening label of "populists". Beware, there seems to be a coordinated effort at several blogs in the ten previous days of the European elections to whitewash the far-right.

Bratislav Metulski , May 19, 2019 2:20:38 PM | 8
@4 hallelujah hinton
https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Neuwahlen-Der-gefeierte-Stratege-Kurz-hatte-keine-Optionen-mehr-4425362.html
Telepolis one of the oldest and biggest non-commercial online news and discussion platforms in Germany states in the following article, commenting on his statement at his resignation declaration:

"Glaubt er, man wäre bei Alkohol nachsichtiger? Offenbar schien er sich betrunken kaum mehr im Griff zu haben - und dies ist wohlgemerkt seine Erklärung für die Äußerungen im Video. Erst gegen Ende beginnt er eigenes Fehlverhalten einzuräumen und bittet insbesondere seine Frau um Verzeihung, mit der er ein wenige Monate altes Kind hat. Kenner Straches ahnten an dieser Stelle bereits, dass dieser sich bereits für Dinge entschuldigt, die zu diesem Zeitpunkt der Öffentlichkeit noch gar nicht bekannt sind."

Does he (Strache) really assume he would get more indulgence by blaming it on the alcolhol? Obviously when being drunken he wasn´t in control of himself anymore - and this is actually his explanation for his statements in the video. Somehow at the end he finally begins admitting own misconduct and especially asks his wife for forgiveness, with which he has a few months old child. Experts on Strache suspected from this moment on, that he apologized for things which at this moment are not known to the public, yet"

So this very much hints something more. Right now there is a debate of cocain being visible on the table but this accusation points more towards schnickle with a babe imho. The babe to his right is not that ugly, admittely.

Jackrabbit , May 19, 2019 2:26:38 PM | 9
somebody @5:
battle of billionaires.... Anybody who is not a billionaire voting for FPÖ after this must be braindead.
Anyone who believes voting will change anything is braindead. Only supporting protest Movements (like Gillet Jeune) and free press/citizen journalism (Wikileaks/Assange) will have any real effect.
Zanon , May 19, 2019 2:30:32 PM | 0
Great piece - I dont see how Strache actually made anything wrong or atleast nothing not normal to politicians that constantly seek out support by big, powerful people. Most likely the deep state in Austria struck FPÖ just like FBI struck Trump.

As expected the hysteria of "russian" meddling have now publicized to weaken FPÖ in the EU election. Winners? NATO/US parties.

Arioch , May 19, 2019 2:36:33 PM | 1
@hallelujah hinton #4

Also notice how she pretended to be a niece.

Not some very close relative like daughter or sister, which may be fearsome, as "russian mafia" oligarch could be expected to "protect" her of ladykillers viciously. But also not some far relative who would be seen alien and have no financial support.

Just enough distance to be safe to hit on and try to share the oligarch's money. It was both honey&gold trap.

Sasha , May 19, 2019 2:38:57 PM | 2
Anyone who believes voting will change anything is braindead.

@Posted by: Jackrabbit | May 19, 2019 2:26:38 PM | 9

If voting would be such a waste, why would had taken so hard and long to achieve voting for minorities and women? Why the parties go to such efforts to campaign and disguise themselves as wolves with sheepskin like the far-right?

Why would certain forces need to go to such editorial coordinated efforts through their several blogs out there to give an impression of certain candidates which is opposite to what they really are? Wikilieaks/Assange are part of this efforts, btw

Clueless Joe , May 19, 2019 2:44:05 PM | 4
Metulski:

Seems indeed to be a honeypot aspect to the entrapment, and it's quite possible Strache stepped down at once to avoid that part to come to light, so that the public revelations would be limited to the economic shenanigans and influence-peddling level.

Also, this goes to show that the bulk of our Western politicians, across all the political spectrum, are a bunch of mediocre and quite corrupt fools. For him not to smell that this was a setup from the very first minute, it must be that such proposals are common place all across the board - which will only reinforce my suspicion that our societies, peoples and mankind as a whole would only benefit if we fully wiped out our economic, financial and political establishment and started from scratches.

Sasha , May 19, 2019 2:44:10 PM | 5
Spanish Colonel ( ret.) Pedro Baños, who was postulated for head of the CNI by the Socialist government of Pedro Sanchez, was object of slander campiagn as "pro-Russian" by the Spanish cluster of Integrity Initiative, only for declarations on the prejudice of sanctions for Spain, and nobody made such noise....
hallelujah hinton , May 19, 2019 3:03:31 PM | 6
Blackmail, smear campaigns, various traps via honey or corruption, hookers and blow, gay sex, paedofilia, or what-have-you, - all or in combination. Politicians are "all" compromised in these ways. Buck the system or threaten the status quo - whereby it gets somebody's serious attention and the shite hits the fan.

Enforcement and and penalties are selective. Selective enforcement. It's how "The Law" operates. Not defending the wingnut pig in the article. I appreciate Sasha's Trojan Horse allegory above.

the pair , May 19, 2019 3:16:52 PM | 7
wow...a bunch of elitist neoliberals with contempt for anyone lacking 10 zeroes on their paychecks and zero useful policies use "russian collusion" to entrap and embarrass a pseudo-right wing politician. who could ever imagine such a scenario? and why learn from the masses you represent when james o'keefe gives you all the inspiration you need?

but at least they blocked the ascension of someone who would trade political favors for money. that kind of nonsense simply won't do in western society.

karlof1 , May 19, 2019 3:24:47 PM | 8
Thanks for this explanation, b! I first saw this reported at Geroman's Twitter and used machine translation of the article he linked, but it lacked the context which you provided. This incident is subsumed within the larger conflict that's trying to keep EU from combining with BRI/EAEU, which means its roots/culprits are NATO/Outlaw US Empire--it points to desperation on their part.
Jackrabbit , May 19, 2019 3:25:34 PM | 9
the pair @17

Some will fail to see the sarcasm. Best to use the /sarc tag.

somebody , May 19, 2019 3:34:51 PM | 0
Posted by: hallelujah hinton | May 19, 2019 1:55:07 PM | 4

Sorry, you don't see the Latvian/Russian woman. You see Gudenus' wife who is from Serbia. Whatever the publishing papers got, it was a copy. More will come out.

Copeland , May 19, 2019 4:01:44 PM | 1
The savages in this neoliberal order use the secret services to subvert democracy. Deception and manipulation are the means used to corrupt the public domain. They would push the most pliable and ruthless leaders into office. Catastrophe and violence and disinformation are their most powerful weapons. But I still think that political processes and elections do matter; and what counts is a struggle to improve and reform the system of government. Doing our best to protect and maintain the integrity of electoral processes is something that requires both protests and political campaigns.
BM , May 19, 2019 4:14:36 PM | 2
So this very much hints something more. Right now there is a debate of cocain being visible on the table but this accusation points more towards schnickle with a babe imho. The babe to his right is not that ugly, admittely.
Posted by: Bratislav Metulski | May 19, 2019 2:20:38 PM | 8

The very strong implication certainly seems to be that there may be further video of Strache sleeping with the honey pot. He obviously knows what happened that night. If there were video cameras hidden everywhere, that was obviously one of the intentions behind the sting from the outset.

---

On the issue of "populism" and right-wing parties I confess I have a problem. I certainly want to see the Establishment thrashed, and especially in next week's EU elections, and there is no question that at the moment the right-wing parties have far more potential to upset the establishment than the left. If "Populist" parties are able to radically upset the EU Parliament, that should bring a much-needed hammer and axe to the anti-populist activities of the EU, and hopefully lead to the breakup of the EU.

On the other hand, unlike B, I do have extremely strong worries about the rising power of the far right and their connections to Nazis and neo-Nazis. I am concerned - even without the involvement of Bannon, but far more so with - that the rise of "populism" is a calculated policy of a Nazi segment of the Establishment that is designed specifically to usher in an international Nazi movement across Europe and Latin America under the leadership of and proxies of the - ever more and more Nazi behaving - US (which itself is in so many very real ways descended from Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party and the Japanese war criminals including Bush's family, tight connections with Nazi war criminals in the CIA, and historical leadership figures in the CIA). The large scale and extremely high level infiltration of hardcore Nazis in the German security services, Interior Ministry, Army, and CDU politics is a ticking timebomb waiting for its moment. There seems to be similar high level Nazi infiltration in many other countries.

We have to be careful what we wish for!

B, please do an article on the Nazi penetration of the German security services, Interior Ministry, Army, CDU etc, and links to the NSU affair, shredding of millions of documents by the Interior Ministry when demanded by the courts as evidence, links with the Board members and advisory board members of German big business especially Siemens and Deutche Bank and Bayer, etc.

Sasha , May 19, 2019 4:21:50 PM | 3
On how there is real danger with these wolves on sheepskin who only try to divide and conquer the working masses of the world, this old article by Ho Chi Minh on the importance of class conscience and the great labor of the University of the East in the former USSR to get workers of the world conscous and united in the common struggle. Also on the importance of having the right to vote:
Colonialism is a leech with two suckers, one of which sucks the metropolitan proletariat and the other that of the colonies. If we want to kill this monster, we must cut off both suckers at the same time. If only one is cut off, the other will continue to suck the blood of the proletariat, the animal will continue to live, and the cut–off sucker will grow again. The Russian Revolution has grasped this truth clearly. That is why it is not satisfied with making fine platonic speeches and drafting "humanitarian" resolutions in favor of oppressed peoples, but it teaches them to struggle; and helps them spiritually, as proclaimed by Lenin in his theses on the colonial question. To the Baku Congress, twenty–one Eastern nations sent delegates. Representatives of Western workers' parties also participated in the work of this congress. For the first time, the proletariat of the conquering Western States and that of the subject Eastern countries fraternally joined hands and deliberated in common on the best means to defeat their common enemy, imperialism .

Following this historic congress, despite internal and external difficulties, revolutionary Russia has never hesitated to come to the help of peoples awakened by its heroic and victorious revolution. One of its first important acts was the founding of the University of the East.(...)

The sixty–two nationalities represented at the University form a "Commune." Its chairman and functionaries are elected every three months by all the students.

A student delegate takes part in the economic and administrative management of the University. All must regularly and in turn work in the kitchen, the library, the club, etc. All "misdemeanors" and disputes are judged and settled by an elected tribunal in the presence of all comrades. Once a week, the "Commune" holds a meeting to discuss the international political and economic situation. From time to time, meetings and evening parties are organized where the amateur artists introduce the art and culture of their country.

The fact that the Communists not only treat the "inferior natives of the colonies" like brothers, but that they get them to participate in the political life of the country, is highly characteristic of the "barbarity" of the Bolsheviks. Treated in their native country as "submissive subjects" or "protéges," having no other right but that to pay taxes, the Eastern students, who are neither electors nor eligible for election in their own country, from whom the right to express their political opinion is withdrawn, in the Soviet Union take part in the election of the Soviets and have the right to send their representatives to the Soviets. Let our brothers of the colonies who vainly seek a change of nationality make a comparison between bourgeois democracy and proletarian democracy.

These students have suffered themselves and have witnessed the sufferings of others. All have lived under the yoke of "high civilization," all have been victims of exploitation and oppression by foreign capitalists . Moreover, they passionately long to acquire knowledge and to study. They are serious and full of enthusiasm. They are entirely different from the frequenters of the boulevards of the Latin Quarter, the Eastern students in Paris, Oxford, and Berlin. It can be said without exaggeration that under the roof of this University is the future of the colonial peoples.

The colonial countries of the Near and Far East, stretching from Syria to Korea, cover an extent of more than 15 million square kilometers and have more than 1,200 million inhabitants. All these immense countries are now under the yoke of capitalism and imperialism. Although their considerable numbers should be their strength, these submissive peoples have never yet made any serious attempts to free themselves from this yoke. Not yet having realized the value of international solidarity, they have not known how to unite for the struggle. Relationships between their countries are not yet established as they are among the peoples of Europe and America. They possess gigantic strength and do not yet realize it. The University of the East, assembling all the young, active, and intelligent leaders of the colonized countries, has fulfilled a great task, namely:

-It teaches to the future vanguard militants the principles of class struggle, confused in their minds by race conflicts and patriarchal customs.
-It establishes between the proletarian vanguard of the colonies a close contact with the Western proletariat, thus preparing the way for the close and effective cooperation which will alone ensure the final victory of the international working class.
-It teaches the colonized people, hitherto separated from one another, to know one another and to unite, by creating the bases of a future union of Eastern countries, one of the wings of the proletarian revolution.
-It sets the proletariat of colonialist countries and example of what they can and must do in favor of their oppressed brothers
.

This is why it is needed to throw the workers from the West against the migrants from the East and South, to avoid the invincible force they would constitute together. This dirty work is made by the far-right in the name of corporate liberal elites. They can play that they fight each other, but as soon as they get seats at the European Parliament, you will find the previous allegedly opponents all together aligned in the same Eurogroup. Time to time.

Bacchante , May 19, 2019 4:38:44 PM | 4
It is a wonder Strache's remark "Journalists are the biggest whores on the planet" and how he says he can subvert an entire media outlet to his political agenda by even firing the few remaining fringe elements. Yet here we can still talk about he was drunk, how his being set up was unjust, and how the poor guy will have to miss his lovers' right cause in Italy. Those vulgar masses are at it again! There can be no justification about the masses' support of far-right causes and the clowns like him. If you think otherwise it is the likes of moonofalabama next in line to be "fired", or eliminated. Legitimize their causes and it is Germany in 1920s all over again.

Two wrongs do not make a right, unfortunately.

Walter , May 19, 2019 4:56:04 PM | 5
"Left/right", I agree, is nearly without semantic value. Nevertheless class interests remain...how is it that this is so? Think about that, comrades.

And then consider wsws report about "At the annual meeting of the Bundeswehr reserve in autumn 2016, Veith announced: "I dream that in 2026 there will be a provincial regiment in each state with a charismatic commander, a troop flag and an organization of between 800 and 2,000 reservists to support the police and the Bundeswehr in emergency situations." " see> "German government prepares troops for domestic missions" @ wsws.org

Considering the overall aspects, it's rational to expect all parties in Europe to make plans, is it not? Of course the working class is not permitted to make such plans...is it?

Pnyx , May 19, 2019 5:04:18 PM | 6
I don't think Strache is as harmless as you portray him, B. You fall for his defence strategy if you attribute all his statements to the influence of alcohol. At that time, the man was very confident that he would soon be at the levers of power, which then materialized. It remains to be proven whether he did not put into practice anything of what he talked about at that house in Ibiza. After all, he was talking about the by far most influential newspaper in Austria.

Of course it is true that it is the neoliberal globalisers who have brought us to where we stand today. But that doesn' make people like Strache and Salvini any less dangerous. If they rise to total power, the result will be a naked dictatorship. Strache was beaten with his own weapons, you don't have to be under any illusions.

I agree with you that this is not the big setback for the right the mainstream parties dream of. But it won't help the fascists in spe in the future either.

Adrian E. , May 19, 2019 5:25:25 PM | 7
Who could have ordered such an elaborate sting operation?

A first association might be the dirty, deceptive campaigning SPÖ used against Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) - the Silberstein affair -, but I think the methods that were chosen are too different to make a common source likely, Strache was targeted in a much more sophisticated way. The Silberstein affair may, however, be the reason why the tapes have partially been published now rather than before the last Austrian elections - at that time, dirty campaigning might have been discredited too much for the tape to have the desired effect,

The sophisticated operation using actors and a villa prepared with hidden cameras and microphones shows that this is hardly a normal case of dirty campaigning by political opponents. Most likely, either it was an action by a secret service or someone with deep pockets hired former secret agents.

If it was an action by secret services, the most plausible explanation seems to be that Western secret services targeted Strache because FPÖ is one of the parties who is in favor of restoring normal relations with Russia.

François Fillon comes to mind, a French conservative candidate who also had a quite a friendly attitude towards Russia - shortly before the elections, it was revealed (at least claimed) that Fillon had given his wife ficticious employment, and Fillon lost popularity, which helped Macron enormously.

Probably, some of the things Strache said during this sting operation were inacceptable, and Fillon may also not be innocent, but if there is a systematic selective targeting of European politicians who want to normalize relations with Russia by secret services, that would be a huge problem for democracy.

In the case of Strache and FPÖ, a different motive may also be plausible. There are connections between FPÖ and neonazis, and there are, in my view, legitimate concerns that Strache is too close to such far-right networks. I don't think it is good when right-wing populists whose rise is mainly due to the unpopularity of the neoliberal elites are equated with Nazis too quickly.

But in the case of FPÖ, this is less far-fetched than in the case of other European right-wing parties - historically, Nazis played an important role in FPÖ in post-war Austria, and it is one of the current right-wing parties that probably has more connections to the extreme right (e.g. via Burschenschaften) than others. I could imagine that someone might have ordered and financed the sting operation out of antifascist principles. While I may recognize the motivation as ethical and even partially agree with it, I don't think the right means were chosen, and such dirty methods can backfire.

Michael Droy , May 19, 2019 5:33:51 PM | 8
"While I consider myself to be a strong leftist who opposes the right wherever possible, I believe to understand why people vote for Strache's FBOe and similar parties"

Quite. It seems to me that only the Right and the Left have a clue right now, because they have an instinctive mistrust of what they are told in the media.
People like "b" and Craig Murray are to be thanked for explaining that to us middling voters.

You miss the most glaring "injustice". That which shows that GDP in most western countries had doubled in the last 30 odd years, that earnings for the top quartile have gone up by factors of 3 or 4. But that median earnings in US are unchanged, and in say UK are only up 10% or so (unless one is seeking to buy one's own house or flat).

All the improvements in inequality from 1930s to 1980s have been reversed in full. "Populists" (or better "anti-elitists") are driven mostly by sheer anger at how a small group had taken all the Economic gains of the last 35 years.

somebody , May 19, 2019 5:35:30 PM | 9
Posted by: Pnyx | May 19, 2019 5:04:18 PM | 26

I don't know what b. saw in the video what I saw was a discussion of an Orban like take over of Austria by FPÖ.

In other news people are arguing the following
- who will profit most - ÖVP
- why was the video not published after it was produced in 2017 - because ÖVP wanted a coalition with FPÖ
- why was it published now - ÖVP has been renting advertising space for weeks for an election in September (renting before the video came out), Sebastian Kurz will be the saviour who will get the disappointed FPÖ vote
add
- why the emphasis on Kronenzeitung,
who were the people producing the video
why Red Bull everywhere - Red Bull media empire billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz publicly announced that he would back Sebastian Kurz in 2017

ÖVP/Kurz/Mateschitz have moved so far to the right that there is not much space for FPÖ anyway. His problems will return when he needs another coalition.

brian , May 19, 2019 5:37:28 PM | 0
'The FPOe has good connections with United Russia, the party of the Russian President Putin, and to other right-wing parties in east Europe'

other?

Erelis , May 19, 2019 6:09:06 PM | 1
While the right wing parties in Europe don't have a problem with Putin, it does seem that much of the Western European establish has gone full McCarthyite hysterical where they see any contact for any reason with a Russian is automatically criminal. Aside from being a setup it relied the underlying false flag of presenting the woman as a Russian (and hence guility of some crime against the Austrians).

In fact, a suggestion for a column--personal impressions on whether everyday Europeans are falling for anti-Russian propaganda. Polls in the US indicate that Americans simply do not care (they could believe it, but not effecting their daily lives).

S , May 19, 2019 6:36:42 PM | 2
1. The ER (United Russia) party was founded by Sergey Shoygu, Yuriy Luzhkov, and Mintimer Shaymiev. Its chairman is Dmitriy Medvedev, not Vladimir Putin. Putin is not even a member of ER. Putin is the leader of ONF (All-Russia People's Front), which is a nation-wide discussion platform for politicians, professionals, and NGOs.

2. Russian billionaire Igor Makarov denies having a niece: "I was the only child in the family." ( Forbes.ru , in Russian).

3. In 2016, Joseph Mifsud invited George Papadopoulos to Rome and introduced him to "Putin's niece" with the intent of smearing Trump as "Russian puppet" and destroying his election chances. In 2017, someone (who?) invited Heinz-Christian Strache to Ibiza and introduced him to "Russian billionaire's niece" with the intent of smearing Strache as "Russian puppet" and destroying his party's election chances. Notice a pattern?

4. This is a clear case of Germany interfering in Austrian elections. Austria should deport 60 German diplomats, shut down German embassy in Vienna, and impose sanctions on Germany. Also put a German girl interested in Austrian politics in jail for 18 months.

Piotr Berman , May 19, 2019 6:37:32 PM | 3
Thinking about it, after revealing e-mail of HRC, Podesta etc. were published, their core supporters were enraged about the dirty trick and did not pay attention to the disclosed content, while for the core opponents of HRC she was already sufficiently vilified so the net change in voting intentions that can be attributed to that incident was modest.

Leaving aside the discussion of of various factors in that election, this public reaction is typical. Actually, in both cases the core supporters may be energized by the suspicion that this trick was performed by a foreign government. I do not think that there is a particular hostility toward Germany in Felix Austria, but the to the right wing Merkel government is like red cape for a bull. The women who unleashed a wave of refugees. On top of that, traditionally major parties of Austria gained reputation of dirty patronage, so the voters who care about that issue probably do not vote for them.

I do not expect Austrians to demand expulsions of German diplomats -- interference in our democracy -- or other sanctions, but nevertheless it stinks. Making sting operations on politicians has corrupt potential even if it is done by domestic law enforcement, but foreign intelligence services really do not have any excuse.

Thinking about it, the stings against George Papadopoulos described in his book were remarkably similar.

Piotr Berman , May 19, 2019 6:45:53 PM | 4
Great minds think alike, S!

That said, Austrians have a reputation of good manners etc., they will not unload their frustration on a girl. BTW, why there are suspicions of Germany being involved? Again, even extremist Austrians probably would like to have some proof before doing anything. I guess, America is indeed exceptional.

Uncoy , May 19, 2019 6:49:33 PM | 5
For all those of you whining about the corruption of Strache, this is how business and politics is done in Austria. Strache was just talking about the FPÖ's fair share after an election which they would win.

This all starts with Austrian's Presidential Election of 2016. The FPÖ won the presidential election a couple of years ago in May 2016. After the bell, postal votes overturned it! – postal votes more than 90% in favour of the establishment candidate Van der Bellen. Some constituencies full of Van der Bellen votes turned out to have 148% turn out. There was a court case by the FPÖ about procedure and hinting at ballot falsification. The case was judged by a (non-corrupt but under serious pressure) judge to have enough merit that the elections had to be annulled and the election rerun six months later . Austria went without a president at all for six months!

For six months the mainstream Austrian media campaigned non-stop against the FPÖ and Norbert Hofer. Huge efforts were made for voter turnout (it included huge bussing of potential anti-FPÖ constituencies and bribing pensioners to vote against the FPÖ via parties and cakes). With all of that, Van der Bellen scraped in on 4 December 2016, by 348,231 votes. Despite the non-stop anti-FPÖ propaganda and banging on drums, votes for Hofer's fell by less than 100,000 (95,993 votes to be exact). It's just that with six months to prepare the establishment had found enough "dead souls" to win the second round.

In the parliamentary elections of 15 October 2017, the FPÖ were set to win a strong majority in parliament. To defeat the FPÖ and Strache, the conservatives (Völkspartei) were forced to elect a male model non-university graduate 30 year old sex symbol with no work experience outside of politics as party leader. Of course Sebastian Kurz was mainly a figurehead for establishment figures in the venerable Völkspartei. Kurz does have a mind of his own though (I had the opportunity to interact with him personally at a local political discussion group in 2015) and it's hard to know exactly how much of his policy is dictated to him and how much is off his own bat.

Going back to Austrian corruption, there are enormous sums at stake. There is a long entrenched system of corruption in the establishment parties, the Völkspartei and the SPÖ. Strabag does win most of the government contracts. Favour is regularly granted on quid pro basis. The media landscape is very partisan and mostly for sale. Kurz's spiritual predecessor as a powerful head of the Völkspartei if not direct predecessor Wolfgang Schüssel was forced to retire from politics in 2011 due to never-ending corruption scandals. Schüssel's longstanding finance minister Karl-Heinz Grasser was caught carrying bags of cash to Lichtenstein and is still under investigation. If his mother-in-law were not the richest woman in Austria (Swarovski Crystal) and devoted to her daughter (Grasser's wife), he would long ago have been in jail.

Politically, Grasser knows where a lot of the bodies are buried from the Schlüssel political machine so either he has to be kept out of jail or he may take others down with him. In elite Austrian circles turning informant would be considered unsportsmanlike so there's an uneasy truce still fought to this day in the courts where Grasser is kept out of jail via procedural methods (detect a pattern) and Grasser doesn't rat out the others.

Strache's sin is not planning to use the advantages which accrue to the governing Austrian party but getting caught out talking about it. Strache is something of a lout, not terribly loyal (he was the Brutus who threw Jörg Haider under the bus in 2005 in a palace putsch). He's a smoker in power who used his power to overturn some very positive anti-smoking laws. But he's less corrupt than any of his equivalents in the Völkspartei and is only a nose ahead of the his equivalents in the SPÖ. His politics and policies of Austria for Austrians are pretty simple. Hence people vote for these policies.

Here's a sample of the SPÖ's wares in the 2010 Vienna elections:

The FPÖ has historically been weakest in Vienna but in 2010 they took 27% of the vote in this SPÖ stronghold, their first step in what has been a steady march to power.

Anyone who does not directly have his or her family's nose in the EU trough at this point knows that the policies espoused by transatlantic puppets like Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron push our countries and our continent towards self-destruction. Life in Europe, post-1968 and pre-2013, has been pretty damn good. There's absolutely no good reason for us to rip up our traditions or turn into a continent of immigrants and mobile job seekers. We instinctively abhor what is happening to our nations. By nature Strache is inclined this way himself (he's no great thinker) and has the good sense to ride the wave.

somebody , May 19, 2019 7:11:44 PM | 6
Posted by: Piotr Berman | May 19, 2019 6:45:53 PM | 34

As Strache explains in the video, Austrian dirty tricks are done "via another country".

somebody , May 19, 2019 7:21:16 PM | 7
For all those of you whining about the corruption of Strache, this is how business and politics is done in Austria. Strache was just talking about the FPÖ's fair share after an election which they would win.

So why did he step down?

Here's a sample of the SPÖ's wares in the 2010 Vienna elections:

You mean FPÖ wares .

Hoarsewhisperer , May 19, 2019 7:29:57 PM | 8
...
"This stand-offish sentence in the Spiegel story about Strache's party demonstrates the problem:"

In the last election, the party drew significant support from the working class, in part because of his ability to simplify even the most complicated of issues and play the common man, even in his role as vice chancellor.

"The implicit thesis, that the working class is too dumb to understand the "most complicated of issues", is not only incredibly snobbish but utterly false..."

I can't agree that Spiegel's attitude to Strache's party is condescending toward the working class. Right-wing parties tend to spout a lot of aggressively authoritarian spin tank bullshit to encourage voters to tune out when a R-w politician is telling them what to think. If Strache is adept at separating fact from fiction and superfluous verbiage, then people would appreciate his candor.

In a Democracy, and in theory at least, politicians are supposed to represent and defend the views of the people who voted for them, not vested intere$t$. Or so we've been led to believe...

I'll always remember Spiegel as the folks whose photo-journalists torpedoed Crooked Hillary's feeble-minded Cheonan (NK-SK) bullshit. That story vanished overnight. It's not even referred to in NK smear campaigns. Dead & buried.

somebody , May 19, 2019 8:15:54 PM | 9
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | May 19, 2019 7:29:57 PM | 38

In a Democracy, and in theory at least, politicians are supposed to represent and defend the views of the people who voted for them, not vested intere$t$. Or so we've been led to believe...

You are making this theory up.

Let's take the American constitution .

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,

That's it.

The German constitution is absolutely clear that members of parliament represent all of the people (ie different views and interests) and are bound by their own judgement and conscience only.

As we are discussing Austria, lets see what the Austrian constitution says. Austria has "linguistic and cultural diversity" and the protection of its grown native peoples in its constitution, this means Slovenian, Croatian, Czech, Slovakian, Roma and Hungarian. So the Austrian constitution has a concept of a multinational state where different peoples grow and are protected even if the Viennese "Stammtisch" does not like them.

There is no "democratic theory" that suggests representatives should follow the uninformed and prejudiced views of their electorate against their better judgement.

Strache seems to have specialized in "fake news" - ie mostly invented stuff claiming Muslims, immigrants or whoever were treated in a better way than native Austrians or threatened native Austrians.

It is a very convenient technique when you plan to cut social services, you have someone to blame.

Piotr Berman , May 19, 2019 9:05:45 PM | 0
To those who fill that politics of Strache are obnoxious and that justifies entrapment, remembers that methods of that type are not improvised, and that means that there is an apparatus that does it. We noted similarities with provocations against George Papadopoulos. In the latter case the target was cautious, after all, we had to be well aware of such methods. But anyone who is despised by NATO establishment are similar group can be on the receiving end, think about Assange.

[May 19, 2019] The OPCW, Douma, The Skripals

Notable quotes:
"... The neocon faction in the US is usually (and reasonably) regarded as the motivator behind much of the western aggression in the Middle East. ..."
"... Granted the US has been looking for excuses to intervene ever more overtly in Syria since 2013, and in that sense this Douma "initiative" is a continuation of their longterm policy. It's also true Russia was warning just such a false flag would be attempted in early March. But in the intervening month the situation on the ground has changed so radically that such an attempt no longer made any sense. ..."
"... A false flag in early March, while pockets of the US proxy army were still holding ground in Ghouta would have enabled a possible offensive in their support which would prevent Ghouta falling entirely into government hands and thereby also maintain the pressure on Damascus. A false flag in early April is all but useless because the US proxy army in the region was completely vanquished and nothing would be gained by an offensive in that place at that time. ..."
"... The US media has been similarly, and uncharacteristically divided and apparently unsure. Tucker Carlson railed against the stupidity of attacking Syria. Commentators on MSNBC were also expressing intense scepticism of the US intent and fear about possible escalation. ..."
"... The official story is a hot mess of proven falsehoods, contradictions, implausible conspiracy theories, more falsehoods and inexplicable silences were cricket chirps tell us all we need to know. ..."
"... The UK government has lied and evaded on every key aspect. ..."
"... Indeed if current claims by Russian FM Lavrov turn out to be true, a "novichok" (whatever that precisely means in this case) may not have been the only substance found in those samples, and a compound called "BZ", a non-lethal agent developed in Europe and America, has been discovered and suppressed in the OPCW report (more about that later). ..."
"... The Skripals themselves were announced to be alive and out of danger mere days after claims they were all but certain to die. Yulia, soon thereafter, apparently called her cousin Viktoria only to subsequently announce, indirectly through the helpful agency of the Metropolitan Police, that she didn't want to talk to her cousin – or anyone else – at all. ..."
"... She is now allegedly discharged from hospital and has "specially trained officers helping to take care of" her in an undisclosed location. A form or words so creepily sinister it's hard to imagine how they were ever permitted the light of day. ..."
"... If a false flag chemical attack had taken place in Syria at the time Russia predicted, just a week or two after the Skripal poisoning, a lot of the attention that's been paid to the Skripals over the last month would likely have been diverted. Many of the questions being asked by Russia and in the alt media may never have been asked as the focus of the world turned to a possible superpower stand-off in the Middle East. ..."
"... So, could it be the Skripal event was never intended to last so long in the public eye? Could it be that it was indeed a false flag, or a fake event, as many have alleged, planned as a sketchy prelude to, or warm up act for a bigger chemical attack in Syria, scheduled for a week or so later in mid-March – just around the time Russia was warning of such a possibility? ..."
"... This would explain why the UK may have been pushing for the false flag to happen (as claimed by Russia) even after it could no longer serve much useful purpose on the ground, and why the Douma "attack" seems to have been so sketchily done by a gang on the run. The UK needed the second part to happen in order to distract from the first. ..."
"... If this is true, Theresa May and her cabinet are currently way out on a limb even by cynical UK standards. Not only have they lied about the Skripal event, but in order to cover up that lie they have promoted a false flag in Syria, and "responded" to it by a flagrant breach of international and domestic law. Worst of all, if the Russians aren't bluffing, they have some evidence to prove some of the most egregious parts of this. ..."
"... But even if some or all of our speculation proves false, and even if the Russian claims of UK collusion with terrorists in Syria prove unfounded, May is still guilty of multiple lies and has still waged war without parliamentary approval. ..."
"... The UK were the most vocal about Syria, and desperately tried to drum up support over Skripal, but it all came to nothing much in the end. ..."
"... Theresa May's political career still hangs by a thread, and her "Falklands moment", at best, staved off the inevitable for a few months. A washout in the EU elections, a very real threat from Farage's Brexit party, and rumblings inside her own party, make her position as unstable as ever. ..."
"... In the US, generally speaking, it seems that the Trump admin – or at least whichever interested parties currently have control of the wheels of government – have called time on war in Syria. Instead, they've moved on to projects in Venezuela and North Korea, and even war with Iran. ..."
"... The failure of the Douma false flag to cause the war it was meant to cause, and the vast collection of evidence that suggests it was a false flag, should be spread far and wide. Not just because it's a truth which vindicates the smeared minority in the alternate media. ..."
May 19, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Via Off-Guardian.org,

In view of the latest revelations from the leaked report, which seem to prove that at least some elements of the Douma "chemical attack" were entirely staged, we want to take look back at the chaotic events of Spring 2018.

The following is an extract from an article by Catte originally published April 14th last year, which takes on a greater weight in light of certain evidence – not only that the Douma attack was faked, but that the OPCW is compromised.

You can read the whole article here .

* * *

PRIMARILY UK INITIATIVE?

The neocon faction in the US is usually (and reasonably) regarded as the motivator behind much of the western aggression in the Middle East.

Since at least 2001 and the launch of the "War on Terror" the US has led the way in finding or creating facile excuses to fight oil wars and hegemonic wars and proxy wars in the region. But this time the dynamics look a little different.

This time it really looks as if the UK has been setting the pace of the "response".

The fact (as stated above) that Mattis was apparently telegraphing his own private doubts a)about the verifiability of the attacks, and b)about the dangers of a military response suggests he was a far from enthusiastic partaker in this adventure.

Trump's attitude is harder to gauge. His tweets veered wildly between unhinged threats and apparent efforts at conciliation. But he must have known he would lose (and seemingly has lost) a great part of his natural voter base (who elected him on a no-more-war mandate) by an act of open aggression that threatened confrontation with Russia on the flimsiest of pretexts.

Granted the US has been looking for excuses to intervene ever more overtly in Syria since 2013, and in that sense this Douma "initiative" is a continuation of their longterm policy. It's also true Russia was warning just such a false flag would be attempted in early March. But in the intervening month the situation on the ground has changed so radically that such an attempt no longer made any sense.

A false flag in early March, while pockets of the US proxy army were still holding ground in Ghouta would have enabled a possible offensive in their support which would prevent Ghouta falling entirely into government hands and thereby also maintain the pressure on Damascus. A false flag in early April is all but useless because the US proxy army in the region was completely vanquished and nothing would be gained by an offensive in that place at that time.

You can see why Mattis and others in the administration might be reluctant to take part in the false flag/punitive air strike narrative if they saw nothing currently to be gained to repay the risk. They may have preferred to wait for developments and plan for a more productive way of playing the R2P card in the future.

The US media has been similarly, and uncharacteristically divided and apparently unsure. Tucker Carlson railed against the stupidity of attacking Syria. Commentators on MSNBC were also expressing intense scepticism of the US intent and fear about possible escalation.

The UK govt and media on the other hand has been much more homogeneous in advocating for action. No doubts of the type expressed by Mattis have been heard from the lips of an UK government minister. Even May, a cowardly PM, has been (under how much pressure?) voicing sterling certitude in public that action HAD to be taken.

Couple this with the – as yet unverified – claims by Russia of direct UK involvement in arranging the Douma "attack", and the claims by Syria that the perps are in their custody, and a tentative storyline emerges. It's possible this time there were other considerations in the mix beside the usual need to "be seen to do something" and Trump's perpetual requirement to appease the liberal Russiagaters and lunatic warmongers at home. Maybe this time it was also about helping the UK out of a sticky problem.

THE SKRIPAL CONSIDERATION

Probably the only thing we can all broadly agree on about the Skripal narrative is that it manifestly did not go according to plan. However it was intended to play out, it wasn't this way. Since some time in mid to late March it's been clear the entire thing has become little more than an exercise in damage-limitation, leak-plugging and general containment.

The official story is a hot mess of proven falsehoods, contradictions, implausible conspiracy theories, more falsehoods and inexplicable silences were cricket chirps tell us all we need to know.

The UK government has lied and evaded on every key aspect.

  1. It lied again and again about the information Porton Down had given it
  2. Its lawyers all but lied to Mr Justice Robinson about whether or not the Skripals had relatives in Russia in an unscrupulous attempt to maintain total control of them, or at least of the narrative.
  3. It is not publishing the OPCW report on the chemical analyses, and the summary of that report reads like an exercise in allusion and weasel-wording. Even the name of the "toxic substance" found in the Skripals' blood is omitted, and the only thing tying it to the UK government's public claims of "novichok" is association by inference and proximity.

Indeed if current claims by Russian FM Lavrov turn out to be true, a "novichok" (whatever that precisely means in this case) may not have been the only substance found in those samples, and a compound called "BZ", a non-lethal agent developed in Europe and America, has been discovered and suppressed in the OPCW report (more about that later).

None of the alleged victims of this alleged attack has been seen in public even in passing since the event. There is no film or photographs of DS Bailey leaving the hospital, no film or photographs of his wife or family members doing the same. No interviews with Bailey, no interviews with his wife, family, distant relatives, work colleagues.

The Skripals themselves were announced to be alive and out of danger mere days after claims they were all but certain to die. Yulia, soon thereafter, apparently called her cousin Viktoria only to subsequently announce, indirectly through the helpful agency of the Metropolitan Police, that she didn't want to talk to her cousin – or anyone else – at all.

She is now allegedly discharged from hospital and has "specially trained officers helping to take care of" her in an undisclosed location. A form or words so creepily sinister it's hard to imagine how they were ever permitted the light of day.

Very little of this bizarre, self-defeating, embarrassing, hysterical story makes any sense other than as a random narrative, snaking wildly in response to events the narrative-makers can't completely control.

Why? What went wrong? Why has the UK government got itself into this mess? And how much did the Douma "gas attack" and subsequent drive for a concerted western "response" have to do with trying to fix that?

IS THIS WHAT HAPPENED?

If a false flag chemical attack had taken place in Syria at the time Russia predicted, just a week or two after the Skripal poisoning, a lot of the attention that's been paid to the Skripals over the last month would likely have been diverted. Many of the questions being asked by Russia and in the alt media may never have been asked as the focus of the world turned to a possible superpower stand-off in the Middle East.

So, could it be the Skripal event was never intended to last so long in the public eye? Could it be that it was indeed a false flag, or a fake event, as many have alleged, planned as a sketchy prelude to, or warm up act for a bigger chemical attack in Syria, scheduled for a week or so later in mid-March – just around the time Russia was warning of such a possibility?

Could it be this planned event was unexpectedly canceled by the leading players in the drama (the US) when the Russians called them out and the rapid and unexpected fall of Ghouta meant any such intervention became pointless at least for the moment?

Did this cancelation leave the UK swinging in the wind, with a fantastical story that was never intended to withstand close scrutiny, and no second act for distraction?

So, did they push on with the now virtually useless "chemical attack", botch it (again), leaving a clear evidence trail leading back to them? Did they then further insist on an allied "response" to their botched false flag in order to provide yet more distraction and hopefully destroy some of that evidence?

This would explain why the UK may have been pushing for the false flag to happen (as claimed by Russia) even after it could no longer serve much useful purpose on the ground, and why the Douma "attack" seems to have been so sketchily done by a gang on the run. The UK needed the second part to happen in order to distract from the first.

It would explain why the US has been less than enthused by the idea of reprisals. Because while killing Syrians to further geo-strategic interests is not a problem, killing Syrians (and risking escalation with Russia) in order to rescue an embarrassed UK government is less appealing.

And it would explain why the "reprisals" when they came were so half-hearted.

If this is true, Theresa May and her cabinet are currently way out on a limb even by cynical UK standards. Not only have they lied about the Skripal event, but in order to cover up that lie they have promoted a false flag in Syria, and "responded" to it by a flagrant breach of international and domestic law. Worst of all, if the Russians aren't bluffing, they have some evidence to prove some of the most egregious parts of this.

This is very bad.

But even if some or all of our speculation proves false, and even if the Russian claims of UK collusion with terrorists in Syria prove unfounded, May is still guilty of multiple lies and has still waged war without parliamentary approval.

This is a major issue. She and her government should resign. But it's unlikely that will happen.

So what next? There is a sense this is a watershed for many of the parties involved and for the citizens of the countries drawn into this.

Will the usual suspects try to avoid paying for their crimes and misadventures by more rhetoric, more false flags, more "reprisals"? Or will this signal some other change in direction?

We'll all know soon enough.

* * *

Back to today...

...and while things have moved on, we're still puzzling over all the same issues.

All these questions stand, and are important, but more important than all of that is the lesson: They tried it before, and just because it didn't work doesn't mean they won't try it again.

Last spring, the Western powers showed they will deploy a false flag if they need too, for domestic or international motives. And they have the motives right now.

The UK were the most vocal about Syria, and desperately tried to drum up support over Skripal, but it all came to nothing much in the end.

Theresa May's political career still hangs by a thread, and her "Falklands moment", at best, staved off the inevitable for a few months. A washout in the EU elections, a very real threat from Farage's Brexit party, and rumblings inside her own party, make her position as unstable as ever.

Britain had the most to gain, of all NATO countries, and that is still true. We don't know what they might do.

This time they might even receive greater support from France this time around – since Macron is facing a revolution at home and would kill (possibly literally) for a nice international distraction.

In the US, generally speaking, it seems that the Trump admin – or at least whichever interested parties currently have control of the wheels of government – have called time on war in Syria. Instead, they've moved on to projects in Venezuela and North Korea, and even war with Iran.

That's not to say Syria is safe, far from it. They are always just one carefully place false-flag away from all-out war. Last year, Mattis (or whoever) decided war with Syria was not an option – that it was too risky or complicated. That might not happen next time.

Clearly, the US hasn't totally seen sense in terms of stoking conflict with Russia – as seen by the decision to pull out of the INF Treaty late last year. And further demonstrated by their attempts to overthrow Russia's ally Nicolas Maduro. Another ripe candidate for a false flag.

The failure of the Douma false flag to cause the war it was meant to cause, and the vast collection of evidence that suggests it was a false flag, should be spread far and wide. Not just because it's a truth which vindicates the smeared minority in the alternate media.

But because recognising what they were trying to do last time , is the best defense when they try it again next time .

[May 13, 2019] Not Just Ukraine; Biden May Have A Serious China Problem As Schweizer Exposes Hunter s $1bn Deal

Highly recommended!
Neoliberal corruption in full display. As we see forms of nepotism evolve with time...
Notable quotes:
"... Two years of investigations by journalist Peter Schweizer has revealed that Joe Biden may now have a serious China problem. And just like his Ukraine scandal , it involves actions which helped his son Hunter, who was making hand over fist in both countries. ..."
"... Schweizer, the author of Clinton Cash and now Secret Empires discovered that in 2013, then-Vice President Biden and his son Hunter flew together to China on Air Force Two - and two weeks later, Hunter's firm inked a private equity deal for $1 billion with a subsidiary of the Chinese government's Bank of China , which expanded to $1.5 billion, according to an article by Schweizer's in the New York Post . ..."
"... Hunter Biden and his partners created several LLCs involved in multibillion-dollar private equity deals with Chinese government-owned entities. ..."
"... Perhaps most damning in terms of timing and optics, just twelve days after Hunter and Joe Biden flew on Air Force Two to Beijing, Hunter's company signed a "historic deal with the Bank of China ," described by Schweizer as "the state-owned financial behemoth often used as a tool of the Chinese government." To accommodate the deal, the Bank of China created a unique type of investment fund called Bohai Harvest RST (BHR). According to BHR, Rosemont Seneca Partners is a founding partner ..."
"... It was an unprecedented arrangement: the government of one of America's fiercest competitors going into business with the son of one of America's most powerful decisionmakers . ..."
"... It doesn't stop there. While Hunter Biden had "no experience in China, and little in private equity," the Chinese government for some reason thought it would be a great idea to give his firm business opportunities instead of established global banks such as Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs. ..."
"... The following August, Rosemont Realty, another sister company of Rosemont Seneca, announced that Gemini Investments was buying a 75 percent stake in the company. The terms of the deal included a $3 billion commitment from the Chinese, who were eager to purchase new US properties. Shortly after the sale, Rosemont Realty was rechristened Gemini Rosemont. ..."
"... "We see great opportunities to continue acquiring high-quality real estate in the US market," said one company executive, who added: "The possibilities for this venture are tremendous." ..."
"... Then, in 2015, BHR partnered with a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned military aviation contractor Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) in order to purchase American precision-parts maker Henniges - a transaction which required approval from the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the same rubber-stamp committee that approved the Uranium One deal. ..."
"... The vice president was bringing with him highly welcomed terms of a United States Agency for International Development program to assist the Ukrainian natural-gas industry and promises of more US financial assistance and loans. Soon the United States and the International Monetary Fund would be pumping more than $1 billion into the Ukrainian economy. ..."
"... The next day, there was a public announcement that Archer had been asked to join the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian natural-gas company. Three weeks after that, on May 13, it was announced that Hunter Biden would join, too. Neither Biden nor Archer had any background or experience in the energy sector. - New York Post ..."
"... Then Joe Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in US loan guarantees to Ukraine unless President Petro Poroshenko fired his head prosecutor, General Viktor Shokin, who was leading a wide-ranging corruption investigation into natural gas firm Burisma Holdings. ..."
"... Biden bragged about the threat last year, telling an audience at the Council on Foreign Relations: "I said, ' You're not getting the billion .' I'm going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: ' I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money, '" bragged Biden, recalling the conversation with Poroshenko. ..."
"... As we head into the 2020 elections, it will be interesting to see how Joe Biden dances around his son's lucrative - and very potentially daddy-assisted deals around the world. ..."
May 13, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

by Tyler Durden Mon, 05/13/2019 - 14:30 111 SHARES

Two years of investigations by journalist Peter Schweizer has revealed that Joe Biden may now have a serious China problem. And just like his Ukraine scandal , it involves actions which helped his son Hunter, who was making hand over fist in both countries.

Schweizer, the author of Clinton Cash and now Secret Empires discovered that in 2013, then-Vice President Biden and his son Hunter flew together to China on Air Force Two - and two weeks later, Hunter's firm inked a private equity deal for $1 billion with a subsidiary of the Chinese government's Bank of China , which expanded to $1.5 billion, according to an article by Schweizer's in the New York Post .

" If it sounds shocking that a vice president would shape US-China policy as his son -- who has scant experience in private equity -- clinched a coveted billion-dollar deal with an arm of the Chinese government, that's because it is " - Peter Schweizer

Perhaps this is why Joe Biden - now on the 2020 campaign trail - said last week that China wasn't a threat.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sD9d3TUYHNo

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a shot at Biden's comment during a speech at the Claremont Institute's 40th anniversary gala, saying "Look how both parties now are on guard against the threat that China presents to America -- maybe except Joe Biden."

Back to Hunter...

Schweizer connects the dots, writing that "without the aid of subpoena power, here's what we know :"

It was an unprecedented arrangement: the government of one of America's fiercest competitors going into business with the son of one of America's most powerful decisionmakers .

Chris Heinz claims neither he nor Rosemont Seneca Partners, the firm he had part ownership of, had any role in the deal with Bohai Harvest. Nonetheless, Biden, Archer and the Rosemont name became increasingly involved with China.

Archer became the vice chairman of Bohai Harvest, helping oversee some of the fund's investments. - New York Post

National Security implications

As Schweizer also notes, BHR became an "anchor investor" in the IPO of China General Nuclear Power Corp (CGN) in December 2014. The state-owned energy company is involved with the construction of nuclear reactors.

In April 2016, CGN was charged by the US Justice Department with stealing nuclear secrets from the United States , which prosecutors warned could cause "significant damage to our national security." CNG was interested in sensitive, American-made nuclear components that resembled those used on US nuclear submarines, according to experts.

More China dealings

It doesn't stop there. While Hunter Biden had "no experience in China, and little in private equity," the Chinese government for some reason thought it would be a great idea to give his firm business opportunities instead of established global banks such as Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs.

Also in December 2014, a Chinese state-backed conglomerate called Gemini Investments Limited was negotiating and sealing deals with Hunter Biden's Rosemont on several fronts. That month, it made a $34 million investment into a fund managed by Rosemont.

The following August, Rosemont Realty, another sister company of Rosemont Seneca, announced that Gemini Investments was buying a 75 percent stake in the company. The terms of the deal included a $3 billion commitment from the Chinese, who were eager to purchase new US properties. Shortly after the sale, Rosemont Realty was rechristened Gemini Rosemont.

Chinese executives lauded the deal. - New York Post

"Rosemont, with its comprehensive real-estate platform and superior performance history, was precisely the investment opportunity Gemini Investments was looking for in order to invest in the US real estate market," said Li Ming, chairman of Sino-Ocean Land Holdings Limited and Gemini Investments. "We look forward to a strong and successful partnership."

That partnership planned to use Chinese money to scoop up US properties.

"We see great opportunities to continue acquiring high-quality real estate in the US market," said one company executive, who added: "The possibilities for this venture are tremendous."

Then, in 2015, BHR partnered with a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned military aviation contractor Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) in order to purchase American precision-parts maker Henniges - a transaction which required approval from the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the same rubber-stamp committee that approved the Uranium One deal.

Tying it back to Ukraine

While we have previously reported on the Bidens' adventures in Ukraine, Schweizer connects the dots rather well here ...

Consider the facts. On April 16, 2014, White House records show that Devon Archer, Hunter Biden's business partner in the Rosemont Seneca deals, made a private visit to the White House for a meeting with Vice President Biden. Five days later, on April 21, Joe Biden landed in Kiev for a series of high-level meetings with Ukrainian officials . The vice president was bringing with him highly welcomed terms of a United States Agency for International Development program to assist the Ukrainian natural-gas industry and promises of more US financial assistance and loans. Soon the United States and the International Monetary Fund would be pumping more than $1 billion into the Ukrainian economy.

The next day, there was a public announcement that Archer had been asked to join the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian natural-gas company. Three weeks after that, on May 13, it was announced that Hunter Biden would join, too. Neither Biden nor Archer had any background or experience in the energy sector. - New York Post

Hunter was paid as much as $50,000 per month while Burisma was under investigation by officials in both Ukraine and elsewhere.

Then Joe Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in US loan guarantees to Ukraine unless President Petro Poroshenko fired his head prosecutor, General Viktor Shokin, who was leading a wide-ranging corruption investigation into natural gas firm Burisma Holdings.

Biden bragged about the threat last year, telling an audience at the Council on Foreign Relations: "I said, ' You're not getting the billion .' I'm going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: ' I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money, '" bragged Biden, recalling the conversation with Poroshenko.

" Well, son of a bitch, he got fired. And they put in place someone who was solid at the time."

Joe Biden says that he had no idea Hunter was on the board of Burisma (for two years after he joined), and that the two never spoke about the Burisma investigation. The former VP claims that Shokin's removal was required due to his mishandling of several cases in Ukraine.

As we head into the 2020 elections, it will be interesting to see how Joe Biden dances around his son's lucrative - and very potentially daddy-assisted deals around the world.


Bastiat , 2 minutes ago link

Stick a fork in Creepy Uncle Sniffy.

Feel it Reel it , 8 minutes ago link

Biden is another scumbag Democrat Lawyer who's the original 'pay for play' politician...A 40+ year history in Political Office with Zero accomplishments except enriching himself and his family...A complete fraud and hypocrite liar.....Lawyers should have never been allowed to run for Office at any level.....Look at all the corruption that has been and is being exposed at the different bureaucracies...Virtually all the corruption has been willfully committed by Lawyers....Pathetic....

LOL123 , 16 minutes ago link

Interesting.... I put: "The Steele Dossier has so many British agents involved it sounds like a British failed coup to overthrow an elected President because he stands in " the way of "profiting goals of " international goals" of global monopoly run by unelected councils and retired instigators as facilitators of discord.

But came out:The Steele Dossier has so many British agents involved it sounds like a British failed coup to overthrow an elected President because he stands in the profiting goals of " international goals" of global monopoly run by unelected councils and retired instigators as facilitators of discord.

To make it sound as if it is Trump profiting.... By no means is that true... Its the " long term" Washington officals that have been profiting. Not a possible 8 year President.

My phone also wont let me thumbs up people i would like to but only a few and also replying is " verboten".

These algorhythms and blocks and censorship is an abuse of constitutional rights which is bad enough, but even worse is that these rights got monopolized by various corporations who bought stock in facebook/ googles options that was stolen from Leader technologies source code ( which Mark zukerberg couldnt write on a good day... He is a front guy and again we have British privy council involed with Clegg head of facebook now voice for Mark... Because Mark is a cut out).

This whole social media internet thing has been hijacked and weaponized by Washingtons same people as Dossier scandel... James Chandeler attorney and backstaber of Leader technology.

See leader technology vs facebook..... But i digress.

We have lost control of the internet.

https://www.fbcoverup.com/docs/library/Michael-T-McKibben-AFI-backgrounder.html

Michael T. McKibben's career spans two phases: international Christian music ministry, and technology innovation. In 2006, he was awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,139,761 for what is now called "social networking."

Psadie , 21 minutes ago link

Biden & Kerry aren't the only ones with a China problem. "Secret Empires" also listed Mitch McConnell having a huge China problem through his wife's shipping company. I bet he doesn't run for re-election. Winning.

Bricker , 23 minutes ago link

Biden thinks he knows something about trade. If thats the case how did America get here?

We got here from career politicians selling America for votes.

#FuckBiden

cleg , 46 minutes ago link

China owns the Clintonista mob.

onewayticket2 , 43 minutes ago link

they all own one another - that's the essence of the problem in politics. and why they have tried so hard to get that outsider, trump, out of the country club.

Koba the Dread , 30 minutes ago link

China funded Bill Clinton's election campaigns through James Riady, an Indonesian Chinese man involved in hard drug smuggling and arms trafficking. The money was laundered through Little Rock banks and corporations. (See Victor Thorn's Hillary and Bill , all three volumes.)

JamcaicanMeAfraid , 48 minutes ago link

"Come on man! This is a joke! He's my son and he's a great buddy. I mean yeah he was drummed out of the Naval Reserve because of his cocaine habit, but come on man, you know, everybody does it! Just ask my good friend Barack, he's a clean, good looking darkie whose done his share of blow. And yeah Hunter fucked his dead brother's widow, but come on man! Have you seen her **** and ***. I might have made a move on her myself, but hey man I'm married."

Joe Biden, From the endless Fear and Mongering Presidential campaign of 2020.

JibjeResearch , 49 minutes ago link

How can a deal of such magnitude escape the Treasury FINCEN?

Get on it ... you IRS/SEC/FBI people!

Koba the Dread , 25 minutes ago link

IRS/SEC/FBI are not investigatory agencies. They are barrier agencies. They protect the anointed, letting them do as they wish, and stomp on anyone else who tries to get in on the gravy train.

Rico , 55 minutes ago link

ah, sociopaths in action...from an earlier post:

//

Sociopaths are the reason all governments, regardless of the particular 'ism', eventually fail...

Looking at human history, fascism is the most common form of government for humans. At least it is the most honest - that the sociopaths are ******* everyone else.... These days we try to hide it by lofty idealism that is incompatible with a predator/prey real world.....

Representative democracy, socialism and communism all fail and all fail for the same reason - sociopaths...

We should be honest with ourselves that there is a small, but statistically significant percentage of the human population that are sociopaths (and more are being born every generation). We can call them predators and we are the prey...any concentration of power attracts sociopaths regardless of the fancy label we put on the political system. Within a short time the system is inundated with sociopaths who invariably game the system to death for their own individual benefit....

Don't like the reality in which you find yourself? Stop voting for sociopaths, stop giving them power...

What political party or system even acknowledge the sociopath problem? That's right, none...so don't expect anything to change after the reset...the pleubs will chose a new sociopath for their leader, who will **** them, and things will go on as they always have...

Only way to combat this is to decentralize power as much as possible...this doesn't solve the sociopath problem, but it does spread them out and keeps them from ganging up together to **** over the peasants...but I won't hold my breath....

Fish Gone Bad , 1 hour ago link

I bet Hunter's tax records must be VERY interesting. Someone really needs to step up and show those bad boys.

pilager , 1 hour ago link

Yes, selling America out again.

TeethVillage88s , 52 minutes ago link

Is this a good time to take a look at 1) Front Men 2) Front Companies 3) Shell Companies 4) Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV/SPE) 5) Offshore Accounts, Offshore Donations, Offshore Campaign or PAC or Party Contributions, Paradise Papers, Panama Papers 6) USA as Tax Haven for foreign accounts 7) USA as an Empire 8) The Rise Of The Fourth Reich notes in book by Jim Marrs

[May 12, 2019] Is rabid warmonger, neocon chickenhawk Bolton a swinger? That is a mental picture that s deeply disturbing yet funny at the same time

Highly recommended!
In this case he looks like Bill Clinton impersonalization ;-) That's probably how Adelson controls Bolton ;-)
Notable quotes:
"... Larry Flint had offered a Million dollars to anyone who had proof of republican sexual exploits. He was quickly fingered by someone who attended those clubs. He was forced to accept a temporary position and quietly resigned after a few months so as to avoid facing questions. ..."
May 12, 2019 | www.unz.com

FB , says: Website May 11, 2019 at 4:46 pm GMT

@J. Gutierrez Thanks for putting together this commentary J

Bolton a swinger ? LOL that's a mental picture that's deeply disturbing yet funny at the same time

J. Gutierrez , says: May 11, 2019 at 10:42 pm GMT

@FB Yeah brother, that POS was called out during his confirmation hearings during baby Bush's presidency. Larry Flint had offered a Million dollars to anyone who had proof of republican sexual exploits. He was quickly fingered by someone who attended those clubs. He was forced to accept a temporary position and quietly resigned after a few months so as to avoid facing questions.

Someone said they saw him proposition a teenage girl outside one of the swinger clubs he frequented.

Glad you enjoyed the piece take care brother.

[May 12, 2019] Trump about to dump Bolton caucus99percent

May 12, 2019 | caucus99percent.com

Speaking of getting led around by the nose, we come to one Gina Haspel's great deceptions. This deception plays directly into the hands of Russiagaters. This woman, supposedly brought into CIA leadership in order to demolish the agency, is proving quite adept in perpetuating its reign of terror. Again, we have a neocon undermining Trump's prestige and authority.

[May 12, 2019] Gina Haspel Conned Trump with British Lies into Expelling Russian Diplomats over Skripal Case

Apr 17, 2019 | larouchepub.com

(EIRNS) -- The New York Times ran a story yesterday titled, "Gina Haspel Relies on Spy Skills To Connect with Trump. He Doesn't Always Listen." Based on interviews with former and current CIA agents who worked with CIA Director Haspel (but not interviewing her), the Times praises her skills and attempts to denigrate Trump, but they also retail a story about her and Trump which could cost Haspel deeply.

Following the March 2018 breaking of the Skripal poisoning story in England, the Times writes, Trump had initially "written off the poisoning as part of legitimate spy games, distasteful but within the bounds of espionage." Haspel, on the other hand, was backing London's demand for Trump to blame Russia immediately and expel dozens of Russian diplomats.

Writes the Times:

"During the discussion, Ms. Haspel, then deputy CIA director, turned toward Mr. Trump. She outlined possible responses in a quiet but firm voice, then leaned forward and told the President that the 'strong option' was to expel 60 diplomats.

"To persuade Mr. Trump, according to people briefed on the conversation, officials including Ms. Haspel also tried to show him that Mr. Skripal and his daughter were not the only victims of Russia's attack.

"Ms. Haspel showed pictures the British government had supplied her of young children hospitalized after being sickened by the Novichok nerve agent that poisoned the Skripals. She then showed a photograph of ducks that British officials said were inadvertently killed by the sloppy work of the Russian operatives."

This appeal reportedly swayed Trump to go along with Haspel's advice.

If it sounds like the British "White Helmet" terrorists in Syria faking pictures of children being hit with chemical weapons to convince Trump to bomb Syrian targets, it is indeed precisely the same.

Former British Ambassador Craig Murray, an outspoken critic of these British imperial lies and atrocities, posted a response today to the Times garbage on his blog. He states first that yet another truth behind the Skripal lies was revealed recently by police, acknowledging that "the perfume bottle Charlie Rowley found was sealed and could not have been the container used on the Skripals." He goes on: "It took nine months for us to learn that, by a truly wonderful coincidence, the first person to find the Skripals ill on the bench was the Chief Nurse of the British Army."

But on the Haspel story in the Times, Murray is furious. "The problem is," he writes,

"there were no hospitalized children. No children have been reported as becoming ill following their duck feeding with the Skripals. We have heard from one of the parents that they were shown by the police extremely clear [closed-circuit surveillance] CCTV footage of the duck feeding, which has never been made public. Surely if the child had been hospitalized, the parent would have mentioned it?"

He quotes Dr. Stephen Davies of Salisbury Hospital, who wrote to the New York Times on March 14 stating clearly that no children had been hospitalized, and that every person who came to the hospital fearing they had been contaminated had no symptoms and tests turned out negative. Murray states:

"We also know that the duck feeding was the time that Boshirov and Petrov [the alleged Russian culprits] were physically closest to the Skripals. But this is the first time there has ever been any mention of any harm to the ducks. Dead ducks would have been noticed by the public."

It appears that the British Empire is the dead duck in this myth.

[Apr 30, 2019] Is Auntie Gina just the titular head of Al-CIA?

Notable quotes:
"... It's the US ruling elite that are the true deplorables. ..."
"... The war on civilization is never a failure for as long as the invader wins. Winning in this case means toppling a government, destabilizing an economy and dividing a population then leaving a country in chaos. It's not a foreign policy failure for the U.S. That is the policy working exactly as intended. All the talk later, where they claim that they had "bad intel" or they "made mistakes" or "miscalculated" is complete bullshit. They know what they're doing. If they didn't, they wouldn't keep doing it over and over in the exact same way. ..."
"... {A titular ruler, or titular head, is a person in an official position of leadership who possesses few, if any, actual powers. Sometimes a person may inhabit a position of titular leadership and yet exercise more power than would normally be expected, as a result of their personality or experience} ? ..."
"... They'd follow the money if they really wanted to end the terrorism. In that regard, bombing Raqqa to hell was sure convenient as USA destroyed all the evidence - or at least they can make that claim. ..."
"... So he gets trotted out just in time to revive the "ISIS threat", and take the blame for various recent funny-smelling terrist attacks, people going to odd places like New Zealand and Sri Lanka to vent their spleens at Muslims and Christians, respectively. I have half-a-suspicion somebody is trying to get a religious war of some sort going. ..."
"... we're talking 1 and a half million dead so far in Iraq and Afghanistan...and that's being conservative. ..."
"... Where? Where was it published? On what platform? Is it really that hard to trace the IPs? Turkey is really determined to get those S-400s. The Empire first threatened to withhold F-35s, then to impose sanctions, then to expel Turkey from NATO, then to move its bases to Greece. Still, Turkey wouldn't budge. Time to deploy some good old terrorism, so that the Empire will be obliged to come in and "help". ..."
"... I have long believed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi actually is associated either with Moss ad or the CIA. That's why he's had so many miracle escapes. That's why they never catch him and often don't even know where he is. And we know that his ISIS never, never attacks Israeli targets or fat Saudi Prince targets. ..."
"... Those would in fact be the targets of choice for any genuine jihad movement. Not Syria or Iraq, which are two states Israel has wanted to harm or eliminate for years. ISIS has always been a fraud, a very complex and deadly one, but a fraud. ..."
"... Many years ago, even before this character posed as a "Syrian rebel" who was photographed meeting with John McCain, he was outed as a Mossad agent by the name of Simon Elliot. ..."
"... Al Jazeera "can't confirm the authenticity of the video." ..."
"... A history of Wahhabism which is a problem for the globe; https://ahtribune.com/religion/155-a-history-of-wahhabism.html The KSA, whose ass the empire kisses daily, is the main funder for these clowns. ..."
Apr 30, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

shaw , Apr 29, 2019 2:43:54 PM | link

What's the Wonder my dear?
Duh!
He is in CIA safe house in Al-Anbar.

ISI is looking for this CIA's "Patsy" hide out. Watch this space, he has blood of 14 Pakistani soldiers on his hands via Iran hit. We will end this MOSSAD Agent.

Sally Snyder , Apr 29, 2019 2:45:43 PM | link

As shown in this article, statistics show that the War on Terror has been a colossal failure:

https://viableopposition.blogspot.com/2019/03/global-terrorism-and-failure-of-war-on.html

The one hundred thousand people that died in Iraq and Afghanistan due to terrorist activities would certainly agree that the trillions of dollars that have been spent on the War on Terror has done very little to remove the spectre of terrorist activities from their homes, cities and nations.

CD Waller , Apr 29, 2019 3:06:16 PM | link
Are we sure the man in the film is Bahgdadi?

Sally Snyder: The war on terror is a war of terror and in that sense, though morally reprehensible and costly, has been success. Regime change and the destabilization of the Middle East has been the goal.

It's the US ruling elite that are the true deplorables.

Fantome , Apr 29, 2019 3:09:31 PM | link
@Sally Snyder[2]:

War on terror was the war on an entire civilization. Association/Replacement of the word terror was just for the public consumption. It's a simple strategy that makes the aggressors appear like the good guys who are there to defend themselves or the values they hold.

The war on civilization is never a failure for as long as the invader wins. Winning in this case means toppling a government, destabilizing an economy and dividing a population then leaving a country in chaos. It's not a foreign policy failure for the U.S. That is the policy working exactly as intended. All the talk later, where they claim that they had "bad intel" or they "made mistakes" or "miscalculated" is complete bullshit. They know what they're doing. If they didn't, they wouldn't keep doing it over and over in the exact same way.

War on the civilizations yields massive benefits. It's the shortcoming of the model of the western civilization that it continuously requires massive input that can't be achieved by the legal means of business and trade.

Hoarsewhisperer , Apr 29, 2019 3:19:34 PM | link
One wonders whose guest he is

Auntie Gina the tit ular head of Al-CIA-duh/ Al Qaeda/ ISIS?

{A titular ruler, or titular head, is a person in an official position of leadership who possesses few, if any, actual powers. Sometimes a person may inhabit a position of titular leadership and yet exercise more power than would normally be expected, as a result of their personality or experience} ?

Jackrabbit , Apr 29, 2019 3:26:14 PM | link
They'd follow the money if they really wanted to end the terrorism. In that regard, bombing Raqqa to hell was sure convenient as USA destroyed all the evidence - or at least they can make that claim.
Bemildred , Apr 29, 2019 3:35:23 PM | link
So he gets trotted out just in time to revive the "ISIS threat", and take the blame for various recent funny-smelling terrist attacks, people going to odd places like New Zealand and Sri Lanka to vent their spleens at Muslims and Christians, respectively. I have half-a-suspicion somebody is trying to get a religious war of some sort going.

They don't seem to be having that much success with getting that war going, so I expect the attacks will go on.

john , Apr 29, 2019 4:20:19 PM | link
Sally Snyder says:

The one hundred thousand people that died in Iraq and Afghanistan due to terrorist activities...

look sister, we can't do much about the state of things, but we can at least relay a realistic account of the extent of the atrocity

we're talking 1 and a half million dead so far in Iraq and Afghanistan...and that's being conservative.

S , Apr 29, 2019 4:22:24 PM | link
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, self declared caliph of ISIS, appeared in new video published today.

Where? Where was it published? On what platform? Is it really that hard to trace the IPs? Turkey is really determined to get those S-400s. The Empire first threatened to withhold F-35s, then to impose sanctions, then to expel Turkey from NATO, then to move its bases to Greece. Still, Turkey wouldn't budge. Time to deploy some good old terrorism, so that the Empire will be obliged to come in and "help".

frances , Apr 29, 2019 4:30:55 PM | link
From zerohedge's comments, both links worth a read:

preying mantis posted

who's your real daddy, Baghdadi?

Jackrabbit , Apr 29, 2019 5:06:26 PM | link
S @17: Time to deploy some good old terrorism ...

Erdogan knows what he's dealing with, his government used to be a member of the conspiracy.

This move by Baghdadi could backfire in a big way.

Got my popcorn ready.

JOHN CHUCKMAN , Apr 29, 2019 5:09:27 PM | link

I have long believed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi actually is associated either with Moss ad or the CIA. That's why he's had so many miracle escapes. That's why they never catch him and often don't even know where he is. And we know that his ISIS never, never attacks Israeli targets or fat Saudi Prince targets.

Those would in fact be the targets of choice for any genuine jihad movement. Not Syria or Iraq, which are two states Israel has wanted to harm or eliminate for years. ISIS has always been a fraud, a very complex and deadly one, but a fraud.

Laskarina , Apr 29, 2019 5:13:11 PM | link
Many years ago, even before this character posed as a "Syrian rebel" who was photographed meeting with John McCain, he was outed as a Mossad agent by the name of Simon Elliot.

The guy in recent picture looks like one of Rita Katz's actors.

Walter , Apr 29, 2019 6:01:01 PM | link
It is a show to threaten Turkey with the same as Sri Lanka (where they refine lots of Iranian crude...and more...look it up). Many ties to Iran/Sri Lanka....and to Turkey. Typical nazi thugs....bribes, arson, dynamite...and patsies...in this case maybe mossad actor? Why not> Cui Bono?

As to the locus of the actor? Paramount? Warner Bros? Probably not. Does it matter?

They're parading a ringer...don't fall for the gag. Erdo won't fall for it either.

Curtis , Apr 29, 2019 6:08:06 PM | link
Baghdadi has nice toys by his side and not just the AK-47 with the camo bit over the barrel. It looks like a camo case on night vision gear (or vidcam?) just below that, too. To quote the Joker: "Where does he get those wonderful toys?"

Ahh a new game of "where in the world is ..." except instead of bin Laden (or his stand-in) the guest in Pakistan living near a military base we have Baghdadi. Maybe Baghdadi lives in that area, too. (awaiting his execution for the media and masses). I doubt it though. I'm thinking Turkey or even Saudi Arabia.

Hoarsewhisperer , Apr 29, 2019 6:08:52 PM | link
...
This move by Baghdadi could backfire in a big way.
Got my popcorn ready.
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Apr 29, 2019 5:06:26 PM | 19

It does seem unnecessarily cheeky/ fishy. If 'they' had fiendishly brilliant plan, why wouldn't they'd just do it and leave it to the intel wonks to figure out what went wrong? It's big news in the J-C International media. Al Jazeera "can't confirm the authenticity of the video."

ben , Apr 29, 2019 9:18:09 PM | link
A history of Wahhabism which is a problem for the globe; https://ahtribune.com/religion/155-a-history-of-wahhabism.html The KSA, whose ass the empire kisses daily, is the main funder for these clowns.

[Apr 28, 2019] The Real Men Go to Tehran delusion

Apr 28, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Hoarsewhisperer , Apr 28, 2019 3:54:57 AM | link

Considering that this 'study' is an overblown version of the Real Men Go to Tehran delusion (which is STILL in the pondering phase) it's hard to ignore the trepidation revealed in an assessment divided into pseudo business-like categories of...

1. Likelihood of Success
2. Benefits
3. Costs & Risks

...when there are sufficient unresolved uncertainties to be fine-tuned to keep this plan bogged down in the pondering phase for even longer than the unconsummated Real Men Go To Iran nothing-burger.

[Apr 21, 2019] John Brennan's Police State USA

Highly recommended!
Notable quotes:
"... Sadly, Brennan's propaganda coup only works on what the Bell Curve crowd up there would call the dumbest and most technologically helpless 1.2σ. Here is how people with half a brain interpret the latest CIA whoppers. ..."
"... Convincing Americans in Russia's influence or Russia collusion with Trump was only a tool that would create pressure on Trump that together with the fear of paralysis of his administration and impeachment would push Trump into the corner from which the only thing he could do was to worsen relations with Russia. What American people believe or not is really secondary. With firing of Gen. Flynn Trump acted exactly as they wanted him to act. This was the beginning of downward slope. ..."
"... Anyway, the mission was accomplished and the relations with Russia are worse now than during Obama administration. Trump can concentrate on Iran in which he will be supported by all sides and factions including the media. Even Larry David will approve not only the zionist harpies like Pam Geller, Rita Katz and Ilana Mercer. ..."
"... The only part that is absurd is that Russia posed a bona fide threat to the US. I'm fine with the idea that he ruined Brennen's plans in Syria. But thats just ego we shouldn't have been there anyway. ..."
"... No one really cares about Ukraine. And the European/Russian trade zone? No one cares. The Eurozone has its hands full with Greece and the rest of the old EU. I have a feeling they have already gone way too far and are more likely to shrink than expand in any meaningful way ..."
"... " ..factions within the state whose interests do not coincide with those of the American people." ..."
"... All the more powerfully put because of its recognisably comical. understatement. Thank you Mr Whitney. Brilliant article that would be all over the mainstream media were the US MSM an instrument of American rather than globalist interests. ..."
"... A sad story, how the USA always was a police state, where the two percent rich manipulated the 98% poor, to stay rich. When there were insurrections federal troops restored order. Also FDR put down strikes with troops. ..."
"... The elephant in the room is Israel and the neocons , this is the force that controls America and Americas foreign policy , Brennan and the 17 intel agencies are puppets of the mossad and Israel, that is the brutal fact of the matter. ..."
"... "The absence of evidence suggests that Russia hacking narrative is a sloppy and unprofessional disinformation campaign that was hastily slapped together by over confident Intelligence officials who believed that saturating the public airwaves with one absurd story after another would achieve the desired result " ..."
"... But it DID achieve the desired result! Trump folded under the pressure, and went full out neoliberal. Starting with his missile attack on Syria, he is now OK with spending trillions fighting pointless endless foreign wars on the other side of the world. ..."
"... I think maybe half the US population does believe the Russian hacking thing, but that's not really the issue. I think that the pre-Syrian attack media blitz was more a statement of brute power to Trump: WE are in charge here, and WE can take you down and impeach you, and facts don't matter! ..."
"... Sometimes propaganda is about persuading people. And sometimes, I think, it is about intimidating them. ..."
"... The Brit secret service, in effect, created and trained not merely the CIA but also the Mossad and Saudi Arabia's General Intelligence Presidency. All four are defined by endless lies, endless acts of utterly amoral savagery. All 4 are at least as bad as the KGB ever was, and that means as bad as Hell itself. ..."
"... Traditional triumphalist American narrative history, as taught in schools up through the 60s or so, portrayed America as "wart-free." Since then, with Zinn's book playing a major role, it has increasingly been portrayed as "warts-only," which is of course at least equally flawed. I would say more so. ..."
"... Anyway, the mission was accomplished and the relations with Russia are worse now than during Obama administration. ..."
"... That pre-9/11 "cooperation" nearly destroyed Russia. Nobody in Russia (except, perhaps, for Pussy Riot) wants a return to the Yeltsin era. ..."
"... The CIA is the world largest criminal and terrorist organization. With Brennan the worst has come to the worst. The whole Russian meddling affair was initiated by the Obama/Clinton gang in cooperation with 95 percent of the media. Nothing will come out of it. ..."
"... [The key figures who had primary influence on both Trump's and Bush's Iran policies held views close to those of Israel's right-wing Likud Party. The main conduit for the Likudist line in the Trump White House is Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, primary foreign policy advisor, and longtime friend and supporter of Netanyahu. Kushner's parents are also long-time supporters of Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank. ..."
"... Another figure to whom the Trump White House has turned is John Bolton, undersecretary of state and a key policymaker on Iran in the Bush administration. Although Bolton was not appointed Trump's secretary of state, as he'd hoped, he suddenly reemerged as a player on Iran policy thanks to his relationship with Kushner. Politico reports that Bolton met with Kushner a few days before the final policy statement was released and urged a complete withdrawal from the deal in favor of his own plan for containing Iran. ..."
"... Putin's dream of Greater Europe is the death knell for the unipolar world order. It means the economic center of the world will shift to Central Asia where abundant resources and cheap labor of the east will be linked to the technological advances and the Capital the of the west eliminating the need to trade in dollars or recycle profits into US debt. The US economy will slip into irreversible decline, and the global hegemon will steadily lose its grip on power. That's why it is imperative for the US prevail in Ukraine– a critical land bridge connecting the two continents– and to topple Assad in Syria in order to control vital resources and pipeline corridors. Washington must be in a position where it can continue to force its trading partners to denominate their resources in dollars and recycle the proceeds into US Treasuries if it is to maintain its global primacy. The main problem is that Russia is blocking Uncle Sam's path to success which is roiling the political establishment in Washington. ..."
"... Second, Zakharova confirms that the western media is not an independent news gathering organization, but a propaganda organ for the foreign policy establishment who dictates what they can and can't say. ..."
"... Such a truthful portrait of reality ! The ruling elite is indeed massively corrupt, compromised, and controlled by dark forces. And the police state is already here. For most people, so far, in the form of massive collection of personal data and increasing number of mandatory regulations. But just one or two big false-flags away from progressing into something much worse. ..."
"... Clearly the CIA was making war on Syria. Is secret coercive covert action against sovereign nations Ok? Is it legal? When was the CIA designated a war making entity – what part of the constitution OK's that? Isn't the congress obliged by constitutional law to declare war? (These are NOT six month actions – they go on and on.) ..."
"... Syria is only one of many nations that the CIA is attacking – how many countries are we attacking with drones? Where is congress? ..."
"... Close the CIA – give the spying to the 16 other agencies. ..."
Oct 22, 2017 | www.unz.com

Fran Macadam , October 20, 2017 at 3:08 pm GMT

A credible reading of the diverse facts, Mike.
Kirk Elarbee , October 20, 2017 at 8:27 pm GMT
Sadly, Brennan's propaganda coup only works on what the Bell Curve crowd up there would call the dumbest and most technologically helpless 1.2σ. Here is how people with half a brain interpret the latest CIA whoppers.

http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/10/everyone-hacked-everyone-hacked-everyone-spy-spin-fuels-anti-kaspersky-campaign.html

utu , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 5:18 am GMT
Again Mike Whitney does not get it. Though in the first part of the article I thought he would. He was almost getting there. The objective was to push new administration into the corner from which it could not improve relations with Russia as Trump indicated that he wanted to during the campaign.

Convincing Americans in Russia's influence or Russia collusion with Trump was only a tool that would create pressure on Trump that together with the fear of paralysis of his administration and impeachment would push Trump into the corner from which the only thing he could do was to worsen relations with Russia. What American people believe or not is really secondary. With firing of Gen. Flynn Trump acted exactly as they wanted him to act. This was the beginning of downward slope.

Anyway, the mission was accomplished and the relations with Russia are worse now than during Obama administration. Trump can concentrate on Iran in which he will be supported by all sides and factions including the media. Even Larry David will approve not only the zionist harpies like Pam Geller, Rita Katz and Ilana Mercer.

Pamela Geller: Thank You, Larry David

http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2017/10/19/pamela-geller-thank-larry-david/

anon , Disclaimer Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 5:54 am GMT
OK.

The only part that is absurd is that Russia posed a bona fide threat to the US. I'm fine with the idea that he ruined Brennen's plans in Syria. But thats just ego we shouldn't have been there anyway.

No one really cares about Ukraine. And the European/Russian trade zone? No one cares. The Eurozone has its hands full with Greece and the rest of the old EU. I have a feeling they have already gone way too far and are more likely to shrink than expand in any meaningful way

The one thing I am not positive about. If the elite really believe that Russia is a threat, then Americans have done psych ops on themselves.

The US was only interested in Ukraine because it was there. Next in line on a map. The rather shocking disinterest in investing money -- on both sides -- is inexplicable if it was really important. Most of it would be a waste -- but still. The US stupidly spent $5 billion on something -- getting duped by politicians and got theoretical regime change, but it was hell to pry even $1 billion for real economic aid.

ThereisaGod , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 6:37 am GMT
" ..factions within the state whose interests do not coincide with those of the American people."

All the more powerfully put because of its recognisably comical. understatement. Thank you Mr Whitney. Brilliant article that would be all over the mainstream media were the US MSM an instrument of American rather than globalist interests.

jilles dykstra , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 6:46 am GMT
I am reading Howard Zinn, A Peoples History of the USA, 1492 to the Present. A sad story, how the USA always was a police state, where the two percent rich manipulated the 98% poor, to stay rich. When there were insurrections federal troops restored order. Also FDR put down strikes with troops.
Logan , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 11:16 am GMT
@jilles dykstra

You should be aware that Zinn's book is not, IMO, an honest attempt at writing history. It is conscious propaganda intended to make Americans believe exactly what you are taking from it.

DESERT FOX , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 1:30 pm GMT
The elephant in the room is Israel and the neocons , this is the force that controls America and Americas foreign policy , Brennan and the 17 intel agencies are puppets of the mossad and Israel, that is the brutal fact of the matter.

Until that fact changes Americans will continue to fight and die for Israel.

TG , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 2:03 pm GMT
"The absence of evidence suggests that Russia hacking narrative is a sloppy and unprofessional disinformation campaign that was hastily slapped together by over confident Intelligence officials who believed that saturating the public airwaves with one absurd story after another would achieve the desired result "

But it DID achieve the desired result! Trump folded under the pressure, and went full out neoliberal. Starting with his missile attack on Syria, he is now OK with spending trillions fighting pointless endless foreign wars on the other side of the world.

I think maybe half the US population does believe the Russian hacking thing, but that's not really the issue. I think that the pre-Syrian attack media blitz was more a statement of brute power to Trump: WE are in charge here, and WE can take you down and impeach you, and facts don't matter!

Sometimes propaganda is about persuading people. And sometimes, I think, it is about intimidating them.

Anonymous , Disclaimer Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 2:05 pm GMT
Whitney is another author who declares the "Russians did it" narrative a psyop. He then devotes entire columns to the psyop, "naww Russia didn't do it". There could be plenty to write about – recent laws that do undercut liberty, but no, the Washington Post needs fake opposition to its fake news so you have guys like Whitney in the less-mainstream fake news media.

So Brennan wanted revenge? Well that's simple enough to understand, without being too stupid. But Whitney's whopper of a lie is what you're supposed to unquestionably believe. The US has "rival political parties". Did you miss it?

Jake , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 2:32 pm GMT
The US is doing nothing more than acting as the British Empire 2.0. WASP culture was born of a Judaizing heresy: Anglo-Saxon Puritanism. That meant that the WASP Elites of every are pro-Jewish, especially in order to wage war, physical and/or cultural, against the vast majority of white Christians they rule.

By the early 19th century, The Brit Empire's Elites also had a strong, and growing, dose of pro-Arabic/pro-Islamic philoSemitism. Most of that group became ardently pro-Sunni, and most of the pro-Sunni ones eventually coalescing around promotion of the House of Saud, which means being pro-Wahhabi and permanently desirous of killing or enslaving virtually all Shiite Mohammedans.

So, by the time of Victoria's high reign, the Brit WASP Elites were a strange brew of hardcoree pro-Jewish and hardcore pro-Arabic/islamic. The US foreign policy of today is an attempt to put those two together and force it on everyone and make it work.

The Brit secret service, in effect, created and trained not merely the CIA but also the Mossad and Saudi Arabia's General Intelligence Presidency. All four are defined by endless lies, endless acts of utterly amoral savagery. All 4 are at least as bad as the KGB ever was, and that means as bad as Hell itself.

Logan , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 3:04 pm GMT
@Grandpa Charlie

Fair enough. I didn't know that about the foreword. If accurate, that's a reasonable approach for a book.

Here's the problem.

Back when O. Cromwell was the dictator of England, he retained an artist to paint him. The custom of the time was for artists to "clean up" their subjects, in a primitive form of photoshopping.

OC being a religious fanatic, he informed the artist he wished to be portrayed as God had made him, "warts and all." (Ollie had a bunch of unattractive facial warts.) Or the artist wouldn't be paid.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/nov/08/cromwell-portraitist-samuel-cooper-exhibition

Traditional triumphalist American narrative history, as taught in schools up through the 60s or so, portrayed America as "wart-free." Since then, with Zinn's book playing a major role, it has increasingly been portrayed as "warts-only," which is of course at least equally flawed. I would say more so.

All I am asking is that American (and other) history be written "warts and all." The triumphalist version is true, largely, and so is the Zinn version. Gone With the Wind and Roots both portray certain aspects of the pre-war south fairly accurately..

America has been, and is, both evil and good. As is/was true of every human institution and government in history. Personally, I believe America, net/net, has been one of the greatest forces for human good ever. But nobody will realize that if only the negative side of American history is taught.

Wally , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 3:16 pm GMT
@Michael Kenny

Hasbarist 'Kenny', you said:

"There must be something really dirty in Russigate that hasn't yet come out to generate this level of panic."

You continue to claim what you cannot prove.

But then you are a Jews First Zionist.

Russia-Gate Jumps the Shark
Russia-gate has jumped the shark with laughable new claims about a tiny number of "Russia-linked" social media ads, but the US mainstream media is determined to keep a straight face

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/10/robert-parry/jumping-the-shark/

Yet Another Major Russia Story Falls Apart. Is Skepticism Permissible Yet?

https://theintercept.com/2017/09/28/yet-another-major-russia-story-falls-apart-is-skepticism-permissible-yet/

+ review of other frauds

Logan , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 3:20 pm GMT
@Jake

Most of that group became ardently pro-Sunni, and most of the pro-Sunni ones eventually coalescing around promotion of the House of Saud, which means being pro-Wahhabi and permanently desirous of killing or enslaving virtually all Shiite Mohammedans.

Thanks for the laugh. During the 19th century, the Sauds were toothless, dirt-poor hicks from the deep desert of zero importance on the world stage.

The Brits were not Saudi proponents, in fact promoting the Husseins of Hejaz, the guys Lawrence of Arabia worked with. The Husseins, the Sharifs of Mecca and rulers of Hejaz, were the hereditary enemies of the Sauds of Nejd.

After WWI, the Brits installed Husseins as rulers of both Transjordan and Iraq, which with the Hejaz meant the Sauds were pretty much surrounded. The Sauds conquered the Hejaz in 1924, despite lukewarm British support for the Hejaz.

Nobody in the world cared much about the Saudis one way or another until massive oil fields were discovered, by Americans not Brits, starting in 1938. There was no reason they should. Prior to that Saudi prominence in world affairs was about equal to that of Chad today, and for much the same reason. Chad (and Saudi Arabia) had nothing anybody else wanted.

Grandpa Charlie , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 3:25 pm GMT
@Michael Kenny

'Putin stopped talking about the "Lisbon to Vladivostok" free trade area long ago" -- Michael Kenney

Putin was simply trying to sell Russia's application for EU membership with the catch-phrase "Lisbon to Vladivostok". He continued that until the issue was triply mooted (1) by implosion of EU growth and boosterism, (2) by NATO's aggressive stance, in effect taken by NATO in Ukraine events and in the Baltics, and, (3) Russia's alliance with China.

It is surely still true that Russians think of themselves, categorically, as Europeans. OTOH, we can easily imagine that Russians in Vladivostok look at things differently than do Russians in St. Petersburg. Then again, Vladivostok only goes back about a century and a half.

Seamus Padraig , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 3:39 pm GMT
@utu

Anyway, the mission was accomplished and the relations with Russia are worse now than during Obama administration.

I generally agree with your comment, but that part strikes me as a bit of an exaggeration. While relations with Russia certainly haven't improved, how have they really worsened? The second round of sanctions that Trump reluctantly approved have yet to be implemented by Europe, which was the goal. And apart from that, what of substance has changed?

Seamus Padraig , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 3:45 pm GMT
@Grandpa Charlie

That pre-9/11 "cooperation" nearly destroyed Russia. Nobody in Russia (except, perhaps, for Pussy Riot) wants a return to the Yeltsin era.

Ludwig Watzal , Website Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 3:46 pm GMT
It's not surprising that 57 percent of the American people believe in Russian meddling. Didn't two-thirds of the same crowd believe that Saddam was behind 9/11, too? The American public is being brainwashed 24 hours a day all year long.

The CIA is the world largest criminal and terrorist organization. With Brennan the worst has come to the worst. The whole Russian meddling affair was initiated by the Obama/Clinton gang in cooperation with 95 percent of the media. Nothing will come out of it.

This disinformation campaign might be the prelude to an upcoming war.
Right now, the US is run by jerks and idiots. Watch the video.

anonymous , Disclaimer Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 3:50 pm GMT
Only dumb people does not know that TRUMP IS NETANYAHU'S PUPPET.

The fifth column zionist jews are running the albino stooge and foreign policy in the Middle East to expand Israel's interest against American interest that is TREASON. One of these FIFTH COLUMNISTS is Jared Kushner. He should be arrested.

https://www.globalresearch.ca/donald-trumps-likudist-campaign-against-iran/5614264

[The key figures who had primary influence on both Trump's and Bush's Iran policies held views close to those of Israel's right-wing Likud Party. The main conduit for the Likudist line in the Trump White House is Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, primary foreign policy advisor, and longtime friend and supporter of Netanyahu. Kushner's parents are also long-time supporters of Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank.

Another figure to whom the Trump White House has turned is John Bolton, undersecretary of state and a key policymaker on Iran in the Bush administration. Although Bolton was not appointed Trump's secretary of state, as he'd hoped, he suddenly reemerged as a player on Iran policy thanks to his relationship with Kushner. Politico reports that Bolton met with Kushner a few days before the final policy statement was released and urged a complete withdrawal from the deal in favor of his own plan for containing Iran.

Bolton spoke with Trump by phone on Thursday about the paragraph in the deal that vowed it would be "terminated" if there was any renegotiation, according to Politico. He was calling Trump from Las Vegas, where he'd been meeting with casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the third major figure behind Trump's shift towards Israeli issues. Adelson is a Likud supporter who has long been a close friend of Netanyahu's and has used his Israeli tabloid newspaper Israel Hayomto support Netanyahu's campaigns. He was Trump's main campaign contributor in 2016, donating $100 million. Adelson's real interest has been in supporting Israel's interests in Washington -- especially with regard to Iran.]

Miro23 , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 4:56 pm GMT
A great article with some excellent points:

Putin's dream of Greater Europe is the death knell for the unipolar world order. It means the economic center of the world will shift to Central Asia where abundant resources and cheap labor of the east will be linked to the technological advances and the Capital the of the west eliminating the need to trade in dollars or recycle profits into US debt. The US economy will slip into irreversible decline, and the global hegemon will steadily lose its grip on power. That's why it is imperative for the US prevail in Ukraine– a critical land bridge connecting the two continents– and to topple Assad in Syria in order to control vital resources and pipeline corridors. Washington must be in a position where it can continue to force its trading partners to denominate their resources in dollars and recycle the proceeds into US Treasuries if it is to maintain its global primacy. The main problem is that Russia is blocking Uncle Sam's path to success which is roiling the political establishment in Washington.

American dominance is very much tied to the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency, and the rest of the world no longer want to fund this bankrupt, warlike state – particularly the Chinese.

First, it confirms that the US did not want to see the jihadist extremists defeated by Russia. These mainly-Sunni militias served as Washington's proxy-army conducting an ambitious regime change operation which coincided with US strategic ambitions.

The CIA run US/Israeli/ISIS alliance.

Second, Zakharova confirms that the western media is not an independent news gathering organization, but a propaganda organ for the foreign policy establishment who dictates what they can and can't say.

They are given the political line and they broadcast it.

The loosening of rules governing the dissemination of domestic propaganda coupled with the extraordinary advances in surveillance technology, create the perfect conditions for the full implementation of an American police state. But what is more concerning, is that the primary levers of state power are no longer controlled by elected officials but by factions within the state whose interests do not coincide with those of the American people. That can only lead to trouble.

At some point Americans are going to get a "War on Domestic Terror" cheered along by the media. More or less the arrest and incarceration of any opposition following the Soviet Bolshevik model.

CanSpeccy , Website Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 5:11 pm GMT
@utu

On the plus side, everyone now knows that the Anglo-US media from the NY Times to the Economist, from WaPo to the Gruniard, and from the BBC to CNN, the CBC and Weinstein's Hollywood are a worthless bunch of depraved lying bastards.

Thales the Milesian , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 5:53 pm GMT
Brennan did this, CIA did that .

So what are you going to do about all this?

Continue to whine?

Continue to keep your head stuck in your ass?

So then continue with your blah, blah, blah, and eat sh*t.

You, disgusting self-elected democratic people/institutions!!!

AB_Anonymous , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 5:59 pm GMT
Such a truthful portrait of reality ! The ruling elite is indeed massively corrupt, compromised, and controlled by dark forces. And the police state is already here. For most people, so far, in the form of massive collection of personal data and increasing number of mandatory regulations. But just one or two big false-flags away from progressing into something much worse.

The thing is, no matter how thick the mental cages are, and how carefully they are maintained by the daily massive injections of "certified" truth (via MSM), along with neutralizing or compromising of "troublemakers", the presence of multiple alternative sources in the age of Internet makes people to slip out of these cages one by one, and as the last events show – with acceleration.

It means that there's a fast approaching tipping point after which it'd be impossible for those in power both to keep a nice "civilized" face and to control the "cage-free" population. So, no matter how the next war will be called, it will be the war against the free Internet and free people. That's probably why N. Korean leader has no fear to start one.

Art , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 6:18 pm GMT
An aside:

All government secrecy is a curse on mankind. Trump is releasing the JFK murder files to the public. Kudos! Let us hope he will follow up with a full 9/11 investigation.

Think Peace -- Art

Mr. Anon , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 7:07 pm GMT
@utu

The objective was to push new administration into the corner from which it could not improve relations with Russia as Trump indicated that he wanted to during the campaign.

Good point. That was probably one of the objectives (and from the point of view of the deep-state, perhaps the most important objective) of the "Russia hacked our democracy" narrative, in addition to the general deligitimization of the Trump administration.

Art , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 7:11 pm GMT
And, keep in mind, Washington's Sunni proxies were not a division of the Pentagon; they were entirely a CIA confection: CIA recruited, CIA-armed, CIA-funded and CIA-trained.

Clearly the CIA was making war on Syria. Is secret coercive covert action against sovereign nations Ok? Is it legal? When was the CIA designated a war making entity – what part of the constitution OK's that? Isn't the congress obliged by constitutional law to declare war? (These are NOT six month actions – they go on and on.)

Are committees of six congressman and six senators, who meet in secret, just avoiding the grave constitutional questions of war? We the People cannot even interrogate these politicians. (These politicians make big money in the secrecy swamp when they leave office.)

Syria is only one of many nations that the CIA is attacking – how many countries are we attacking with drones? Where is congress?

Spying is one thing – covert action is another – covert is wrong – it goes against world order. Every year after 9/11 they say things are worse – give them more money more power and they will make things safe. That is BS!

9/11 has opened the flood gates to the US government attacking at will, the various peoples of this Earth. That is NOT our prerogative.

We are being exceptionally arrogant.

Close the CIA – give the spying to the 16 other agencies.

Think Peace -- Art

Rurik , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 7:12 pm GMT
@Ben10

right at 1:47

when he says 'we can't move on as a country'

his butt hurt is so ruefully obvious, that I couldn't help notice a wry smile on my face

that bitch spent millions on the war sow, and now all that mullah won't even wipe his butt hurt

when I see ((guys)) like this raging their inner crybaby angst, I feel really, really good about President Trump

MAGA bitches!

Mr. Anon , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 7:15 pm GMT
@jilles dykstra

I am reading Howard Zinn, A Peoples History of the USA

A Peoples History of the USA? Which Peoples?

Tradecraft46 , Next New Comment October 21, 2017 at 8:04 pm GMT
I am SAIS 70 so know the drill and the article is on point.

Here is the dealio. Most reporters are dim and have no experience, and it is real easy to lead them by the nose with promises of better in the future.

[Apr 20, 2019] What shocked me most from the recent story here about Torturer Gina Haspel lying to Trump wasn't that she did it. The woman has no scruples at all, and her misbehavior is hardly a surprise.

Apr 20, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Zachary Smith , Apr 18, 2019 5:09:48 PM | 7 ">link

Assuming that it is correct, who might be the most likely culprit?

Making that assumption, I want to focus on this part:

The U.S. embassy in Kuwait contacted a contracted private company to send the package to the U.S. on board of an American airline.

Government is evil. Therefore hiring enough vetted US citizens to run an embassy is to be avoided if a Private Company can be paid to do the same job. It's been done in the Military. NASA. National Intelligence has been "privatized". (think Edward Snowden)

What shocked me most from the recent story here about Torturer Gina Haspel lying to Trump wasn't that she did it. The woman has no scruples at all, and her misbehavior is hardly a surprise. The NYT piece was just another story about an ignorant old man who can be easily managed. No, here is the part which jumped out at me.

"Houseflies buzzing around the Oval Office were drawing his attention, and ire.

After reading that I'd be surprised if there is a competent core of White House GOVERNMENT workers remaining there. Nobody to manage the flying vermin. It took the director of the CIA to send over some flypaper!

I doubt if the Trumpies could organize a 1-float parade, so the lax security could be almost anywhere in the chain of events. But my present vote is on a Private Company. It might be the transport company. If they don't have junior staffers in the Embassy to run simple missions like delivering a package, they probably don't have an in-house cleaning staff, either. So they may hire some locals to come in and mop and sweep the joint. Inexpensive Outsiders.

[Apr 19, 2019] The USSR was a kind of guarantor of sanity of the USA elite, supressing built-in suisidal tendences. With it gove they went off the rail

For Western world, especially people of the USA, the collapse of the USSR was really geopolitical catastrophe, as Putin once put it. It unleaseshed cannibalistic instincts of neoliberal elite.
Apr 19, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

Drew Hunkins , April 18, 2019 at 12:39

" "Can you imagine what the world would be like today if there was still a Soviet Union?" remarked Zbigniew Bzezinski "

Yeah, I can.

There never would have been a war on Iraq in 1991 nor an obliteration of Iraq in 2003, which has lasted until the present day. The destruction of Yugoslavia never would have taken place and the wars and proxy wars on Syria and Libya would have only existed in the twisted and depraved imaginations of the Zionist and militarist psychos in our midst.

TINA never would have been an imperative and the working people of the Western world (primarily the U.S.) wouldn't be in a race to the bottom as it comes to wages, healthcare insurance, poverty levels, infant mortality, life-expectancy, union power in the workplace, secure retirements, and outlandish housing costs. With the demise of the USSR the millionaire capitalist-investor class really took the gloves off and saw no reason to provide the working masses with certain life-affirming policies, it was time to really sock it to the bottom 90%.

Despite some its faults, the world's people have been paying dearly for the demise of the USSR.

For further reading on what I've outlined above:
"Blood Lies" by Grover Furr
"Blackshirts and Reds" by Michael Parenti
"Fool's Crusade" by Diana Johnstone
"Against Empire" by Michael Parenti
essays and articles by Paul Craig Roberts
essays and articles by Andre Vltchek

Al Pinto , April 18, 2019 at 13:31

In short, without an antidote, the US does what the neocons and Israel decide to do. Welcome to the world of "my way, or the highway" cowboy mentality

Rob Roy , April 18, 2019 at 20:26

Actually, people in the USSR lived lives of constant fear (they call it the “Time of Terror”) that their friends, relatives, neighbors, strangers, even their children, would “tattle” on them and they would wind up in the torture chambers. They lived in stark, nearly unbearable poverty; the only comfort was that they all were in the same godforsaken boat. Communism might be a good idea on paper, but in reality, because of the ignorance of the bureaucratic leadership, it was a dismal failure.

The demise of the USSR would have no effect whatsoever on the hegemonic madness of the US which, under the guiding light of the Monroe Doctrine (established way before the USSR), carries on destroying one country after another. I would ask, “What would the world do without the USA?” Live in a much more peaceful world for sure. As for Omar, I wish her the fortitude to continue telling the truth. Again, Max Blumenthal proves himself one of the world’s best reporters.

OlyaPola , April 19, 2019 at 05:33

“constant fear”

The years of 1928 to 1953 were not constant since there were the years 1954 and subsequent.

Drew Hunkins , April 19, 2019 at 10:22

That’s not true Rob Roy. You’re parroting Western capitalist talking points. A whole host of brand new scholarly literature has hit the shelves in just the last few years proving the USSR was nowhere near as horrible as the Washington imperialist media made it out to be. In fact, under Stalin the Soviet Union made substantial gains in women’s rights, literacy, healthcare and industrial wages. Also, had it not been for Stalin’s agrarian plan there would have been more famines and more severe famines.

And as everyone knows, if Stalin never crash course industrialized the country they never would have defeated Nazi Germany.

Far from the USSR being a police-state it was often seen as a giant trough in which, for example, rent wouldn’t be paid and no one would come around to collect it.

Please see the following books for a truth trip: “Blood Lies” by Grover Furr and “Stalin, Waiting for the Truth” by Grover Furr. Also, Michael Parenti’s “Blackshirts and Reds is excellent.

Dump Pelousy , April 18, 2019 at 20:52

Micheal Perenti is the best. He was the Truth To Power voice before 9/11, before all the yuppie reporters sold their souls for “access” and a talking heads show. I watched it happen in slow motion with great dismay.

mp66 , April 18, 2019 at 22:23

Spot on. The western owner class was forced to share at least one plate with the rest of the population to make the west appear superior in material terms, and with that incentive or threat gone, there is no more need for a plate, few crumbs under the table should be sufficient. But as usual, greed goes along with stupidity, they forgot that doing so for decades undermines the stability of the system. Trump, Brexit, trade wars, abrogations of treaties, blatant disregard for bare basics of international law etc. are just symptoms of deeper discontent across the globe.

[Apr 19, 2019] The USSR was a kind of garantor of sanity of the USA elite, suppressing built-in suicidal tendences. With it gone they went off the rail

For Western world, especially people of the USA, the collapse of the USSR was really geopolitical catastrophe, as Putin once put it. It unleashed cannibalistic instincts of neoliberal elite.
Apr 19, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

Drew Hunkins , April 18, 2019 at 12:39

" "Can you imagine what the world would be like today if there was still a Soviet Union?" remarked Zbigniew Bzezinski "

Yeah, I can.

There never would have been a war on Iraq in 1991 nor an obliteration of Iraq in 2003, which has lasted until the present day. The destruction of Yugoslavia never would have taken place and the wars and proxy wars on Syria and Libya would have only existed in the twisted and depraved imaginations of the Zionist and militarist psychos in our midst.

TINA never would have been an imperative and the working people of the Western world (primarily the U.S.) wouldn't be in a race to the bottom as it comes to wages, healthcare insurance, poverty levels, infant mortality, life-expectancy, union power in the workplace, secure retirements, and outlandish housing costs. With the demise of the USSR the millionaire capitalist-investor class really took the gloves off and saw no reason to provide the working masses with certain life-affirming policies, it was time to really sock it to the bottom 90%.

Despite some its faults, the world's people have been paying dearly for the demise of the USSR.

For further reading on what I've outlined above:
"Blood Lies" by Grover Furr
"Blackshirts and Reds" by Michael Parenti
"Fool's Crusade" by Diana Johnstone
"Against Empire" by Michael Parenti
essays and articles by Paul Craig Roberts
essays and articles by Andre Vltchek

Al Pinto , April 18, 2019 at 13:31

In short, without an antidote, the US does what the neocons and Israel decide to do. Welcome to the world of "my way, or the highway" cowboy mentality

Rob Roy , April 18, 2019 at 20:26

Actually, people in the USSR lived lives of constant fear (they call it the “Time of Terror”) that their friends, relatives, neighbors, strangers, even their children, would “tattle” on them and they would wind up in the torture chambers. They lived in stark, nearly unbearable poverty; the only comfort was that they all were in the same godforsaken boat. Communism might be a good idea on paper, but in reality, because of the ignorance of the bureaucratic leadership, it was a dismal failure.

The demise of the USSR would have no effect whatsoever on the hegemonic madness of the US which, under the guiding light of the Monroe Doctrine (established way before the USSR), carries on destroying one country after another. I would ask, “What would the world do without the USA?” Live in a much more peaceful world for sure. As for Omar, I wish her the fortitude to continue telling the truth. Again, Max Blumenthal proves himself one of the world’s best reporters.

OlyaPola , April 19, 2019 at 05:33

“constant fear”

The years of 1928 to 1953 were not constant since there were the years 1954 and subsequent.

Drew Hunkins , April 19, 2019 at 10:22

That’s not true Rob Roy. You’re parroting Western capitalist talking points. A whole host of brand new scholarly literature has hit the shelves in just the last few years proving the USSR was nowhere near as horrible as the Washington imperialist media made it out to be. In fact, under Stalin the Soviet Union made substantial gains in women’s rights, literacy, healthcare and industrial wages. Also, had it not been for Stalin’s agrarian plan there would have been more famines and more severe famines.

And as everyone knows, if Stalin never crash course industrialized the country they never would have defeated Nazi Germany.

Far from the USSR being a police-state it was often seen as a giant trough in which, for example, rent wouldn’t be paid and no one would come around to collect it.

Please see the following books for a truth trip: “Blood Lies” by Grover Furr and “Stalin, Waiting for the Truth” by Grover Furr. Also, Michael Parenti’s “Blackshirts and Reds is excellent.

Dump Pelousy , April 18, 2019 at 20:52

Micheal Perenti is the best. He was the Truth To Power voice before 9/11, before all the yuppie reporters sold their souls for “access” and a talking heads show. I watched it happen in slow motion with great dismay.

mp66 , April 18, 2019 at 22:23

Spot on. The western owner class was forced to share at least one plate with the rest of the population to make the west appear superior in material terms, and with that incentive or threat gone, there is no more need for a plate, few crumbs under the table should be sufficient. But as usual, greed goes along with stupidity, they forgot that doing so for decades undermines the stability of the system. Trump, Brexit, trade wars, abrogations of treaties, blatant disregard for bare basics of international law etc. are just symptoms of deeper discontent across the globe.

[Apr 19, 2019] What shocked me most from the recent story here about Torturer Gina Haspel lying to Trump wasn't that she did it. The woman has no scruples at all, and her misbehavior is hardly a surprise.

Apr 19, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Zachary Smith , Apr 18, 2019 5:09:48 PM | link

Assuming that it is correct, who might be the most likely culprit?

Making that assumption, I want to focus on this part:

The U.S. embassy in Kuwait contacted a contracted private company to send the package to the U.S. on board of an American airline.

Government is evil. Therefore hiring enough vetted US citizens to run an embassy is to be avoided if a Private Company can be paid to do the same job. It's been done in the Military. NASA. National Intelligence has been "privatized". (think Edward Snowden)

What shocked me most from the recent story here about Torturer Gina Haspel lying to Trump wasn't that she did it. The woman has no scruples at all, and her misbehavior is hardly a surprise. The NYT piece was just another story about an ignorant old man who can be easily managed. No, here is the part which jumped out at me.

"Houseflies buzzing around the Oval Office were drawing his attention, and ire.

After reading that I'd be surprised if there is a competent core of White House GOVERNMENT workers remaining there. Nobody to manage the flying vermin. It took the director of the CIA to send over some flypaper!

I doubt if the Trumpies could organize a 1-float parade, so the lax security could be almost anywhere in the chain of events. But my present vote is on a Private Company. It might be the transport company. If they don't have junior staffers in the Embassy to run simple missions like delivering a package, they probably don't have an in-house cleaning staff, either. So they may hire some locals to come in and mop and sweep the joint. Inexpensive Outsiders.

[Apr 17, 2019] What Are We to Make of Gina Haspel by Publius Tacitus

Notable quotes:
"... That fact is a very sad and disturbing commentary on what America is or has become. Tolerating torture and excusing such an activity in the name of national security is the same justification that Stalin and Castro employed to punish dissidents. ..."
"... Let me be clear about my position. If Gina was in fact the Chief of Base and oversaw the application of the waterboarding and other inhuman treatment then she lacks the moral authority to head the CIA. Unfortunately, the United States has a long history of overlooking human rights violations and war crimes. ..."
"... Students of WW II will recall that US military intelligence recruited and protect Klaus Barbie, the Butcher of Lyon, as an asset after the war. He murdered Jews and sent others to Auschwitz. He should have been hung. Instead, we turned a blind eye and gave him a paycheck. ..."
"... I've read that she enjoyed torture and mocked a prisoner who was drooling by accused him of faking it. I never knew anything about her sexual orientation but now I have to consider if she's so cruel because she hates men. ..."
"... Yes, waterboarding is torture. We considered it so egregious that we prosecuted Japanese military officers after WWII for using it on POWs. ..."
"... just reinforces the feeling that those at the upper echelons are completely out of touch or alternatively are just lying/posturing to present themselves in a better light. ..."
"... A torturer is a torturer, no matter how one try to glaze it, or sugar coat it. If one is against torture, or the fancy name for it EIT, one should come out and say it like it is. This lady is accused of torturing captives ( enemy combatant) that can't and will not go away unless she come clean. ..."
Mar 19, 2018 | turcopolier.typepad.com

Before Gina became the Chief of Staff for Rodriguez, what role did she play in the waterboarding of two AQ operatives in Thailand? It appears that she was at least witting of what was going on. Did she have the authority to decide what measures to apply to the two? Did she make such decisions?

Those are facts still to be determined. I am inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt. But there are others who I respect that are adamant in opposing her nomination. The only thing I know for sure is that her nomination will be a bloody and divisive political battle. If it comes down to embracing waterboarding as an appropriate method to use on suspected terrorists, then a majority of Americans are supportive of that practice and will cheer the appointment of Haspel.

That fact is a very sad and disturbing commentary on what America is or has become. Tolerating torture and excusing such an activity in the name of national security is the same justification that Stalin and Castro employed to punish dissidents. It is true that one man's terrorist is another woman's freedom fighter.

Let me be clear about my position. If Gina was in fact the Chief of Base and oversaw the application of the waterboarding and other inhuman treatment then she lacks the moral authority to head the CIA. Unfortunately, the United States has a long history of overlooking human rights violations and war crimes.

Students of WW II will recall that US military intelligence recruited and protect Klaus Barbie, the Butcher of Lyon, as an asset after the war. He murdered Jews and sent others to Auschwitz. He should have been hung. Instead, we turned a blind eye and gave him a paycheck.


Cee , 18 March 2018 at 12:55 PM

PT,

I've read that she enjoyed torture and mocked a prisoner who was drooling by accused him of faking it. I never knew anything about her sexual orientation but now I have to consider if she's so cruel because she hates men.

No to her confirmation.

steve , 18 March 2018 at 01:11 PM
IIRC, Haspel was the chief of staff to whom Rodriguez refers. That does not sound like a bit player. Would you say that Kelly is a bit player in the Trump admin? As you say, we should know the facts, but so far it looks like she both participated in torture and in its cover-up.

Steve

tv , 18 March 2018 at 01:11 PM
Is waterboarding "torture?" It does not draw blood nor leave any physical damage. Psychological damage? These ARE admitted terrorists.
BillWade , 18 March 2018 at 01:20 PM
With all the crap going on at the FBI, the last thing we need now is a divisive candidate for any top level government position (torture advocacy is divisive for many of us).

A woman, a lesbian, who cares as long as they are a capable and decent law-abiding individual.

Publius Tacitus -> tv... , 18 March 2018 at 01:23 PM
Yes, waterboarding is torture. We considered it so egregious that we prosecuted Japanese military officers after WWII for using it on POWs.

And where do you get "admitted" terrorists from? In America, even with suspected terrorists, there is the principle of innocent until proven guilty. At least we once believed in that standard.

Apenultimate said in reply to turcopolier ... , 18 March 2018 at 01:26 PM
And I very much respect you for your position on this (it is this American's view as well).

What amazes me (and yet doesn't) is the example of Rodriguez's supposed introspection "How bad could this be?" Really?!? That just strikes me as not having any feel for the media, US citizenry, or even common sense, and just reinforces the feeling that those at the upper echelons are completely out of touch or alternatively are just lying/posturing to present themselves in a better light.

Laura , 18 March 2018 at 01:42 PM
PT -- Thank you. Much to consider in these times. I come down on the "no torture and waterboarding is torture" side of the debate but am also just eager for some competence and professional experience in key positions.

That these positions may be mutually exclusive says a great deal about our current situation. Again, thank you, for your opinions and information.

Kooshy , 18 March 2018 at 01:42 PM
A torturer is a torturer, no matter how one try to glaze it, or sugar coat it. If one is against torture, or the fancy name for it EIT, one should come out and say it like it is. This lady is accused of torturing captives ( enemy combatant) that can't and will not go away unless she come clean.

At the end of the day that don't matter, since as a policy, and base on your own statement, this country's government will prosecut and punish for liking of torture but not torture and tortures. And, furthermore, is not even willing to do away with it, per it's elected president. Trying to show a clean, moral, democracy on the hilltop image, is a BS and a joke.

[Apr 17, 2019] Haspel used brazen manipulation of her boss, who happens to be a commander in chief of a nuclear power. It looks like waterboarding Trump with the stream of lies.

Apr 17, 2019 | craigmurray.org.uk

Vinnie Pooh , April 17, 2019 at 14:07

Yeah, my eyes almost popped out of my head as I read it in the news. Direct brazen manipulation of your boss, who happens to be a commander in chief of a nuclear power. And no, I don't hear any howls about treason and conspiracy from across the pond.

John Dowser | Apr 17, 2019 2:16:43 AM | 75

"Haspel showed pictures the British government had supplied".

This would indicate, if true, that the Brits desired to manipulate and used the CIA here mainly as conduit to influence Trump. It would make more sense, historically as well, interpreting causality and motive this way.

[Apr 17, 2019] Gina Haspel the CIA torturer extraordinaire

Notable quotes:
"... The idea that Trump was kidded along in this way with photos of suffering children is similar to that which allegedly persuaded him to bomb Syria (along with the UK and France) after the more recent also alleged Douma chemical weapons attacks. So who actually was telling him porkies and why or is this just another myth to prove Trump's crassness – in which case there is no need to make anything up. ..."
"... Trump doesn't give a toss about suffering children or suffering anyone else, so it's not likely that he was persuaded by the kind of argument that runs from injured children to the need for US diplomatic action. ..."
"... Trump forgets he lies in minutes. He'd not heard about Julian Assange? If I was reporter I would have played him his words from my laptop and ask: Mr President is this you or a fake President? ..."
"... Actually he is a fake President as most US Presidents are. The man's a dunce. I thought after George W Bush US Presidents couldn't get any worse but know history hits us up the backside with a banjo yet again. ..."
Apr 17, 2019 | craigmurray.org.uk

Sharp Ears , April 17, 2019 at 12:06

Gina Haspel the CIA torturer extraordinaire.

Q. Where are the Skripals?

Crispa , April 17, 2019 at 12:07

I took note when I read that on the Guardian website late last night. What struck me was the treatment of the statement as if it could be true, but in more than one way.

The idea that Trump was kidded along in this way with photos of suffering children is similar to that which allegedly persuaded him to bomb Syria (along with the UK and France) after the more recent also alleged Douma chemical weapons attacks. So who actually was telling him porkies and why or is this just another myth to prove Trump's crassness – in which case there is no need to make anything up.

Even if the story is true, the article accepts it as fact and in no way qualifies it, which is just plain misrepresentation as Craig points out.

The reference to the two Russian operatives at that time is certainly a give away one way and another – but nothing in the article to highlight that inconsistency.

Strange timing too for the appearance of the article too. No doubt there will be a response from the Russian Embassy.

N_ , April 17, 2019 at 12:34

Trump brings together stupidity, narcissistic mental illness and obnoxiousness such that when an official has to deal with him their attitude must surely be to tell the moron whatever gets him to do what they want as soon as possible, so they don't have to spend any more time than necessary in a room with him.

He lies all the time – the guy can't stop lying – nobody wants to spend time with a person like that – even his wife can't stand the sight of him – and it doesn't matter what it is that you tell him or show him.

Trump doesn't give a toss about suffering children or suffering anyone else, so it's not likely that he was persuaded by the kind of argument that runs from injured children to the need for US diplomatic action.

The question is who was behind the anti-Russian side of the Skripal story and why. Not much progress will be made without looking at the British defence review and the huge increase in military spending that warfare interests have moved Gavin Williamson's lips to call for.

N_ , April 17, 2019 at 12:23

"(E)xtremely clear CCTV footage of the duck feeding"? So there are fixed cameras watching where the ducks swim in Queen Elizabeth's Park in Salisbury, are there? Because I haven't been able to find even some lamp posts they might be secured to. ( Some images .) Which is not to say the Skripals weren't photographed. And how's the Nikolai Glushkov inquest going?

Ken Kenn , April 17, 2019 at 13:40

Trump forgets he lies in minutes. He'd not heard about Julian Assange? If I was reporter I would have played him his words from my laptop and ask: Mr President is this you or a fake President?

Actually he is a fake President as most US Presidents are. The man's a dunce. I thought after George W Bush US Presidents couldn't get any worse but know history hits us up the backside with a banjo yet again.

Simple really: Show the video of the Skripal actively feeding the ducks – blank the kids faces and we'll be able to see them in all of their pre poisoned glory.

All this has been done before by the MS – The London Bridge attackers – 7/7 and so on.

So why not show the video? Because it shows something(s) which they want to hide. I have my views as to why, as do others but once you start lying you have to develop a good memory and ' British Intelligence ' is a misnomer.

It's quackery.

Phil , April 17, 2019 at 15:01

Rob Slane from the Blogmire interviewed the mother of the children who fed the ducks and she said she was shown "extremely clear CCTV footage".

Nicholas Kollerstrom , April 17, 2019 at 12:26

Let us not for one moment forget: Yulia musty be alive somewhere. I reckon they did in Sergei – serve him right for being a double (or triple) agent – but Yulia must still be around. She TOLD US in her video she was fine and getting better.

Thank god for Craig Murray and the Off-Guardian, they have preserved our sanity over this mad story, this maddest of British Intel cockups.

N_ , April 17, 2019 at 12:37

@Nicholas – I'd advise delaying the conclusion that it was a cockup, except in the sense that in most military and intelligence operations something cocks up – until we hear what happens with British military spending plans.

Gerard Hobley , April 17, 2019 at 12:27

Someone said to me on Twitter that confirmation of Novichock was from a Mass Spec of the nerve agent bound to some enzyme (probably acetyl cholinesterase). Is this really the official line? If so it's rubbish. Whoever made such a claim was clearly no chemist. Acetyl Cholinesterase weighs about 66700 Daltons and the nerve agent weighed, say between 200 and 400 daltons. Firstly a mass spectrum of the protein would be that of the protein plus or minus anything upto about 300 water molecules Which makes the mass (69400 +/- 2700) and a multitude of other possible ions or other factors bound to it. The error in the mass of the protein clearly exceeds the mass of the nerve agent. Given that, because of the blinding uncertainties as to what species are actually hitting the detector in the mass spectrometer, no-one anywhere attempts to study ligands bound to proteins by mass spec and certainly not one of this size, why would they do it in this case?

John2o2o , April 17, 2019 at 19:21

They make it up Gerard.

Unfortunately most people are not chemists and therefore lack the required knowledge to be skeptical about such claims.

Casual Observer , April 17, 2019 at 12:45

Apply the smell test ?

The CIA Director tells outright lies to her boss, who as a result approves a stern national rebuke.

In a cartoon version of life where Dick Dastardly gets to be an intelligence supremo, and a total dummy gets to be President, this would be highly likely. Needless to say, to believe such a scenario would exist in the real world requires a massive suspension of logic.

More likely there's something coming down the track that requires Haspel, and or the CIA, to be discredited prior to its becoming visible to the public ?

Northern , April 17, 2019 at 13:29

What could possibly be coming down the track that isn't comparable to what we already know about Haspel and the CIA though?

If you can straight faced maintain support for an admitted and documented human rights abuser who heads a non accountable government spy agency that has been extra judicially torturing, assassinating and over throwing any who stands in its way for 70 years; what on earth could be about to come out that's suddenly going to convince our bought and paid for media, and by extension the general public, that these monsters have been discredited?

Brendan , April 17, 2019 at 13:04

UK spooks are switching to damage limitation mode, with the help of the Deborah Haynes of Sky and II:

"Update: UK security sources say they're unaware of children hospitalised because of #novichok or wildlife killed in #Skripal attack. May have been a photo of a dead swan though not evidence swan was killed by #Novichok. If that's true, I wonder what these images used by CIA were! "

https://twitter.com/haynesdeborah/status/1118409471754153984

John2o2o , April 17, 2019 at 19:22

lies?

Goose , April 17, 2019 at 13:12

I'm not a conspiracy theorist –
I'm a conspiracy analyst.

Gore Vidal

[Apr 17, 2019] Gina Haspel As If Nuremberg Never Happened

Notable quotes:
"... I was not in the least surprised at reports that a known torturer was slated to head the CIA, and I expected quick confirmation. Such is my opinion of our ruling classes. ..."
"... Whatever Haspel may be, we can be sure the CIA will continue to torture, detain people without charge, assassinate and terrorize with its own drone force, and cause mayhem around the world and at home. No one can be trusted with the Ring of Power. ..."
"... American Exceptionalism is perhaps the most toxic ideology since Nazism and Stalinism. It says that the United States is always virtuous even when it tortures, when it bombs towns, villages, cities in the name of "freedom or installs dictators, military governments, trains torturers, and, yes, rapes and loots in the name of "democracy." ..."
"... Fast forward to January, 2017 and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer telling MSNBC's Rachael Maddow that President-elect Donald Trump is "being really dumb" by criticizing the intelligence community and its assessments on Russia's cyber activities: Shumer: "Let me tell you, you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you, So even for a practical, supposedly hard-nosed businessman, he's being really dumb to do this." No, Shumer wasn't joking. He was serious. ..."
"... There won't be a 'Nuremberg' tribunal because Al Qaida didn't defeat the United States, and you'd have to convict not just Ms. Haspel, but a sizeable portion of the U.S. Government. ..."
"... If nothing else, the appointment of Bloody Gina as CIA head finally drives a wooden stake through the heart of the myth that "we're The Good Guys(tm)!" or its cousin "all we gotta do is elect Team D and we can be The Good Guys(R) again!" ..."
"... I do not know whether to admire Mr. van Buren's idealism or be astonished at his naivete. Has he never heard of the School of the Americas, of sinister reputation, or the Condor Plan, aided and abetted by U.S. intelligence? People in Latin America know better than to believe the U.S. protestations of virtue. They know about torturers, and the U.S. support for them. ..."
"... She was put in charge there not long after and oversaw the waterboarding of at least one prisoner, and later followed orders to destroy the tapes of waterboarding at that site. Your claim that " She had nothing to do with torture anywhere" is incorrect. ..."
"... furbo: your contention that " US extreme interrogation techniques are not equivalent to forcible sodomy, beating the genitals, pounding the kidneys, or breaking bones" is wrong. The UN Convention against Torture, to which the US is a signatory, states " For the purposes of this Convention, the term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person " Ask anyone who has been waterboarded whether that fits the official definition? ..."
"... Ceterum censeo: given that the Iraq invasion and occupation was an act of aggressive war in violation of the UN Charter and thus illegal under US law, it is not just torturers but also war criminals in government and general staff that have to be considered in the contexts of these words. ..."
Mar 19, 2018 | www.theamericanconservative.com

Nothing will say more about who we are, across three American administrations -- one that demanded torture, one that covered it up, and one that seeks to promote its bloody participants -- than whether Gina Haspel becomes director of the CIA.

Haspel oversaw the torture of human beings in Thailand as the chief of a CIA black site in 2002. Since then, she's worked her way up to deputy director at the CIA. With current director Mike Pompeo slated to move to Foggy Bottom, President Donald Trump has proposed Haspel as the Agency's new head.

Haspel's victims waiting for death in Guantanamo cannot speak to us, though they no doubt remember their own screams as they were waterboarded. And we can still hear former CIA officer John Kiriakou say : "We did call her Bloody Gina. Gina was always very quick and very willing to use force. Gina and people like Gina did it, I think, because they enjoyed doing it. They tortured just for the sake of torture, not for the sake of gathering information."

It was Kiriakou who exposed the obsessive debate over the effectiveness of torture as false. The real purpose of torture conducted by those like Gina Haspel was to seek vengeance, humiliation, and power. We're just slapping you now, she would have said in that Thai prison, but we control you, and who knows what will happen next, what we're capable of? The torture victim is left to imagine what form the hurt will take and just how severe it will be, creating his own terror.

Haspel won't be asked at her confirmation hearing to explain how torture works, but those who were waterboarded under her stewardship certainly could.

I met my first torture victim in Korea, where I was adjudicating visas for the State Department. Persons with serious criminal records are ineligible to travel to the United States, with an exception for dissidents who have committed political crimes. The man I spoke with said that under the U.S.-supported military dictatorship of Park Chung Hee he was tortured for writing anti-government verse. He was taken to a small underground cell. Two men arrived and beat him repeatedly on his testicles and sodomized him with one of the tools they had used for the beating. They asked no questions. They barely spoke to him at all.

Though the pain was beyond his ability to describe, he said the subsequent humiliation of being left so utterly helpless was what really affected his life. It destroyed his marriage, sent him to the repeated empty comfort of alcohol, and kept him from ever putting pen to paper again. The men who destroyed him, he told me, did their work, and then departed, as if they had others to visit and needed to get on with things. He was released a few days later and driven back to his apartment by the police. A forward-looking gesture.

The second torture victim I met was while I was stationed in Iraq. The prison that had held him was under the control of shadowy U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces. Inside, masked men bound him at the wrists and ankles and hung him upside-down. He said they neither asked him questions nor demanded information. They did whip his testicles with a leather strap, then beat the bottoms of his feet and the area around his kidneys. They slapped him. They broke the bones in his right foot with a steel rod, a piece of rebar ordinarily used to reinforce concrete.

It was painful, he told me, but he had felt pain before. What destroyed him was the feeling of utter helplessness, the inability to control things around him as he once had. He showed me the caved-in portion of his foot, which still bore a rod-like indentation with faint signs of metal grooves.

Gina Haspel is the same as those who were in the room with the Korean. She is no different than those who tormented the Iraqi.

As head of a black site, Haspel had sole authority to halt the questioning of suspects, but she allowed torture to continue. New information and a redaction of earlier reporting that said Haspel was present for the waterboarding and torture of Abu Zubaydah (she was actually the station chief at the black site after those sessions) makes it less clear whether Haspel oversaw the torture of all of the prisoners there, but pay it little mind. The confusion arises from the government's refusal to tell us what Haspel actually did as a torturer. So many records have yet to be released and those that have been are heavily redacted. Then there are the tapes of Zubaydah's waterboarding, which Haspel later pushed to have destroyed.

Arguing over just how much blood she has in her hands is a distraction from the fact that she indeed has blood on her hands.

Gina Haspel is now eligible for the CIA directorship because Barack Obama did not prosecute anyone for torture; he merely signed an executive order banning it in the future. He did not hold any truth commissions, and ensured that almost all government documents on the torture program remained classified. He did not prosecute the CIA officials who destroyed videotapes of the torture scenes.

Obama ignored the truth that sees former Nazis continue to be hunted some 70 years after the Holocaust: that those who do evil on behalf of a government are individually responsible. "I was only following orders" is not a defense of inhuman acts. The purpose of tracking down the guilty is to punish them, to discourage the next person from doing evil, and to morally immunize a nation-state.

To punish Gina Haspel "more than 15 years later for doing what her country asked her to do, and in response to what she was told were lawful orders, would be a travesty and a disgrace," claims one of her supporters. "Haspel did nothing more and nothing less than what the nation and the agency asked her to do, and she did it well," said Michael Hayden, who headed the CIA during the height of the Iraq war from 2006-2009.

Influential people in Congress agree. Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which will soon review Haspel's nomination, said , "I know Gina personally and she has the right skill set, experience, and judgment to lead one of our nation's most critical agencies."

"She'll have to answer for that period of time, but I think she's a highly qualified person," offered Senator Lindsey Graham. Democratic Senator Bill Nelson defended Haspel's actions, saying they were "the accepted practice of the day" and shouldn't disqualify her.

His fellow Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein, ranking member on the Intelligence Committee, signaled her likely acceptance, saying , "Since my concerns were raised over the torture situation, I have met with her extensively, talked with her She has been, I believe, a good deputy director." Senator Susan Collins added that Haspel "certainly has the expertise and experience as a 30-year employee of the agency." John McCain, a victim of torture during the Vietnam War, mumbled only that Haspel would have to explain her role.

Nearly alone at present, Republican Senator Rand Paul says he will oppose Haspel's nomination. Senators Ron Wyden and Martin Heinrich, both Democrats, have told Trump she is unsuitable and will likely also vote no.

Following World War II, the United States could have easily executed those Nazis responsible for the Holocaust, or thrown them into some forever jail on an island military base. It would have been hard to find anyone who wouldn't have supported brutally torturing them at a black site. Instead, they were put on public trial at Nuremberg and made to defend their actions as the evidence against them was laid bare. The point was to demonstrate that We were better than Them.

Today we refuse to understand what Haspel's victims, and the Korean writer, and the Iraqi insurgent, already know on our behalf: unless Congress awakens to confront this nightmare and deny Gina Haspel's nomination as director of the CIA, torture will have transformed us and so it will consume us. Gina Haspel is a torturer. We are torturers. It is as if Nuremberg never happened.

Peter Van Buren, a 24-year State Department veteran, is the author of We Meant Well : How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People and Hooper's War : A Novel of WWII Japan. He tweets @WeMeantWell.


Douglas K. March 19, 2018 at 3:19 am

Covering up torture is quite possibly the worst thing Obama did. (I'd put it neck-and-neck with targeted killing.) This nation desperately needs a president who will expose all of these horrors, and appoint an attorney general who will prosecute these acts as war crimes.
I Don't Matter , says: March 19, 2018 at 4:49 am
Trump likes waterboarding. He said so himself. One assumes he meant, being a whimpering coward himself, when someone else does it to someone else. But who knows? Enjoy judge Gorsuch.
Mark Thomason , says: March 19, 2018 at 4:49 am
"doing what her country asked her to do, and in response to what she was told were lawful orders"

To complete the parallel, we would need to prosecute and punish those who asked her to do it, and those who told her those orders were lawful. Instead, some are doing paintings of their toes, some are promoted to be Federal judges, and some are influential professors at "liberal" law schools. Why punish *only* her?

Peter Hopkins , says: March 19, 2018 at 6:52 am
Those who forget the past are destined to repeat it.
Ian , says: March 19, 2018 at 7:10 am
As we've proved, we're not better than them. Any of them.
Bagby , says: March 19, 2018 at 8:00 am
I was not in the least surprised at reports that a known torturer was slated to head the CIA, and I expected quick confirmation. Such is my opinion of our ruling classes. I am in full support of Mr. Van Buren's thesis. However, Pro Publica, which seems to have been the source of much reporting of Haspel's torture record, has retracted the claim that Haspel had tortured in Thailand. Mr. Van Buren quotes another source from his blog that supports the thesis that Haspel is a torturer. How does one know what to believe? Whatever Haspel may be, we can be sure the CIA will continue to torture, detain people without charge, assassinate and terrorize with its own drone force, and cause mayhem around the world and at home. No one can be trusted with the Ring of Power.
Centralist , says: March 19, 2018 at 8:19 am
Its because we lost our sense of what makes us who we are. We are an empire that dances for private interests. In Rome they were called families and led by patricians, they had money private guards, gladiators, and even street people supporting them. In the Modern USA they are called Interest Groups and/or Corporations. They are lead by CEOs and instead of gladiators they have Lawyers. Our being better matters less then their own squabbles which is why a torturer could reach the highest seat in intel. The majority of Americans have lost their sense of being Americans instead they are Republicans, Democrats, etc, etc. Things that once use to be part of an American have come to define us.
Banger , says: March 19, 2018 at 9:09 am
American Exceptionalism is perhaps the most toxic ideology since Nazism and Stalinism. It says that the United States is always virtuous even when it tortures, when it bombs towns, villages, cities in the name of "freedom or installs dictators, military governments, trains torturers, and, yes, rapes and loots in the name of "democracy."

At least this appointment along with the election of Trump shows the true face of the United States in international affairs. When we face the fact we are (a) an oligarchy and (b) a brutal Empire we might have a chance to return to something more human. Few readers, even of TAC, will want to look at our recent history of stunning brutality and lack of interest in even being in the neighborhood of following international law.

Peter Van Buren , says: March 19, 2018 at 9:31 am
CIA has purposefully refused to disclose Haspel's role for a decade+ They have selectively released information last week to discredit those criticizing her. I don't think we should play their game, letting them set the agenda. Instead, I declaim torture itself and any role she played in it, whether she poured the water or kept the books.
Kurt Gayle , says: March 19, 2018 at 9:34 am
Does Peter Van Buren's criticism of the CIA's Haspel put him at risk?

In the 2003 film "Love Actually" the British Prime Minister (played by Hugh Grant) jokes with a Downing Street employee Natalie (Martine McCutcheon):

"PM: You live with your husband? Boyfriend, three illegitimate but charming children? –
"NATALIE: No, I've just split up with my boyfriend, so I'm back with my mum and dad for a while.
"PM: Oh. I'm sorry.
"NATALIE: No, it's fine. I'm well shot of him. He said I was getting fat.
"PM: I beg your pardon?
"NATALIE: He said no one's going to fancy a girl with thighs the size of big tree trunks. Not a nice guy, actually, in the end.
"PM: Right You know, being Prime Minister, I could just have him murdered.
"NATALIE: Thank you, sir. I'll think about it.
"PM: Do – the SAS are absolutely charming – ruthless, trained killers are just a phone call away."

It's just a film. It's just a joke. But the joke works because the public knows that – in reality – the security services have the skills-sets and the abilities, to do damage anyone they want to do damage to -- and to probably get away with it.

Fast forward to January, 2017 and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer telling MSNBC's Rachael Maddow that President-elect Donald Trump is "being really dumb" by criticizing the intelligence community and its assessments on Russia's cyber activities: Shumer: "Let me tell you, you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you, So even for a practical, supposedly hard-nosed businessman, he's being really dumb to do this." No, Shumer wasn't joking. He was serious.

Fast forward again to yesterday, March 17, 2018: Former CIA Director John Brennan wasn't joking when he reacted to the firing of FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe -- and President Donald Trump's tweeted celebration of it -- by tweeting this attack against Trump:

"When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history. You may scapegoat Andy McCabe, but you will not destroy America America will triumph over you."

Obama UN Representative Samantha Power followed up on the Brennan tweet with this:

"Not a good idea to piss off John Brennan."

When public officials and former public officials -- like Shumer, Brennan and Power -- make such public statements it must necessarily have a chilling effect on public criticism of the security services.

After all, none of the three are joking. They're serious. And the American people know that they're serious.

Does Peter Van Buren's criticism of CIA operative Haspel put him at risk?

Peter Van Buren , says: March 19, 2018 at 9:35 am
New information makes it less clear whether Haspel oversaw the torture of all of the prisoners at her black site, but pay it little mind. The confusion is because the government refuses to tell us what Haspel actually did as a torturer. Arguing over just how much blood she has on her hands is a distraction when she indeed has blood on her hands.

The idea is her participation on any level at the black site is sufficient to disqualify her from heading the Agency. If the Agency wishes to clarify her role, as was done via trial for the various Nazis at Nuremberg, we can deal with her actions more granularly.

Wilfred , says: March 19, 2018 at 10:25 am
Since we have not had any more successful attacks on the scale of 9-11, it is very easy to be scrupulous regarding rough treatment of terrorists.

But if we had suffered a dozen or more such attacks, of increasing magnitude and maybe involving nuclear weapons, how many of you would still be condemning Mrs Haspel et al.? Or would you then be complaining they had not used water-boarding enough?

The 20th hijacker, Zacarias Moussaoui, was caught weeks before 9-11. Investigators figured out he was up to no good, tried to get permission to search his computer, but were denied. The U.S. Government carefully protected his privacy rights. So are you pleased with the outcome, Mr van Buren?

furbo , says: March 19, 2018 at 10:45 am
I'm sorry – this whole piece is a massive non sequitur. Ms. Haspel has no 'blood' on her hands as US extreme interrogation techniques (sleep deprivation, uncomfortable positions, waterboarding) didn't draw any. They are not equivalent to forcible sodomy, beating the genitals, pounding the kidneys, or breaking bones. US techniques might have been bad policy – won't argue – but lets not fall for a false equivalency.

Ms. Haspel was an agent of her government, acting on it's orders under it's policies and guidelines. Which leads to

Nuremberg. The Nuremberg tribunals (they were military tribunals – not trials) were conducted by a victorious military force against a defeated military force. They were widely criticized as vengeance even by such august people as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Stone and associate Justice Douglas. There won't be a 'Nuremberg' tribunal because Al Qaida didn't defeat the United States, and you'd have to convict not just Ms. Haspel, but a sizeable portion of the U.S. Government.

And lastly there's this from a comment of the authors: "The idea is her participation on any level at the black site is sufficient to disqualify her from heading the Agency." Utter nonsense. That was the mission of the Agency at that time. It's like saying a 33yr old Drone Pilot who takes out an ISIS/Al Qaida operative as well as 15 civilians is disqualified to be the Sec Def 2 decades later.

Just stop.

Sid Finster , says: March 19, 2018 at 10:59 am

If nothing else, the appointment of Bloody Gina as CIA head finally drives a wooden stake through the heart of the myth that "we're The Good Guys(tm)!" or its cousin "all we gotta do is elect Team D and we can be The Good Guys(R) again!"

We demonize Russia at every opportunity, but I don't see Russia rewarding torturers by appointing them to high office.

Sally Stewart , says: March 19, 2018 at 11:11 am
Douglas K. What are you talking about? Covered up? You mean Bush http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/promise/175/end-the-use-of-torture/
Stephen J. , says: March 19, 2018 at 11:12 am
A lot of info below on the War criminals at large.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- –
May 26, 2015 Do We Need Present Day Nuremberg Trials? http://graysinfo.blogspot.ca/2015/05/do-we-need-present-day-nuremberg-trials.html

And

March 9, 2018 Are We Seeing Government By Gangsters? http://graysinfo.blogspot.ca/2018/03/are-we-seeing-government-by-gangsters.html

connecticut farmer , says: March 19, 2018 at 11:49 am
I didn't know too much about this woman's background until I read that Rand Paul opposes her nomination. I tend to take notice whenever Rand Paul holds forth on any subject. All I can say is that if her actual record even approximates what has been alleged, then this woman is unfit for the post–Nuremberg or no Nuremberg.
Winston , says: March 19, 2018 at 11:54 am
"As we've proved, we're not better than them. Any of them." Oh, -PLEASE-, spare us the hyperbole! WE burn alive captives held in cages? WE saw off their heads?

Thousands of US Navy and Air Force pilots have been waterboarded as part of their Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (S.E.R.E.) training programs.

Lex Talionis , says: March 19, 2018 at 12:00 pm
All of the torturers should be brought to justice. So should all of the officials who ordered or authorized torture.

There is no statute of limitations on capital Federal crimes. For a U.S. citizen to kill via torture is a capital Federal crime, no matter where the torture took place. If statutes of limitations make it too late to prosecute some acts of torture, it is not too late to bring about some measure of justice by making torturers pariahs. As many sexual harassers have recently learned, there is no statute of limitations in the court of public opinion.

bob sykes , says: March 19, 2018 at 12:16 pm
The story linking her to torture has been formally retracted. She had nothing to do with torture anywhere. How about a retraction of this story and an apology.
Youknowho , says: March 19, 2018 at 12:30 pm
I do not know whether to admire Mr. van Buren's idealism or be astonished at his naivete. Has he never heard of the School of the Americas, of sinister reputation, or the Condor Plan, aided and abetted by U.S. intelligence? People in Latin America know better than to believe the U.S. protestations of virtue. They know about torturers, and the U.S. support for them.

Personally, I prefer that the cruelty should be, as Lincoln once put it, "unalloyed by the base metal of hypocrisy"

Tyrone Slothrop , says: March 19, 2018 at 1:07 pm
bob sykes: you should read Pro Publica's retraction ( https://www.propublica.org/article/cia-cables-detail-its-new-deputy-directors-role-in-torture ) of the claim that Haspel was in charge of the Thai black site when Abu Zubaydeh was tortured. She was put in charge there not long after and oversaw the waterboarding of at least one prisoner, and later followed orders to destroy the tapes of waterboarding at that site. Your claim that " She had nothing to do with torture anywhere" is incorrect.

Winston: why do you suppose "thousands of US Navy and Air Force pilots have been waterboarded as part of their Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (S.E.R.E.) training programs"? Is it not to prepare them for the possibility of what we call torture when used by our adversaries?

furbo: your contention that " US extreme interrogation techniques are not equivalent to forcible sodomy, beating the genitals, pounding the kidneys, or breaking bones" is wrong. The UN Convention against Torture, to which the US is a signatory, states " For the purposes of this Convention, the term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person " Ask anyone who has been waterboarded whether that fits the official definition?

Near Rockaway , says: March 19, 2018 at 1:31 pm
"Has he never heard of the School of the Americas, of sinister reputation, or the Condor Plan, aided and abetted by U.S. intelligence?"

Evil stuff. And we're still paying for it. Keeping Haspel out of the Director's chair is a basic step toward avoiding more such needless, stupid evil.

Chris Mallory , says: March 19, 2018 at 1:47 pm
Wilfred, the problem was not that the Feds protected Zacarias Moussaoui's right to privacy. The problem is that it let any of the 20 Arab Muslims into the US in the first place. Closing our borders and mass deportations would have been the best thing to do in the aftermath of 9/11, not torture and invasions.
b. , says: March 19, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Very well put. Lest we forget: Bush also delivered the stern warning that "war crimes will be prosecuted, war criminals will be punished, and it will be no defense to say, 'I was just following orders'."

Ceterum censeo: given that the Iraq invasion and occupation was an act of aggressive war in violation of the UN Charter and thus illegal under US law, it is not just torturers but also war criminals in government and general staff that have to be considered in the contexts of these words.

Wilfred , says: March 19, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Chris Mallory (Mar 19 @1:47 p.m.), I agree with you. We shouldn't be letting them in.

But if someone had sneaked-a-peek at Moussaoui's laptop during the 3 weeks they had him before 9-11, we might have been able to thwart the attack altogether. (And the Press has been strangely incurious about investigating whoever it was who issued the injunction protecting Moussie's precious computer). This type of hand-wringing cost us 3,000 lives. Even more, considering the Afghan & 2nd Iraq wars would never have been launched, were it not for 9-11.

[Apr 17, 2019] Haspel is not the "underling". Trump is the underling. Sure, being that he is also an oligarch makes Trump's role in the show complicated, but Presidents are installed in order to serve the oligarchy, and the CIA are top level strategists/enforcers for the oligarchy.

Highly recommended!
Notable quotes:
"... Haspel is not the "underling" . Trump is the underling. Sure, being that he is also an oligarch makes Trump's role in the show complicated, but Presidents are installed in order to serve the oligarchy, and the CIA are top level strategists/enforcers for the oligarchy. ..."
"... In the real organization chart for the empire the CIA is above the President. This has been the case in the US since Kennedy. ..."
"... Trump will not fire Haspel. He can't. He's just an actor playing a role in a show, and Haspel is one of the producers/writers of that show. If she doesn't put firing in the script then Trump cannot say those lines. I doubt he really wants to anyway. ..."
Apr 17, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

William Gruff , Apr 16, 2019 4:41:41 PM | link

"If Trump were not in on the schemes he would just fire his underlings!"

This sentiment indicates a failure to understand the power dynamics at play here. Haspel is not the "underling" . Trump is the underling. Sure, being that he is also an oligarch makes Trump's role in the show complicated, but Presidents are installed in order to serve the oligarchy, and the CIA are top level strategists/enforcers for the oligarchy.

In the real organization chart for the empire the CIA is above the President. This has been the case in the US since Kennedy.

Trump cannot fire Haspel or Pompeo. They can fire him, though, and with a sniper's bullet if they want.

Unfortunately for the oligarchy, that would cause additional complications at a time when they have lots of tricky and inexplicably unstable (for them) operations ongoing, which is why they are just steering Trump around instead of replacing him. And Trump is willfully cooperating, even if they are not filling him in on the plans.

Trump will not fire Haspel. He can't. He's just an actor playing a role in a show, and Haspel is one of the producers/writers of that show. If she doesn't put firing in the script then Trump cannot say those lines. I doubt he really wants to anyway.

[Apr 16, 2019] Is the NYT promoting Gina Haspel as someone who deserves a more influential position than the nation's top torturer?

Notable quotes:
"... What's the real agenda though behind that article? It's to put Gina Haspel in a favourable light at the same time as it's criticising Trump. Is the NYT promoting Gina Haspel as someone who deserves a more influential position than the nation's top torturer? She wouldn't be the first such criminal being subtly encouraged to try for DJT's job in the future. ..."
"... I see it as a complex exercise in CYA. They need to reinforce certain narratives. ..."
"... As of almost 8 PM, there are 35 comments. In a national newspaper on a story like this? There must be a committee cherry picking them for "suitability" - the collection is as fake as the article. Wonderful Haspel at the head of an amazing CIA tutoring a clueless moron of a POTUS. The third part they got right. ..."
"... Why are they fluffing the torturer and the out-of-control CIA? Is something planned where they want both to shine in their future stories on that "something"? ..."
Apr 16, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

Jen , Apr 16, 2019 7:32:35 PM | link

The New York Times article seems whiffy to me. (Is anything from the NYT not whiffy?) The article is the work of no fewer than five writers and the part about Donald Trump being swayed by pictures of sick children in hospital and dead ducks seems a bit like a game of Chinese whispers.

What's the real agenda though behind that article? It's to put Gina Haspel in a favourable light at the same time as it's criticising Trump. Is the NYT promoting Gina Haspel as someone who deserves a more influential position than the nation's top torturer? She wouldn't be the first such criminal being subtly encouraged to try for DJT's job in the future.

Jen , Apr 16, 2019 7:39:15 PM | link

ADKC @ 56 (and Koen @ 50):

Better not play too many of those "Call of Duty" video games either. You might find that being a pretend mercenary shooting up innocent people in foreign lands is not just for the purpose of wasting a half of day on mindless entertainment.

Jackrabbit , Apr 16, 2019 7:59:38 PM | link
Jen @59

I see it as a complex exercise in CYA. They need to reinforce certain narratives.

>> The media was right about Trump: he has a soft spot for Russia.

>> Trump cares about people (and even ducks) - remember how he bombed Syria because of the babies? Now Trump is super concerned about the people of Venezuela. What a humanitarian!

>> Russia has no reason to oppose USA (in Venezuela or elsewhere) - they could just contact their friend Trump! To do otherwise demonstrates malicious intent.

Zachary Smith , Apr 16, 2019 8:00:12 PM | link
@ Bart Hansen #1

As of almost 8 PM, there are 35 comments. In a national newspaper on a story like this? There must be a committee cherry picking them for "suitability" - the collection is as fake as the article. Wonderful Haspel at the head of an amazing CIA tutoring a clueless moron of a POTUS. The third part they got right.

Why are they fluffing the torturer and the out-of-control CIA? Is something planned where they want both to shine in their future stories on that "something"?

[Apr 14, 2019] It has since been revealed that Epstein had 21 different phone numbers for contacting his friend Bill Clinton, who, court records allege, "frequently flew" on Epstein's private jet between 2002 and 2005.

Apr 14, 2019 | www.unz.com

Si1ver1ock says: April 13, 2019 at 12:01 pm GMT

It's interesting the Media has brought back the Sweden rape charge, but they are avoiding this rape story like the pest.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1jDPzW9COsU?feature=oembed

Read More

annamaria , says: April 13, 2019 at 12:19 pm GMT

"Assange was reduced from one of the few towering figures of our time – a man who will have a central place in history books, if we as a species live long enough to write those books "

-- The presstituting crowd of stenographers (MSM) and the zionized X-tian war profiteers have made everything in their power (inadvertently) to ensure that Assange is and will be a towering figure of our time.

Even in distress, Assange has been fighting for truth and dignity; the ongoing show of lawlessness exposes the rot. The moral and creative midgets constituting the core of MSM and the satanic deciders are upset. Good!

The idiotic Senior District "Judge" Emma Arbuthnot (a wife and beneficiary of a mega-war profiteer Lord Arbuthnot -- Arbuthnot served as Chairman of the Defence Select Committee from 2005 to 2014) and the no less idiotic District "Judge" Michael Snow have entered the history books as well. As scoundrels: http://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/msg/1555064882.html

Snow does his best to bring the Judiciary into disrepute by playing to the gallery. He comments on the extradition in the same vein in a totally unprofessional manner. He is of course in a long line of disreputable members of the judiciary Snow's place in history is now secured – he chose to abuse the defendant rather than perform his role which was really quite straightforward. He is the narcissist and guilty of self interest not Julian Assange.

annamaria , says: April 13, 2019 at 12:33 pm GMT
@Si1ver1ock For every pronouncement against Assange by the US/UK government and judiciary, there should be an immediate question about the leniency shown towards the pedophiles and rapists in the UK (see Savile and the sudden "disappearance" of files re the high-placed pedophiles) and the story of Lolita Island and Lolita Express in the US.

Theresa May as the protector of pedophiles and rapists in the UK: https://www.corbettreport.com/pedophiles-in-politics-an-open-source-investigation/

One of the hurdles in investigating the claims is the Official Secrets Act, which prevents the disclosure of state secrets and "sensitive" information. "It is clear there are a lot of people who could provide a lot of information to support ongoing criminal investigations But they are not doing so because of the Official Secrets Act. They are fearful of not only breaking the law but the potential effect on their pension. This is absolutely crucial if we are to get some of these ex-officers coming forward and to get prosecutions of some of the former MPs." He has asked Home Secretary Theresa May to lift the restrictions, allowing former officials to speak up about what they know about the case, but so far there is no indication that this has been done.

The protection of the high-placed pedophiles and rapists in the US:

In the Epstein case, as well, there are numerous questions surrounding the possibility of high-level cover up. In recent weeks it has emerged that Epstein struck a remarkable secret deal with the US Attorney's Office that barred more than 500 pages of documents detailing negotiations of the deal and a staggering 13,000 documents from the investigation into Epstein's activities that were shelved as a result of the bargain.

Let the scoundrels talk about Assange to see how the concocted fraud is backfired.

Mrs. Clinton in particular should have been more circumspect:

It has since been revealed that Epstein had 21 different phone numbers for contacting his friend Bill Clinton, who, court records allege, "frequently flew" on Epstein's private jet between 2002 and 2005.

annamaria , says: April 13, 2019 at 1:28 pm GMT
@Ronald Thomas West And why are you spreading the MSM disinformation on the Unz forum? -- Just to satisfy your desire to litter the forum?

Read and learn: https://www.corbettreport.com/pedophiles-in-politics-an-open-source-investigation/

Also, perhaps you need to ponder why you are not treated the same way as the courageous, talented, principled, and dignified Assange is treated. Perhaps, something is missing in your character.

annamaria , says: April 13, 2019 at 1:44 pm GMT
@Art Theresa May has been the main protector of the high-placed British pedophiles

"Theresa May and the 'missing' child sex abuse files" https://www.reknr.com/uk/theresa-may-and-the-missing-child-sex-abuse-files/

"British PM Blocks Elite Pedophile Enquiry On Grounds Of 'National Security'" https://newspunch.com/british-pm-blocks-pedophile-enquiry/

The documents are thought to shed light on the years of ongoing pedophilia and child abuse within Westminster and contained names of "several" high-level politicians in the UK and US who are connected to an elite pedophile ring.

The followup: "Theresa May accused of cover-up over child abuse inquiry concerns," https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-child-abuse-inquiry-cover-up-concerns-dame-lowell-goddard-stories-a7369976.html

"England: Land of Royals, Tea and Horrific Pedophilia Coverups" http://time.com/2974381/england-land-of-royals-tea-and-horrific-pedophilia-coverups/

In the case of the Westminster "pedophile ring," the mounting sentiment that Britain's establishment serves its own interests and conceals its wrongdoing may be well founded. Until recently only seven police officers were working on Operation Fernbridge; Scotland Yard announced today the figure is now 22.

By fraudulently accusing Assange, Theresa May reminds the world about her role in the protection of the wealthy and influential Westminster pedophiles (the real rapists).

[Apr 14, 2019] The FBI/CIA gang is also very stupid. From Halper-the-spy and his incompetent handler Brennan to the obnoxious Zionists of Ledeen kind they, the members of the "gang", show incompetence and the self-endangering and stupid amorality.

Apr 14, 2019 | www.unz.com

annamaria , says: April 13, 2019 at 1:19 pm GMT

@Carlton Meyer 'This gang is so powerful "

-- The gang is also very stupid. From Halper-the-spy and his incompetent handler Brennan to the obnoxious zionists of Ledeen kind they, the members of the "gang", show incompetence and the self-endangering and stupid amorality.

By destroying whatever decent has been in the western civilization so far, and by spreading the rot around, the gangsters have been destroying their children's & grandchildren's future.

[Apr 12, 2019] John Bolton Took Money From Clinton Foundation Donor, Banks Tied To Cartels, Terrorists, Iran by William Craddick

Notable quotes:
"... On June 12, 2018 The Washington Post ran an overlooked story where they disclosed that National Security Advisor John Bolton had accepted money from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, Deutsche Bank and HSBC to return for his participation in speeches and panel discussions ..."
"... John Bolton accepted $115,000 from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation to speak at multiple events hosted by the Foundation including one in September 2017 where Bolton assured his audience that President Donald Trump would not radically change US foreign policy despite his explicit campaign promises to do so. ..."
"... More broadly, John Bolton's work for the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, HSBC and Deutsche Bank shows that while he preaches hardline foreign policy approaches towards nations such as Iran and North Korea he has no issue tying himself to those who openly flaunt American sanctions and diplomatic attempts to pressure these states. For an individual who is the President's National Security Advisor to have taken money from banks who provide financial services to terror groups who have murdered thousands of Americans is totally unacceptable. ..."
Apr 10, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com

Via Disobedient Media

On June 12, 2018 The Washington Post ran an overlooked story where they disclosed that National Security Advisor John Bolton had accepted money from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, Deutsche Bank and HSBC to return for his participation in speeches and panel discussions. These three entities have been linked to various kinds of corruption including sanctions evasion for Iran, money laundering on behalf of drug cartels, provision of banking services to backers of Islamic terror organizations and controversial donations to the Clinton Foundation.

The financial ties between Bolton and these institutions highlight serious ethical concerns about his suitability for the position of National Security Advisor.

I. Victor Pinchuk Foundation

John Bolton accepted $115,000 from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation to speak at multiple events hosted by the Foundation including one in September 2017 where Bolton assured his audience that President Donald Trump would not radically change US foreign policy despite his explicit campaign promises to do so.

The Victor Pinchuk Foundation was blasted in 2016 over their donation of $10 to $25 million to the Clinton Foundation between 1994 and 2005. The donations lead to accusations of influence peddling after it emerged that Victor Pinchuk had been invited to Hillary Clinton's home during the final year of her tenure as Secretary of State.

Even more damning was Victor Pinchuk's participation in activities that constituted evasions of sanctions levied against Iran by the American government. A 2015 exposé by Newsweek highlighted the fact that Pinchuk owned Interpipe Group, a Cyprus-incorporated manufacturer of seamless pipes used in oil and gas sectors. A now-removed statement on Interpipe's website showed that they were doing business in Iran despite US sanctions aimed to prevent this kind of activity.

Why John Bolton, a notorious war hawk who has called for a hardline approach to Iran, would take money from an entity who was evading sanctions against the country is not clear. It does however, raise serious questions about whether or not Bolton should be employed by Donald Trump, who made attacks on the Clinton Foundation's questionable donations a cornerstone of his 2016 campaign.

II. HSBC Group

British bank HSBC paid Bolton $46,500 in June and August 2017 to speak at two gatherings of hedge fund managers and investors.

HSBC is notorious for its extensive ties to criminal and terror organizations for whom it has provided illegal financial services. Clients that HSBC have laundered money for include Colombian drug traffickers and Mexican cartels who have terrorized the country and recently raised murder rates to the highest levels in Mexico's history . They have also offered banking services to Chinese individuals who sourced chemicals and other materials used by cartels to produce methamphetamine and heroin that is then sold in the United States. China's Triads have helped open financial markets in Asia to cartels seeking to launder their profits derived from the drug trade.

In 2012, HSBC was blasted by the US Senate for for allowing money from Russian and Latin American criminal networks as well as Middle Eastern terror groups to enter the US. The banking group ultimately agreed to pay a $1.9 billion fine for this misconduct as well as their involvement in processing sanctions-prohibited transactions on behalf of Iran, Libya, Sudan and Burma.

Some of the terror groups assisted by HSBC include the notorious Al Qaeda. During the 2012 scrutiny of HSBC, outlets such as Le Monde , Business Insider and the New York Times revealed that HSBC had maintained ties to Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Bank. Al Rajhi Bank was one of Osama Bin Ladin's "Golden Chain" of Al Qaeda's most important financiers. Even though HSBC's own internal compliance offices asked for the bank to terminate their relationship with Al Rajhi Bank, it continued until 2010.

More recently in 2018, reports have claimed that HSBC was used for illicit transactions between Iran and Chinese technology conglomerate Huawei. The US is currently seeking to extradite Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou after bringing charges against Huawei related to sanctions evasion and theft of intellectual property. The company has been described as a "backdoor" for elements of the Chinese government by certain US authorities.

Bolton's decision to accept money from HSBC given their well-known reputation is deeply hypocritical. HSBC's connection to terror organizations such as Al Qaeda in particular is damning for Bolton due to the fact that he formerly served as the chairman of the Gatestone Institute , a New York-based advocacy group that purports to oppose terrorism. These financial ties are absolutely improper for an individual acting as National Security Advisor.

III. Deutsche Bank

John Bolton accepted $72,000 from German Deutsche Bank to speak at an event in May 2017.

Deutsche Bank has for decades engaged in questionable behavior. During World War II, they provided financial services to the Nazi Gestapo and financed construction of the infamous Auschwitz as well as an adjacent plant for chemical company IG Farben.

Like HSBC, Deutsche Bank has provided illicit services to international criminal organizations. In 2014 court filings showed that Deutsche Bank, Citi and Bank of America had all acted as channels for drug money sent to Colombian security currency brokerages suspected of acting on behalf of traffickers. In 2017, Deutsche Bank agreed to pay a $630 million fine after working with a Danish bank in Estonia to launder over $10 billion through London and Moscow on behalf of Russian entities. The UK's financial regulatory watchdog has said that Deutsche Bank is failing to prevent its accounts from being used to launder money, circumvent sanctions and finance terrorism. In November 2018, Deutsche Bank's headquarters was raided by German authorities as part of an investigation sparked by 2016 revelations in the "Panama Papers" leak from Panama's Mossack Fonseca.

Two weeks after the 9/11 terror attacks, the Bush administration signed an executive order linking a company owned by German national Mamoun Darkazanli to Al Qaeda. In 1995, Darkazanli co-signed the opening of a Deutsche Bank account for Mamdouh Mahmud Salim. Salim was identified by the CIA as the chief of bin Laden's computer operations and weapons procurement. He was ultimately arrested in Munich, extradited to the United States and charged with participation in the 1998 US embassy bombings.

In 2017, the Office of the New York State Comptroller opened an investigation into accounts that Deutsche Bank was operating on behalf of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The PFLP is defined by both the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization. It is ironic that Bolton, who is a past recipient of the "Guardian of Zion Award" would accept money from an entity who provided services to Palestinian groups that Israel considers to be terror related.

IV. Clinton-esque Financial Ties Unbecoming To Trump Administration

Bolton's engagement in paid speeches, in some cases with well-known donors to the Clinton Foundation, paints the Trump administration in a very bad light. Donald Trump criticized Hillary Clinton during his 2016 Presidential campaign for speeches she gave to Goldman Sachs that were labeled by her detractors as "pay to play" behavior. John Bolton's acceptance of money from similar entities, especially the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, are exactly the same kind of activity and are an embarrassment for a President who claims to be against corruption.

More broadly, John Bolton's work for the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, HSBC and Deutsche Bank shows that while he preaches hardline foreign policy approaches towards nations such as Iran and North Korea he has no issue tying himself to those who openly flaunt American sanctions and diplomatic attempts to pressure these states. For an individual who is the President's National Security Advisor to have taken money from banks who provide financial services to terror groups who have murdered thousands of Americans is totally unacceptable.

It is embarrassing enough that Donald Trump hired Bolton in the first place. The next best remedy is to let him go as soon as possible.

[Apr 10, 2019] Habakkuk on cockroaches and the New York Times

Highly recommended!
Money quote: "The Russian collusion investigation was based solely on the dodgy Steele Dossier that was discredited here from the get-go. This was a product of British Intelligence Community. The intent was to keep and then to get Donald Trump out of the White House. It failed but they did succeed in turning him into a neo-lib-con fellow traveler. There are clear parallels between the end stages of the Soviet Union and the American Empire. My take since the Iraq Invasion is that they are insane. The ruling elite is detached from reality, incompetent and arrogant. Sooner or later someone with their facilities still intact will lead a middle-class revolt against the global plutocracy to restore democracy and reverse the rising inequality. We were lucky that the fall of the Soviet Union did not lead to a nuclear war. The next time a nuclear armed Empire crashes we may not be so fortunate."
Notable quotes:
"... Among interesting dates, it appears that Stefan Halper was already trying to reach out to Lokhova in January-February 2016 – a lot earlier than his approaches to Papadopoulo s and Page. This was done through Professor Christopher Andrew, co-convenor with Halper and the former MI6 had Sir Richard Dearlove of the ‘Cambridge Intelligence Seminar.’ ..."
"... Meanwhile, Lokhova has set up a blog on which she has posted a some interesting relevant material, with perhaps more to come. It is very well worth a look.(See https://www.russiagate.co.uk .) ..."
"... Of particular interest, to my mind, is the full text of her – unpublished – May 2017 interview with the ‘New York Times.’ This points us back to is the fact – of which Lokhova shows no signs of awareness – that the idea that the Western powers and the Russians might have a common interest in fighting jihadist terrorism has been absolute anathema to many key figures on both sides of the Atlantic, with Dearlove certainly among them. ..."
"... ‘AN APOLOGY: Yesterday, I compared @nytimes journalists, who smeared @GenFlynn and accused me of being a Russian spy, to cockroaches. In good conscience, I must apologize to the cockroaches for the distress caused to them for being compared to @nytimes #Russiagate hoaxers. Sorry!’ ..."
"... The centerpiece of this is a proposal submitted to the FCO in August last year by what seems to be essentially the same consortium whose existence as a government contractor has now been made public. The ‘Institute for Statecraft’ has vanished, and one consortium member, ‘Aktis Strategy’, has gone into liquidation. But other key members are the same. ..."
"... A central underlying premise is that if anyone has any doubts as to whether the ‘White Helmets’ are a benevolent humanitarian organisation, or the Russians were responsible for the poisoning of the Skripals or the shooting down of MH17, the only possible explanation is that their minds have been poisoned by disinformation. ..."
"... In fact, what is at issue an ambitious project to co-ordinate and strengthen a very large number of organisations in different countries which are committed to a relentlessly Russophobic line on everything. (The possibility that it might not be very bright to push Russia into the arms of China, the obviously rising power, does not seem to have occurred to these people – perhaps they need less ons from Sir Halford Mackinder, or indeed Niccolò Machiavelli, on ‘statecraft.’) ..."
"... The clear close integration of other cyber people from the ‘Atlantic Council’ into Orwellian ‘information operations’ sponsored by the British Government simply puts these facts into sharp relief. ..."
"... There has to be a strong possible ‘prima facie’ case that anyone in authority prepared to accept the ‘digital forensics’ from ‘CrowdStrike’ is complicit in the conspiracy against the constitution, and/or the conspiracy to cover-up that conspiracy. This certainly goes for Comey, and I think it also goes for Mueller." ..."
"... I'd recommend for reading Alexei Yurchak's "Everything Was Forever, Until It was No More: The Last Soviet Generation." Its about a class of apparatchiks and bureaucrats and hangers on who spoke this arcane, abstract dogmatic language that anyone normal had long since given up trying to understand. It had long ceased to have any relevance or attachment to the lives lived by ordinary, increasingly suffering people, who started talking to each other in practical and direct language. ..."
"... The Russian collusion investigation was based solely on the dodgy Steele Dossier that was discredited here from the get-go. This was a product of British Intelligence Community. The intent was to keep and then to get Donald Trump out of the White House. It failed but they did succeed in turning him into a neo-lib-con fellow traveler. ..."
"... There are clear parallels between the end stages of the Soviet Union and the American Empire. My take since the Iraq Invasion is that they are insane. The ruling elite is detached from reality, incompetent and arrogant. Sooner or later someone with their facilities still intact will lead a middle-class revolt against the global plutocracy to restore democracy and reverse the rising inequality. We were lucky that the fall of the Soviet Union did not lead to a nuclear war. The next time a nuclear armed Empire crashes we may not be so fortunate. ..."
Apr 08, 2019 | www.wsws.org

Habakkuk on cockroaches and the New York Times

"Dan, Thanks for the reference, which I will follow up. Unfortunately, although Bongino has produced a lot of extremely valuable material, a lot of it is buried in the 'postcasts', searching through which is harder than with printed materials. It would greatly help if there were transcripts, but of course those cost money.

I am still trying to fit the exploding mass of information which has been coming out into a coherent timeline. Part of the problem is that there is so much appearing in so many different places. In addition to trying to think through the implications of the information in this post and the subsequent exchanges of comments, I have been trying to make sense of evidence coming out about the British end of the conspiracy.

An important development here has been rather well covered by Chuck Ross, in a recent ‘Daily Caller’ piece headlined ‘Cambridge Academic Reflects On Interactions With 'Spygate’ Figure’ and one on ‘Fox’ by Catherine Herridge and Cyd Upson, entitled ‘Russian academic linked to Flynn denies being spy, says her past contact was “used” to smear him.’ However, the evidence involved has ramifications which they cannot be expected to understand, as yet at least.

(See https://dailycaller.com/201... ; https://www.foxnews.com/pol... .)

At issue is the attempt to use the – apparently casual – encounter between Lieutenant-General Flynn and Svetlana Lokhova at a dinner in Cambridge (U.K.) in February 2016 to smear him by, among other things, portraying her as some kind of ‘Mata Hari’ figure.

Among interesting dates, it appears that Stefan Halper was already trying to reach out to Lokhova in January-February 2016 – a lot earlier than his approaches to Papadopoulo s and Page. This was done through Professor Christopher Andrew, co-convenor with Halper and the former MI6 had Sir Richard Dearlove of the ‘Cambridge Intelligence Seminar.’

This suggests that this was not simply a case Halper acting on his own. It also I think brings us back to the central importance of Flynn’s visit to Moscow in December 2015.

Meanwhile, Lokhova has set up a blog on which she has posted a some interesting relevant material, with perhaps more to come. It is very well worth a look.(See https://www.russiagate.co.uk .)

Of particular interest, to my mind, is the full text of her – unpublished – May 2017 interview with the ‘New York Times.’ This points us back to is the fact – of which Lokhova shows no signs of awareness – that the idea that the Western powers and the Russians might have a common interest in fighting jihadist terrorism has been absolute anathema to many key figures on both sides of the Atlantic, with Dearlove certainly among them.

Some of Lokhova’s comments on ‘twitter’ are extremely entertaining. An example, with which I have much sympathy:

‘AN APOLOGY: Yesterday, I compared @nytimes journalists, who smeared @GenFlynn and accused me of being a Russian spy, to cockroaches. In good conscience, I must apologize to the cockroaches for the distress caused to them for being compared to @nytimes #Russiagate hoaxers. Sorry!’

(See https://twitter.com/RealSLo... .)

Meanwhile, another interesting recent ‘tweet’ comes from Eliot Higgins, of ‘Bellingcat’ fame. He is known to some skeptics as ‘the couch potato’ – perhaps he should be rechristened ‘king cockroach.’ It reads:

‘Looking forward to gettin g things rolling with the Open Information Partnership, with @bellingcat, @MDI_UK, @DFRLab, and @This_Is_Zinc https://www.openinformation...

(See https://twitter.com/EliotHi... )

There is an interesting ‘backstory’ to this. The announcement of an FCO-supported ‘Open Information Partnership of European Non-Governmental Organisations, charities, academics, think-tanks and journalists’, supposedly to counter ‘disinformation’ from Russia, came in a written answer from the Minister of State, Sir Alan Duncan, on 3 April.

(See https://www.theyworkforyou.... )

In turn this followed the latest in a series of releases of material either leaked or hacked from the organisations calling themselves ‘Institute for Statecraft’ and ‘Integrity Initiative’ by the group calling themselves ‘Anonymous’ on 25 March.

(See https://www.cyberguerrilla .... )

The centerpiece of this is a proposal submitted to the FCO in August last year by what seems to be essentially the same consortium whose existence as a government contractor has now been made public. The ‘Institute for Statecraft’ has vanished, and one consortium member, ‘Aktis Strategy’, has gone into liquidation. But other key members are the same.

A central underlying premise is that if anyone has any doubts as to whether the ‘White Helmets’ are a benevolent humanitarian organisation, or the Russians were responsible for the poisoning of the Skripals or the shooting down of MH17, the only possible explanation is that their minds have been poisoned by disinformation.

An interesting paragraph reads as follows:

‘An expanded research component could generate better understanding of the drivers (psychological, sociopolitical, cultural and environmental) of those who are susceptible to disinformation. This will allow us to map vulnerable audiences, and build scenario planning models to test the efficiency of different activities to build resilience of those populations over time.’

They have not yet got to the point of recommending psychiatic treatment for ‘dissidents’, but these are still early days. The ‘Sovietisation’ of Western life proceeds apace.

In fact, what is at issue an ambitious project to co-ordinate and strengthen a very large number of organisations in different countries which are committed to a relentlessly Russophobic line on everything. (The possibility that it might not be very bright to push Russia into the arms of China, the obviously rising power, does not seem to have occurred to these people – perhaps they need less ons from Sir Halford Mackinder, or indeed Niccolò Machiavelli, on ‘statecraft.’)

Study of the proposal hacked/leaked by ‘Anonymous’ bring out both the ‘boondoggle’ element – there is a lot of state funding available for people happy to play these games – and also the strong transatlantic links.

A particularly significant presence, here, is the ‘DFRLab’. This is the ‘Digital Forensic Research Lab’ at the ‘Atlantic Council’, where Eliot Higgins is a ‘nonresident senior fellow.’ The same organisation has a ‘Cyber Statecraft Initiative’ where Dmitri Alperovitch is a ‘nonresident senior fellow.’

It cannot be repeated often enough that it is difficult to see any conceivable excuse for the FBI to fail to secure access to the DNC servers. One would normally moreover expect that, on an issue of this sensitivity, they would have the ‘digital forensics’ done by their own people.

There can be no conceivable excuse for relying on a contractor selected by the organisation which is claiming that there has been a hack, when an alternative possibility is a leak: and the implications of the alternative possibility could be devastating for that organisation.

To rely on a contractor linked to the notoriously Russophobic ‘Atlantic Council’ is even more preposterous.

The clear close integration of other cyber people from the ‘Atlantic Council’ into Orwellian ‘information operations’ sponsored by the British Government simply puts these facts into sharp relief.

There has to be a strong possible ‘prima facie’ case that anyone in authority prepared to accept the ‘digital forensics’ from ‘CrowdStrike’ is complicit in the conspiracy against the constitution, and/or the conspiracy to cover-up that conspiracy. This certainly goes for Comey, and I think it also goes for Mueller."


chris chuba , a day ago

OT but related, just watched a former naval Intelligence officer, now working for the Hoover Institute interviewed on FOX about the Rooshins in Venezuela. Said, the 100 Russians are there to protect Maduro because he cannot trust his own army. Maduro's days are numbered because he is toxically unpopular.

Got me thinking, our Intelligence services are good at psy-ops and keeping our gullible MSM in line but God help us if we ever actually needed real Intelligence about a country. I remember about a month ago how all of these 'Think Tank Guys' were predicting how the only people loyal to Maduro were a few of his crony Generals, that the rank and file military hated him and there were going to be mass defections.

It didn't happen and we are all just supposed to forget that.
[not a socialist, don't have any love for Maduro, I just know that I will never learn anything of about Venezuela from these think tank dudes, we are just getting groomed]

Karl Kolchak -> chris chuba , a day ago
Venezuela isn't about "socialism," or even Maduro--it's about the oil. They have the largest proven reserves in the world, though much of it is non-conventional and would need a ton of investment to exploit. But it's their oil, not ours, and we have no right to meddle in their internal affairs.
Jack -> Karl Kolchak , 15 hours ago
Venezuela is neither about socialism nor oil in my opinion. It is everything to do with the neocons. And Trump buying into their hegemonic dreams. Notice the resurrection of Elliott Abrams of Iran-Contra fame as the man spearheading this in a triumvirate with Bolton & Pompeo. IMO, a perfect foil for Putin & Xi to embroil the US in another regime change quagmire that further weakens the US.
Mad_Max22 , 17 hours ago
"There can be no conceivable excuse for relying on a contractor selected by the organisation which is claiming that there has been a hack, when an alternative possibility is a leak: and the implications of the alternative possibility could be devastating for that organisation.
To rely on a contractor linked to the notoriously Russophobic 'Atlantic Council' is even more preposterous."

True; and true. It is also true that the Clinton e-mail investigation was faux, a limp caricature of what an investigation would look like when it is designed to uncover the truth. Allowing a subject's law firm to review the subject's e-mails from when she was in government for relevancy is beyond preposterous. An investigation conducted in the normal way by apolitical Agents in a field office would not walk away from a trove of evidence empty handed.
The inter-relatedness and overlapping of DoJ, CIA, and FBI personnel assigned to the Clinton e-mail case, the Russophobic nightmare of a 'case' targeting Carter Page, and by extension, the Trump presidential campaign, and yes, the Mueller political op, all reek of political bias and ineptitude followed by more political bias; and then culmination in a scorched earth investigation more characteristic of something the STASI might have undertaken than American justice.
Early morning raids, gag orders, solitary confinements, show indictments that will never see adjudication in a court room - truly unbelievable.

Jack , 15 hours ago
David

In your opinion was this surveillance, criminal & counter-intelligence investigation as well as information operations against Trump centrally orchestrated or was it more reactive & decentralized?

There are so many facets. Fusion GPS & Nellie Ohr with her previous CIA connection. Her husband Bruce at the DOJ stovepiping the dossier to the FBI. Brennan and his EC. Clapper and his intelligence assessment. Halper, Mifsud, Steele along with Hannigan and the MI6 + GCHQ connection. Downer and the Aussies. FISA warrants on Page & Papadopolous. The whole Strzok & Page texting. Comey, Lynch & the Hillary exoneration. McCabe. Then all the Russians. And the media leaks to generate hysteria.

john fletcher , a day ago

I'd recommend for reading Alexei Yurchak's "Everything Was Forever, Until It was No More: The Last Soviet Generation." Its about a class of apparatchiks and bureaucrats and hangers on who spoke this arcane, abstract dogmatic language that anyone normal had long since given up trying to understand. It had long ceased to have any relevance or attachment to the lives lived by ordinary, increasingly suffering people, who started talking to each other in practical and direct language.

And yet the chatterati continued to chatter and invent ludicrously unreal worlds and analyses of the actual world they lived in until... bang... it was no more.

I'd skip the first few chapters which are full of impenetrable marxist jargon.

VietnamVet , 12 hours ago
The Russian collusion investigation was based solely on the dodgy Steele Dossier that was discredited here from the get-go. This was a product of British Intelligence Community. The intent was to keep and then to get Donald Trump out of the White House. It failed but they did succeed in turning him into a neo-lib-con fellow traveler.

There are clear parallels between the end stages of the Soviet Union and the American Empire. My take since the Iraq Invasion is that they are insane. The ruling elite is detached from reality, incompetent and arrogant. Sooner or later someone with their facilities still intact will lead a middle-class revolt against the global plutocracy to restore democracy and reverse the rising inequality. We were lucky that the fall of the Soviet Union did not lead to a nuclear war. The next time a nuclear armed Empire crashes we may not be so fortunate.

[Apr 04, 2019] How Brzezinski's Chessboard degenerated into Brennan's Russophobia by Mike Whitney

Highly recommended!
Notable quotes:
"... This entire article fleshes out one central truth – capitalism as practiced by the US Government inevitably involves war by any and all means, seeking total domination of every human being on the planet, foriegn or native to the US Hegemon. It seeks total rule of the rich and powerful over everyone else. ..."
Apr 04, 2019 | www.unz.com

"Russia is an inalienable and organic part of Greater Europe and European civilization. Our citizens think of themselves as European. That's why Russia proposes moving towards the creation of a common economic space from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, a community referred to by Russian experts as 'the Union of Europe' which will strengthen Russia's potential in its economic pivot toward the 'New Asia.'" Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, February 2012

The allegations of 'Russian meddling' only make sense if they're put into a broader geopolitical context. Once we realize that Washington is implementing an aggressive "containment" strategy to militarily encircle Russia and China in order to spread its tentacles across Central Asian, then we begin to understand that Russia is not the perpetrator of the hostilities and propaganda, but the victim. The Russia hacking allegations are part of a larger asymmetrical-information war that has been joined by the entire Washington political establishment. The objective is to methodically weaken an emerging rival while reinforcing US global hegemony.

Try to imagine for a minute, that the hacking claims were not part of a sinister plan by Vladimir Putin "to sow discord and division" in the United States, but were conjured up to create an external threat that would justify an aggressive response from Washington. That's what Russiagate is really all about.

US policymakers and their allies in the military and Intelligence agencies, know that relations with Russia are bound to get increasingly confrontational, mainly because Washington is determined to pursue its ambitious "pivot" to Asia plan. This new regional strategy focuses on "strengthening bilateral security alliances, expanding trade and investment, and forging a broad-based military presence." In short, the US is determined to maintain its global supremacy by establishing military outposts across Eurasia, continuing to tighten the noose around Russia and China, and reinforcing its position as the dominant player in the most populous and prosperous region in the world. The plan was first presented in its skeletal form by the architect of Washington's plan to rule the world, Zbigniew Brzezinski. Here's how Jimmy Carter's former national security advisor summed it up in his 1997 magnum opus, The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy And Its Geostrategic Imperatives:

"For America, the chief geopolitical prize is Eurasia (p.30) .. Eurasia is the globe's largest continent and is geopolitically axial. A power that dominates Eurasia would control two of the world's three most advanced and economically productive regions. . About 75 per cent of the world's people live in Eurasia, and most of the world's physical wealth is there as well, both in its enterprises and underneath its soil. Eurasia accounts for 60 per cent of the world's GNP and about three-fourths of the world's known energy resources." ("The Grand Chessboard:American Primacy And Its Geostrategic Imperatives", Zbigniew Brzezinski, Basic Books, page 31, 1997)

14 years after those words were written, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took up the banner of imperial expansion and demanded a dramatic shift in US foreign policy that would focus primarily on increasing America's military footprint in Asia. It was Clinton who first coined the term "pivot" in a speech she delivered in 2010 titled "America's Pacific Century". Here's an excerpt from the speech:

"As the war in Iraq winds down and America begins to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan, the United States stands at a pivot point. Over the last 10 years, we have allocated immense resources to those two theaters. In the next 10 years, we need to be smart and systematic about where we invest time and energy, so that we put ourselves in the best position to sustain our leadership, secure our interests, and advance our values. One of the most important tasks of American statecraft over the next decade will therefore be to lock in a substantially increased investment -- diplomatic, economic, strategic, and otherwise -- in the Asia-Pacific region

Open markets in Asia provide the United States with unprecedented opportunities for investment, trade, and access to cutting-edge technology ..American firms (need) to tap into the vast and growing consumer base of Asia The region already generates more than half of global output and nearly half of global trade. As we strive to meet President Obama's goal of doubling exports by 2015, we are looking for opportunities to do even more business in Asia and our investment opportunities in Asia's dynamic markets."

("America's Pacific Century", Secretary of State Hillary Clinton", Foreign Policy Magazine, 2011)

The pivot strategy is not some trifling rehash of the 19th century "Great Game" promoted by think-tank fantasists and conspiracy theorists. It is Washington's premier foreign policy doctrine, a 'rebalancing' theory that focuses on increasing US military and diplomatic presence across the Asian landmass. Naturally, NATO's ominous troop movements on Russia's western flank and Washington's provocative naval operations in the South China Sea have sent up red flags in Moscow and Beijing. Former Chinese President Hu Jintao summed it up like this:

"The United States has strengthened its military deployments in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthened the US-Japan military alliance, strengthened strategic cooperation with India, improved relations with Vietnam, inveigled Pakistan, established a pro-American government in Afghanistan, increased arms sales to Taiwan, and so on. They have extended outposts and placed pressure points on us from the east, south, and west."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been equally critical of Washington's erratic behavior. NATO's eastward expansion has convinced Putin that the US will continue to be a disruptive force on the continent for the foreseeable future. Both leaders worry that Washington's relentless provocations will lead to an unexpected clash that will end in war.

Even so, the political class has fully embraced the pivot strategy as a last-gasp attempt to roll back the clock to the post war era when the world's industrial centers were in ruins and America was the only game in town. Now the center of gravity has shifted from west to east, leaving Washington with just two options: Allow the emerging giants in Asia to connect their high-speed rail and gas pipelines to Europe creating the world's biggest free trade zone, or try to overturn the applecart by bullying allies and threatening rivals, by implementing sanctions that slow growth and send currencies plunging, and by arming jihadist proxies to fuel ethnic hatred and foment political unrest. Clearly, the choice has already been made. Uncle Sam has decided to fight til the bitter end.

Washington has many ways of dealing with its enemies, but none of these strategies have dampened the growth of its competitors in the east. China is poised to overtake the US as the world's biggest economy sometime in the next 2 decades while Russia's intervention in Syria has rolled back Washington's plan to topple Bashar al Assad and consolidate its grip on the resource-rich Middle East. That plan has now collapsed forcing US policymakers to scrap the War on Terror altogether and switch to a "great power competition" which acknowledges that the US can no longer unilaterally impose its will wherever it goes. Challenges to America's dominance are emerging everywhere particularly in the region where the US hopes to reign supreme, Asia.

This is why the entire national security state now stands foursquare behind the improbable pivot plan. It's a desperate "Hail Mary" attempt to preserve the decaying unipolar world order.

What does that mean in practical terms?

It means that the White House (the National Security Strategy) the Pentagon (National Defense Strategy) and the Intelligence Community (The Worldwide Threat Assessment) have all drawn up their own respective analyses of the biggest threats the US currently faces. Naturally, Russia is at the very top of those lists. Russia has derailed Washington's proxy war in Syria, frustrated US attempts to establish itself across Central Asia, and strengthened ties with the EU hoping to "create a harmonious community of economies from Lisbon to Vladivostok." (Putin)

Keep in mind, the US does not feel threatened by the possibility of a Russian attack, but by Russia's ability to thwart Washington's grandiose imperial ambitions in Asia.

As we noted, the National Security Strategy (NSS) is a statutorily mandated document produced by the White House that explains how the President intends to implement his national security vision. Not surprisingly, the document's main focus is Russia and China. Here's an excerpt:

"China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity. They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence." (Neither Russia nor China are attempting to erode American security and prosperity." They are merely growing their economies and expanding their markets. If US corporations reinvested their capital into factories, employee training and R and D instead of stock buybacks and executive compensation, then they would be better able to complete globally.)

Here's more: "Through modernized forms of subversive tactics, Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries around the world." (This is a case of the 'pot calling the kettle black.')

"Today, actors such as Russia are using information tools in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of democracies. Adversaries target media, political processes, financial networks, and personal data." (The western media behemoth is the biggest disinformation bullhorn the world has ever seen. RT and Sputnik don't hold a candle to the ginormous MSM 'Wurlitzer' that controls the cable news stations, the newspapers and most of the print media. The Mueller Report proves beyond a doubt that the politically-motivated nonsense one reads in the media is neither reliably sourced nor trustworthy.)

The Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community is even more explicit in its attacks on Russia. Check it out:

"Threats to US national security will expand and diversify in the coming year, driven in part by China and Russia as they respectively compete more intensely with the United States and its traditional allies and partners . We assess that Moscow will continue pursuing a range of objectives to expand its reach, including undermining the US-led liberal international order, dividing Western political and security institutions, demonstrating Russia's ability to shape global issues, and bolstering Putin's domestic legitimacy.

We assess that Moscow has heightened confidence, based on its success in helping restore the Asad regime's territorial control in Syria, ·Russia seeks to boost its military presence and political influence in the Mediterranean and Red Seas mediate conflicts, including engaging in the Middle East Peace Process and Afghanistan reconciliation .

Russia will continue pressing Central Asia's leaders to support Russian-led economic and security initiatives and reduce engagement with Washington. Russia and China are likely to intensify efforts to build influence in Europe at the expense of US interests " ("The Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community", USG )

Notice how the Intelligence Community summary does not suggest that Russia poses an imminent military threat to the US, only that Russia has restored order in Syria, strengthened ties with China, emerged as an "honest broker" among countries in the Middle East, and used the free market system to improve relations with its trading partners and grow its economy. The IC appears to find fault with Russia because it is using the system the US created to better advantage than the US. This is entirely understandable given Putin's determination to draw Europe and Asia closer together through a region-wide economic integration plan. Here's Putin:

"We must consider more extensive cooperation in the energy sphere, up to and including the formation of a common European energy complex. The Nord Stream gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea and the South Stream pipeline under the Black Sea are important steps in that direction. These projects have the support of many governments and involve major European energy companies. Once the pipelines start operating at full capacity, Europe will have a reliable and flexible gas-supply system that does not depend on the political whims of any nation. This will strengthen the continent's energy security not only in form but in substance. This is particularly relevant in the light of the decision of some European states to reduce or renounce nuclear energy."

The gas pipelines and high-speed rail are the arteries that will bind the continents together and strengthen the new EU-Asia superstate. This is Washington's greatest nightmare, a massive, thriving free trade zone beyond its reach and not subject to its rules. In 2012, Hillary Clinton acknowledged this new threat and promised to do everything in her power to destroy it. Check out this excerpt:

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described efforts to promote greater economic integration in Eurasia as "a move to re-Sovietize the region." . "We know what the goal is and we are trying to figure out effective ways to slow down or prevent it," she said at an international conference in Dublin on December 6, 2012, Radio Free Europe."

"Slow down or prevent it"?

Why? Because EU-Asia growth and prosperity will put pressure on US debt markets, US corporate interests, US (ballooning) national debt, and the US Dollar? Is that why Hillary is so committed to sabotaging Putin's economic integration plan?

Indeed, it is. Washington wants to block progress and prosperity in the east in order to extend the lifespan of a doddering and thoroughly-bankrupt state that is presently $22 trillion in the red but continues to write checks on an overdrawn account.

But Russia shouldn't be blamed for Washington's profligate behavior, that's not Putin's fault. Moscow is merely using the free market system more effectively that the US.

Now consider the Pentagon's 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) which reiterates many of the same themes as the other two documents.

"Today, we are emerging from a period of strategic atrophy, aware that our competitive military advantage has been eroding. We are facing increased global disorder, characterized by decline in the long-standing rules-based international order -- creating a security environment more complex and volatile than any we have experienced in recent memory. Inter-state strategic competition, not terrorism, is now the primary concern in U.S. national security."

(Naturally, the "security environment" is going to be more challenging when 'regime change' is the cornerstone of one's foreign policy. Of course, the NDS glosses over that sad fact. Here's more:)

"Russia has violated the borders of nearby nations and pursues veto power over the economic, diplomatic, and security decisions of its neighbors ..(Baloney. Russia has been a force for stability in Syria and Ukraine. If Obama had his way, Syria would have wound up like Iraq, a hellish wastelands occupied by foreign mercenaries. Is that how the Pentagon measures success?) Here's more:

"China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model

"China and Russia are now undermining the international order from within the system .

"China and Russia are the principal priorities for the Department because of the magnitude of the threats they pose to U.S. security." ( National Defense Strategy of the United States of America )

Get the picture? China and Russia, China and Russia, China and Russia. Bad, bad, bad.

Why? Because they are successfully implementing their own development model which is NOT programed to favor US financial institutions and corporations. That's the whole thing in a nutshell. The only reason Russia and China are a threat to the "rules-based system", is because Washington insists on being the only one who makes the rules. That's why foreign leaders are no longer falling in line, because it's not a fair system.

These assessments represent the prevailing opinion of senior-level policymakers across the spectrum. (The White House, the Pentagon and the Intelligence Community) The USG is unanimous in its judgement that a harsher more combative approach is needed to deal with Russia and China. Foreign policy elites want to put the nation on the path to more confrontation, more conflict and more war. At the same time, none of these three documents suggest that Russia has any intention of launching an attack on the United States. The greatest concern is the effect that emerging competitors will have on Washington's provocative plan for military and economic expansion, the threat that Russia and China pose to America's tenuous grip on global power. It is that fear that drives US foreign policy.

And this is broader context into which we must fit the Russia investigation. The reason the Russia hacking furor has been allowed to flourish and spread despite the obvious lack of any supporting evidence, is because the vilifying of Russia segues perfectly with the geopolitical interests of elites in the government. The USG now works collaboratively with the media to influence public attitudes on issues that are important to the powerful foreign policy establishment. The ostensible goal of these psychological operations (PSYOP) is to selectively use information on "audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of organizations, groups, and individuals."

The USG now sees the minds of ordinary Americans as a legitimate target for their influence campaigns. They regard attitudes and perceptions as "the cognitive domain of the


Beckow , says: April 4, 2019 at 1:02 am GMT

The emerging Euro-Asian power block is very heterogeneous. Russia, China, and the smaller affiliated players like Central Asia, Iran, Syria, Turkey don't agree on almost anything. They have different cultures, religions, economies, demographic profiles, even writing systems. The most rational strategy to prevent the Euro-Asian block from consolidating would be to get them to fight each other. Alternatively, find the weakest link and attack it in an area where its reluctant allies don't share its interests.

Exactly the opposite has happened in the last 5-10 years: US has seemingly worked overtime to get China-Russia alliance of the ground. They used to distrust each other, today, after Ukraine, South China See, etc they have become close allies. Same with Iran and Syria: instead of letting them stew in their own internal problems – mostly religious and having a nepotistic elite – US has managed to turn the fight into an external geo-political struggle, literally invited Russia to join in, and ended up losing.

Bush turned Iraq from a fanatically anti-Iran bastion to a reliable ally of Iran and started an un-winnable land war in Afghanistan (incredible!). Obama turned Libya, the richest and most stable African country that threatened no-one and kept African migrants far away, into a chaotic hellhole where slave trade flourishes and millions of Sub-Saharan Africans can use it to move on to Europe.

Then Obama tried to coup-de-etat Erdogan in Turkey, and – even worse – failed miserably. This gang can't shoot straight – whatever they put in their position papers is meaningless drivel because they are too stupid to think. They have no patience to wait for the right time to move, no ability to manage on the ground allies, and an aversion to casualties that makes winning a war impossible. Today Trump threatens Germany over its energy security (pipelines), further antagonises Turkey and Erdogan, watches helplessly as EU becomes the next UN (lame and irrelevant), and bets everything on a few small allies like Saudi Arabia and Izrael that are of almost no use in Euro-Asia.

A guy who says about the Russia-gate collusion fiasco that ' maybe I had bad information ' is no master of the universe. And he run the joint under Obama. Complaining about Russia saying bad stuff about you – or ' information warfare ' – is a pathetic sign of weakness. Maybe the testosterone levels have dropped more than we have been told.

anon [338] Disclaimer , says: April 4, 2019 at 4:07 am GMT
the russophobia is just drama to keep the MIC spending at $700+ billion per year

there is no way to justify that level of spending and pretend they don't have $25 billion one time to actually help solve the real problem for the U.S.

Krollchem , says: April 4, 2019 at 5:38 am GMT
"The USG now sees the minds of ordinary Americans as a legitimate target for their influence campaigns. They regard attitudes and perceptions as "the cognitive domain of the battlespace" which they must exploit in order to build public support for their vastly unpopular wars and interventions. "

Here is a short guide on how to detect subversion of the mind by the media and their handlers by a former military intelligence officer.

JR , says: April 4, 2019 at 6:00 am GMT
If one recognizes that Brzezinski's "The Grand Chessboard, American Primacy & Its Geostrategic Imperatives (1997)" in replacing "Lebensraum" with "control over Eurasia", "Tausendjähriges Reich" with "American Primacy" and providing our 'elite' with an "realist" and "amoral" excuse to act completely and consistently immoral one has to recognize too that this "Grand Chessboard" is an amalgamation of 'Mein Kampf' and 'Il Principe".

Reluctant to use that Hitler comparison one ought to read the Introduction of the "Grand Chessboard" in which Brzezinki himself proudly refers to both Hitler and Stalin sharing his ideas about control over Eurasia as a prerequisite for that "American Primacy".

Recognizing this however one can't escape the conclusion that this "Grand Chessboard" with its consistent 'amoral realist imperatives' is serving up inherently immoral 'imperatives' as inescapable options dressed up in academic language and with absolutely abhorrent arrogance.

Stating that Brennan's Russophobia is somehow a degeneration of Brzezinki's "Grand Chessboard" is completely overlooking how difficult it would be to outdo Brzezinki's own total moral degeneration.

One has to recognize that by now the only bipartisan aspect of US policy can be found in sharing these despicable and immoral 'imperatives' to maintain that "American Primacy" at all cost (of course to the rest of the world).

Jake , says: April 4, 2019 at 12:01 pm GMT
"The allegations of 'Russian meddling' only make sense if they're put into a broader geopolitical context. Once we realize that Washington is implementing an aggressive "containment" strategy to militarily encircle Russia and China in order to spread its tentacles across Central Asian, then we begin to understand that Russia is not the perpetrator of the hostilities and propaganda, but the victim. The Russia hacking allegations are part of a larger asymmetrical-information war that has been joined by the entire Washington political establishment. The objective is to methodically weaken an emerging rival while reinforcing US global hegemony."

TRUE!

I would suggest that the initials 'US' in the final sentence be changed to: Anglo-Zionist Empire.

Jake , says: April 4, 2019 at 12:12 pm GMT
"Now the center of gravity has shifted from west to east, leaving Washington with just two options: Allow the emerging giants in Asia to connect their high-speed rail and gas pipelines to Europe creating the world's biggest free trade zone, or try to overturn the applecart by bullying allies and threatening rivals, by implementing sanctions that slow growth and send currencies plunging, and by arming jihadist proxies to fuel ethnic hatred and foment political unrest. Clearly, the choice has already been made. Uncle Sam has decided to fight til the bitter end."

Just like the Brit Empire – of which the Yank Empire is merely Part 2, the part where it becomes obvious that it is the Anglo-Zionist Empire, which, like a band of screeching Pharisees standing on the walls of Jerusalem hurling curses at the Romans they inform that Jehovah will soon wipe out all Romans to save His Chosen Race, would choose utter destruction for all over any common sense backing down to prevent mass slaughter.

Ilyana_Rozumova , says: April 4, 2019 at 12:43 pm GMT
Nothing harmed US more than Brzezinski's ideology. US did build up far east with their investments, while neglecting their own backyard. US should have build up rather North and South America and make it the envy of the world. Neglecting particularly South America now created Desperate south American people, who have no jobs and no future and these people are now invading US.
Andrei Martyanov , says: Website April 4, 2019 at 12:44 pm GMT
@Beckow

A guy who says about the Russia-gate collusion fiasco that 'maybe I had bad information' is no master of the universe. And he run the joint under Obama. Complaining about Russia saying bad stuff about you – or 'information warfare' – is a pathetic sign of weakness. Maybe the testosterone levels have dropped more than we have been told.

Testosterone plus steady, unrelenting decline and corruption of American "elites" most of who have no background in any fields related to actual effective governance especially in national security (military) and diplomatic fields. Zbig's book is also nothing more than doctrine-mongering based on complete lack of understanding of Russian history.

Andrei Martyanov , says: Website April 4, 2019 at 12:52 pm GMT
@JR

Reluctant to use that Hitler comparison one ought to read the Introduction of the "Grand Chessboard" in which Brzezinki himself proudly refers to both Hitler and Stalin sharing his ideas about control over Eurasia as a prerequisite for that "American Primacy".

Zbig was a political "scientist" (which is not a science) by education, fact aggravated by his Russophobia, and thus inability to grasp fundamentals of military power and warfare–a defining characteristic of American "elites". He, obviously, missed on the military-technological development of 1970s through 1990s, to arrive to the inevitable conclusion that classic "geopolitics" doesn't apply anymore. Today we all can observe how it doesn't apply and is made obsolete.

Agent76 , says: April 4, 2019 at 2:45 pm GMT
(Jan.1998) US history – "How Jimmy Carter I Started the Mujahideen" – Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor 1977-1981

"Q: The former director of the CIA, Robert Gates, stated in his memoirs ["From the Shadows"], that American intelligence services began to aid the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan 6 months before the Soviet intervention. In this period you were the national security adviser to President Carter.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a13_1240427874

Zbigniew Brzezinski Taliban Pakistan Afghanistan pep talk 1979

In 1979 Carters National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski went into Pakistans border regions with Afghanistan to give a little pep talk to some prospective majehadeen (Holy Warriors). In a 1997 interview for CNN's Cold War Series, Brzezinski hinted about the Carter Administration's proactive Afghanistan policy before the Soviet invasion in 1979, that he had conceived.

flashlight joe , says: April 4, 2019 at 2:55 pm GMT
@Jake @Jake

"Just like the Brit Empire – of which the Yank Empire is merely Part 2,"

I call it the Western British Empire.

Jake , says: April 4, 2019 at 3:14 pm GMT
@DESERT FOX Why was it that the Brit Empire kept acting throughout the later 18th, the 19th and early 20th centuries to harm Russia, even when it technically was allied with Russia? Why the Crimean War, for example?

Why, for example, was Brit secret service all over the assassination of Rasputin and tied in multiple ways to most non-Marxist revolutionary groups?

mike k , says: April 4, 2019 at 3:18 pm GMT
This entire article fleshes out one central truth – capitalism as practiced by the US Government inevitably involves war by any and all means, seeking total domination of every human being on the planet, foriegn or native to the US Hegemon. It seeks total rule of the rich and powerful over everyone else.
Jake , says: April 4, 2019 at 3:26 pm GMT
@anon Like the Ukranians, the 'Balts' virtually always are controlled by somebody else. When Russia does not control the Baltic states, they are controlled by either Poles or Germans. Russians know what that means: the Baltic states are then used as weapons to attack Russia.

The region is much calmer when Russia controls the Baltic states, and that is before taking into consideration how the Polish-Lithuanian Empire turned its Jews lose to terrorize all Orthodox Christians and how Germanic states later used Lutheranism as a force in the Baltics to ignite war with Russia and, under the queer Frederick the Great also used Jewish bankers to finance wars against Russia.

[Apr 04, 2019] If one recognizes that Brzezinski's "The Grand Chessboard, American Primacy Its Geostrategic Imperatives (1997)" in replacing "Lebensraum" with "control over Eurasia", "Tausendj hriges Reich" with "American Primacy"

Apr 04, 2019 | www.unz.com

Wally , says: April 4, 2019 at 4:43 pm GMT

@JR ssaid:
If one recognizes that Brzezinski's "The Grand Chessboard, American Primacy & Its Geostrategic Imperatives (1997)" in replacing "Lebensraum" with "control over Eurasia", "Tausendjähriges Reich" with "American Primacy" and providing our 'elite' with an "realist" and "amoral" excuse to act completely and consistently immoral one has to recognize too that this "Grand Chessboard" is an amalgamation of 'Mein Kampf' and 'Il Principe".

Except that Germany did not send Germans into the conquered territories during WWII, though they wanted to do so.

[Apr 04, 2019] But current American elites have no concept of own actions having consequences

Notable quotes:
"... I believe that the current GLOBAL elites do understand exactly what they are doing and the potential consequences to the ongoing existence of private finance. ..."
"... The war that is being waged is an attempt to keep private finance in charge of our world ..."
Apr 04, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

psychohistorian , Apr 4, 2019 12:11:22 PM | link

The posting ended with

"But current American elites have no concept of own actions having consequences."

I believe that the current GLOBAL elites do understand exactly what they are doing and the potential consequences to the ongoing existence of private finance.

The war that is being waged is an attempt to keep private finance in charge of our world and they are losing I am pleased to report

[Apr 03, 2019] Suspected of Corruption at Home, Powerful Foreigners Find Refuge in the US

Highly recommended!
Apr 03, 2019 | www.propublica.org

Wealthy politicians and businessmen suspected of corruption in their native lands are fleeing to a safe haven where their wealth and influence shields them from arrest.

They have entered this country on a variety of visas, including one designed to encourage investment. Some have applied for asylum, which is intended to protect people fleeing oppression and political persecution.

The increasingly popular destination for people avoiding criminal charges is no pariah nation.

It's the United States.

An investigation by ProPublica, in conjunction with the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at Columbia University, has found that officials fleeing prosecution in Colombia, China, South Korea, Bolivia and Panama have found refuge for themselves and their wealth in this country, taking advantage of lax enforcement of U.S. laws and gaps in immigration and financial regulations. Many have concealed their assets and real-estate purchases by creating trusts and limited liability companies in the names of lawyers and relatives.

American authorities are supposed to vet visa applicants to make sure they are not under active investigation on criminal charges. But the ProPublica examination shows that this requirement has been routinely ignored.

One of the most prominent cases involves a former president of Panama, who was allowed to enter the United States just days after his country's Supreme Court opened an investigation into charges that he had helped embezzle $45 million from a government school lunch program.

Ricardo Martinelli, a billionaire supermarket magnate, had been on the State Department's radar since he was elected in 2009. That year, the U.S. ambassador to Panama began sending diplomatic cables warning about the president's "dark side," including his links to corruption and his request for U.S. support for wiretapping his opponents.

Soon after Martinelli left office in 2014, Panamanian prosecutors conducted a widely publicized investigation of corruption in the school lunch program, and in mid-January 2015, forwarded their findings to the country's Supreme Court.

On Jan. 28, 2015, just hours before the Supreme Court announced a formal probe into the charges, Martinelli boarded a private plane, flew to Guatemala City for a meeting and then entered the United States on a visitor visa. Within weeks, he was living comfortably in the Atlantis, a luxury condominium on Miami's swanky Brickell Avenue. He is still here.

The State Department declined to comment on Martinelli's case, saying visa records are confidential and it is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that decides who is allowed to enter the country. CBP said privacy regulations prevent the agency from commenting on Martinelli.

Efforts to reach Martinelli, including a registered letter sent to his Miami address, were unsuccessful.

In September this year, Panama asked to extradite Martinelli, but the former president is fighting that request, arguing there are no legal grounds to bring him back to his home country where the investigation has broadened to include insider trading, corruption and abuse of authority. Last December, Panama's high court issued a warrant for his arrest on charges that he used public funds to spy on over 150 political opponents. If found guilty, he could face up to 21 years in jail.

Rogelio Cruz, who is defending Martinelli in Panama's Supreme Court, said that the former president "will return to Panama once adequate conditions exist with respect to due process, where there are independent judges -- which there aren't."

The United States has explicit policies that bar issuing visas to foreign officials facing criminal charges in their homelands. In 2004, President George W. Bush issued a proclamation designed to keep the United States from becoming a haven for corrupt officials. Proclamation 7750, which has the force and effect of law, directed the State Department to ban officials who have accepted bribes or misappropriated public funds when their actions have "serious adverse effects on the national interests of the United States."

Under the rules implementing Bush's order, consular officers do not need a conviction or even formal charges to justify denying a visa. They can stamp "denied" based on information from unofficial, or informal sources, including newspaper articles, according to diplomats and State Department officials interviewed for this report.

The State Department declined to provide the number of times Proclamation 7750 has been invoked, but insisted that it has been used "robustly."

Over the years, some allegedly corrupt officials have been banned from entering the United States, including former Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares , former Nicaraguan President Arnoldo Aleman, former Cameroonian Defense Minister Remy Ze Meka, and retired Philippine Gen. Carlos Garcia , according to cables published by WikiLeaks. In 2014, the U.S. banned visas for 10 members of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's inner circle because of corruption allegations.

But numerous other foreign government officials, including former presidents and cabinet ministers, have slipped through the cracks, according to court documents, diplomatic cables and interviews with prosecutors and defense attorneys in the United States and abroad. The charges involved a wide range of misconduct, from stealing public funds to accepting bribes.


Six months before Martinelli entered the United States, a former Colombian agriculture minister and onetime presidential candidate, Andres Felipe Arias, fled to Miami three weeks before he was convicted of funneling $12.5 million to wealthy political supporters from a subsidy program that was intended to reduce inequality in rural areas and protect farmers from the effects of globalization.

The U.S. embassy in Bogota had been following Arias' trial closely and reporting on the scandal in cables to Washington. The trial featured documents and witnesses saying that under Arias' watch, the agriculture ministry had doled out millions in subsidies to affluent families, some of whom, according to media reports, had donated to Arias' political allies or his presidential campaign.

Subsidies went to relatives of congressmen, companies owned by the richest man in Colombia, and a former beauty queen. One powerful family and its associates received over $2.5 million, according to records released by prosecutors. Another family, which included relatives of a former senator, received $1.3 million. Both families had supported Arias' chief political ally, former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, with campaign contributions.

The law that established the program did not ban wealthy landowners from getting grants, but some elite families had received multiple subsidies for the same farm. They gamed the system by submitting multiple proposals in the names of different family members and by subdividing their land so they could apply for grants for each parcel, court records indicate.

Yet, in November 2013, while the trial was going on, the U.S. embassy in Bogota renewed Arias' visitor visa. The State Department refused to discuss the case, saying that visa records are confidential. But a recent filing in federal court showed that the U.S. embassy had flagged Arias' application, and asked him to provide documents to support his request to leave the country while charges were pending. Arias submitted documents from the Colombian court, including a judicial order that allowed him to travel. In the end, the embassy issued a visa because he had not yet been convicted.

Andres Felipe Arias, a former Colombian agriculture minister, who fled to the United States before he could be convicted of funneling money from a subsidy program (GDA via AP Images)

On the night of June 13, 2014, three weeks before the judges convicted him of embezzlement by appropriation, a Colombian law that penalizes the unauthorized use of public funds to benefit private entities, Arias packed his bags and boarded a plane. The following month, the U.S. embassy in Bogota revoked the visa. But Arias hired an immigration attorney and applied for asylum.

"If you looked up 'politically motivated charges' in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Andres Arias next to it," said David Oscar Markus, Arias' lead attorney. "The case [against him] is absurd and not even one that is recognized in the United States."

Over the next two years, Arias built a new life in South Florida with his wife and two children, opening a small consulting company and renting a house in Weston.

On August 24, he was arrested by U.S. authorities in response to an extradition request from Colombia. He spent several months in a detention facility until his release on bail in mid-November. Arias argues that the United States cannot extradite him because it has no active extradition treaty with Colombia, but the U.S. Attorney's Office disagrees. A plea for asylum does not shield defendants from extradition if they are charged in Colombia with a crime covered by the treaty between the two countries.


Congress established the EB-5 immigrant investor program in 1990 as a way of creating jobs for Americans and encouraging investment by foreigners.

The agency that administers the program, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has adopted regulations designed to prevent fraud, including requiring foreign investors to submit evidence, such as tax returns and bank statements, to prove they obtained their money legally.

But these safeguards did not stop the daughter-in-law and grandsons of former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan from using Chun's ill-gotten gains to get U.S. permanent residency.

In 1996, a Korean court convicted Chun of receiving more than $200 million in bribes while in office in the 1980s, from companies such as Samsung and Hyundai. He was ordered to return the bribes, but refused.

Part of Chun's fortune was funneled into the United States through his son, who purchased a $2.2 million house in Newport Beach, California, according to South Korean prosecutors and real-estate records.

Millions of dollars from Chun's bribery proceeds were hidden in bearer bonds, which are notoriously difficult to trace. Unlike regular bonds, which belong to registered owners, there is no record kept about the ownership or transfer of bearer bonds. The bonds can be cashed out by whoever has them.

Former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan addresses the press at the White House in 1985. Chun's relatives later gained permanent residency in the United States by using money Chun obtained through bribes. (Bettmann via Getty Images)

In 2008, Chun's daughter-in-law, a South Korean actress named Park Sang-ah, applied for an immigrant investor visa. Park listed her husband's bearer bonds as the source of her funds without mentioning that the money had been initially provided to him by Chun. Eight months later, Park and her children received their conditional U.S. permanent residency cards in the mail.

In 2013, at the request of South Korean prosecutors, the U.S. Justice Department launched an investigation into the Chun family's wealth in the United States and subsequently seized $1.2 million of the family's U.S. assets in the United States. The money was returned to South Korea. Despite that, Chun's family members have retained their residency status.

Chun's relatives obtained their permanent residency by investing in an EB-5 project managed by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, a nonprofit company. The PIDC pooled Chun's $500,000 with money from 200 other foreign investors to finance an expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia.

The same project in Philadelphia also helped to secure permanent residency for Qiao Jianjun, a Chinese government official accused of embezzling more than $40 million from a state-owned grain storehouse, according to reports in the People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's newspaper. Qiao had divorced his wife, Shilan Zhao, in China in 2001, a fact he did not disclose to U.S. immigration authorities. When Zhao applied for an EB-5 visa, Qiao qualified for U.S. permanent residency as an applicant's spouse.

The Justice Department launched an investigation only when it was tipped off by Chinese authorities. In January 2014, a federal grand jury indicted Zhao and her ex-husband, Qiao, for immigration fraud, money laundering and internationally transporting stolen funds. Zhao was arrested and released on bail. Federal authorities are pursuing Qiao, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

A trial has been set for February 2017. U.S. government attorneys have filed asset forfeiture cases to recover real estate linked to Qiao and Zhao in Flushing, New York, and Monterey Park, California.

In April 2015, Qiao appeared on the Chinese government's list of 100 "most wanted" officials who fled abroad after being accused of crimes such as bribery and corruption. He and 39 other government officials and state-owned enterprise leaders on the list allegedly fled to the United States.

The list, called "Operation Skynet," is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, which has vowed to take down what Chinese officials describe as corrupt "tigers" and "flies" within the country's ruling Communist Party.

Fengxian Hu was another fugitive on China's list. A former army singer and radio broadcaster, Hu headed the state-owned broadcasting company that had a joint venture with Pepsi to distribute soft drinks in Sichuan province. In 2002, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal reported that Pepsi had accused Hu of looting the joint venture and using company funds to buy fancy cars and go on European tours.

The same year, in a widely publicized move, Pepsi filed a case with international arbitrators in Stockholm, asking that the joint venture be dissolved. Despite this, Hu was given a visa that allowed him to fly regularly to Las Vegas, where he was a VIP client at the MGM casino.

In January 2010, Chinese authorities investigated Hu for corruption. But the month before, Hu had entered the United States on a B1 visitor visa, joining his wife, a U.S. citizen living in New York.

Hu tried to obtain a green card through his wife, but the petition was rejected by U.S. immigration authorities. He applied for asylum instead.

Meanwhile, he had gotten into trouble in the United States for losing millions in a Las Vegas casino and failing to pay a $12 million gambling debt. In 2012, he was indicted in a Nevada court on two counts of theft and one count of intentionally passing a check without sufficient funds.

Hu pled not guilty to the charges; his lawyers claimed that his checks bounced because his bank account had been closed by Chinese authorities. The charges against him in the U.S. were considered an aggravated felony, which is a common basis for deportation. Hu, however, had a pending asylum case and so could not be deported.

In August 2015, a New York immigration judge denied the asylum claim. But Hu's lawyers argued that he would be tortured if he returned to China and invoked the United Nations Convention Against Torture , which says that an alien may not be sent to a country where he is likely to be tortured. In the end, the immigration court suspended Hu's removal order, allowing him to remain in the United States and work here indefinitely. He will not, however, be given permanent residency or be allowed to travel outside the country.

The absence of an extradition treaty -- coupled with a high standard of living -- makes the United States a favored destination for Chinese officials and businessmen fleeing corruption charges.

In April 2015, Jeh Johnson, the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security , made a 48-hour trip to Beijing. The visit was intended to pave the way for Chinese President Xi Jinping's U.S. visit in September 2015, according to a memorandum Johnson wrote, which was obtained through a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

In the memo, Johnson said the Chinese government is seeking 132 people it said have fled to the United States to avoid prosecution. This represents a greater number of fugitives than Chinese authorities have publicly acknowledged.

"I'm told that in prior discussions, the Chinese have been frustrated by the lack of any information from us about the 132 fugitives," Johnson wrote.

The Chinese request for assistance posed a dilemma for the United States. American officials are concerned about a lack of fairness in China's criminal justice system. Human rights groups say that China continues to use torture to extract false confessions from suspected criminals. Torture has also been documented to be part of shuanggui -- a secretive discipline process reserved for members of the Chinese Communist Party.

Some analysts see the crackdown on corrupt officials as part of a purge aimed at the current regime's political rivals and ideological enemies. U.S. officials say this makes returning corrupt officials to China a delicate issue for the United States.


In 2003, headlines around the world reported widespread street protests in Bolivia that led to security forces killing 58 people, most of them members of indigenous groups. Not long afterward, as protesters massed up on the streets of La Paz demanding his resignation, Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada resigned and fled his country along with his defense minister, Jose Carlos Sanchez Berzain.

The two men flew to the United States, where they continue to reside. In 2006, Berzain applied for political asylum, which he was granted in 2007. On his application, when the form asked, "Have you or your family members ever been accused, charged, arrested, detained, interrogated, convicted and sentenced, or imprisoned in any country other than the United States?" Berzain checked the box "no," even though by then he and de Lozada had been formally accused of genocide by Bolivia's attorney general. The indictment was approved by Bolivia's Supreme Court in 2007. Berzain also stated on his application that the State Department had arranged for his travel to the United States.

The de Lozada administration was vocally pro-American. Before it was ousted, officials had announced they would facilitate gas exports to the United States.

After their departure, Bolivia's attorney general publicly stated that the administration had embezzled millions from government coffers, but did not formally file charges. He said de Lozada had taken some $22 million from the country's reserve funds before fleeing.

De Lozada and members of his administration have dismissed the allegations as part of a politically motivated smear campaign, but there is evidence to suggest irregularities may have occurred in the handling of the reserve funds. The former president signed a decree shortly before leaving office authorizing the interior and finance ministers to withdraw money from Bolivia's reserve funds without going through the normal approval process. De Lozada's former interior minister pleaded guilty in 2004 to embezzlement after $270,000 in cash was found in an associate's home.

De Lozada, a mining mogul before he became president, moved to Chevy Chase, Maryland, an upscale suburb of Washington, D.C. He now lives in a two-story brick house bought for $1.4 million by Macalester Limited, a limited liability company that was formed in the British Virgin Islands and lists a post office box in the Bahamas as its principal address.

De Lozada's immigration status is unclear. He said in a sworn deposition in 2015 that he was not a U.S. citizen. His son-in-law, who spoke to ProPublica on his behalf, would not say whether de Lozada had applied for asylum.

Berzain, meanwhile, settled in South Florida. Records show that he and his brother-in-law personally own or are listed as officers or members of business entities that together control around $9 million worth of Miami real estate.

Some of the purchases were made in the names of entities that appear to list different variations of Berzain's name in business records.

In addition, in the purchase of two properties, Berzain's name was added to business records only after the deal had gone through. Berzain's brother-in-law incorporated a company called Warren USA Corp in October 2010, for example, and the company purchased a $1.4 million residential property the following month. Three weeks after Warren USA Corp became the owner of an elegant Spanish-style villa in Key Biscayne, Berzain was added as the company's secretary.

The following year, in May 2011, Berzain's brother-in-law created Galen KB Corp and registered as the company's president. A month later, Galen KB Corp purchased a $250,000 condo. In August, Berzain replaced his brother-in-law as the company's president, according to business records. Berzain is no longer listed as a company officer in either company.

During an interview in January, Berzain told ProPublica "I don't have any companies." When asked about several of the companies associated with his name or address in public records, the former defense minister said he had a consulting firm that helped clients set up companies and that he was sometimes added to the board of directors. Efforts to reach Berzain's brother-in-law, a wealthy businessman and the owner of a bus company in Bolivia, were unsuccessful. Berzain's brother-in-law has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

The practice of purchasing real estate in the name of a business entity like a limited liability company, or LLC, is a common and legal practice in high-end real-estate markets, and one that enables celebrities and other wealthy individuals to protect their privacy.

But the practice also allows foreign officials to hide ill-gotten gains. U.S. regulations allow individuals to form business entities like LLCs without disclosing the beneficial owner. The LLCs can be registered in the names of lawyers, accountants or other associates -- or even anonymously in some states -- and used to purchase real estate, making it nearly impossible to determine the actual owner of a property.


Government investigators and lawmakers have pointed out persistent gaps in U.S. policy that have enabled corrupt officials to evade justice and hide their assets in this country. But little has changed.

Last year, a U.S. Government Accountability Office investigation said it can be "difficult" for immigration officials to identify the true source of an immigrant investor's funds. Immigration officials told the government auditors that EB-5 applicants with ties to corruption, the drug trade, human trafficking and other criminal activities have a strong incentive to omit key details about their financial histories or lie on their applications.

"It's very easy to get lost in the noise if you're a bad person," said Seto Bagdoyan, the accountability office's director of forensic audits, who co-authored the GAO report.

Immigration officials, he added, have an "almost nonexistent" ability to thoroughly evaluate investors' backgrounds and trace their assets.

Despite such weaknesses, Congress has continually extended the EB-5 program with minor changes. The program is backed by real-estate lobbyists who argue that it is a crucial source of financing for luxury condos and hotels. The program is expected to thrive in a Trump presidency because the president-elect is a developer and his son-in-law Jared Kushner received $50 million in EB-5 funds to build a Trump-branded tower in New Jersey.

In 2010, a Senate report described how powerful foreign officials and their relatives moved millions of dollars in suspect funds into the United States. The report said investors bypassed anti-money laundering regulations with help from U.S. lawyers, real-estate agents, and banking institutions. Last year, ABC News reported that lobbyists for real estate and other business groups spent $30 million in 2015 in an effort to protect the EB-5 program.

Senate investigators proposed legislation that would require companies to disclose their beneficial owners and make it easier for authorities to restrict entry, deny visas and deport corrupt foreign officials.

A few of the proposals have been adopted, but they have not made much difference. Banks have stepped up their efforts to identify corrupt officials and monitor their accounts. Professional groups such as the American Bar Association have issued non-binding guidelines for their members on compliance with anti-money-laundering controls. The U.S. government has also worked with the Financial Action Task Force , an international body set up to fight money laundering, to bring its anti-corruption controls in accordance with the body's guidelines.

In May, the Treasury Department enacted a new rule that will take full effect in 2018 and will require financial institutions to identify the beneficial owners of shell companies. Some advocates see the rule as a step backward. The new rule allows shell companies to designate the manager of the account as the beneficial owner, concealing the identity of the person ultimately exercising control.

The State Department declined to say what progress, if any, it has made on the Senate subcommittee's recommendation to more aggressively deny visas through Proclamation 7750. "The Department takes seriously congressional recommendations and devotes resources to addressing corruption worldwide," a State Department official wrote in response to questions.

In 2010, then-Attorney General Eric Holder launched the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. The small unit, which has grown to include 16 attorneys, aims to recover assets in the United States that are tied to foreign corruption and return the money to the looted countries.

Over the past six years, the unit has filed around two dozen civil asset forfeiture cases in an attempt to seize money, real estate and other assets tied to government officials from 16 countries. Assets have ranged from a lone diamond-encrusted glove worn by Michael Jackson that was purchased by Equatorial Guinea's Vice President, Teodoro Obiang, to a $1 billion fund tied to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Yet most of the money the Department of Justice has pursued remains in limbo. The case involving Chun, the former president of South Korea, is one of only two instances in which corrupt gains have been returned to the home country through the Justice Department's efforts. The other arose when Justice Department officials returned $1.5 million to Taiwan from property bought with bribes paid to the family of Chun Shui Bian, the former president of Taiwan.

The agency faces myriad challenges when attempting to seize and return assets acquired by corrupt foreign officials, including a lack of witnesses, said Kendall Day, head of the Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section. These officials often shield their transactions through shell companies, offshore companies or a network of associates.

"The mission of the Kleptocracy Initiative is really to target what we call grand foreign corruption that impacts the U.S. financial system," Day said, citing the Chun case as an example.

The 2012 Magnitsky Act gives the government power to deny visas and freeze the assets of Russian nationals accused of corruption or human rights violations. The Global Magnitsky Act would extend the same sanctions to the rest of the world, but it has yet to be passed by Congress. Unlike Proclamation 7750, the Magnitsky laws require the government to publish a list of foreign government officials who are barred from the United States.

In addition, the Treasury Department imposed regulations this year that aim to crack down on the use of shell companies to purchase real estate in places like Miami and Manhattan. Title insurance companies are now required to identify the real owners of companies purchasing high-end real estate without a mortgage. These regulations, however, are temporary.

[Apr 02, 2019] Poroshenko was just a US marionette which helped to loot the country and impoverish Ukrainian people

Under neoliberalism any regime change is necessary followed by an economic rape. That was the case with the USSR in 1991, that was the case in Ukraine in 2014. Only the size and length of the looting varies depending of the strength of new government. Both the size and the length is maximal if in power are marionette like Yeltsin or Yatsenyuk/Poroshenko.
Saying "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts" now should sound as "Beware of Americans who bring you color revolutions." They bring the economic rape (aka "Disaster capitalism") as the second phase. That's the nature of neocolonialism -- now you do not need to occupy the country. It's enough to make it a debt slave using IMF and install compradors to endure the low of money and continuing impoverishment of the population.
With such crooked and greedy friends as Biden and Kerry and their narcoaddicts sons you do not need enemies. But the main danger are not individual sharks but Western financial institutions like IMF and World bank. Those convert countries into debt slaves and that means permanently low standard (Central African in case of Ukraine, something like $2 a day) of living for generations to come.
What is interesting is that unlike say German nationalists in 30th, the Ukrainian nationalists proved to be completly useless in defending the Ukraine from looting. They actually serves as supplementary tool of the same looting.
The standard of living of Ukrainians dropped 2-3 times since 2014. How pensioners survive, on $50 a month pension I simply do not understand. In any case Neoliberalism proved to be very effecting is keeping "developing" nations economic growth down and converting them into debt slaves. The fact that Biden use loans as a tool of extortion (as in threat to cancel one billion loan) to close criminal investigation of his sons company is just an icing on the cake. Poroshenko and his camarilla should be tried in the court of law for his corruption and pandering to the Western sharks, who were happy to steal from Ukraine as much as then can.
To pay $166K a month for Biden's son cocaine is way too much to such impoverished country as Ukraine.
Notable quotes:
"... "I said, ' You're not getting the billion .' I'm going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: ' I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money, '" bragged Biden, recalling the conversation with Poroshenko. ..."
"... " Well, son of a bitch, he got fired. And they put in place someone who was solid at the time," Biden said at the Council on Foreign Relations event - while insisting that former president Obama was complicit in the threat. ..."
"... The prosecutor he got fired was leading a wide-ranging corruption probe into the natural gas firm Burisma Holdings that employed Biden's younger son, Hunter, as a board member. ..."
"... U.S. banking records show Hunter Biden's American-based firm, Rosemont Seneca Partners LLC, received regular transfers into one of its accounts -- usually more than $166,000 a month -- from Burisma from spring 2014 through fall 2015, during a period when Vice President Biden was the main U.S. official dealing with Ukraine and its tense relations with Russia. - The Hill ..."
"... And before he was fired, Shokin says he had made "specific plans" for the investigation - including "interrogations and other crime-investigation procedures into all members of the executive board, including Hunter Biden." "I would like to emphasize the fact that presumption of innocence is a principle in Ukraine," added Shokin. Joe Biden "clearly had to know" about the probe before he insisted on Shokin's ouster . Via The Hill: ..."
"... The U.S. Embassy in Kiev that coordinated Biden's work in the country repeatedly and publicly discussed the general prosecutor's case against Burisma; ..."
"... President Obama named Biden the administration's point man on Ukraine in February 2014 ..."
"... Remember Victoria Nuland's famous phone recording of "**** the EU?" This was nothing more than another CIA destabilization campaign carried out of another Sovereign Country. With the goal of breaking the Bush Senior & Jim Baker agreement of not surrounding Russia with NATO countries after their Collapse. ..."
"... Let's face it. If Ukrainians loved it's Country, Joey, Hunter and the Choco-**** would have wound up like Mikhail Lesin during an all night party in an upscale grotto in Kiev by now! ..."
"... At last some questions for this dirt ball-burisma is tied in with one of the most if not the most corrupt oligarch, Koloimiski. Biden is up to his eyeballs in some dodgy deals in china as well-this guy and his son are walking corruption personified. ..."
"... Didn't Hillary teach Joe that a tax free foundation is better than using your son's LLC for laundering the bribes... This is basic stuff. ..."
"... Joe "the Conqueror" "Caesar Magnus" Biden. Joe of Ukraine, the best bud of $oro$. ..."
Apr 02, 2019 | www.zerohedge.com
Originally from: Forget 'Creepy' - Biden Has A Major Ukraine Problem Joe Biden appears to have made a major tactical error last year when he bragged to an audience of foreign policy experts how he threatened to hurl Ukraine into bankruptcy if their top prosecutor, General Viktor Shokin, wasn't immediately fired, according to The Hill 's John Solomon.

In his own words, with video cameras rolling, Biden described how he threatened Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in March 2016 that the Obama administration would pull $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees , sending the former Soviet republic toward insolvency, if it didn't immediately fire Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. - The Hill

"I said, ' You're not getting the billion .' I'm going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: ' I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money, '" bragged Biden, recalling the conversation with Poroshenko.

" Well, son of a bitch, he got fired. And they put in place someone who was solid at the time," Biden said at the Council on Foreign Relations event - while insisting that former president Obama was complicit in the threat.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q0_AqpdwqK4?start=3128

Interviews with a half-dozen senior Ukrainian officials confirm Biden's account, though they claim the pressure was applied over several months in late 2015 and early 2016, not just six hours of one dramatic day . Whatever the case, Poroshenko and Ukraine's parliament obliged by ending Shokin's tenure as prosecutor. Shokin was facing steep criticism in Ukraine, and among some U.S. officials, for not bringing enough corruption prosecutions when he was fired. - The Hill

And why would Biden want the "son of a bitch" fired?

In what must be an amazing coincidence, the prosecutor was leading a wide-ranging corruption investigation into a natural gas firm - which Biden's son, Hunter, sat on the board of directors.

The prosecutor he got fired was leading a wide-ranging corruption probe into the natural gas firm Burisma Holdings that employed Biden's younger son, Hunter, as a board member.

U.S. banking records show Hunter Biden's American-based firm, Rosemont Seneca Partners LLC, received regular transfers into one of its accounts -- usually more than $166,000 a month -- from Burisma from spring 2014 through fall 2015, during a period when Vice President Biden was the main U.S. official dealing with Ukraine and its tense relations with Russia. - The Hill

The Hill 's Solomon reviewed the general prosecutor's file for the Burisma probe - which he reports shows Hunter Biden, his business partner Devon Archer and their firm, Rosemont Seneca, as potential recipients of money.

And before he was fired, Shokin says he had made "specific plans" for the investigation - including "interrogations and other crime-investigation procedures into all members of the executive board, including Hunter Biden." "I would like to emphasize the fact that presumption of innocence is a principle in Ukraine," added Shokin. Joe Biden "clearly had to know" about the probe before he insisted on Shokin's ouster . Via The Hill:

Although Biden made no mention of his son in his 2018 speech, U.S. and Ukrainian authorities both told me Biden and his office clearly had to know about the general prosecutor's probe of Burisma and his son's role. They noted that:

President Obama named Biden the administration's point man on Ukraine in February 2014 , after a popular revolution ousted Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych and as Moscow sent military forces into Ukraine's Crimea territory.

***

Key questions for 'ol Joe:

Was it appropriate for your son and his firm to cash in on Ukraine while you served as point man for Ukraine policy? What work was performed for the money Hunter Biden's firm received? Did you know about the Burisma probe? And when it was publicly announced that your son worked for Burisma, should you have recused yourself from leveraging a U.S. policy to pressure the prosecutor who very publicly pursued Burisma?

Read the rest of Solomon's report here .

Chupacabra-322 , 58 minutes ago link

Remember Victoria Nuland's famous phone recording of "**** the EU?" This was nothing more than another CIA destabilization campaign carried out of another Sovereign Country. With the goal of breaking the Bush Senior & Jim Baker agreement of not surrounding Russia with NATO countries after their Collapse.

Son of Captain Nemo , 1 hour ago link

Let's face it. If Ukrainians loved it's Country, Joey, Hunter and the Choco-**** would have wound up like Mikhail Lesin during an all night party in an upscale grotto in Kiev by now!

Amazing that all 3 of them are still alive and that "Song Bird" McCain (#4) was allowed to die from his brain cancer instead of joining them or being dismembered and put on display when he made these visit(s) ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbfsTcJCKDE ) along with General Vallely (#5)!!!

Taras Bulba , 1 hour ago

At last some questions for this dirt ball-burisma is tied in with one of the most if not the most corrupt oligarch, Koloimiski. Biden is up to his eyeballs in some dodgy deals in china as well-this guy and his son are walking corruption personified.

CarifonianSeven, 2 hours ago

Didn't Hillary teach Joe that a tax free foundation is better than using your son's LLC for laundering the bribes... This is basic stuff.

Pernicious Gold Phallusy, 1 hour ago

Joe cheated his way through undergrad and law school. He would be unable to understand any of that.

whittler, 1 hour ago

What? You mean folks will finally care about little Hunter hiring Azov neo-Nazi fighters (oops! security I mean) to protect his fracking site just north of the 'troubles' in the eastern Ukraine? I'm sure they were working for free and that no Biden money was ever used to payoff (oops again! I mean pay the wages of) a bunch of Nazis (dang it again, I mean neo-Nazis, it sounds so much warmer and fuzzier when you add 'neo').

Creepy Joe and all D's agree, 'Nazi' = bad, neo-Nazi = warm, fuzzy and good; heck, they even like to kill Russians Russians Russians!!!

Cracker 16 , 1 hour ago

Joe "the Conqueror" "Caesar Magnus" Biden. Joe of Ukraine, the best bud of $oro$.

[Mar 31, 2019] All I can see in Russigate is that two faction of the US elite seem to be fighting amongst themselves. With Russigate (IMO) providing cover for this power struggle

Notable quotes:
"... Russiagate became a convenient replacement explanation absolving an incompetent political establishment for its complicity in what happened in 2016, and not just the failure to see it coming. ..."
"... Because of the immediate arrival of the collusion theory, neither Wolf Blitzer nor any politician ever had to look into the camera and say, "I guess people hated us so much they were even willing to vote for Donald Trump ..."
Mar 31, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

psychohistorian , Mar 30, 2019 7:51:28 PM | link

Here is an insightful read on Trump's (s)election and Russiagate that I think is not OT

Taibbi: On Russiagate and Our Refusal to Face Why Trump Won

The take away quote

" Russiagate became a convenient replacement explanation absolving an incompetent political establishment for its complicity in what happened in 2016, and not just the failure to see it coming.

Because of the immediate arrival of the collusion theory, neither Wolf Blitzer nor any politician ever had to look into the camera and say, "I guess people hated us so much they were even willing to vote for Donald Trump ."

As a peedupon all I can see is that the elite seem to be fighting amongst themselves or (IMO) providing cover for ongoing elite power/control efforts. It might not be about private/public finance in a bigger picture but I can't see anything else that makes sense

Zachary Smith , Mar 30, 2019 10:07:37 PM | link
@ psychohistorian #43

Thanks for the Taibbi link. I hadn't seen it, and found him to be in good form. I do think he ought to have spoken more about how bad Trump's Primary opponents were.

Most of those reporters were going to slant their stories the way their bosses wanted. Their jobs are just too nice to do otherwise. Getting Trump as Hillary's opponent had to have been a goal for the majority of them. He was the patsy who would become squished roadkill in the treads of The Most Experienced Presidential Candidate In History. More on that for people with strong stomachs:

What Hillary Clinton's Fans Love About Her 11/03/2016

Sample:

Hillary Clinton is a knowledgeable, well-prepared, reasonable, experienced, even-tempered, hardworking candidate, while her opponent is a stubbornly uninformed demagogue who has been proven again and again to be a liar on matters big and small. There is no objective basis on which to equate Hillary Clinton to her opponent.
The author had it half right. Turns out the voters knew quite a bit about Trump, and still preferred him to the Butcher of Libya.

[Mar 31, 2019] Mafiocracy Eudaimonia and Co

Mar 31, 2019 | eand.co

"I don't know why you don't listen. You're making me hurt you. I'm doing it for your own good!  --  but it's your fault!"

Does that sound eerily familiar to you? When I look at America and Britain, I see the rise of what I'll simply call mafia politics. It sums up Trumpism and Brexit in a nutshell: abuse gone mega-scale, the search absolute power through the threat of violent aggression, legitimized as "democratic"  --  but bullying, threats, intimidation, harassment, and extortion are not democracy, my friends. What are they? Mafia-ocracy.

Democracy is degenerating into mafia-ocracy, and mafia-ocracy goes something like this.

What the? Do you see the bizarre contradictory logic? The pattern? I see it every single day now, in Anglo politics. You're quite right if it reminds you of abusive relationships  --  it is one, at a social scale. If the sudden proliferation of angry, bellowing men in ill-fitting suits, sneering and jeering with dull, brutish expressions, isn't evidence enough, first let me give you a few concrete examples.

Brexiters  --  the politicians  --  explicitly invoke this chain of logic. They warn of all kinds of things if their wish isn't carried through  --  everything from mass civil unrest to riots to all out war. Riots? War? Really? Brexiters  --  the individuals  --  explicitly say: "I'll never vote again!", as if to reinforce the threat, that they'll resort to cruder means of carrying out their wishes. Or maybe you read, as I read, recently, that chants of "AOC sucks!" broke out at a recent rally  --  adding to the usual "Lock her up!" Do I really need to explain how those exemplify the logic above?

The logic above, my friends, has no place in a democracy. You see, a democracy is not a place for any of the above. When the line is crossed, we're not really practicing democracy anymore. What are we practicing?

Mafia-ocracy.

All the above is the logic every mafia from the beginning of time has used to extort, shake down, bully, harass, and destabilize. "Sure be a shame if something happened to that nice democracy you got there. Who knows what might end up happening? It'd be your fault, though."

Do you see what's happening here? Here's what that logic isn't. Policy. Vision. Ideas. An agenda. A plan to deal with real problems. Laws to expand freedom, justice, and equality. The line above  --  the essence of mafia-ocracy  --  is outside the bounds of democracy.

Democracies were centered around "parliaments" for a very good reason. "Parliament" literally means "talking it out." But we are not talking our issues out if you are threatening me. If you are trying to intimidate me. If you are victim blaming me for the implied violence you will do me.

We are "talking it out" in democracies when we discuss issues of substance. Issues of, as Americans say, "policy." What is "policy"? Have you ever thought about it? "Policy" is just something like: 'laws we hope to make to solve very real problems in our society." Policy is not: "ways I will intimidate and punish you for failing to obey me." If that is what policy is, we are not in a democracy anymore, my friends.

Where are we? We are in a twilight zone between authoritarianism, fascism, and false democracy, democracy used as a weapon. That is why I call it mafia-ocracy. It is the institutions of democracy used for anti-democratic purposes, to destroy and shatter democracy.

You can use a "parliament", a place to "talk it out", to issue threats and intimate and bully. Just as you can use a local street to intimidate and extort shop-owners. But just as that mafias stalking shop owners is not legitimate commerce, but only harassment, so too, threats and intimidation in parliaments or other democratic fora (like town halls or rallies and so on) are not democracy. Do you see the parallel I am drawing?

Mafia-ocracy uses the institutions of democracy as weapons. Its intent is to destroy the very essentials of true democracy. There are three. Freedom, equality, and justice. But when the Brexiter or Trumpist says, "Hey, there might be riots, upheaval, a civil war  --  and it's your fault. Why don't you just give in?", those three things are being undermined.

There is less equality, every time that one group in society uses threats and intimidation to overpower others. There is less freedom, every time one group in society threatens another with violence or harm to get their way. And there is less justice when these things happen, of course, too  --  in enduring ways.

In that way, mafia-ocracy is a strange thing, a new thing. It isn't quite classical authoritarianism or fascism  --  it's democracy weaponized. It's using the basic institutions of democracy, Congresses, the idea of "parliament", town halls, courts, and so forth, to tear democracies apart, as weapons for one group to overpower all the others, with threats, intimidation, bullying, and harassment.

Hence, it's supporters can call it "democracy"  --  and usually do. Nobody has taught them that a democracy has red lines  --  within them lie issues of substance, policy, and outside them lie the threat, the wish to harm, the intimidation, the intent to do real injury. Nobody seems to have taught the true believers of mafia-ocracy that trying to extort and shake down their neighbors and colleagues isn't democracy  --  but it's undoing.

And why would anyone be surprised by that? The forces that rule our world  --  capitalism, neoliberalism, supremacy  --  all these say: the strong survive, and the weak perish, and that's fair, right, and just. Everyone for themselves. You're predator or prey, burden or "self-reliant" indvidual", somebody  --  or nobody. It's not a surprise, given this binary logic that much of the world is turning to Mafia-ocracy. They're only really doing what capitalism, neoliberalism, and supremacy have taught them is perfectly acceptable, legitimate, even morally right: the shakedown, the threat, bullying, extorting.

Hence, the striking parallels of Brexit and Trumpism. Both are movements where the idea that we should bully, intimidate, threaten, and shake down our neighbours  --  both inside and outside our societies  --  is the right, best, necessary, and only thing to do. If we cannot do it  --  we might be the weak ones, and they might be the strong ones. We might be the prey, and they might be the predators.

Hence, democracy used as a weapon, as a hammer  --  one that destroys freedom, justice, and equality, not to mention trust, decency, and humanity, in the aggressive search for the power to abuse, demean, dehumanize, and devalue.

Because, my friends, when we threaten, intimidate, and vilify, that is what we are really doing: we are saying that you are not really as human as I am. Therefore, I deserve to have more power than you. That is the only logic whereby one can conclude: "you made me do it! It's your fault I hurt you!"

"It's your fault I hurt you!" Is also, of course, the logic of the abuser. Abusers believe they are more than perfectly justified  --  it's something like their moral duty to abuse their victims. "It's your fault I hurt you!" also means "you're better off being being hurt!" This rule out the possibility of a genuine relationship of equals, seeking greaterfreedom, granting each other justice  --  which is what democracy really is. Just as a democratic relationship is not an abusive one, so too an abusive society is not a democratic one  --  no matter how much the abusers cry that it is.

Again, it's not a surprise that the dynamics of abuse have gone mega-scale, have come to conquer even our political systems, have corroded our democracies. That's because, again, capitalism, neoliberalism, and supremacy all justify abuse  --  treat it as a duty. Not paying your workers as little as possible? Letting them have bathroom breaks? You're violating your duty to shareholders! Abuse is hardwired into capitalism because the division into people who "own" things and people who don't of course creates power imbalances that cannot yield freedom, equality, or justice, only abuse. It's not a surprise, then, that the abused have become abusive. It is all they have ever known  --  the quest for the power to abuse, when they were not being abused themselves. Can anyone teach there is a different world?

Mafia-ocracy is democracy being used as a weapon, abusive relationships going mega-scale, threats, intimidation, extortion, regarded as legitimate forms of democratic discourse, "It's your fault I hurt you! You made me do it!!" What it isn't is democracy.

Democracy is a lever, not a hammer. When democracy is used as a hammer, it is not democracy at all. The lever lifts. Democracy is greater freedom, justice, equality, by "talking it out", parlez, parley. If we are at the point that me telling you: "You are going to make me hurt you, for your own good, and it will be all your fault!", then, my friends, we are not upholding the great tradition and enacting the sacred and noble idea of democracy. We are becoming little versions of the mafias who have abused us all our lives long  --  even if we have been taught to call them "elites."

Umair
March 2019

[Mar 25, 2019] Jared Kushner And Donald Trump To Partner For The First Time In A New Jersey Development - Jewish Business NewsJewish Business

Mar 25, 2019 | jewishbusinessnews.com

The thirty three year old member of the Kushner real estate family, Jared Kushner , is married to Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump's daughter. His Kushner Companies and Donald Trump's Trump Organization have announced plans for a joint venture to build a 447 unit rental apartment building in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The new development is located next to Trump Plaza Residences at 88 Morgan Street, a 55-story condominium completed six years ago. It will be called Trump Bay Street and is expected to cost $193.5 million.

The two companies will be joined by the KABR Group of New Jersey.

The site went through a series of owners during the recession before being purchased by the Kushner and KABR partnership. Kushner chose to use the Trump name due to the success of the neighboring Trump Plaza. They bought the debt on the property for $6 million in 2011. It was valued at $35 million at the time.

Kushner-KABR will be putting up $38.5 million of its own equity for the project, according to reports. Another $90 million will be acquired through a construction loan and another $65 million will come from a mezzanine loan tied to a Federal visa program. This was reported in the Wall Street Journal.

The Journal says that the details of Trump Organization's involvement in the development have not yet been made public. Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal, ""Jared is a very talented young man. It is going to be a great project."

[Mar 25, 2019] Senators, Please Ask Jared Kushner About 666 Fifth Avenue by Timothy L. O'Brien

Mar 01, 2029 | www.bloomberg.com

Senators, Please Ask Jared Kushner About 666 Fifth Avenue A Chinese financier has pulled out of a bailout for Trump's son-in-law. Now let's talk about his meetings with a Russian bank.

In a happy moment in the otherwise cloudy world of the Trump family and the flood of financial conflicts they've carted into Washington, a major Chinese investor has decided not to pour billions of dollars into a Manhattan skyscraper owned by the Jared Kushner clan.

Had this deal gone forward -- the effect would have been to bail Kushner out of a huge, misbegotten investment while letting his family take home at least $400 million and retain a minority ownership stake in the building -- it would have compromised President Donald Trump's diplomacy with China.

The background: Anbang, an insurer and prolific deal-maker close to China's government, had considered investing $4 billion in 666 Fifth Avenue. Kushner had overpaid for the building in 2007, when he bought it with the help of bank loans for $1.8 billion. The financial crisis ensued, occupancy rates plummeted and Kushner had to be rescued by outside investors to keep the troubled building afloat. Anbang's investment would have valued the building at a handsome $2.85 billion, and also refinanced about $1.15 billion in debt.

The possibility of a transaction brought scrutiny from two Bloomberg news reporters, Caleb Melby and David Kocieniewski, as well as from Congress and the New York Times . I discussed it in a column here two weeks ago. And for good reason: Kushner is a senior White House adviser who has Trump's ear on foreign policy. The math of Trump's 36-year-old son-in-law being saved from a reckless investment by China presented all sorts of conflicts of interest and the potential for disastrous policy moves by the White House.

So Anbang is now gone and all has been made right? Well, no.

Kushner's family still owns a building that needs a financial lifeline, so 666 Fifth Avenue presents something that Congress may want to examine more closely when Jared Kushner meets with the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of an inquiry into possible collusion between Trump's campaign team and Russia during the 2016 presidential election.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also investigating the Trump-Russia connection, its director, James Comey, confirmed during a congressional hearing last week. There has been no suggestion that Kushner is part of the FBI probe, but the Senate's decision to question him makes him, as the Times pointed out when it broke the story of Kushner's upcoming testimony, "the closest person to the president to be called upon in any of the investigations, and the only one currently serving in the White House."

Kushner's meetings with Russian bankers during the presidential transition last fall and winter apparently help explain why the Senate is interested in speaking with him.

The timeline matters. Kushner began talking with Chinese investors about 666 Fifth Avenue last summer, around the time that Trump locked up the Republican nomination. Then he spearheaded more serious talks that took place in New York about a week after his father-in-law was elected in November.

According to the Times, Kushner met with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, in early December as part of what appeared to be normal presidential transition meetings. A second Kislyak meeting with a Kushner deputy followed in December, as well as another, brokered by Kislyak, between Kushner and the head of a Russian bank, Vnesheconombank. The U.S. had imposed financial sanctions on that bank because of Russian President Vladimir Putin's military incursions in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.

Vnesheconombank has close ties to the Kremlin and its chief executive, Sergey Gorkov, attended a training academy for members of Russia's security and intelligence services.

A Trump spokeswoman described Kushner's meetings with the Russians as routine, which they may have been given his role at the time as Trump's liaison to foreign powers.

But given how important 666 Fifth Avenue was for Kushner at the time, it's also possible that he saw the Russians as potential investors alongside the Chinese. Or as financial backups should the Chinese walk away from a deal.

The Times, citing a government source, said that the Senate plans to ask Kushner if financial help for 666 Fifth was part of his chats with Gorkov and Vnesheconombank.

Kushner's responses to questions about Russian and Chinese financing for his family's building may clarify what inspired him to negotiate so diligently with foreign lenders at a time when he surely understood the negotiating value of having his father-in-law on the cusp of assuming power in the White House.

His appearance in the Senate will also offer a chance to quiz him about the intersection of personal financial dealings and public policymaking. That's an issue that remains troubling because Kushner, and his wife Ivanka Trump, and the president himself, have avoided adequately separating themselves from their private business interests even as they wield power.

[Mar 25, 2019] Kushner Companies and Michael Cohen accused of falsifying documents to push out tenants by Charles V Bagli

Aug 28, 2018

Family real estate company fined $210,000 for filing fake construction permits by New York City regulators as tenants rights watchdog says former Trump lawyer engaged in same practice. Earlier this week, the city's Department of Buildings fined Kushner Companies a total of $210,000 (£163,00) for 42 instances in which it says the company falsified construction permits at 17 residential buildings, where many of the tenants were protected by rent regulations from steep rent increases and eviction.

Cohen may not be the only one involved in campaign finance violations. A spokeswoman for Kushner Companies said that the violations were "paperwork errors". The company can contest the citations before an administrative judge.

"In no case did the company act in disregard of the safety of our tenants," said Christine Taylor.

Tenant activists also issued a report based on city and state records that suggested that an investment group led by Mr Cohen had also falsified construction permits by claiming that three buildings in Manhattan were vacant or without rent-regulated tenants, when they were occupied and many tenants had rental protections.

Landlords are required in New York City to disclose whether tenants in their buildings are rent regulated to obtain a construction permit. This requirement is designed to safeguard rent-regulated tenants from harassment.

Unscrupulous landlords sometimes push out rent-protected tenants so they can sharply increase rents on those units.

[Mar 25, 2019] Deal Gives Kushners Cash Infusion on 666 Fifth Avenue

Mar 25, 2019 | www.nytimes.com

In a deal that eases the financial pressure on the Kushner Companies, Brookfield Asset Management said on Friday that it had taken a 99-year lease on 666 Fifth Avenue, the troubled Midtown tower owned by the family of Donald Trump's son-in-law.

Jared Kushner, now a top White House adviser, paid a record-setting $1.8 billion for the building in 2007, and it has been a drag on his family's real estate company ever since.

The deal, in which Brookfield paid the rent for the entire 99-year term upfront, helps remove the family's biggest financial headache: a $1.4 billion mortgage on the office portion of the tower that was due in February next year. The Kushners have spent more than two years on an international search for new partners or fresh financing that stretched from the Middle East to China.

The deal would enable the Kushners to pay off at least a large portion of what they owe lenders and retain ownership of the land beneath the tower. But they may not make any money from it.

While the deal relieves some of the Kushners' troubles, difficulties persist across their real estate empire, at least in part because of their connection to the White House. "If you do business with the Kushners, there's a headline reality," said Kenneth Pasternak, executive chairman of the real-estate firm KABR Group and an investing partner of the Kushner family in multiple developments. "I don't want to say it's a headline risk," he added. "There's a headline reality."

In the 666 Fifth Avenue deal, Brookfield paid about $1.1 billion in upfront rent, according to an executive who requested anonymity because he had been briefed on the deal but was not authorized to discuss it. Charles Kushner, Jared's father, who now runs the company, in turn, negotiated with his lenders to pay less than the company owed to satisfy the debts, the executive said.

Analysts have long said that 666 Fifth was worth less than its debts. The building was 30 percent vacant and only generated about half the annual mortgage payments. In recent months, the building's largest remaining tenant, Millennium Management, signaled that it too planned to leave.

A spokeswoman for Kushner Companies declined to comment on the Brookfield deal.

The purchase of the aluminum-clad tower was intended to vault the Kushners into the top ranks of New York real estate from their perch in New Jersey, where they were known for a huge portfolio of garden apartment complexes. They moved their company headquarters to 666 Fifth, from where they presided over a new and rapidly expanding empire that included former industrial buildings in Brooklyn, apartments in Maryland and development sites in Jersey City, N.J.

But they ran into trouble almost immediately. They were unable to get the office rents they expected in 2007, making it difficult to pay the initial $1.75 billion debt on the building. Then the recession hit.

[Mar 24, 2019] The tale of 666 Fifth Avenue: If your last name is Kushner id does not matter if you have money to pay for you real estate loan or not -- missing payments never result in foreclosure

Mar 24, 2019 | www.amazon.com

Susan TOP 1000 REVIEWER

The Diabolical Duo: the Sins of the Fathers March 22, 2019

As a political wonk and news junkie, I was not surprised by KUSHNER, INC., but Vicky Ward's well-sourced book is nonetheless a fascinating and maddening read. If this were a work of fiction, I would deem it unbelievable: a grade B story of political intrigue. How can this be happening, unchecked, before my eyes? How serendipitous that the book's release coincided almost exactly with news that Congressman Elijah Cummings requested details of the Kushner Kouple's use of private email and WhatsApp. And as I sit in anticipation of what I might soon learn from Robert Mueller. And as I hope for additional criminal indictments.

I assume that the majority of Vicky Ward's audience is comprised of anti-Trumpers who will be further inflamed by the chutzpah of Javanka. The tale of 666 Fifth Avenue in itself should infuriate everyone who has a mortgage: after a few missed payments, the lender stands at the front door with a foreclosure notice. On the other hand, no penalties are incurred on a $1.2 billion loan, AND a bank will lend more money if your last name is Kushner, no matter that one of the principles has been convicted of financial crimes related to real estate deals.

My takeaway from KUSHNER, INC.: not only are the Kushners sleazy, greedy, and imperious (and more than a little creepy), but they are dangerous. Jared, in particular, will go to any length to find money, even if it means secretly negotiating with actors like Qatar, while he sits in the West Wing. The amount of money the Kushner Kouple continues to make while working for the taxpayers is staggering. They follow no rules. The irony of their use of private email and WhatsApp is not lost on me, but rather than LOCK THEM UP, their defenders see nothing amiss about their chitchat with the despotic MBS and others.

Vicky Ward does nothing in her book to assuage my distrust of the Kushners and my disgust that nothing has been done to stop them. I have no doubt that any pro-Trumper who reads KUSHNER, INC. will deem the book to be a hit job, but based on Vicky Ward's sourcing (how big a role does Steve Bannon play, as he does in Michael Wolff's FIRE AND FURY?) and news reports from reputable media, I find her account to be credible. Is it any wonder that the offspring of two corrupt real estate moguls not only found one another and married, but also followed in their fathers' footsteps?

[Mar 24, 2019] Kushner Companies offloads troubled 666 Fifth Avenue flagship

Aug 03, 2018 | money.cnn.com

The Kushner Companies has finally struck a deal to get the building that was supposed to be the centerpiece of its portfolio, but instead had weighed it down for years, off its hands.

Brookfield Properties announced Friday afternoon that it has acquired a 100% leasehold interest in the building, a 1.5 million square foot property at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, for 99 years through one of its funds. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Brookfield, which has major real estate holdings around the world, said it's planning a significant redevelopment of the building.

The Kushners bought the Fifth Avenue skyscraper in 2007 for a then-record $1.8 billion. It was supposed to have been the crown jewel of their real estate empire, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and a senior White House adviser, played a prominent role in the deal.

But the property didn't bring in as much revenue as expected, making it difficult to repay loans on the building.

The building carries $1.4 billion in debt, the bulk of which comes due in February 2019.

Jared Kushner divested his equity interest in the building when he took his current role at the White House.

Kushner Companies and Brookfield declined to comment.

Special counsel interest

CNN previously reported in February that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigators were looking into Kushner's efforts to shore up financing for 666 Fifth Avenue during the presidential transition, according to people familiar with the special counsel investigation.

One line of questioning from Mueller's team involved discussions Kushner had with Chinese investors, according to the sources familiar with the inquiry.

A week after Trump's election, Kushner met with the chairman and other executives of Anbang Insurance, the Chinese conglomerate that bought the Waldorf Astoria in 2014, according to The New York Times.

Kushner divests from his most expensive NYC property

At the time, Kushner and Anbang's chairman, Wu Xiaohui, were close to finishing a deal for the Chinese insurer to invest in 666 Fifth Avenue. Talks between the two companies collapsed a few months later, according to the Times.

Mueller's team also asked about Kushner's dealings with a Qatari investor regarding the same property, according to one of the sources. Kushner and his company were negotiating for financing from a prominent Qatari investor, former prime minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, according to The Intercept. But as with Anbang, these efforts stalled.

In February, Kushner attorney Abbe Lowell said in a statement, "Another anonymous source with questionable motives now contradicts the facts -- in all of Mr. Kushner's extensive cooperation with all inquiries, there has not been a single question asked nor document sought on the 666 building or Kushner Co. deals. Nor would there be any reason to question these regular business transactions."

Troubled property

The 666 Fifth Avenue purchase in 2007 was supposed to be a big break for Kushner Companies, which has roots buying middle-income housing in the tri-state area.

But it came under financial pressure during the housing crisis.

In 2011, Vornado Realty Trust stepped in with financing, taking on a 49.5% stake in the building. Vornado agreed to sell its stake back to Kushner Companies in June.

Charles Kushner, Jared's father, told CNN in April that his son expressed reservations about buying the office tower.

"I pushed Jared to do the deal," Charles said.

In the interview, the elder Kushner called the decision to purchase the property "bad timing and bad judgment."

[Mar 24, 2019] Jared Kushner's family's real estate company 'subpoenaed over investment-for-visas programme' by Samuel Osborne

They are going after Kushners, aren't they ?
Aug 03, 2017 | independent.co.uk

New York federal prosecutors have reportedly subpoenaed Kushner Companies, the New York real estate business owned by the family of Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.

The subpoenea concerns the company's use of the controversial EB-5 visa programme to finance its development in New Jersey called One Journal Square, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The EB-5 programme allows wealthy foreign investors to effectively buy US immigration visas for themselves and their families by investing at least $500,000 (£378,000) in US development projects.

[Mar 24, 2019] Qatar admits it unwittingly helped bail out Jared Kushner's skyscraper The Independent

Notable quotes:
"... The Qatari wealth fund was not involved in the 666 Fifth Avenue deal, a source close to Brookfield Asset Management told Reuters . There was no requirement for Brookfield to inform the QIA beforehand. ..."
Feb 12, 2019 | independent.co.uk

Fifth Avenue building cost $1.8 billion

Mr Kushner was chief executive of Kushner Companies when it acquired 666 Fifth Avenue in 2007. ( Getty )
When news emerged that Qatar may have unwittingly helped bail out a New York skyscraper owned by the family of Jared Kushner , Donald Donald Trump 's son-in-law, eyebrows were raised in Doha .

Mr Kushner, a senior White House adviser, was a close ally of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - a key architect of a regional boycott against Qatar, which Riyadh accuses of sponsoring terrorism. Doha denies the charge.

Brookfield, a global property investor in which the Qatari government has placed investments, struck a deal last year that rescued the Kushner Companies ' 666 Fifth Avenue tower in Manhattan from financial straits.

The bailout, in which Doha played no part and first learned about in the media, has prompted a rethink of how the gas-rich kingdom invests money abroad via its giant sovereign wealth fund, two sources with knowledge of the matter told the Reuters news agency.

The country has decided that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) will aim to avoid putting money in funds or other investment vehicles it does not have full control over, according to the sources, who are familiar with the QIA's strategy.

"Qatar started looking into how its name got involved into the deal and found out it was because of a fund it co-owned," said one of the sources. "So QIA ultimately triggered a strategy revamp."

The QIA declined to comment.

Canada's Brookfield Asset Management Inc bailed out 666 Fifth Avenue via its real estate unit Brookfield Property Partners , in which the QIA acquired a 9 per cent stake five years ago. Both parent and unit declined to comment.

The QIA's strategic shift was made late last year, according to the sources. It offers a rare insight into the thinking of one of the world's most secretive sovereign wealth funds.

The revamp could have significant implications for the global investment scene because the QIA is one of the world's largest state investors, with more than $320bn (£248bn) under management.

The wealth fund has poured money into the West over the past decade, including rescuing British and Swiss banks during the 2008 financial crisis and investing in landmarks like New York's Plaza Hotel and the Savoy Hotel and Harrods store in London.

Qatari boycott

Mr Kushner was chief executive of Kushner Companies when it acquired 666 Fifth Avenue in 2007 for $1.8bn, a record at the time for a Manhattan office building. It has been a drag on his family's real estate company ever since. The debt-laden skyscraper was bailed out by Brookfield last August, when it took a 99-year lease on the property, paying the rent for 99 years upfront. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The QIA bought a 9 per cent stake in Brookfield Property Partners, which is known as BPY and is listed in Toronto and New York, for $1.8bn in 2014.

BPY has about $87bn in assets, part of more than $330bn managed by its parent Brookfield. The stake purchase by QIA was in line with its strategy to boost investments in prime US property. The investment gave QIA no seat on the board of BPY.

The Qatari wealth fund was not involved in the 666 Fifth Avenue deal, a source close to Brookfield Asset Management told Reuters . There was no requirement for Brookfield to inform the QIA beforehand.

[Mar 24, 2019] Brookfield, the fund saving Kushner, is linked to both Qatar and UAE by Jed Shugerman

May 21, 2018 | shugerblog.com
The news broke this Saturday afternoon that Donald Trump, Jr. had met George Nader, an emissary from Saudi Arabia and UAE , along with Erik Prince, Stephen Miller, and Joel Zamel, an Israeli social media expert on Aug. 3, 2016 in Trump Tower:

During the Trump Tower meeting, the Times said, George Nader, the emissary for the two crown princes, indicated that leaders in Saudi Arabia and the UAE wished to help Trump. Nader, the Times said, is now cooperating with Mueller It is not known if anything came of the alleged offer for assistance. The Times stated that Trump Jr responded "approvingly".

This report raises many enormous questions. But it also connects back to another explosive story last week: Brookfield, an enormous fund linked to Qatar, was negotiating to buy Kushner's disastrous $1.8 billion investment in 666 5th Ave. I've written a blogpost and a Google Doc timeline connecting Qatar as the possible intermediary between the Russia-Trump quid pro quo deal of lifting sanctions in return for Rosneft sale commissions. I've also written about Kushner's terrible real estate investment , and how he allegedly escalated a Gulf crisis against Qatar, which coincidentally was followed by a Qatar-linked loan of $184 million. The Brookfield deal could save Kushner from an upcoming balloon payment that his family cannot afford, which could mean financial ruin. I addressed the Qatar links in the Brookfield deal in detail at p. 11-12 of my time line here, with public sourcing. Qatar is the largest outside investor in BPY, even though that's only 9%, and I cite Wendy Siegelman's research showing how Qatar is often a lead manager in some major Brookfield projects in New York and London. We need to see the details of the deal.

And it turns out that Brookfield is also linked to the United Arab Emirates.

  1. Brookfield Property Partners (BPY) is the unit of Brookfield Assets Management that is negotiating the deal. Its annual report shows that BPY has eight directors, one of which is Soon Young Chang. See p. 109: "Dr. Chang is a member of the board of directors of Dubai World . Dr. Chang serves as Senior Advisor to the Investment Corporation of Dubai, providing strategic counsel and lending his global perspective to the investment arm of the Dubai Government. Dr. Chang is the founder and chairman of Midas International Asset Management Company, an international asset management fund which manages over $5 billion. He is also a founding partner of Sentinel Advisor, a New York-based arbitrage fund."
  2. Chang is a director of Dubai World , the investment company for the Government of Dubai, one of the two most powerful emirates in the UAE. Wikipedia summarizes: "As a subsidiary of Dubai Inc. , it is the emirate's flag bearer in global investments and has a central role in the direction of Dubai's economy. Assets include DP World , which caused considerable controversy when trying to take over six US ports " It is chaired by Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum , the youngest son of Dubai's former ruler Saeed bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum, the half-brother of Dubai's former ruler Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum , and the uncle of Dubai's ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum .
  3. Chang advises the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the state-owned holding company, a sovereign wealth fund owned by the government. Its chair is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, "the ruler of Dubai," and the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE . He offers some interesting remarks about the 2016 election addressing conspiracy theories here ."Yes, I believe in some conspiracy theories Even during the US elections there was talk about conspiracies, but if a country says we are victims of a conspiracy and then stops working, this is a mistake. Here in the UAE we have faced conspiracies, media campaigns, economic wars. But we never stopped, it only made us more determined."
  4. Brookfield (BPY) lists (at p. F-60) one of its most significant developments as ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai, UAE ($163 million).
  5. Brookfield Asset Management's annual report states: "We currently have approximately 6 million square feet of active development projects, including properties in New York, London and Dubai." Again, BAM highlights Dubai. One of their eight corporate offices is in Dubai.

There was excellent coverage of the Saudi Arabia/UAE meeting over the weekend. I highly recommend Chris Hayes's interview of Middle East expert Dexter Filkins here . Filkins explains the axis of conflict in the Middle East of Saudi/UAE/Egypt (plus Israel) vs. Iran/Syria/Lebanon, with Qatar getting caught in between. One might wonder if UAE and Qatar are at odds, why would they both be involved in the same deal to help Kushner? If UAE had made an arrangement with the Trump campaign, Qatar had even more incentive to be helpful and not get frozen out. The Saudi/UAE blockade of April 2017 show the risks of not being in with the Trump administration. (Filkins puzzles at how Kushner knew all about this blockade before it happened, while Tillerson and Mattis were in the dark ) It is conceivable that Qatar was either cooperating with UAE or competing with UAE in assisting the Trump campaign. The Brookfield negotiations might reflect Qatar's response to the blockade "stick" by offering cooperating now with UAE in return for a carrot.

Another innocent explanation is that both Qatar and UAE have so much cash, and they are often in the middle of massive energy and real estate deals around the world. It may actually be a coincidence that Qatar and UAE keep showing up in these events. But the number of coincidences are remarkable, and it is a problem that anyone has a reasonable doubt that the Trump administration is compromised by massive debts, foreign bailouts, and rampant conflicts of interest.

I am speculating from public reports and connecting dots. Nader is reportedly cooperating with Mueller, but so far we see no smoking gun. I don't have any conclusions here, just three observations and three questions: It is clear that Soon Young Chang has significant relations with UAE's upper-most leadership. It is clear that Brookfield has a significant relationship with UAE. And it is now reported that UAE sent an emissary to the Trump campaign to discuss assisting it. What does Soon Young Chang know? And when did he know it? What does George Nader know? And when did he know it? What does Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum know? And when did he know it? Brookfield's annual report states under "conflicts of interest": "While Brookfield acts in good faith to resolve all potential conflicts in a manner that is fair and balanced taking into account the facts and circumstances known to it at the time, there can be no assurance that any determination made by Brookfield will be most beneficial to us, favorable to us or would not have been different if additional information were available to it." I'd like to hear Brookfield address this massive conflict of interest, from the UAE and Soon Young Chang, to Qatar, and to Kushner. Maybe their investors would like an explanation, too.

[Mar 24, 2019] The Curse of 666 Fifth Avenue, the Skyscraper That Could Sink the Kushners

Mar 24, 2019 | www.thedailybeast.com

According to a report by NBC News , special counsel Robert Mueller's investigators are looking at multiple efforts made by Kushner to obtain financing for the project from the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar, but they were rejected. Later Qatar's neighbors in the Persian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, began a blockade against Qatar, alleging that the state was a supporter of terrorism. As a Trump adviser on Middle East policy, Kushner, with close ties to Saudi Arabia, was a party to launching this blockade. This and other attempts to get financing for 666 Fifth from Russia, China, and Turkey have drawn the investigators to scrutinize what seem to be Kushner's serious conflicts of interest.

[Mar 20, 2019] The sex slave scandal that exposed pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein by Maureen Callahan

Notable quotes:
"... Another house manager, Alfredo Rodriguez, told Recarey that very young girls were giving Epstein massages at least twice a day, and in one instance, Epstein had Rodriguez deliver one dozen roses to Mary, at her high school. ..."
"... Palm Beach prosecutors said the evidence was weak, and after presenting the case to a grand jury, Epstein was charged with only one count of felony solicitation of prostitution. In 2008, he pleaded guilty and nominally served 13 months of an 18-month sentence in a county jail: Epstein spent one day a week there, the other six out on "work release." ..."
"... Today, Jeffrey Epstein is a free man, albeit one who routinely settles civil lawsuits against him, brought by young women, out of court. As of 2015, Epstein had settled multiple such cases. ..."
Oct 09, 2016 | nypost.com
Judge gives deadline for arguments relating to unsealing Jeffrey Epstein documents Documents related to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein may be unsealed Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's deal with feds was illegal: judge Northam has only himself to blame

In 2005, the world was introduced to reclusive billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, friend to princes and an American president, a power broker with the darkest of secrets: He was also a pedophile, accused of recruiting dozens of underage girls into a sex-slave network, buying their silence and moving along, although he has been convicted of only one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor. Visitors to his private Caribbean island, known as "Orgy Island," have included Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew and Stephen Hawking.

According to a 2011 court filing by alleged Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre, she saw Clinton and Prince Andrew on the island but never saw the former president do anything improper. Giuffre has accused Prince Andrew of having sex with her when she was a minor, a charge Buckingham Palace denies.

"Epstein lives less than one mile away from me in Palm Beach," author James Patterson tells The Post. In the 11 years since Epstein was investigated and charged by the Palm Beach police department, ultimately copping a plea and serving 13 months on one charge of soliciting prostitution from a 14-year-old girl, Patterson has remained obsessed with the case.

"He's a fascinating character to read about," Patterson says. "What is he thinking? Who is he?"

Patterson's new book, "Filthy Rich: A Powerful Billionaire, the Sex Scandal That Undid Him, and All the Justice That Money Can Buy," is an attempt to answer such questions. Co-authored with John Connolly and Tim Malloy, the book contains detailed police interviews with girls who alleged sexual abuse by Epstein and others in his circle. Giuffre alleged that Epstein's ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of the late media tycoon Robert Maxwell, abused her. Ghislaine Maxwell has denied allegations of enabling abuse.

Epstein has spent the bulk of his adult life cultivating relationships with the world's most powerful men. Flight logs show that from 2001 to 2003, Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's private plane, dubbed "The Lolita Express" by the press, 26 times. After Epstein's arrest in July 2006, federal tax records show Epstein donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation that year.

Bill Clinton in 1994. AP

Epstein was also a regular visitor to Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago, and the two were friends. According to the Daily Mail, Trump was a frequent dinner guest at Epstein's home, which was often full of barely dressed models. In 2003, New York magazine reported that Trump also attended a dinner party at Epstein's honoring Bill Clinton.

Last year, The Guardian reported that Epstein's "little black book" contained contact numbers for A-listers including Tony Blair, Naomi Campbell, Dustin Hoffman, Michael Bloomberg and Richard Branson.

In a 2006 court filing, Palm Beach police noted that a search of Epstein's home uncovered two hidden cameras. The Mirror reported that in 2015, a 6-year-old civil lawsuit filed by "Jane Doe No. 3," believed to be the now-married Giuffre, alleged that Epstein wired his mansion with hidden cameras, secretly recording orgies involving his prominent friends and underage girls. The ultimate purpose: blackmail, according to court papers.

Britain's Prince Andrew in 2012 AP

"Jane Doe No. 3" also alleged that she had been forced to have sex with "numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, a well-known prime minister, and other world leaders."

"We uncovered a lot of details about the police investigation and a lot about the girls, what happened to them, the effect on their lives," Patterson says.

"The reader has to ask: Was justice done here or not?"

Epstein, now 63, has always been something of an international man of mystery. Born in Brooklyn, he had a middle-class upbringing: His father worked for the Parks Department, and his parents stressed hard work and education.

'We uncovered a lot of details about the police investigation and a lot about the girls, what happened to them, the effect on their lives.'

- James Patterson

Epstein was brilliant, skipping two grades and graduating Lafayette High School in 1969. He attended Cooper Union but dropped out in 1971 and by 1973 was teaching calculus and physics at Dalton, where he tutored the son of a Bear Stearns exec. Soon, Epstein applied his facility with numbers on Wall Street but left Bear Stearns under a cloud in 1981. He formed his own business, J. Epstein & Co.

The bar for entry at the new firm was high. According to a 2002 profile in New York magazine, Epstein only took on clients who turned over $1 billion, at minimum, for him to manage. Clients also had to pay a flat fee and sign power of attorney over to Epstein, allowing him to do whatever he saw fit with their money.

Still, no one knew exactly what Epstein did, or how he was able to amass a personal billion-dollar-plus fortune. In addition to a block-long, nine-story mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Epstein owns the $6.8 million mansion in Palm Beach, an $18 million property in New Mexico, the 70-acre private Caribbean island, a helicopter, a Gulfstream IV and a Boeing 727.

"My belief is that Jeff maintains some sort of money-management firm, though you won't get a straight answer from him," one high-level investor told New York magazine. "He once told me he had 300 people working for him, and I've also heard that he manages Rockefeller money. But one never knows. It's like looking at the Wizard of Oz -- there may be less there than meets the eye."

Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach home Splash News

"He's very enigmatic," Rosa Monckton told Vanity Fair in 2003. Monckton was the former British CEO of Tiffany & Co. and confidante to the late Princess Diana. She was also a close friend of Epstein's since the 1980s. "He never reveals his hand . . . He's a classic iceberg. What you see is not what you get."

Both profiles intimated that Epstein had a predilection for young women but never went further. In the New York magazine piece, Trump said Epstein's self-professed image as a loner, an egghead and a teetotaler was not wholly accurate.

Donald Trump in 1990 AP

"I've known Jeff for 15 years," Trump said. "Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it -- Jeffrey enjoys his social life."

Three years after that profile ran, Palm Beach Police Officer Michele Pagan got a disturbing message. A woman reported that her 14-year-old stepdaughter confided to a friend that she'd had sex with an older man for money. The man's name was Jeff, and he lived in a mansion on a cul-de-sac.

Pagan persuaded the woman to bring her stepdaughter down to be interviewed. In his book, Patterson calls the girl Mary. And Mary, like so many of the other girls who eventually talked, came from the little-known working-class areas surrounding Palm Beach.

A friend of a friend, Mary said, told her she could make hundreds of dollars in one hour, just for massaging some middle-aged guy's feet. Lots of other girls had been doing it, some three times a week.

Mary claimed she had been driven to the mansion on El Brillo Way, where a female staffer escorted her up a pink-carpeted staircase, then into a room with a massage table, an armoire topped with sex toys and a photo of a little girl pulling her underwear off.

Ghislaine Maxwell Getty Images

Epstein entered the room, wearing only a towel, Mary said.

"He took off the towel," Mary told Pagan. "He was a really built guy. But his wee-wee was very tiny."

Mary said Epstein got on the table and barked orders at her. She told police she was alone in the room with him, terrified.

Pagan wrote the following in her incident report:

"She removed her pants, leaving her thong panties on. She straddled his back, whereby her exposed buttocks were touching Epstein's exposed buttocks. Epstein then turned to his side and started to rub his penis in an up-and-down motion. Epstein pulled out a purple vibrator and began to massage Mary's vaginal area."

Palm Beach assigned six more detectives to the investigation. They conducted a "trash pull" of Epstein's garbage, sifting through paper with phone numbers, used condoms, toothbrushes, worn underwear. In one pull, police found a piece of paper with Mary's phone number on it, along with the number of the person who recruited her.

On Sept. 11, 2005, detectives got another break. Alison, as she's called in the book, told Detective Joe Recarey that she had been going to Epstein's house since she was 16. Alison had been working at the Wellington Green Mall, saving up for a trip to Maine, when a friend told her, "You can get a plane ticket in two hours . . . We can go give this guy a massage and he'll pay $200," according to her statement to the police.

Alison told Recarey that she visited Epstein hundreds of times. She said he had bought her a new 2005 Dodge Neon, plane tickets, and gave her spending money. Alison said he even asked her to emancipate from her parents so she could live with him full-time as his "sex slave."

She said Epstein slowly escalated his sexual requests, and despite Alison's insistence that they never have intercourse, alleged, "This one time . . . he bent me over the table and put himself in me. Without my permission."

Alison then asked if what Epstein had done to her was rape and spoke of her abject fear of him.

An abridged version of her witness statement, as recounted in the book:

Alison : Before I say anything else . . . um, is there a possibility that I'm gonna have to go to court or anything?
Recarey : I mean, what he did to you is a crime. I'm not gonna lie to you.
Alison : Would you consider it rape, what he did?
Recarey : If he put himself inside you without permission . . . That, that is a crime. That is a crime.
Alison : I don't want my family to find out about this . . . 'Cause Jeffrey's gonna get me. You guys realize that, right? . . . I'm not safe now. I'm not safe.
Recarey : Why do you say you're not safe? Has he said he's hurt people before?
Alison : Well, I've heard him make threats to people on the telephone, yeah. Of course.
Recarey : You're gonna die? You're gonna break your legs? Or  --
Alison : All of the above!

Alison also told Recarey that Epstein got so violent with her that he ripped out her hair and threw her around. "I mean," she said, "there's been nights that I walked out of there barely able to walk, um, from him being so rough."

Two months later, Recarey interviewed Epstein's former house manager of 11 years, documented in his probable-cause affidavit as Mr. Alessi. "Alessi stated Epstein receives three massages a day . . . towards the end of his employment, the masseuses . . . appeared to be 16 or 17 years of age at the most . . . [Alessi] would have to wash off a massager/vibrator and a long rubber penis, which were in the sink after the massage."

Another house manager, Alfredo Rodriguez, told Recarey that very young girls were giving Epstein massages at least twice a day, and in one instance, Epstein had Rodriguez deliver one dozen roses to Mary, at her high school.

In May 2006, the Palm Beach Police Department filed a probable-cause affidavit, asking prosecutors to charge Epstein with four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor -- a second-degree felony -- and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a 14-year-old minor, also a second-degree felony.

Today, Jeffrey Epstein is a free man, albeit one who routinely settles civil lawsuits against him, brought by young women, out of court.

Palm Beach prosecutors said the evidence was weak, and after presenting the case to a grand jury, Epstein was charged with only one count of felony solicitation of prostitution. In 2008, he pleaded guilty and nominally served 13 months of an 18-month sentence in a county jail: Epstein spent one day a week there, the other six out on "work release."

Today, Jeffrey Epstein is a free man, albeit one who routinely settles civil lawsuits against him, brought by young women, out of court. As of 2015, Epstein had settled multiple such cases.

Giuffre has sued Ghislaine Maxwell in Manhattan federal court, charging defamation -- saying Maxwell stated Giuffre lied about Maxwell's recruitment of her and other underage girls. Epstein has been called upon to testify in court this month, on Oct. 20.

The true number of Epstein's victims may never be known.

He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life, not that it fazes him. "I'm not a sexual predator, I'm an 'offender,' " Epstein told The Post in 2011. "It's the difference between a murderer and a person who steals a bagel."

[Mar 20, 2019] Bad Blood - Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou - Observations by Walrus.

Notable quotes:
"... I read this book over two nights and it unfortunately brought back my own experiences of working for a narcissist to the point of causing sleeplessness and indigestion. ..."
"... However the pattern of behavior at Theranos was ingrained and consistent - "an orchestrated litany of lies" as a judge has said in another matter. ..."
"... This is a similar personality type with a different set of risks. These people are common in finance and medicine: https://www.theatlantic.com... ..."
"... In the absence of a moral filter, says Martha Stout[1], "Politicians are more likely than people in the general population to be sociopaths...That a small minority of human beings literally have no conscience was and is a bitter pill for our society to swallow–but it does explain a great many things, shamelessly deceitful political behavior being one." ..."
turcopolier.typepad.com

I wrote in 2010 at SST on the characteristics and dangers associated with narcissistic leadership. "Bad Blood' by John Carreyrou chronicles the rise and fall of Theranos, a Silicon Valley healthcare startup founded and run by Elizabeth Holmes, a card carrying narcissist if ever I saw one.

This book, in my opinion, paints such a detailed and comprehensive picture of the way these creatures operate that I thought it worthwhile to bring it to the attention of SST members who may doubt my warnings of the dangers of allowing such folk near the levers of power in business and, worse, Government.

I read this book over two nights and it unfortunately brought back my own experiences of working for a narcissist to the point of causing sleeplessness and indigestion.

Under the direction of the charismatic Holmes, Theranos burned through some $900 million in investors funds before being found out in 2015. Their blood testing business was a sham that endangered patients. The company's key business strengths were the "reality distortion field" Elizabeth Holmes projected over investors and directors and the twin weapons of secrecy and fear they wielded over their employees.

Disbelievers my argue that start up companies sometimes require desperate measures to stay afloat and that you cannot make an omelette, etc. etc. However the pattern of behavior at Theranos was ingrained and consistent - "an orchestrated litany of lies" as a judge has said in another matter.

If you wish to perhaps be a little forearmed against the day that you perhaps must engage with one of these creatures it would be well to understand the cautionary tale of Theranos. https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Blood-Secrets-Silicon-Startup/dp/152473165X https://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2010/05/walrus-on-narcissistic-leaders-.html

jnewman , 3 hours ago

This is a similar personality type with a different set of risks. These people are common in finance and medicine: https://www.theatlantic.com...
Godfree Roberts , 8 hours ago
In the absence of a moral filter, says Martha Stout[1], "Politicians are more likely than people in the general population to be sociopaths...That a small minority of human beings literally have no conscience was and is a bitter pill for our society to swallow–but it does explain a great many things, shamelessly deceitful political behavior being one."

My study of Chinese government revealed an important truth -- one that explains much about that country's rapid rise: they find our amateur, promise-driven, personality-based governance repulsive. They would no more vote for amateur politicians than for amateur brain surgeons. To them charm, good looks, quick wits and rhetorical skill signify shallowness, instability and glibness. Altruistic politicians have been fundamental to Chinese governance for two millennia.

Their political stars have always been experienced, scholarly, altruistic problem-solvers chosen on merit after decades of testing.

In 1000 AD, during our Dark Ages, with just one scholar-official for every eight thousand citizens, China was harmonious, technologically advanced and prosperous. Emperors and dynasties came and went while loyal, disciplined–often courageous–civil servants lived far from family, serving in remote regions under terrible conditions.

Confucius'[2] moral meritocracy and the rigors of the job discouraged sociopaths and officials integrity, efficiency and entrepreneurial energy made China the most advanced civilization on earth.

So highly do the Chinese esteem their best politicians that they deified one whose legacy, a water diversion project, has repaid its capital investment every twenty-four hours for 2,270 years. Millions visit his shrine, which is built overlooking his masterpiece, every year to offer incense and sincere thanks.

The altruistic tradition is remembered in a Singapore Government White Paper, "The concept of government by honorable men who have a duty to do right for the people and who have their trust and respect fits us better than the Western idea that government power should be as limited as possible."

And would-be members of China's Communist Party take an oath to "Bear the people's difficulties before the people and enjoy their fruits of their labors after the people". They often fail, obviously, but at least they've got something to shoot for–and a standard that the other 1.3 billion non-members can hold them to.

[1] The Sociopath Next Door, by Martha Stout Ph.D.
[2] The Doctrine of the Mean

[Mar 18, 2019] College-entrance-exam cheating scandal exposes corrupt aristocracy (Video)

Mar 18, 2019 | theduran.com

RT CrossTalk host Peter Lavelle and The Duran's Alex Christoforou take a quick look at the college admissions scam revolving around William Rick Singer, who was running a for-profit college-counseling program, where according to federal prosecutors, has a goal focused on helping "the wealthiest families in the U.S. get their kids into school."

Arrest warrants for Hollywood stars, Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, were delivered on Tuesday following their alleged involvement in a college-entrance-exam cheating scandal.

According to CNN, the women were two of around 50 people who were the subject of federal indictment following an extensive FBI investigation named "Operation Varsity Blues."

Loughlin's husband, Mossimo Giannulli, was also implicated, and was arrested early on Tuesday morning.

TMZ reported that Huffman was arrested by seven armed FBI agents. Her husband, William H. Macy, has not been charged in connection to the case. Loughlin, Giannulli, and Huffman are all facing charges of felony conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.

Huffman is accused of spending $15,000 on an organization that allegedly helped her daughter cheat on her SATs. Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 to get their daughters into University of Southern California as recruits for the crew team for which neither of Loughlin's daughters rowed crew.

All three were recorded by the FBI on phone calls discussing their plans to alter or lie about their children's college applications.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/DCX35SWyrSU?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent

Via Zerohedge


Is there anything left in this country that has not been deeply tainted by corruption?

By now you have probably heard that dozens of people have been arrested for participating in a multi-million dollar college admissions scam. Enormous amounts of money were paid out in order to ensure that children from very wealthy families were able to get into top schools such as Yale University, Stanford University, the University of Texas and the University of Southern California. And as The Economic Collapse blog's Michael Snyder writes, we should certainly be disgusted by these revelations, but we shouldn't be surprised. Such corruption happens every single day on every single level of society in America. At this point our nation is so far gone that it is shocking when you run into someone that actually still has some integrity.

The "mastermind" behind this college admissions scam was a con man named William Rick Singer. He had been successfully getting the kids of wealthy people into top colleges for years using "side doors", and he probably thought that he would never get caught.

But he did.

There were four basic methods that Singer used to get children from wealthy families into elite schools. The first two methods involved bribes

Bribing college entrance exam administrators to allow a third party to facilitate cheating on college entrance exams, in some cases by posing as actual students,' is the first.

Bribing university athletic coaches and administrators to designate applicants as purported athletic recruits – regardless of their athletic abilities, and in some cases, even though they did not play the sport,' is the second.

Because many of these kids didn't even play the sports they were being "recruited" for, in some cases Photoshop was used to paste their faces on to the bodies of real athletes

In order to get non-athletic kids admitted to college as athletes, Singer often had to create fake profiles for them. Sometimes this involved fabricating resumes that listed them having played on elite club teams, but to finish the illusion Singer and his team would also use Photoshop to combine photos of the kids with actual athletes in the sport.

A number of college coaches became exceedingly wealthy from taking bribes to "recruit" kids that would never play once they got to school, but now a lot of those same coaches are probably going to prison.

The third and fourth methods that Singer used involved more direct forms of cheating

'Having a third party take classes in place of the actual students, with the understanding that the grades earned in those classes would be submitted as part of the students' application,' is the third.

The fourth was 'submitting falsified applications for admission to universities that, among other things, included the fraudulently obtained exam scores and class grades, and often listed fake awards and athletic activities.'

Of course the main thing that the media is focusing on is the fact that some celebrities are among those being charged in this case, and that includes Lori Loughlin from "Full House"

It was important to "Full House" star Lori Loughlin that her kids have "the college experience" that she missed out on, she said back in 2016.

Loughlin, along with "Desperate Housewives" actress Felicity Huffman, is among those charged in a scheme in which parents allegedly bribed college coaches and insiders at testing centers to help get their children into some of the most elite schools in the country, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Despite how cynical I have become lately, I never would have guessed that Lori Loughlin was capable of such corruption.

After all, she seems like such a nice lady on television.

But apparently she was extremely determined to make sure that her daughters had "the college experience", and so Loughlin and her husband shelled out half a million dollars in bribes

Loughlin and Giannulli 'agreed to pay bribes totaling $500,000 in exchange for having their two daughters designated as recruits to the USC crew team – despite the fact that they did not participate in crew – thereby facilitating their admission to USC,' according to the documents.

As bad as this scandal is, can we really say that it is much worse than what is going on around the rest of the country every single day?

Of course not.

We are a very sick nation, and we are getting sicker by the day.

William Rick Singer had a good con going, and he should have stopped while he was ahead

William "Rick" Singer said he had the inside scoop on getting into college, and anyone could get in on it with his book, "Getting In: Gaining Admission To Your College of Choice."

"This book is full of secrets," he said in Chapter 1 before dispensing advice on personal branding, test-taking and college essays.

But Singer had even bigger secrets, and those would cost up to $1.2 million.

But like most con men, Singer just had to keep pushing the envelope, and in the end it is going to cost him everything.

The ironic thing is that our colleges and universities are pulling an even bigger con. They have convinced all of us that a college education is the key to a bright future, but meanwhile the quality of the "education" that they are providing has deteriorated dramatically. I spent eight years in school getting three degrees, and so I know what I am talking about. For much more on all this, please see my recent article entitled "50 Actual College Course Titles That Prove That America's Universities Are Training Our College Students To Be Socialists" .

I know that it is not fashionable to talk about "morality" and "values" these days, but the truth is that history has shown us that any nation that is deeply corrupt is not likely to survive for very long.

Our founders understood this, and former president John Adams once stated that our Constitution "was made only for a moral and religious people"

Avarice, ambition, revenge and licentiousness would break the strongest cords of our Constitution, as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Today, we are neither moral or religious.


What we are is deeply corrupt, and America will not survive if we keep going down this path.

[Mar 04, 2019] Gangster Capitalism: The United States and the Globalization of Organized Crime

November 16, 2008

A very timely book , November 16, 2008 Joseph Oppenheim (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

What makes "Gangster Capitalism" so worthwhile is that it helps in understanding what has led us to the 2007-8 financial meltdown. As the book shows, like during the 1920's, deregulation led the way for powerful companies to allow the very wealthy to get wealthier at the expense of average people by using poor working conditions, low wages, etc, plus at the same time supporting supposedly moral movements (against gambling, alcohol, drugs, etc) which mainly served the purpose of making these trades more profitable to crooks and therefore created rampant gangsterism there. The result was such a society wracked with gangsterism at all levels, but because most people felt they were prospering, few complained.

But, then it all collapsed with the 1929 crash and resulting Depression, which led the way for FDR and the New Deal programs which increased regulation of corporations, repeal of Prohibition, etc. Though the Depression lingered until WWII, the New Deal was successful in restructuring our laws and public infrastructure to create a better footing for the prosperity which would follow.

The book effectively traces how much of this regulation was reduced piece by piece, beginning in earnest with Nixon, using Cold War fears to tilt the nation toward more corporate power and away from reform, support of right-wing dictators around the world, re-energizing a 'moral crusade' especially by beginning the War on Drugs, thereby making the illegal drug trade super profitable, etc.

The nation had shifted Right and even Democratic presidents like Carter who was instrumental in deregulating industry and Clinton who signed into law the repeal of Glass--Steagle weren't able to stop the shift. Then, the 'Gangster Capitalism" went on steroids with G. W. Bush. By 2003, corporate taxes only amounted to 7% of revenues, while payroll taxes amounted to 40%.

Of note, the book makes clear it is opportunity which leads to much crime, so the approach of massive deregulation of corporations, plus focusing on arrests and imprisonment for victimless crimes ends up with the wrong results, more entrenched crime, even allowing corporations to capitalize on a prison industry.

The book is also good at highlighting how corporations and outright gangsters were able to corrupt legal drugs (price-fixing), tobacco, asbestos, body parts, autos (Pintos), etc. Some other things in the book, of note: Hamid Karzai included drug traffickers in his Afghan administration.

And, our support of Suharto (Indonesia), Mobuto (the Congo), and Marcos (the Philippines) allowed 'looting' of these countries.

A corrupt financial infrastructure included the BCCI bank and offshore banking to evade taxes also developed. Plus, laundering money from illegal arms sales, drugs, and so many other illegal activities passed through our financial system.

The book is definitely tilted toward a liberal way of looking at things, therefore it doesn't go into the good things about capitalism, but there are disturbing patterns which are important to understand, and this book does that very well.

By James R. Maclean (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Wasted opportunity , September 6, 2006

Despite the fact that I was predisposed to agree with many of the author's views, this book was a huge disappointment. First, the basic premises:
  1. American business enterprise is singularly corrupt;
  2. Most of the crime that Americans suffer from is corporate crime;
  3. American methods of fighting crime focus on lurid fantasies of underworld conspiracy;
  4. The USA exports criminality through its foreign & trade policies.

Each of these premises could have been, and in other venues have been, well-argued. The first three suffer from a lack of generally accepted, objective measures, but experts on criminology have overcome worse obstacles. What we get instead is an unfocused, rambling listing of claims (plausible, but very poorly documented) about the criminal underworld, anecdotes about corporate crime, and extreme statements. No doubt "legitimate" business enterprise does rip off more money from customers each year than do gangsters or mafiosi; but the latter also account for a tiny fraction of the total US labor force. And comparing deaths from industrial accidents to mob hits is just over the top.

Woodiwiss says that the book

"had its inception during a seminar series on transnational organized crime run by Adam Edwards and Peter Gill... Adam and Peter put together several of the best academic researchers from Europe and North America...."

Yet the book is exasperatingly badly substantiated. I noticed almost no original research. Woodiwiss's footnotes, which--like cops--are never around when you need them (viz., when he is actually saying something that requires documentation), are almost exclusively from articles in the *Guardian* or from other sensational exposes. Radical literature has its place, of course, but saying, "US capitalism is just like organized crime... see, it says so in 'The New Left Review'" is just a harangue, not evidence.

The back cover declaims:

"..[T]he position of large multinational corporations...actually provide the most enticing opportunities for illegal profit... Gangster Capitalism shows how respectable businessmen and revered statesmen have seized these opportunities in an orgy of fraud and illegal violence that would leave the most hardened mafiosi speechless."

In fact, it's a disappointing pile of clippings. With the exception of his claims--again, plausible but unsubstantiated--you are not going to find any surprises here.

As I mentioned, he attacks conventional wisdom regarding the mafia and J. Edgar Hoover (who comes off surprisingly well); unfortunately, Woodiwiss offers almost no support for those contentions that are likely to be controversial.

For example, on p.78 he mentions President [Nixon]'s Advisory Council on Executive Organization, "Organized Crime Strike Force Report" [1969], which included a vaguely worded remark that the reliance on legal sanctions to fight drug abuse was actually causing organized crime to flourish." This is footnoted.

Then he says that Nixon was so horrified by this that he ruthlessly suppressed the report. This is not footnoted.

The next paragraph (p.49) includes a quote from a law enforcement officer claiming that gambling arrests were made just to pad the arrest numbers; this is footnoted. The next paragraph declares that gambling is no more corrupt than the rest of the economy. A surprising observation, it is predictably not footnoted.

The result: lots of footnotes documenting that water is a bit on the damp side, but nothing to support the controversial stuff. Only a small part is devoted to crime; the rest is a paste-up job from two dozen radical critiques of the USA.

Anything from the 1971 ditching of the gold exchange standard to the various covert activities of the CIA are brought up, with no more compelling a connection to Woodiwiss' original point than being bad things that Americans did.

The conclusions are so insipid (it calls for "fair trade" with no further specification of how that would be any different... capital punishment for corporations--evidently Mr. Woodiwiss has never heard of 'money laundering,' in which a vehicle corporation commits suicide), that it is pointless to spend any time on them.

Woodiwiss needs to actually learn something about economics; ironically enough, for someone who claims business is closely tied to crime, he knows almost nothing about it. He needs to know, and say what he knows, about law enforcement and business practices abroad, so he can make a comparison. And finally, he needs to actually learn how to write.

[Mar 02, 2019] The Trump presidency From the Manhattan underworld to the White House by Patrick Martin

Highly recommended!
Notable quotes:
"... Trump's "opposition" in the Democratic Party is no less hostile to democratic rights. They have focused their anti-Trump campaign on bogus allegations that he is a Russian agent, while portraying the emergence of social divisions within the United States as the consequence of Russian "meddling," not the crisis of capitalism, and pushing for across-the-board internet censorship. ..."
Mar 01, 2019 | www.wsws.org

"The finance aristocracy, in its mode of acquisition as well as in its pleasures, is nothing but the rebirth of the lumpenproletariat on the heights of bourgeois society ." -- Karl Marx, The Class Struggles in France

What Marx described, in his analysis of the corruption of the bourgeoisie in France leading up to the 1848 revolution, applies with even greater force to the United States of 2019, where the bourgeoisie faces its own rendezvous with social upheaval and explosive class battles.

That is how a Marxist understands the spectacle of Wednesday's hearing before the House Oversight Committee, in which Michael Cohen, the former attorney and "fixer" for Donald Trump for more than a decade, testified for six hours about how he and his boss worked to defraud business partners and tax collectors, intimidate critics and suppress opposition to Trump's acitvities in real estate, casino gambling, reality television and, eventually, electoral politics.

What Cohen described was a seedier version of an operation that most Americans would recognize from viewing films like The Godfather: Trump as the capo di tutti capi, the unquestioned authority who must be consulted on every decision ; the children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, each now playing significant roles in the ongoing family criminal enterprise; Allen Weisselberg, CFO of the Trump Organization, the consigliere in charge of finance, mentioned by Cohen more than 20 times in the course of six hours of testimony as the man who facilitated Trump's schemes to evade taxes, deceive banks or stiff business partners.

Cohen himself was an enforcer. By his own account, he threatened people on Trump's behalf at least 500 times in a ten-year period, including business associates, politicians, journalists and anyone seeking to file complaints or gain reimbursement after being defrauded by one or another Trump venture. The now-disbarred lawyer admitted to tape recording clients -- including Trump among many others -- more than 100 times during this period.

The incidents recounted by Cohen range from the farcical (Trump browbeating colleges and even his military prep school not to release his grades or test scores), to the shabby (Trump having his own "charitable" foundation buy a portrait of himself for $60,000), to the brazenly criminal (deliberately inflating the value of properties when applying for bank loans while deflating the value of the same properties as much as twenty-fold in order to evade taxation).

One of the most remarkable revelations was Cohen's flat assertion that Trump himself did not enter the presidential race with the expectation that he could win either the Republican nomination or the presidency. Instead, the billionaire reality television "star" regularly told his closest aides, the campaign would be the "greatest infomercial in political history," good for promoting his brand and opening up business opportunities in previously closed markets.

These unflattering details filled the pages of the daily newspapers Thursday and occupied many hours on the cable television news. But in all that vast volume of reporting and commentary, one would look in vain for any serious assessment of what it means, in terms of the historical development and future trajectory of American society, that a family like the Trumps now occupies the highest rung in the US political system.

The World Socialist Web Site rejects efforts by the Democrats and the corporate media to dismiss Trump as an aberration, an accidental figure whose unexpected elevation to the presidency in 2016 will be "corrected" through impeachment, forced resignation or electoral defeat in 2020. We insist that the Trump administration is a manifestation of a protracted crisis and breakdown of American democracy, whose course can be traced back at least two decades to the failed impeachment of Bill Clinton in 1998-99, followed by the stolen presidential election of 2000.

The US political system, always dominated by the interests of the capitalist ruling class that controls both of the major parties, the Democrats as much as the Republicans, is breaking down under the burden of mounting social tensions, driven above all by skyrocketing economic inequality. It is impossible to sustain the pretense that elections at two-year and four-year intervals provide genuine popular influence over the functioning of a government so completely subordinated to the financial aristocracy.

The figures are familiar but require restating: over the past three decades, virtually all the increase in wealth in American society has gone to a tiny layer at the top. Three mega-billionaires -- Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates -- now control more wealth than half the American population. This process of social polarization is global: according to the most recent Oxfam report, 26 billionaires control more wealth than the poorer half of the human race.

These billionaires did not accumulate their riches by devising new technologies or making new scientific discoveries that increased the wealth and happiness of humanity as a whole. On the contrary, their enrichment has come at the expense of society. Bezos has become the world's richest man through the emergence of Amazon as the greatest sweatshop enterprise in history, where every possible second of labor power is extracted from a brutally exploited workforce.

The class of billionaires as a whole, having precipitated the global financial collapse of 2008 through reckless speculation and swindling in the sale of derivatives and other obscure financial "products," was bailed out, first by the Republican Bush, then by the Democrat Obama, to the tune of trillions of dollars. Meanwhile, the jobs, living standards and social conditions for the great mass of working people sharply declined.

As for Donald Trump, the real estate swindler, casino con man and reality television mogul is a living demonstration of the truth of Balzac's aphorism: "Behind every great fortune is a great crime."

Trump toyed with running for president on the ultra-right Reform Party ticket in 2000 after a long stint as a registered Democrat and donor to both capitalist parties. When he decided to run for president as a Republican in 2016, however, he had shifted drastically to the right. His candidacy marked the emergence of a distinctly fascistic movement, as he spewed anti-immigrant prejudice and racism more generally, while making a right-wing populist appeal to working people, particularly in de-industrialized areas in the Midwest and Appalachia, on the basis of economic nationalism.

As World Socialist Web Site editorial board Chairman David North explained even before the 2016 elections:

The Republican nominee for the presidency of the United States did not emerge from an American version of a Munich beer hall. Donald Trump is a billionaire, who made his money in Manhattan real estate swindles, the semi-criminal operations of casino gambling, and the bizarre world of "reality television," which entertains and stupefies its audience by manufacturing absurd, disgusting and essentially fictional "real life" situations. The candidacy of Donald Trump could be described as the transfer of the techniques of reality television to politics.

The main development in the two years since Trump entered the White House is the emergence of the American working class into major struggles, beginning with the wave of teachers' strikes in 2018, initiated by the rank and file in defiance of the bureaucratic unions. The reaction in the American ruling elite is a panic-stricken turn to authoritarian methods of rule.

The billionaire in the White House is now engaged in a systematic assault on the foundations of American democracy. He has declared a national emergency in order to bypass Congress, which holds the constitutional "power of the purse," and divert funds from the military and other federal departments to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Whether or not he is immediately successful in this effort, it is clear that Trump is moving towards the establishment of an authoritarian regime, with or without the sanction of the ballot box. As Cohen observed in his closing statement -- in remarks generally downplayed by the media and ignored by the Democrats -- he is worried that if Trump loses the 2020 election, "there will never be a peaceful transition of power."

Trump's "opposition" in the Democratic Party is no less hostile to democratic rights. They have focused their anti-Trump campaign on bogus allegations that he is a Russian agent, while portraying the emergence of social divisions within the United States as the consequence of Russian "meddling," not the crisis of capitalism, and pushing for across-the-board internet censorship.

The defense of democratic rights and genuine resistance to Trump's drive toward authoritarian rule must come through the development of an independent political movement of the working class, directed against both big business parties, the Democrats as much as the Republicans, and against the profit system which they both defend.

[Feb 13, 2019] There's Something Eerily Familiar About the West's Approach to Venezuela

Notable quotes:
"... Erdogan has used it in Turkey ( less than three years ago ) and it was a common line in the forgotten 1930s used by none other than Mussolini. And now I quote Trump's US secretary of state Michael Pompeo on Maduro : "Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with Maduro and his mayhem." ..."
"... Rigged elections? No doubt about it, although al-Sisi still maintains that his last triumph at the polls – a cracking 97 per cent – was a free and fair election. President Trump sent his "sincere congratulations" . Political prisoners? Well, the total is 60,000 and rising . Oh yes, and Maduro's last victory – a rigged election if ever there was one, of course – was a mere 67.84 per cent. ..."
"... Now the Americans are negotiating with the "terrorist" Taliban in Qatar so they can get the hell out of the Graveyard of Empires after 17 years of military setbacks, scandals and defeats – not to mention running a few torture camps which even Maduro would cough to look at. ..."
Feb 13, 2019 | www.counterpunch.org

Erdogan has used it in Turkey ( less than three years ago ) and it was a common line in the forgotten 1930s used by none other than Mussolini. And now I quote Trump's US secretary of state Michael Pompeo on Maduro : "Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with Maduro and his mayhem."

You get the point. Now is the time for all good people to stand alongside the United States, the EU, the nations of Latin America – or do you support the Russkies, Chinese, Iranian headbangers, the perfidious Corbyn and (of all people) the Greeks? Talking of the Greeks, European pressure on Alexis Tsipras to conform to the EU's support for Guaido – proving that the EU can indeed bully its smaller members – is a good argument for Brexiteers (though far too complex for them to understand).

But first, let's take a look at our favourite tyrant, in the words of all who oppose him. He's a powerful dictator, surrounded by generals, suppressing his people, using torture, mass arrests, secret police murders, rigged elections, political prisoners – so no wonder we gave our support to those who wish to overthrow this brutal man and stage democratic elections.

Not a bad precis of our current policy towards the Maduro regime. But I am referring, of course, word-for-word, to the west's policy towards the Assad regime in Syria. And our support for opposition democracy there wasn't terribly successful.

We were not solely responsible for the Syrian civil war – but we were not guiltless since we sent an awful lot of weapons to those trying to overthrow Assad. And last month the notepad of US national security advisor John Bolton appeared to boast a plan to send 5,000 US troops to Colombia

And now let's tick the box on another Maduro-lookalike – at least from the west's simplistic point of view: the military-backed elected field marshal-president al-Sisi of Egypt, whom we love, admire and protect. Powerful dictator? Yup. Surrounded and supported by generals? You bet, not least because he locked up a rival general before the last election. Suppression? Absolutely – all in the interest of crushing "terrorism", of course.

Mass arrests? Happily yes, for all the inmates of Egypt's savage prison system are "terrorists", at least according to the field marshal-president himself. Secret police murders? Well, even forgetting the young Italian student suspected by his government to have been allegedly tortured and bumped off by one of Sisi's top Egyptian cops, there's a roll call of disappeared activists.

Rigged elections? No doubt about it, although al-Sisi still maintains that his last triumph at the polls – a cracking 97 per cent – was a free and fair election. President Trump sent his "sincere congratulations" . Political prisoners? Well, the total is 60,000 and rising . Oh yes, and Maduro's last victory – a rigged election if ever there was one, of course – was a mere 67.84 per cent.

As the late sage of the Sunday Express , John Gordon, might have said: it makes you sit up a bit. So, too, I suppose, when we glance a bit further eastwards to Afghanistan, whose Taliban rulers were routed in 2001 by the US, whose post-9/11 troops and statesmen ushered in a new life of democracy, then corruption, warlordism and civil war.

The "democracy" bit quickly came unstuck when "loya jurgas", grand councils, turned into tribal playpens and the Americans announced that it would be an exaggeration to think that we could achieve "Jeffersonian democracy" in Afghanistan. Too true.

Now the Americans are negotiating with the "terrorist" Taliban in Qatar so they can get the hell out of the Graveyard of Empires after 17 years of military setbacks, scandals and defeats – not to mention running a few torture camps which even Maduro would cough to look at.

Now all this may not encourage you to walk down memory lane. And I haven't even listed the sins of Saddam, let alone our continuing and cosy relationship – amazing as it still seems – with that Gulf state whose lads strangled, chopped up and secretly buried a US-resident journalist in Turkey.

Now just imagine if Maduro, tired of a journalist critic slandering him in Miami, decided to lure him to the Venezuelan embassy in Washington and top the poor guy, slice him up and bury him secretly in Foggy Bottom. Well now, I have a feeling that sanctions might have been applied to Maduro a long time ago. But not to Saudi Arabia, of course, where we are very definitely not advocating democracy.

"Now is the time for democracy and prosperity in Venezuela," quoth John Bolton this week. Oh, yes indeed. Maduro runs an oil-soaked nation yet its people starve. He is an unworthy, foolish and vain man, even if he's not Saddamite in his crimes. He was rightly described by a colleague as a dreary tyrant. He even looks like the kind of guy who tied ladies to railway lines in silent movies.

So good luck to Guaido. Palpably a nice guy, speaks eloquently, wise to stick to aid for the poor and fresh elections rather than dwell on just how exactly Maduro and his military chums are going to be booted out.

In other words, good luck – but watch out. Instead of pleading with those who will not support him – the Greeks, for example – he might take a closer look at who his foreign friends are. And do a quick track record on their more recent crusades for freedom, democracy and the right to life. And by the way, I haven't even mentioned Libya.

[Feb 12, 2019] Regime Change Made in the USA by Steve Ellner

Looks like events have complex dynamics and Washington did not fully understand possible blowback from its actions to unseat Maduro.
As usual Trump administration actions are not consistent with the rule of law and elementary knowledge of international relations. It's pure imperial bulling and as such it might well backfire. In addition to the albatross of John Bolton around his neck, the neocons put Elliott Abrams? looks like there are no decent diplomats/ bureaucrats willing to work (and risk their careers) with Trump...
Notable quotes:
"... Furthermore, Venezuelans will perceive any sign of economic recovery under a Guaidó government as made possible by aid, if not handouts, from Washington, designed to discredit Maduro's socialist government, though such assistance will undoubtedly be used to further U.S. economic and political interests. In fact, U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has indicated that he is already calling on oil companies to opt for investments in Venezuela once Maduro is overthrown. ..."
"... The U.S. effort to encourage the military to step in was again made evident on Wednesday in a tweet by John Bolton . ..."
"... The Wall Street Journal ..."
"... The Trump administration's blatant and undisguised interventionism may in fact backfire and help Maduro counter his sagging poll numbers, which last October the polling firm Datanálisis reported was 23 percent. Maduro recently lashed out on Twitter at the close nexus between Washington and the opposition, saying "Aren't you embarrassed at yourselves, ashamed at the way every day by Twitter Mike Pence, John Bolton, Mike Pompeo tell you what you should do." ..."
"... Anti-imperialism is, of course, a major cornerstone of the Chavista movement, born from resentment of U.S. interventionism and heavy-handedness that had for decades controlled many of Venezuela's resources and dictated its economic policies. The maneuvers of the Trump administration and its allies only double down on this narrative, and are counterproductive at best when it comes to solving the crisis. Their actions also risk fanning the flames of anti-Americanism throughout the continent ..."
"... Meanwhile, President Donald Trump appointed neocon Elliott Abrams as special envoy to Venezuela. As a longtime U.S. diplomat, Abrams has in many ways personified the application of the Monroe Doctrine with his blatant disregard for human rights violations and the principle of non-intervention in Guatemala , Nicaragua, and El Salvador in the 1980s and his alleged involvement in the 2002 coup against Hugo Chávez. ..."
"... While condemning anti-democratic actions and fraudulent elections in Venezuela, these sanctions ignore the rule of law. The Maduro government was never given the opportunity to defend itself and legal procedures were not followed ..."
"... Yet regardless of short-term results of U.S. support for Guaidó, the final outcome will be negative. There are a number of reasons why: first, it bolsters the position of the most radical elements of the opposition led by the VP party, thus contributing to the fragmentation of the anti-Chavista movement. Second, it attaches a "made in U.S.A." label to those positioned to govern should Maduro fall. ..."
"... the appeal to the military to save Venezuela has terrifying implications for a continent with a long history of military rule. And finally, the seizure of Venezuelan assets, which have then been turned over to a political ally, violates sacred norms of property rights, and in the process erodes confidence in the system of private property ..."
"... NACLA: Report on the Americas ..."
"... Latin American Perspectives ..."
"... The intention behind the pressure directed at Venezuela is quite clear: the current government is being told to resign and hand power over to a selected member of the opposition. To advance this strategy, various degrees of, frankly, organized crime style threats of punishment or positive inducement are daily publicized, iterated by US public officials. ..."
Feb 12, 2019 | consortiumnews.com

Trump's backing of Juan Guaidó's shadow government could weaken the opposition's longstanding support among the majority of Venezuelans, writes Steve Ellner.

Since its outset, the Trump administration has ratcheted up pressure on Venezuela and radicalized its positions. In the process, the Venezuelan opposition has become more and more associated with -- and dependent on -- Washington and its allies. An example is the opposition protests that occurred last week. The actions were timed to coincide with the European Union's " ultimatum ," which stated they would recognize the shadow government of Juan Guaidó if President Nicolás Maduro had not called elections within a week's time.

The opposition's most radical sectors, which include Guaidó's Voluntad Popular party (VP) along with former presidential candidate María Corina Machado, have always had close ties with the United States. Guaidó, as well as VP head Leopoldo López and the VP's Carlos Vecchio, who is the shadow government's chargé d'affaires in Washington, were educated in prestigious U.S. universities -- not uncommon among Latin American economic and political elites. The ties between the opposition and international actors are strong: last weekend, Vecchio called the campaign to unseat Maduro "an international effort ." At the same time, Guaidó, referring to opposition-called protests, stated "today, February 2, we are going to meet again in the streets to show our gratitude to the support that the European Parliament has given us." In doing so, Guaidó explicitly connected the authority of outside countries to his own assumption of leadership.

The outcome of Washington's actions is bound to be unfavorable in a number of ways, regardless of whether or not they achieve regime change. Most importantly, a government headed by Guaidó will be perceived both by Venezuelans and international observers as "made in U.S.A." Further, the opposition's association with foreign powers has enabled the Maduro leadership to keep discontented members of the Chavista movement in their ranks.

Furthermore, Venezuelans will perceive any sign of economic recovery under a Guaidó government as made possible by aid, if not handouts, from Washington, designed to discredit Maduro's socialist government, though such assistance will undoubtedly be used to further U.S. economic and political interests. In fact, U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has indicated that he is already calling on oil companies to opt for investments in Venezuela once Maduro is overthrown. As he told Fox News , "we're in conversation with major American companies now It will make a big difference to the United States economically if we could have American oil companies really invest in and produce the oil capabilities in Venezuela."

Washington Dictating Strategy

Either explicitly or implicitly, Washington is dictating strategy, or at least providing input into its formulation. One of the challenges the opposition faces is the need to demonstrate to rank-and-file Venezuelans that the current offensive against Maduro will be different from the disastrous attempts of 2014 and 2017, when anti-government leaders assured protesters that the president would be toppled in a matter of days. The opposition leadership claims that this time is different for two reasons. First, the regional Right turn has deepened, and the opposition is more able than ever to rely on decisive support from Washington and other governments, regardless of how democratic they are -- see the neofascist credentials of Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro .

Second, the opposition is counting on the backing of military officers, particularly lower-ranking ones who have allegedly lost patience with Maduro. In addition to some defections, junior officers attempted to stage a military coup just two days before mass opposition protests on Jan. 23 when Guaidó declared himself president. Previously, the Venezuelan opposition expressed a degree of contempt for military officers for their unwillingness to defy the Chavista government. The opposition's new perspective dates back to Trump's three meetings with military rebels and his statement , made alongside President Iván Duque of Colombia in September of last year, that the Maduro government "could be toppled very quickly by the military if the military decides to do that." The U.S. effort to encourage the military to step in was again made evident on Wednesday in a tweet by John Bolton .

Recently, Guaidó made a similar offer to military officers, implying continuity and closeness between Washington and the shadow government.

Also noteworthy is that Guaidó and other VP leaders are closer to Washington than the rest of the opposition. The Wall Street Journal reported that Guaidó consulted Vice President Mike Pence the night before his self-proclamation as president on Jan. 23. According to ex-presidential candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski the majority of the opposition parties were not aware of Guaidó's intentions and in fact did not support the idea.

Calling on Military

To make matters worse, the VP-led opposition is openly working hand-in-glove with Washington. Last week Guaidó announced that he would attempt to transport humanitarian aid the United States has deposited on the Colombian and Brazilian borders into Venezuela. He called on the Venezuelan military to disobey orders from the Maduro government by facilitating the passage of goods, while Maduro ordered it blocked. While playing political benefactor, Washington was clearly manipulating the optics of the situation to discredit Maduro and rally more international support for Guaído. In an apparent rebuke to Washington and Guaidó, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Wednesday insisted that the humanitarian aid be " depoliticized. "

Opposition leaders and the Trump government are also working together to isolate Venezuela economically throughout the world. Julio Borges, a leading member of the opposition, has campaigned to convince international financial institutions to shun Venezuelan transactions and has urged Great Britain to refuse to repatriate Venezuelan gold stored in London. President Maduro has responded by calling on the attorney general to open judicial proceedings against Borges on grounds of treason. Along similar lines, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross are currently attempting to convince international business interests to deny the Venezuelan government access to national assets in their possession.

The Trump administration's blatant and undisguised interventionism may in fact backfire and help Maduro counter his sagging poll numbers, which last October the polling firm Datanálisis reported was 23 percent. Maduro recently lashed out on Twitter at the close nexus between Washington and the opposition, saying "Aren't you embarrassed at yourselves, ashamed at the way every day by Twitter Mike Pence, John Bolton, Mike Pompeo tell you what you should do."

Cornerstone of Chavista Movement

Anti-imperialism is, of course, a major cornerstone of the Chavista movement, born from resentment of U.S. interventionism and heavy-handedness that had for decades controlled many of Venezuela's resources and dictated its economic policies. The maneuvers of the Trump administration and its allies only double down on this narrative, and are counterproductive at best when it comes to solving the crisis. Their actions also risk fanning the flames of anti-Americanism throughout the continent. It wouldn't be the first time: In 1958, then-Vice President Richard Nixon was attacked by a riotous crowd in Caracas, and a decade later Nelson Rockefeller's fact-finding tour arranged by then-President Nixon faced off with angry disruptive protests. Both incidents were responses to Washington's self-serving support for regimes that came to power through undemocratic means, in some cases with U.S. involvement.

In its strategy towards Venezuela, Washington is invoking not only its Cold War policy but the Monroe Doctrine and its view of Latin America as the U.S.' "backyard," -- a claim that is especially anathema throughout the region. Indeed, Pence told Fox News , in answering a question about why Trump is withdrawing troops from Syria and Afghanistan while intervening in Venezuela: "President Trump has always had a very different view of our hemisphere. He's long understood that the United States has a special responsibility to support and nurture democracy and freedom in this hemisphere and that's a longstanding tradition."

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump appointed neocon Elliott Abrams as special envoy to Venezuela. As a longtime U.S. diplomat, Abrams has in many ways personified the application of the Monroe Doctrine with his blatant disregard for human rights violations and the principle of non-intervention in Guatemala , Nicaragua, and El Salvador in the 1980s and his alleged involvement in the 2002 coup against Hugo Chávez.

Finally, Trump's decision regarding CITGO, a U.S.-based company owned by Venezuela's state oil company, speaks to a dangerous precedent. Last week he declared that jurisdiction over CITGO would be turned over to the shadow government, and appealed to other countries to follow similar steps. While condemning anti-democratic actions and fraudulent elections in Venezuela, these sanctions ignore the rule of law. The Maduro government was never given the opportunity to defend itself and legal procedures were not followed.

It is always a dubious exercise to guess at Trump's intentions. His actions in Venezuela could be designed to divert attention from the multiple probes into his own unethical behavior, or they may be a way to draw attention away from the utter fiasco of U.S. interventions in the Middle East, from Libya to Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Trump may also view his Venezuela policy as a quick fix to Make America Great Again. Along similar lines, Trump evidently sees the downfall of the Maduro government as the ultimate proof that socialism doesn't work. He indicated as much in his State of the Union address when he used the topic of Venezuela as a springboard for declaring: "We are born free, and we will stay free America will never be a socialist country."

Yet regardless of short-term results of U.S. support for Guaidó, the final outcome will be negative. There are a number of reasons why: first, it bolsters the position of the most radical elements of the opposition led by the VP party, thus contributing to the fragmentation of the anti-Chavista movement. Second, it attaches a "made in U.S.A." label to those positioned to govern should Maduro fall.

The stigma would undoubtedly scuttle their chances of maintaining longstanding majority support and in doing so would undermine their authority and ability to govern. Third, the appeal to the military to save Venezuela has terrifying implications for a continent with a long history of military rule. And finally, the seizure of Venezuelan assets, which have then been turned over to a political ally, violates sacred norms of property rights, and in the process erodes confidence in the system of private property. These four considerations are an indication of the multiple adverse impacts that the Trump administration's rash approach to the Maduro government will have on the United States, Venezuela, and the rest of the region.

Steve Ellner is a retired professor from Venezuela's University of the East, a long-time contributor to NACLA: Report on the Americas , and currently associate managing editor of Latin American Perspectives . Among his over a dozen books on Latin America is his edited "The Pink Tide Experiences: Breakthroughs and Shortcomings in Twenty-First Century Latin America" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019).

jaycee , February 12, 2019 at 1:34 pm
The intention behind the pressure directed at Venezuela is quite clear: the current government is being told to resign and hand power over to a selected member of the opposition. To advance this strategy, various degrees of, frankly, organized crime style threats of punishment or positive inducement are daily publicized, iterated by US public officials.

The government-in-waiting is supposedly preparing new elections, at least that's wha they say – but Guaido's representative in Washington told reporters last week that such elections might happen by the end of the year, maybe not, but a new government's priorities would be changing the structural underpinnings of the country's economy.

So the new government will be installed and will swiftly dismantle all of the popular programs instituted by the Chavistas over the past twenty years. That is, a political platform which has lost elections consistently for these past twenty years will be engaged without popular mandate, and before any new elections will be permitted. That's a coup, not a restoration of democracy.

[Feb 09, 2019] Government shutdown, Venezuela Donald Trump evolves into the best propagator of neoliberal fascism that tends to become a norm

Notable quotes:
"... Indeed, a year later, Trump built a pro-war team that includes the most bloodthirsty, hawkish neocons. And then, he ordered a second airstrike against Syria, together with his neocolonial friends. ..."
"... Trump conducted the longest experiment on neoliberals' ultimate goal: abolishing the annoying presence of the state. And this was just a taste of what Trump is willing to do in order to satisfy all neoliberals' wet dreams. ..."
"... And perhaps the best proof for that is a statement by one of the most warmongering figures of the neocon/neoliberal cabal, hired by Trump . As John Bolton cynically and openly admitted recently, " It will make a big difference to the United States economically if we could have American oil companies really invest in and produce the oil capabilities in Venezuela. " ..."
"... Donald Trump is the personification of an authoritarian system that increasingly unveils its true nature. The US empire makes the Venezuelan economy 'scream hard', as it did in Chile in 1973. The country then turned into the first laboratory of neoliberalism with the help of the Chicago Boys and a brutal dictatorship. So, as the big fraud is clear now, neoliberalism is losing ground and ideological influence over countries and societies, after decades of complete dominance. ..."
Feb 09, 2019 | failedevolution.blogspot.com

Government shutdown, Venezuela: Donald Trump evolves into the best propagator of neoliberal fascism that tends to become a norm February 07, 2019 by system failure

Even before the 2016 US presidential election, this blog supported that Donald Trump is a pure sample of neoliberal barbarism . Many almost laughed at this perception because Trump was being already promoted, more or less, as the 'terminator' of the neoliberal establishment. And many people, especially in the US, tired from the economic disasters, the growing inequality and the endless wars, were anxious to believe that this was indeed his special mission.

Right after the elections, we supported that the US establishment gave a brilliant performance by putting its reserve, Donald Trump, in power, against the only candidate that the same establishment identified as a real threat: Bernie Sanders.

Then, Trump sent the first shock wave to his supporters by literally hiring the Goldman Sachs banksters to run the economy. And right after that, he signed for more deregulation in favor of the Wall Street mafia that ruined the economy in 2008.

In 2017 , Trump bombed Syria for the first time, resembling the lies that led us to the Iraq war disaster. Despite the fact that the US Tomahawk missile attack had zero value in operational level (the United States allegedly warned Russia and Syria, while the targeted airport was operating normally just hours after the attack), Trump sent a clear message to the US deep state that he is prepared to meet all its demands - and especially the escalation of the confrontation with Russia.

Indeed, a year later, Trump built a pro-war team that includes the most bloodthirsty, hawkish neocons. And then, he ordered a second airstrike against Syria, together with his neocolonial friends.

In the middle of all this 'orgy' of pro-establishment moves, Trump offered a controversial withdrawal of US forces from Syria and Afghanistan to save whatever was possible from his 'anti-interventionist' profile. And it was indeed a highly controversial action with very little value, considering all these US military bases that are still fully operational in the broader Middle East and beyond. Not to mention the various ways through which the US intervenes in the area (training proxies, equip them with heavy weapons, supporting the Saudis and contribute to war crimes in Yemen, etc.)

And then , after this very short break, Trump returned to 'business as usual' to satisfy the neoliberal establishment with a 'glorious' record. He achieved a 35-day government shutdown, which is the "longest shutdown in US history" .

Trump conducted the longest experiment on neoliberals' ultimate goal: abolishing the annoying presence of the state. And this was just a taste of what Trump is willing to do in order to satisfy all neoliberals' wet dreams.

And now, we have the Venezuela issue. Since Hugo Chavez nationalized PDVSA, the central oil and natural gas company, the US empire launched a fierce economic war against the country. Yet, while all previous US administrations were trying to replace legitimate governments with their puppets as much silently as possible through slow-motion coup operations, Trump has no problem to do it in plain sight.

And perhaps the best proof for that is a statement by one of the most warmongering figures of the neocon/neoliberal cabal, hired by Trump . As John Bolton cynically and openly admitted recently, " It will make a big difference to the United States economically if we could have American oil companies really invest in and produce the oil capabilities in Venezuela. "

Therefore, one should be very naive of course to believe that the Western imperialist gang seriously cares about the Venezuelan people and especially the poor. Here are three basic reasons behind the open US intervention in Venezuela:

  1. The imperialists want to grab the rich oil fields for the US big oil cartel, as well as the great untapped natural resources , particularly gold (mostly for the Canadian companies).
  2. Venezuela must not become an example for other countries in the region on social-programs policy, which is mainly funded by the oil production. The imperialists know that they must interrupt the path of Venezuela to real Socialism by force if necessary. Neoliberalism must prevail by all means for the benefit of the big banks and corporations.
  3. Venezuela must not turn to cooperation with rival powers like China and Russia. Such a prospect may give the country the ability to minimize the effects of the economic war. The country may find an alternative to escape the Western sanctions in order to fund its social programs for the benefit of the people. And, of course, the West will never accept the exploitation of the Venezuelan resources by the Sino-Russian bloc.

So, when Trump declared the unelected Juan Guaido as the 'legitimate president' of Venezuela, all the main neoliberal powers of the West rushed to follow the decision.

This is something we have never seen before. The 'liberal democracies' of the West - only by name - immediately, uncritically and without hesitation jumped on the same boat with Trump towards this outrageously undemocratic action. They recognized Washington's puppet as the legitimate president of a third country. A man that was never elected by the Venezuelan people and has very low popularity in the country. Even worse, the EU parliament approved this action , killing any last remnants of democracy in the Union.

Yet, it seems that the US is finding increasingly difficult to force many countries to align with its agenda. Even some European countries took some distance from the attempted constitutional coup, with Italy even trying to veto EU's decision to recognize Guaido.

Donald Trump is the personification of an authoritarian system that increasingly unveils its true nature. The US empire makes the Venezuelan economy 'scream hard', as it did in Chile in 1973. The country then turned into the first laboratory of neoliberalism with the help of the Chicago Boys and a brutal dictatorship. So, as the big fraud is clear now, neoliberalism is losing ground and ideological influence over countries and societies, after decades of complete dominance.

This unprecedented action by the Western neoliberal powers to recognize Guaido is a serious sign that neoliberalism returns to its roots and slips towards fascism. It appears now that this is the only way to maintain some level of power.

[Feb 05, 2019] Capitalists need their options regulated and their markets ripped from their control by the state. Profits must be subject to use it to a social purpose or heavily taxed. Dividends executive comp and interest payments included

Feb 05, 2019 | economistsview.typepad.com

Mr. Bill -> Mr. Bill... , January 31, 2019 at 08:22 PM

Is anyone else tired of the longest, least productive waste of war in American history ? What have we achieved, where are we going with this ? More war.
Mr. Bill -> Mr. Bill... , January 31, 2019 at 08:31 PM
We are being fed a fairy tale of war about what men, long dead, did. And the reason they did it. America is being strangled by the burden of belief that now is like then.
Mr. Bill -> Mr. Bill... , January 31, 2019 at 08:46 PM
By the patrician men and women administrators, posturing as soldiers like the WW2 army, lie for self profit. Why does anyone believe them ? Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, each an economic decision, rather than a security issue.
Mr. Bill -> Mr. Bill... , January 31, 2019 at 08:48 PM
America is dying on the same sword as Rome, for the same reason.
Plp -> JF... , January 31, 2019 at 07:28 AM
Capitalists need their options regulated and their markets ripped from their control by the state. Profits must be subject to use it to a social purpose or heavily taxed. Dividends executive comp and interest payments included
Julio -> mulp ... , January 31, 2019 at 08:58 AM
Well done! Much clearer than your usual. There are several distinct motivations for taxes. We have been far enough from fairness to workers, for so long, that we need to use the tax system to redistribute the accumulated wealth of the plutocrats.

So I would say high marginal rates are a priority, which matches both objectives. Wealth tax is needed until we reverse the massive inequality supported by the policies of the last 40 years.

Carbon tax and the like are a different thing, use of the tax code to promote a particular policy and reduce damage to the commons.

Gerald -> Julio ... , January 31, 2019 at 04:14 PM
"...we need to use the tax system to redistribute the accumulated wealth of the plutocrats. So I would say high marginal rates are a priority..."

Forgive me, but high marginal rates (which I hugely favor) don't "redistribute the accumulated wealth" of the plutocrats. If such high marginal rates are ever enacted, they'll apply only to the current income of such plutocrats.

Julio -> Gerald... , January 31, 2019 at 06:22 PM
You merged paragraphs, and elided the next one. The way I see it, high rates are a prerequisite to prevent the reaccumulation of obscene wealth, and its diversion into financial gambling.

But yes that would be a very slow way to redistribute what has already accumulated.

Gerald -> Julio ... , February 01, 2019 at 04:48 AM
Didn't mean to misinterpret what you were saying, sorry. High rates are not only "a prerequisite to prevent the reaccumulation of obscene wealth," they are also a reimposition of fair taxation on current income (if it ever happens, of course).
Global Groundhog -> Julio ... , February 02, 2019 at 01:39 PM
Wealth tax is needed until we reverse the massive inequality supported by the policies of the last 40 years. Carbon tax and the like are a different thing, use of the tax code to promote a particular policy and reduce damage to the commons.
"

more wisdom as usual!

Although wealth tax will be unlikely, it could be a stopgap; could also be a guideline to other taxes as well. for example, Elizabeth points out that billionaires pay about 3% of their net worth into their annual tax bill whereas workers pay about 7% of their net worth into their annual tax bill. Do you see how that works?

it doesn't? this Warren argument gives us a guideline. it shows us where other taxes should be adjusted to even out this percentage of net worth that people are taxed for. Ceu, during the last meltdown 10 years or so ago, We were collecting more tax from the payroll than we were from the income tax. this phenomenon was a heavy burden on those of low net worth. All this needs be resorted. we've got to sort this out.

and the carbon tax? may never be; but it indicates to us what needs to be done to make this country more efficient. for example some folks, are spending half a million dollars on the Maybach automobile, about the same amount on a Ferrari or a Alfa Romeo Julia quadrifoglio, but the roads are built for a mere 40 miles an hour, full of potholes.

What good is it to own a fast car like that when you can't drive but 40 -- 50 miles an hour? and full of traffic jams. something is wrong with taxation incentives. we need to get a better grid-work of roads that will get people there faster.

Meanwhile most of those sports cars just sitting in the garage. we need a comprehensive integrated grid-work of one way streets, roads, highways, and interstates with no traffic lights, no stop signs; merely freeflow ramp-off overpass interchanges.

thanks, Julio! thanks
again
.!

JF -> Global Groundhog... , February 04, 2019 at 05:42 AM
Wonderful to see the discussion about public finance shifting to use net worth proportions as the focus and metric.

Wonderful. Let us see if press/media stories and opinion pieces use this same way of talking about the financing of self-government.

Mr. Bill -> anne... , February 03, 2019 at 08:15 PM
Jesus Christ said, in so many words, that a man's worth will be judged by his generosity and his avarice.

" 24And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26They were even more astonished and said to one another, "Who then can be saved?"

[Feb 05, 2019] Refusal to hand over Venezuelan gold means end of Britain as a financial center Prof. Wolff -- RT Business News

Feb 05, 2019 | www.rt.com

The freezing of Venezuelan gold by the Bank of England is a signal to all countries out of step with US interests to withdraw their money, according to economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work, Professor Richard Wolff. He told RT America that Britain and its central bank have shown themselves to be "under the thumb of the United States."

"That is a signal to every country that has or may have difficulties with the US, [that they had] better get their money out of England and out of London because it's not the safe place as it once was," he said.

[Feb 05, 2019] Sic Semper Tyrannis Is this the Trump Doctrine - TTG

Notable quotes:
"... Many of us, actually most of us, were pleased with candidate Trump's declared intent to end our involvement in endless foreign interventions. He would put America first and refrain from sending our troops where they don't belong. Once elected, his record was mixed. ..."
"... PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: [W]e spent a fortune on building this incredible base. We might as well keep it. And one of the reasons I want to keep it is because I want to be looking a little bit at Iran because Iran is a real problem. ..."
"... There also appears to be an effort to keep the Rojava Kurds as a proxy force after our troops withdraw to Iraq. We continue sending combat and engineering equipment into Rojava and fully intend to continue providing air support to the YPG. We just can't let it go. ..."
"... I see a confrontation in our future, especially with all the Iraqi PMS units in western Iraq. ..."
Feb 05, 2019 | turcopolier.typepad.com

Many of us, actually most of us, were pleased with candidate Trump's declared intent to end our involvement in endless foreign interventions. He would put America first and refrain from sending our troops where they don't belong. Once elected, his record was mixed.

We launched an ineffective volley of cruise missiles at a Syrian airbase in response to a trumped up gas attack, but we never sought to establish a no fly zone and risk war with Russia. For a while we were well on our way to establish an enduring client state in east Syria. We assumed this was all the doing of the cabal of manipulating neocons that Trump surrounded himself with. His call for immediate withdrawal of troops from Syria surely proved this true. Finally Trump was allowed to be Trump. He was even seeking a way out of Afghanistan, after a literal lifetime of war in that godforsaken land.

The neocons are fighting back bigly. The pace of withdrawal from Syria was slowed and there is no indication we would ever give up our outpost on the Baghdad-Damascus highway at Tanf. Why? I think Trump laid out HIS thoughts on the matter during the traditional pre-super bowl presidential interview.

-- -- -- --

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We have to protect Israel. We have to protect other things that we have...

MARGARET BRENNAN: But you want to keep troops there [Iraq] now?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: [W]e spent a fortune on building this incredible base. We might as well keep it. And one of the reasons I want to keep it is because I want to be looking a little bit at Iran because Iran is a real problem.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Whoa, that's news. You're keeping troops in Iraq because you want to be able to strike in Iran?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: No, because I want to be able to watch Iran. All I want to do is be able to watch. We have an unbelievable and expensive military base built in Iraq. It's perfectly situated for looking at all over different parts of the troubled Middle East rather than pulling up. And this is what a lot of people don't understand. We're going to keep watching and we're going to keep seeing and if there's trouble, if somebody is looking to do nuclear weapons or other things, we're going to know it before they do.

-- -- -- --

So, We are staying in Iraq to keep an eye on Iran and we are doing this to protect Israel. It was not any of the neocons who said this. It was Trump himself. So much for America first. There also appears to be an effort to keep the Rojava Kurds as a proxy force after our troops withdraw to Iraq. We continue sending combat and engineering equipment into Rojava and fully intend to continue providing air support to the YPG. We just can't let it go.

However, Baghdad has thrown a monkey wrench into this developing Trump doctrine. Iraqi President Barham Salih has told Trump to slow his roll.

-- -- -- --

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi President Barham Salih said on Monday that President Donald Trump did not ask Iraq's permission for U.S. troops stationed there to "watch Iran."

Speaking at a forum in Baghdad, Salih was responding to a question about Trump's comments to CBS about how he would ask troops stationed in Iraq to "watch" Iran. U.S. troops in Iraq are there as part of an agreement between the two countries with a specific mission of combating terrorism, Salih said, and that they should stick to that. (Reuters)

-- -- -- --

I see a confrontation in our future, especially with all the Iraqi PMS units in western Iraq.

TTG

[Feb 04, 2019] Targeting Venezuela suggests a geopolitical shift away from the Middle East (and Israel) to countries that are less expensive to plunder yet with vast resources to be stolen.

Notable quotes:
"... In the report, Mr de Zayas recommended, among other actions, that the International Criminal Court investigate economic sanctions against Venezuela as possible crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute. ..."
"... The US sanctions are illegal under international law because they were not endorsed by the UN Security Council, Mr de Zayas, an expert on international law and a former senior lawyer with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said. ..."
"... My guess would be if there's anything being done, it's probably somebody instigating a coup as opposed to a direct military intervention. ..."
"... Imperial madness is not so mad, after all: greedy mega-thieves made the US overextend itself, spending way more than it has on military adventures benefiting those mega-thieves. Now they want to keep the value of the US dollar, which is not backed by anything the US government has or is likely to have, because their loot is mostly denominated in the US dollars. They know deep down that when this house of cards folds, competing mega-thieves supporting Chinese and Russian governments would have the upper hand. ..."
"... Given Kuchner's influence, I'd be much surprised if Trump were trying to evade rather than accomodate Israel's wishes. Several decades past, Mossad agent Mike Harari's name kept popping up in Central America, in connection with Iran-Contra and Noriega, and now there are vague reports that Israeli "advisors" have been sent to Brazil. So Mazeltov to the Venezuelan op! ..."
"... I myself haven't given much thought to what stake Israel might have in Central America, but it might be time to take a closer look at the details ..."
Feb 04, 2019 | www.unz.com

L.K , says: February 4, 2019 at 4:45 am GMT

Venezuela crisis: Former UN rapporteur says US sanctions are killing citizens
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/venezuela-us-sanctions-united-nations-oil-pdvsa-a8748201.html

The first UN rapporteur to visit Venezuela for 21 years has told The Independent the US sanctions on the country are illegal and could amount to "crimes against humanity" under international law.

Former special rapporteur Alfred de Zayas, who finished his term at the UN in March, has criticized the US for engaging in "economic warfare" against Venezuela which he said is hurting the economy and killing Venezuelans.

Mr De Zayas, a former secretary of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and an expert in international law, spoke to The Independent following the presentation of his Venezuela report to the HRC in September. He said that since its presentation the report has been ignored by the UN and has not sparked the public debate he believes it deserves.

"Sanctions kill," he told The Independent, adding that they fall most heavily on the poorest people in society, demonstrably cause death through food and medicine shortages, lead to violations of human rights and are aimed at coercing economic change in a "sister democracy".

In the report, Mr de Zayas recommended, among other actions, that the International Criminal Court investigate economic sanctions against Venezuela as possible crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute.

The US sanctions are illegal under international law because they were not endorsed by the UN Security Council, Mr de Zayas, an expert on international law and a former senior lawyer with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said.

"When I come and I say the emigration is partly attributable to the economic war waged against Venezuela and is partly attributable to the sanctions, people don't like to hear that. They just want the simple narrative that socialism failed and it failed the Venezuelan people," Mr de Zayas told The Independent.

Alfred de Zayas is the author of "A Terrible Revenge: The Ethnic Cleansing of the East European Germans, 1944 -- 1950" und "The Wehrmacht War Crimes Bureau, 1939-1945".

L.K , says: February 4, 2019 at 5:03 am GMT
Venezuela -- Coup Attempt Part Of A Larger Project
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2019/01/venezuela-coup-attempt-part-of-a-larger-project-military-intervention-likely-to-fail.html

The Trump administration has launched a large political project to remake several states in Latin America. The Wall Street Journal headlines:

"U.S. Push to Oust Venezuela's Maduro Marks First Shot in Plan to Reshape Latin America
The Trump administration's broader aim is to gain leverage over Cuba and curb recent inroads in the region by Russia, Iran and China"

The plan includes regime change in Venezuela, Nicaragua and eventually Cuba. The removal of any Russian or Chinese interest is another point. It is a multiyear project that has bipartisan support. It will likely require military force.

The project seems to echo the "New Middle East" plan then Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice launched in 2006.

That the U.S. is going for such a wide ranging plan in the western hemisphere might explain why Trump is pressing to end the other military projects in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

wraith67 , says: February 4, 2019 at 2:41 pm GMT
5000 troops isn't 5000 fighters, that would seem like an extremely light package to me*, so I'm inclined to believe that isn't what anybody's preparing for (and our side doctrinally prefers and overwhelming advantage, preferably 3 to 1 odds). On our side, there's nobody mobilizing heavy equipment (pictures of vehicles on rail heads or convoys would already be circulating). SOF is already in country with agencies; you could RDF a light force into country fairly quickly (out of the 82nd, 101st, 10th mt., etc), but it wouldn't be a long term occupation force (which goes back to the first couple lines above).

As to how we'd do there, hard to say. If the military sheds their uniforms and dissolves into the population, insurgency style, that's one thing (Middle Eastern counter-insurgency is a nut the Pentagon deliberately declined to crack, as it would have required addressing Islam). If the Venezuelan military decides to fight in uniform, nobody on our side has any compunctions about killing them and it would go badly for the host nation forces.

My guess would be if there's anything being done, it's probably somebody instigating a coup as opposed to a direct military intervention.

*caveat -- you could have 5000 trigger pullers deploy, but you're talking a maximum of 72 hours before they're out of food, bullets, etc. 5000 trigger pullers requires at least another 10,000 people in a logistics and support tail and those people aren't as rapidly deployable.

AnonFromTN , says: February 4, 2019 at 3:13 pm GMT
@yurivku You are making a pretty common mistake: confusing intelligence with education. These are two different things, and neither correlates with other aspects of character, including moral fiber. American school and college system is specifically designed to keep people uneducated beyond their narrow professional area. Maybe 2% of colleges teach students anything beyond their profession (they call it distribution requirements). That's what the elites do, and it is more effective than censorship Soviet system used, after actually educating people.

There were two Americans among my top three graduate students. Both were woefully undereducated in everything outside of their major. But both were smart, hardworking, and nice people to have in the lab. Both were receptive to info, too, except in their case myself (and with one of them -- her husband) were the sources of info they've encountered for the first time in their lives.

So, there is no contradiction between being naturally smart and grossly uneducated, or between being anywhere on the intelligence scale and being nice or nasty. To give you an example from Russia, colonel Kvachkov is likely not as smart and educated as Chubais, but he is a good person, whereas Chubais is scum.

AnonFromTN , says: February 4, 2019 at 3:36 pm GMT
@NoseytheDuke There is a common thread/pattern: greedy fat cats. While each one of them would readily slash the throat of another for money, they have better class solidarity than deliberately confused "deplorables". Besides, they know that monopoly give the best opportunity to rob "deplorables" blind, so they do not undermine each other's monopoly. Another tool they use is the Empire. Unlike Ukrainian morons, they know that you need the protection of a strong state, otherwise competing thieves would gladly steal your loot. Collectively they control the government of the Empire, and through it, the governments of all its vassals.

So, there are no coincidences: globalist mega-thief class is well organized, controls through direct ownership all MSM that spew the lies they are told to disseminate, and control through their venality the politicians, who via government agencies generate the lies for MSM to spread and conduct imperial [policies that benefit those fat cats.

While some Russian and Chinese mega-thieves are compardores, others support their countries in the stand-off with the Empire. However, they do it out of their personal pecuniary interests, not because of the goodness of their hearts.

AnonFromTN , says: February 4, 2019 at 3:45 pm GMT
@Harold Smith You are making the mistake of Lenin (Marx made the same one in his later years), considering ideology as something separate. Ideology, like religion, is a tool fat cats use to fool the "deplorables" and manipulate them. Their only sincere feeling is greed, and their true ideology boils down to "I have the right to steal this, not the other guy".

Imperial madness is not so mad, after all: greedy mega-thieves made the US overextend itself, spending way more than it has on military adventures benefiting those mega-thieves. Now they want to keep the value of the US dollar, which is not backed by anything the US government has or is likely to have, because their loot is mostly denominated in the US dollars. They know deep down that when this house of cards folds, competing mega-thieves supporting Chinese and Russian governments would have the upper hand.

Craig Spence , says: February 4, 2019 at 5:20 pm GMT
Now then. Squirted out of Syria and Afghanistan like shit through a goose, CIA tries to look tough someplace else, someplace where they might not get their ass kicked this time -- Venezuela! That'll do the trick!

So how's that workin' out for ya?

Despite sitting in Daddy's chair at the OAS, talking big, Pompeo couldn't pass his bullshit resolution to knock over Venezuela. Even at the OAS. Luis Almagro, Pompeo's ventriloquist dummy at the OAS pep rallies, got himself kicked out of his party at home for blowing Pompeo too much.

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/OAS-Head-Almagro-Expelled-From-His-Party-Due-to-Interventionism-20181215-0014.html

CIA stuffed DO with dumbshit jarheads, because nobody else was stupid enough to do universal-jurisdiction crimes for Lloyd Blankfein, and now the whole agency is mongoloid, totally inept. A laughingstock.

EliteCommInc. , says: February 4, 2019 at 5:46 pm GMT
@L.K The project for the "New American Way"

was not cooked up or launched by Sec/NSA Rice. She's intelligent and smart, fortuitous and intense, -- loyal --

But the project regarding US primacy is advancing capitalism and democracy by force of necessary was developed and launched prior to the Bush Admin. The public got its first real taste after 9/11.

cassandra , says: February 4, 2019 at 8:06 pm GMT
@wayfarer Odd, that: if Venezuelans are truly starving, do the opposition protesters look so well-fed because the US is providing secret aid?

Styx' video has a very myopic view of the situation. He totally neglects the economic sabotage being practiced by internal and international financial parties. Opposition parties have been boycotting elections so they can declare them illegitimate, and generally sticking spokes in the wheels of the state by inaction within the government, violent protests in the streets, and a general refusal to engage in constructive dialog with Maduro. The US is applying sanctions of all sorts, both to Venezuela and international trading partners, an is diverting Cisco revenue to Guaido; the Bank of England tells Maduro he can't have his gold. The endgame of the neoliberal elites behind the opposition, likely including Guaido's prof at Georgetown, are working for social austerity and privatization of national resources. (As Bolton and Pompeo have proudly asserted.)

The problems of the Chavista gornment are due to a hopelessly-tangled combination of elite international economic (and possibly covert military) warfare, Maduro's mismanagement, and maybe even the structure of socialism itself as libertarian free-marketers will assert. However, socialist governments encounter so much economic hostility from international capitalism that it's surprising that any exist at all.

Try this video, for a more nuanced, and much better informed, view of the situation.

In contrast to guessing the size of demonstrations from youtube videos as Styx does, Piva reports on street conditions from direct experience. By comparison, I'm afraid Styx's report comes across as an uninformed rant. But it's not surprising since that's how our MSM is portraying the situation.

Missing from all this are any reports of possible activities of China and Russia.

AnonFromTN , says: February 4, 2019 at 8:12 pm GMT
@Harold Smith I think your folly is that you are trying to rationalize greed. Greed is irrational, we inherited it from our irrational aggressively territorial cousins, monkeys. Remember Soros: he looks like he died a couple of weeks ago (I wish he did), but still grabs for more loot and resents those who get in his way, including Trump. When greed is powerless, it is simply ridiculous. When greed has power, it becomes evil.

That's the downside of so-called market economy: the driving force is greed (apologists like to call it profit, bit semantics don't change the matter). Unregulated greed, like unregulated power of wind (hurricanes) and water (floods), is destructive, whereas properly regulated it can produce some good.

You also ignore the fact that all those MIC profiteers don't really want WWIII. They want to keep stealing huge amounts of taxpayers' money on military contracts. For that they scare the common folk with dangers that do not exist and regale them with "patriotic" BS they don't believe in. Deep down they know that to enjoy their loot they must stay alive: unlike pathetic politicians, the gods do not take bribes.

As to those people throwing rocks from the overpass of I-75, I think "Beavis and Butt-Head" answers your question. Hopeless stupidity of people totally lacking imagination, when it becomes active, is evil. But the people themselves are just unimaginative morons.

So, my point is there is no such thing as evil per se, there is greed and stupidity (often the combination of the two) that leads to evil actions.

AnonFromTN , says: February 4, 2019 at 8:43 pm GMT
@Authenticjazzman Here you go: "hundred million victims" is a lie, which you apparently bought. Just count the humans murdered in different ways for the glory of capitalism, starting with millions of Indians starved to death by the Brits, countless American Indians murdered by the settlers, or Africans murdered by the colonial powers, proceeding to Japanese fried alive in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and in fires in several other cities bombed by conventional munitions, to more than a million Indonesians murdered as "communists" by US-backed Suharto regime, or millions of Koreans murdered by the US army, and 2.5 million Vietnamese you like to boast about, etc. The sum total would stun you, and it would be much greater than imaginary 100 million killed by the communists (the true number is likely ~10 million, most of them killed by Mao regime in China).

Now, tell your stories about dead eyes to someone who does not know the truth. They might believe it. I lived in the USSR for 33 years, and the eyes of the people there were certainly no deader than the eyes of Americans I see for the last 28 years.

But you are welcome to cling to your beliefs: most people believe all sorts of untrue ridiculous things, and just live with it, many of them happily.

cassandra , says: February 4, 2019 at 9:06 pm GMT
@Ilyana_Rozumova

Trump now can say to Netanyahu: We cannot attack Iran because we are too busy in Venezuela.

Given Kuchner's influence, I'd be much surprised if Trump were trying to evade rather than accomodate Israel's wishes. Several decades past, Mossad agent Mike Harari's name kept popping up in Central America, in connection with Iran-Contra and Noriega, and now there are vague reports that Israeli "advisors" have been sent to Brazil. So Mazeltov to the Venezuelan op!

I myself haven't given much thought to what stake Israel might have in Central America, but it might be time to take a closer look at the details .

Small military groups of resistance could move around indefinitely killing American interests.

Perhaps making common cause with the FARC in Columbia? Wouldn't that be a welcome development!

[Feb 04, 2019] U.S. Coup Attempt as a classic example of gangster capitalism in action: we want your oil

Small counties in LA are essentially defenseless against 300 pound gorilla -- the USA. And neoliberalism still can take revenge, as it recently did in Argentina and Brazil.
Notable quotes:
"... Agence France-Press ..."
"... As monarchs were forced to realize, they served a function to society, in order to be served by it. It was a two way street. Now finance is having a, "Let them eat cake." moment, as they become more predator than organ of society. It is the heart telling the hands and feet they don't need so much blood and should work harder for what they do get. As well as telling the head it better go along, or else. ..."
"... As this regime change process unfolds, it is difficult not to feel deep sadness for Venezuelans. Chavez failed to lift the poor into a permanent middle class, Maduro failed to protect the accomplishments that had been achieved, and now, the state seems unprepared to cope with what was inevitable. ..."
"... It's a tragic moment in Latin American history. Though Maduro has some backing from the four most Resistant of all Resistors, Russian, China, Cuba and Iran, the nation's geography is too distant for them to flex their full restraint. The lesson of Nicaragua in the 80's should have been learned. ..."
"... "The wealthy few have declared war on the many poor. They should not be allowed to lose their bet and maintain their stakes. The world doesn't work that way. " Unfortunately Bevin I think that is exactly how the world works. The real never ending war is between the haves and have nots. ..."
"... I'm a bit more pessimistic. Washington seems united on getting rid of Maduro and installing a friendly regime. While Maduro can hang in there for awhile, the economic sanctions and covert operations (including sabotage, killings, bribery etc.) will cause severe problems for the government. Maduro is not Assad and lacks friendly neighbors--in fact, Latin America has pretty much returned to direct Washington rule. ..."
"... Like with the attacks on Syria, Trump becomes presidential when he attacks the likes of Iran and Venezuela. ..."
"... I wonder how many of the pro-USA protesters, willing to take the US coin to protest on the street, are also willing to take the US coin to die on the street. ..."
"... A U.S. military incursion could have significant unintended consequences, "including a deterioration of our relationship with currently supportive countries in the region." -- Gustavo Arnavat, a former Obama administration official and a senior advisor to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. ..."
"... I don't justify intervention anywhere (except in D.C. where the Tyranny and Hegemon resides). I point to missed opportunities, failures, corruption and not taking advice from your closest friends (China, Russia, Cuba). If they had brought in the Chinese petroleum experts and Russian economic experts, much of the disaster would have been avoided. When you have a huge enemy and you are weak and relatively small, you need help. Maduro waited until too late. ..."
"... Self-evidently all the governments which have followed the US are not only agreeing but are acting in compliance with a pre-set US timetable. They all waited for the US to give the signal, then like synchronized swimmers performed according to choreography pre-determined by the US. ..."
"... Maduro to his navy --- "Today the future of Venezuela is decided: if it becomes one more star of the United States flag or if it will continue to fly its eight tricolor stars," said the president. ..."
"... As usual, the AZ regime change machine is mightily backed up by billions of puff dollars (printed out of thin air), but among the puppets, the tie-eating Saakashvili is Optimus Prime compared with the Murky Guy's leadership. ..."
"... Ha, how 40 tons of the "barbaric relic" which disappeared from Ukraine after a similar "revolution" got to be mentioned also in relation to Venezuela. ..."
"... Well, the headline of this post is kinda problematic now ("U.S. Coup Attempt In Venezuela Lacks International Support"). I think it was problematic from the start, b, because 1) several countries had already joined with USA; 2) Europe's falling in line was never really in doubt. Note: The EU poodles have toed the line on Russia, Iran*, and now Venezuela. ..."
"... Instead, Guaido called for further "pressure", which is at this point limited to a further tightening of the economic isolation of the country. Canada seems to have anticipated this position by announcing a $53 million aid package which will be focussed on assisting current and future "refugees" headed to Columbia and Brazil. ..."
"... Hugo Chavez has repatriated most of Venezeulan gold whilst still alive. This is how the CIA and the Venezuelan Central Bank could invent the story that a part of this gold is being sent to Russia by Maduro. The 41 ton of Venezuelan gold still remain in Bank of England was a necessary collateral for buying naphtha (for pre-processing oil for export) and subsidised food for the Venezurlan population. ..."
Feb 04, 2019 | www.moonofalabama.org

U.S. Coup Attempt In Venezuela Lacks International Support Zanon , Feb 3, 2019 12:44:33 PM | link

There is little doubt where 'western' media stand with regards to the U.S. led coup-attempt (vid) in Venezuela. But their view does not reflect the overwhelming international recognition the Venezuelan government under President Nicolás Maduro continues to have.

The Rothschild family's house organ, the Economist , changed the background of its Twitter account to a picture of the Random Dude™, Juan Guaidó, who the U.S. regime changers created to run the country.


bigger

The tweet is quite revealing:

The Economist @TheEconomist - 23:59 utc- 31 Jan 2019

Juan Guaidó and Donald Trump are betting that sanctions will topple the regime before they starve the Venezuelan people econ.st/2DMOeEk

It is quite obvious that Trump's Illegal Regime Change Operation Will Kill More Venezuelans . The Economist supports that starvation strategy.

The supposedly neutral news agencies are no better than the arch-neoliberal Economist . The Reuters ' Latin America office also changed its header picture to Random Dude. It reverted that after being called out.

Agence France-Press stated at 11:10 utc yesterday that "tens of thousands" would join a rally.

Cont. reading: U.S. Coup Attempt In Venezuela Lacks International Support "Lacks international support" unfortunately doesnt matter much. Regardless, even if a majority of nations backed the coup doesnt mean its right. Also remember Ukraine coup, majority didnt support that - but it didnt matter.


psychohistorian , Feb 3, 2019 12:49:01 PM | link

Thanks for the reporting b

Empire is testing the waters of support by its DazzleSpeak about the spinning plate of Venezuela. I hope it is learning that much of the world no longer wants to live in a world motivated by fear.

Threat of US global default on Reserve Currency is coming soon because empire is out of ammunition to maintain and extend supremacy. It will be interesting to see what the fall back status will be and how maintained....the last thralls of Might-Makes-Right.....one would hope.

PavewayIV , Feb 3, 2019 12:51:55 PM | link
Then there's that 'gold' thing.

The Bank of England should be holding closer to 30 tonnes of Venezuela's gold, not the 14 tonnes they're holding from Marudo under U.S. orders. The Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV) just closed a huge gold swap with someone and now should have a total of maybe 2500 gold bars in the BoE dungeons with their original serial numbers and weights. Custodians of gold like this can't melt it down and make new bars - that's why state depositors stamp all of them with serial numbers and precise weights. They want to be sure THEIR gold is there and THEIR gold is returned.

The news isn't the U.S. demand that it won't be returned. The real news is that neither the BCV nor the BoE will show anyone the original or current gold bar inventory list. Usually, nobody cares. But with the U.S. and BoE chosing a new, rightful owner (Random Guy), they should at the very least provide the inventory list.

It shouldn't be a secret - there is absolutely no security risk. The gold belongs to the (starving) people of Venezuela. Or at least it did. What are the BoE and Rothschild BCV hiding? Did they melt it down or sell it to someone else?

John Merryman , Feb 3, 2019 12:54:53 PM | link
I think the deeper conceptual issues need to be considered, that would place the political and social situations going on around the world, from France, to Venezuela, in perspective.

That money is the social contract enabling mass societies to function, not a commodity to be mined from society and stored as government debt, to finance militaries, as well as making the entire economy subservient to the gambling addictions of Wall St.

Humanity went through s similar evolutionary process, when monarchies, as private, hereditary governments, reached the limits of their effectiveness. As the executive and regulatory function, government is the central nervous system of society, while finance is its circulation mechanism, basically the head and heart.

As monarchs were forced to realize, they served a function to society, in order to be served by it. It was a two way street. Now finance is having a, "Let them eat cake." moment, as they become more predator than organ of society. It is the heart telling the hands and feet they don't need so much blood and should work harder for what they do get. As well as telling the head it better go along, or else.

As it is now, all this government debt is setting the world up for predatory lending/disaster capitalism, when the governments cannot run up more debt and those holding the old debt start trading it for more public properties, from mineral rights to roads.

Sasha , Feb 3, 2019 1:09:43 PM | link
@b,

After watching the whole central meeting in Bolívar Avenue, Caracas,live broadcasted by RTSpanish, which extended for several hours, in which were projected images of other regions´meetings as well, and after watching live too, broadcasted by the same channel, the pro-Random Dude meeting only in that rich neighborhood, which extended for about half an hour and dispersed itslef very fast, I would calculate the numbers at both meetings just in reverse as you have done.

I would say 200-300 thousands for Maduro´s supporters ( and i would say I get it short..) and 20-30 thousands ( in the best case )for the Random Dude....

I notice that that photo you are basing your estimations on corresponds only to the front of the square where the tribune for speechers of the pro-Maduro rallie was placed, but other people has showed the whole Bolívar Avenue ( the longest and largest in Caracas ) full of pro-Maduro people as long as the sight can catch ....See for example, Abby Martin´s capture:

https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin/status/1091836605847851008

To this numbers, you should add all those collected in the regions...I would say in the hundreds of thousands....

Taffyboy , Feb 3, 2019 1:14:11 PM | link
A very good supporting read after this.

https://www.stalkerzone.org/the-state-of-affairs-in-venezuela-what-the-media-doesnt-write-about/

Thank you.

Blooming Barricade , Feb 3, 2019 1:31:10 PM | link
The European Parliament voted on the Venezuela issue a few days ago, and naturally, the centre-right wing European People's Party (Merkel, Tusk), the Liberals (Macron), and most of the so-called Socialists voted to recognise the US coup minion as president. The European United Left and most of the Greens along with the far-right wing voted against this, which just shows you that the so-called liberal democrats are bought and paid for employees of US/NATO multinational imperialism.
Enrico Malatesta , Feb 3, 2019 1:33:29 PM | link
With the "Electoral College" method determining winners not in current favor, perhaps the US MSM may wish to state that by world population, Maduro beats Guaidó by a factor of at least 4 to 1 in public opinion.
james , Feb 3, 2019 1:39:37 PM | link
thanks b... it is interesting @5 sashas comments if they can be verified..

@3paveway - it is much as @4 john merryman says, with the additional note that the boe are essentially stealing venezualas gold in a might makes right type of undemocratic and undignified way.. i always thought the federal reserve was an extension of the boe... both of them are privately run, with some minor face saving image that they belong to the respective gov'ts.. they don't... they are controlled and run by the 1% that are quite okay starving off venezuala, or going to the next step - military intervention.. they are one sick group of predators only focused on the god of mammon.. we have to figure out a way to get rid of them before they completely destroy the planet..

vk , Feb 3, 2019 1:48:03 PM | link
Italy's argument against the European recognition of Guaidó is emblematic:

Italy warns against 'another Libya' if Venezuela is attacked

CE , Feb 3, 2019 2:10:15 PM | link
"Random Dude" is not bad but I think "Chicago Boy" is more useful as it gives clueless people a useful googling opportunity.
Cyril , Feb 3, 2019 2:34:51 PM | link
@denk | Feb 3, 2019 1:06:50 PM | 272

Other than Russia../China/Iran....practically the entire world is under uncle sham's thumb now.
The outlook is very depressing indeed.

Don't worry, China has an enormous amount of leverage:

" Boeing predicts China will need more than 7,200 new aircraft worth over $1 trillion in the 20 years through 2036."

Trump slaps some tariffs, here and there, on a few billion dollars of China's products. But this is trivial compared to what China can do to Boeing, if Trump really annoys Xi. And Boeing is just of many US companies that the Chinese can retaliate against.

Don Bacon , Feb 3, 2019 3:06:56 PM | link
@ DougDiggler | Feb 3, 2019 2:09:22 PM | 12

Why does Maduro allow Guaido to remain at large?

Juan Guaido enjoys legislative immunity to arrest but Venezuela's Supreme Court barred him from leaving the country, and the court also approved a request that all of Guaido's financial assets be frozen.

As we have seen he's rather harmless, without any real power in the country, and so the longer he's free and obviously ineffective the better. Plus it enables Maduro to appear reasonable and unafraid of the young man.

bevin , Feb 3, 2019 4:24:40 PM | link
The 800 lb elephant in the room here is the reality of class struggle in Caracas. Those backing the imperialists seem to constitute the majority of Venezuela's small elite of rich people. Despite their complaints, continual sabotage of the economy and outright treason in their collaboration with its enemies they have been allowed to hold onto their ill gotten, and inherited, wealth.

How long is that likely to last?

On the other side of the divide are millions of poor people, their livelihoods and their democracy at risk. Many of them are having difficulty finding food to feed their families- the deliberate result of sanctions supported by the wealthy, and the light skinned. Many are finding it impossible to find the medicines their sick people desperately need.

If Venezuela is to maintain its independence it will do so because the poor refuse to give it up. Their rewards and the means of rebuilding the economy lie in the wealth of the rich.

The wealthy few have declared war on the many poor. They should not be allowed to lose their bet and maintain their stakes. The world doesn't work that way.

Red Ryder , Feb 3, 2019 5:02:29 PM | link
As this regime change process unfolds, it is difficult not to feel deep sadness for Venezuelans. Chavez failed to lift the poor into a permanent middle class, Maduro failed to protect the accomplishments that had been achieved, and now, the state seems unprepared to cope with what was inevitable.

To assume that the Hegemon would keep its hands off the nation, return the gold, leave the assets in the US untouched, not use the neighboring countries to mount an insurgency, seems naive at best. The lessons learned from Cuba's 60 year fight for dignity taught the regime nothing.

Watching the tear down of Brazil's socialist leadership (two of them) taught the regime nothing. Stupidity atop corruption atop a blind belief in an ideology that destroyed the wealth of the nation (or at least crippled it) has led to the moment of truth. Will enough poor people and some middle class defend the sovereignty of the nation? And will the military leadership and rank and file remain patriots?

It's a tragic moment in Latin American history. Though Maduro has some backing from the four most Resistant of all Resistors, Russian, China, Cuba and Iran, the nation's geography is too distant for them to flex their full restraint. The lesson of Nicaragua in the 80's should have been learned.

Now he faces invasion of convoys of aid on three borders. He must control his borders. The odds are very long he can.

frances , Feb 3, 2019 5:12:50 PM | link
quote from www.stalkerzone.org

I am not sure if anyone has posted about this, my apologies if it is redundant. I was wondering where our Random Dude was now located and what he was up to:

"For the role of President they chose a "poster boy" who doesn't represent anything and who shouted out something at a meeting with 30,000-40,000 protesters, and after this he immediately ran to the Embassy of Colombia, where he still sits to this day.

This boy refuses any contact with the authorities. But since you are being informed by "different media agencies" and certain authors on "Aftershock" – he communicated with army Generals on twitter however the Generals are unaware of this but he communicated "in secret". Or he appointed a certain official from among the immigrants in the US also on twitter "

jayc , Feb 3, 2019 5:37:59 PM | link
Red Ryder #30

Your analysis of the economic problems is too harsh directed at Chavez/Marduro and their "ideology". Nafeez Ahmed's piece in Medium, which has been shared on this forum, does a much better job describing the perfect storm of coinciding events which have combined to sink Venezuela's economy. Short of two or three of these events, and the situation could be bad but not as terrible as it is.

The programs instituted by the government over the past twenty years remain extremely popular, as was acknowledged yesterday when Guaido made a vague promise of government "subsidies" to those in need.

The aid caravans will be entirely symbolic, and offer little to nothing to a population of over 30 million people. The sponsors of the aid caravans are also the same people who have placed harsh economic sanctions on the country, a fact which will not be lost.

arby , Feb 3, 2019 6:01:07 PM | link
Bevin @ 28

"The wealthy few have declared war on the many poor. They should not be allowed to lose their bet and maintain their stakes. The world doesn't work that way. " Unfortunately Bevin I think that is exactly how the world works. The real never ending war is between the haves and have nots.

mrtmbrnmn , Feb 3, 2019 6:01:53 PM | link
Why don't the coup mongers name Hillary president of Venezuela. The biggest sore loser of all time is currently "resting", as they say of out-of-work actors, and desperately wants to be president of SOMETHING. Not being a native Venezuelan should be no drawback in her case. She would simply trade her old Cubs/Yankees hat for a big V and probably discover some Venezuelan great-great-grandmother hanging on her family tree. The coup mongers' current choice, the sock puppet "Guido" Guadio, is about as legit as a Confederate nickel. And coups are by definition NOT legit. So haul out those unused "I'm With Her" signs and ship them down there. In the meantime, she can head for the Venezuelan Embassy and hole up there (a la Julian Assange?) while awaiting the moment to parachute into Caracas. Mission Accomplished!
Don Bacon , Feb 3, 2019 6:05:51 PM | link
Let's remember that the US position is that Guaido is only the interim president of a transitional government, which suggests that (1) the US has its real choice under cover in Miami somewhere, possibly a Rubio house guest, or (more likely) (2) the US really doesn't have a clue about what to do next. Hey, humanitarian aid, that's a good regime change strategy (??).

Meanwhile they can demonstrate all they want, it never accomplishes anything (MLK attendance the exception).

Chris Cosmos , Feb 3, 2019 6:06:00 PM | link
I'm a bit more pessimistic. Washington seems united on getting rid of Maduro and installing a friendly regime. While Maduro can hang in there for awhile, the economic sanctions and covert operations (including sabotage, killings, bribery etc.) will cause severe problems for the government. Maduro is not Assad and lacks friendly neighbors--in fact, Latin America has pretty much returned to direct Washington rule.
Peter AU 1 , Feb 3, 2019 6:38:35 PM | link
Don Bacon 37

I suspect the Trump admin does have a plan for Venezuela and will push it through no matter what anybody thinks. Trump's opinion of the bobbling heads or trained seal lot that call themselves heads of state is about the same as he showed the Iraqi's when visiting the US base in Iraq.

Trumps plans will only be stopped by the likes of Russia, China, Iran ect. No matter how outlandish the claims of the lies of Bolton or himself are, MSM seems to take it up with all seriousness.

Like with the attacks on Syria, Trump becomes presidential when he attacks the likes of Iran and Venezuela.

arby , Feb 3, 2019 6:39:05 PM | link
Don @ 37
I think this is the guy they would like to install--

Leopoldo Lopez

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopoldo_L%C3%B3pez

rem , Feb 3, 2019 6:43:13 PM | link
USAMO . Same Old. First, engineer sanctions through compliant UN, then squeeeeze the population until they understand the changing electoral requirements and their howl reaches pitch

-in the meantime picking a favourite pony to front the 'peoples will' regime change op; training him/her up in latest provocateur methodology and introducing them to their master racketeers back in DC

then,

with malevolent mercenary gangs helping stirring street protest offer emergency security assistance and food AID thru sanctified UN allowing your chosen one to ride the front of the food wagon, saving the day.

Democracy, Yankee Doodle Dandy style.

Scotch Bingeington , Feb 3, 2019 7:16:18 PM | link
jayc | 33

"The aid caravans will be entirely symbolic, and offer little to nothing to a population of over 30 million people." Yes, and also those of the 30 million who support the Anti-Maduro movement are probably not in need of basic foodstuffs, but will want their iPhone and their Netflix account.

Don Bacon , Feb 3, 2019 7:44:57 PM | link
@ arby | Feb 3, 2019 6:39:05 PM | 40

I think this is the guy they would like to install--Leopoldo Lopez
Yes, good chance of that, if they could work it somehow (unlikely) and it would tie into Guaido's reference to Feb 12.

wiki--During the crisis in Bolivarian Venezuela, Leopoldo Lopez called for protests in February 2014. López, a leading figure in the opposition to the government, began to lead protests. . .He was arrested on 18 February 2014 and charged with arson and conspiracy; murder and terrorism charges were dropped. Human rights groups expressed concern that the charges were politically motivated. . .Leopoldo López, a leading figure in the opposition to the government, began to lead protests.. .

In September 2015, he was found guilty of public incitement to violence through supposed subliminal messages, being involved with criminal association, and was sentenced to 13 years and 9 months in prison. He was later transferred to house arrest on 8 July 2017 after being imprisoned for over three years.

Don Bacon , Feb 3, 2019 7:51:43 PM | link
mismanagement? A liter of 91-octane gasoline currently costs 1 bolivar, so for a dollar one can get 3 million liters. . here
Don Bacon , Feb 3, 2019 7:59:52 PM | link
re: Trump's state of the union speech Tuesday night.
on VZ-- from WaPo Trump will
"... actively intervene in the political upheaval in Venezuela, aides said in previewing the speech Friday." here
aspnaz , Feb 3, 2019 8:07:22 PM | link
I wonder how many of the pro-USA protesters, willing to take the US coin to protest on the street, are also willing to take the US coin to die on the street.

I suspect these protests are paper thin at best, the poor are unlikely to support the rich without financial inducement, but the one thing the coup organisers have is plenty of money. If these are indeed poor people protesting (who knows) then it would be interesting to know what quantity of cash was offered to the participants. Maybe 30 USD for half a day of protesting? Decent money for the protesters, easily affordable to the USA.

Peter AU 1 , Feb 3, 2019 8:14:35 PM | link
Red Ryder

A countries domestic issues need to be kept separate from US attacks on a country. US is not attacking Venezuela for humanitarian reasons. This is aside from the fact as Jen pointed out, that Venezuela's economy has been under attack from the US for some time.
The expectations that a country that is under US attack should have a leader that is far above average in terms of ability to withstand the economic attack of a superpower with perfect, far seeing decisions is unreasonable. People lie that are rare and only occurred occasionally in history.

What does matter is that the Maduro government is doing the best it can for its people, rather than working in the interests of a foreign power to the detriment of its people.

As for a better leader - one that will resist the US and provide a better economy for Venezuela while under US sustained attack....

PavewayIV , Feb 3, 2019 8:33:23 PM | link
Bart Hansen@20 - Oil production costs are complex, secret and mostly lies. With that caveat, Venezuela was thought to have about $10 - $15 production costs on average. That includes their light and medium crude, and zero investment in repair of their distribution networks.

Well over half of Venezuela's reserves are Orinco extra-heavy, sour crude. Essentially tar sands, but buried 500m - 1500m deep that require solvent or steam extraction. So (guess) maybe $30-range/bbl for production. Those tar sand oils produced are so heavy that they need pre-processing and dilution before they can be refined or exported. Naphtha or other refined products are used as dilutent and cost maybe $55/bbl today, but were around $75/bbl last October.

U.S. refineries were pretty much the only ones paying cash for their 500,000 b/d of Venezuelan crude. Trump's sanctions not only ban those imports, but also ban the 120,000 b/d of naphtha and other dilutents we sold them.

Interesting to note that part of Trump's beat-down of the Venezuela little people is a ban on the 120,000 b/d of dilutent last week. That will completely shut down their exports. They could find another source of naphtha, but that source will be looking for $6.6 million a day hard cash for it.

Maduro needs to sell Venezuela's gold to buy naphtha to export oil for ANY revenue. The $2.5 billion the Bank of England can't find and won't deliver is meant to hasten the food riots and CIA-orchestrated coup. But Mercy Corps is setting up concentration camps on the Colombian border and we're delivering food aid, so the U.S. is really the hero, here. God bless America! Obey, or die.

Don Bacon , Feb 3, 2019 8:58:19 PM | link
@ Peter AU 1 | Feb 3, 2019 8:14:35 PM | 48

expectations that a country that is under US attack should have a leader that is far above average

I appreciate your discussion of leaders, but let's not forget the people. It has been the goal of the US to demonize leaders and go after them. Ho Chi Minh, Saddam Hussein, Bashar Assad, Osama Binh Laden etc. etc.

But it's the people not the leaders that have formed the most resistance. It took the US Army little time to track down big bad Saddam Hussein, but Baghdad wasn't pacified (controlled) for four years, and people elsewhere in Iraq fought the "liberators" like the very devil.

Apply that to Venezuela. Heck, you and me, we'd all respond the same way given a foreign invasion, right?

There are some warnings about avoiding dialogue and pushing a Venezuelan military option. The opposition's courting of military officers carries potential dangers. If it leads to a schism in the armed forces, that could be disastrous for the country, said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington policy anti-VZ forum.

A U.S. military incursion could have significant unintended consequences, "including a deterioration of our relationship with currently supportive countries in the region." -- Gustavo Arnavat, a former Obama administration official and a senior advisor to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Juan Guaido hopes that the United States will not use force in Venezuela, instead limiting pressure on Maduro's government to diplomatic and economic measures, the Colombian newspaper Tiempo reported Monday. . . here

Jackrabbit , Feb 3, 2019 9:16:38 PM | link
Don Bacon:
on VZ-- from WaPo Trump will "... actively intervene in the political upheaval in Venezuela ..."
Trump interventionism (humanitarian and otherwise) is now well-established. As is his preference for the swamp. #winning
Jen , Feb 3, 2019 10:37:30 PM | link
Red Ryder @ 30, Peter AU 1 @ 48:

If corruption or mismanaging a country's economy were justification for foreign intervention to remove a leader, Israelis should be lobbying Washington DC to remove Binyamin Netanyahu as their prime minister since he and his wife Sara have been charged by police for fraud and bribery.

Indeed, depending on how it defines corruption, whether vaguely or narrowly, and on what criteria, the US would have its work cut out for decades hunting down "corrupt" politicians.

mpn , Feb 3, 2019 11:32:07 PM | link
If I'm not mistaken the front page of the Washington Post, today showed a picture of a large pro-government protest, and claimed that it was an opposition protest.
frances , Feb 3, 2019 11:42:46 PM | link
This will be something to watch and may be part of the answer to why now, why did the US go after Venezula at this point. I think it is because Venezuela was historically captive to US refineries, but no longer. India is capable of refining Venezuela oil and has a significant demand for it. If India decides to do ignore the sanctions, I wonder if the US will impound tankers going to India?

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/how-one-of-venezuelas-last-oil-buyers-may-react-to-sanctions/articleshow/67753961.cms

And tankers to China as China is building a refinery just for Venezula oil, it isn't scheduled to come online until 2020, but perhaps China will push to make it happen asap?

www.ogj.com/articles/2017/06/venezuela-china-advance-plans-for-chinese-refinery.html

Miss Lacy , Feb 3, 2019 11:56:53 PM | link
to Paveway lV and Bart Hansen. It doesn't really matter the breakeven point for Venezuelan oil if they can't access the money. I just read (15 minutes ago) on Seeking Alpha, that Trump et al is blocking payments for Venezuelan oil. He is trying to force the payments into a blocked account such that Maduro's gov cannot access it but Guido can. There are still refineries in the US which need Venezuelan heavy crude to blend w/ the frack=crap. Volero is stated to have two tankers which it cannot unload due to the payments issue. This is an unusual way to provide "humanitarian aid."

Sorry I cannot give a link - the Seeking Alpha site seems to be done.

Re the Indian refineries, I believe they are currently buying Iranian oil so they may resist sanctions against Venezuela. However, according to Paeway lV, without naphtha Venezuela cannot pump oil. Maybe a swap with someone?

Paveway it's nice to see your byline again.

Cyril , Feb 4, 2019 12:24:35 AM | link
@jayc | Feb 3, 2019 5:37:59 PM | 33

The aid caravans will be entirely symbolic, and offer little to nothing to a population of over 30 million people.

I agree, Guaido's aid caravans will probably be something like 5% humanitarian and 95% for smuggling arms into Venezuela.

However, China has the largest container ships in the world. Just one visit from a vessel like the COSCO Shipping Universe could deliver more than 20,000 truckloads of stuff, which would probably dwarf anything Guano is envisaging (even if his "humanitarian" caravans were totally legitimate).

Would the Empire let it happen? I have little doubt that Bolton's sick enough to want to stop a true humanitarian effort, but as I'm not as sick as Bolton is (at least I hope so), I have a hard time imagining what excuse he could use to stop it -- especially after Guano's caravans.

Red Ryder , Feb 4, 2019 1:34:58 AM | link
@56, Jen,

I don't justify intervention anywhere (except in D.C. where the Tyranny and Hegemon resides). I point to missed opportunities, failures, corruption and not taking advice from your closest friends (China, Russia, Cuba). If they had brought in the Chinese petroleum experts and Russian economic experts, much of the disaster would have been avoided. When you have a huge enemy and you are weak and relatively small, you need help. Maduro waited until too late.

There were many object lessons for better practices and better preparation for the inevitable. Now, we can hope and pray that the Venezuelan people demonstrate their own will to resist against intervention and regime change. Because if it comes, their wealth will be stolen completely.

Russ , Feb 4, 2019 3:18:37 AM | link
A sane government which really wanted the best for the people would've launched a crash program to break free of the oil dependency which not only guarantees one remains at best a US-colonized power, but which requires the physical destruction of one's own land and the basis of one's future life.

I'm not just saying this about Venezuela, although destroying the Orinoco rain forest necessary for our very lives in order to extract heavy oil is perhaps the most extreme example on Earth of the self-destroying paradigm.

But any country afflicted with the oil curse ought to treat the deposits like very hot radioactive waste and enforce at all costs a Chernobyl-type non-go zone. This also would conserve critical ecological zones like the Amazon. If enough places did that simultaneously it would prevent the US from "opening them up" by force and accelerate the collapse of the empire and its globalization system. But any place which doesn't do this automatically becomes a de facto colony and a target for aggression intended to turn them into a de jure colony, as we see in this case.

From the evidence it seems that in the end a thing like Bolivarianism isn't offering any real alternative to the US paradigm. Both equally want to burn every last fossil BTU's worth, pump every last CO2 molecule, hack down and burn every last acre of forest. Both are on the same mass murder-suicide ride.

Do the Venezulean people really want a better life than this? The American people sure seem to want the worst.

Jen , Feb 4, 2019 5:44:26 AM | link
Red Ryder @ 61:

It's my understanding that when Chavez was President, he did bring Chinese and Vietnamese agriculture experts to Venezuela to study the country's potential for growing food staples. The Vietnamese experts identified areas which originally had been considered by their former wealthy owners as unproductive but which turned out to be ideal for growing rice.

"Venezuela Uses Recovered Land to Plant Rice with Vietnamese Assistance" (May 15, 2009)
https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/4449

"China interested in developing agriculture in Venezuela's 30 million hectares of land" (July 23, 2013)
http://en.mercopress.com/2013/07/23/china-interested-in-developing-agriculture-in-venezuela-s-30-million-hectares-of-land

Although Venezuela imports huge quantities of wheat from Russia, it's doubtful that Russians can give much agricultural advice as Venezuela lies in the tropics and Russia does not.

On the other hand, the way the Venezuelan government appears to be dealing with Juan Guaido, allowing him to shout in the wilderness and making himself look a fool, seems similar to the way Russia treats Alexei Navalny, letting him make an idiot of himself, and might suggest that Venezuela is taking advice from or copying Russia in this respect. Russia also sold two S300 anti-missile defence systems to Venezuela though I do not know how often the Venezuelans maintain them.

John Merryman , Feb 4, 2019 6:20:29 AM | link
Bevin,

Thanks for the correction. I tend to skim history. I think the point still stands, that politicians can't be left in control of the money supply. The impulse to abuse it is strong

Yonatan , Feb 4, 2019 7:09:51 AM | link
The Maduro demo seems to have taken place on the Avenue Bolivar which is about 20 meters wide and about 1.25 km long. The demo crowd appears to be packed so there could be 50 to 80 thousand people there. I haven't been able to locate the Guiado demo but it is possibly in the upscale Las Mercedas district not far from the US Embassy. The photos of the Guiado are generally close in and from a low angle which tends to exagerate the numbers. Even so, it does not appear to be as densely packed / extensive as the Maduro event.
Zanon , Feb 4, 2019 7:32:25 AM | link
More disgraceful news: Major EU nations recognize Guaido as Venezuela's acting president
Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Germany's coordinated move came after the expiry of an eight-day deadline set last weekend for Maduro to call a new election. Austria and Lithuania also lined up behind the self-declared interim president Guaido.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1446761/world

Maduro should kick each european nation out, NOW! He cannot wait any longer.

Russ , Feb 4, 2019 7:58:41 AM | link
Re Zanon 67

Self-evidently all the governments which have followed the US are not only agreeing but are acting in compliance with a pre-set US timetable. They all waited for the US to give the signal, then like synchronized swimmers performed according to choreography pre-determined by the US.

These European governments already were illegitimate in that they had surrendered sovereignty to the EU. Now they're doubly illegitimate in that they've openly exposed themselves as nothing but extensions of US policy. These are puppet governments.

So I'm not just joking when I say that any truly radical parties in Europe, "right" or "left", should declare these fake national governments illegitimate and set up their own shadow presidencies/premierships and governments.

arby , Feb 4, 2019 8:14:38 AM | link
Maduro to his navy --- "Today the future of Venezuela is decided: if it becomes one more star of the United States flag or if it will continue to fly its eight tricolor stars," said the president.

"You saw the failed coup plotters yesterday ... with the gringo flag behind them. They no longer hide, they no longer hide their identity. They no longer hide what they have inside, they want to deliver our country, in pieces, to the gringo empire and the local oligarchies."

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Nicolas-Maduro-Visits-Navy-Gives-Message-of-Unity-And-Strength-20190203-0012.html

arby , Feb 4, 2019 8:22:54 AM | link
Haiti is one of the countries that recognize Guano as president of Venezuela---

"Haiti's economy is reeling as unemployment & hunger is on the rise due to corruption & mismanagement under #PHTK ruling party. On Jan. 31 many businesses shuttered in many parts of the country as exchange rate of HT Gourd to US Dollar reached highest inflation yet.

Zanon , Feb 4, 2019 9:30:26 AM | link
Russ

Exactly. They are US puppets. Most obviously what we see is the most obvious top puppets in the EU; nordic, western europe and the baltics. The meddling is apparent, still the corrupt EU/US governments keep on with their aggression:

Russia: European recognition of Guaido foreign meddling in Venezuela
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/02/04/587639/Venezuela-Russia-crisis-Juan-Guaido

Clueless Joe , Feb 4, 2019 9:34:16 AM | link
Russ: "So I'm not just joking when I say that any truly radical parties in Europe, "right" or "left", should declare these fake national governments illegitimate and set up their own shadow presidencies/premierships and governments."

This, so totally this, so absolutely and definitively this. All these governments should be discarded and sued for breaching international norms. Spain is specially ridiculous. Isn't Sanchez supposed to be "left", and not liberal scum?

Kiza , Feb 4, 2019 9:42:22 AM | link
I would not call the puppet character a Random Guy because he was clearly groomed for the role over a number of years. Yet, he is obviously not a very capable guy because his claim to fame is, for example, stringing a metal wire across the road to kill random motorbike riders in a poor part of Caracas. Selection of such an untalented Murky Guy is another sign of the desperation of the AngloZionist empire to grab resources after the Syrian debacle.

As usual, the AZ regime change machine is mightily backed up by billions of puff dollars (printed out of thin air), but among the puppets, the tie-eating Saakashvili is Optimus Prime compared with the Murky Guy's leadership.

Ha, how 40 tons of the "barbaric relic" which disappeared from Ukraine after a similar "revolution" got to be mentioned also in relation to Venezuela. And nobody even remembers what happened to all the Ghadaffi's gold. You do not really think that hippo's Wooden Puppet Guido (lol) will ever get to even touch this banksters' secret favorite? It will just disappear into the Atlantic Ocean on the way to Guido. Just as carpenter Mastro Geppetto carved his Pinocchio out of block of wood, so did the hippo carve his Guido out of another block of rotting wood. This is why only the Italians, of all Europeans, could see through the mischievous acts of the long-nosed Guido and his puppet master.

Don Bacon , Feb 4, 2019 10:05:08 AM | link
Yesterday I linked to an AP article here on Charge d' Affaires James "Jimmy" Story who manages the US embassy in Caracas. In the article was: "Chief among his interlocutors is Rafael Lacava, governor of the central state of Carobobo, who presented him with a painting of two joined fists in the colours of the U.S. and Venezuelan flags that now hangs in the entrance to Story's official residence in Caracas."

So I looked up Rafael Lacava's twitter here which includes some glimpses of local life in the small state of Carabobo just west of Caracas. Carabobo State was the site of the Battle of Carabobo on 24 June 1821, a decisive win in the war of independence from Spain, and was led by Simón Bolívar. The capital city of this state is Valencia, which is also the country's main industrial center.
The tweets include some from Nicolas Maduro, including warnings that Trump wants another Vietnam in Venezuela.

Don Bacon , Feb 4, 2019 10:19:38 AM | link
Here's Guaido's twitter with the statements from European lackeys who fell under the US spell.
Virgile , Feb 4, 2019 10:33:48 AM | link
Russia has no choice than to boost the military to stand with Maduro. That may bring violence including possibly the physical elimination of Guaido. That may trigger the West to intervene militarily like in Libya without a UNSC approval. That would rally the Venezualians around Maduro and the army.

As the american ( except the neocons) are against a war at their borders, Trump will have to find a compromise. Ultimately the Russians may push for a military takeover once they identified a military leader. Trump will have to accept that if he does not want to invade Venezuela

james , Feb 4, 2019 11:13:55 AM | link
@76 kiza.. thanks.. that about sums it up..
Jackrabbit , Feb 4, 2019 11:32:11 AM | link
Well, the headline of this post is kinda problematic now ("U.S. Coup Attempt In Venezuela Lacks International Support"). I think it was problematic from the start, b, because 1) several countries had already joined with USA; 2) Europe's falling in line was never really in doubt. Note: The EU poodles have toed the line on Russia, Iran*, and now Venezuela.

=
* EU countries pretend to support JCPOA but have dragged their feet. Most commercial interests will not cross USA and the EU states have done little to discourage that. It has been announced that EuroSWIFT will be for humanitarian aid only.

JB , Feb 4, 2019 11:42:01 AM | link
It is important to remain as properly informed and nuanced as possible given the difficulties of access to reliable information in the world of today. I, therefore, contribute this link in which a Venezuelan sociologist presents a different view of the support Maduro has in the country : https://therealnews.com/stories/defusing-the-crisis-a-way-forward-for-venezuela.

I have no way of knowing the de facto situation, as most of us. I do, however, have experience of such turmoil, divisions, rallies and counter-rallies, lies, threats, etc. from a country, my country, that, sadly, no longer exists. I would say - we should listen to the people on the ground, always with a critical mind.

The implications of this barbaric assault for our world as whole, for South America and, of course, for Venezuela, are far reaching. The role of the EU and its largest states in this barbarism has been consistent and in the service of the US and European ruling class. The EU has been supporting, promoting and awarding the Venezuelan opposition for a long time. Now it is recognising the self-proclaimed person who wants to make Venezuela great again. Yet, my fellow Europeans are more or less silent, more or less indifferent and very badly informed. Being European is becoming a source of deep shame and we Europeans are starting to make excuses when we introduce ourselves, just like the better informed Americans have been doing. But there is a good side to this - all the masks have fallen off now. Everyone can see what the US and the EU really are.

If not today, tomorrow their barbarism will be recognised as their defining feature. One would think that change is then inevitable, even if long overdue.

Peter AU 1 , Feb 4, 2019 12:03:16 PM | link
JB 82
Often older articles written before the current Trump US demonization push are more accurate.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/20/venezuela-revolt-truth-not-terror-campaign

One piece in the article you linked to does not seem to match events. Maduro was elected president in what international observers said were a fair election. A number of opposition figures chose, of there own accord not to run in the election.

Your article says the majority of Venezuelans do not want Maduro as president, yet on a few weeks ago he was elected as president in a fair election.

Jason , Feb 4, 2019 12:20:03 PM | link
@3 PavewayIV The Bank of England gold issue is pretty crazy to think about. If the Bank of England can just give the Gold of a nation to a guy who just declares himself President without running for office than their is no rule of law regarding the gold stored by BoE from other countries. Surely any country that has assets held by other major UK, US banks should be moving towards retrieving their gold after this fiasco. Its very scary to see the highest parts of the banking sector; use of the Swift system; access to the US dollar and seizure of assets by the US courts being increasingly used in the aggressions of the empire. If Maduro is able to weather this storm and Venezuela is returned to some degree of stasis than Maduro will ask to repatriate all of the gold held in Europe in order to prevent its future seizure in case a Chavista is elected again next election. The BoE can't possibly just steal it based on politics can it?
Peter AU 1 , Feb 4, 2019 1:28:47 PM | link
One sure sign of Maduro's popularity in Venezuela is the calls for a new election in which Maduro is not allowed to participate. This was the same for Assad in Syria. The US know that in any free and fair election, both Assad and Maduro would at anytime gain the most votes.

Although Maduro was only recently inaugurated, the elections were May 2018. Maduro received 67.8 percent of the vote with a 46 percent voter turnout the next runners received 20.9 and 10.8 percent of the vote.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Venezuelan_presidential_election

The wikipedia page has the vote numbers, but the article mostly goes on about Maduro blocking opposition. If this were correct, then the US would not be vehemently opposed to Maduro even running in another election.

jayc , Feb 4, 2019 3:08:04 PM | link
What an embarrassment - Canada refused press credentials to Sputnik, RIA Novosti, and Telesur for its multi-national celebration of "smart power".

"Richard Walker, a spokesman for Canada's foreign ministry, explained to Sputnik's correspondent that the agency was denied accreditation because it "hasn't been cordial" with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland in the past."

That is, the Russian media published factually correct information which demonstrated Freeland as less than candid regarding her family history. Her feelings were hurt, and her feelings apparently take precedent in her position as Foreign Minister.

The rational and sensible way forward in Venezuela - international mediation - continues to be rejected by the "interim president", the USA, and Canada's pet Lima Group project.

Instead, Guaido called for further "pressure", which is at this point limited to a further tightening of the economic isolation of the country. Canada seems to have anticipated this position by announcing a $53 million aid package which will be focussed on assisting current and future "refugees" headed to Columbia and Brazil.

Kiza , Feb 4, 2019 3:08:39 PM | link
@Jason 84

Hugo Chavez has repatriated most of Venezeulan gold whilst still alive. This is how the CIA and the Venezuelan Central Bank could invent the story that a part of this gold is being sent to Russia by Maduro. The 41 ton of Venezuelan gold still remain in Bank of England was a necessary collateral for buying naphtha (for pre-processing oil for export) and subsidised food for the Venezurlan population.

Once Western sanctions are imposed on a country, the only way anyone would trade with such credit-worthless country, is if hard assets are used as collateral. Maduro will probably be forced to send a part of the repatriated gold to Shanghai gold market, forcing the Venezuelan Centeral Bank by military force to dispatch, or the Venezuelans will go hungry. Having national gold under the Central Bank control is only second worst to having it under control of the Central Bank's foreign masters in BoE.

I cannot think of one Central Bank in all the countries of the World which is not under the control of the international (Jewish) banking cartel. If the "revolution" succeeds, the gold inside Venezuela will disappear just as the gold in BoE. Since 2017 Bolshevik Revolution, the revolutions are fueled by gold.

Don Bacon , Feb 4, 2019 3:45:05 PM | link
@Peter AU 1 | Feb 4, 2019 1:28:47 PM | 85
Maduro was elected president in what international observers said were a fair election.

The May 20, 2018 election it self was declared "free and fair" here by four independent committees who had camped outside the polling places but (as in the US and other "democratic" countries) the shenanigans leading up to the election called the fairness into question.

The elections were boycotted by the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition of opposition parties and dismissed as illegitimate by the United States, the European Union (EU), and14 Western Hemisphere nations (the Lima Group). So we can say for sure that the boycott was a tool to later call the elections illegitimate .

[How ironic since the US doesn't even (de facto) allow "opposition parties" (plural) but restricts the quadrennial show to two look-alike parties, which Ralph Nader referred to as tweedledum and tweedledee. Obviously neither of the two parties would ever boycott an election.]

UN rapporteur to Venezuela and expert on international law Alfred de Zayas:

"I believe in democracy. I believe in the ballot box. If you believe in democracy, you can not boycott an election. The name of the game is that you actually have to put your candidate out and expect that the people will vote for you or against you," he said, referring to the Venezuelan opposition's decision to boycott the recent presidential election, which saw Maduro re-elected. . . here

james , Feb 4, 2019 3:51:30 PM | link
@88 jayc.. yes - what an embarrassment.. canada with freeland is sinking lower and lower in mine and many peoples view..
Peter AU 1 , Feb 4, 2019 3:59:26 PM | link
Secretary of state John Kerry. "During my most recent visit to Kyiv, I was deeply impressed by all you have accomplished in the more than two years since the Revolution of Dignity."

Secretary of state Pompeo. "The United States stands with the brave people of Venezuela as they strive for a return to dignity and democracy."

This lot haven't much of an imagination. Just reading thev lines that were printed for the Ukraine show.

Jen , Feb 4, 2019 4:25:13 PM | link
Peter AU 1 @ 92:

Wash, rinse, repeat ... it's a wonder the battery on the laptop or iPad that gets passed down isn't waterlogged.

Canthama , Feb 4, 2019 5:17:45 PM | link
The whole US and vassal States plan was for a swift removal of Maduro, that did not happen thus time now runs in Maduro's favor. There won't a military invasion of Venezuela, there is no apetite for that in Latin America at all, nor the vast majority of the Latin Americans would support any sort of military intervention, even if head of States would promote it, thus leaving two options for the US:

1) A cruise missile attack to destroy Venezuela Military and Government building, following a false flag prepared and conducted by CIA's and Guaidó's supporter, such an attempt would be received worldwide as an aggression, though the false flag would be used as justification, that would not be tolerated by many many countries and could escalate in a ugly way, and or

2) An attempt to assassinate Maduro to be blamed on the Venezuelan Military thus leaving Guaidó out of it to legitimize him for power.

The second is a very likely scenario and may be in progress as of now.

[Feb 04, 2019] A banal case of highway robbery triggered by two very crude considerations

Notable quotes:
"... pick up some small crappy little country and throw it against the wall, just to show the world we mean business ..."
Feb 04, 2019 | www.unz.com

Seriously, Ron Paul or Tulsi Gabbard speaking of democracy is one thing, but having gangsters and psychopathic thugs like Pompeo, Bolton or Abrams in charge really sends a message and that message is that we are dealing with a banal case of highway robbery triggered by two very crude considerations:

First, to re-take control of Venezuela's immense natural resources. Second, to prove to the world that Uncle Shmuel can still, quote , " pick up some small crappy little country and throw it against the wall, just to show the world we mean business ", unquote.

President Macrobama ?

The obvious problem is that 1) nobody takes the US seriously because 2) the US has not been capable of defeating any country capable of resistance since many decades already. The various US special forces, which would typically spearhead any invasion, have an especially appalling record of abject failures every time they stop posing for cameras and have to engage in real combat. I assure you that nobody in the Venezuelan military cares about movies like "Rambo" or "Delta Force" while they carefully studied US FUBARs in Somalia, Grenada, Iran and elsewhere. You can also bet that the Cubans, who have had many years of experience dealing with the (very competent) South African special forces in Angola and elsewhere will share their experience with their Venezuelan colleagues.

[Feb 04, 2019] US Sanctions as a Tool To Perpetuate Neocolonialism

Feb 04, 2019 | original.antiwar.com

US Sanctions as a Tool To Perpetuate Neocolonialism

by Nauman Sadiq Posted on February 02, 2019 January 31, 2019 It's an evident fact that neocolonial powers are ruled by behemoth corporations whose wealth is measured in hundreds of billions of dollars, far more than the total GDP of many developing nations. The status of these multinational corporations as dominant players in international politics gets official imprimatur when the Western governments endorse the congressional lobbying practice of so-called "special interest" groups, which is a euphemism for corporate interests.

Since the Western governments are nothing but the mouthpiece of business interests on international political and economic forums, therefore any national or international entity which hinders or opposes the agenda of corporate interests is either coerced into accepting their demands or gets sidelined.

In 2013, the Manmohan Singh's government of India had certain objections to further opening up to the Western businesses. The Business Roundtable, which is an informal congregation of major US businesses and together holds a net wealth of $6 trillion, held a meeting with the representatives of the Indian government and literally coerced it into accepting unfair demands of the Western corporations.

The developing economies, such as India and Pakistan, are always hungry for foreign direct investment (FDI) to sustain economic growth, and this investment mostly comes from the Western corporations. When the Business Roundtables or the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) form pressure groups and engage in "collective bargaining" activities, the nascent and fragile developing economies don't have a choice but to toe their line.

State sovereignty, that sovereign nation states are at liberty to pursue independent policies, particularly economic and trade policies, is a myth. Just like the ruling elites of the developing countries which maintain a stranglehold and monopoly over domestic politics; similarly, the neocolonial powers and multinational corporations control international politics and the global economic order.

Any state in the international arena which dares to transgress the trade and economic policies laid down by neocolonial powers and multinational corporations becomes an international pariah like Castro's Cuba, Mugabe's Zimbabwe; or more recently, Maduro's Venezuela.

Venezuela has one of the largest known oil reserves in the world. Even though the mainstream media's pundits hold the socialist policies of President Nicolas Maduro responsible for economic mismanagement in Venezuela, fact of the matter is that hyperinflation in its economy is the effect of US sanctions against Venezuela which have been put in place since the time of late President Hugo Chavez.

Another case in point is Iran which was cut off from the global economic system from 2006 to 2015, and then again after May last year when President Donald Trump annulled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), because of Iran's supposed nuclear ambitions. Good for Iran that it also has one of the largest oil and gas resources, otherwise it would have been insolvent by now.

Such is the power of Washington-led global financial system, especially the banking sector, and the significance of petrodollar, because the global oil transactions are pegged in the US dollars all over the world, and all the major oil bourses are also located in the Western financial districts.

The crippling "third party" economic sanctions on Iran from 2006 to 2015 have brought to the fore the enormous power that the Western financial institutions and the petrodollar as a global reserve currency wields over the global financial system.

It bears mentioning that the Iranian nuclear negotiations were as much about Iran's nuclear program as they were about its ballistic missile program, which is an equally dangerous conventional threat to Israel and the Gulf's petro-monarchies, just across the Persian Gulf.

Despite the sanctions being unfair, Iran felt the heat so much that it remained engaged in negotiations throughout the nearly decade-long period of sanctions, and such was the crippling effect of those "third party" sanctions on Iran's economy that had it not been for its massive oil and gas reserves, and some Russian, Chinese and Turkish help in illicitly buying Iranian oil, it could have defaulted due to the sanctions.

Notwithstanding, after the brutal assassination of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, and the clear hand of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in the murder, certain naïve political commentators of the mainstream media came up with a ludicrous suggestion that Washington should impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia.

As in the case of aforementioned Iran sanctions, sanctioning Saudi Arabia also seems plausible; however, there is a caveat: Iran is only a single oil-rich state which has 160 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and has the capacity to produce 5 million barrels per day (mbpd) of crude oil.

On the other hand, the Persian Gulf's petro-monarchies are actually three oil-rich states. Saudi Arabia with its 266 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 10 mbpd of daily crude oil production, and UAE and Kuwait with 100 billion barrels of proven reserves, each, and 3 mbpd of daily crude oil production, each. Together, the share of the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) amounts to 466 billion barrels, almost one-third of the world's 1477 billion barrels of total proven oil reserves.

Therefore, although imposing economic sanctions on the Gulf states might sound like a good idea on paper, the relationship between the Gulf's petro-monarchies and the industrialized world is that of a consumer-supplier relationship. The Gulf states are the suppliers of energy and the industrialized world is its consumer, hence the Western powers cannot sanction their energy suppliers and largest investors.

If anything, the Gulf's petro-monarchies had "sanctioned" the Western powers in the past by imposing the oil embargo in 1973 after the Arab-Israel War. The 1973 Arab oil embargo against the West lasted only for a short span of six months during which the price of oil quadrupled, but Washington became so paranoid after the embargo that it put in place a ban on the export of crude oil outside the US borders, and began keeping sixty-day stock of reserve fuel for strategic and military needs.

Recently, some very upbeat rumors about the shale revolution have been circulating in the media. However, the shale revolution is primarily a natural gas revolution. It has increased the probable recoverable resources of natural gas by 30%. The shale oil, on the other hand, refers to two starkly different kinds of energy resources: firstly, the solid kerogen – though substantial resources of kerogen have been found in the US Green River formations, the cost of extracting liquid crude from solid kerogen is so high that it is economically unviable for at least a hundred years; secondly, the tight oil which is blocked by shale – it is a viable energy resource but the reserves are so limited, roughly 4 billion barrels in Texas and North Dakota, that it will run out in a few years.

More than the size of oil reserves, it is about per barrel extraction cost, which determines the profits for the multinational oil companies. And in this regard, the Persian Gulf's crude oil is the most profitable. Further, regarding the supposed US energy independence after the purported shale revolution, the US produced 11 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil in the first quarter of 2014, which was more than the output of Saudi Arabia and Russia, each of which produces around 10 million bpd. But the US still imported 7.5 million bpd during the same period, which was more than the oil imports of France and Britain put together. More than the total volume of oil production, the volume which an oil-producing country exports determines its place in the hierarchy of petroleum and the Gulf's petro-monarchies constitute the top tier of that pyramid.

Nauman Sadiq is an Islamabad-based attorney, columnist and geopolitical analyst focused on the politics of Af-Pak and Middle East regions, neocolonialism and petro-imperialism.

[Feb 04, 2019] Trump s Revised and Rereleased Foreign Policy: The World Policeman is Back

Highly recommended!
This article from 2017 looks like it was written yesterday. Trump betrayal of his elctorate on multiple levels, essentially on all key poin of his election program mkes him "Republican Obama".
What is interesting about Trump foreign policy is his version of neoliberal "gangster capitalism" on foreign arena: might is right principle applied like universal opener. Previous administrations tried to put a lipstick on the pig. Trump does not even bother.
In terms of foreign policy, and even during the transition before Trump's inauguration, there were other, more disturbing signs of where Trump would be heading soon. When Fidel Castro died on November 25, 2016, Trump seemed jubilant as if he had somehow been vindicated, and took the opportunity to slander Castro as a "brutal dictator" who "oppressed his own people" and turned Cuba into a "totalitarian island".
Notable quotes:
"... However, when he delivered his inaugural address on January 20, 2017, Trump appeared to reaffirm his campaign themes of anti-interventionism. In particular he seemed to turn the government's back on a long-standing policy of cultural imperialism , stating: "We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone". In addition he said his government would "seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world," and he understood the importance of national sovereignty when he added, "it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first". ..."
"... Yet when it came to Russia, Trump could have instantly removed sanctions that were imposed by Obama in his last weeks in office -- an irresponsible and dangerous act by Obama, where foreign policy was used as a partisan tool in the service of shoring up a crummy conspiracy theory about "Russian hacking" in order to deny the Democrats any culpability in their much deserved defeat. ..."
"... The entire conflict with Russia that has developed in recent years, on the US side, was totally unnecessary, illogical, and quite preventable. ..."
"... Just two weeks after violating his promise to end the US role as the world's policeman and his vow to extricate the US from wars for regime change, Trump sold out again. "I love WikiLeaks -- " -- this is what Trump exclaimed in a speech on October 10, 2016. Trump's about-face on WikiLeaks is thus truly astounding. ..."
"... AP: If I could fit a couple of more topics. Jeff Sessions, your attorney general, is taking a tougher line suddenly on Julian Assange, saying that arresting him is a priority. You were supportive of what WikiLeaks was doing during the campaign with the release of the Clinton emails. Do you think that arresting Assange is a priority for the United States? ..."
"... AP: But that didn't mean that you supported what Assange is doing? ..."
"... AP: Can I just ask you, though -- do you believe it is a priority for the United States, or it should be a priority, to arrest Julian Assange? ..."
"... While there is no denying the extensive data about the severe impacts of NAFTA on select states and industries in the US, witnessed by the closure of tens of thousands of factories and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, there is little support for the claim that Canada and Mexico, as wholes, have instead fared well and that the US as a whole has been the loser thanks to them. ..."
"... Since NAFTA was implemented, migration from Mexico to the US skyrocketed dramatically. US agricultural industries sent millions of Mexican farmers into food poverty, and ultimately drove them away from agriculture ..."
"... As for per capita GDP, so treasured by economists, NAFTA had no positive impact on Mexico -- in fact, per capita GDP is nearly a flat line for the entire period since 1994. Finally, Trump does not mention that in terms of the number of actual protectionist measures that have been implemented, the US leads the world . ..."
"... To put Trump's position on NAFTA in bold relief, it is not that he is decidedly against free trade. In fact, he often claims he supports free trade, as long as it is "fair". However, his notion of fairness is very lopsided -- a trade agreement is fair only when the US reaps the greater share of benefits. ..."
"... As argued in the previous section, if Trump is to be the newfound champion of this imperialism -- empire's prodigal son -- then what an abysmally poor choice he is ..."
"... On the one hand, he helped to unleash US anti-interventionism (usually called "isolationism" not to call it anti-imperialism, which would then admit to imperialism which is still denied by most of the dominant elites). On the other hand, in trying to now contain such popular sentiment, he loses credibility -- after having lost credibility with the groups his campaign displaced. ..."
"... As for Trump's domestic opposition, what should be most pertinent are issues of conflict of interest and nepotism . Here members of Trump's base are more on target yet again, when they reject the presence of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in the White House ("we didn't elect Ivanka or Jared"), than are those distracted by identity politics. ..."
"... As Trump leverages the presidency to upgrade the Trump family to the transnational capitalist class, and reinforces the power of US imperialism which that class has purchased, conflict of interest and nepotism will be the main political signposts of the transformation of the Trump presidency, but they could also be the targets for a refined strategy of opposition. ..."
Aug 09, 2017 | zeroanthropology.net

Trump could have kept quiet, and lost nothing. Instead what he was attacking -- and the irony was missed on his fervently right wing supporters -- was someone who was a leader in the anti-globalist movement, from long before it was ever called that. Fidel Castro was a radical pioneer of independence, self-reliance, and self-determination.

Castro turned Cuba from an American-owned sugar plantation and brothel, a lurid backwater in the Caribbean, into a serious international actor opposed to globalizing capitalism. There was no sign of any acknowledgment of this by Trump, who instead chose to parrot the same people who would vilify him using similar terms (evil, authoritarian, etc.). Of course, Trump respects only corporate executives and billionaires, not what he would see as some rag-tag Third World revolutionary. Here Trump's supporters generally failed, using Castro's death as an opportunity for tribal partisanship, another opportunity to attack "weak liberals" like Obama who made minor overtures to Cuba (too little, too late).

Their distrust of "the establishment" was nowhere to be found this time: their ignorance of Cuba and their resort to stock clichés and slogans had all been furnished to them by the same establishment they otherwise claimed to oppose.

Just to be clear, the above is not meant to indicate any reversal on Trump's part regarding Cuba. He has been consistently anti-communist, and fairly consistent in his denunciations of Fidel Castro. What is significant is that -- far from overcoming the left-right divide -- Trump shores up the barriers, even at the cost of denouncing others who have a proven track record of fighting against neoliberal globalization and US interventionism. In these regards, Trump has no track record. Even among his rivals in the Republican primaries, senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul had more of an anti-interventionist track record.

However, when he delivered his inaugural address on January 20, 2017, Trump appeared to reaffirm his campaign themes of anti-interventionism. In particular he seemed to turn the government's back on a long-standing policy of cultural imperialism , stating: "We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone". In addition he said his government would "seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world," and he understood the importance of national sovereignty when he added, "it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first".

Russia

Yet when it came to Russia, Trump could have instantly removed sanctions that were imposed by Obama in his last weeks in office -- an irresponsible and dangerous act by Obama, where foreign policy was used as a partisan tool in the service of shoring up a crummy conspiracy theory about "Russian hacking" in order to deny the Democrats any culpability in their much deserved defeat.

Instead, Trump continued the sanctions, as if out of meek deference to Obama's policy, one founded on lies and antagonism toward Trump himself. Rather than repair the foul attempt to sabotage the US-Russian relationship in preparation for his presidency, Trump simply abided and thus became an accomplice. To be clear, Trump has done precisely nothing to dampen the near mass hysteria that has been manufactured in the US about alleged -- indeed imaginary -- "Russian intervention".

His comments, both during the electoral campaign and even early into his presidency, about wanting good relations with Russia, have been replaced by Trump's admissions that US relations with Russia are at a low point (Putin agreed: "I would say the level of trust [between Russia and the US] is at a workable level, especially in the military dimension, but it hasn't improved. On the contrary, it has degraded " and his spokesman called the relations " deplorable ".)

Rather than use the power of his office to calm fears, to build better ties with Russia, and to make meeting with Vladimir Putin a top priority, Trump has again done nothing , except escalating tensions. The entire conflict with Russia that has developed in recent years, on the US side, was totally unnecessary, illogical, and quite preventable. Russia had actively facilitated the US' war in Afghanistan for over a decade, and was a consistent collaborator on numerous levels. It is up to thinking American officials to honestly explain what motivated them to tilt relations with Russia, because it is certainly not Russia's doing. The only explanation that makes any sense is that the US leadership grew concerned that Russia was no longer teetering on the edge of total socio-economic breakdown, as it was under the neoliberal Boris Yeltsin, but has instead resurfaced as a major actor in international affairs, and one that champions anti-neoliberal objectives of enhanced state sovereignty and self-determination.

WikiLeaks

Just two weeks after violating his promise to end the US role as the world's policeman and his vow to extricate the US from wars for regime change, Trump sold out again. "I love WikiLeaks -- " -- this is what Trump exclaimed in a speech on October 10, 2016. Trump's about-face on WikiLeaks is thus truly astounding.

After finding so much use for WikiLeaks' publication of the Podesta emails, which became incorporated into his campaign speeches, and which fuelled the writing and speaking of journalists and bloggers sympathetic to Trump -- he was now effectively declaring WikiLeaks to be both an enemy and a likely target of US government action, in even more blunt terms than we heard during the past eight years under Obama. This is not mere continuity with the past, but a dramatic escalation. Rather than praise Julian Assange for his work, call for an end to the illegal impediments to his seeking asylum, swear off any US calls for extraditing and prosecuting Assange, and perhaps meeting with him in person, Trump has done all of the opposite. Instead we learn that Trump's administration may file arrest charges against Assange . Mike Pompeo , chosen by Trump to head the CIA, who had himself cited WikiLeaks as a reliable source of proof about how the Democratic National Committee had rigged its campaign, now declared WikiLeaks to be a " non-state hostile intelligence service ," along with vicious personal slander against Assange.

Trump's about-face on WikiLeaks was one that he defended in terms that were not just a deceptive rewriting of history, but one that was also fearful -- "I don't support or unsupport" WikiLeaks, was what Trump was now saying in his dash for the nearest exit. The backtracking is so obvious in this interview Trump gave to the AP , that his shoes must have left skid marks on the floor:

AP: If I could fit a couple of more topics. Jeff Sessions, your attorney general, is taking a tougher line suddenly on Julian Assange, saying that arresting him is a priority. You were supportive of what WikiLeaks was doing during the campaign with the release of the Clinton emails. Do you think that arresting Assange is a priority for the United States?

TRUMP: When Wikileaks came out never heard of Wikileaks, never heard of it. When Wikileaks came out, all I was just saying is, "Well, look at all this information here, this is pretty good stuff." You know, they tried to hack the Republican, the RNC, but we had good defenses. They didn't have defenses, which is pretty bad management. But we had good defenses, they tried to hack both of them. They weren't able to get through to Republicans. No, I found it very interesting when I read this stuff and I said, "Wow." It was just a figure of speech. I said, "Well, look at this. It's good reading."

AP: But that didn't mean that you supported what Assange is doing?

TRUMP: No, I don't support or unsupport. It was just information .

AP: Can I just ask you, though -- do you believe it is a priority for the United States, or it should be a priority, to arrest Julian Assange?

TRUMP: I am not involved in that decision, but if Jeff Sessions wants to do it, it's OK with me. I didn't know about that decision, but if they want to do it, it's OK with me.

First, Trump invents the fictitious claim that WikiLeaks was responsible for hacking the DNC, and that WikiLeaks also tried to hack the Republicans. Second, he pretends to be an innocent bystander, a spectator, in his own administration -- whatever others decide, is "OK" with him, not that he knows about their decisions, but it's all up to others. He has no power, all of a sudden.

Again, what Trump is displaying in this episode is his ultimate attachment to his class, with all of its anxieties and its contempt for rebellious, marginal upstarts. Trump shuns any sort of "loyalty" to WikiLeaks (not that they ever had a working relationship) or any form of gratitude, because then that would imply a debt and therefore a transfer of value -- whereas Trump's core ethics are those of expedience and greed (he admits that much). This move has come with a cost , with members of Trump's support base openly denouncing the betrayal. 6

NAFTA

On NAFTA , Trump claims he has not changed his position -- yet, from openly denouncing the free trade agreement and promising to terminate it, he now vows only to seek modifications and amendments, which means supporting NAFTA. He appeared to be awfully quick to obey the diplomatic pressure of Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Mexico's President, Enrique Peña Nieto. Trump's entire position on NAFTA now comes into question.

While there is no denying the extensive data about the severe impacts of NAFTA on select states and industries in the US, witnessed by the closure of tens of thousands of factories and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, there is little support for the claim that Canada and Mexico, as wholes, have instead fared well and that the US as a whole has been the loser thanks to them.

This really deserves to be treated at length, separately from this article. However, for now, let's keep in mind that when Trump complains about Canadian softwood lumber and dairy exports to the US, his argument about NAFTA is without merit. Neither commodity is part of the NAFTA agreement.

Moreover, where dairy is concerned, the problem is US overproduction. Wisconsin alone has more dairy cows than all of Canada . There is a net surplus , in the US' favour, with respect to US dairy exports to Canada. Overall, the US has a net surplus in the trade in goods and services with Canada. Regarding Mexico, the irony of Trump's denunciations of imaginary Mexican victories is that he weakens his own criticisms of immigration.

Since NAFTA was implemented, migration from Mexico to the US skyrocketed dramatically. US agricultural industries sent millions of Mexican farmers into food poverty, and ultimately drove them away from agriculture.

As for per capita GDP, so treasured by economists, NAFTA had no positive impact on Mexico -- in fact, per capita GDP is nearly a flat line for the entire period since 1994. Finally, Trump does not mention that in terms of the number of actual protectionist measures that have been implemented, the US leads the world .

To put Trump's position on NAFTA in bold relief, it is not that he is decidedly against free trade. In fact, he often claims he supports free trade, as long as it is "fair". However, his notion of fairness is very lopsided -- a trade agreement is fair only when the US reaps the greater share of benefits.

His arguments with respect to Canada are akin to those of a looter or raider. He wants to block lumber imports from Canada, at the same time as he wants to break the Canadian dairy market wide open to absorb US excess production. That approach is at the core of what defined the US as a "new empire" in the 1800s. In addition, while Trump was quick to tear up the TPP, he has said nothing about TISA and TTIP.

Mexico

Trump's argument with Mexico is also disturbing for what it implies. It would seem that any evidence of production in Mexico causes Trump concern. Mexico should not only keep its people -- however many are displaced by US imports -- but it should also be as dependent as possible on the US for everything except oil. Since Trump has consistently declared his antagonism to OPEC, ideally Mexico's oil would be sold for a few dollars per barrel.

China

Trump's turn on China almost provoked laughter from his many domestic critics. Absurdly, what figures prominently in most renditions of the story of Trump's change on China (including his own), is a big piece of chocolate cake. The missile strike on Syria was, according to Wilbur Ross, the " after-dinner entertainment ". Here, Trump's loud condemnations of China on trade issues were suddenly quelled -- and it is not because chocolate has magical properties. Instead it seems Trump has been willing to settle on selling out citizens' interests , and particularly those who voted for him, in return for China's assistance on North Korea. Let's be clear: countering and dominating North Korea is an established favourite among neoconservatives. Trump's priority here is fully "neocon," and the submergence of trade issues in favour of militaristic preferences is the one case where neoconservatives might be distinguished from the otherwise identical neoliberals.

North Korea

Where North Korea is concerned, Trump chose to manufacture a " crisis ". North Korea has actually done nothing to warrant a sudden outbreak of panic over it being supposedly aggressive and threatening. North Korea is no more aggressive than any person defending their survival can be called belligerent. The constant series of US military exercises in South Korea, or near North Korean waters, is instead a deliberate provocation to a state whose existence the US nearly extinguished. Even last year the US Air Force publicly boasted of having "nearly destroyed" North Korea -- language one would have expected from the Luftwaffe in WWII. The US continues to maintain roughly 60,000 troops on the border between North and South Korea, and continues to refuse to formally declare an end to the Korean War and sign a peace treaty . Trump then announced he was sending an "armada" to the Korean peninsula, and boasted of how "very powerful" it was. This was in addition to the US deploying the THAAD missile system in South Korea. Several of his messages in Twitter were written using highly provocative and threatening language. When asked if he would start a war, Trump glibly replied: " I don't know. I mean, we'll see ". On another occasion Trump stated, "There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely". When the world's leading military superpower declares its intention to destroy you, then there is nothing you can do in your defense which anyone could justly label as "over the top". Otherwise, once again Trump posed as a parental figure, the world's chief babysitter -- picture Trump, surrounded by children taking part in the "Easter egg roll" at the White House, being asked about North Korea and responding "they gotta behave". Trump would presume to teach manners to North Korea, using the only tools of instruction that seem to be the first and last resort of US foreign policy (and the "defense" industry): bombs.

Syria

Attacking Syria , on purportedly humanitarian grounds, is for many (including vocal supporters) one of the most glaring contradictions of Trump's campaign statements about not embroiling the US in failed wars of regime change and world policing. During the campaign, he was in favour of Russia's collaboration with Syria in the fight against ISIS. For years he had condemned Obama for involving the US in Syria, and consistently opposed military intervention there. All that was consigned to the archive of positions Trump declared to now be worthless. That there had been a change in Trump's position is not a matter of dispute -- Trump made the point himself :

"I like to think of myself as a very flexible person. I don't have to have one specific way, and if the world changes, I go the same way, I don't change. Well, I do change and I am flexible, and I'm proud of that flexibility. And I will tell you, that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me -- big impact. That was a horrible, horrible thing. And I've been watching it and seeing it, and it doesn't get any worse than that. And I have that flexibility, and it's very, very possible -- and I will tell you, it's already happened that my attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed very much. And if you look back over the last few weeks, there were other attacks using gas. You're now talking about a whole different level".

Bending to the will of the prevailing Cold War and neo-McCarthyist atmosphere in the US, rife with anti-Russian conspiracy theories, Trump found an easy opportunity to score points with the hostile media, ever so mindful as he is about approval ratings, polls, and media coverage. Some explain Trump's reversals as arising from his pursuit of public adulation -- and while the media play the key role in purveying celebrity status, they are also a stiff bastion of imperialist culture. Given his many years as a the host of a popular TV show, and as the owner of the Miss Universe Pageant, there is some logical merit to the argument. But I think even more is at work, as explained in paragraphs above. According to Eric Trump it was at the urging of Ivanka that Donald Trump decided to strike a humanitarian-militarist pose. He would play the part of the Victorian parent, only he would use missiles to teach unruly children lessons about violence. Using language typically used against him by the mainstream media, Trump now felt entitled to pontificate that Assad is "evil," an " animal ," who would have to go . When did he supposedly come to this realization? Did Assad become evil at the same time Trump was inaugurated? Why would Trump have kept so silent about "evil" on the campaign trail? Trump of course is wrong: it's not that the world changed and he changed with it; rather, he invented a new fiction to suit his masked intentions. Trump's supposed opponents and critics, like the Soros-funded organizer of the women's march Linda Sarsour, showed her approval of even more drastic action by endorsing messages by what sounded like a stern school mistress who thought that 59 cruise missiles were just a mere "slap on the wrist". Virtually every neocon who is publicly active applauded Trump, as did most senior Democrats. The loudest opposition , however, came from Trump's own base , with a number of articles featuring criticism from Trump's supporters , and one conservative publication calling him outright a " weakling and a political ingrate ".

Members of the Trump administration have played various word games with the public on intervention in Syria. From unnamed officials saying the missile strike was a "one off," to named officials promising more if there were any other suspected chemical attacks (or use of barrel bombs -- and this while the US dropped the biggest non-nuclear bomb in existence on Afghanistan); some said that regime change was not the goal, and then others made it clear that was the ultimate goal ; and then Trump saying, "Our policy is the same, it hasn't changed. We're not going into Syria " -- even though Trump himself greatly increased the number of US troops he deployed to Syria , illegally, in an escalation of the least protested invasion in recent history. Now we should know enough not to count this as mere ambiguity, but as deliberate obfuscation that offers momentary (thinly veiled) cover for a renewal of neocon policy .

We can draw an outline of Trump's liberal imperialism when it comes to Syria, which is likely to be applied elsewhere. First, Trump's interventionist policy regarding Syria is one that continues to treat that country as if it were terra nullius , a mere playground for superpower politics. Second, Trump is clearly continuing with the neoconservative agenda and its hit list of states to be terminated by US military action, as famously confirmed by Gen. Wesley Clark. Even Trump's strategy for justifying the attack on Syria echoed the two prior Bush presidential administrations -- selling war with the infamous "incubator babies" myth and the myth of "weapons of mass destruction" (WMDs). In many ways, Trump's presidency is thus shaping up to be either the seventh term of the George H.W. Bush regime, or the fifth straight term of the George W. Bush regime. Third, Trump is taking ownership of an extremely dangerous conflict, with costs that could surpass anything witnessed by the war on Iraq (which also continues). Fourth, by highlighting the importance of photographs in allegedly changing his mind, Trump has placed a high market value on propaganda featuring dead babies. His actions in Syria will now create an effective demand for the pornographic trade in pictures of atrocities. These are matters of great importance to the transnational capitalist class, which demands full global penetrability, diminished state power (unless in the service of this class' goals), a uniformity of expectations and conformity in behaviour, and an emphasis on individual civil liberties which are the basis for defending private property and consumerism.

Venezuela

It is very disturbing to see how Venezuela is being framed as ripe for US intervention, in ways that distinctly echo the lead up to the US war on Libya. Just as disturbing is that Trump's Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, has a clear conflict of interest regarding Venezuela, from his recent role as CEO of Exxon and its conflict with the government of Venezuela over its nationalization of oil. Tillerson is, by any definition, a clear-cut member of the transnational capitalist class. The Twitter account of the State Department has a battery of messages sternly lecturing Venezuela about the treatment of protesters, while also pontificating on the Venezuelan Constitution as if the US State Department had become a global supreme court. What is impressive is the seamless continuity in the nature of the messages on Venezuela from that account, as if no change of government happened between Obama's time and Trump's. Nikki Haley, Trump's neocon ambassador to the UN, issued a statement that read like it had been written by her predecessors, Samantha Power and Susan Rice, a statement which in itself is an unacceptable intervention in Venezuelan internal affairs. For Trump's part, from just days before the election, to a couple of weeks after his inauguration, he has sent explicit messages of support for anti-government forces in Venezuela. In February, Trump imposed sanctions on Venezuela's Vice President. After Syria and North Korea, Venezuela is seeming the likely focus of US interventionism under Trump.

NATO

Rounding out the picture, at least for now (this was just the first hundred days of Trump's presidency), was Trump's outstanding reversal on NATO -- in fact, once again he stated the reversal himself, and without explanation either: " I said it was obsolete. It's no longer obsolete ". This came just days after the US missile strike against Syria, and just as Ivanka Trump was about to represent his government at a meeting of globalist women, the W20 . NATO has served as the transnational military alliance at the service of the transnational capitalist class, and particularly the military and political members of the TCC. 7

Saving Neoliberalism?

Has Trump saved neoliberal capitalism from its ongoing demise? Has he sustained popular faith in liberal political ideals? Are we still in the dying days of liberalism ? If there had been a centrally coordinated plan to plant an operative among the ranks of populist conservatives and independents, to channel their support for nationalism into support for the persona of the plant, and to then have that plant steer a course straight back to shoring up neoliberal globalism -- then we might have had a wonderful story of a masterful conspiracy, the biggest heist in the history of elections anywhere. A truly "rigged system" could be expected to behave that way. Was Trump designated to take the fall in a rigged game, only his huge ego got in the way when he realized he could realistically win the election and he decided to really tilt hard against his partner, Hillary Clinton? It could be the basis for a novel, or a Hollywood political comedy. I have no way of knowing if it could be true.

Framed within the terms of what we do know, there was relief by the ousted group of political elites and the liberal globalist media at the sight of Trump's reversals, and a sense that their vision had been vindicated. However, if they are hoping that the likes of Trump will serve as a reliable flag bearer, then theirs is a misguided wishful thinking. If someone so demonized and ridiculed, tarnished as an evil thug and racist fascist, the subject of mass demonstrations in the US and abroad, is the latest champion of (neo)liberalism, then we are certainly witnessing its dying days.

Is Trump Beneficial for Anti-Imperialism?

Once one is informed enough and thus prepared to understand that anti-imperialism is not the exclusive preserve of the left (a left which anyway has mostly shunned it over the last two decades), that it did not originate with the left , and that it has a long and distinguished history in the US itself , then we can move toward some interesting realizations. The facts, borne out by surveys and my own online immersion among pro-Trump social media users, is that one of the significant reasons why Trump won is due to the growth in popularity of basic anti-imperialist principles (even if not recognized under that name): for example, no more world policing, no transnational militarization, no more interventions abroad, no more regime change, no war, and no globalism. Nationalists in Europe, as in Russia, have also pushed forward a basic anti-imperialist vision. Whereas in Latin America anti-imperialism is largely still leftist, in Europe and North America the left-right divide has become blurred, but the crucial thing is that at least now we can speak of anti-imperialism gaining strength in these three major continents. Resistance against globalization has been the primary objective, along with strengthening national sovereignty, protecting local cultural identity, and opposing free trade and transnational capital. Unfortunately, some anti-imperialist writers (on the left in fact) have tended to restrict their field of vision to military matters primarily, while almost completely neglecting the economic and cultural, and especially domestic dimensions of imperialism. (I am grossly generalizing of course, but I think it is largely accurate.) Where structures such as NAFTA are concerned, many of these same leftist anti-imperialists, few as they are, have had virtually nothing to say. It could be that they have yet to fully recognize that the transnational capitalist class has, gradually over the last seven decades, essentially purchased the power of US imperialism. Therefore the TCC's imperialism includes NAFTA, just as it includes open borders, neoliberal identity politics, and drone strikes. They are all different parts of the same whole.

As argued in the previous section, if Trump is to be the newfound champion of this imperialism -- empire's prodigal son -- then what an abysmally poor choice he is. 8

On the one hand, he helped to unleash US anti-interventionism (usually called "isolationism" not to call it anti-imperialism, which would then admit to imperialism which is still denied by most of the dominant elites). On the other hand, in trying to now contain such popular sentiment, he loses credibility -- after having lost credibility with the groups his campaign displaced. In addition to that, given that his candidacy aggravated internal divisions in the US, which have not subsided with his assumption of office, these domestic social and cultural conflicts cause a serious deficit of legitimacy, a loss of political capital. A declining economy will also deprive him of capital in the strict sense. Moreover, given the kind of persona the media have crafted, the daily caricaturing of Trump will significantly spur anti-Americanism around the world. If suddenly even Canadian academics are talking about boycotting the US, then the worm has truly turned. Trump can only rely on "hard power" (military violence), because "soft power" is almost out of the question now that Trump has been constructed as a barbarian. Incompetent and/or undermined governance will also render Trump a deficient upholder of the status quo. The fact that nationalist movements around the world are not centrally coordinated, and their fortunes are not pinned to those of Trump, establishes a well-defined limit to his influence. Trump's antagonism toward various countries -- as wholes -- has already helped to stir up a deep sediment of anti-Americanism. If Americanism is at the heart of Trump's nationalist globalism, then it is doing all the things that are needed to induce a major heart attack.

As for Trump's domestic opposition, what should be most pertinent are issues of conflict of interest and nepotism . Here members of Trump's base are more on target yet again, when they reject the presence of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in the White House ("we didn't elect Ivanka or Jared"), than are those distracted by identity politics.

As Trump leverages the presidency to upgrade the Trump family to the transnational capitalist class, and reinforces the power of US imperialism which that class has purchased, conflict of interest and nepotism will be the main political signposts of the transformation of the Trump presidency, but they could also be the targets for a refined strategy of opposition.

[Jan 24, 2019] The Trump Tax Cut Is Even Worse Than They Say by Dean Baker

Notable quotes:
"... To this point, there is essentially zero evidence of the promised investment boom. There was respectable growth in investment in the first two quarters of 2018, but growth slowed to just 1.1 percent in the third quarter. ..."
"... In any case, there is zero evidence that the tax cut is leading to the sort of investment boom that will qualitatively boost the rate of productivity and GDP growth and provide workers with substantially higher pay. ..."
"... (irrational) confidence level is an important economic factor. ..."
"... What has been destructive in major recessions has not been "misdirected investment", it has been the leveraged and/or fraudulent financial manipulations which maximize profit but which cause rapid collapse when conditions turn bad. Again, interest rates have in practice not been a main factor in this. ..."
"... Keynes was adamantly against high interest rates and he favored usury laws: "the rate of interest is not self-adjusting at a level best suited to the social advantage but constantly tends to rise too high, so that a wise Government is concerned to curb it by statute and custom and even by invoking the sanctions of the moral law." The General Theory, p. 351. ..."
"... "The evidence is not consistent with the idea that central banks can control economies with interest rates." ..."
"... A much larger threat to world economies (than interest rates) is the huge capital investments in petroleum assets. At some point, those investments will need to be unwound in an orderly fashion but it doesn't seem that anyone is considering how to do that. ..."
Jan 18, 2019 | cepr.net
Details
Published: 18 January 2019

(This piece was originally posted on my Patreon page .)

Jim Tankersley had a nice piece in the New York Times last week pointing out that the tax cut pushed through by the Republicans in 2017 is leading to a sharp drop in tax revenue. While this was widely predicted by most analysts, it goes against the Trump administration's claims that the tax cut would pay for itself.

Looking at full-year data for calendar year 2018, Tankersley points out that revenue was $183 billion (5.6 percent) below what the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had projected for the year before the tax cut was passed into law. This is a substantial falloff in revenue by any standard, but there are two reasons the picture is even worse than this falloff implies.

The first is that we actually did see a jump in growth in 2018 pretty much in line with what the Trump administration predicted. The tax cut really did stimulate the economy. It put a lot of money in the economy (mostly going to those at the top) and people spent much of this money. The result was that the growth rate accelerated from around 2.0 percent the prior three years to over 3.0 percent in 2018. (We don't have 4 th quarter data yet, which may be delayed by the shutdown, but growth should be over 3.0 percent.)

The jump in growth in 2018 means that the drop in revenue was not due to the economy being weaker than expected, it was due to the fact that the tax rate had fallen by a larger amount than the boost to growth. In fairness to the Trump administration, they had also projected a falloff in revenue due to the tax cut in 2018, but not one that was as large as what we saw.

... ... ...

To this point, there is essentially zero evidence of the promised investment boom. There was respectable growth in investment in the first two quarters of 2018, but growth slowed to just 1.1 percent in the third quarter. It is likely to be even weaker in the fourth quarter due to the drop in world oil prices (less oil drilling), although we won't get these data until the shutdown is over. In any case, there is zero evidence that the tax cut is leading to the sort of investment boom that will qualitatively boost the rate of productivity and GDP growth and provide workers with substantially higher pay.

In this context, the deficits from the Trump tax cut are a problem. If the economy is bumping up against its limits and the labor market is close to full employment, it means a much larger share of output is going to the consumption of the wealthy. That both means less private consumption for everyone else, and it makes it more difficult to have major initiatives that involve substantial spending, such as a Green New Deal or Medicare for All.

The long and short is that the revenue data for 2018 looks pretty bad on its face. It looks even worse on a closer examination.

pieceofcake4 days ago ,

...and perhaps this funny (American?) idea - that economics only exist in order to have some ''Boom'' going -- forever -- and ever - (which everybody knows is NOT possible) - is the root of US problem??!

Paul6 days ago ,

Deficits are not a problem, period. They are a benefit because they keep the boom going, just as lower interest rates forestall a recession. Keynes pointed this out 80 years ago: "Thus the remedy for the boom is not a higher rate of interest but a lower rate of interest! For that may enable the so-called boom to last. The right remedy for the trade cycle is not to be found in abolishing booms and thus keeping us permanently in a semi-slump; but in abolishing slumps and thus keeping us permanently in a quasi-boom." The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, p. 322.

Keeping us out of a recession/slump ought to be the focus of economic policy, not hypothetical questions about the economy "bumping up against its limits" which anti-Keynesians have been obsessed with for years.

skeptonomist Paul 6 days ago ,

Keeping out of bubbles is what keeps us out of slumps (in most cases). The usual pattern is that as conditions improve people put confidence where it does not belong and extend leverage, then financial collapse makes things look bad for everyone - the general (irrational) confidence level is an important economic factor.

Interest rates have an effect on speculation - when rates are low people have to turn to riskier things to make money, and leverage is cheap. Stock prices were very low in 1981 because interest rates were very high and they are very high now partly because interest rates have been very low. The effect on speculation may be a valid reason to raise rates - of course the imaginary threat of inflation is not.

But history indicates it is not a huge effect. The Fed did raise discount rate through 1928 and 1929 up to 6% and this did not seem to slow the development of the stock-market bubble. It is unlikely that the Fed can kill a bubble or boom now by raising at much lower levels. The housing bubble of 2006 was a matter of bad regulation. The Fed was involved in encouraging and then disregarding the bubble, but not by manipulating interest rates. Greenspan was always a cheerleader of deregulation.

Paul skeptonomist 5 days ago ,

"Bubblenomics" was discredited by Keynes:

"Moreover, even if over-investment in this sense was a normal characteristic of the boom, the remedy would not lie in clapping on a high rate of interest which would probably deter some useful investments and might further diminish the propensity to consume, but in taking drastic steps, by redistributing incomes or otherwise, to stimulate the propensity to consume.

"It may, of course, be the case -- indeed it is likely to be -- that the illusions of the boom cause particular types of capital-assets to be produced in such excessive abundance that some part of the output is, on any criterion, a waste of resources; -- which sometimes happens, we may add, even when there is no boom. It leads, that is to say, to misdirected investment." The General Theory p.321

"Thus an increase in the rate of interest, as a remedy for the state of affairs arising out of a prolonged period of abnormally heavy new investment, belongs to the species of remedy which cures the disease by killing the patient." The General Theory p.323.

Causing a recession in order to kill a bubble is madness.

skeptonomist Paul 5 days ago ,

I am not recommending killing a boom or bubble with interest rates. On the contrary I am always recommending against relying on manipulating interest rates to regulate the economy, whether it is to prevent inflation, real or imaginary, or to stimulate the economy in case of recession. While Keynes conjectured that interest rates could have effects, he certainly was very clear in not expecting that they would be sufficient to control the business cycle - see pp. 319-320, the end of Ch. 12 and ch. 24.

What has been destructive in major recessions has not been "misdirected investment", it has been the leveraged and/or fraudulent financial manipulations which maximize profit but which cause rapid collapse when conditions turn bad. Again, interest rates have in practice not been a main factor in this.

Paul skeptonomist 5 days ago ,

"While Keynes conjectured that interest rates could have effects, he certainly was very clear in not expecting that they would be sufficient to control the business cycle"

Really? Then why did he include "Interest" in the title of his magnum opus?

Keynes was adamantly against high interest rates and he favored usury laws: "the rate of interest is not self-adjusting at a level best suited to the social advantage but constantly tends to rise too high, so that a wise Government is concerned to curb it by statute and custom and even by invoking the sanctions of the moral law." The General Theory, p. 351.

Further, he railed against using high interest rates to limit the boom: "The austere view, which would employ a high rate of interest to check at once any tendency in the level of employment to rise appreciably above the average of, say, the previous decade, is, however, more usually supported by arguments which have no foundation at all apart from confusion of mind." The General Theory, p. 327-8.

The rate of interest is critical to economic growth which is why the Fed's role is so important.

skeptonomist Paul 5 days ago ,

The evidence is consistent with what Keynes said about high interest rates - the high rates in the 70's to 80's failed to prevent inflation but caused unemployment to go to 10.8%. The Fed failed utterly in both of its two objectives during that time. Since 2008 record low rates have not produced the claimed boost in investment and growth. This is especially obvious in Europe and Japan where conditions are worse than in the US despite negative interest rates. This is also consistent with Keynes' expectation that interest rates would not be sufficient to overcome variations in the perceived marginal efficiency of capital. The evidence is not consistent with the idea that central banks can control economies with interest rates, or even that their actions are always constructive. That idea was not Keynes'.

Paul skeptonomist 5 days ago ,

"The evidence is not consistent with the idea that central banks can control economies with interest rates."

That is a bridge too far, and Keynes disagrees:

"There is, indeed, force in the argument that a high rate of interest is much more effective against a boom than a low rate of interest against a slump." The General Theory, p. 320.

Slowing a boom with higher interest rates is indeed feasible and that has been Fed doctrine for decades. Obviously, higher interest rates reduce consumption and investment so growth must slow. The high inflation of the 1970s was due to the OPEC oil shocks, not excessively rapid growth of the economy. In fact, growth had been faster in the 1960s with much lower inflation.

RAP77 Paul a day ago ,

I understand why this economic discussion focuses only on interest rates but it leaves out a larger issue. That fact that, on CNBC and elsewhere, financial analysts obsess over interest rates, taxes, and the price of oil in relation to the market illustrates the cluelessness of the financial community. They all applaud "deregulation" without ever specifying which regulations. Do they mean all regulations?

Trump's deregulation of methane emissions, for example, will create future costs that are exponentially larger than any immediate savings to frackers and oil companies. That's just one example. Trump's environmental deregulatory agenda is stupidity writ large.

A much larger threat to world economies (than interest rates) is the huge capital investments in petroleum assets. At some point, those investments will need to be unwound in an orderly fashion but it doesn't seem that anyone is considering how to do that. Eventually, probably sooner than expected, a tipping point will be reached when mass realization of the threat climate change poses to our survival generates a mass panicked exit from petroleum assets which will create a financial crash that dwarfs what we saw in 2008.

Paul RAP77 a day ago ,

Do you remember "Limits to Growth"? Doomsday scenarios have been around for a long time especially in regard to the national debt which supposedly will cause the collapse of our economy sometime soon. I am skeptical about that.

[Jan 21, 2019] Control of money and control of information are two keys to the making other states vassals. The American military and CIA have provided most of the overt and covert 'muscle' for that control system.political power

Jan 21, 2019 | www.unz.com

Robert Snefjella , says: January 18, 2019 at 4:57 pm GMT

The MSM and its allies in the controlled alternative media, and the global private-interest financial, investment and banking system, are a tag-team, indispensable to each other. Control of money and control of information. The first narrowly concentrates wealth and thus power and influence. The second through agenda-driven selection, lies, censorship, spin, misdirection and so on – disinformation – controls people's sense of what is real and possible, thus dis-empowering them.

The American military and CIA have provided most of the overt and covert 'muscle' for that control system.

The combined effort of narrowly controlled and narrowly advantaging globe straddling finance, media, and muscle has facilitated the development of a near global Empire. In common with traditional Empires this new Empire had totalitarian ambitions: but since its reach was global, this is really a first attempt at global totalitarian control.

Russia under Putin – leaving aside China – has developed enough strength to attempt alternative modes of communication and finance and development, not as adjuncts or subordinates to the Empire's efforts in those regards. And their military is antidote and opposition to the totalitarian project.

The forgoing is pretty obvious stuff, but I think that the Saker's concluding paragraph provides a limiting summary of how the issue can play out.

"But fundamentally the Russian people need to decide. Do they really want to live in a
western-style capitalist society (with all the russophobic politics and the adoption
of the terminally degenerate "culture" such a choice implies), or do they want a
"social society" (to use Putin's own words) – meaning a society in which social and economic
justice and the good of the country are placed above corporate and personal profits.

You could say that this is a battle of greed vs ethics."

This is a simplistic way of looking at the choices available. We are all caught up in transitional culture processes, no matter where we live. The conjunction of the cornucopia of new technology and unprecedented environmental and social challenges is everywhere at play, leading who knows where?

What the Russian people have been given, and this is near singular on Earth, is a protected and enhanced opportunity of developing a culture in which honest national discourse is a predominant feature. This is in complete contrast to the predominant 'fake news' system of discourse control that is in place in so many countries. And full and honest discourse will create its own original cultural developments.

The Russian adoption of more honest discourse is already having global influence. An example is Russia Today, which far from perfect and all that, still provides an enormous advance over the extremely controlled western mass media, and a powerful foe to 'fake news'.

Perhaps the most visible exemplar of rationale discourse has been Putin himself, with for example his marathon annual Q and A with the Russian people, or his articulate well considered sallies on many issues

And with that – if Russia can use unfettered reason writ large as a prime ingredient of cultural and political development, as a basic developmental 'steering tool' – then the simple dichotomy of "western-style capitalist society" vs "a society in which social and economic justice and the good of the country are placed above corporate and personal profits" , as much as I'm sympathetic to the latter, seems to me to be a limiting way of expressing the range of potential beneficent possibilities.

[Jan 13, 2019] There is no free market! It's all crooked by financial oligarchy!

Highly recommended!
Free market is possible only under strict government regulation. Without government regulation free market quickly deteriorates into the law of jungles. Such a paradox ;-)
And if financial oligarchy gets to power as they got via coup d'état in the USA in late 7th, it is only a matter of time before the society collapses. They are very destructive to the society at large. Probably more so then organized crime. But wait. They actually can be viewed as special type of organized prime as is "The best way to rob the bank is to own it".
Notable quotes:
"... Idiots on here are always going on about how we don't got capitalism, if we only had capitalism, we don't got free markets, if only we had free markets, then everything would be hunky-dory. Without any proof, of course, because there never was and never will be a "free" "market." The US has plenty capitalism. And everything sucks. And they want more. Confused, stupid, disingenuous liars. ..."
"... Free markets are crookedness factories. As a PhD from Chicago Business School told me, "Free markets?! What free markets?! There is no free market! It's all crooked!" ..."
Jan 13, 2019 | www.unz.com

obwandiyag , says: January 13, 2019 at 6:37 am GMT

Idiots on here are always going on about how we don't got capitalism, if we only had capitalism, we don't got free markets, if only we had free markets, then everything would be hunky-dory. Without any proof, of course, because there never was and never will be a "free" "market." The US has plenty capitalism. And everything sucks. And they want more. Confused, stupid, disingenuous liars.
obwandiyag , says: January 13, 2019 at 6:42 am GMT
Look, what you call "capitalism" and "free markets" just means scams to make rich people richer. You read some simple-minded description of some pie-in-the-sky theory of some perfect world where rational actors make the best possible decisions in their own interest without any outside interference, and you actually think you are reading a description of something real.

I'll tell you what's real. Crookedness. Free markets are crookedness factories. As a PhD from Chicago Business School told me, "Free markets?! What free markets?! There is no free market! It's all crooked!"

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