ADDED: Where did I tell you? On July 10th, with lots of pushback in the comments, I said:
... I do think Acosta should resign. When it mattered most, the cries of a wealthy man overwhelmed those of ordinary people. That's not what belongs in the Labor Department.That was early in the morning of the 10th. Later that afternoon, Acosta did a press conference (reportedly because Trump "instructed" him to), and I wrote:
If Trump forced Acosta to do this press conference, presumably Trump is watching and judging. If you're watching, how do you think Acosta is doing? I tend to accept a calm explanation, so I'm not a good test of how well Acosta is doing. Trying to look at him the way I think other people do, I suspect he sounds too flat and matter-of-fact. Too mechanical. Not enough empathy. So I'm going to guess Trump isn't seeing what he wants.So I told you so. It's because of all the pushback in the comments that I have to gloat.
IN THE COMMENTS: Annie C. says:
Good. Now get Scott Walker in there.Annie C. was also there in the first July 10th thread (and, unlike most commenters, agreeing with me):
And yes, Althouse, these attempts to get Acosta off the hook don't work for me either. Just reporting what I read.
Personally, I think he should resign and Trump should appoint Scott Walker as Labor Secretary.
Posts
321 comments:
1 – 200 of 321 Newer› Newest»Sounds like Trump made Acosta an offer he couldn't refuse.
or
Your're fired!
Never give in. What a massive fail...
I hope Milwaukee and Cleveland don't belong to intelligence. Or maybe not.
Ridiculous! He had to be a bit player in someone else’s game. If not, did anyone else even attempt to hold Epstein accountable for his reprehensible conduct?
And what does the one job have to do with the other more than a decade ago? We are a silly people.
Did Trump announce it as another victory?
Cabinet secretaries are expendable. Especially this guy. Scott Walker, pick up the white courtesy phone.
Acosta is nowhere near the fighter that Trump will be requiring moving forward.
Only those who capable of aggressively and effectively pushing back against the leftist/LLR lies will be invited to hang around.
The old "Marquess of Queensberry" rules/"stand very still while the dems/left/LLR's shoot at you" that the GOPe has labored under while the left/libs/LLR's went full Mao are not viable any longer....and haven't been really for 4 decades.
Acosta is not a good name for a labor sec anyways.
Good for you.
You really needed one.
Too mechanical. Not enough empathy << how different from >> cruel neutrality?
I don't get nuances! never did!
Actually, no, you didn’t. You said he should resign. That is not a prediction. You SHOULD acknowledge this. See the difference?
readering: "Did Trump announce it as another victory?"
Acosta was another of the GOPe recommended selections, so if Trump can get a Barr-type in there the answer will be an unequivocal yes.
If not, then its a holding action only.
Good. Now get Scott Walker in there.
I can't comment about whether or not Acosta really had no choice in the matter with regards to the "sweetheart deal" that Epstein got since I'm not a lawyer and I don't know all the specifics of the case that they had at that time, but it certainly seems like there may have been a lot more going on there. I've even heard that Epstein may have been some sort of intelligence asset and therefore Acosta was told to let him off easy. But that could be baloney.
But I don't think Acosta was such a key player Trump's administration that losing him will be a great setback. My sense is that he was fairly expendable. So I'm not terribly concerned about it.
And I told you the Labor Department shouldn't exist.
Now what?
!!As part of the arrangement, Acosta agreed, despite a federal law to the contrary, that the deal would be kept from the victims.
A Florida judge ruled in February, 2019 that the team of Miami prosecutors led by Acosta broke the law when they concealed that plea agreement from more than 30 underage victims who had been sexually abused by Epstein.!!
________________________
This cannot be explained away. lost battle. was it addressed by Acosta?
Epstein seems to have had a deal with the fbi where he secretly testified against Bear Stearns executives, who walked btw.
So, the only guy who saw to it that Epstein faced ANY legal consequences over the last two decades had to fall on his sword?
Politics, optics and feels aside, it increasingly looked that way to me.
Congrats to Althouse on her prognostication.
Does no longer being in the cabinet give him more leeway to testify in any upcoming trial(s)?
What?? You're gloating over thinking that "should" = "will"?? You and a few million others said that he *should* resign. But, have fun with this...
readering correctly sees this as a victor for Democratics operatives.
This is about "building the narrative" bull shit.
Meanwhile, Menendez and Clinton were johns.
Epstein was the pimp.
I didn't read the comments from the earlier entry so maybe shouldn't comment but it's hard to imagine why anyone would be vested in keeping Acosta around as Labor Secretary. Or think that Trump would have any motivation to keep him on. Especially as he had no problem letting someone like James Mattis walk. So gloat, yes, but maybe it's shooting fish in a barrel kind of thing. She sets 'em up and she knocks 'em down.
As a kind of related aside, I think the incredible power prosecutors have is something that we should do something about but probably can't/won't. Meaning power not just to throw the book at people and grossly over-charge but also the power to let people walk away / face minimal consequences for their crimes. Acosta probably didn't even get any Soros money.
"Told ya" - A Liberal getting snarky using deplorable vernacular. Old 60's liberals don't die easily. Funny In that regard she is a traditionalist
But you have to give her some slack after being whipped by "weirdo" the past 3 years.
Never underestimate Trump.
Hayden take note.
Nonapod: "But I don't think Acosta was such a key player Trump's administration that losing him will be a great setback. My sense is that he was fairly expendable. So I'm not terribly concerned about it."
Trust me, before we are done the MSM/left/dems/LLR's will be claiming it was Acosta who owned the island and the jet and Trump was his best pal flying there over 1,000 times.
Plus: Rape gang leader! (the dems/left/LLR's still have lots of leftover smear material from the Kavanaugh hearing that has to be used up)
Actually, no, you didn’t. You said he should resign.
And "So I'm going to guess Trump isn't seeing what he wants", which implies Trump might fire him, not that he would resign.
EDH said...
So, the only guy who saw to it that Epstein faced ANY legal consequences over the last two decades had to fall on his sword?
---------
You know the old saying: "No good deed goes unpunished"
It was more of a Trump victory.
Trump removed a potential liability in a nice way.
He gave Acosta a chance to get his version out.
A well deserved gloat even if it was entirely predictable. I have no idea why anyone bothered to defend this. He is not the only one at fault, but he showed poor judgment and should not be in any position of authority. Frankly, anyone associated with Epstein who knew what was going on and did nothing to stop it should not be welcomed in public life. I don't believe that all those at his "parties" had no idea what was going on, even if they did not participate. Anyone with a sense of decency would do something.
narayanan ,
You have been fooled by the lie delivered by your source.
The Florida judge was ruling on a state matter.
Acosta was a federal prosecutor.
Do you see the lie?
@Birkel ... You Maybe right with your distinction.
But as an issue of fact - is there a federal law prohibiting concealment from victims?
then this becomes separate issue ... As part of the arrangement, Acosta agreed, despite a federal law to the contrary, that the deal would be kept from the victims.
This will end like What's His Face during the Clinton Impeachment who stupidly resigned from the House because had an affair. They same people calling him a hypocrite then turn around and said "it's just about sex, MoveOn.org"
Anyone want to take the bet that Acosta is the only one who actually suffers consequences from Esptein's scandal?
I do get the feeling that while going down, Epstein will take as many with him as he can.
And what does the one job have to do with the other more than a decade ago? We are a silly people.
Read the Powerline posts on Acosta. He was not doing the job at Labor.
"Actually, no, you didn’t. You said he should resign. That is not a prediction. You SHOULD acknowledge this. See the difference?"
I didn't say I made a "prediction" and I said I told you so. The telling you so is not in my statement that Acosta SHOULD resign, it's in my observation that Trump required the press conference and it was a test of Acosta and Trump didn't seeing what he was looking for. From there the inference is obvious: Trump will get him out.
That's my style of writing, which isn't as as explicit as advisable if what you want is to build a foundation for future gloating. I'm not Scott Adams, who announces predictions. That's not my style. The only reason I wanted to gloat here is that commenters were so oppositional to me after what I wrote.
Actually in the first July 10th post, I did something I almost never do. I said what I thought should happen and said it clearly: "I do think Acosta should resign."
That kind of speech is very unusual for me. And it got a big reaction from commenters, who are perhaps used to me refraining from taking a side.
I'm fine with Acosta being gone. No brief for him one way or the other. Maybe he was way too soft on Epstein, or maybe he got the harshest deal he could given the strength/weakness of the case. No way for outsiders to know at this time.
Now the focus should be on Epstein: How did he get his money? Who was involved? Who protected him and why? I ask again, where is Ghislaine Maxwell these days? If I were a federal investigator I'd sure want to talk to her.
So I'm going to guess Trump isn't seeing what he wants.
You’re premature. Trump said he didn’t want him to resign.
hombre said...Ridiculous! He had to be a bit player in someone else’s game.
Agreed that he is probably a bit player. In fact, it's difficult to imagine a scenario where he did this on his own. But he was willing to play his bit part and, for that, there should be consequences.
When you're right you're right. I initially thought he should go too but then changed my mind when Trump put him out there to defend himself. Unlike you I thought he should go because he was a distraction and was being used as a weapon against Trump. That seemed to dissipate following the press conference.
You wanted him out based on principle, which is notable of course. I'm not sure that is Trump's motivation.
A pattern is emerging were defending or, as prosecutor, failing to drop the hammer on publicized defendants is seen as a bad career move.
You’re premature. Trump said he didn’t want him to resign.
To be fair, Trump is infamous for saying one thing one day and doing another the next. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing mind you.
One more thing that is occurring because Hillary is not President: Epstein has been arrested. Acosta is being held accountable. I guess that's two things.
Gloat away Ann. You deserve it.
If he'd held out through the weekend, he could still be Governor of Virginia.
To be fair, Trump is infamous for saying one thing one day and doing another the next. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing mind you.
He said more than that but I don’t have a transcript so I’m just noting the general direction of what he said.
Trump and Acosta are hanging out in front of reporters like old friends.
They’re almost finishing each other’s sentences.
I'm neutral on Acosta's job performance, as well on his role in the Epstein deal. I simply do not have enough information to go with. The idea that he was dealt a lousy hand and made the best of it seems reasonable, but I don't have access to any information that would prove it false or true.
My objection is that resigning will just put blood in the water. Who will they target next?
So I told you so. It's because of all the pushback in the comments that I have to gloat.
I guess when you get one prediction right (and remember you thought Scott Walker had a shot at president), you can gloat.
This was predictable. Trump doesn't give a shit about Labor, it was easy for him to throw Acosta under the bus.
You've got to remember, most of your commenters can not imagine Trump or his minions could possibly do anything wrong, regardless of all the evidence to the contrary, including numerous cabinet resignations, convictions of numerous advisors, and the outright corruption of some Cabinet members who remain in office.
Speaking of Walker, alert readers may note that Trump will be in Milwaukee today. What a happy coincidence....
The narrative is that prosecutor Acosta gave a sweetheart deal to Epstein. But keep in mind that this deal came after the state prosecutor refused to bring charges whatsoever.
Sex crimes are typically brought in state court, not federal court. If U.S. Attorney Acosta wanted to give a sweetheart deal to Epstein, he could have refused to take the case in the first pleace. He could have said that the state attorney had properly evaluated the matter and it is too weak to file.
Once filed, the quality of the evidence can impact the deal that was struck. If witnesses are refusing to come to court, this can prompt a better offer by the prosecutor.
One area I didn't like was the report that the plea bargain included the prosecutor being prohibited from informing the victims of the settlement. This is not appropriate, if true.
Maybe the resignation was done to bring in a rising star? How about Nikki Haley?
The biggest joke is that the narrative maintenance technicians frame the story as a Trump issue notwithstanding all the Democrats, from Bill Clinton down, who have close ties to Epstein.
Infallibility
The Pope: not so much
Althouse: 100%
Trump: the Democrats aren’t working. All they’re doing is trying to hurt people like Alex Acosta.
Ralph L said...
If he'd held out through the weekend, he could still be Governor of Virginia.
7/12/19, 9:3
Too bad for him that he isn't from Virginia where you can actually be the sexual assaulter and still keep your job.
Maybe the resignation was done to bring in a rising star? How about Nikki Haley?
Really?! Nikki Haley was burned by Trump once. Even if Trump offered the job (extremely unlikely), she is one of the few people who was in the administration who is actually intelligent. There is no way she would take the job just to be shoved under the bus again.
I read the transcript later that night of the his press conference- I wasn't satisfied. What struck me was that Acosta never reconciled the reports that the case against Epstein was very strong in 2007-2008 with the plea deal itself. Now, it is possible still that the case was much weaker than the press reports over the last 11 years have indicated, but Acosta never really contradicted those press reports. In addition, he never gave any real detail about who was involved in the negotiations with Epstein's lawyers and who gave the go ahead to accept the deal on the part of the DoJ- also, he didn't really firmly indicate that he was the one that made the final decision.
All in all, the press conference didn't give me the answers I was wanting and that I thought were necessary to explain the actions taken.
For a broad look at the case, you can read this that was published yesterday.
Wow! A sitting cabinet member is chastised, and forced to resign for not prosecuting enough???
This is going to get REAL ugly.
AZ Bob:
"The biggest joke is that the narrative maintenance technicians frame the story as a Trump issue notwithstanding all the Democrats, from Bill Clinton down, who have close ties to Epstein."
Precisely. Like you, I'm not in a position to judge whether Acosta blew the case or did the best he could with a weak hand. Obviously if all the allegations regarding Epstein are/were true 13 months in Club Fed is a joke. But could the allegations have been proven? We don't know.
In any event, unless Acosta WAS leaned on by intelligence or higher ups, his part in this should be secondary to the big questions of what Epstein was actually up to, who helped him and why.
That's it, close up shop. The media got what they wanted from this, and now they'll move on.
You've got to remember, most of your commenters can not imagine Trump or his minions could possibly do anything wrong, regardless of all the evidence to the contrary.
You really don't get it, do you Freder?
Most of the Trump supporters here were reluctant Trump voters. Some did not even vote for him. We do not think he is infallible - just the opposite. Yet we think he represents our interests.
There is a strong element of projection with Freder and Inga. After eight years of adoring the lightbringer Obama, they want to say that we are blinded by Trump's persona.
Ridiculous.
Acosta is gone because the Democrat operative pedophile, Epstein, is getting pass from the press. For some reason, the only prosecutor in the world to get Epstein behind bars is Acosta, and for some reason the media wants to make him the single person in the justice system they will accuse of being influenced by the powerful to avoid justice. Acosta. Acosta is being blamed, for all of the local, state and federal prosecutors in Florida and New York, Acosta is the one person that has failed. Despite he, being the only one to get Epstein behind bars.
Gloat if you will, but know that if the oval office was being inhabited by Bill Clinton's wife, Epstien would have an ambassadorship to Taiwan, and all of this would be under a news blackout.
Ok, then. Let's focus on all the Democrats and all the people who did nothing.
Preet Brahara had the nerve to criticize Acosta by retweeting something the other day. As if none of the crimes took place in New York during his days.
Watching that seemingly endless press conference this morning you'd think Trump just nominated Acosta to the Supreme Court.
No way Trump forced him out.
Gloating over this man's fall is unbecoming. You don't know what he was up against just to get what he got in terms of Epstein's sentence. Foolish woman; you think the law works the way you taught it to your students.
So they got Acosta.
Now, what is your prediction for Epstein?
Will Acosta at least have the satisfaction of seeing Epstein getting burned his time - if only just as collateral damage to his own downfall?
I would actually love to see Scot Walker put into that post. He'd be great in that role. And there would be much howling from the professional Left, particularly in Weesconsin.
I love the comment by Freder who said that Trump doesn't give a shit about labor. He's simply created hundreds/thousands of jobs for people over the course of his lifetime. Employed them, backed them, gave so many opportunities to grow in their lives. Sure, he's not a Union boss taking dues to hang out with polliticos, but he's done real things for real people.
Guys and gals like Bernie and Elizabeth talk about employment as if they know what it entails. They don't have a clue.
Again, I don't think Trump cares about empathy. What Trump didn't see was the press's ability to focus on all the Democrats who enabled Epstein over the years.
The Democrats want to make this about Trump, so I guess Trump thinks he can't have anyone remotely involved in being easy on Epstein in his cabinet.
You've got to remember, most of your commenters can not imagine Trump or his minions could possibly do anything wrong,
Are you kidding? Trump does a million things wrong. As a person, he's always been pretty gross. Where do people get this idea that people who support or semi-support think Trump is infallible? It's a huge misreading of the situation.
I love the comment by Freder who said that Trump doesn't give a shit about labor.
I thought it was obvious from the context that I was referring to the Department of Labor. And Trump's history doesn't show much concern for labor rights or even if his subcontractors are treated fairly.
That you think that Scott Walker would be a good labor secretary shows that we have definitely entered the realm of doublespeak. "Labor is Employer Rights".
Here are the various scenarios that are in play:
(1) The federal investigation was rock solid and had Epstein dead to rights, but he skated by pleading to only the weakest state-related charges, and was sentenced to night-time prison. He managed to get off so easy because he had a lot of political connections that were invoked on his behalf with the Bush Administration.
(2) The federal investigation wasn't all that strong and Epstein was likely to beat the case at trial, so the federal government negotiated a plea deal that was put into place by the Florida state court.
Pretty much all the reporting I have seen in 11 years (and, yes, I have followed this case that long) says the case against Epstein was overwhelming and it is inexplicable that he only served 13 months behind bars, and only at night at that.
All the reporting also says that the plea was conducted in such a way as to preclude any public outrage/pushback before it could be entered and accepted by the Florida court- see the allegations about violating the victim rights acts.
Additionally, there have been numerous press reports in just the last week that Acosta himself has been heard to say that he didn't have a choice but to accept that deal- that it wasn't his decision to make (still waiting to see if that is actually true).
So, going into that press conference I wanted to see Acosta tell me which was the truth of the two scenarios- (1) or (2). Acosta really pushed (2) during the press conference, but he did so without any factual support. I wrote in the cafe that night that his press conference really required a public airing the case details that existed in 2008- that we needed to see what the federal government had on Epstein in 2008. Acosta gave us none of that- literally nothing in that regard but his word, which isn't enough.
Tom Perez was the previous Secretary of Labor, and the Department presumably still holds a substantial number of his appointees.
Freder: This was predictable. Trump doesn't give a shit about Labor, it was easy for him to throw Acosta under the bus.
Hey Freder, do you think collecting scalps is going to have any undue effect on the little people that DOL is supposed to protect?
Or have you even thought about the people holding your soapbox up?
We're still clearing up all the dead raped girls that Inga was using as props to take cheap shots at strangers who have a different opinion than hers. So maybe there is an Altar or other venue you could play your "I really care" refrain? Or maybe pick up a mop an help out? Thanks.
Are you kidding? Trump does a million things wrong. As a person, he's always been pretty gross. Where do people get this idea that people who support or semi-support think Trump is infallible? It's a huge misreading of the situation.
When over two dozen women accuse him of sexual assault, including rape, and all of you fall on your swords declaring they all must be lying, is where I get that from.
Or when he tweaks NAFTA slightly, gives it a new name, after declaring it the "worst deal ever", and you declare it is completely different and it is a huge win for Trump, is where I get that from.
I could go on and on.
And Trump's history doesn't show much concern for labor rights
The Democrats care a lot about labor rights.
They just don’t care if you have a job.
Look, if Acosta was forced to accept this deal by his line management in 2008, he had every opportunity to say so on Wednesday afternoon. He didn't say that. For him to not resign, he would have had to support the contention that the plea deal was the best that could have been obtained given the evidence, but he didn't do that either- he asserted it against all the press reports done on this case in a decade.
I am willing to believe the case was far weaker than is being reported- I don't trust journalists any longer to tell the truth, nor their sources, but Acosta needed to fully explain the case was weak with some evidence that could be confirmed, and he didn't do that.
Where I come down this morning is where I was a week ago- Epstein was politically protected by someone in the Bush Administration, and I wanted Acosta to tell us who he, Acosta, obeyed.
Yancey that seems like a fair analysis - the end result is a key figure in the Epstein investigation is quietly retiring to private life and gave us nothing to get to the bottom of really happened in this.
That seems the most reasonable course, if your goal to keep something covered up.
Acosta resigning is underwhelming. Now go find out why and how the plea deal happened and if he broke any laws by not notifying the victims of the deal. Find out who was connected to Epstein and if they sexually assaulted underage girls. That’s what’s important here.
Labor as in some is good and more is better.
Now break the public sector unions.
They are a travesty of a mockery of a sham.
FDR agreed with this position.
And Scott Walker is just the man for that particular job.
“Yeah ladies.
Scott Walker for labor.
Pussies all the way down...”
Yes he is a pussy. Acosta looked positively strong compared to Walker.
When over two dozen women accuse him of sexual assault, including rape, and all of you fall on your swords declaring they all must be lying, is where I get that from.
That's your fault not ours. You guys are the ones who keep paying women to cry wolf. It takes quite a bit of chutzpah to harvest women to bear false witness, slink away when their stories fall apart, and then whine that we don't take your next set of witnesses seriously.
Your tribe keeps calling the Smollett Play, expecting a different result. Why?
Inga: Find out who was connected to Epstein and if they sexually assaulted underage girls. That’s what’s important here.
What about the sexually assaulted underage girls in the migrant caravans that Democrats are funding and abetting. Can we include them in the discussion of those you "care" so much about?
'Labor is Employer Rights'
I hadn't heard this construct before. Bring on Scott Walker for Labor!!
Really?! Nikki Haley was burned by Trump once.
One might also suggest that Haley burned Trump rather than the reverse. Which is the truth?
He deserved to go- for this and his poor job. But I'll be curious to see who else the press will try to get fired /resign, as they cover up their own cover up of the Epstein fiasco
I like this.
"Pat Pizzella, the Deputy Secretary at DOL, will replace Acosta for now. I don’t know Pizzella personally; I have never even met him.
However, several conservative friends who know Pizzella well vouch for him in strong terms. One describes him as “a tremendous guy” and “very committed conservative.”"
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2019/07/alex-acosta-resigns.php
“We're still clearing up all the dead raped girls that Inga was using as props to take cheap shots at strangers who have a different opinion than hers.”
Oh did Inga hurt your feelings? Point on the doll where Inga hurt you. Poor boy.
Hey, this is something new: I agree with Inga:
"Now go find out why and how the plea deal happened and if he broke any laws by not notifying the victims of the deal. Find out who was connected to Epstein and if they sexually assaulted underage girls. That’s what’s important here."
We know some of the people connected to Epstein, but not exactly how the relationships worked. The arrangements appear unconventional to say the least.
Blogger Freder Frederson said...
"I could go on and on."
And, of course, you do.
dumbing them down to religous levels
Who gathered up all the works of science and protected them from circling the drain during the Dark Ages again?
All those "dumb" religious folk know. Why don't you?
Walker was an excellent governor and I'd like to have him back to replace the current non-entity. But him taking the senate seat of the dim and useless Baldwin would be excellent, too. Much better than being secretary of a cabinet department that probably should be eliminated.
I'm not concerned, my opportunity to gloat will come during the confirmation hearing for the next Labor Secretary.
Inga: Oh did Inga hurt your feelings? Point on the doll where Inga hurt you.
Not me, you should address that to all the raped girls you were using as tools to pleasure your ego, just like Epstein was.
"who are perhaps used to me refraining from taking a side"
Huh?
Well, Royal ass Inga, since the prosecutor was employed by the state of Florida it would be Democratic Barry Kirschner who broke the law about informing victims. I know you're stupid. I know you're a liar. Stop being a poor liar.
The federal government deferred to the state.
The state prosecutors seem to have broken the law.
Federalism.
Learn it.
Love it.
Blogger Fen said...
dumbing them down to religous levels
Who gathered up all the works of science and protected them from circling the drain during the Dark Ages again?
Galileo Galilei couldn't be reached for comment
explain away Epstein's alleged stash of kiddie poor
Hey dumb sockpuppet, no one is trying to explain away Epstein.
We're saying you don't really care about what Epstein did, just whether you can use him as a political weapon to smear people who have different politics than yours.
You really expect us to believe that you didn't hear about the Lolita Express and Pedophile Island until yesterday? It's been a running joke all around the internet for a decade.
You guys were the ones trying to explain away Epstein, because Bill Clinton was a frequent flyer.
Don't fret about evil mean Inga, Fen because it's not your fault
Scapegoating!
It's kinda amazing how incurious the media has been about this guy Epstein for the past 15 years....
Did anyone know about Acosta before Trump nominated him? Does any know what the Labor Department does that super important?
Too bad the liberals got another scalp but...
Inga: Find out who was connected to Epstein and if they sexually assaulted underage girls. That’s what’s important here.
You go girl!
Two that we know about for starters are Bill Clinton and Bob Menendez.
Why isn't this Palm Beach DA Krischer, or Cyrus Vance in NY, on the hot seat, Althouse? Or even some other Bushies if you want to go that route? Who in DOJ was involved at the time?
Now that they damaged Trump, look for the MSM to go back to not caring about the issue. Coulter was bringing this up in 2015, and the media response? *crickets*
Galileo Galilei couldn't be reached for comment
Quite the contrary, while jailed "he wrote Two New Sciences, in which he summarized work he had done some forty years earlier on the two sciences now called kinematics and strength of materials."
But if those religious people had not protected the works of science during the Dark Ages, your Galileo couldn't be reached for comment because he would not have existed.
Galileo would have instead entered the priesthood, as he intended to before he was introduced to Medicine (which likewise would have been lost to the Dark Ages)
Acosta is just bar nuts before the appetizers. NEXT
Patrick said...
I do get the feeling that while going down, Epstein will take as many with him as he can.
He may take some down for show, but the Clintons would have him killed in prison if he squeals on Slick Willy.
Hey Freder, do you think collecting scalps is going to have any undue effect on the little people that DOL is supposed to protect?
Am I supposed to believe that you give a shit about labor rights? I have been around here long enough to find that idea laughable.
Hell, they may do it anyway.
It's very strange, this argument that Acosta's resignation is blood in the water, or that criticism of Acosta forestalls criticism of anyone else. By this logic, Louis C.K. still has his career intact and Al Franken is the Senator from Minnesota.
Acosta got tumbled in the 24 hours news cycle. Tomorrow starts another 24 hours news cycle. And guess what? Epstein is still indicted. The people who coddled him are still targets. There will be more news!
Blogger Sally327 said...
letting someone like James Mattis walk.
I had nothing but the highest admiration for James Mattis. Then I read Bad Blood, the book about Theranos.
He was a director and let these shenanigans go on. Never raised an objection, happily let himself be fed bullshit.
I don't have anywhere near as much admiration for him as I did.
I am wondering if this is the reason he left the cabinet? Or was asked to leave?
If an owner/stockholder, which Trump has been all his life and, as president, still is in a sense, can't trust the directors to keep management in line they need to be gone pronto.
Or when he tweaks NAFTA slightly, gives it a new name, after declaring it the "worst deal ever", and you declare it is completely different and it is a huge win for Trump, is where I get that from.
Did I? Did we?
You're right Fen:
Nature Blog
Howard: Fen because it's not your fault (youtube link)
Yes, that's a very good scene. Hits right to the heart of it for some of us.
Tell me, do you also have a video on standby that mocks the parents of autistic children?
When there's a stink in the media about something it's because some politician or charity wants a stink about it there.
Hearne's law, 1986.
Even more today, with mob participation the new business model.
Don't join mobs. You're being manipulated.
If you see a story in the media, first thought should be that it doesn't matter.
Sex trafficking happens a thousand times a day, I'd guess. Somebody wants this one in the news.
I like the new anti-Jewish poster "not a smart guy".
What parent was I mocking? I was mocking you for being a hardass snowflake
"I love the comment by Freder who said that Trump doesn't give a shit about labor."
Freder: I thought it was obvious from the context that I was referring to the Department of Labor.
Oh, I see the misunderstanding.
You were not aware that the Depart of Labor handles labor.
Howard: What parent was I mocking? I was mocking you for being a hardass snowflake
No no, don't go on the defensive. It's a bad look for someone using children of alcoholics as a punchline. Be like Inga and double down. Be shameless.
Blogger Darkisland said...
I had nothing but the highest admiration for James Mattis. Then I read Bad Blood, the book about Theranos.
Yeah, Theranos and the hair pie who identified as Steve Jobs in drag had too good to be true written all over it. I blame CSI for cartoonizing the art of analytical chemistry
Who gathered up all the works of science and protected them from circling the drain during the Dark Ages again?
What works of science? How god made the planets move?
They didn't know jack shit about anything.
You could do away with the department of labor by sticking to the rule of law.
Among them that X and Y should not have more rights against Z by joining forces than they do individually.
In particular they can't force Z to negotiate with them any more than X can force Z to negotiate with him.
I don't think Acosta was culpable or in any way complicit in Epstein's crimes. I saw part of Acosta's press conference. His explanation was plausible rather than persuasive. In hindsight, it doesn't look like he made the best deal.....Now that he has resigned, can we see similar outrage directed against Vance? Vance wins the daily double in that he also gave Weinstein a freebie at one point. Maybe in Chicago some Dem will ask Foxx to resign over her handling of the Smollett case. Of course, there's still Virginia. Lots of people there should resign, including an actual serial rapist......There were many, many people complicit in Eptein's crimes and in the cover up of those crimes. If Acosta is the only head to roll, it will add another pile of shit to this mountain of manure.
Cry me a river, toughguy playing the victim card. We all have sad stories no one cares about.
tola'at sfarim said...He deserved to go- for this and his poor job. But I'll be curious to see who else the press will try to get fired /resign
--
Surely not George Snarfelgalapogos.
Freder: Am I supposed to believe that you give a shit about labor rights?
I'm married to a GS-12 in DOL. So yah, I hear about her workday. Everyday. You can't NOT care.
Geez, Micheal was right, you guys are drowning in assumptions about the people you hate. I bet you still believe every tattoo we sport represents a relative we have eaten.
Now that they damaged Trump, look for the MSM to go back to not caring about the issue. Coulter was bringing this up in 2015, and the media response? *crickets*
Good point but I think it was a swing and a miss. This stuff has been around and ignored for years. Some of it may have been on Weiner's laptop. The FBI has it now and it will vanish until needed for blackmailing a politician.
- Did you find a job?
- I got something at the striptease. I help the girls dress and undress.
- Nice job.
- 20 francs a week.
- Not very much.
- It's all I can afford.
What's New Pussycat (1965)
Freder: "When over two dozen women accuse him of sexual assault, including rape, and all of you fall on your swords declaring they all must be lying, is where I get that from"
5,000+ women accused Kavanagh, according to the FBI.
I guess none of them are lying.
And we got video of a Hollywood style Trump air-kiss released yesterday that put the lie to another of these made up sexual assault claims against Trump.
But really, taking Freder seriously after his hilarious while simultaneously astonishingly mendacious over the top Bundy Case lies is simply a bridge too far for me.
And if the new USMCA deal is no big deal, why did Justin Trudeau go to the mat and pull out all the stops to end it?
Spoiler: USMCA gets rid of the NAFTA import tariff loophole exploited by Asia and Europe.
Take a lookat the Canadian economic numbers for the last year.
If an owner/stockholder, which Trump has been all his life
Actually Trump's organization is a collection of LLC's and LLP's. He has never had to answer or explain his actions to stockholders (nor is there stock in his companies to be held) or a board his entire life. Which is why none of us know how much he is actually worth or earns (except of course Michael K, who somehow knows that being president has cost Donald Trump a billion dollars).
Did I? Did we?
I don't know about you specifically (and I am too lazy to look it up) but many of the regulars on this site sure as shit did.
You like to fuck youngsters too?
Why downplay this? You think like Bruce and fen that once that bleed, they are on the market for rich men?
It's illegal. You don't need outrage in addition. Outrage is your own vulnerability to manipulation, as you see.
We all have sad stories no one cares about. lectured Howard as he poked at the autistic kid.
Do you have a sad story too Howard? Don't tell, I think we can all figure it out, based solely on how you comport yourself here. And I'm sure there's a rape victim out there somewhere that you'd rather be taunting.
And to save me from having to look up comments for MayBee, Drago rides to my rescue.
I do think Acosta should resign. When it mattered most, the cries of a wealthy man overwhelmed those of ordinary people. That's not what belongs in the Labor Department.
I'm going to push back on your pushback of the pushback. Let's Altparse™: It wasn't I predict Acosta will resign or I believe Acosta will resign. These are predictive statements. I do think Acosta should resign is an opinion, not a prediction. This opinion leaves plausible deniability of the predictive nature of the statement.
If we're scoring it would allow you to keep a check mark out of the 'You Suck' column. (Hat tip to Stranger Things)
I don't know about you specifically (and I am too lazy to look it up) but many of the regulars on this site sure as shit did.
OK then. Did you agree with some of the things Obama did, even if they were small? Were you ever happy he made even incremental changes? Did you disagree with some accusations against him? Were you an Obama cultist?
"Who gathered up all the works of science and protected them from circling the drain during the Dark Ages again?"
What works of science? How god made the planets move? They didn't know jack shit about anything.
Wow.
If you are going to arrogantly accuse an entire era of ignorance, might be wise to drop by the library for a few afternoons and research the topic.
Anyone have a spare irony meter? Mine are all fucked.
Drago said.
"And we got video of a Hollywood style Trump air-kiss released yesterday that put the lie to another of these made up sexual assault claims against Trump."
--
From a supposed supporter.
I wonder if she was angling for a job that didn't come her way.
And I'm sure there's a rape victim out there somewhere that you'd rather be taunting.
No, Fen, I'm sure his victims can tell no tales.
Told ya!
Gawd, feminists are insufferable.
Which is why none of us know how much he is actually worth or earns (except of course Michael K, who somehow knows that being president has cost Donald Trump a billion dollars).
Economist Freder surfaces again. We don't even have to go looking for you. Like an idiot jack in the box.
one
Two.
Go away Freder until the children's thread is posted.,
Trump, who placed his assets in a trust prior to becoming commander-in-chief and put his two eldest sons in charge of the Trump Organization, saw his worth dip to $2.8 billion compared to $2.9 billion last year, according to Bloomberg's Billionaire Index, which citied the president's most recent financial disclosure form earlier this month, as well as real estate records and other data.
At the same time, the president's companies paid down $30 million in debt and now carry a minimum of $520 million in debt.
Specifically, the president's most famous building and others around it experienced a decline in occupancy rates that resulted in a $220 million slip in revenues, according to Bloomberg.
Trump's golf courses also fell in value by $70 million overall and are now worth $650 million. However, the president's courses in Scotland and Ireland achieved revenue gains.
Blogger rhhardin said...
Among them that X and Y should not have more rights against Z by joining forces than they do individually.
You mean like the Sherman Anti-trust Act? Sorry, Clayton did away with that more than 100 years ago. For individual "employees" that is.
Not for everyone else.
"Employee" in quotes because it is a legal term. Employees have collective bargaining rights, others who work for people or companies, for example, contract workers, do not.
John Henry
There's a nice film genre recently, the pissed off woman action revenge flick.
The fantasy is that the world comes under the woman's control, after some outrage happened to or around her, long enough ago to learn new skills needed in punching out bad guys.
Then there's woman as ruined and perpetual victim, which is the state that children are supposed to exist in. Ruined why? Guggenbuhl-Craig, a psychoanalyst who treats such victims, suggests that it's important to let the child take responsibility for her part in the deal. First because she's at an age where she's supposed to learn taking responsibility, and second because it puts the world back under her control.
Rather than insisting, insisting, that she's completely innocent. The outrage that goes with that insistence is positively damaging to the victim.
You care about victims? Tone down the outrage. Treat it as nothing. Which it then becomes.
So the virtue signalling here is actually dysfunctional.
I haven't been following but the girls here seem to have been making what seemed to them at the time a good deal. They come home with stuff to show off their friends. Bad decision (I guess) but within their control.
The key thing is that it's illegal and doesn't need any help from you.
"Labor is Employer Rights"
And there you have it. You think that Labor is there to only get stuff for employees.
Labor IS employer rights....too. It seems to get forgotten that those who put up the money, spend their lives risking their money, marriages, health, and time of life working to create and grow a business should- yes- have the right to run their business as they please. That includes paying people what they think the job merits. Not having to pay-off city department heads with their hands out. Not having to cow-tow to union demands for breaks every 20 minutes.
If employees don't like how that business is run, there is a literally a world of different options for them to try on, including starting their own damn business. No one grabbed them in the dead of night and dragged them kicking and screaming to take their jobs. People voluntarily apply for a job in this country. Any business, including Trump's, who don't treat their employees right would see that they soon have no employees. And quality of the product or service is typically a reflection on how a business is run, and how employees are treated. I'd say Trump's record is very good.
By the way- we don't need a Dept. of Labor. A free people don't need it. You just don't need it. Nor do you need a Federal Dept. of Education. But that's another argument for another day.
Epicycles get a bad name these days. They're just the fourier series for an ellipse.
Drago: And if the new USMCA deal is no big deal, why did Justin Trudeau go to the mat and pull out all the stops to end it?
Nice point.
Freder, I would like to hear your answer to this...
That's my style of writing, which isn't as as explicit as advisable if what you want is to build a foundation for future gloating. I'm not Scott Adams, who announces predictions. That's not my style. The only reason I wanted to gloat here is that commenters were so oppositional to me after what I wrote.
Your writing style here is fun gibberish and all but your writing style didn't earn you the gloat even if you gloated.
Here is a detailed financial statement that Trump filed with FEC in 2015. It shows all his assets and net worth:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/272293568/Donald-Trump-Personal-Financial-Disclosure-Report#from_embed
You can see what he owns and what each asset is worth in quite a bit of detail.
Also, for whoever mentioned LLC and LLPs, yes, lots of those but lots of just regular corporations with full or partial ownership.
Why do you care how much he earned? Income is meaningless for someone like PDJT. The real number of interest is wealth, not income. Or as "adam Smith" called it "Supermoney.
Jeff Bezos earns less than $100,000 per year from Amazon. May have some other income totalling less than $4mm/yr. He's worth $100 billion plus. Do you really care how much income he makes? His income tax returns are probably less interesting than yours.
John Henry
John Henry
The world has tipped from Trump under attack to Trump on the attack. Almost like a planned event. Once Paul Ryan and his gang were removed, any need to suck up to the House of Representatives went away along with the keeping of DC political hacks.
Attack, attack, attack is now Trump's standing order. Acosta was always going, and Trump's tactics had the Dems do the firing for him.
Everything is proceeding exactly as I have foreseen:
“Since Trump has to know nothing will sate the Media Resistance and there’s no political upside to explaining stuff that happened long ago, I can only assume the press conference is a pretext for termination.”
So, Acosta gets unemployed, Epstein still breathes, and you find it occasion to 'gloat'. Very cool. Personally, I don't care about your tax returns or voting record, but I would sure luv to read your Myers-Briggs profile.
Acosta agreed, despite a federal law to the contrary, that the deal would be kept from the victims.
A Florida judge ruled in February, 2019 that the team of Miami prosecutors led by
Acosta agreed, despite a federal law to the contrary, that the deal would be kept from the victims.
Acosta broke the law when they concealed that plea agreement from more than 30 underage victims who had been sexually abused by Epstein.!!
________________________
This cannot be explained away. lost battle. was it addressed by Acosta?
It was, although this did not get picked up in the newspaper stories.
His explanation (although delivered very flatly) was:
At the time, the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, which sets policy for US Attorneys, (the same body that said that a sitting president cannot be indicted by the Justice Department) held that the federal law that said plea bargains must be disclosed to the victims did not apply to non-prosecution agreements, but only to cases where federal charges had already been filed.
This can be challenged in court, said Acosta, and it was, and recently a federal judge ruled that the Office of Legal Counsel was wrong and the law did apply. But, at the time, that was the legal basis he was operating on.
In the meantime, also, Congress changed the law to make clear that the law did apply to non prosecution agreements as well as where charges were already pending in court. Public opinion and public policy has gotten in favor of more transparency, Acosta indicated.
Acosta gave reasons for keeping the victims in the dark, mainly (besides the unstated fact that this was what Epstein's lawyers wanted!) that, in case Epstein did not follow through on his plea agreement, and it went to trial, the victims could not be cross examined about being told they could get money.
It is for this reason sometimes lawyers advise victims not to file lawsuits util after the criminal case is over. This maybe also has changed anyway.
And Acosta said this was different than most criminal cases as Acosta wanted to make sure that the victims known to him got money.
Part of the plea arrangement was that Epstein would pay for legal fees of a lawyer hired by the victims who sued (on limited grounds) and that he would plead no contest to the allegations and therefore only fight over the amount.
Paying the legal fees maybe meant that they could get lawyers more easily, and that their lawyers would have patience, and that they wouldn't have to give away a portion of the settlement. Pleading no contest meant that the victims would not have to testify.
Point on the doll where Inga hurt you
It won't help. Inga flunked anatomy in nursing school. I recall that she passed on her third try.
She was better as a Bedpan Commando. It only took two tries to pass clinicals.
Flunking, stupid autocorrect.
Mary: You think like Bruce and fen that once that bleed, they are on the market for rich men?
None of us believe that, that's just silly.
But you didn't post that to attack us, you posted that for yourself - this need you have to bring other people down to your level so you don't feel so broken. Why? What have you done that is so evil you need to turn innocent strangers into monsters?
Have you thought about seeing a priest for confession? Because this path end in a cliff.
I would like them to subpoena the folks at main justice who signed off on it, and give their reasons
“If he'd held out through the weekend, he could still be Governor of Virginia.”
Good stuff! What I’m here for.
Trump wanted Acosta gone because he’s cluttering the road to what comes next. When you’re racing to the Rhine the wrecks get pushed into the ditch. You don’t call AAA.
Somebody here is trying to turn this blog into a stormfront. Meade when you can, throw out the trash. It's stinking up the joint.
Freder you and Inga were shilling for the grifter, criminal, traitor and rape enabler Hillary Clinton to become president and now you are moaning about Acosta? At least make an effort to be somewhat plausible and merely ridiculous.
If you are going to arrogantly accuse an entire era of ignorance, might be wise to drop by the library for a few afternoons and research the topic.
LOL. A inapt insult doesn't contradict the fact that they really didn't know jack shit about much of anything; if anything, you just confirmed it.
From there the inference is obvious: Trump will get him out.
Trump said otherwise.
That's my style of writing, which isn't as as explicit as advisable if what you want is to build a foundation for future gloating.
IOW, be vague and don't actually predict anything. But then, as in this case, you don't really have anything to gloat about.
doesn't contradict the fact that they really didn't know jack shit about much of anything
Ren·ais·sance
Synonyms: revival, renewal, resurrection, reawakening, re-emergence, reappearance, resurgence, rejuvenation, regeneration, rebirth, new birth, new dawn, new beginning.
When over two dozen women accuse him of sexual assault, including rape, and all of you fall on your swords declaring they all must be lying, is where I get that from.
Why is this number so dynamic? Every time this bullshit accusation comes up, the number of women always increases. Funny, that.
That aside, if any of these were credible in any way, you’d see every lefty prosecutor in the country jumping on the bandwagon to try and drive him out of office. You’re so full of hate that it’s unfathomable that this could all be politics and these women liars.
Question: do you believe any of the charges against Bill Clinton? Did you vote for him anyway? If the answers are no and yes, then you understand fully why we voted for Trump. You just refuse to see it because of your hatred of the man.
Why downplay this? You think like Bruce and fen that once that bleed, they are on the market for rich men?
I am not sure what your point is there. I surely wasn’t advocating for rich (or poor) older men to be able to have sex with young post pubescent girls. I would be quite happy if Epstein got the death penalty (he won’t). Rather, my point, obvious to most here, is that many men lust after these girls, and it is our middle class morality that protects the girls from these men. It is the very rich and powerful, like Epstein and Clinton, who don’t believe, for good reason, as shown by Epstein’s sweetheart deal, that those rules apply to them. Those rules also don’t apply throughout much of the underclass.
My problems with the accusations against Trump is their ex post facto nature regarding the sudden need to stop him by any means necessary and the recent fashionableness of retroactively revoking consent.
“Why is this number so dynamic? Every time this bullshit accusation comes up, the number of women always increases. Funny, that.”
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/assault-allegations-donald-trump-recapped
“16 women have accused Donald Trump of various forms of sexual assault, including one accusation of rape and another, in which the accuser has not used the word “rape” but whose description meets the legal definition of rape. This figure includes standing accusations from both before and after the release of the Access Hollywood tape on October 7, 2016.
Four other women have publicly said Mr. Trump walked in on them and other pageant contestants while they were undressing. Reports another three women have confirmed the pageant stories but did not want their names used.
The alleged incidents range from the early 1980s to 2013.”
Yes fen and gahries writing styles are quite different
No to a warlock trial. No to a self-abortion. That said, the boss judged him to be not viable in his current position.
Some of the latest in the Epstein scandal - he is trying to get out of jail and move back into his $77 million NYC mansion, with supposedly sufficient security (e.g. ankle tracking device) in place so he can’t flee. He did get rid of his 727 Lolita Express a couple weeks ago, but still owns a Gulfstream jet that could get him to Europe. The SDNY feds have indicated that they intend to try seizing that dwelling, along with the others he has, as having been used in the commission of his crime. If he weren’t rich and well connected, they would just seize them, based on the evidence that they have right now, and tell him he has to sue to get them back. And, if they have possession of all his homes and domestic properties, he has no place to live, so might as well stay in jail.
The learning of the ancients was indeed preserved by Christian communities pushed to the margins in chaotic times; it was also preserved by the efforts of some Muslim conquerors.
"The Swerve" by Stephen Greenblatt looks at De Rerum Natura by Lucretius and the churchman-scholar who rediscovered it; "Galileo's Daughter" by Sobel shows that his fight was not against ignorance but against arbitrary and corrupt authority--the heirarchs who lorded over him and made him apologize understood his theories just fine; few works were indexed by the RC because they were considered unconvincing. That's true of censorship almost all the time, of course.
The argument that "learning is preserved/was rediscovered by Christians" is true on its face, but who the hell else except educated people with leisure would be in any position to do so anyway? My peat-digging ancestors in Frisia were busy trying to live past 30.
The Renaissance of course was also kick-started by the exodus of refined scholars from the Ottomans to the West.
Narr
(Thanks Drs. L. Johnson and M. Orr)
So Inga repeats the stories, but doesn’t refute the point that yes, the women in question could very well be lying.
All of the accusations coming out of the woodwork against Kavanaugh by people who never met him didn’t help the credibility of the anti Trumpers either.
Remember when Inga said “You don’t know how I feel about Bill Clinton!” Most of the Clinton stories have followed him his whole life, they didn’t just appear when a absolute political need to destroy him was declared.
Let me add that seizing property used in the commission of a crime is a popular law enforcement pastime. One nice facet is that since it is a civil, not criminal, proceeding, the standard of proof is merely by a preponderance of the evidence, instead of beyond a reasonable doubt. And they surely have that with all the apparent kiddie porn hauled out of the mansion after his arrest. They should probably seize his bank accounts too, under similar reasoning.
Are we looking into the Democrat prosecutor who was ready to let him skate scot free? The man who went after Limbaugh hammer and tongs, but went easy on the big Democrat donor Epstein?
And Ann Coulter dont forget that, no of course not, hes off limits
Remember he flipped the medication dealers against rush,
Ann/Meade - are you doing cleanup right now? The comment count seems to be moving in the wrong direction. Seems to be defying gravity. My recently made comments, when I made them were #196, #194, and #192, in the order made.
"Acosta is nowhere near the fighter that Trump will be requiring moving forward."
The handling of the case was terrible, but this is why it matters now. Trump needs tough people all around, becuase his enemies are acting like insane zombies, and a lot of Americans find them cute. They leave no room for compromise, or negotiation. Obama didn't even try to compromise with Americans while bending over for foreigners, even our enemies. "Death to America!"
Here is something that I don’t know - Was Acosta forced out because of Epstein? Or was that just the reason given, and the real reason was his performance as Sec of Labor?
"When it mattered most, the cries of a wealthy man overwhelmed those of ordinary people. That's not what belongs in the Labor Department." IOW, Althouse infers that Acosta was personally responsible for the light sentence Epstein received because, according to Althouse, Acosta was more sympathetic to a wealthy man than to the ordinary victimized girls. If that is true Acosta should lose his law license too. Doesn't seem like a just punishment for him to simply resign a cabinet position.
Acosta resigned because he wanted out of the frying pan of the media frenzy, not because he did something wrong. I would not gloat over his resignation.
“16 women have accused Donald Trump of various forms of sexual assault,"
He's a piker. Bret has that beat by 1600. I bet most celebrities have that beat. You just don't hear about them, but any woman anywhere in the world can say Trump did something bad, and it will end up on CNN for at least a week. When are you going to make your claim? You might get famous, and get on TV. It won't cost you anything but stamp or phone call.
Problem is Acosta gets ousted and the real story disappears behind the ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner.
Since we all know what the gloating rules are now, i'ma start gloating on this post while it's still warm...
If we can accept Clinton's proven peccadilloes, we can live with Trump's accusations.
How many pussies do imagine Slick Willie grabbed in his career? I bet it was a large basket full, maybe even a trailer full.
"Brett Favre sent dic pics too!"
It might be best to preface that with "I heard that.."
I will venture a prediction. Now that it seems pretty clear that Trump is not going to be touched by any investigation into Epstein, and that Acosta is the highest ranking member of the Trump administration whose scalp can be collected, the whole business will be very quietly dropped.
There is the law that Althouse taught in school, and then there is the law as applies to influential Democrats.
“16 women have accused Donald Trump of various forms of sexual assault,"
None of whom I believe. The woman who accused Trump of fondling her while flying First Class? The seats in First Class that were used at the time precluded what she claims happened. The journalist who claims he groped her in a room in his mansion while Melania was pregnant? The room she claims they went into did not match her description. Are all of them lying? Yes!
“There is the law that Althouse taught in school, and then there is the law as applies to influential Democrats.”
Influential Democrats AND Republicans. If you are so naive to think that only Democrats were involved, you are an even bigger idiot than you usually sound like. Why are you so sure Trump won’t be touched by any investigation into Epstein? Because he’s so powerful? Because you think he’s as pure as the driven snow? Even Presidents who engage in rape of minors should be brought down.
“None of whom I believe.”
Of course you don’t. Trump Cultism has you in it’s grips.
My prediction. We will be hearing more regarding this case. It’s not over.
“Jane Doe” aka “Katie Johnson” – 1994. Lawsuit filed June 2016, refiled October 2016 as reported by Buzzfeed and others, then dropped in November 2016.
Jane Doe is an unnamed plaintiff, who has also gone by “Katie Johnson” in legal papers. She claims she was repeatedly raped by Trump and Jeffery Epstein at Epstein’s New York City apartment in 1994, when she was 13 years old. A witness, also given a pseudonym — “Tiffany Doe” — said she recruited “Jane Doe” and others. Doe, using the name “Johnson,” gave an interview to the Daily Mail in which she said she did not know who Trump was at the time of the alleged attack but identified him later when she saw him on television. It is not known why she withdrew the lawsuit. She has not spoken publicly or withdrawn her rape allegation since then.”
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/assault-allegations-donald-trump-recapped
For me, "cruel neutrality" implies a temporary suspension of emotion. Logic is paramount. Gloating, however is very much tied to baser emotions and is oppositional to cruel neutrality. Stop gloating, Ann and instead bask (a reflection of human emotion)in the fulfillment of your prediction!
We will be hearing more regarding this case. It’s not over.
Hope is town in Arkansas. Good luck with your fever dreams.
Evidence ? We dont' need no stinkin evidence !
Back to Obama spied, Clinton colluded, Biden obstructed, DNC denied, and the press prosecuted a multi-trimester cover-up of civil rights violations.
Also, the hard work of diagnosing and treating Obamacare, progressive prices in education, mitigating the progress of diversity, reproductive rites, political congruence, immigration reform, democratic gerrymandering, social liberalism, post-normal science, etc.
Time for diagnosing and treating socially divergent orientations and behaviors, not limited to pedophilia and other choices that endanger children's lives and progress the viability of civilized society.
This could be really interesting. _Assuming_ that the elites are unsuccessful at suppressing the Epstein story - and it sure looks like it's blowing up pretty far - we may soon hear about a whole bunch of lowlife elites who flew on his plane etc. Dozens of very powerful people in real jeopardy if we play our cards right. Fun.
he wanted out of the frying pan of the media frenzy, not because he did something wrong. I would not gloat over his resignation.
That's probably it. There is liberal precedent to be proactive and mitigate the progress of witch hunts and warlock trials (e.g. trial by press). Also, as a public servant, his resignation and replacement would restore the intended purpose of his position. Finally, the investigation of pedophiles, purveyors, consumers, and victims, can escape the twilight of #MeToo and similar activism.
When it comes to this whole Epstein dumpster fire, if we're all being honest it hurts the Dems far more than it hurts Trump or the Republicans in general.
Let's just outline all the basic elements. As far as we know, other than Trump and Acosta there's no Republicans that have any kind of direct connection to it.
As for Trump himself, we know that he called Epstein a "terrific guy" a decade and a half ago. But as we all know, Trump is given to overly praise people who oftentimes he later curses. As far as I'm concerned that can be written off as just Trump being Trump. Also around the same time frame (early 2000s), Trump attended parties that Epstein has also attended. This too means very little. It's hardly some damning revelation that Trump and Epstein had overlapping social circles, them both being part of the ultra wealthy Palm Beach set. According to Trump they evidently had some kind of falling out, sometime perhaps in 2006? And it's alleged that Trump banned him from Mara Lago in 2011 for harassing an underage girl.
As for the Dem side of the coin, obviously Epstein was a big donor. He was very friendly with various liberal celebrities. Apparently Katie Couric, Woody Allen, and George Stephanopoulos attended a party With Epstein in 2010, long after his 2008 Conviction. At least the ones Trump attended were before.
And of course Bill Clinton flew on the infamous Lollita Express a number of times. Clinton admits to 4 trips, but reportedly flight logs have indicated 26 trips, and there's even one with no indication of a secret service detail present.
This is just what we know so far. Who knows what else may be unearthed in the coming weeks? There's claims that Epstein has videos of powerful people engaging in unsavory things. This all could be just the tip of the iceburg.
Isn't Katie Johnson Lisa Bloom's client? While Lisa Bloom was trying to silence Harvey's accusers?
Bruce Hayden said...He did get rid of his 727 Lolita Express a couple weeks ago
--
Should be swabbed for DNA.
“I just want to let you know this is him, not me.”
- Trump on Acosta's resignation.
Why would he lie?
The writing/yelling style is Ritmo all the way.
Come on, Rit, solve the mystery.
@rhhardin 11:05 AM. Amen. Life is complex, you are responsible for your decisions and we are a nation of laws.
@rhhardin 11:07 Am. The rotating unit vector in 3 dimensional space is aesthetically beautiful and scientifically it is a powerful analytical tool thanks to Fourier and Euler. Aesthetically it is pleasing to the eye due to its symmetry stemming from the circle. It is easy on the eyes because one side is the same as the other side and that gives us a reassured feeling. Scientifically it is powerful analytic tool due to the advantages of repetitiveness and redundancy. I thank my heroes Fourier and Euler for providing all engineers and scientists with the analytic tools to create technical marvels for the last century and for many more years to come.
? for our hostess:
I can understand why a right-winger would want to see Scott Walker replace Acosta (not agree with, but understand where they are coming from) but am curious as to why someone who considers themselves to be "neutral" thinks Walker would be a good pick for Sec of Labor. What do you beleive he brings to the table?
I just posted this at ChicagoBoyz.net, thought it might merit cross posting here:
Nadler just announced this morning that Mueller’s testimony will be put off a week until July 24. While Mueller is supposed to be testifying about his investigation, he will likely be asked about Epstein too.
Rex at Quadverum had an interesting post the other day about what he calls “Spygate” or the British spying on US citizesn from the British embassy in DC. The ambassador that just got fired, Darroch, used to be British intelligence Sept 2015. (PM David Cameron’s National Security Advisor from 2012 until 7 September 2015) Became ambassador Jan 28 2016, just after the inauguration.
Anyway, Rex thinks the July 24 date is important.
SPYGATE.
And a date, looming on the horizon:
24 July, 2019.
What’s being hidden from the general public is Darroch’s likely role in SpyGate, Obama & Clinton’s operation to illegally destroy the Trump Presidential campaign and rig the 2016 Presidential election.
We will get to that in a moment.
But Darroch also knows that a key date is just around the corner, when any hope of his protection from Downing Street will disappear. The date?
24 July, 2019 – the day when Theresa May steps down and a new UK Prime Minister, almost certainly Boris Johnson, takes over.
https://www.quodverum.com/2019/07/191/trump-s-revenge-panic-on-the-streets-of-london-.html
Is the Mueller testimony being rescheduled for this day just by coincidence? It is certainly possible. OTOH, there could be some fireworks, or stuff that the media can play up as fireworks, that might bump British Spygate off the front pages for as long as needed.
John Henry
Trump hires all the best people!
“Incoming acting Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella will take the helm of the department following the resignation Friday of Alex Acosta, who faced scrutiny over his role in prosecuting alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein more than a decade ago.
But Pizzella, currently deputy Labor secretary, has his own controversial past that will likely come to the fore. Democratic senators and civil rights groups have expressed concern about Pizzella’s prior work with disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff in the late 1990s and early 2000s to hamper worker protections in the Northern Mariana Islands.
When Pizzella worked on Abramoff’s team at Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds, the lobbying firm was pushing to prevent Congress from imposing minimum wage laws on the Northern Mariana Islands. At the time, there were “maximum” wage restrictions on the islands of $3.05 per hour for foreign workers, according to the Center for Investigative Reporting.
“Foreign workers pay up to $7,000 to employers or middlemen for the right to a job in the CNMI. When they finally reach the Commonwealth, they are assigned to tedious, low paying work for long hours with little or no time off. At night they are locked in prison-like barracks,” one government report found.”
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/Incoming-Acting-Labor-Secretary-Patrick-Pizzella-Under-Scrutiny-for-Work-With-Disgraced-Lobbyist-Jack-Abramoff-512647331.html
My objection is that resigning will just put blood in the water. Who will they target next?
Which is precisely why some people were saying he shouldn't resign. Had little to do with his performance as a prosecutor and/or Secretary of Labor.
Inga,
Is Katie Johnson the one who was represented in the rape case by a patent lawyer in Princeton?
Is Katie Johnson the one whose suit was financed by the guy who used to be the "muscle" on the Jerry Springer show?
She was from California at the time.
If this is the same one, I remember digging into this back in 16 and discussing it at length on the now disappeared Isthmus Forum. As I recall, the lawyer and the Springer connection were the least sketchy parts of her suit.
This was the only "rape case" from 16 I recall but there may have been another one and I am getting confused.
Can you enlighten me, please?
John Henry
yes darroch role as intelligence advisor, in the early part of the cabal's plot against trump is interesting,
Pizzella's a thirty year veteran of the department, most recently Obama's federal labor relations board, chief,
Post a Comment