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(I wanted to take a short break from the most difficult time in my life, to share an essay that I posted earlier today on another internet forum. Unlike DU -- my favorite site -- this one has Democrats, republicans, and independents of all sizes and flavors, and so my goal is to show there is common ground to be found here.)
" (There is a) power of the Congress to inquire into and publicize corruption, maladministration or inefficiency in agencies of the Government. That was the only kind of activity described by Woodrow Wilson in 'Congressional Government' when he wrote: 'The informing function of Congress should be preferred even to its legislative function.' From the earliest times in its history, the Congress has assiduously performed an 'informing function' of this nature.
Watkins v. United States, 354 U.S. 178, 200 (US Supreme Court, 1957)
The above quote is from The Senate Watergate Report, also know as the Ervin Committee Report (page 40). There is also a longer quote from the Supreme Court's 1953 decision in United States v. Rumely, 345 U.S. 41,43, which states the informing function is indispensable. The ruling also quotes Wilson, saying: ....unless Congress both scrutinize these things and shift them by every form of discussion, the country must remain in embarrassing, crippling ignorance of the very affairs which it is most important that it should understand and direct.
In my opinion, the wide-reaching Epstein Pedo File scandal provides a powerful example of an area where an extraordinary number of democrats, republicans, and independents agree let's put all the cards on the table. My generation grew up on the Senate's Watergate hearings. That led to the Rockefeller Commission, the Pike Committee, The Church Committee, and the Nedzi Committee hearings, which uncovered corruption that took place under administrations of both parties.
As more of the victims of Epstein et al came forward in recent years, the public listened. Julie K. Brown put the spotlight on it. Citizens from both parties recognized this went beyond mere politics. Attempts to make it such has created stumbling blocks that slow or halt the path of progressive. But citizens of all backgrounds applied Amendment 1 pressure, and a growing number of elected officials began to support the effort to release the Epstein Pedo Files.
In November, 2025, the House passed a bill directing the DOJ to make the files public. The vote was 427 to one dick voting against it. The following day, by unanimous consent, the Senate passed it. The president signed it into law. The files released thus far are already having significant impact internationally, with at least ten other countries beginning investigations of possible Epstein connections that contaminate their societies. There are issues that our country needs to consider as sources of concern.
People from both parties and no party have asked who Epstein really was? Where did he get the money to finance his life-style? Who did he work for? We know that during the years the Reagan administration was involved in the Iran-Contra scandal, Epstein has a business relationship with Adnan Khashoggi.
https://deepnewz.com/middle-east/jeffrey-epstein-monitored-cia-since-1983-financial-fixer-adnan-khashoggi-iran-9d52c065
I think that alone might suggest that citizens have not only a right, but also a responsibility, to find out about the connections between Epstein and the intelligence agencies of the U.S., Israel, England, and eventually Russia. One might start with the five billionaires who initially funded Epstein, and focus on which country's intelligence agencies they were connected to.
Citizens must demand serious investigative hearings. Not ass-clowns playing gotcha, or the head of the Plastics reading from their burn book. Knock off the politics, and tell the public the truth.
Easterncedar
(5,882 posts)Thanks
H2O Man
(78,875 posts)bdamomma
(69,392 posts)H2O Man. There is too much information that can't be sweep under the rug, Rug is not big enough!!
OldBaldy1701E
(10,770 posts)Never gonna happen.
malaise
(294,506 posts)Justice is coming
TBF
(36,101 posts)Nixon resigned on my 8th birthday. As I got older there was one thing I noticed that was really different between myself and my parents. They grew up thinking government was basically good (this was in a northern state). I didn't have that same frame of reference, instead I grew up in a world where politicians could be assassinated, and a president could be forced to resign. Typical Gen X, I suppose, not so trusting. I think there was a cover-up on Epstein for so long because it involved so many prominent people (politics may have connected some of them - but even more so it was wealth). And now it's time for the chickens to come home to roost.
livetohike
(24,144 posts)and people testifying who respect themselves enough to tell the truth. We need people on the committee who are not afraid of I am your retribution asshat.
Uncle Joe
(64,637 posts)Thanks for the thread H2O Man
patphil
(8,873 posts)He had so many protectors and enablers that it wasn't possible to get to the bottom of his criminal enterprise. Now that he's dead, they really want to have his whole sordid past, and their involvement to be buried alongside him.
I still believe we'll eventually get to the bottom of this, but it's going to take a very determined effort over several more years to do it.
Ilikepurple
(499 posts)As a wider net is cast, the chance that participants and their various countries concerns will come into conflict with each other increases. Different webs of political and monetary power will hopefully get off the same page and start pointing fingers at each other. Also, I hope that investigations in some countries will put pressure on others because no one will know what is going to be exposed. I applaud the other countries taking proactive steps, but the cynic in me says thats only because the US cant be depended on to control the information anymore. It remains to be seen if anybody in power is serious about getting to the bottom of this or if we are just going to get enough disclosure and justice to quiet the rabble. As large as Epsteins sordid enterprise was, I cant imagine how many have been involved in its operations or its ongoing coverup. Im hoping some of the less odious conspirators attempt to get in front of being identified with the most heinous acts by providing further evidence. Enough official releases and leaks from various sources and I dont think this genie can be put back in the bottle without some appearance of justice.
Martin Eden
(15,476 posts)How many tentacles are on the creature that wart grew on?
KS Toronado
(23,465 posts)jfz9580m
(16,721 posts)spanone
(141,247 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(15,350 posts)Hearings need to be held.
Kali
(56,725 posts)MagickMuffin
(18,276 posts)From some of the emails I've read and researched it definitely is a who's who of elitist.
Very troubling, disgusting, and vile people. Epstein was into some wicked projects, like consciousness, (in which I found someone who is into higher consciousness and regarded as knowledgeable person) however, after reading an email in which he states if any of this email is made public it would ruin him. I'd really like to know his role in all this, the email indicates he wanted in the inner circle really bad.
They refer to children as puppies and dogs.
There definitely needs to be a thorough investigation. We could start with Zorro ranch that Epstein owned which now belongs to a GOPedophile running for office in Texas. Don Huffines bought the ranch sight unseen and he is a white nationalist christian. His campaign ads would make hitler proud. Also one of his sons Russell works in the White House.
That pesky web is getting a wee little bit cumbersome.
usonian
(24,282 posts)The web was enormous.
Biggest pedo, blackmail and money-laundering scheme in all of history.
Scumbag rich bastards.
malthaussen
(18,507 posts)I hope you have reliable allies in whatever it is.
As to the essay (which I already saw on the "other forum" ) the problem is that few Americans care to do their duty in the first place, and are certainly not going to demand it of their superiors.
-- Mal
relogic
(177 posts)If a remedial common ground existed, prevailing over the extreme chaos and destruction of our laws and such these past 12 months, Id be elated. Indeed, addressing the exhaustive investigations and necessary justice of this domestic and global pedo ring is celebrated by all all decent Americans.
However to swim communally with the likes of any party of maga snakes of any stripes who ignored the signs of this depravity for 11 years just for the expediency of political power- would I not have to wipe the swamp slime off of me and disregard the stench of its incremental decay?
H2O Man
(78,875 posts)when discussing the art of politics, Onondaga Chief Paul Waterman told me that it is essential not to be immature and think because some person/group was your opposition/enemy on one issue -- including important ones -- that they must always be considered your opposition/enemy. That does not, of course, mean that they are a trusted friend. For example, I am no fan of Marjorie Taylor Greene, but I am not petty enough to not appreciate what she did in advocating for the Epstein victims.
relogic
(177 posts)reluctance to embrace a single common ground with quasi friends as petty. I believe the likes of Senator Fetterman, Manchin, and other betrayals to the very core principles of Democratic ideals-I do not view lightly. Principles mean just that. I would certainly engage constructively with any, sincere, rehabilitated repub maga who is dedicated to my ideals for a progressive America, but only if their common ground extended productively toward justice for all, economic equity, respect for our Constitution, environment, corporate responsibility, etc.
I know that I need not alter my principles while encouraging justice for the victims recognizing the powerful players who inflicted their agony.
H2O Man
(78,875 posts)need to change a thing. You set a high purity level, and surely must have been offended when Democrats were joined by republicans to pass the law mandating the release of the Epstein Pedo Files. How dare they betray us, and opt to find what you have described as swampy common ground? Darn them!
darm them, because nothing I said denigrated those courageous repugs who took the right position in this instance, but they do continue to dismantle our hard-fought, progressive institutions, nonetheless.
Darn those introspectives like me who seek purity and risk critique for their short-sighted exclusiveness of the slime we must swim through. Purity is the old, Protestant paradym I must be trapped in.
No problem. In the end we pure democrats will reach our nirvana with you in the end.
evolves
(5,792 posts)Always the voice of reason.
Thank you
True Dough
(26,190 posts)but I hope it's over soon and you find solace.
PEACE!
relogic
(177 posts)H2O for the discussion. I always appreciate your recognition of the great example of The Presidency- what it was and should be-Jimmy Carter. Im glad were on the same side.