John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Read may not have wanted to participate directly in the Alvarado attack, but they're sure as hell going to be participating in some prison time for aiding & abetting that Song character.
Hopefully we'll see more of these pathetic LARPERS held accountable for their Antifa antics.
Today we had the even more blithering idiot of Gillian Malone who has basically stated that there was no way Peggie could raise a complaint about Upton in the changing room without invoking disciplinary proceedings. And Malone kept calling Upton 'Beth'.
I so, so, so agree Rainbow. There is just something else physically going on in people's heads and bodies. It just makes no sense to me at all. I will repeat again that the covid jab can and did do neurological damage. There are now studies, data, etc.
No doubt, RMW, I’m convinced it’s started after the Clovis Lockdowns and has only intensified. Whether it was the isolation, fear, or the vaccines, people have noticeably changed: less considerate, more sloppy in their work, randomly angry.
The lockdowns were the tipping point, not the initiation.
Violent video games, smart phones, standardized testing and social indoctrination of children in our schools, denigration and breakdown of the nuclear family, societal acceptance of pornography and the increasing sexualization of children, the media’s glorification of criminality, etc., etc., etc., have all contributed.
Drip - drip - drip - and very few noticed the bucket was approaching the point of overspill. Even fewer stood up to fight against what they were seeing.
Agree. I would also add chemical laden food, water and air as well as toxic medications. Add in increased use of recreational drugs and being bombarded with EMF's at every turn..... Really when you add up all the physical and psychological stressors, it's a miracle we are doing as well as we are!
Hi Michelle Thanks for the cricket reply. If you can recommend an upcoming match, I want to watch to see if I’ve learned your lessons. And that Air India crash isn’t the first time crazed pilots have shut off the fuel switch. A conspiracy theory suggests that’s what happened to JFK Jr’s plane.
The third test starts on the 23rd. What you will want to watch is 'Today at the Test' which is the BBC highlights. YOu should be able to get it on youtube.
I suspect Sky also do a highlights programme. They have the entire ball by ball commentary.
Celia, thank you for staying away from the Epstein “war”. As in any war, we have to wait till the fog clears. Meanwhile, the Trump train keeps rolling…investments into US, exports increasing, Coke to change using here sugar….fentanyl now Substance 1…end of taxpayers supporting PBS….It is too much good to keep up for fake media so they stick to Epstein.
Barry, I see it a bit differently. Just read Sasha Stones post from yesterday about this "gift " to the dems from the right. Many of the comments smacked of good old anti semitism ( right not left wing). I am interested in the FACTS but let's not lose the forest for the trees here. As I commented there what matters most is keeping the train moving and avoiding a derailment in 26 or 28. Would transparency be good? You betcha. But this can gain momentum and that momentum can slow the more important momentum you mention. If the voyeurs and loonies on the right keep this up it is not inconceivable to see the border reopened and mass amnesty around the bend ( and other horribles). As I watch this "story" I am especially focused on this momentum factor.
I also listened to Sasha’s podcast and I don’t disagree - it is a dangerous event. I see it as that an opposing viewpoint cannot change one’s beliefs in conspiracies. This event really brought to the surface the belief that was hidden in many without the protection of belonging to a tribe, i.e., Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, … or even MAGA.
The comments over there are hysterical and hyperbolic. The usual myopic focus on the irrelevant low hanging fruit at the expense of the bigger picture.
Yea, some of the comments on Sasha’s post on this topic are wild. This issue is really the “litmus test” for hard core MAGA. I’ve often wondered if I’ve drifted further right asking myself, I am I crazy ? This tells me I’m not, thankfully.
We are notorious for circular firing squads when our "big tent" of conservatism devolves into a dark comedy of self-immolation. These people are not helpful - not with their not-so-thinly veiled anti-Semitism or their constant gifts to the Left of incessant carping about Trump or cabinet officials.
Jones, J Concurs and adds I’ve taken to watching Steve Bannon’s War Room 9am CDT and he and his guests are foaming at the mouth over what anyone rational should have realized in 2019.
I can't wait for the movie. Who will play Jeff and Bill and The other bill and Donald? Then all of the facts will be known. Barry and Michelle can produce for netflix and make enough to buy epstein island and call it The Vineyard South.
I just read a few of the comments on Sasha Stone’s piece, and once again I fear that social media plus lack of critical reasoning skills are combining to create a lot of sound and fury but little substance. Of course sound and fury is now the coin of the realm, and those that excel at it can cash in their winnings for US-backed currency or the ever popular (in some sub-cultures) cryptocurrency. The unique alignment of Trump enemies and self-proclaimed jilted Trump supporters presents a real danger to all the good things trump has done and will do if he’s not distracted by this unfortunate union.
1. Some commenters are agreeing with other commenters despite not knowing if the original poster, who is anonymous, is a jilted supporter or a democrat troll.
2. High flying Maga influencers are being hailed as “in the know” and must be “taken at their word” completely credulously, when it’s clear that their statements are opinions that are presented as facts. “Show us the client list!” is not an affirmation that there is a list, and shouldn’t be taken as one, yet people are racking up likes by writing that Don Jr. said this, and he must be taken at his word! Nope. People who monetize their lives with bold statements will say anything to keep the cash flowing. Laura Loomer’s career will crash if she doesn’t have anything to complain about, and with Dems in retreat, she’ll take a swing at Trump.
3. This brave new world we’ve created has given us power to exchange ideas that elites once were able to reserve as their very own. With this new way to see current events outside of the legacy media we are learning how we can change the world for the better (and laugh at so-called progressives who are now the most reactionary social class!). What we’re now seeing is that by throwing off the guide rails we are very vulnerable to destructive ideas and uncritical thought. The Democrats know this and are leveraging it. Sasha Stone knows it and write about it. Clarity Seeker, Jen Todd, and Normie Barry (and many others here) sense the problem and have posted warnings. There are a lot more important things to get worked up about than one elite (Epstein) getting crushed by other elites who may or may not have been blackmailed for what? Money? Influence? All the good that’s happening and we’re going to throw it away because . . . Epstein?
A ham-radio operator; indoor lights that flicker; an automobile engine that turns on by itself. A man looking up at the night sky:
For people my age, and for younger fans, these can only mean "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street," a parable for our times. It's so easy for us to turn against one another. Someone out there is satisfied with our antics.
Do you have Liftmaster? We had your issue years ago with an old garage door; not sure what software it used but it also opened randomly. The doors were quite old and made the house look dated so we bought new doors through Costco and as part of the deal, got Liftmaster. It's made managing the doors a dream and its app allows us to open the door when we aren't there.
Could also be caused by high energy particles (solar wind) that are currently bombarding the earth due to some slightly abnormal behavior in the Sun’s corona. One never knows . . .
I'm still wondering what happened to WW3!!. The same relentless hysteria from Stone's comment section in regard to WW3!! has now latched onto Epstein. It's the same script and theater until the production collapses like a deflated balloon. Just wait, just like the proverbial dog that seeks out its next pile of rancid shit to roll around in, these people will be off to the next event; speculating and throwing out demands for answers until that too collapses because it has no more gas to keep it inflated. Hmmm, wow, I'm sensing a pattern...
Where else was the sound and fury deployed? Grab 'em by the pussy? The pee tapes? Trump's a Russian asset? Russia helped Trump's campaign? It's too packaged and coordinated for me. All the right people are saying all the right things.
I’m not sure I understand your question. My use, or perhaps misuse, of Shakespeare was to highlight how public discussion has devolved into a loud and acrimonious commentary on every topic anyone wishes to comment on. We cheer and reward anger and lose sight of how it’s all to manipulate us through emotion. And while emotion is one of the features that makes us human, it can cloud our thoughts and that can result in pour decisions or opinions. When Trump wrote, “Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!” I’ve read a lot of angry comments by his loyalest supports that he’s thrown them under the bus. That’s a reaction born of emotion. My interpretation is that he’s referring to the most famous of the influencers who have built their product on stirring up people about Epstein. These influencers don’t want to abandon their product (i.e., their loud and furious rants about Epstein and the conspiracy to silence him and bury the evidence of his crimes, a product that pays their rent). So they tell their followers that Trump is hiding the truth, that Trump is just as bad. Trump is saying, without a lot of care, but with a lot of truth, they supported me and helped me to win, I’ve got a lot to do now, my administration has looked at the Epstein evidence and there’s nothing there. If they want to try and derail me from all the good work that still needs to be done, if they want to do the political work of my opposition, then I don’t need their support anymore. But having been trained in anger and manipulated with emotion, these now former Trump supporters can’t, or refuse to, let go of their social media influencers. It is an unfortunate response, but not a surprising outcome.
And many MAGA influencers are clearly in this issue for their own financial benefit.
And, oh yeah, why is that? Oh, because they too are rich and powerful. Yup.
Wake up people!!! Dividing the Trump base will only get Democrats elected in the midterms. Are you stupid? Is Epstein really the hill you want to die on? It does nothing but lead to more Democrats getting elected.🙄
Epstein is fodder for fools. This story is no different than every other story that's been blown up into a frenzy of outrage and scandal. The usual script that always ends the same predictable way. This will fizzle out when media finds its next bone.
Well, yes and no. I do trust Kash and Don. Nevertheless, the facts remain that Epstein was a serial pedophile, he got a sweetheart deal in his original prosecution and some of his circle appear to have been involved with his deviancy - Andrew paid a settlement and Melinda divorced Bill. So lots of smoke still surrounds this.
Yes and maybe it will come out and maybe it won’t. But chances are , we will never know. So let’s keep our eyes on the prize and keep the Trump train going forward
We pretty much agree on not focusing obsessively on Epstein but remember also that things, don't "come out" unless one looks. We can do more than one thing at once.
Sure. In his or her discretion, a trial judge can rule certain facts too detrimental or prejudicial to the victims or parties in a case for public release. They are “sealed” but they aren’t “disappeared”, because while the facts are not at issue in any appeals, as they are decided by the jury or judge as the trier of fact, they might be relevant to any future appeals, as any appeal only concerns questions of law, which might require an interpretive approach to certain facts, such as definitional questions or jury instructions. Much more is involved but that’s a quick primer.
Many many people are disgusted by the change in attitude by the Trump admin on the Epstein Files ,without an explanation . Instead they decided to tell ppl what to think ..” move on , nothing to see here, we are busy with more important things” etc
Not a winning political strategy to tell voters what they should care about .
As for the Epstein issue itself
Who really believes the absurdity that he killed himself ?
Why did he transfer hundreds of millions of dollars to his brother 2 days before his “ death”
Here are two parts of a 2019 four part expose on the history and connections between organized crime, intel agencies and politicians
I will post this link again as I think it speaks to the massive legal issues involved in the Epstein issue with regard to transparency. The last thing needed would be to tie up the DOJ with many law suits where they would have to defend releasing info claimed to be "untrue," etc. It a potential no win, and yes, we should likely move on and let Patel and Bondi handle it in a wise way :
This is the most logical explanation I have yet to see.
If you or I were invited to fly somewhere on a financial advisor's private jet to a get-away home on a private island as an incentive to do business, there is nothing illegal about that.
If there were drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, or even under age girls or boys, no one is forcing us to partake. And if our names are released which is against laws of privacy, the Trump administration could be the target of numerous and costly lawsuits.
Exactly, Louisa. I think the release would result in a bureaucratic and logistical nightmare. I think the list has not been released because there is much damage control and negotiating going on behind closed doors.
THANK YOU Jen. Breaking News: The rich and powerful play by different rules and pretty much indulge in any decadent perversion they want. As in Rome, so goes the USA 😞
Holding up a shitbag and his lady pimp as "collusion" and "conspiracy" is a distraction. The usual selective outrage over and over again. And at the end of every single "explosive" thing, we've been left with a giant zero. Lots of hand-flapping that was ultimately meaningless.
The accomplishments are amazing. I saw a post on X (sorry I can’t find it) that listed 20 recent actions the DOJ has taken to advance Trump’s agenda. It’s quit an amazing list of legal actions to enforce his executive orders. All one has to do is focus on the good stuff and they could be happy. Just getting Comey and Brennan on the Russia hoax should calm the hard core MAGA folks’ nerves seeking some heads from the deep state and the prior corruption. But no, we have Epstein.
I suppose this may be a controversial opinion, but to me the entire Epstein dust up seems more like a communication error. Instead of all the blustering, just say that "we are working hard on bringing indictments to the Grand Jury, and if/when a Grand Jury indicts we will make a more public statement about any cases individually. As you know, we do not comment on ongoing investigations."
Discipline and process would, after a short amount of screaming, probably quiet this storm. I want anyone who did what the suspicions are convicted and put in jail, but I don't want to be premature. It seems to me like too many people want vigilante justice and that just doesn't sit right with me. Heck, they could probably even blame Biden for sitting on it for 4 years and they need to spend the time making sure the cases that are brought are airtight.
I agree about the straightforward way to quiet the storm. However that doesn't seem to be Trump's style. Sometimes his whirlwind methods get results and sometimes it just seems to make a bigger mess. I don't think we will know what the final result is until a lot further down the line. Not being particularly critical of Trump here, just my observation. I find it interesting to read so many comments in other places from Trump supporters who feel personally betrayed over this. I am not invested in Trump per se, but even if I was, It's clear to me that at this point we desperately need a monkey wrench in the works-- whatever the methods or eventual outcome. In otherwords, I wasn't really expecting him to fix things, I was expecting him to stir them up. Whether that turns out to be good or bad, I cannot say. Most likely it will be a mixed bag all the way around.
Well, Trump does use chaos to manage situations. Perfect example of a strength being a weakness.
My suggestion was a disciplined approach, and you are totally correct that is simply not Trump's style.
Trump's supporters, in my opinion, are simply lashing out after being beaten up over the last 10-15 years. I get the outrage, but to me its best not to just stay the course and execute. Behave correctly and trust the system; it will all work out in the end. But I have a more disciplined approach than Trump, which may be while I sit here and he sits at 1600 Penn.
A lot of the so called MAGA or conservatives (not principled of course, they left long ago to join the dems) whipping up this frenzy are people with podcasts that are monetizing this. For them, it’s all outrage all the time. I choose not to participate.
Yes, I wrote an over long comment on this on another branch of this thread. Short version: influencers monetize themselves. This means they will write or say anything regardless of its truth or merit. Their followers cite them as being credulous champions of the truth. This is a weakness inherent to freedom of speech. We have to be more discerning in what we base our arguments on.
Policies and results! Is that too much to focus on? Put the trash out and spend the time being happy that we were saved from the doom of Biden/Harris/Walz. That's why I voted for Trump and am quite happy at what he's accomplished in six months.
Well Epstein is dead, Maxwell is in jail, and unfortunately most of the crimes are past the statute of limitations so my take is Bondi and her staff attorneys probably looked at the files and decided in their prosecutorial discretion not to indict.
I agree with you, except that I doubt Epstein is dead. He's kicking back on some island in the South Pacific or the Indian Ocean. Probably laughing at the "list" debacle.
Pam Bondi made the biggest mistake by going on Fox to talk about having the files and exaggerating expectations. All she had to do is what you suggested: “I cannot comment on an ongoing investigation”. Case closed. She fucked this up, but Trump doesn’t want to go through another Senate confirmation hearing for a new AG.
Hi Mr Lederman I’ve jumped head first into the deep end on Epstein, as you may or may not see soon, depending on our fearless Queen Celia. I bend the knee to her regardless 🤴
The Air India crash does seem increasingly to be a deliberate act by one of the pilots. There is a pilot on you tube who is quite credible and he has been following this as the details emerged. Very concerning. Reminiscent of the crash a few years back where the copilot deliberately crashed the airliner.
I was very happy to see the terrorist Song's capture, along with his idiot accomplices. This crime is not only attempted murder of a police officer but also a clear terrorist act. Let's not only prosecute to the fullest extent but also get them to come clean about their funding and directives This will prove very interesting.
I remember hearing about a captain who made an 'off the cuff remark' in the cockpit. He had just gone through a bitter divorce, and was mad as hell over the fact that the judge awarded his wife the sole ownership of their home. He said something to the effect of, "I'd like to fly this plane right into that house." He was not serious, but the co-pilot and engineer reported the incident. That captain was never to be seen again.
I only got past the Gary House story. I must add that I am happy to hear the Lexington PD shot to kill. That's the end of that. I grew up with the "Stop or I'll shoot!" mentality. I'd like to write the police officer a 'thank you' note on behalf of humanity. Back to JiP...
I have a relative whose mental stability and violence parallels House. It appears that the criminal justice system is trying to be effective with him but I am concerned.
I am disgusted with myself. I am glad House was killed because it will save us having to hear, pay for and relive this for decades on appeals for an inhuman human. Sorry it didn't apply to Song and the Arkansas sheriff. The only thing missing from the Air India tragedy are "Allah Akbar". I apologize. I'm going to get a cup of coffee.
I don't go to church, I don't use 911, I don't fly, I don't associate with ugly looking people, I do live an hour's drive from Calico Rock, AR. That town appeared in John Grisham's "The Firm." I was so proud. Oh, and I liked the word, "HownKYKong." Jeez, now I'm stuck with that BS on
TFP all about Epstein. Maybe Taibbi will have something later.
Interesting, thanks JB. There may be more investigation needed here. It is standard operating procedure in Mexico for employees to be contracted to a specific payroll entity rather than the mother corporation.
Due to mandatory profit sharing under Mexican law, employees are hired by the payroll corporation and the labor cross charged to the operating company with a small markup. This markup is what becomes subject to the profit distribution.
Every major US corporation in Mexico does this- audit companies and lawyers push for this.
My Chinese sister -in-law treated us to her favorite restaurant in or near Redondo Beach, Ca, back in the 1980s. She told us the food was just like home because all of the workers were illegals, straight from China, who had to work off their debt before they could be set free.
Well this opens the whole Mexican/TexMex culinary can of worms.
Traditional Mexican food- mole, molcajete, tinga etc. just aren’t loved in the US. Only TexMex sells. Line cooks recently arrived stateside have to learn a whole new style of cuisine.
I’m told Chinese restaurants experience a similar thing.
Back when I was still writing freelance articles for the local paper, I covered the opening of a new Chinese buffet. Everything about the situation screamed 'Triad' (Chinese mafia), including the down-trodden-looking female workers.
A few years ago, the place shut down and reopened under the management of one of those women, who appeared to have taken the bit in her teeth about the freedom of American capitalism. But she was having difficulty hiring any workers who were Asian, and last year the place closed for 'vacation' and never opened again. Deep in my heart, I worry that the woman got dragged back to Shanghai and punished for her efforts.
SOP in Mexican maquila operations. The Mexican entity is the employer, the corporate entity is the owner of capital equipment, etc and the Mexican entity pays for use of equipment, etc.
Original intent was to protect the corporation from nationalization of assets, 25-30 years ago was seen as a definite risk with extreme devaluation of the peso, corruption in the gubmint, etc.
Also simplified the taxation issues, how much was paid to the hacienda on the Mexican side, so on and so forth.
Unions are an whole other kettle of fish. Unions are typically established by city/state, not so much by industry. I used to work in Matamoros that had a corrupt union and union leader for years - would threaten strikes against individual companies seemed like monthly.
We set up a new plant about 15 miles outside of Matamoros (outside the scope of Agapito's influence), no union, no issues, we paid the same rate as we paid in Matamoros but without the union. Most of our Matamoros employees resigned from the union and traveled the 15 miles to work at the new plant.
In our new builds we were usually able to establish a “sindicato blanco”- unaffiliated with CTM or the other umbrella outfit whose name I can’t recall.
On acquisitions we occasionally inherited a politically aligned union. These were inherently troublesome and difficult to dislodge. Only when the employees themselves decided to regroup independently could we make any progress.
It made me think of various Chinese restaurants in our area. Staffed mostly by people with limited English skills, except the waiters. We knew that the staff was transported to work each day in a van. I never thought that seemed odd until just now. I just thought it made it easier for the workers.
Neighbors? I'm in Batesville. I had to look up "Rocky," you barely make the map, but okay, "Howdy." I'm ExCA too, as if you couldn't tell that, by now. My "hillbilly" comes from being raised in Ohio, with all the West Virginian hillbilly neighbors. I never quite made it to the "Hollywood Hills," and nowhere near "Beverly Hills," unless I wanted to settle for "the flats." Nah, Culver City was fine.
LOL. Batesville is a City! Even small rural communities think I'm far out. I moved so many times, always coming back to CA, where I was born. I was a California Hillbilly, in Lake Isabella where I moved for affordability. Now I'm giving Granny Clampett a run for her money. I haven't shot a squirrel, or cooked a possum, but give me time. My neighbor told me if I want the pecans off my trees, I have to shoot the squirrels. That way I can have pecans AND supper. I don't think I could skin an animal.
I've got a big peeCAN tree in my backyard. I love it. I love the squirrels, nearest thing I have to a "pet." I don't know much about pecan trees, but I'm told they bare fruit every other year - this is the year. I can't wait to see the squirrels celebrating. I've fenced them off from the street out front, the dumb little bastards. I'm always sorry to see one get loose. I yell at them to no avail.
I leave my doors unlocked at night, because I don't want them coming through, with the ax, in case somebody sees me laying on the floor. I'm a stubborn old curmudgeon, not afraid to get out of here, anytime. I'm happy for your rescues, and I don't knock that.
What would the chain of evidence look like, if the Epstein files exist, after all this time? The Alphabet's have shown that they are not above altering video footage and producing phony documents. Could any of it be trusted? Where are the thousands of victims. We know from the Trump cases that NDA's and payoffs are the beginning not the end. People tend to come back for multiple paydays. Then there's the question of why didn't *Biden release it? Probably because it's worth more as a threat than it is in reality.
As a resident of PA I got multiple notices of problems with the 911 system. It irked me because I got a bill a few months ago for $19.95+tax/year for 911 connectivity on my MagicJack VOIP "landline". In this use case connections don't require complicated software because you have to give them your name and address along with payment. The phone company already knows your physical address when it comes to VOIP. Cell phones are a bit of a problem as they can be anywhere; I pay $5.85/mo on my Google Fi cell phone for 911 coverage. It seems like a money maker when you consider the number of calls vs. the number of phones. But whatever. State workers have to send their kids to private schools don't cha know.
That charge is in addition to County sales tax, State taxes, Fed Regulatory Assessment fee, Federal universal Service Fund and State Gross receipts Tax. It seems like double, triple and quadruple tax on the same thing for a total of $16.34 in fees to my cell phone bill. They're running out of things to tax so they politicians are now proposing that Pa legalize Pot sales; even though the American lung and Heart Association's say it's as bad a cigarettes for your health. Also consider the dealers won't go away. They can always undercut the state on price.
They are capitalists to the core. The pot dealers will even bring a pizza, a 32 oz Coke and a carton of smokes along with your pot order if you like or so I'm reliably told. One guy told me there's always a piece of pizza missing and he's ok with that. That's the only part of the story that matches up with the State selling pot through state owned stores.
Robert Malone has an essay today that traces the role of Jeffrey Zients at Biden's White House (think autopen) and that charts his rise to this position of power--a rise that involves long (and often corrupt) affiliations with Big Pharma that lined his own pockets.
Jeff Childer's post today (Coffee and Covid) reprises and updates information on the 2022 massive underwater volcano eruption (Hunga Tonga) that spewed huge amounts of water into the atmosphere, causing a hot summer in 2023 and ongoing unsettled weather we are still experiencing. It's a fascinating read--especially as this issue was ignored by mainstream media in favor of the climate scam media was promoting.
You always find stories I miss. “HonKYKong” is a great persona name (I keep a brainstorming list) but guns, drugs, and insanity don’t mix. (BTW FP had a post about a 29 year old white male poet whose rejections made him resubmit the poems under various ethnic names; then they won prizes etc. I forwarded to my 43 year old publisher as we’ve been bitching about the bias for years). The 911 item IS scary. “Bennie Song” would be a good persona who a welfare rapper, “Peggie Bumba” for a dominatrix prostitute who “pegs” her rich male clients.
This country really needs to do something different legally about confining obviously mentally ill people--especially those with REPEATED offenses that are just put back on the streets.
Christopher Rufo has a post this morning about the inability of local government people in charge of some major cities to take on open air drug areas that everyone knows about, etc. Rufo says it is due to the whole "social" move toward police leniency, etc. He wants Trump to go in and clean up these open air drug areas, but I think this problem would fall under a "states rights" area in terms of policing. Again, it all gets down to grassroots demands in one's own local area.
I can't believe how off the rails this country has gone...
Did you see the guy they released after attempting to kidnap an 11 year old boy (story was on Jesse Watters)? His mug shot is an absolute horror show! I told my husband that it was nightmare inducing visage!
I did. I posted a link to it here the other day--but once people have gone through the comments, they don't often go back to check new replies I think. Me included, often. I so agree the pic of him is...horrifying. Clearly there is something wrong with him. And like other cases, he had MANY scary events that should have had him locked up somewhere to protect the public. Something has to be done... Thanks for bringing up this link again.
JBell, I had to look, and I regret it. You warned us, but my curiousity got the best of me. The mug shot is terrifying and nightmare material. Perhaps I live a sheltered life, but I have never in my life seen such a scary looking creature.
John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Read may not have wanted to participate directly in the Alvarado attack, but they're sure as hell going to be participating in some prison time for aiding & abetting that Song character.
Hopefully we'll see more of these pathetic LARPERS held accountable for their Antifa antics.
Sabharwal is the Air India captain who apparently cut off the fuel. The Telegraph revealed on Sunday that he had suffered from depression and mental health problems. He was looking to leave in order to look after his elderly father after the death of his mother. They are also examining if a false warning light had come on... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/17/air-india-captain-cut-off-fuel-to-engines/ or https://archive.ph/3Ec5N
It is Day 2 of the Peggie tribunal. Thus far no real fireworks. Bumba yesterday was interesting as she admitted that she didn't believe there was such a thing as biological sex. How she got her job is a mystery. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/sandie-peggie-trans-women-tribunal-hnm65jgf6 or https://archive.ph/1Kwwy
The Times has been digging into who were the people who decided to defend the NHS Fife? People are basically up in arms at the £220k and counting of taxpayers' money being spent on this, given how strapped the NHS is for cash. . https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/the-rot-that-led-to-the-sandie-peggie-case-goes-right-to-the-top-5077b7jzw or https://archive.ph/axhOt
Does that blithering idiot Bumba still have a job?
I would assume so.
Today we had the even more blithering idiot of Gillian Malone who has basically stated that there was no way Peggie could raise a complaint about Upton in the changing room without invoking disciplinary proceedings. And Malone kept calling Upton 'Beth'.
This tribunal is really showing the bureaucratic rot at the heart of this. https://x.com/boswelltoday/status/1945813465740067135 is a quick rundown on what happened.
Malone who believes she is a woman will be giving evidence after lunch.
I just flashed on the end of the Roman Empire. We may not use lead pipes anymore, but something is definitely making us ever more crazy.
Some day this whole episode is going to be investigated as part of a mass psychosis.
I thought what Sonya Douglas posted was apt: "Sandie Peggie dared to raise an issue that had everyone running scared
By refusing to be intimidated, to be silenced, to be bad at her job
she exposed the lie and made them all liars
For that she HAD to be suspended
And to justify THAT
they had to retrofit the complaint"
It seems to the long and short of it.
True.
The loss of free speech in the face of tyranny.
Retrofit the complaint. Good wording.
I so, so, so agree Rainbow. There is just something else physically going on in people's heads and bodies. It just makes no sense to me at all. I will repeat again that the covid jab can and did do neurological damage. There are now studies, data, etc.
No doubt, RMW, I’m convinced it’s started after the Clovis Lockdowns and has only intensified. Whether it was the isolation, fear, or the vaccines, people have noticeably changed: less considerate, more sloppy in their work, randomly angry.
The lockdowns were the tipping point, not the initiation.
Violent video games, smart phones, standardized testing and social indoctrination of children in our schools, denigration and breakdown of the nuclear family, societal acceptance of pornography and the increasing sexualization of children, the media’s glorification of criminality, etc., etc., etc., have all contributed.
Drip - drip - drip - and very few noticed the bucket was approaching the point of overspill. Even fewer stood up to fight against what they were seeing.
Agree. I would also add chemical laden food, water and air as well as toxic medications. Add in increased use of recreational drugs and being bombarded with EMF's at every turn..... Really when you add up all the physical and psychological stressors, it's a miracle we are doing as well as we are!
I agree, Ken! I saw it in my students. There's a new, "nothing really matters, so why try? And I'll just do what I want" attitude in town.
Imo, we really screwed the young with Covid and I'm not sure how they are going to get over it.
Michelle , what is Starrmer doing announcing he is lowering the voting age to 16 ?
It was in their manifesto. Stupid idea but that is Starmer...trying to rig the system.
In the UK a 16 year old can't get a tattoo, drive a car, get married or undergo hypnosis on stage.
After reading the article provided by Michelle, Bumba appears to be incompetent, regardless of this particular issue.
Hi Michelle Thanks for the cricket reply. If you can recommend an upcoming match, I want to watch to see if I’ve learned your lessons. And that Air India crash isn’t the first time crazed pilots have shut off the fuel switch. A conspiracy theory suggests that’s what happened to JFK Jr’s plane.
The third test starts on the 23rd. What you will want to watch is 'Today at the Test' which is the BBC highlights. YOu should be able to get it on youtube.
I suspect Sky also do a highlights programme. They have the entire ball by ball commentary.
Hmmm, based on that article, the plane had a history of electric issues. Those were not mentioned in previous articles either.
Celia, thank you for staying away from the Epstein “war”. As in any war, we have to wait till the fog clears. Meanwhile, the Trump train keeps rolling…investments into US, exports increasing, Coke to change using here sugar….fentanyl now Substance 1…end of taxpayers supporting PBS….It is too much good to keep up for fake media so they stick to Epstein.
Barry, I see it a bit differently. Just read Sasha Stones post from yesterday about this "gift " to the dems from the right. Many of the comments smacked of good old anti semitism ( right not left wing). I am interested in the FACTS but let's not lose the forest for the trees here. As I commented there what matters most is keeping the train moving and avoiding a derailment in 26 or 28. Would transparency be good? You betcha. But this can gain momentum and that momentum can slow the more important momentum you mention. If the voyeurs and loonies on the right keep this up it is not inconceivable to see the border reopened and mass amnesty around the bend ( and other horribles). As I watch this "story" I am especially focused on this momentum factor.
I also listened to Sasha’s podcast and I don’t disagree - it is a dangerous event. I see it as that an opposing viewpoint cannot change one’s beliefs in conspiracies. This event really brought to the surface the belief that was hidden in many without the protection of belonging to a tribe, i.e., Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, … or even MAGA.
The comments over there are hysterical and hyperbolic. The usual myopic focus on the irrelevant low hanging fruit at the expense of the bigger picture.
Yea, some of the comments on Sasha’s post on this topic are wild. This issue is really the “litmus test” for hard core MAGA. I’ve often wondered if I’ve drifted further right asking myself, I am I crazy ? This tells me I’m not, thankfully.
Hi Brian-If you’re crazy then I’m crazy 😜 wait…let me withdraw lol.
🤣🤣
Jews, Zionists, conspiracy...
All of a sudden Bannon is some kind of heroic truth teller? Please, the whole thing is bullshit.
I agree.
We are notorious for circular firing squads when our "big tent" of conservatism devolves into a dark comedy of self-immolation. These people are not helpful - not with their not-so-thinly veiled anti-Semitism or their constant gifts to the Left of incessant carping about Trump or cabinet officials.
Jones, J Concurs and adds I’ve taken to watching Steve Bannon’s War Room 9am CDT and he and his guests are foaming at the mouth over what anyone rational should have realized in 2019.
What Epstein files ?
I can't wait for the movie. Who will play Jeff and Bill and The other bill and Donald? Then all of the facts will be known. Barry and Michelle can produce for netflix and make enough to buy epstein island and call it The Vineyard South.
There are plenty of out of work Hollywood types that would jump at the chance for this movie.
I just read a few of the comments on Sasha Stone’s piece, and once again I fear that social media plus lack of critical reasoning skills are combining to create a lot of sound and fury but little substance. Of course sound and fury is now the coin of the realm, and those that excel at it can cash in their winnings for US-backed currency or the ever popular (in some sub-cultures) cryptocurrency. The unique alignment of Trump enemies and self-proclaimed jilted Trump supporters presents a real danger to all the good things trump has done and will do if he’s not distracted by this unfortunate union.
1. Some commenters are agreeing with other commenters despite not knowing if the original poster, who is anonymous, is a jilted supporter or a democrat troll.
2. High flying Maga influencers are being hailed as “in the know” and must be “taken at their word” completely credulously, when it’s clear that their statements are opinions that are presented as facts. “Show us the client list!” is not an affirmation that there is a list, and shouldn’t be taken as one, yet people are racking up likes by writing that Don Jr. said this, and he must be taken at his word! Nope. People who monetize their lives with bold statements will say anything to keep the cash flowing. Laura Loomer’s career will crash if she doesn’t have anything to complain about, and with Dems in retreat, she’ll take a swing at Trump.
3. This brave new world we’ve created has given us power to exchange ideas that elites once were able to reserve as their very own. With this new way to see current events outside of the legacy media we are learning how we can change the world for the better (and laugh at so-called progressives who are now the most reactionary social class!). What we’re now seeing is that by throwing off the guide rails we are very vulnerable to destructive ideas and uncritical thought. The Democrats know this and are leveraging it. Sasha Stone knows it and write about it. Clarity Seeker, Jen Todd, and Normie Barry (and many others here) sense the problem and have posted warnings. There are a lot more important things to get worked up about than one elite (Epstein) getting crushed by other elites who may or may not have been blackmailed for what? Money? Influence? All the good that’s happening and we’re going to throw it away because . . . Epstein?
I hope not.
I find Loomer particularly repulsive because she’s such a loon.
She needs to substitute an N for the M in her name 😀
That goes in my brainstorming file ✍️🤙
👍
A ham-radio operator; indoor lights that flicker; an automobile engine that turns on by itself. A man looking up at the night sky:
For people my age, and for younger fans, these can only mean "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street," a parable for our times. It's so easy for us to turn against one another. Someone out there is satisfied with our antics.
My garage door just opens randomly nearly every day.... sometimes in the middle of the night.
We have re-programmed it about 35 times .... nothing is working ....
Just thought I'd throw that out there as my Monster on Maple St.
Do you have Liftmaster? We had your issue years ago with an old garage door; not sure what software it used but it also opened randomly. The doors were quite old and made the house look dated so we bought new doors through Costco and as part of the deal, got Liftmaster. It's made managing the doors a dream and its app allows us to open the door when we aren't there.
I had a Liftmaster and had the same problem.
Could also be caused by high energy particles (solar wind) that are currently bombarding the earth due to some slightly abnormal behavior in the Sun’s corona. One never knows . . .
Oh, my gosh, J! That is so frustrating! I've had that happen, too. Have you called the manufacturer?
I think my problem was caused by a faulty circuit board, but it could be your remote. Maybe get a new remote?
I am selling my house and moving (it was built new 3 yrs ago). I haven't decided if I am required to disclose to the buyer. ??
Indoor lights that flicker are a sure sign that you are about to die, based on the TV show Supernatural. LOL.
I'm still wondering what happened to WW3!!. The same relentless hysteria from Stone's comment section in regard to WW3!! has now latched onto Epstein. It's the same script and theater until the production collapses like a deflated balloon. Just wait, just like the proverbial dog that seeks out its next pile of rancid shit to roll around in, these people will be off to the next event; speculating and throwing out demands for answers until that too collapses because it has no more gas to keep it inflated. Hmmm, wow, I'm sensing a pattern...
Where else was the sound and fury deployed? Grab 'em by the pussy? The pee tapes? Trump's a Russian asset? Russia helped Trump's campaign? It's too packaged and coordinated for me. All the right people are saying all the right things.
I’m not sure I understand your question. My use, or perhaps misuse, of Shakespeare was to highlight how public discussion has devolved into a loud and acrimonious commentary on every topic anyone wishes to comment on. We cheer and reward anger and lose sight of how it’s all to manipulate us through emotion. And while emotion is one of the features that makes us human, it can cloud our thoughts and that can result in pour decisions or opinions. When Trump wrote, “Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!” I’ve read a lot of angry comments by his loyalest supports that he’s thrown them under the bus. That’s a reaction born of emotion. My interpretation is that he’s referring to the most famous of the influencers who have built their product on stirring up people about Epstein. These influencers don’t want to abandon their product (i.e., their loud and furious rants about Epstein and the conspiracy to silence him and bury the evidence of his crimes, a product that pays their rent). So they tell their followers that Trump is hiding the truth, that Trump is just as bad. Trump is saying, without a lot of care, but with a lot of truth, they supported me and helped me to win, I’ve got a lot to do now, my administration has looked at the Epstein evidence and there’s nothing there. If they want to try and derail me from all the good work that still needs to be done, if they want to do the political work of my opposition, then I don’t need their support anymore. But having been trained in anger and manipulated with emotion, these now former Trump supporters can’t, or refuse to, let go of their social media influencers. It is an unfortunate response, but not a surprising outcome.
I was just commenting on other topics on which the sound and fury operations were deployed.
My reply on Sasha’s post:
Sasha’s take is depressing.
And many MAGA influencers are clearly in this issue for their own financial benefit.
And, oh yeah, why is that? Oh, because they too are rich and powerful. Yup.
Wake up people!!! Dividing the Trump base will only get Democrats elected in the midterms. Are you stupid? Is Epstein really the hill you want to die on? It does nothing but lead to more Democrats getting elected.🙄
Democrats like that Mamdani communist and the new communist in MN named Omar (I guess no relation to Ilhan).
I found Sasha's article confusing. I'm glad you and others are comenting on it here!
VERY confusing.
Epstein is fodder for fools. This story is no different than every other story that's been blown up into a frenzy of outrage and scandal. The usual script that always ends the same predictable way. This will fizzle out when media finds its next bone.
Well, yes and no. I do trust Kash and Don. Nevertheless, the facts remain that Epstein was a serial pedophile, he got a sweetheart deal in his original prosecution and some of his circle appear to have been involved with his deviancy - Andrew paid a settlement and Melinda divorced Bill. So lots of smoke still surrounds this.
Yes and maybe it will come out and maybe it won’t. But chances are , we will never know. So let’s keep our eyes on the prize and keep the Trump train going forward
We pretty much agree on not focusing obsessively on Epstein but remember also that things, don't "come out" unless one looks. We can do more than one thing at once.
I have read that many names were sealed by a judge.
Please explain how this work.
TIA.
Sure. In his or her discretion, a trial judge can rule certain facts too detrimental or prejudicial to the victims or parties in a case for public release. They are “sealed” but they aren’t “disappeared”, because while the facts are not at issue in any appeals, as they are decided by the jury or judge as the trier of fact, they might be relevant to any future appeals, as any appeal only concerns questions of law, which might require an interpretive approach to certain facts, such as definitional questions or jury instructions. Much more is involved but that’s a quick primer.
Got it, thank you very much.
Where was the outrage when Merrick Garland/Biden DOJ were investigating this? They released a list! Where were demands for more transparency then?
Many many people are disgusted by the change in attitude by the Trump admin on the Epstein Files ,without an explanation . Instead they decided to tell ppl what to think ..” move on , nothing to see here, we are busy with more important things” etc
Not a winning political strategy to tell voters what they should care about .
As for the Epstein issue itself
Who really believes the absurdity that he killed himself ?
Why did he transfer hundreds of millions of dollars to his brother 2 days before his “ death”
Here are two parts of a 2019 four part expose on the history and connections between organized crime, intel agencies and politicians
Read in order to
Part one https://unlimitedhangout.com/2019/07/investigative-series/hidden-in-plain-sight-the-shocking-origins-of-the-jeffrey-epstein-case/
Part two https://unlimitedhangout.com/2019/07/investigative-series/government-by-blackmail-jeffrey-epstein-trumps-mentor-and-the-dark-secrets-of-the-reagan-era/
Ppl have every right to want this out in the open and dealt with
It’s so much bigger than Epstein
This gets to the utter corruption that is politics
"It’s so much bigger than Epstein. This gets to the utter corruption that is politics."
Exactly, Disa!
I will post this link again as I think it speaks to the massive legal issues involved in the Epstein issue with regard to transparency. The last thing needed would be to tie up the DOJ with many law suits where they would have to defend releasing info claimed to be "untrue," etc. It a potential no win, and yes, we should likely move on and let Patel and Bondi handle it in a wise way :
https://x.com/jeffreyatucker/status/1945110033919795419
This is the most logical explanation I have yet to see.
If you or I were invited to fly somewhere on a financial advisor's private jet to a get-away home on a private island as an incentive to do business, there is nothing illegal about that.
If there were drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, or even under age girls or boys, no one is forcing us to partake. And if our names are released which is against laws of privacy, the Trump administration could be the target of numerous and costly lawsuits.
Make perfect sense to keep the list confidential.
Then they should not have promised to release everyth9ng ( except victims names)
The fact about possible liability is not new to these lawyers
Exactly, Louisa. I think the release would result in a bureaucratic and logistical nightmare. I think the list has not been released because there is much damage control and negotiating going on behind closed doors.
Kash Patel and Bondi are lawyers. Bongono is from law enforcemen5
They all knew the legal issues when they promised to release everything ( except victims’ names)
At the very least they owed a real explanation for why the flip flop in their commitment
Instead they said he killed himself, and nothing to see here- stop caring about thousands old nothing burger .
Also Bondi said she closed the case —
The entire op is nuts.
Click bate influencers shitting their bed.
THANK YOU Jen. Breaking News: The rich and powerful play by different rules and pretty much indulge in any decadent perversion they want. As in Rome, so goes the USA 😞
Holding up a shitbag and his lady pimp as "collusion" and "conspiracy" is a distraction. The usual selective outrage over and over again. And at the end of every single "explosive" thing, we've been left with a giant zero. Lots of hand-flapping that was ultimately meaningless.
Heh, heh. It brings to mind all the hypocritical muslims who regularly leave the ME to indulge themselves in Thailand.
Water through a fire hose.
Beautiful.
It’s crazy how much change Trump is pushing through, but somehow Epstein’s ghost has become the wedge issue which could derail all the winning!
The accomplishments are amazing. I saw a post on X (sorry I can’t find it) that listed 20 recent actions the DOJ has taken to advance Trump’s agenda. It’s quit an amazing list of legal actions to enforce his executive orders. All one has to do is focus on the good stuff and they could be happy. Just getting Comey and Brennan on the Russia hoax should calm the hard core MAGA folks’ nerves seeking some heads from the deep state and the prior corruption. But no, we have Epstein.
I suppose this may be a controversial opinion, but to me the entire Epstein dust up seems more like a communication error. Instead of all the blustering, just say that "we are working hard on bringing indictments to the Grand Jury, and if/when a Grand Jury indicts we will make a more public statement about any cases individually. As you know, we do not comment on ongoing investigations."
Discipline and process would, after a short amount of screaming, probably quiet this storm. I want anyone who did what the suspicions are convicted and put in jail, but I don't want to be premature. It seems to me like too many people want vigilante justice and that just doesn't sit right with me. Heck, they could probably even blame Biden for sitting on it for 4 years and they need to spend the time making sure the cases that are brought are airtight.
I agree about the straightforward way to quiet the storm. However that doesn't seem to be Trump's style. Sometimes his whirlwind methods get results and sometimes it just seems to make a bigger mess. I don't think we will know what the final result is until a lot further down the line. Not being particularly critical of Trump here, just my observation. I find it interesting to read so many comments in other places from Trump supporters who feel personally betrayed over this. I am not invested in Trump per se, but even if I was, It's clear to me that at this point we desperately need a monkey wrench in the works-- whatever the methods or eventual outcome. In otherwords, I wasn't really expecting him to fix things, I was expecting him to stir them up. Whether that turns out to be good or bad, I cannot say. Most likely it will be a mixed bag all the way around.
Well, Trump does use chaos to manage situations. Perfect example of a strength being a weakness.
My suggestion was a disciplined approach, and you are totally correct that is simply not Trump's style.
Trump's supporters, in my opinion, are simply lashing out after being beaten up over the last 10-15 years. I get the outrage, but to me its best not to just stay the course and execute. Behave correctly and trust the system; it will all work out in the end. But I have a more disciplined approach than Trump, which may be while I sit here and he sits at 1600 Penn.
A lot of the so called MAGA or conservatives (not principled of course, they left long ago to join the dems) whipping up this frenzy are people with podcasts that are monetizing this. For them, it’s all outrage all the time. I choose not to participate.
Yes, I wrote an over long comment on this on another branch of this thread. Short version: influencers monetize themselves. This means they will write or say anything regardless of its truth or merit. Their followers cite them as being credulous champions of the truth. This is a weakness inherent to freedom of speech. We have to be more discerning in what we base our arguments on.
Speaking of Influencers and their "appeal as an authority" ... I think that was the basis of Jupplandia's substack article yesterday!
Policies and results! Is that too much to focus on? Put the trash out and spend the time being happy that we were saved from the doom of Biden/Harris/Walz. That's why I voted for Trump and am quite happy at what he's accomplished in six months.
🎯🎯🎯
Well Epstein is dead, Maxwell is in jail, and unfortunately most of the crimes are past the statute of limitations so my take is Bondi and her staff attorneys probably looked at the files and decided in their prosecutorial discretion not to indict.
I agree with you, except that I doubt Epstein is dead. He's kicking back on some island in the South Pacific or the Indian Ocean. Probably laughing at the "list" debacle.
Pam Bondi made the biggest mistake by going on Fox to talk about having the files and exaggerating expectations. All she had to do is what you suggested: “I cannot comment on an ongoing investigation”. Case closed. She fucked this up, but Trump doesn’t want to go through another Senate confirmation hearing for a new AG.
Hi Mr Lederman I’ve jumped head first into the deep end on Epstein, as you may or may not see soon, depending on our fearless Queen Celia. I bend the knee to her regardless 🤴
The 911 system problem is a story that needs to be told. That issue can (will) have real consequences for average people.
We, as a society, need to focus on problems we can solve or identifying problems that need a solution. (Not GD Epstein!)
Nice round up. Kudos, again, Celia.
The Air India crash does seem increasingly to be a deliberate act by one of the pilots. There is a pilot on you tube who is quite credible and he has been following this as the details emerged. Very concerning. Reminiscent of the crash a few years back where the copilot deliberately crashed the airliner.
I was very happy to see the terrorist Song's capture, along with his idiot accomplices. This crime is not only attempted murder of a police officer but also a clear terrorist act. Let's not only prosecute to the fullest extent but also get them to come clean about their funding and directives This will prove very interesting.
Yes, follow the money.
I remember hearing about a captain who made an 'off the cuff remark' in the cockpit. He had just gone through a bitter divorce, and was mad as hell over the fact that the judge awarded his wife the sole ownership of their home. He said something to the effect of, "I'd like to fly this plane right into that house." He was not serious, but the co-pilot and engineer reported the incident. That captain was never to be seen again.
I only got past the Gary House story. I must add that I am happy to hear the Lexington PD shot to kill. That's the end of that. I grew up with the "Stop or I'll shoot!" mentality. I'd like to write the police officer a 'thank you' note on behalf of humanity. Back to JiP...
I have a relative whose mental stability and violence parallels House. It appears that the criminal justice system is trying to be effective with him but I am concerned.
That's scary!
It is beyond me why a guy who previous had a stand-off with police did not end up sitting in jail for a long time.
I hadn’t heard about that Kentucky guy. It always amazes me when women take up with people like that
All I can say is, had he lived, no doubt his reasoning would be - bitch made me do it.
I am disgusted with myself. I am glad House was killed because it will save us having to hear, pay for and relive this for decades on appeals for an inhuman human. Sorry it didn't apply to Song and the Arkansas sheriff. The only thing missing from the Air India tragedy are "Allah Akbar". I apologize. I'm going to get a cup of coffee.
As far as I could determined, neither pilot was Muslim (that was also my first thought!). The co-pilot was actually a Christian.
I don't go to church, I don't use 911, I don't fly, I don't associate with ugly looking people, I do live an hour's drive from Calico Rock, AR. That town appeared in John Grisham's "The Firm." I was so proud. Oh, and I liked the word, "HownKYKong." Jeez, now I'm stuck with that BS on
TFP all about Epstein. Maybe Taibbi will have something later.
Chris Bray has an interesting article today about human trafficking of mexican restaurant workers.
https://chrisbray.substack.com/p/buying-laborers-and-storing-them?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=484195&post_id=168514883&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=15nx69&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Why that seems like…….slavery! But only blacks could be slaves I thought. So clearly nothing to see here and they were only providing a better life.
Interesting, thanks JB. There may be more investigation needed here. It is standard operating procedure in Mexico for employees to be contracted to a specific payroll entity rather than the mother corporation.
Due to mandatory profit sharing under Mexican law, employees are hired by the payroll corporation and the labor cross charged to the operating company with a small markup. This markup is what becomes subject to the profit distribution.
Every major US corporation in Mexico does this- audit companies and lawyers push for this.
My Chinese sister -in-law treated us to her favorite restaurant in or near Redondo Beach, Ca, back in the 1980s. She told us the food was just like home because all of the workers were illegals, straight from China, who had to work off their debt before they could be set free.
This was very common, she said.
Well this opens the whole Mexican/TexMex culinary can of worms.
Traditional Mexican food- mole, molcajete, tinga etc. just aren’t loved in the US. Only TexMex sells. Line cooks recently arrived stateside have to learn a whole new style of cuisine.
I’m told Chinese restaurants experience a similar thing.
Back when I was still writing freelance articles for the local paper, I covered the opening of a new Chinese buffet. Everything about the situation screamed 'Triad' (Chinese mafia), including the down-trodden-looking female workers.
A few years ago, the place shut down and reopened under the management of one of those women, who appeared to have taken the bit in her teeth about the freedom of American capitalism. But she was having difficulty hiring any workers who were Asian, and last year the place closed for 'vacation' and never opened again. Deep in my heart, I worry that the woman got dragged back to Shanghai and punished for her efforts.
SOP in Mexican maquila operations. The Mexican entity is the employer, the corporate entity is the owner of capital equipment, etc and the Mexican entity pays for use of equipment, etc.
Original intent was to protect the corporation from nationalization of assets, 25-30 years ago was seen as a definite risk with extreme devaluation of the peso, corruption in the gubmint, etc.
Also simplified the taxation issues, how much was paid to the hacienda on the Mexican side, so on and so forth.
Precisely MDM. There were also unexpected benefits in union negotiations etc.
I was surprised that even relatively tiny companies also employ the methodology.
Unions are an whole other kettle of fish. Unions are typically established by city/state, not so much by industry. I used to work in Matamoros that had a corrupt union and union leader for years - would threaten strikes against individual companies seemed like monthly.
We set up a new plant about 15 miles outside of Matamoros (outside the scope of Agapito's influence), no union, no issues, we paid the same rate as we paid in Matamoros but without the union. Most of our Matamoros employees resigned from the union and traveled the 15 miles to work at the new plant.
In our new builds we were usually able to establish a “sindicato blanco”- unaffiliated with CTM or the other umbrella outfit whose name I can’t recall.
On acquisitions we occasionally inherited a politically aligned union. These were inherently troublesome and difficult to dislodge. Only when the employees themselves decided to regroup independently could we make any progress.
Interesting, thanks for sharing.
It made me think of various Chinese restaurants in our area. Staffed mostly by people with limited English skills, except the waiters. We knew that the staff was transported to work each day in a van. I never thought that seemed odd until just now. I just thought it made it easier for the workers.
Don Surber has a really good summary article today, as well.
https://donsurber.substack.com/p/trump-adjusts?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1115457&post_id=168480125&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=15nx69&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Hey, we're neighbors! I live in Rocky AR.
Neighbors? I'm in Batesville. I had to look up "Rocky," you barely make the map, but okay, "Howdy." I'm ExCA too, as if you couldn't tell that, by now. My "hillbilly" comes from being raised in Ohio, with all the West Virginian hillbilly neighbors. I never quite made it to the "Hollywood Hills," and nowhere near "Beverly Hills," unless I wanted to settle for "the flats." Nah, Culver City was fine.
LOL. Batesville is a City! Even small rural communities think I'm far out. I moved so many times, always coming back to CA, where I was born. I was a California Hillbilly, in Lake Isabella where I moved for affordability. Now I'm giving Granny Clampett a run for her money. I haven't shot a squirrel, or cooked a possum, but give me time. My neighbor told me if I want the pecans off my trees, I have to shoot the squirrels. That way I can have pecans AND supper. I don't think I could skin an animal.
I've got a big peeCAN tree in my backyard. I love it. I love the squirrels, nearest thing I have to a "pet." I don't know much about pecan trees, but I'm told they bare fruit every other year - this is the year. I can't wait to see the squirrels celebrating. I've fenced them off from the street out front, the dumb little bastards. I'm always sorry to see one get loose. I yell at them to no avail.
Apparently they’ve discovered that the number one cause of death for squirrels is getting hit by a car.
Around here they're worse than the deer, for vehicle death. The only thing worse is the armadillos -- always with their feet in the air, somehow.
I’m only here today because of the prompt response to TWO 911 calls last summer. Don’t knock it till you have to rely on it!
I leave my doors unlocked at night, because I don't want them coming through, with the ax, in case somebody sees me laying on the floor. I'm a stubborn old curmudgeon, not afraid to get out of here, anytime. I'm happy for your rescues, and I don't knock that.
What would the chain of evidence look like, if the Epstein files exist, after all this time? The Alphabet's have shown that they are not above altering video footage and producing phony documents. Could any of it be trusted? Where are the thousands of victims. We know from the Trump cases that NDA's and payoffs are the beginning not the end. People tend to come back for multiple paydays. Then there's the question of why didn't *Biden release it? Probably because it's worth more as a threat than it is in reality.
As a resident of PA I got multiple notices of problems with the 911 system. It irked me because I got a bill a few months ago for $19.95+tax/year for 911 connectivity on my MagicJack VOIP "landline". In this use case connections don't require complicated software because you have to give them your name and address along with payment. The phone company already knows your physical address when it comes to VOIP. Cell phones are a bit of a problem as they can be anywhere; I pay $5.85/mo on my Google Fi cell phone for 911 coverage. It seems like a money maker when you consider the number of calls vs. the number of phones. But whatever. State workers have to send their kids to private schools don't cha know.
Interesting. I do not pay any such fee on my cell service.
That charge is in addition to County sales tax, State taxes, Fed Regulatory Assessment fee, Federal universal Service Fund and State Gross receipts Tax. It seems like double, triple and quadruple tax on the same thing for a total of $16.34 in fees to my cell phone bill. They're running out of things to tax so they politicians are now proposing that Pa legalize Pot sales; even though the American lung and Heart Association's say it's as bad a cigarettes for your health. Also consider the dealers won't go away. They can always undercut the state on price.
They are capitalists to the core. The pot dealers will even bring a pizza, a 32 oz Coke and a carton of smokes along with your pot order if you like or so I'm reliably told. One guy told me there's always a piece of pizza missing and he's ok with that. That's the only part of the story that matches up with the State selling pot through state owned stores.
Great round up today Celia.
Glad you followed up with those prior stories to their conclusion.
Robert Malone has an essay today that traces the role of Jeffrey Zients at Biden's White House (think autopen) and that charts his rise to this position of power--a rise that involves long (and often corrupt) affiliations with Big Pharma that lined his own pockets.
https://open.substack.com/pub/rwmalonemd/p/jeffrey-zients-covid-puppetmaster?r=a3dgf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Jeff Childer's post today (Coffee and Covid) reprises and updates information on the 2022 massive underwater volcano eruption (Hunga Tonga) that spewed huge amounts of water into the atmosphere, causing a hot summer in 2023 and ongoing unsettled weather we are still experiencing. It's a fascinating read--especially as this issue was ignored by mainstream media in favor of the climate scam media was promoting.
https://open.substack.com/pub/coffeeandcovid/p/re-heated-thursday-july-17-2025-c?r=a3dgf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
You always find stories I miss. “HonKYKong” is a great persona name (I keep a brainstorming list) but guns, drugs, and insanity don’t mix. (BTW FP had a post about a 29 year old white male poet whose rejections made him resubmit the poems under various ethnic names; then they won prizes etc. I forwarded to my 43 year old publisher as we’ve been bitching about the bias for years). The 911 item IS scary. “Bennie Song” would be a good persona who a welfare rapper, “Peggie Bumba” for a dominatrix prostitute who “pegs” her rich male clients.
This country really needs to do something different legally about confining obviously mentally ill people--especially those with REPEATED offenses that are just put back on the streets.
Christopher Rufo has a post this morning about the inability of local government people in charge of some major cities to take on open air drug areas that everyone knows about, etc. Rufo says it is due to the whole "social" move toward police leniency, etc. He wants Trump to go in and clean up these open air drug areas, but I think this problem would fall under a "states rights" area in terms of policing. Again, it all gets down to grassroots demands in one's own local area.
I can't believe how off the rails this country has gone...
Did you see the guy they released after attempting to kidnap an 11 year old boy (story was on Jesse Watters)? His mug shot is an absolute horror show! I told my husband that it was nightmare inducing visage!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/crime/general/registered-sex-offender-who-attempted-to-kidnap-an-11-year-old-boy-is-set-for-release-as-prosecutors-prepare-to-dismiss-charges/ar-AA1IAVoz
I did. I posted a link to it here the other day--but once people have gone through the comments, they don't often go back to check new replies I think. Me included, often. I so agree the pic of him is...horrifying. Clearly there is something wrong with him. And like other cases, he had MANY scary events that should have had him locked up somewhere to protect the public. Something has to be done... Thanks for bringing up this link again.
JBell, I had to look, and I regret it. You warned us, but my curiousity got the best of me. The mug shot is terrifying and nightmare material. Perhaps I live a sheltered life, but I have never in my life seen such a scary looking creature.
He used a Sharpie to dye his prison uniform and a soup can lid for a badge?! You gotta give the guy credit for ingenuity and patience.
And quite possibly a real artistic talent in sculpting!