Epstein Mystery Lives!
Thanks to Team Trump's weird about-face
Our beloved Associated Press tells us that “far-right influencers and conservative internet personalities” question the Trump Administration’s about-face this week on the Jeffrey Epstein mysteries.
Let me assure you, it’s not just the far right with questions. Anyone half-way paying attention is saying: “Huh?”
Look, one of the consistent themes in the Trump Comeback of 2024 is the idea that there is a sinister “deep state” out there covering up for friends and inventing crimes to eliminate foes. And one of the big cases swirling around in the “deep state” theory involves Mr. Epstein.
As the story goes, he had a bunch of sick-o clients in a sexual predator cult, and he, along with a wink-wink, nod-nod from several spy agencies, was blackmailing them for mutually beneficial purposes. When Mr. Epstein got too hot for comfort, the “Deep State” had him jailed and “suicided.”
So now the Trump Team rides over the horizon in a cloud of dust — FBI director Kash Patel, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, and Attorney General Pam Bondi — talking big about how there’s a new sheriff in town and by-gawd the varmints in that rat’s nest called the “deep state” best start a-runnin’.
For years, Team Trump told us there’s something to see in the Epstein files. This week, they told us that “upon further review,” there’s nothing to see here. Move along. citizens.
Mr. Patel: “You know a suicide when you see one, and that’s what that (Epstein) was.”
Mr. Bongino: “I have seen the whole file.“He killed himself.”
Just a few weeks ago, Ms. Bondi said she had the Epstein “client list” on her desk, ready to release.
This week, she said it didn’t exist. The unbelievable explanation from the White House on that disconnect is that Ms. Bondi didn’t fully understand the question.
She didn’t fully understand the question?
Well, you can see how all this doesn’t exude confidence, and leads inquiring minds to wonder whether the Trump Administration has become its own “deep state.”
All this was made more fishy by how the president shut down questions on Epstein. A reporter at a White House Cabinet meeting asked Bondi about the “client list” switcheroo.
The president jumped in and, according to the AP, “Scolded the journalist: ‘Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years.’”
C’mon, Mr. President. Yes, we are still talking about Epstein. And, you, sir, just ensured the Epstein mysteries will live on … and on … and on.
No other way to see it.
Culture
After director James Gunn touted his new movie “Superman” by saying it’s a story of an immigrant, the movie-viewing world collectively said, “Ugh, not another woke Hollywood flick.”
I am heartened, however, by the initial reviews. “Full of charm,” says one. “Not a great movie, but highly entertaining,” said another. Showbiz’s Marin Friedman says Gunn has made an endearing iteration of the comic book classic.
“Superman,” Is Finally Back to His Goofy, Heroic Self in A Sensational Return to Comic Book Magic, reads the headline.
I hope Friedman is right because I like the whole Superman story. The flick opens Thursday.
I Know The Answer!
Speaking of movies, I ran across this meme asking this question:
I recognized it immediately.
It’s “Under Siege,” which I watch about once a year. (Don’t judge me.) The bad guy in this Steven Seagal flick is played by the marvelously over-the-top Tommy Lee Jones. Gary Busy also does not disappoint.
Pro Tip: Casey Rybeck is not “just a cook.”
In Case You Missed It
Federal Restructuring Approved
The Trump administration can move forward with plans to restructure the federal workforce and federal agencies, the Supreme Court announced on Tuesday. The decision could result in job losses for tens of thousands of employees at agencies including the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, State and Treasury. The order, which lifted a lower court’s ruling that had blocked mass layoffs, was unsigned. — New York Times
More Security
Following the shooting death of a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker in June, California Assemblymember Mia Bonta wants to beef up a state law that would allow elected officials and candidates to spend an unlimited amount of campaign funds toward private security. — CalMatters.org
Gaza Beach Resort?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday endorsed President Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and turn the territory into a luxury waterfront development. Mr. Netanyahu said Mr. Trump’s idea for the region was a “brilliant vision” and suggested Palestinians could leave the territory altogether. “It’s called free choice,” Mr. Netanyahu said. “You know, if people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.” — Washington Times
Tainting the tenure track
Securing tenure at a top medical school typically involves exhibiting exemplary clinical and research skills. At Duke Medical School, administrators added a less conventional factor: antiracism. The school has adopted race-based "Justice, Equity, Diversity, Antiracism and Inclusion" promotion guidelines that "reward doctors for recruiting and mentoring 'BIPOC faculty' and 'targeting specific groups of people.'" Faculty can help their tenure case, for example, by advising "BIPOC" trainees and devising strategies to "measurably increase the number of BIPOC learners." — Washington Times
Laugh a little, avoid soreheads, and always question authority
One More Thing
With the exception of Duke and Epstein it’s a fairly good news day. Trumps team put too many eggs in the Epstein basket. Bidens group may have disappeared the list in order to protect many and make Trumps team look the fools. Biden may have made a few extra bucks on the way out with the list tucked into someone’s pants.
Under Siege is one of Tommy Lee Jones best along with a creative story, Segal probably at his best. The birthday cake scene is OK too.
I wonder if he's not sitting on whatever information he found on the rich and powerful, so that he can use it as leverage to get what he wants from them.