Post B1BG2905UAtFn0FM48 by shoq@mastodon.social
 (DIR) More posts by shoq@mastodon.social
 (DIR) Post #B1BG1xJUwBHpXjEgee by shoq@mastodon.social
       2025-12-12T18:20:34Z
       
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       At the risk of being dragged as an apologist for criminals by people who enjoy lashing out on social media at any target of opportunity, it’s worth saying this plainly: we should not go full Salem witch trials over the latest Epstein photos. That would be illiberal, reckless, un-American, and just flat-out wrong.As Hannah Arendt warned, “Guilt by association is not a legal concept but a political weapon.” And that’s exactly what’s being wielded here. …
       
 (DIR) Post #B1BG235XSzgZSAkcjI by shoq@mastodon.social
       2025-12-12T18:20:36Z
       
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       It’s not a good look to assume that everyone photographed with Jeffrey Epstein was a sex offender or a “client” of Ghislaine Maxwell. Some probably were—and when there’s evidence, I’m all in on the harsh-punishment phase. But Epstein deliberately spent vast sums of money to cultivate elite social proximity, domestically and worldwide. …
       
 (DIR) Post #B1BG2905UAtFn0FM48 by shoq@mastodon.social
       2025-12-12T18:20:38Z
       
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       He was a wealthy donor, patron, and connector in finance, politics, science, and the arts, and he sought legitimacy by constantly being photographed with prominent figures.In those circles, being present at a dinner, fundraiser, conference, or party does not imply knowledge of—or participation in—his loathsome criminal activities. Thousands of prominent people encountered Epstein briefly, socially, or professionally, with no access to his private conduct. …
       
 (DIR) Post #B1BG2Eki6G9fd369vk by shoq@mastodon.social
       2025-12-12T18:20:40Z
       
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       We do have hard evidence that some figures—Trump being an obvious example—were clearly involved with him on that level. But the operative word there is evidence. Without it, presuming guilt based on a photograph is a serious mistake. If that were a crime, Hollywood, New York City, and Washington, D.C. would be ghost towns.Despite the Right’s daily efforts to strip public life of all principles, we should still try to hang on to a few. Evidence matters. Liberalism matters. …
       
 (DIR) Post #B1BG2KBTu9XYTWf6qu by shoq@mastodon.social
       2025-12-12T18:20:42Z
       
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       And mobs are not justice. …
       
 (DIR) Post #B1BGc5xKHa78lv67iy by wjmaggos@liberal.city
       2025-12-12T18:32:46Z
       
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       @shoq priority one is finding out all the details re that non prosecution agreement in 2007.but connections between being mega rich and political influence and legal immunity and media and even science and universities is something we should shine light on and try to reform in a non partisan way.