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teri Gray's avatar

But the fun part is that the investigations that will prevent files being released are all about Dems. Soooo, yes, I know that the official line will be “What are the Dems hiding?” But even the most convinced MAGAT will want to know why Trump is “protecting them.

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Narayanan R's avatar

Dems and Reps dichotomy is as much of a show as the whole political drama itself is. There isn't an iota of real ideological or behavioral difference worth something that can tell what separates the Dems from the Reps. Whatever is "projected" to the public is plain eye wash meant to distract people into fighting each other and ganging up, so either way the larger "system" wins and continues its routine life (of swindling money from those who need it the most to those who need it the least) hidden from true public scrutiny.

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teri Gray's avatar

On the other hand, prior to Social Security, the life expectancy of a working class person was 65.5 years and the leading cause of death suicide. So go ahead and both-sides it. It seems like your argument is the we should simultaneously give retirees bigger benefits and do nothing at all. (BTW, SS was not designed to supply 100%. The idea was that employer pensions and personal savings would supply the other 2 legs of the 3-legged stool.)

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teri Gray's avatar

Ok. Dems gave us Social Security, unemployment insurance, Medicare. Republicans voted against all these things. And this makes them the same? You’ve swallowed a right wing talking point designed to depress the vote.

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Ethan Faulkner's avatar

You must be new here.

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teri Gray's avatar

Yes, of course you start local and build community, but that doesn’t abolish the federal government. “The both sides suck don’t bother voting for either” strategy guarantees the crooks triumph. Do politicians get seduced by access to power? Yup, all the time. Does that mean you should ditch the Bernies and AOCs because “they’re all corrupt?” Only if you want the votes of the “save the babies, ick yuk gay, brown people bad” crowd to be the only ballots in the box.

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Narayanan R's avatar

Well, of you've really ever worked out the math of social security expense versus real wages people deserve for their work, you'll not be priding on the pittance that's thrown towards the public while playing the Good cop. Haven't those Dems invaded several countries on purpose to loot their resources while funding your unemployment to keep you happy?!

I've seriously no real connection to both sides of the American administration and I've no vote at stake to defend. In just plain observer of the cat and mouse play in that arena but a victim of the global ramifications of the economic terrorism!

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Billie Furuichi's avatar

Aaron Parnas needs to read this substack!

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Sunny's avatar

Haha 🤣. Aaron’s doing fine. 👍

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Billie Furuichi's avatar

Yeah yeah. Sorry. He doesn’t need Ethan.

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CLEAR Rule of Law's avatar

Aaron is great at what he does, and he is valuable. But, he's playing within a safe sandbox. Glitches in 'the matrix' occur when people try to push him outside of it.

Ethan's right that the files are somewhat of an illusory target. I still want them, even with redactions, because every shred is part of piecing together the puzzle and my career in litigation has played out exactly like this. Fight every battle, just realize that it only sets up the next one.

However, the issue I see with "the files" is that we almost don't need them at this point if we either had a functioning government or citizenry. We have flight logs, we have 10s of thousands of emails, we have 20K sitting at DDoS available to any qualified reporter, we know a whole laundry list of dirty players.

In a functioning government or citizenry, these people would already be toast with or without a government investigation. I don't mean necessarily 'in jail' but they'd be persona non grata in business, unelectable, and unappointable.

I intend to keep pursuing the files and holding protests at Maxwell's prison. I definitely intend to post the most impactful emails that emerge. But, it's not with some grand idea that it's THE fix.

Hoping to find some people to talk to about a functional fix, or wedge for change at least, to announce the first week or so of 2026 - the end of 2025 elections (runoffs) and the beginning stages of primary citizens. I think we need to hit them all.

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Andrew tonti's avatar

You just keep targeting low hanging fruit. The critical core is the system infrastructure, that’s the big banks, distributors, financiers, international corps, the interwoven machine that works together to dismiss any truths that could possibly get through. They act to erase the memory of all leads that may open up the smallest fissure in the architectures

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Sunny's avatar

Come on now.. did you ever think Trump would release anything?! He’s only using this as a way to fill in names of his “enemies “. Real or perceived. Gimme a break.. A trap is right. Don’t fall for it.

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Clarity…. LWest's avatar

🤔

Opinion

Driven by his refusal to acknowledge facts,

Trump continues to tear the country apart,

seemingly willing to let it burn in the process.😤

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Ashok Bhavnani's avatar

I don’t think anyone has made such a brilliant analysis of the Epstein Files as you have.

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Ethan Faulkner's avatar

I am honored. 🤘

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Leslie Desmond's avatar

I share the sentiment expressed above. Scintillating brilliance, nothing less. And sure enough, there it all is, right there in front of us.

Just shift your perspective a tad, and Voila. It’s plain as day!

Many thanks … you provide master deductions.

Now go on.. Write it!

Epstein for Dummies 😂👍

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Maria's avatar

Absolutely immense detail. .

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Yolanda D.'s avatar

Ethan, one way or another, your work will be celebrated! I've never met a fearless writer like you… Thank you! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

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Ethan Faulkner's avatar

That means a lot, Yolanda — seriously. I’m just trying to tell the truth as clearly as I can, and I’m grateful every time it resonates with someone. Thank you for the encouragement — it keeps me going.

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DeePR's avatar

I don’t understand why the special treatment being given to Ghislaine Maxwell isn’t a bigger outrage than it is? Why aren’t the victims and Congress demanding answers as to WHY she is being given special treatment. That, to me, screams of guilt more than anything else. It’s so obvious what they’re doing!

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Kathy's avatar

I was afraid of Everything you just wrote! I didn’t expect a Real Victory, I expected and got a continual Fuck You! These Barbarians do not Hold Allegiance to the USA or anyone in it! I expect Maxwell to disappear ….permanently. Their excuse will be Things Happen. The distractions and cruelty are written by Vought & Miller! with never ending ink.A Loud Large Clock is ticking.

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Richard Van Atta's avatar

The root of all this goes to a CABAL of convenience and connivance amongst interlocking groups of disdainful despisers of democracy and government in general. For them government is a thing to control for personal aggrandizement and to ensure that their chosen policies prevail. Vought and Miller are key instigators of these policies using the likes of Bondi / Noem / Patel / Hegseth etc. as implementers and Trumphuk as the frontman. Still to be outed and unveiled are the backroom financiers and promulgators — Thiel and Musk, perhaps Ellison, are involved. The Koch brothers are likely as well. Perhaps digging into Epstein’s financial transactions and emails will smoke out others.

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Martyred's avatar

I have waited three decades on my files to be released, as I’m the case whistleblower Maria Farmer. The cruelty of this government has led me to sue for this release. They are continuing to play coverup for the two presidents I reported (Trump & Clinton) when I reported WEXNER, Maxwell and Epstein! 😩🤯

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Ethan Faulkner's avatar

Maria, if this is truly you, I am humbled you are here.

​You are the proof of everything this article is trying to say. They have spent thirty years building a 'Redaction Engine' specifically to silence you and protect men like Wexner. The fact that you are still speaking out, after they have tried to bury you for decades, is the definition of a miracle.

​We know the 'Transparency Act' is a lie designed to erase the timeline you lived. We are here to make sure that doesn't happen. You are safe here, and you are heard.

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Deborah  Hecht's avatar

Trump will do all he can to squirrel out of this. Maxwell will say anything to get out of jail. She should be exchanged with a Russian prisoner, not a French prisoner for what she did. She should stop being treated like a VIP. She’s a child trafficker and molester, plain and simple. Nov 2026 can’t come too soon, and maybe Dems in both houses will prevail. The worse Trump makes the economy, for struggling people, the better for the Dems, IF they play their cards right and are sincere. K

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Kryste  Andrews's avatar

Eventually the victims will rally in a way that can’t be ignored. Then and only then will the truth be spoken aloud.

As stupid as DJT is, he would never sign (or be allowed by his handlers to sign) a release of documents that reveal his guilt.

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Dr. David Black's avatar

Sen Wyden DEM of Oregon has followed the money and tx records at us treasury. They are also at senate oversight committee.

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Dr. David Black's avatar

Thx Vicky for her comment

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Stephanie Gibbs Dunlap's avatar

Earthquake in my brain, I will be back for more, hopefully..

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Ethan Faulkner's avatar

Take your time my friend

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Faith, Hope, Life's avatar

Well said

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Stephanie Gibbs Dunlap's avatar

I just wrote a post here, and it disappeared before my eyes, seems to be happening more often lately. It’s uncanny! The part about chase, < I believe that word, which I did capitalise on the post that disappeared ^ likely is the reason, it vanished! I am considering a lawsuit against that bank, for allowing a former acquaintance, to steal a large amount of money. I am furious with chase, and am going to hire an attorney to sue them. It was uncanny, how when I capitalised chase, my post vaporised! I am still stunned this happened! Your post has inspired me - to get on with it! Also, when confronted by Cockroaches, we must become Cats!

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Wendym's avatar

WTF? 🤬

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Vikipedia's avatar

Ethan! Exactly! You put it very succinctly! I didn’t have all the puzzle pieces put together as you have, but I kept thinking…180 degree turn-a-round? Just like that? No way! I I so don’t trust anyone in this administration. I’m sure they spent the shutdown changing and forging pages. It wouldn’t be that hard to do, but it would be the first me consuming. And, as a you pointed out… follow the money!

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Catherine Nash's avatar

Never believe that DJT and his enablers will do what’s right because they never do. They will deny, delay and deflect. The purpose of the ‘investigations’ is to actually delay releasing the Epstein files. Scrub a dub dub! Think they haven’t already done that to remove DJT’s name and other wealthy Republican donors? Of course they have. When you have nothing to hide you hide nothing. Pedophile safe haven? Could be.

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Dr. David Black's avatar

No redactions copies exist

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Julia's avatar

Trump didn't win. Get these criminals out of our Whitehouse.

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