As I watched a group of survivors of abuse standing outside our nation’s Capitol vowing to release the names of the monsters who collaborated with Jeffrey Epstein in their violation, I had two immediate thoughts:
Their courage is beyond measure. But such a public plea for justice should never have been necessary. There is no justice for women in Trump’s America. Sadly, I can attest to that personally.
When has there ever been justice for women in this country? Yes, it is worse with the Felon in the White House. Much worse. But he just gave permission to all our fellow citizens to give voice to their deep fear of women. Which shows up as misogyny on steroids. The old macho man attitude from 100 years ago rings so hollow!
Sadly, these people don't care. At this point, I am not certain they would care even if these were their own daughters. They would blame the victims and pay out to hush it all up.
Amen and amen. John, keep speaking with boldness for those of us out here without your megaphone, but who feel and believe exactly as you do. Thank you.
As a fellow Christian, watching our fellow “Christians” support over and over again this vile and evil person and join his “movement,” has just about drained all the belief and the faith I thought I had from this 72 year old body. If THAT is a Christian, I want no part of that. I am still waiting for “justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Amos 5:24. When God, oh when?
All the courage in the world won’t stop the pain and humiliation these women have suffered. To act on their courage will, undoubtedly, bring further insult to them.
There must be a way for these women to know and to feel a certainty that the majority of Americans stand in their favor…How do we assure them of fair and compassionate treatment as they gather their collective voice and break the silence that surrounds them?
I believe the majority truly does stand behind these women; how do we make clear that we are also willing to stand in FRONT of them, helping shield them from the backlash that will surely follow their revelations of truth?
Where are the pastors and therapists and journalists and women and men of conscience who can assure their safety, both physically and emotionally?
Thank you, John, for your voice in
this important conversation. I offer my own voice to their support.
The House of Representatives members should ALL VOTE YES to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Bill requiring the release of records, including those held by the FBI and U.S. attorneys' offices to allow for justice for the victims and honor their courage.
Republican politicians are protecting the sex traffickers and rapists of children as young as 14yrs old instead of protecting the victims. I don't see any Christianity in Mike Johnson, or any of his Republican politicians who don't want this bill to come to a vote. WHY? The victims aren't asking for protections by not releasing the records, the abusers are asking for, and getting, protection that they should never have for their vile acts. Ghislane Maxwell is a convicted sexual trafficker, abuser, and has perjured herself in a court of law. She shouldn't have any voice in this matter. Period. And should be sent back to the previous prison she was at, where she belongs for her crimes.
And, God forbid (literally) that they respond, "but abortion," as has been a response to me. The government that would abuse these women should definitely not be allowed to make decisions about their reproductive health care. Period.
Ugh. I remember some years back when a candidate for Senate was accused of--and likely lost his campaign because of--his sexual crimes against underaged girls. Some depraved "Christian" cretin on some FOX "News" talk show defended this creep thusly (I'm paraphrasing): "So he's touched girls? His opponent wants to murder them in the womb." They. Are. Hopeless.
These women had the courage to speak out about the unspeakable sexual traumas committed against them. And once again, like with the survivor who spoke out against Brett Kavanaugh, their word is not being respected and believed. It’s sickening. Trump, his administration and all who support him are cowards and liars. That these women are vilified for telling the truth is an outrage.
It’s nothing new. Survivors sexual crimes are rarely believed and always violated again by those who should be listening to them and charging the rapists and pedophiles.
I was hoping for different for these women.
Yes, John, everything you wrote here is the truth and it breaks my heart and enrages me for those women. The criminals should be held accountable, the women believed, the files released and all in them held accountable.
T'S PATHETIC military flyover was a total failure in his attempt to distract and assert a stance of his masculinity via military manipulation! He may as well have had banners flying behind that said, "I'm guilty, guilty, guilty!"
There were 1000 FBI "agents" who pored over those files to redact most everything in them. Probably a couple hundred more sets of eyes have also seen those files. I'm hoping eventually, someone will cave and start talking about what they know for sure and have seen with their own eyes. May their consciences bother them for the rest of their lives.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute to the victims. It's time someone recognized them and what the MAGA hypocrisy has cost them. It takes courage for them, and for you, to speak out against what is happening. I pray that your tenacity and your courage do not wane before this fight is over.
Any one of the GOP who refuses to sign on to the bill to release all of the files should be reminded that it could have been their wives, daughters, or granddaughters who might have been abused or will be - God forbid. Someone on a news program said that Trump is trying to protect his friends, financiers, etc. I disagree. He cares for no one but himself - self-preservation. I have to wonder why MTG is on board with all of this? I'm glad she is, but I think her motive - I could be wrong - is that she wasn't offered a position in Trump's current administration, so she is lashing out! I also wonder if at the next press conference, her boyfriend will be one of the reporters allowed in the Oval Office. It will be interesting to watch. Women are second-class citizens according to Trump, Vance, Hegseth, etc., who feel women should not have the right to vote and are only suitable for producing the next generation. They forget that once a child is born, the real work begins to feed, clothe, house, and educate that child to become a productive member of society. However, they don't care about the after! I feel that
let's talke about the 30 republican congresswomen who refuse to stand up for these women. time to start calling them all. google republican congresswoman and you will get a list of all 33 - 3 have signed. absolutely disgusting
I wouldn’t hold my breath. I’m sure many of these women have non-disclosure agreements and others would be impeached as non-reliable witnesses if testimony actually occurs. I admire their courage, though, and if what they do next exposes these predators, my faith in good conquering evil will be stronger. So far, I just see evil at work.
There is much evil in this world, and particularly in this regime. Only if we stand with women who are suffering because the government is trying to silence them can they get justice. I wasn’t believed either, but at my age, it doesn’t matter to me any longer. The young women who were trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell deserve so much better.
C Anderson: I’m not a lawyer so I have no specific credibility in saying this, but I think no “non-disclosure” agreement should be considered binding when the information that agreement is hiding is abuse and disrespect. Under-age or not, these women were treated in a manner no human should have to put up with.
Sure, I know someone could say “well, they said yes”…but power and vulnerability should never sit “naked” in the same room. There is a high likelihood of pain, embarrassment, regret, and loss of self in such “mixed company”. The rich and powerful men involved were willing to beg, borrow, steal, bribe, and weasel…and as the weasels they still are they should have no peace.
For the Christian nationalists and white supremacists women exist only as submissive wives and mothers. Women exist to breed, and to be discarded if they fail.
You called it out with the truth- those women have been violated twice now. Their courage is great, and finding each other has probably helped them endure a little better. There are still a few Trump/ Vance signs on people's properties around here (it's a very red part of a purple state), and every time I see one, I feel an urge to grab a can of spray paint and write on the sign or on their homes, "We love pedophiles here".
Their courage is beyond measure. But such a public plea for justice should never have been necessary. There is no justice for women in Trump’s America. Sadly, I can attest to that personally.
When has there ever been justice for women in this country? Yes, it is worse with the Felon in the White House. Much worse. But he just gave permission to all our fellow citizens to give voice to their deep fear of women. Which shows up as misogyny on steroids. The old macho man attitude from 100 years ago rings so hollow!
Sadly, these people don't care. At this point, I am not certain they would care even if these were their own daughters. They would blame the victims and pay out to hush it all up.
Amen and amen. John, keep speaking with boldness for those of us out here without your megaphone, but who feel and believe exactly as you do. Thank you.
As a fellow Christian, watching our fellow “Christians” support over and over again this vile and evil person and join his “movement,” has just about drained all the belief and the faith I thought I had from this 72 year old body. If THAT is a Christian, I want no part of that. I am still waiting for “justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Amos 5:24. When God, oh when?
All the courage in the world won’t stop the pain and humiliation these women have suffered. To act on their courage will, undoubtedly, bring further insult to them.
There must be a way for these women to know and to feel a certainty that the majority of Americans stand in their favor…How do we assure them of fair and compassionate treatment as they gather their collective voice and break the silence that surrounds them?
I believe the majority truly does stand behind these women; how do we make clear that we are also willing to stand in FRONT of them, helping shield them from the backlash that will surely follow their revelations of truth?
Where are the pastors and therapists and journalists and women and men of conscience who can assure their safety, both physically and emotionally?
Thank you, John, for your voice in
this important conversation. I offer my own voice to their support.
The House of Representatives members should ALL VOTE YES to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Bill requiring the release of records, including those held by the FBI and U.S. attorneys' offices to allow for justice for the victims and honor their courage.
Republican politicians are protecting the sex traffickers and rapists of children as young as 14yrs old instead of protecting the victims. I don't see any Christianity in Mike Johnson, or any of his Republican politicians who don't want this bill to come to a vote. WHY? The victims aren't asking for protections by not releasing the records, the abusers are asking for, and getting, protection that they should never have for their vile acts. Ghislane Maxwell is a convicted sexual trafficker, abuser, and has perjured herself in a court of law. She shouldn't have any voice in this matter. Period. And should be sent back to the previous prison she was at, where she belongs for her crimes.
And, God forbid (literally) that they respond, "but abortion," as has been a response to me. The government that would abuse these women should definitely not be allowed to make decisions about their reproductive health care. Period.
Ugh. I remember some years back when a candidate for Senate was accused of--and likely lost his campaign because of--his sexual crimes against underaged girls. Some depraved "Christian" cretin on some FOX "News" talk show defended this creep thusly (I'm paraphrasing): "So he's touched girls? His opponent wants to murder them in the womb." They. Are. Hopeless.
These women had the courage to speak out about the unspeakable sexual traumas committed against them. And once again, like with the survivor who spoke out against Brett Kavanaugh, their word is not being respected and believed. It’s sickening. Trump, his administration and all who support him are cowards and liars. That these women are vilified for telling the truth is an outrage.
It’s nothing new. Survivors sexual crimes are rarely believed and always violated again by those who should be listening to them and charging the rapists and pedophiles.
I was hoping for different for these women.
Yes, John, everything you wrote here is the truth and it breaks my heart and enrages me for those women. The criminals should be held accountable, the women believed, the files released and all in them held accountable.
T'S PATHETIC military flyover was a total failure in his attempt to distract and assert a stance of his masculinity via military manipulation! He may as well have had banners flying behind that said, "I'm guilty, guilty, guilty!"
It was another example of his evil cruelty, which he demonstrates with every breath he takes.
As they SHOULD! Courage is beyond belief!
There were 1000 FBI "agents" who pored over those files to redact most everything in them. Probably a couple hundred more sets of eyes have also seen those files. I'm hoping eventually, someone will cave and start talking about what they know for sure and have seen with their own eyes. May their consciences bother them for the rest of their lives.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute to the victims. It's time someone recognized them and what the MAGA hypocrisy has cost them. It takes courage for them, and for you, to speak out against what is happening. I pray that your tenacity and your courage do not wane before this fight is over.
Any one of the GOP who refuses to sign on to the bill to release all of the files should be reminded that it could have been their wives, daughters, or granddaughters who might have been abused or will be - God forbid. Someone on a news program said that Trump is trying to protect his friends, financiers, etc. I disagree. He cares for no one but himself - self-preservation. I have to wonder why MTG is on board with all of this? I'm glad she is, but I think her motive - I could be wrong - is that she wasn't offered a position in Trump's current administration, so she is lashing out! I also wonder if at the next press conference, her boyfriend will be one of the reporters allowed in the Oval Office. It will be interesting to watch. Women are second-class citizens according to Trump, Vance, Hegseth, etc., who feel women should not have the right to vote and are only suitable for producing the next generation. They forget that once a child is born, the real work begins to feed, clothe, house, and educate that child to become a productive member of society. However, they don't care about the after! I feel that
let's talke about the 30 republican congresswomen who refuse to stand up for these women. time to start calling them all. google republican congresswoman and you will get a list of all 33 - 3 have signed. absolutely disgusting
I wouldn’t hold my breath. I’m sure many of these women have non-disclosure agreements and others would be impeached as non-reliable witnesses if testimony actually occurs. I admire their courage, though, and if what they do next exposes these predators, my faith in good conquering evil will be stronger. So far, I just see evil at work.
There is much evil in this world, and particularly in this regime. Only if we stand with women who are suffering because the government is trying to silence them can they get justice. I wasn’t believed either, but at my age, it doesn’t matter to me any longer. The young women who were trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell deserve so much better.
An underage victim can’t be held to a non-disclosure signature on any document.
We don’t know if they were underage when they signed them, however. I can only hope that nothing will stand in their way.
C Anderson: I’m not a lawyer so I have no specific credibility in saying this, but I think no “non-disclosure” agreement should be considered binding when the information that agreement is hiding is abuse and disrespect. Under-age or not, these women were treated in a manner no human should have to put up with.
Sure, I know someone could say “well, they said yes”…but power and vulnerability should never sit “naked” in the same room. There is a high likelihood of pain, embarrassment, regret, and loss of self in such “mixed company”. The rich and powerful men involved were willing to beg, borrow, steal, bribe, and weasel…and as the weasels they still are they should have no peace.
For the Christian nationalists and white supremacists women exist only as submissive wives and mothers. Women exist to breed, and to be discarded if they fail.
You called it out with the truth- those women have been violated twice now. Their courage is great, and finding each other has probably helped them endure a little better. There are still a few Trump/ Vance signs on people's properties around here (it's a very red part of a purple state), and every time I see one, I feel an urge to grab a can of spray paint and write on the sign or on their homes, "We love pedophiles here".