Donald I, emperor of the world.

[AuroraSaab]

Mandelson's and Andrew's involvement with Epstein seem to have been of very different. Andrew seems to have been fully involved in Epstein's sexual offences. Mandelson's involvement seems to have been for personal, maybe mutual, pecuniary gain.

I think that's Epstein knowing which buttons to push to give him a hook into different individuals. It does seem to have been mutually beneficial scheming. Epstein got the kudos of hobnobbing with royalty or financial influence or an office at Harvard, his guests got a brief slice of living like the ultra rich and the money or sex they couldn't engineer for themselves. It's amazing how some people who seem to have everything still want more.

 

[briantrumpet]

I understand now. I see some whitewashing from both sides. Rape is rape.
This Democrat however, just stands up and says what it is.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WtA7XILcfc

That's a good balanced summary by Pakman.

 

[CXRAndy]

TACO, 700 agents being withdrawn from Minnesota.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g5nx130neo

Reason

Minnesota has began full cooperation with ICE federal authorities.

They will collect illegal immigrants directly from jail, instead if having to chase them in the streets.

Less officers required to do the cooperative action .

These officers will be re deployed to other areas

 

[Psamathe]

I think that's Epstein knowing which buttons to push to give him a hook into different individuals. It does seem to have been mutually beneficial scheming. ...

I'd have thought/hoped that people in such positions would have the capability to see when they were having their buttons pushed, when they were being manipulated.

People talk about how good a politician Mandleson was but such a "good politician" would immediately detect they are being manipulated. Same with Duke Andrew, as a UK Special Envoy he should have immediately recognised somebody was trying to manipulate him.

That/if they didn’t means they were not adequately capable people and the judgement of those appointing them to important roles was bad judgement.

 

[CXRAndy]

Fraud


View: https://x.com/i/status/2018855646695686202

 

[C R]

Ah... it's satire. D'oh.

I was left a little confused...

I thought the modest proposal description would have given a hint.

 

[briantrumpet]

I thought the modest proposal description would have given a hint.

Maybe not everyone is aware of the reference.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Modest_Proposal

 

[briantrumpet]

I'd have thought/hoped that people in such positions would have the capability to see when they were having their buttons pushed, when they were being manipulated.

People talk about how good a politician Mandleson was but such a "good politician" would immediately detect they are being manipulated. Same with Duke Andrew, as a UK Special Envoy he should have immediately recognised somebody was trying to manipulate him.

That/if they didn’t means they were not adequately capable people and the judgement of those appointing them to important roles was bad judgement.

I suspect that you underestimate how cleverly manipulative some people can be. They know how to push the buttons via flattery etc, knowing what sorts of things to use as incentives/lures.

(BTW, apologies for the pedantry, but it's 'Mandelson' - unless you're using your spelling for the same reason you use random accents on some people's names.)

 

[Psamathe]

BTW, apologies for the pedantry, but it's 'Mandelson' - unless you're using your spelling for the same reason you use random accents on some people's names.

No. I just can't spell (actually more widespread than just names).

 

[Rusty Nails]

I suspect that you underestimate how cleverly manipulative some people can be. They know how to push the buttons via flattery etc, knowing what sorts of things to use as incentives/lures.

(BTW, apologies for the pedantry, but it's 'Mandelson' - unless you're using your spelling for the same reason you use random accents on some people's names.)

Mandelson/Mandleson....Pedals/Peddles. This is an offshoot of a cycling forum so what do you expect?

 

[Pinno718]

Blackmail?
The 3m files not released (if anything about the one's that have are pretty dire), then there must be some pretty dark and horrific stuff in them:

 

[briantrumpet]

Ha. A shady AF Trump toady Bessent finds himself questioned by someone who really knows what he's talking about. If Bessent didn't shit himself while his voice quivered delivering non-answers, he's got better bowel control than me.

More like this please. Not grandstanding, just quiet demolition of a charlatan in a suit.

https://bsky.app/profile/ronfilipkowski.bsky.social/post/3me2pcc7das2j

 

[Pblakeney]

Blackmail?
The 3m files not released (if anything about the one's that have are pretty dire), then there must be some pretty dark and horrific stuff in them:

View attachment 12876

Definitely blackmail. you have to wonder about the videos though.
PS - How many times has Matthew Mellon been Googled in the past few days? Rather convenient that he was dead.

 

[Pinno718]

Ha. A shady AF Trump toady Bessent finds himself questioned by someone who really knows what he's talking about. If Bessent didn't shit himself while his voice quivered delivering non-answers, he's got better bowel control than me.

More like this please. Not grandstanding, just quiet demolition of a charlatan in a suit.

https://bsky.app/profile/ronfilipkowski.bsky.social/post/3me2pcc7das2j

[Forbes breaking news]

They often get grilled in congress and Noem, Krash Patel, Bondi et al squirm a lot but there isn't much consequence except that it's on record. Maybe one day...

 

[briantrumpet]

[Forbes breaking news]

They often get grilled in congress and Noem, Krash Patel, Bondi et al squirm a lot but there isn't much consequence except that it's on record. Maybe one day...

Indeed. These hearings mostly seem to be just theatre and point-scoring for media exposure, but getting stuff like this on record can't do any harm, even if it is pissing in the wind, while Schumer carries on having his belly tickled by Republicans in the Senate while trying to 'work across the aisle'.