Epstein and the Washington (TN) County School Board

   

I'm not big into conspiracy theories. I especially dismiss large-scale ones—such as the “moon landing,” “flat-earth,” “chem-trails” and a host of others—with Occam's Razor. The most likely explanation is the simplest one; the number of people and secrets required to, for example, fake the moon landing is mind-boggling. And impossible. Much more likely, we landed on the moon, just like I watched on TV in 1969.

But some conspiracy theories turn out to be real conspiracies. With some, like the Epstein files, there absolutely is a "there" there. It's bad, it was going on for years and the secrecy involved was off the charts. However, in a way, Occam’s Razor still applies. Too many people had to keep too many big, dark secrets for it to stay secret forever. Still, damage – and lots of it – was done. There's no question that powerful men, and some powerful women, have for years been keeping very dark secrets.

The Epstein files did two things. First, they blew up any logical reasoning that this was nothing more than a conspiracy; the massive amount of evidence, and the ongoing cover-up, proves that. But was this a one-off, an anomaly? Yes, it’s bad, real bad, but how societally ingrained is this behavior? We don’t know the extent just yet, but if we listen to women, it’s not isolated, rare or limited to just one group of the wealthy and powerful. How do we know?

Look no further than Washington County, Tennessee.

On April 2nd, a school board member named Keith Ervin was caught on video leaning into a female high school board member, grabbing her by her opposite shoulder to pull her into him for a “side hug” and said, “God, you're hot. You know that? Hey, where do you go to school at?” The rest of the board either chuckled uneasily or just sat there. It was not subtle. This YouTube link begins at one hour and 16 minutes into the two-hour meeting – it shows the incident that has created so much backlash for Ervin and the board.

Ervin’s defense is as much predictable as it is pathetic. He claimed “hot” simply meant she was “on a roll” with her presentation. He also threw in the tried and untrue refrain that the clip (which has gone viral) is taken out of context, that we must watch the whole two-hour meeting to understand. So I did.

And the context is actually much worse.

For the entire meeting, he wasn't paying attention to a student's performance; he was paying inordinate attention to a high school girl. He was looking at her more than anyone else. He was sitting between her and another board member, but noticeably closer to her. He touched her many times before taking his bold “next step.” And now he’s betting that no one will watch it all, that we will just accept his lame-fuck excuse. And he’s banking on this all fading away before August when he’s up for reelection to a seat he’s held for 20 years.

Many have said, as I or any rational human would: If this was a teenage boy – or any male for that matter - would Ervin have pulled him into a physical embrace and whispered, “God, you're hot, where do you go to school?” If the answer is yes, that he would do that with a boy, well, that is a problem too. He wasn’t giving this girl a “you-go, girl!” he was taking liberties in a post-Epstein world that appears to be, for some, normalized.

So, how did the institution respond? First, they didn’t until there was widespread condemnation. But, after that, in emergency session, they voted to "censure" him. A formal slap on the wrist. They claimed their hands were tied by state law, which is just another way of saying the system is explicitly designed to protect the incumbent power structure. He keeps his seat. And, predictably, this wasn't even his first offense; he was censured for a lewd classroom gesture back in 2009.

Women and girls (and some boys, too) have known about this systemic cloaking for a long time. These are not isolated anomalies. The Epstein files revealed not only how the rich and powerful have been doing what they want with impunity for a long time, the files have also unearthed the truth so many victims have been trying to tell us for a long time. There is a “secret society,” but it is not as hidden as you think. You buy their products; you see them on ballot after ballot. And the system is cooked to let them get away either Scott-free or with just a slap on the wrist. The Epstein files have given us the information we need to set things straight, but first it has uncovered something dark that lurks in the hearts of too many men. They have become emboldened to reveal who they are. In a school board meeting. Recorded, for all to see.

 

Riddle Me This:

Why are so many of you so deferential to law enforcement?

Okay, some context is necessary. Let's go...

First, this does not apply to my "normie" friends - real or Fakebook pseudo. Many of you have had no real interaction beyond a traffic ticket and probably believe that they have the most dangerous job there is, and that all the protections, privileges and policies they enjoy (and only they enjoy) are justified. Until those perks come home to roost on your neck, they paint a pretty compelling picture. For you I'd suggest this: lots of jobs are dangerous and many are statistically more dangerous than being a cop. One of them is being a member of our military in combat. So is a highway worker. However, I'll grant that it is not likely I'll sway you, so I'll leave you with this: They don't close down major interstates for a parade when anyone else dies - in the line of duty or not. Only cops. Ever wonder why...

But there is another major group of both real and virtual friends here, and that group typically has extensive experience with law enforcement. And, no, I am not talking about "bikers," although the same thinking can apply. I am speaking specifically about those of you in the recovery community. The vast majority of you have extensive, often negative experience with law enforcement. I know I have, and I heard literally thousands of your stories. So, why have so many of you suddenly become champions of the thin blue line? Maybe you've been sober (or clean) so long that you forgot. Or, maybe you thought you "had it coming." Y'all seem to think that about many others now.

For some, I'd jump on that bandwagon save this: I AM all about the rule of law and part of those rules are due process. So, while becoming aware of some particularly evil individual getting some well-deserved justice, when that comes at the hands of cops through excessive force under color of law, I am not going to sign onto it. That brings up one of many problems. The so-called "good cops" and their silence about bad cops. I tacitly agree that most cops get into the job for the right reason (not ICE, but I'll get to them shortly) and only a few are the ones who crave the power of the badge and a gun. But if a good cop turns a blind eye to a bad cop, is (s)he still good?

But let's get back to the recovery community and our experience. I know the vast majority of you have seen or been subjected to unconstitutional actions under the color of law. It's not even up for debate, if you've been to jail or prison, you know about it just like "good cops" do. But now that you, personally, are no longer subject to their abuses, you're all part of the "back the blue" club. Weird, but okay. Maybe you figure that what happen to you was due to your own (stupid) actions and had you been behaving yourself, it never would have happened. I am with you on that. I was waving huge red flags in front of my life, basically daring them to come get me. Had I not, I never would have been subject to the good cops OR the bad ones. Here's the rub: That does not excuse the bad ones or the system set up to protect them.

I AM all about the rule of law - for everyone. And seeing police academy rejects (and worse) put on a pseudo-cop uniform wearing a face mask (for their own protection, right?), and violate the 1st, 4th, 5th, 14th and now 2nd Amendments with impunity has to stop. And for you who are so self-centered that, because you're safe, it's okay, know this - they'll be coming after you eventually. Lastly, for those who seem to believe that Constitutional protections are only for citizens, you are absolutely wrong. The Constitution is clear as are several high court rulings. If due process and other Constitutionally enumerated rights can be denied pending proof of citizenship, then once detained, it would be impossible to prove without due process. No phone call, no lawyer, no probable cause, no speedy trial - maybe no trial at all.

Is that what y'all voted for? Because that and a whole shitload more is what you got. But at least eggs are cheaper.

Trouble

Here's an interesting irony, and it's not new. Among the people who know me - even if it's just from Fakebook - I have a certain ethos. And, because of that, some label me with certain attributes that are based on my education, my critical thought processes and my insistence on looking at all sides of an issue before drawing any conclusions. And even then, those conclusions are always subject to revision. I have no problem being "wrong," I have a huge problem with perpetuating lies, misinformation and blind loyalty to an ideology - any ideology. In fact, because of this, my opinion on many and diverse issues is often sought. I don't always have clear answers, but I always have the desire (and ability) to seek the truth. Critical thinking is, in fact, the core of what I taught for many years at Sacramento State. And, when it comes to issues that are not intractably polarized, my opinions are typically respected - which is not the same as adopted or agreed with. I do not "insist" that anyone agree with me. But I would hope that evidence-based truth is accepted.

However, when it comes to highly polarized issues, issues that are controversial or contentious or, sadly, combative, I, all of a sudden, am an uneducated "libtard," have not "done the research," have been "conned" by the "liberal media," and, when it comes to those who really do not know me, I am part of the "indoctrination of our youth." I have addressed each of these accusations on several occasions, I will not rehash them now. Suffice it to say that those who say and believe such things are revealing their own ignorance, lack of critical thinking (and, often, education), or, too often, is a result of their indoctrination and blind loyalty to an ideology. And, it is an ideology applied without consistency and one most cannot even articulate.

So, when it comes to some things, I am as I have been called, "the smartest person I know." While flattering, that sentiment packs much into it that I am uncomfortable with; I do not see myself as any "smarter" than anyone else. I have different education and experience (and much of that experience is decidedly not "smart"). Be that as it may, when it is an issue that you have already made up your mind about, I'm an idiot. And the funny thing is that, for the most part, I am not going to your "house" telling you you're wrong. And I almost never resort to calling anyone "stupid." Yet you'll come here (whichever virtual platform this is appearing on) and "educate" me, as though a bachelors degree and two masters degrees (one of which was just a dissertation short of a PhD - all of which require extensive research skills and are centered on communication, rhetoric and CRITICAL THINKING) somehow missed what you and your "research" have to share.

There is a reason why I stopped engaging in what has become political discussion here. It is because it is no longer political discussion. It used to be about solutions, about equality, about democracy. And don't even start; my bachelors degree was a dual major - political science and journalism - you trying to correct me by proclaiming, "No! we're a republic," only reveals your ignorance. And these discussions never, ever used to accuse the other side of "un-Americanism." All sides used to hold our Constitution as sacred. No more.

If you know me - really know me - then you are aware of how I approach sometimes difficult issues. Some of you have even come to me asking what I thought about some things because of my education, my insight, my research skills or my reputation as an educator. But on too many issues, you don't want to know the truth, you don't care about the Constitution's protections for those you deem unworthy, despite what the Constitution itself says. Y'all know what I think about all that's going on. You won't change my mind with your so-called "evidence," unless that evidence puts Alex Pretti's gun in his hand; unless that evidence shows that a gang of paramilitary wannabe cops (because real cops abide by the Bill of Rights) did not pump several shots into his body as he was laying on the ground unarmed; unless your evidence can show he was doing anything other than helping someone else and photographing it; unless your evidence can convince my eyes they did not see what they saw.

We, these United States of America, are in real trouble. Too many of you don't care. You will when they come after you, but by then, it will be too late. This nation has been called the greatest experiment in self-government ever. At just shy of 250 years old, the experiment might be failing. It will take "the people," all of us, to reassert our place in government. They work for us, we are their constituents, not their subjects.