TW: Mentions of CSA > “We’ve already established what you are, now we’re just haggling over the price.” – Multiple Claims I had an acquaintance who, some years later, was convicted of sexually abusing minors. He was forced out of his job when the _accusations_ became public. ( 1 ) Donald J. Trump, who is mentioned _frequently_ in the Epstein files, as well as having his own sexual assault conviction, instead was a speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast last week. Nobody rescinded that invitation. Nobody turned their back. Nobody got up and walked away. > “There are plenty of laws to protect guys’ money even in war time but there’s nothing on the books says a man’s life’s his own.” – Dalton Trumbo, Johnny Got His Gun I want to really emphasize this: I do not just mean those who have lied, delayed, badly redacted, or taken other actions to shield rapists. I am not just talking about those who are doing their best to hide evidence, victim-blame, and normalize billionaires raping children; their apologies and shielding of rapists makes them morally, if not legally, implicated. I am also talking about those who simply pretend it is not happening. Those who have turned the missing stair into an entire staircase. Who do the _opposite_ of deplatforming those accused. Those who give someone mentioned 38,000 times alongside horrors in the Epstein files a **microphone at a prayer event.** See also In America, "Religious Freedom" Is A Theocratic Dogwhistle And also those who stayed and listened. > “He found my price, Wonder Man. Everybody has one. I just pray you never have to learn yours.” -Barnaby, _Wonder Man_ We are learning where a lot of people’s prices are, in public, in real time. It is not just the children who were already abused. They are seeing there are no consequences for past actions. And there will not be consequences for _future_ actions. They are offering up _your_ children for their personal gain. For their “team”. For political power. For a profit margin. Those who committed the crimes. Those who actively protected them. > “Selling out is usually more a matter of buying in. Sell out, and you’re really buying into someone else’s system of values, rules and rewards.” – Bill Watterson The world isn’t fair. I don’t think the world naturally moves toward justice or fairness in some kind of delayed balancing act. But that is very, **very** different than saying it _should_ be fairer and more just. That is very, **very** different than saying it _can_ be fairer and more just. Even if it involves political figures, tech CEOs, and billionaires. Because justice and fairness starts with not treating any of them any differently. That the way they are treated and investigated does not change because they have money, or are your favorite musician, or a star player. Or if they are someone you know. See also How To Not Create A Safe, Welcoming Environment At Dayton Metro Libraries They must all be treated — legally _and_ socially — the same way as anyone else. Otherwise, we’re just haggling over the price. * * * ( 1 ) I had no idea or information to make me suspect anything prior to the accusations. I don’t know any details about the case than the rest of the public. As usual, my artistic license applies.