The
alleged use of sexual blackmail by spy agencies is hardly unique to the
case of Jeffrey Epstein. Although the agencies involved as well as
their alleged motivations and methods differ with each case, the crime
of child trafficking with ties to intelligence agencies or those
protected by them has been around for decades.
Some
cases include the 1950s -1970s Kincora scandal and the 1981 Peter
Hayman affair, both in the U.K.; and the Finders’ cult and the Franklin
scandal in the U.S. in the late 1980s. Just as these cases did not end
in convictions, the pedophile and accused child-trafficker Jeffrey
Epstein remained at arms’ length for years.
“For
almost two decades, for some nebulous reason, whether to do with ties
to foreign intelligence, his billions of dollars, or his social
connections, Epstein, whose alleged sexual sickness and horrific
assaults on women without means or ability to protect themselves…
remained untouchable,” journalist Vicky Ward wrote in The Daily Beast in July.
The protection of sex traffickers by intelligence agencies is especially interesting in the wake of Epstein’s death. Like others, Epstein had long been purported to have links with spy agencies. Such allegations documented by Whitney Webb in her multi-part series were recently published in Mintpress News.
Webb
states that Epstein was the current face of an extensive system of
abuse with ties to both organized crime and intelligence interests. She
told CNLive! that: “According to Nigel Rosser, a British journalist who wrote in the Evening Standard in 2001, Epstein apparently for much of the 1990s claimed that he used to work for the CIA.”
Vicky Ward, who wrote on Epstein for Vanity Fair before his first arrest, and claimed
the magazine killed one of her pieces after Epstein intervened with
editor Graydon Carter, said in a Tweet that one of Epstein’s clients was
Adnan Khashoggi, an arms dealer
who was pivotal in the Iran Contra scandal and was on the Mossad (the
Israeli intelligence agency) payroll. This was also noted in a book “By
Way of Deception” by former Mossad agent Victor Ostrovsky.
The Times of Israel
reported that Epstein was an “active business partner with former prime
minister Ehud Barak” until 2015, adding: “Barak formed a limited
partnership company in Israel in 2015, called Sum (E.B.) to invest in a
high-tech startup…. A large part of the money used by Sum to buy the
start-up stock was supplied by Epstein.”
Webb
wrote he “was a long-time friend of Barak, who has long-standing and
deep ties to Israel’s intelligence community.” On the board of their
company sat Pinchas Bukhris, a former commander of the IDF cyber unit 8200.
Epstein’s
allegedly protected status was revealed by Alexander Acosta, the former
U.S. attorney in Miami who gave Epstein an infamously lenient plea deal
in 2007. Acosta, who was forced to resign as President Donald Trump’s
labor secretary because of that deal, reportedly said of the case: “I was told Epstein ‘belonged to intelligence’ and to leave it alone.”
Here are some Tweets.
- It’s quite obvious that #princeandrew believes that all this ‘bloody fuss’ by the peasants about #JeffreyEpstein will simply go away if he acts arrogant white male enough
Will he be brought down? Most likely, no. But hell, let’s make this waste of space SQUIRM - @EmmanuelMacron Mr Macron, French authorities have opened an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein child s*x-tr*fficking but why only for girls 15 years old or older? Reports allege some French girls were only 8 years old. It already sounds like a cover-up. #Epstein #France
- Jeffrey Epstein, my very, very sick pal https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2019/08/jeffrey-epstein-my-very-very-sick-pal/ … via @MotherJones
New topic. The Democratic Party's presidential nomination comes down, for me, to Senator Bernie Sanders or Senator Elizabeth Warren. Here are some Tweets from Elizabeth:
Pinned Tweet
The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Our policies are tearing families apart and devastating communities—and they aren't making us safer. I've got a plan to completely reform the criminal justice system from front to back.
It's going to take big ideas and bold, structural changes to achieve the goals of the #GreenNewDeal. Climate change is an existential threat to all of us—and we need to act now.
Every American deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to live—in Iowa and across the country. It's going to take big, structural change to tackle this crisis, and I've got a plan for that: http://ewar.ren/Housing
My plan for immigration reform will end unnecessary detention—but I’ll also enforce strict standards for medical care for anyone in our custody. The government has a basic responsibility to keep the people in its care safe and healthy.
At least three children held in U.S. custody have already died of the flu. This is cruel and inhumane—and it will lead to more preventable deaths.
Climate change is an existential crisis that threatens all of us—and we need to take bold action now to stop it before it's too late. That's why we need to have a #ClimateDebate.
Donald Trump has no strategy or plan. His reckless actions drove his own companies into bankruptcy—now they threaten the global economy and increase the risk of a recession that will hit working families hardest.
I believe down to my bones that we can make our government work for the people. It’s the fight of our lives—but I’m not afraid, because we’re in it together.
There was a lot of energy at our town hall in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Day by day, community by community, we’re building a movement together.
Elizabeth Warren Retweeted
Right on, @ewarren. I’m with you for @BCGEU_UAW fighting for their union and their contract. They are workers too! These grads and their counterparts at colleges and universities across the country create real value. They deserve a fair return for their hard work. #1u
“Student loan debt.”
That’s an answer I get a lot when I’m talking to voters about why they’re in this fight with me. If we turn my plan to cancel student debt and make public college free into action, we can free an entire generation of Americans.
The #AmazonRainforest is still burning, with thousands of acres of wildlife in flames. World leaders must come together to end this crisis—and President Bolsonaro must step up and take responsibility for these fires and their consequences.
We have a moral responsibility to protect our planet. My Green Manufacturing Plan invests $2 trillion over the next ten years in green research, manufacturing, and exporting. It will link American innovation directly to American jobs, and help us reach a #GreenNewDeal.
Every single day of this campaign matters. As Democrats, we have to be willing to get out there and fight for our country. No more defense—we need to play offense and be the party of big, structural change.
Closing with C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"
Friday, August 23, 2019. The US confirms that the Israeli government
has bombed Iraq, Bernie Sanders presents a plan for workers, and much
more.
The Israeli government has once again bombed Iraq. Monday, they bombed Balad Air Base where the Iraqi militia (Popular Mobilization Forces -- Shi'ite forces linked to Iran) have stored weapons. The Iraqi militias -- linked to Iran or not -- are part of the Iraqi government forces. The previous prime minister, Hayder al-Abadi, oversaw that incorporation. This was at least the fourth bombing the government of Israel has carried out on Iraq..
Israeli media first began reporting about this at the end of June. Dropping back to the July 30th Iraq snapshot:
How is this not an act of war?
Israel has expanded its operations against Iranian targets to Iraq, where Air Force jets have struck twice in ten days, a report said Tuesday morning.
Israel commonly conducts strikes in Syrian territory, targeting Iranian missile shipments meant for Lebanese terror group Hezbollah to use against the Jewish state, but strikes in Iraq by Israel have not been reported since the 1981 bombing of a nuclear reactor.
That's from Michael Bachner's report for THE TIMES OF ISRAEL.
Repeating: How is this not an act of war?
What if it was the US that was bombed?
Let's use Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an example because on his visit to the US he had his goons attack peaceful protesters -- and by the way, Barack Obama was president and refused to condemn that publicly. But Recep decides peaceful protesters are terrorists so he decides to send Turkish war planes over Baltimore to bomb the city.
We would rightly see that as an act of war.
How is this any different?
It's not any different. And now Lolita Baldor and Josef Federman (ASSOCIATED PRESS) report, "Israel was responsible for the bombing of an Iranian weapons depot in Iraq l[a]st month, U.S. officials have confirmed, an attack that would mark a significant escalation in Israel's years-long campaign against Iranian military entrenchment across the region." AL JAZEERA adds:
Earlier this week, the deputy head of the Iraqi Shia militias, known collectively as the Popular Mobilization Forces, openly accused Israeli drones of carrying out the attacks, but ultimately blamed Washington and threatened strong retaliation for any future attack.
Such attacks are potentially destabilising for Iraq and its fragile government, which has struggled to remain neutral amid growing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Al Jazeera's Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Baghdad during the latest round of air raids, said Iranian-backed armed groups have been operating in Iraq with the full support of the government since 2014, when they joined the fight against ISIL.
"A new law that came into effect on July 31 requires all paramilitary groups to report to the Iraqi security forces, or put down their weapons," Ghoneim reported.
Alissa J. Rubin and Ronnie Bergen (NEW YORK TIMES) explain:
As the US has confirmed what was already out there, many are now issuing statements -- including former prime minister and forever thug Nouri al-Maliki.
The Israeli government has once again bombed Iraq. Monday, they bombed Balad Air Base where the Iraqi militia (Popular Mobilization Forces -- Shi'ite forces linked to Iran) have stored weapons. The Iraqi militias -- linked to Iran or not -- are part of the Iraqi government forces. The previous prime minister, Hayder al-Abadi, oversaw that incorporation. This was at least the fourth bombing the government of Israel has carried out on Iraq..
Israeli media first began reporting about this at the end of June. Dropping back to the July 30th Iraq snapshot:
How is this not an act of war?
Israel has expanded its operations against Iranian targets to Iraq, where Air Force jets have struck twice in ten days, a report said Tuesday morning.
Israel commonly conducts strikes in Syrian territory, targeting Iranian missile shipments meant for Lebanese terror group Hezbollah to use against the Jewish state, but strikes in Iraq by Israel have not been reported since the 1981 bombing of a nuclear reactor.
That's from Michael Bachner's report for THE TIMES OF ISRAEL.
Repeating: How is this not an act of war?
What if it was the US that was bombed?
Let's use Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an example because on his visit to the US he had his goons attack peaceful protesters -- and by the way, Barack Obama was president and refused to condemn that publicly. But Recep decides peaceful protesters are terrorists so he decides to send Turkish war planes over Baltimore to bomb the city.
We would rightly see that as an act of war.
How is this any different?
It's not any different. And now Lolita Baldor and Josef Federman (ASSOCIATED PRESS) report, "Israel was responsible for the bombing of an Iranian weapons depot in Iraq l[a]st month, U.S. officials have confirmed, an attack that would mark a significant escalation in Israel's years-long campaign against Iranian military entrenchment across the region." AL JAZEERA adds:
Earlier this week, the deputy head of the Iraqi Shia militias, known collectively as the Popular Mobilization Forces, openly accused Israeli drones of carrying out the attacks, but ultimately blamed Washington and threatened strong retaliation for any future attack.
Such attacks are potentially destabilising for Iraq and its fragile government, which has struggled to remain neutral amid growing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Al Jazeera's Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Baghdad during the latest round of air raids, said Iranian-backed armed groups have been operating in Iraq with the full support of the government since 2014, when they joined the fight against ISIL.
"A new law that came into effect on July 31 requires all paramilitary groups to report to the Iraqi security forces, or put down their weapons," Ghoneim reported.
Alissa J. Rubin and Ronnie Bergen (NEW YORK TIMES) explain:
The Israeli move also holds potential
hazards for the United States, whose troops remain in Iraq in the fight
against the Islamic State. Because the United States is a close Israeli
ally, Iraqis are quick to blame it for allowing the Israelis to carry
out attacks in Iraq.
A senior American
official said that Israel was pushing the limits with the strikes in
Iraq. Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss delicate diplomatic
matters, the official said the airstrikes could get the United States
military removed from Iraq.
As the US has confirmed what was already out there, many are now issuing statements -- including former prime minister and forever thug Nouri al-Maliki.
Senior US officials told @nytimes that Israel has carried out “several strikes in recent days”,the most recent of which took place on Monday,north of Baghdad.
Former Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki is warned of a"strong response" if it is proven that Israel was behind recent airstrikes.
Former Iraq PM warns of 'strong response' if Israel proven responsible for strikes: Nouri al-Maliki's comments come hours after U.S. officials confirm to NYT that Israel was responsible for bombing of Iranian weapons depot in Iraq last month dlvr.it/RBlG0Y Haaretz
Nouri was prime minister from 2006 to 2010. AP notes:
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is
warning of a “strong response” if it is proven that Israel was behind
recent airstrikes in Iraq.
In statements issued
by his office on Friday, he also said that if Israel continues to target
Iraq, the country “will transform into a battle arena that drags in
multiple countries, including Iran.”
Nuri al-Maliki: with the help of Iran, #Iraq will strongly respond if Israel is behind attacks on Hashd al-Shaabi HQs.
These attacks that the Israeli government has carried out are acts of
war. The militias -- linked to Iran or not -- are part of the Iraqi
forces. Attacking them is attacking Iraq. These are acts of war and
the Israeli government should be called out for their actions.
You can be sure that Nouri and others will begin to call out the current
prime minister for the attacks and his lack of response to them. Adil
Abdul-Mahdi is already facing criticism for his inability to improve the
lives of the Iraqi people or to end corruption -- he promised to end
corruption. RUDAW reports:
Iraqi parliament’s Sayirun alliance, headed by influential Shiite
cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, has upped its criticism of Prime Minister Adil
Abdul-Mahdi for what it says is his failure to live up to the promises
of improved services to Iraqis that it made upon appointment.
Frequent powercuts and an unclean, infrequent water supply have been a source of perennial discontent among Iraqis nationwide. Abdul-Mahdi has signed a series of redevelopment projects with multinational companies to repair the country’s electricity grid and sanitation system that have been ailing for decades, but Sayirun members say efforts have been to little avail.
“After a year of Abdul-Mahdi being in office, now is the time to look again at the government manifesto and work on it diligently,” Abbas Ileiwi, member of the Sayirun alliance, which is the Sadr-dominated bloc in Iraqi parliament, told Rudaw on Sunday.
Abdul-Mahdi’s administration has come up short in meeting the needs of the Iraqi people “who lack the simplest of the essential services,” added Ileiwi.
Frequent powercuts and an unclean, infrequent water supply have been a source of perennial discontent among Iraqis nationwide. Abdul-Mahdi has signed a series of redevelopment projects with multinational companies to repair the country’s electricity grid and sanitation system that have been ailing for decades, but Sayirun members say efforts have been to little avail.
“After a year of Abdul-Mahdi being in office, now is the time to look again at the government manifesto and work on it diligently,” Abbas Ileiwi, member of the Sayirun alliance, which is the Sadr-dominated bloc in Iraqi parliament, told Rudaw on Sunday.
Abdul-Mahdi’s administration has come up short in meeting the needs of the Iraqi people “who lack the simplest of the essential services,” added Ileiwi.
We'll note this Tweet.
New on MoA:
U.S. Says Israel Bombed Iraq
moonofalabama.org/2019/08/us-say…
Golly gee, we were covering this story on July 30th. What was MOON OF ALABAMA doing?
Hmm.
Oh, that's right. Showing up two days later to insist that "No, Israel Did Not Attack Iranian Targets in Iraq."
Well welcome to the party, MOON OF ALABAMA. Foods all gone but the
bar's still open so have a drink or two while you try to catch up to
reality.
In the US, the race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination continues. Barry Eidlin (JACOBIN) notes:
Just as he did with Medicare for All, Sanders’s WDP will now set the terms of the debate around workers’ rights in the Democratic presidential primary. Whether they support or oppose the WDP, all the other candidates will have to respond to it.
The plan is a comprehensive effort to reorient labor policy around the idea that these policies exist to actively promote workers’ rights, as opposed to setting up the state as an ostensibly “neutral” arbiter to balance labor and management’s competing interests. It recognizes and seeks to redress the inherent power imbalance between workers and their employers, an imbalance that derives from the simple fact that an individual worker’s need to stay employed is greater than an employer’s need to keep that worker employed.
That’s also why it restricts employers’ ability to force workers to attend anti-union meetings, requires employers to disclose when they use anti-union consultants, and guarantees union organizers equal time in the workplace to talk with workers. Once workers have unionized, it also requires employers to negotiate a first contract or face binding arbitration. Additionally, it extends union rights to all public sector workers, and finally removes the arbitrary and racist exclusion of agricultural and domestic workers from labor law protections.
The WDP recognizes that workers’ rights can only be exercised and enforced collectively. Too often, employers and courts have used a warped interpretation of individual rights to undermine workers’ collective rights. Nowhere is this more apparent than with “right-to-work” laws, which use the pretext of protecting individual workers’ right not to join a union to erode union solidarity. They do so by allowing individuals in unionized workplaces to avoid paying the costs associated with negotiating and enforcing the contracts from which they benefit. The WDP would close that loophole by banning right-to-work laws.
The WDP also promotes workers’ ability to exercise their collective rights by enforcing and expanding the right to strike. Sanders recognizes that this is “a worker’s line of defense.” It’s “the means that you have to tell your employer, ‘Hey, we’re serious.’” To that end, it bans employers from using permanent replacements (“scabs”) when workers go on strike, expands the right to strike to public-sector workers, and allows for “secondary boycotts,” where workers pressure their employer by taking action against economically linked companies.
The following sites updated:
BH90210
5 hours ago
FACEBOOK is evil
6 hours ago
Trouble brewing?
6 hours ago
Some Tweets from the Green Party
6 hours ago
Featured Panelists: August 23, 2019
18 hours ago
Thursday Reads
19 hours ago
