Why do so many pretend what is politically expedient is the truth and most logical course of action? It’s a constant in politics, but still the thing I hate most about politics.
It took little time for Democrats to publicly ask Senator Robert Menendez to resign after being charged with corruption and bribery. The story just broke, but they didn’t wait for more details or wax on about justice or say anything of being innocent until proven guilty. Menendez is up for re-election and they don’t want to lose the seat next year, so he needs to go.
Corruption, cars and gold bars: Bob Menendez’s charges explained (yahoo.com)
Last week, Menendez and his wife Nadine were charged with three alleged crimes. The charges stem from an indictment that alleges they accepted bribes in exchange for using his political influence to benefit three businessmen, who were also charged.
In a search of the Menendez home, investigators found nearly half a million dollars in cash and gold bars.
Menendez also allegedly provided sensitive information that aided the government of Egypt.
Many politicians are now calling for Menendez’s resignation.
Why not ask the president to resign for far more serious crimes (no-corruption-to-see-here)? He too is running for re-election, but there is no heir apparent just yet, so the media insists we deny the obvious (until the political reality forces the truth out). President Biden is unable to do the job to start with and his policies are unpopular (his approval ratings are lower even than the perpetually maligned Trump). Oh, that’s right, President Biden hasn’t done anything wrong, and he is as active as many half his age. Silly me.
The double standards are so stark when you consider political affiliation and compare the treatment received from both sides of the fence. When leaning in one direction, the state approved direction, do as you feel. When shifting to the other direction, you better watch out.
Setting the Standard: Do not Switch Loyalties
When Donald Trump was a New York Liberal, dozens of (liberal) celebrities’ appeared on his TV show, The Apprentice. https://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-the-apprentice-cast-list-for-the-show-the-apprentice/reference. There was even a Celebrity Apprentice show. The liberals considered him a paragon for the dozen or so years the show aired on NBC. Trump was also good buddies with MSNBC liberal talk show hosts, Morning Joe and Mika even at the start of the 2016 campaign. It is no longer good business for them to be associated with him.
Trump’s improprieties were ignored until he came down the escalator in 2015. Then, they suddenly came to the forefront.
On the other hand, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, two of the most notorious sexual predators of our time, hob-knobbed with Democrat presidents and ex-presidents. Their egregious behaviors were covered up because they never switched loyalties and aligned with the Right. Democrat Al Sharpton who still has his own show on MSNBC, came to prominence promoting a race/rape hoax (Tawanna Brawley); he later instigated a race riot https://www.mrctv.org/blog/happy-anniversary-rev-al-20-years-shapton-incited-firebombing-freddys-fashion-mart. Criticize him and you might be a racist, so this moron has remained on TV. It is disgusting. The egregious actions of these men are treated like minor peccadillos. Your group identity, not your individual one, matters.
MRS. OBAMA: I want to start by thanking Harvey Weinstein for organizing this amazing day. (Applause.) Harvey. This is possible because of Harvey. He is a wonderful human being, a good friend and just a powerhouse. And the fact that he and his team took the time to make this happen for all of you should say something not about me or about this place, but about you. Everybody — we are here because of you.
Whoopi Goldberg, Naomie Harris, Ryan Coogler, David Frankel, Blake Lively — all of us are here because of you. And of course, my dear friend Gayle King is here. We are here because of you. So let’s welcome everybody here. (Applause.)
Ronan Farrow, who finally exposed Weinstein, had publisher after publisher refuse to print his story until the New Yorker finally did. Hollywood celebrities made jokes of Weinstein’s lifestyle during the Oscars but nobody wanted to testify against him. The problems were legion, but the political connections mattered more.
Jeffrey Epstein also lived a charmed life almost his entire life. Epstein was arrested in 2005 and served a relatively light sentence (given the enormity of his crimes) https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/jeffrey-epstein-island-ghislaine-maxwell-b2111535.html. He returned to his upscale sexual peddling of minors for 14 more years after finally being arrested (and executed in prison?) in 2019. Flight logs show Bill Clinton flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s “Lolita Express” 26 times. Lolita was Russian author Vladimir Nabokov’s story of a sexually abused 12 year old girl. How could Epstein so blithely flaunt his lifestyle and challenge us all to notice? It is a national disgrace that Epstein was into his 60s when justice caught up with him. It is another national disgrace justice has still eluded his clients.
Trump’s affiliation with Republicans led to the charges against him, real or otherwise. He was deemed the model businessman by the same accusers ten years ago. In 2018, the New York Attorney General was elected on the promise to “get Trump”. The Trump smear campaign has been effective. How many individuals could withstand the unprecedented, unrelenting, and mostly unfair attacks of so many in government and media? Now, in 2023, even Trump’s lawyers, like Jenna Ellis (pictured above), are being charged in the Georgia RICO case. Ponder this frightening thought: his lawyer is charged simply for representing him. Was Al Capone’s lawyer charged for defending him?
There is even an organization, the 65 Project, dedicated to disbarring lawyers who defended Trump regarding the 2020 election https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/03/legal-group-disbar-lawyers-who-helped-trump. If (with the support of government and the one channel media), such organizations can deny representation to President Trump, how easily can they deny folks like you and me when we espouse views they don’t like? This is a political game changer (but that is the point, after all). Can anyone get a fair trial when the justice system attacks defense lawyers for doing their jobs? Do you see any imbalance yet in the manner justice is being meted out?
Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas before him were drug through the mud on the filmiest of sexual allegations while the egregious sexual predations of Epstein and Weinstein were for years open secrets in Hollywood. Epstein’s and Weinstein’s affiliation with Democrats enabled their readily apparent deviant lifestyles for far too long.
The media is the real problem. It isn’t the Obamas, the Clintons and the rest who actually protected these individuals; it is the media’s lack of curiosity, their unwillingness to to expose them to public scrutiny. The public will turn against such disgusting behavior–but only if they know of it.
Russell Brand: The Latest Iteration
Twenty years ago, Bill Cosby became a social critic of black culture. That was all it took to have his past resurrected by those who didn’t like his alignment with conservative values Bill Cosby’s Famous “Pound Cake” Speech, Annotated (buzzfeednews.com). Cosby was eventually convicted for his crimes (drugging and raping women). The evidence against him was indeed overwhelming, but what is remarkable is that his behavior was ignored until he aligned with conservative values.
It is not what you do, it’s what values you stand for while doing the thing. Stand for the Left and we ignore your worst sins. Disagree with the Left and the media will no longer ignore your problems.
Russell Brand may be the Bill Cosby of today. His female accusers have just come forward, so we cannot say yet whether he is actually guilty, yet political liberals are attacking him as quickly as they attacked Democrat Senator Menendez. Brand is no politician; he is a comedian who has been politically active for years, but now speaks from a more conservative viewpoint on topics such as COVID policy and family values. He remains with the liberals on some political issues, but he speaks liberal heterodoxy at times. This is his great sin.
Brand’s promiscuity was tolerated while of the Left, but once he became a defender of marriage and family values and a critic of COVID policy and vaccines, he needed to be defenestrated and his past behavior (while a Leftist) brought to the forefront.
Brand is facing sexual assault allegations after four women accused him of controlling, abusive and predatory behavior between 2006 and 2013, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.
Between 2006 and 2013, Brand was aligned with Britain’s Labour Party, and we heard nothing of these problems. Recently, Brand spoke of his openly promiscuous relationships with women. There may be something to these charges given his prior lifestyle, although it is not yet clear if they are criminal.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russell-brand-allegations-timeline-123847266.html
“These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time when I was in the movies, and as I’ve written about extensively in my books I was very, very promiscuous.
“Now during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely, always consensual.”
Brand was married in 2017 and now has two children. His views on family and marriage have changed dramatically. In addition, he has became noticed by the Right for his outspoken criticism of COVID policy, big pharma, vaccines, etc. He is obviously not the same man he was between 2006 and 2013, the dates of these allegations.
I call for more deliberation, but not because Brand’s views are now more aligned with my own, but because he needs an opportunity to defend himself. However, the misalignment of Brand’s and the liberals’ views appear to be the real reason he is accused more than ten years after these events. There is a rush to crucify him because of the views he now holds.
Normally, someone comes forward with an accusation and then the media reports it. In this instance, the media, his former employers specifically, initiated an investigation. That methodology, in itself, makes the charges a bit suspect. Ask enough women, and ask the questions in the right way, you will eventually get the answer you are looking for. Furthermore, some of the women accusers were portrayed by actresses in the media videos released. Just a bit odd. Were these media outlets interested in investigating Brand back at a time when events were unfolding? We hear about an investigation years later and only after Brand’s views have evolved and embarrassed his former political allies. I don’t know the motivation, but these events fit the M.O. we’ve seen in the past.
Brand may indeed be guilty of crimes, but nothing is proven yet. We need time to sort it out. The problem is he is clearly being targeted because of his partial alignment with conservative views.
Brand’s view of recent events: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/09/23/russell_brand_legacy_media_colluding_with_big_tech_to_shut_down_independent_media_organizations.html
Social Media Insanity
Less than a week after accusations were leveled, You Tube de-monetized Brand. An allegation in the newspaper a couple days ago is enough to go after your ability to make a living and eventually defend yourself? How about we de-monetize or de-platform President Biden? He has had rape charges, along with a host of other charges, leveled against him over a far longer period. The standard must be equally applied to those of all political views or the standard is crap. In other words, the YouTube standard is crap.
A chairwoman in the UK Parliament called for more censorship by pressuring social media. There is no presumption of innocence here–and worse, these comments are from an elected representative. Again, it fits the liberal M.O. Senator Menendez was quickly thrown overboard in a similar fashion because he is a political liability to Democrats. Likewise, there is political value in labeling Brand, now associated with conservatives, a hypocrite.
We should all fear government’s open endorsement of censorship. The accusations are so new, a police investigation has not been completed and there are not formal charges. Yet, this member of the UK parliament wants to make a name for herself. Is this how justice should operate in the West?
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66875128
Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the House of Commons media committee, wrote to Rumble to say she was “concerned” that he could profit from his content.
“While we recognize that Rumble is not the creator of the content published by Mr. Brand, we are concerned that he may be able to profit from his content on the platform.
“We would be grateful if you could confirm whether Mr. Brand is able to monetize his content, including his videos relating to the serious accusations against him. If so, we would like to know whether Rumble intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr. Brand’s ability to earn money on the platform.
“We would also like to know what Rumble is doing to ensure that creators are not able to use the platform to undermine the welfare of victims of inappropriate and potentially illegal behavior.”
Do they have impeachment in the UK? Evict this woman from Parliament. She is dangerous.
The evidence against Joe Biden is overwhelming and has been leaking out for years. Still, Representative Jamie Raskin says: “An impeachment hearing about nothing, apparently, two days before the government is about to shut down.” Ok, fine. Defend President Biden and present the other side (despite denying the obvious). The president is allowed due process, but so is Russell Brand. We need one standard, for all: politicians, celebrities, or you and me. We cannot have elected officials short-circuiting the justice process. Parliament (and others in our country) needs to be reminded of this.
The Rumble CEO responded to Dame Caroline’s request in stellar fashion. He, not the UK Parliament, defended due process. We need more folks like this gentleman:
While Rumble obviously deplores sexual assault, rape, and all serious crimes, and believes that both alleged victims and the accused are entitled to a full and serious investigation, it is vital to note that recent allegations against Russell Brand have nothing to do with content on Rumble’s platform,
“We have devoted ourselves to the vital cause of defending a free internet – meaning an internet where no one arbitrarily dictates which ideas can or cannot be heard, or which citizens may or may not be entitled to a platform.
“We regard it as deeply inappropriate and dangerous that the UK Parliament would attempt to control who is allowed to speak on our platform or to earn a living from doing so.
“Singling out an individual and demanding his ban is even more disturbing given the absence of any connection between the allegations and his content on Rumble. We don’t agree with the behavior of many Rumble creators, but we refuse to penalize them for actions that have nothing to do with our platform.
“Although it may be politically and socially easier for Rumble to join a cancel culture mob, doing so would be a violation of our company’s values and mission. We emphatically reject the UK Parliament’s demands.”
If you have the right values, apparently sexual promiscuity is tolerated. Russell Brand, like Bill Cosby before him, had no accusations against him until he aligned with conservatives. Before being accused, Bill Cosby was perhaps the most popular celebrity in America; he was well-liked and well-respected, but that all changed when he dared speak political heterodoxy. Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein were serial in their behavior; their behavior were open secrets, but we got shrugs because they were on the approved political side; they echoed the right mantras.
Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas were well respected and un-accused until they were nominated for the Supreme Court. Donald Trump was as a golden boy until he became a Republican. The law has come down on Trump and others, but how has the law negatively impacted Joe Biden to this point? There are no raids of Biden’s home nor special counsels (despite all the open questions). Trump’s impeachments were concocted (one over a phone call and another just days before exiting office; inquiries and votes were not held) while Biden has come by his impeachment inquiry honestly (after years of slowly unfolding accusations).
In the summertime when the weather is high
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather’s fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
Have a drink, have a drive
Go out and see what you can find.
If her daddy’s rich, take her out for a meal
If her daddy’s poor, just do what you feel
The song had a good beat and was popular in the 70s, but the lyrics still ring true today: swap “poor” for “Republican” and “rich” for “Democrat”.
I hope those of you on the opposite side of the political aisle can understand how extremely worrisome these double standards are. The outrage you may see from our side stems from your side’s unwillingness to hold its own to the same standards.
There must be one common standard, applied to all equally or we have no real country or common values that bind us. The Left no longer believes; they never apply this principle any longer. Winning, at any cost, consolidating power, has become the new standard–and it will be the undoing of us all. I believe the Right still holds to this principle by re-affirming the values espoused in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution repeatedly. Nevertheless, the Right must continually guard against rejection of this important principle and getting into the gutter with the other side. .
A Few Other Political Fiends
I should mention briefly a couple other “sex and politics” stories.
Put this one in the “can it be real?” category:
A candidate in a high-stakes legislative contest in Virginia had sex with her husband in live videos posted on a pornographic website and asked viewers to pay them money in return for carrying out specific sex acts.
Again, my focus is on the response: Mrs. Gibson said sharing the videos was a violation of the law and her privacy, calling it the “the worst gutter politics.” No. She made the videos public and now she must accept responsibility for her own actions. And for God’s sake, quit fooling around in public. This action is not illegal, but should disqualify her from public office.
Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert could say her privacy was invaded as well. She was evicted from a movie theatre for fooling around with her boyfriend during the performance and then acting boorishly to others bothered by her behavior. https://www.businessinsider.com/lauren-boebert-video-date-during-beetlejuice-2023-9?op=1
Boebert’s behavior should be called into question, along with her commitment to family values. Our priest said at mass today: “if we want to win the culture war, don’t cheat. Don’t cheat on your husband, don’t cheat on our taxes, don’t cheat at Monopoly.” I add: don’t cheat the voters of Colorado by pretending to be someone you are not. We should not vote for folks who spout our values but don’t seem to believe in them.
The final question I want to ponder is: will folks who criticize Boebert raise concerns over Susana Gibson’s live sex performances for campaign contributions? They are the same problem. They are both deceiving voters. Furthermore, will anyone criticize Howard Stern, who said “Boebert is a disgrace to our country” but then lusted after her during the same commentary? Howard Stern’s treatment of women is far worse than Donald Trump’s own lurid past, but since he criticizes the Republican Boebert, media forgives him.
Jesus saved his worst criticism for hypocrites. Those who were supposed to stand for religious values were not setting the right examples. Hypocrisy abounds today. The double standards are infuriating. Do not tolerate the double standards and do not further them. Do not affirm politicians on your side or on the other side when they violate basic standards. We will all be better off for it.
Update 10/2/23
Here is one last example which happened after I posted, one which demonstrates my point so perfectly.
Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries made a lengthy speech, a filibuster essentially, to delay the vote on a government shutdown. When that tactic didn’t work Representative Jamal Bowman pulled the fire alarm and the Capitol was evacuated and the vote was delayed (for what purpose I don’t know).
It is the assertion by Representative Bowman this was an accident (the door was unexpectedly locked, so he pulled the fire alarm) along with the defense of his action by media and colleagues like Representative Ocasio-Cortez, that tell the real story:
“I think if you actually do see some of the photos of the signs, I think there’s something to be said about, the government’s about to shut down, there’s a vote clock that’s going down, the exits that are normally open in that building were suddenly closed.”
The crop of politicians today is so pathetic. We should mock them when they provide such nonsense. You are not worthy of representing us when you behave this way and treat us as if we are too stupid to understand what is going on here.
Furthermore, can’t we demand these folks be accountable and there be some justice for such awful behavior? Let’s give them the miscreants in this instance same justice meted out to folks who delayed legislative action on January 6. Isn’t delaying official proceedings on September 30, 2023 just before a government shutdown just as bad as delaying proceedings on January 6, 2021?
Seek the Truth 
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