One thing that’s hit pretty hard with the release of this week’s emails is how much class solidarity there is among the Epstein Class. I mean “Epstein Class” in both senses of the word: the super-rich who want to maintain every scrap of privilege and impunity they have, and also sexual predators and their enablers. Guardian columnist Marina Hyde:
So yet again, it’s being left to the victims. Twenty of the Epstein survivors recently released a statement saying that information about them was included in the latest file release, “while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected”. That is the dark heart of this – yet even now we’re looking the wrong way. I keep hearing frantic commentary about what this means for Keir Starmer, for Fergie, for Mandelson’s peerage, whatever. How about the biggest and grimmest question of all: what it means for women and girls to be able to clearly see that we live in a world where so many of the richest and most powerful men alive are just not bothered enough by their exploitation. Or worse.
After #MeToo, it was a matter of moments before we were barraged with screaming headlines about how #MeToo had Gone Too Far, and the allegedly rampant problem of False Accusations. While I’m sure some non-abusive men were taken in by the nonstop fearmongering about how they were in desperate danger of being falsely accused, it’s also clear how much that particular bit of paranoia was leveraged to protect predators.
In 2017, an anonymous list called “Shitty Media Men” was online for about 12 hours; it included allegations ranging from dick pics to outright assault. There was much outrage about how it endangered innocent men. Andrew Sullivan in particular raged about how it included “minor” offenses like secretly removing a condom during intercourse. (The fact that someone openly HIV-positive would call that “minor” is...concerning.) Journalist Moira Donegan (now also a Guardian columnist) later came forward as the compiler of the list.
The most recent batch of Epstein emails includes an appalling number of well-known academics, executives, politicians and journalists palling around with Epstein, long after his 2008 conviction (not accuse, conviction) of sexual abuse of a minor. Peter Attia, “wellness guru” and latest hire at CBS, is mentioned over 1700 times. CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss doesn’t see this as a problem, maybe because her own wife Nellie Bowles was also sending Epstein chummy emails. Epstein’s friendly correspondents spanned the political spectrum from Noam Chomsky to Elon Musk, and included Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Brett Rattner (director of the Melania “documentary”), and more. Larry Summers asked Musk for suggestions on how to coerce sex out of unwilling junior colleagues (or as MSN put it, he “sought romantic advice”).
And then there was Michael Wolff, journalist and author of four books about Trump. In 2018, Wolff was approached by two men who were on the “Shitty Media Men” list. Lorin Stein had resigned from the Paris Review over allegations that included groping; he admitted to “an abuse of my position” although he denied violating consent. Stephen Elliott was accused of sexual harassment and assault. Six weeks after contacting Wolff, Elliott sued Donegan; the case was settled out of court.
The latest batch of emails reveals Wolff saying that “I have always thought that the way back from this climate [#MeToo] is through specific instances of individuals successfully challenging their persecution.” He said this while trying to help the men by seeking advice from….Jeffrey Epstein.
Daily Kos’s Meteor Blades has more thoughts on the Epstein travesty.
As always, this diary is a group effort. Thanks to elenacarlena and the WOW crew for links and discussion.
I have family stuff going on tonight, so apologies if I I’m not here to respond to posts until later!
Reproductive Rights:
Two male podcasters bewailed the fact that not all men get the opportunity to pass on their genes, and asked if “society should intervene.” Australian journalist Katy Hall’s short answer: No.
Rating the anti-choice movement’s biggest creeps.
Texas college cancels speech by abortion provider, calling it “illegal” — after being pressured by Turning Point. Remember when we were told Turning Point was a “free speech” organization?
Texas man uses the state’s “bounty hunter” law to target California doctor for mailing abortion pills.
Violence and Harassment:
In England, male “influencers” covertly film women on nights out and profit from the footage.
Prosecutors seemingly agree to release footage of the ICE shooting of Marimar Martinez.
The complicated road to recovery for trafficked women in in India.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today Show” co-host Savannah Guthrie, abducted from her home.
Workplace Issues:
In tech and finance, women are at higher risk for job loss from “AI.”
Rebecca Solnit in The Guardian: What technology takes from us – and how to take it back: Decisions outsourced, chatbots for friends, the natural world an afterthought: Silicon Valley is giving us life void of connection. There is a way out – but it’s going to take collective effort.
Health:
It’s not an official diagnosis, but “Irritable Male Syndrome” has a distinct set of symptoms. “It’s a state of hypersensitivity, anxiety, frustration and anger that occurs in males that’s associated with biochemical changes, hormonal fluctuations, stress and loss of male identity.”
Media:
TFG can’t seem to stop lashing out at women in media. Telling them to smile just makes it worse.
Taking Action:
Women organizers are 3D-printing and distributing whistles for anti-ICE patrols.
Uncategorizable:
Congressional weirdo Nancy Mace had staff upvote Reddit posts about her being the “hottest” woman in Congress.
