While this thread is inspired by the Epstein case, it's not about who you want to see behind bars. So Epstein had connections to so many high profile people, I cannot see all of them being pedophiles and pedophile enablers. I'm not going to make any judgments on who is guilty and who is innocent but just happened to keep bad company. I don't know; you tell me if you think supermodel Naomi Campbell and atheist philosopher Steven Pinker (both knew Epstein) are pedophiles or pedophile enablers. Anyway... The issue made me think what I would do if I accidentally ended up with bad company. Suppose a close friend of yours invited you to a party. Or a businessman who wants to work with you suggests further negotiations while attending a party he invites you to attend. At the party, you are socializing without realizing around the corner or in the next room something very bad is happening like somebody is being beaten badly by a loan shark or a girl is being raped. The next day your friend or the party host is arrested and your picture appears in the paper, on television or on the internet. What would you do? I suppose you could go immediately to the police and declare your innocence and tell them all you know. But your reputation has already been compromised. How about if you attend the party and then realize the party has known gangsters attending? That's very easy; I'd run away and never again talk to the person who invited me. Unless I am related to which I'd slap some sense in that relative. Though I must admit it would be tempting to stay for the food and stay out of trouble by maintaining a low profile. Anyway, those are just my thoughts. What say you?
Steven Speilberg has said on more than one occasion that the whole art of being a Hollywood producer is getting the money together. And money's money as a certain pol named Donald has been heard to say. Just remember from the get-go these are TOXIC people. They aren't to be trusted and they AREN"T your friends. People wonder why the President is so appallingly anxious to throw his "friends" under the nearest departing Greyhound. He imbibed that lesson at his Daddy's knee.
As a teen I was working at Hollywood Park - a then famous horse racing track. I was 16 at the time. Over time my boss, and my boss's boss started dropping me all kinds of treats including cash, and dinners at a highly exclusive, unmarked restaurant [which is saying something in downtown Hollywood!]. I was even having sex with my boss's wife with his approval. This trend continued until one day my boss's boss offered me an easy $5000. I don't remember what he said but it didn't take long to realize this had to be something dangerous, or illegal, or both. I was smart enough leave and never go back. Not long after that we moved. Years later, I learned the place was run by the mafia back then.
