We Don't Need Help, So Why Aren't You Helping?

 Help me if you can, I'm feeling down. And I do appreciate you being 'round. Help me get my feet back on the ground. Won't you please, please help me?

Paul McCartney and John Lennon

Bullies and tough guys have an inherent problem. It's called arrogance. A scant few months ago, Donald J. Trump was asked by an interviewer, if there were any limits to his global power. His response was, "Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me." Then he added, "I don't need international law." Finally, there was the inevitable lie. "I'm not looking to hurt people." 

That's right baby. Help? We don't need no stinking help.

Of course, many immediately saw the problems with Trump's original statement to the reporter from the New York Times. The man who said he was only limited by his own morality has never had any morality. Rapists and those who commit felony fraud don't. Plus, the limits imposed by his mind are few and far between since he lost his around the same time he lost the 2020 election. The whole, "I don't need international law," thing was a given. He's never needed domestic law, why would he worry about international ones. 

Then came the war with, Iran, (It's still unclear if the Israelis jumped in with us, or we jumped in with them.) and a 24-mile-wide waterway called the Strait of Hormuz became more important than his wandering mind ever dreamed.  According to Wikipedia, in 2018 more than 21 million barrels of oil per day passed through the strait. It is unknown how many barrels are making it through at the moment, but it's fairly easy to guess the number is a lot closer to zero than it is 21 million. It doesn't matter that the vast majority of it is headed to Asia, turning off the oil faucet to anywhere screws petroleum prices everywhere. 

When the U.S. and Israel struck a little over two weeks ago, the President appeared to think the violence would end quickly and shipping through the strait would proceed as usual. The whole strategy seemed to be kill the Ayatollah, the people would immediately rise up, the army, including the Revolutionary Guard would roll over, then Donald Trump would install a new leader who would do whatever he wanted. In other words, wham, bam, thank you Iran. 

Yeah, well that didn't happen. 

A few days after the 86-year-old Ayatollah Khamenei was offed, Iran replaced him with a 56-year-old Ayatollah Khamenei. Any uprising was small and immediately snuffed out. And, while the Iranian navy and air force are gone, or in hiding, the Revolutionary Guard and army are still intact and fighting with whatever they have left. As a result, almost all shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has stopped. Donald Trump can tell those shipping companies and crews to grow some balls and make the trip through all he wants, but the corporations and crews know it's their asses on the line, not his. 

It's reported Trump and his advisors didn't think the Iranians would close the strait. Trump denies it, of course, because he is incapable of admitting he made a mistake. However, if they did think that Trump and his staff just proved themselves the worst strategic planners since Herr Hitler decided it would be a good idea to invade the Soviet Union. Since the Iranians don't have nukes, their only option is to choke off the shipping through the strait. It is the only route to survival the newly minted Ayatollah and the military leaders have. They must create enough economic chaos throughout the world to force Donald and Bibi Netanyahu to hit the exit button. 

Suddenly, with gas prices at home rising and the cost of practically everything else soon to follow, it has downed on Donald Trump he needs help winding up this war. He told the media, "We're always there for NATO. We're helping them with Ukraine. Doesn't affect us, but we've helped them. It'd be interesting to see what country wouldn't help us with a very small endeavor, which is just keeping the strait open." 

In order to solicit that help, Trump, never the diplomat, told The Financial Times on Sunday, "If there's no response (to his demand for assistance) or if it's a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO." Ah yes, nothing like strongarm threats to grease the wheels of cooperation. He also told the publication China, Japan, and South Korea should send warships to the strait, conveniently ignoring two of those three nations have to contend with a wildly unpredictable North Korea on a daily basis. 

The international response to the President's bellicose, yet whiney demands so far has pretty much been, "You started this war on your own, Donnie, now you fucking finish it on your own." 

Earlier today the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent announced his resignation on social media. In part he wrote, " I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear we have started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby." 

While Kent blames the Jews and others blame Trump for taking the whole Epstein distraction act too far, it is clear the final responsibility for this war rests entirely with the President of the United States. His unbridled arrogance and strategic incompetence have brought us to the brink of a ground war in the middle east. You know, the exact place he once promised us all we would never be if he was elected President. 

Not to mention that for a guy, "not looking to hurt people," he's sure doing a lousy job of it. 

3-17-26

A New Core Slogan for Donald Trump's War

 In George Orwell's novel, "1984," the ruling party of the superstate, Oceania has three core slogans. The first is, "Freedom is slavery. " The second reads, "Ignorance is strength. The third and my personal favorite is, "War is peace." The leader of the party and therefore the country is a guy known only as, "Big Brother." Unlike Donald Trump, it is unclear if Big Brother really exists, might have existed at one time, or is simply a fictional persona manufactured by the same people who came up with the whole, "Freedom is slavery," thing. 

For those out there about to accuse me of having, "Trump Derangement Syndrome--which I deny, although I do like to think of myself as a carrier--no, I'm not saying we are at the point, "Ignorance is strength," yet. However, it does feel like we are coming uncomfortably close to that terrible and irreversible moment.

On Monday, one of Donald Trump's worker bees, GOP Congressman Andy Ogles wrote on social media, "Muslims don't belong in American society." While utterly vile, we've come to expect this sort of Islamophobic bullshit from republican congressmen representing Tennessee--"Greenest state in the land of the free," according to the lyric. Then, Ogles added another brief sentence. He posted, "Pluralism is a lie." That's the ticket Congressman. It is a proto-Big Brother proclamation if there ever was one. 

Yesterday, as oil prices continued to rise and his poll numbers floundered like the Titanic after the iceberg was struck, Donald Trump posted this: "The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the world, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money." (The italics are mine, everything else is his.)

It isn't, "War is Peace," but it is, in Trump's own roundabout way, "War means more wealth."

Luckily, not everyone has bought into the, "Ignorance is strength," deal yet and many recognize Trump's we, isn't us. 

We aren't the independent truckers, or truck companies hauling products across the country. We aren't the police and fire departments from coast to coast. The President's we certainly aren't cab and rideshare drivers, the delivery drivers or just people who have to fill up their cars once, or twice a week. And his we aren't the farmers who are going to have to pay more to get their crops planted, fertilized, harvested, and shipped to markets.   

In fact, when it comes down to it, Donald Trump's we are the precious few who own the oil-based energy industry. The rest of us are going to financially take the cost of this war in the ass. 

Trump seemed to immediately realize his post might have been, as Lawrence O'Donnell put it, "The stupidest thing ever said by an American President." His mantra, which is being parroted by scores of his toadies on TV, quickly turned into the phrase, "Short term pain, for long term gain." The problem being he still won't or can't adequately explain to us just exactly what the fuck it is we're gaining.

Freedom from Iran's nukes? Freedom from their ballistic missile threat? Neither of which actually exist yet. Is it freedom from radical Islamic theology? Is it freedom from foreign oil dependency? Or, is the real aim here total American control of Iran's oil industry? You know, get someone in power who will do exactly what Donald Trump wants him, or her to do, like in Venezuela. 

These and other questions caused one talking to head to say, "This isn't a war of choice. The word choice indicates there is some plan in place. This is a war of whim."

Meanwhile, in a press conference earlier today, Secretary of Defense/War, Pete Hegseth announced the deaths of at least four more service members--and possibly another two--when their tanker plane went down in Iraq. He also criticized the media for reporting the war was, "intensifying." Mere moments later he told the same crowd, "We will be intensifying our attacks," (to further cripple Iran's capabilities.) 

That's what I like about this administration, there is confusion and incompetence from top to bottom. Maybe while we wait until that awful time when, war becomes peace, Donald J. Trump's core slogan can be one some of us remember well. 

It is "What, me worry?"

3-13-26

Donald Trump's War and the Plot of a Movie

 The last time a President of the United States demanded and got an unconditional surrender from anybody was in August, 1945. His name was Harry S. Truman. The only way he got it was to drop nuclear weapons on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki--although the Russians have always insisted their belated declaration of war against Japan was a big part of it also. Since we know the Russians aren't going to declare war on Iran, in fact there is evidence they are now helping the Iranians identify American targets, it pretty much limits President Donald Trump's options to force Iran into complete capitulation. 

All of which makes his recent ultimatum to Iran seem a tad empty. Trump himself apparently realized it and shortly after he told the world the war in Iran would only end when they unconditionally surrendered, he turned around, saying the war would be over soon. Of course, then he sort of reversed field again by saying we needed to be ready for a prolonged conflict--or something to that effect. Apparently, Trump's demands and war timeline estimates depends on his audience. 

Add that to the ever-shifting excuses of why the United States began bombing along with the Israelis in the first place and it becomes fair to ask, Does anyone, except the pros conducting the strikes, actually know what the fuck they are doing?

From here it certainly doesn't look like they do. Not Rubio, not Hegseth, not Vance, and especially not Donald J. Trump. 

It has, or rather is, becoming painfully apparent Mr. Trump, flushed with his success in Venezuela, actually thought by killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei--even Big Don knew U.S. Special Forces wouldn't be able to kidnap him like they did Nicolas Maduro--the Iranians would just roll over. His hubris was such that at one point after the hit, the President demanded he have a say in the picking of a new Iranian Supreme Leader. 

The Iranians immediately said screw that, then named the Ayatollah's son, Mojtaba Khamenei the new Supreme Leader. He is reportedly 30 years younger than his late father and just as bat shit crazy. In many ways perhaps even more so. Trump declared the choice, "unacceptable," then seemed befuddled as the Iranians attacked nearly everyone in the region and fuel prices worldwide soared. 

According to the President rising fuel prices are, "a small price to pay." Which immediately begs another question. How would he know? Donald Trump doesn't buy gas. In all reality he has probably never pumped a gallon of it himself in the 79 years he has been on this planet.  That response was at least not as cold as the one he offered to the growing numbers of American families who have lost a loved one in the war. It was along the lines of, "it's war, it happens." Actually, Trump's Secretary of Defense/War, Pete Hegseth wins the prize for coldest. In a press conference he told the media they were putting the names of America's war dead in the headlines, just to make President Trump, "look bad." 

That count has now risen to seven, although it pales in comparison to the estimated 175 young Iranian girls who were killed when an American Tomahawk missile hit their school building by mistake. (Trump still claims it was an Iranian missile. He also told the press a lot of countries have Tomahawks--a complete lie.)

Of course, the President also told the world, Iran's nuclear aspirations had been, "obliterated," months ago by American bombers. That was another case of grotesque oversell the administration has had to back away from these days. Even though they still won't come right out and admit Donald Trump was either mistaken when he said it, or lying outright. Doing something like that makes for a quick trip out the door and onto a list none of them wants to be on.  

To sum up then. We don't know for sure why Donald Trump started this war when he did. We also don't know what he is ultimately trying to accomplish by waging it. Third, we don't have any idea what will replace the current regime in Iran if it does fall. And finally, it looks as if Donald Trump and his band of sycophants, don't have a clue about any of it either.  

In fact, it is all so out of skew it has become weirdly reminiscent of a movie released in 1997 titled, "Wag the Dog." It featured Robert DiNiro, Dustin Hoffman, and Anne Heche among others.  It is a wildly surreal satire. The IMDb plot summary reads, "Shortly before an election, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to fabricate a war in order to cover up a Presidential sex scandal." 

Oops, maybe not so wildly surreal.

 And maybe not so much satire. Right now, that plotline makes as much sense as anything this administration has told us so far about the war with Iran. Or worse--it might make even more sense.   

3-10-26

Kristi Noem Falls and Markwayne Mullin, the Plumber Cometh

Yesterday there were some reports that the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem honestly didn't know she was going to be fired by President Donald Trump. If they are true, Ms. Noem just proved herself just as stupid as she was cruel and corrupt. The rumor she would be cut loose had been in the mill for several weeks. Even if she didn't believe them, she should have figured it out after Senators, Thom Tillis and John Kennedy, both republicans, ripped into her during a hearing earlier this week. Tillis, even raked her over the coals for shooting her dog years ago--an ugly story that probably got her the job in the first place. Hell, one can almost hear Stephen Miller telling Trump, "She shot her own fucking dog, Mr. President, just think what she will do to immigrants."

In reality it wasn't her ICE, "surges," in places like LA, Chicago, and even the deadly invasion of Minneapolis, although that particular display of brute sadism was a major PR disaster. It wasn't even her ignoring court orders left and right. No, what finally got Kristi Noem appears to be, first, her failure to build all those ICE prison camps Miller wants. Second, the multimillion dollar ad campaign which not only promoted herself but made a few close friends scads of cash. Unfortunately, the former secretary just learned that sort of blatant, ego stroking, corruption is still reserved for the President and the President alone.  Then third, there is that private jet her department bought. It's outfitted with luxury accommodations so posh even Jeffrey-by God-Epstein would be jealous. When Ms. Noem insisted the jet would be used to deport illegal immigrants, one wag noted, "Well I suppose some of them could sit at the bar."

Mere minutes after he canned Noem, Donald Trump appointed Oklahoma's junior Senator, Markwayne Mullin to the job. He is currently the only U.S. Senator without a four-year college degree. He dropped out of a Missouri college in order to take over his dad's plumbing business. He does, however, hold an associate's degree in construction technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Or as it's known to old timers, Okmulgee Tech.

One supposes an associate's degree in construction technology could be of some help when it comes to building those camps or even finishing off Trump's long forgotten border wall. However, the appointment does not address the main reason for Noem's failure to come through on the camp building. From sea to shining sea communities all across the republic have been refusing to sell her the land, or old warehouse spaces to build them. Indeed, Noem's tactics--while apparently fine with Miller--has flipped public opinion to the point no one wants to be associated in any way with the administration's final solution to the immigrant question.

Mullin doesn't have any practical experience in immigration matters, or Emergency Management, and he doesn't have any history in law enforcement. His main claim to fame during his short stay in the Senate was challenging Teamster's head, Sean O'Brien to fist fight during a committee hearing. After O'Brien accepted, Mullin rose from his seat and told the union leader to, "Get your butt up." Vermont's Bernie Saunders told him to sit down and admonished him by saying, "You're a United States Senator for God's sake." 

No one is sure what the outcome of the fight would have been, but the odds probably favored Mullin. He is a former high school wrestling star--the pride of Stillwell High's wrestling room--who had briefly dabbled in Mixed Martial Arts fighting.  

Who knows? Maybe it was the confrontation with O'Brien that convinced Miller, Mullin was the man for the job.  Well, that and the fact the Jr. Senator from Oklahoma is a MAGA savant with a taste for violence and excuses. After an ICE agent shot at Renee Good multiple times, killing her as she tried to get away from him, Mullin explained to the media, once law enforcement officials draw their weapons, "They never shoot just once." How he learned this is unclear. Perhaps he is a student of intense police dramas like, Sylvester Stallone's, "Judge Dredd."  

Mullin now has to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His first stop there will be a committee chaired by Kentucky's Rand Paul, a man the Secretary Designate recently described as a, "snake." 

Of course, diplomacy is not part of Homeland Security's job, so it sounds like Mullin will fit right in. Some have speculated Trump picked Markwayne Mullin because while he will be just as savage as Noem when it comes to immigrants, he is less prone to self-promotion and torrid romantic affairs with federal employees. As one analyst put it yesterday, the hiring of Mullin to head Homeland Security is like, "Hiring an arsonist to enter a burning building." 

As for Kristi Noem? Yesterday, Donald Trump named her as, "The Special Envoy for the Sheild of the Americas." It is a title made up just for her. (One observer said, "Trump probably thought of it right after he saw the last, "Avengers," movie.") It is being reported the position was created in order to provide Noem with a salary and government benefits, guaranteeing she won't run out to sell a tell-all book about her time in the administration. 

Yes, rest easy America. Kristi Noem is gone. Your national security and federal emergency assistance has now been entrusted to former House Representative, Senator, and CEO of Mullin Plumbing--Oklahoma's own, Markwayne Mullin. 

Sleep well tonight.

3-6-26 

Making a Killing on All the Killing

 When Donald Trump showed up on TV early Saturday morning to announce the United States and Israel had gone to war against Iran. Most were shocked. One presumes especially in Iran where the bombs were already raining down. Members of congress, those precious few who still believe in the U.S. Constitution were quick to point out the President, on paper anyway, has to have congressional approval before he, or she, can start a, "war," with anyone, anywhere. Apparently, these poor idealistic souls still don't realize Donald trump doesn't give a flying fuck what the Constitution says. He's never even read the thing for God's sake.      

Others with a more conspiratorial bent found the timing a tad suspicious. It came just hours after Hillary and Bill Clinton were grilled by a Congressional committee about their connections to Jeffrey Epstein. When the committee came up with zilch, the calls for Donald Trump to also be deposed under oath about his involvement in the ugly affair reached a fever pitch. Then, suddenly, all hell broke loose in the skies over Tehran. Was it a mere coincidence, or another deadly Trump distraction taken to the extreme?

While not totally dismissing paranoia--in certain towns the next guy kicking in your door probably does work for Kristi Noem--the attack on Iran looks to have been in the planning stages for a while. In all likelihood the trip wire was hit when the negotiations with the Iranians ended in Geneva, not by the Clintons walking away clean in some snowy New York village. In fact, the very presence of the Israelis guarantees intricate planning. Unlike the U.S. they don't go charging into these things like a wild eyed, brashly overconfident, George Armstrong Custer. They simply can't afford to. 

However, despite the surprise and the secrecy involved ((another Israeli necessity) there are now indications there were few people out there who absolutely knew the attack was coming. We aren't talking about astute political analysts, or even psychic mystics and prophets. We are talking about high rolling gamblers of unknown origin.

For those out there who aren't up with the world of online wagering, there are sites out there like, Kalshi and Polymarket which are somewhat euphemistically called, "prediction markets." In other words, you establish an anonymous account with them, then bet a large sum of money that something--anything really--will happen, be it bad, or good. The odds depend on how outlandish the prediction is determined to be. They payoff, like, the wager, is made to that anonymous account. 

The Independent reports the first hint that a high-level fix might be in on some bets came in January of this year. According to the story, that month, an individual with a, "fairly new," account bet $36,000 that Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro would be ousted. Literally a few hours later, Trump sent in the troops and wham bam, Maduro and his wife were sitting in a a New York detention center. The payoff was $436,000. 

It was, perhaps a test run for what was to happen this past weekend. 

Prior to Trump's surprise announcement of war with Iran, The Independent claims, Kalshi received $36 million in bets, "related to whether or not there would be a regime change in Iran." In the hours leading up to the attacks, Polymarket booked $31 million in bets that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei wouldn't be in power after March 31st this year.  

That's right. There are a select few who just made a killing on all the killing. 

It's unknown who operates these sites, or whether they will honor the contracts (the wagers are technically contracts) or, given the circumstances, declare the transactions invalid. One thing is certain though. If someone tried to collect on a blatantly rigged bet like this in Vegas, the only thing they'd cash in on is a one-way trip deep into the Mojave Desert. 

Yes, in the 21st century you no longer need to own a factory to become a war profiteer. All you need is an online bookie and a little inside dope about who is getting hit and when. It might be disgusting, but it is perfectly legal. 

Who says America isn't great?

3-2-26

Donald Trump Being the Same Crazy as He Ever Was for Nearly Two Hours

 Last night the President of the United States gave a speech to a joint session of Congress and the nation as a whole. . It is an annual affair, known as the State of the Union Speech. The tradition began with the nation's first President, George Washington. Washington's first state of the union address was reportedly 900 words long. It's unknown at this time how many words Donald Trump's speech was, but it had to have been a bunch because it took him one hour and 48 minutes to deliver them. That's a mere one hour and 40 minutes longer than it took Franklin Roosevelt to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. 

 Of course, Roosevelt had a distinct advantage on December 8th, 1941. He didn't have to tell any lies, shade the truth, or introduce the U.S. men's ice hockey team. 

 The truth is, Donald Trump's State of the Union speech was, in large part, mind numbingly boring. He lies so often about so many things some, including myself, no longer have the capacity for outrage any longer.  They are like that stiff northern wind during Oklahoma winters. It's a pain, but it is a part of life you have to put up with. In the end all you can do is hunker down and pray for spring. Or in this case, hope to God, people will realize Donald Trump is lying out his ass when he tells them they are paying less than $2.36 per gallon--because they aren't. It says so right on the fucking pump.

One of the more interesting parts of the evening began before Trump even showed up. A chunk of the democrats had the good sense not to show up, so there were a bunch of empty seats on their side of the aisle. A number of republican lawmakers took some of those seats which gave the visual illusion a good sized portion of democrats whole heartedly agreed with Trump, no matter what he said. 

The other, was his use of guests in the gallery. He brought in some victims of violent crime, then after detailed, gore filled, descriptions of what happened to them had them rise. He also handed out three combat medals--blood-soaked details of their accomplishment's included--including two Medals of Honor. One can't help suspect it was all designed to force the democrats to their feet. I mean, who doesn't applaud a guy receiving the Medal of Honor, even if it was for action in the Korean War 75 years ago. For those who wonder about such things, yes, everyone involved with the introductions were white, especially the hockey team and the victims of the crimes were white women who were assaulted by men who are not.

There was one group in the chamber last night, Donald Trump didn't speak about at all. Some of the victims of his old pal, Jeffrey Epstein were there. The President studiously ignored them and the subject. Just as he ignored the three U.S. citizens murdered by Homeland Security personnel as they exercised the right to demonstrate. He also glossed over the war in Ukraine he was going to stop in a day. All he said of it was the United States was now getting paid for the weapons it is providing NATO, which then funnels them to Ukraine. 

While as near as I could tell, Trump defied the odds and stayed on script. Although a couple of times that raging ego got the better of him. First was when he declared, "I don't need Congress to levy tariffs." (Really? Obviously, the man hasn't read the Supreme Court's recent ruling, or the Constitution.) The second time was when he said, "I won't allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons." (Notice he didn't say we, or the United States, it was I and I alone. Mighty imperial of you, Mr. President.)

Still, one supposes the ego is the least we have to deal with when Donald Trump tells us the only way democrats can win an election is by cheating. One of the few firm proposals he made during the speech was for Congress to pass the toughest voter restrictions since the, "grandfather clauses." (You had to prove your ancestors voted before 1867 or face nearly impossible polling place tests--a tough nut to crack if all your ancestors were slaves.) 

At about the same time he talked about the SAVE act (it's already passed in the House.) Brother Don casually mentioned last night's State of the Union should be the first of his third term, not the first of his second. That despite there is still, six years after the fact, not one piece of evidence large scale voter fraud took place anywhere in the nation during the 2020 election.  He and his people keep promising they'll produce it soon, but they haven't yet. 

But hey, you know what Adolf's buddy, Joe Goebbels said once, "If you repeat the lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself."

Late last week a friend told me I should skip Trump's address and watch the progressive, People's State of the Union rally held simultaneously on the mall in Washington last night. I decided not to. I wanted to see if Donald J. Trump would completely jump the rails on national TV. (I'm so jaded, these days it takes the truly weird and monstrous to impress me.) Sadly, Donald Trump didn't go off those rails last night. Oh, he was a liar, ambitiously seeking authoritarian rule, not to mention insufferably self-congratulatory, but it wasn't anything we all hadn't heard, or seen before. 

In short, he was--to alter a lyric--the same crazy as he ever was. The same crazy as he ever was. Over and over again and again for nearly two endless hours. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is most definitely open.

2-25-26 

Jeffrey Epstein's Primary Business Client: The King of Women's Underwear

 Leslie Herbert Wexner has been called the richest man in Ohio. He is also pretty much a self-made made man. His parents owned a clothing store where he worked. After a college he and his father had a falling out over the store's business practices so he moved on opening his own store. thanks to a $5,000 loan from a relative added to another $5,000 loan from a bank. 

The business boomed and soon Les, as he is called, began expanding the scope of his enterprise while amassing mountains of money. He became a major player in Bath & Body Works, Lane Bryant, Victoria's Secret, Abacrombie & Finch, and La Sanza. Most of them, of course, cater to women which is fine, although given what we know about the guy Les Wexner was associated with for years, it now feels a tad creepy.

According to Wikipedia, Wexner hired Jeffrey Epstein to be his financial manager in 1987. From then until 2007 the women's underwear king remained Epstein's primary client. In July of 1991 the billionaire granted Epstein the power of attorney. The same year Wexner named Epstein as a trustee on the board of the Wexner Foundation. Later in the decade he sold Epstein his huge Manhattan town home located on the upper east side. That would be the same home where Epstein put a massage table in the middle of the living room. 

Then things turned darker. In the mid 1990s, Wexner and Epstein, with help from a federal subsidy, were involved with moving the headquarters of Southern Air Transport from Miami to Columbus, OH. It turns out, Southern Air Transport was a CIA cover operation which was involved in the Iran-Contra mess. Wexner began using it to transport his goods. At least until 1996 when customs agents found a load of cocaine on one of the planes. Less than two years later the outfit was shutdown. 

All of which gives us a hint about why the feds, under numerous President's, weren't really interested in digging through Epstein's business dealings or making them public.  

Because they didn't actually own or operate Southern Air Transport both Wexner and Epstein were able to walk away from the bust. Later, thanks to Epstein's horrifying libido there wouldn't be any walking away. 

Earlier this week Les Wexner was deposed for five plus hours by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. What he seemed to be saying is that Ohio's richest man is also one of its dumbest. According to Wexner, "As I look back on it, I was conned by the World Olympic, all-time con artist. As far as I as I was concerned, once we knew how bad he was, he was dead."

Oh really? Epstein's previous arrests for child sex trafficking, then his conviction and incarceration didn't tip you off first? It is a claim of ignorance so outlandish it ranks with Enron's Ken Lay, who initially told people he didn't know a thing about all the financial fraud because he was just the CEO.

Across the pond some famous names are taking the fall for their involvement with Jefferey Epstein. This week, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, former Prince of the Realm, was arrested for his dealings with the guy. The charges had nothing to do with sexual misconduct, but concerned Andrew's handling of confidential British trade documents--as in he sent them straight to Epstein after he got copies while he was still Prince. (An act that smells suspiciously like a sextortion payoff.)  No matter the motive behind it, Andrew became the most senior member of a royal family to be arrested since King Charles I in 1646. (It was during the English Civil War and Oliver Cromwell didn't have much of a sense of humor. While, Charles, who was a wildly self-indulgent, arrogant asshole didn't do himself any favors.)

There is a growing feeling, among a lot of Americans, no matter how casually Donald Trump denies it, that the U.S. government should begin holding some of our fabulously well-to do and powerful accountable also. Thanks to his history and now this nonsensical plea of ignorance, Les Wexner has now become the leading candidate to become the first domino. Even though there is no current evidence linking him to trafficking, or personally sexually abusing young girls, his money certainly helped pay for Epstein's monstrous behavior. Not to mention his lavish properties and lifestyle. 

Hey someone's head has to roll first--and we know it won't be Trump's, that guy gets away with everything--so it might as well be Les Wexner's.  

It's a great theory. Too bad it will never happen. At least not with this administration and DOJ. It's a snowball they really--I mean really--don't want to push down the hill.  

2-20-26