slightlv
slightlv's JournalI post this here, because young girls are at the heart of the Epstein files.
This came from the AP, via Google...
Top Justice Department official plays down chance for charges arising from Epstein files revelations
A top Justice Department official played down the possibility of additional criminal charges arising from the Jeffrey Epstein files, saying Sunday that the existence of “horrible photographs” and troubling email correspondence does not “allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody.”
Department officials said over the summer that a review of Epstein-related records did not establish a basis for new criminal investigations, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said that position remains unchanged even as a massive document dump since Friday has focused fresh attention on Epstein’s links to powerful individuals around the world and revived questions about what, if any, knowledge the wealthy financier’s associates had about his crimes.
He said victims of Epstein’s sex abuse “want to be made whole,” but that “doesn’t mean we can just create evidence or that we can just kind of come up with a case that isn’t there.”
There's more, but I didn't go any further to read it. My blood pressure is already on the "too high" side today. So, even with all the evidence in the files, they still are basically saying 'All these rich white men (and Clarence Thomas) get off scot free on raping, demeaning, and even killing these girls.' I say, we're going to have to have a Nuremburg trial of our own that will make Nuremburg look like a PTA meeting!
Sorry... I forgot to post the link... here it is https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-2-2-2026#0000019c-1e75-d41b-a7bf-7ff704ca0000
Help me here...
I don't know if this is the right forum, but I'm following up on an editorial that JoJoJerz highlighted from Substack. I'm on Substack and I read this editorial before she brought it here. I have a few thoughts... personal thoughts... about the editorial. You can find JoJo's message here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016421196
I'm a small white woman... I've always been small... short, at least... under 5' my whole life. My grandfather was 1/4 Native American. I've been heavy most of my life; only when I passed 65 did the weight start falling off and I'm down to 78 pounds. But my life, as any woman's life, be she white, black, Native, Asian, ANY woman... echoes this editorial.
I think it's imperative we keep highlighting these atrocities and link them back to men of a certain breed... especially the young, testosterone filled hoodlums. But I realize in saying this, it brings so much pain because it is SO triggering.
Like many others here, I was raped. And my rapist wrapped a scarf around my neck and tried to strangle me during sex. It was so traumatic, I don't even remember how I actually got free. He then kidnapped me one night after work, threw me in the floorboard of his car, tied, and tried to do the same thing. One last time, he met me at home during a lunch hour, where he tried to kill me with his hands. I REMEMBER how I got out of that one. I picked up the nearest heavy object and hit him repeatedly until I got free and fled back to work.
But you see, I was ashamed. Ashamed I let it happen to me. Ashamed because I thought I somehow had caused it. I was so freaking young... barely 20. I was a babe in a big city for the first time after the Air Force (and yes, I was nearly raped there by three men in the Motor Pool at the AFB I was stationed at). I'm old enough that I was among the first flight of females accepted into Law Enforcement. A lot of men didn't like that then... just like now.
I also thought I'd brought it onto myself because I had left my old religion behind... for good... because of the hypocrisy I'd seen through the years. It was hard, because my whole extended family was filled with Baptist and Charismatic preachers. I kept my new religion to myself. But I had turned toward Paganism... Wicca, at that time... and I thought I'd found a home. The guy who ended up trying to strangle me was my first Wiccan High Priest. Those who are Wiccans here among us, know the power and energy (and naivety) involved in finding your "first coven." That's why I thought I'd brought it on myself.
Amazingly, tho I finally got the jerk in jail (tho not for raping and nearly killing me), I didn't turn away from Seeking and Paganism. Goddess bless, but She wouldn't give up on me. I just turned Solitaire for many years and learned by Her on my own. Enchantress, indeed. When I moved back to the Midwest, people who were seeking found my BBS and asked me to start teaching. Remembering my first days way back then, I decided "yes.." and every single 101 I gave had a lesson on cults, men drawn to the power of the priesthood, how to protect themselves, and when to get the frack out of there. I actually had to kick two out of my group through the years.
I'm trembling, with tears, as I write this. What happened to Robin Good and all the other women by ICE, thugs, and other men just taking advantage of the bedlam, triggers me everytime I see or read the headline. Worse, if I read the article. I know, even at 70 years old, I'll never trust another man in any kind of authority.
As I was telling Good's story to my husband a few minutes ago, I broke down in tears as I related all this to him... as well as about my (non peaceful) divorce. I was shaking so hard with rage, anger, and betrayal... all the old feelings I thought I'd mastered by finally moving from a Dianic practice to an eclectic practice, allowing (some) men to learn and take their side of the energies in group. And now it all comes back. I had hoped to end my life peaceful, living on a mere pittance from SS, but managing it, and continuing to teach and pass on what I've learned after 50 years in the Craft. That has come to an end in this America now. I no longer feel free to practice my Craft, except in secret once again. So much for religious freedom.
I don't know what the answer is for women like me in the U.S., except to say our Sisters in other countries have been living under this kind of rule (and worse) for decades, centuries, even. I find comfort in sisterhood solidarity. For THEY know what we all have lived through. But, I've not given up on every man. My covensibs are gentle people; they are the ones I want to be around... and have had a relationship with for over 30 years. And I remember the words of my husband who, after me crying all this out to him, just said softly... I hope I have never triggered you while you've been with me. And if I have, I'm sorry. He is sweet, loving, and gentle... tho dementia is stealing him away from me, and driving me crazy as my cookware disappears into only places his immediate thoughts place them.
But for my sisters here, and everywhere... who are living with old feelings and fears rekindled, take heart. You are NOT alone. We are all in this together. As you tremble, know we tremble and cry with you.
This is a new one for me... need kitten help!
Update to my new kitten story!
She pooped!!! Saints be praised! (LOL) She still has one hell of an appetite and a very loud for voice for such a small bundle of fur. But she's comfortable enough in my closed bedroom to wander around it all, jump or climb on what she can, wriggle into (and sometimes out of) tiny spaces without mom's help. She's begun to cock her head when I say her name, so I hope that means she's very intelligent. Not the least of which, she recognizes my voice as a helper and "mom".
This morning, after watching the other cats go in and out of the cat door on my bedroom door (all doors in the house have cat doors, except the bathroom. That one, they just scratch like crazy til we let them in.) Anyway, after watching the other cats, she figured out how to squeeze into the opening and out into the main house hall. I saw her, but she was gone before I could catch her. I let the bedroom door opened and it was just a few seconds later she came running back in to climb on Mama's bed. (gryn)
She has an appt on Friday for a well-kitten check... probably including worming, at her age. The other cats have pretty much accepted her... or at least, they're tolerating this little intruder. She doesn't seem to be afraid of any of them, even my two enormous toms! Casa Critter doing good, so far!
--------------
My sister dropped off a kitten yesterday, that she found sheltering in between broken stones of a church. She teaches at the school connected to the church (catholic school), and all morning the kids and she heard the cries of a kitten. She finally called early recess and they went searching. They found this tiny black and white tuxedo had crawled into a cavity between two broken stones in the church. It's been REALLY cold here lately, and we've had snow. Kit was cold, scared, and hungry. I've rescued and rehomed dozens of cats since growing into adulthood, so I didn't think anything of taking in his poor orphan.
But she's doing a few things I've NEVER had my kittens (or cats) do... I've rescued kittens prior to being 6 weeks old... tiny, tiny kittens you hold in one palm, and I've never had this issue. This cat doesn't seem to use the cat box... and I'll be damned if I can find any "surprises" in the room.
I have her confined to my bedroom... a small room, loaded with "stuff"... but she's got a nice warm burrow in a box in my closet. I have a catbox in there, which I have placed her in to "show" it to her (like I did for everyone else!), and I have her food on the other side of the closet. (away from the catbox)
She's got one hell of an appetite. Which makes me think she's been basically starving since she left "Mom." Sis hasn't found any other littermates or the Mom anywhere around the church. But beyond (what I see as) a lack of catbox moves, I also worry because she never shuts up!!! She'll let you pick her up and cuddle a little, but then wants back down on her own. I was afraid maybe she was lonely for littermates, so I let in a couple of my more mellow cats. They all took well to each other, but it hasn't stopped her mewing. I'm sitting her wondering if the two issues are related. Is she in pain?
I tried to get in to see a vet, but the earliest I can do it is the 19th of Dec. I know that's only a week, but... "mama" in me wants to know she's okay, not harmful to my own babies (especially since I have quite a few elder queens in my brood)... but also I can't bare to have anything in pain. She doesn't squeal out when I pick her up, so I can pinpoint anywhere in particular it might hurt! But she just squawls all the time. Anyone else have an experience like this?
Thanks, you guys!
I had a completely frazzled day of MA surprises...
Hubby had a heart attack back in early October. Had to research my notes to track this down, thanks to memory overload at the time.
TODAY... November 20th, I received a physician's bill from the Hospital, an online notice of payment due to the Hospital for it's costs (of which I've never seen an invoice), and upon opening the mailbox late this afternoon, lo and behold there was an invoice for the initial ER costs AND a "Set off" on an ambulance ride to which I'd never received an invoice. All total, this afternoon cost me over $1000.00 in *covered* Medicare Advantage costs. Never before had we been hit like this, and this wasn't hub's first heart attack!
In addition to that, our Property Taxes increased by close to $500 each period (2 periods), and that was $1100.00 Talk about frazzled, frustrated, and freaking out right now!
It's obvious now that the MA plan we signed up on last year didn't come anywhere near to meeting our needs this year. Your health can change on a dime, so it's always a "best guess" when picking a plan, anyway, IMO. And I'm scheduled for a serious sit-down with my MA consultant tomorrow. I will gladly let her do the research and present me with the options...
I think what freaked me the most today, was the unexpected billings and "late notices" on invoices I never received. What the crap is going on with these billing departments?! They can't be any more responsive with notices *to me* than 6 weeks? and then act like I've been doing the File 13 with them? Talk about being offended!!! but they sure want ME to be quick responsive with MY money TO them.
All I can say is, "so much for Thanksgiving!" Luckily, we didn't have any plans and grandson is meeting his girlfriend's parents for Thanksgiving. They're getting pretty serious. He gave me a hug last night and told me, "Grandma, we don't have much money but we share it between us.. and besides, we've got something better... we've got love." And yes, I hugged him back with tears in my eyes. Sweet kid that he is.
Now I think I'm going to sequester myself somewhere quiet and have a good cry. Just need to decompress from the day and try to put the anxiety towards the back of my mind for now. Corporations will get their money when they get it. Hea... if they wanna talk at me like I'm a deadbeat, who am I to dissuade them?! (LOL) But I can already see that healthcare is going to be not only more expensive, but totally fracked up for the foreseeable future. Hang on to your hats, guys... it's gonna be a bumpy ride!
Okay... now this is giving me goosebumps (and maybe hope?)
During Samhain, my HP and his wife (our covensib) ended the night with readings... specifically on rump... his future... and, most important to us at the time, when we *begin* the rebuilding (including any Reconciliation committees).
We saw pretty much what has been happening so far, even to the EF vote being in our favor, but coverups to keep things hidden happening afterwards (okay... I don't think any of us really needed cards to know that latter part! lol)
But here's my hair-raising memory... in rump's spread, it showed a Knight (can't remember if Wands or Swords), in the place of "influence of others on the situation."
NOW we hear Vindman has the receipts on rumps call to MBS about Khashoggi? I think we know who that Knight is, now! And what an honorific to represent him! Couldn't be more appropriate.
Had a chance to blow off a little steam today...
It's been a busy, hard week for me. Absolutely normal one for most people... but I'm still fighting my walking pneumonia, and the fibro symptoms that have been exacerbated by it. So... today, I'm working in the kitchen. Planning to make a beef stew and having to clean dishes, cabinets, as well as restack shelves of plastic containers in precarious positions, etc. as I go. IOW, everything being very disjointed, just like my back! 
Anyway, I got a phone call from a number I didn't know. Normally, I blow those completely off. Hubby cleaned out our bank account once after getting scammed, and I came too close once on my own. I answered "Hello" while having both hands concentrated on my dutch oven of soup. When no one answered after a few minutes, I just said "goodbye" and went to disconnect. The guy immediately hollered after me that he was there, and identified himself as someone to do with "energy savings" work being done in my neighborhood. To say I absolutely didn't want to get onto an extended "no way" conversation, I stopped him in mid-sentence and let loose.
First, I told him I'm sorry that he has to do this work, but my family (like most of those around us in this elder neighborhood) are subsisting the best we can. Normal living expenses like utilities, etc., have skyrocketed on top of the ever-increasing greed of those in charge of food prices, not to mention healthcare prices.
I told him until this country came to its senses and got rid of trump, one way or another, and turned away from fascism, we were ALL screwed... young, middle-age, and elderly. There's just some of us getting hit worse than others. I told him I didn't know if he earned more than minimum wage, but that my bet was he was as hungry for democratic normalcy as the rest of us are. But until we shook ourselves out of this dystopia, I would not be spending money on anything that "sounds like it would be a good idea" or even that I see we needed, unless it was a dire emergency. I closed off with "get rid of trump, or your company will probably find itself on the way out, too." And THEN I hung up.
I don't normally do this, but come on... people are hungry and trying to survive the best they can and don't need to be strong armed into something they don't need right away. I know for a lot of people here, this may not be an issue. But after as close as I came to being scammed because of a job application *through a headhunter* and my husband completely clearing out our bank accounts to the "FBI agents" who called him, I have a deep-seated ill feeling towards these kinds of marketing calls. It's not exactly apples vs apples, but close enough. We elders are holding on for dear life. Between meds and food, many of us are barely keeping our heads above water.
I have to admit that upon hanging up, I felt a sort of catharsis. Don't know if that makes me a bad person or not... just a fed up one!
While he's taking food from kid's mouths... intent on cutting off
health care for everyone but the very rich (who don't need insurance), and otherwise terrorizing and hurting the majority of Americans... all in a revenge rage because he knows he honestly lost all the elections he supposedly won... trump wants us to know today that he's finished his remodel of the White House Lincoln bathroom.
Can you be any more tone deaf that this man?
Edited to add the URL, which has pics!
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-ornate-lincoln-bathroom-remodel-214343169.html
I just want to wish everyone here
a very blessed Samhain. May the coming year bring us joy, and an increase of sharing and caring among all the people of the Mother. May the Lady bless you and yours, as you seek to hang on to the love, mystery, and magick of this world and the world between the worlds. And may we see the passing away of the evil in our midst. So mote it be!
Normally by this time of the month (I believe) I get a notice in my bank account
that my annuity is going to be paid out on the 1st of the month (which is exactly when I should be paid, according to the Feds). I think they're holding on to my check to gain interest on it for themselves between the time they get it and the time they release it to me, but that's another issue altogether. By heartburn and worry is...
This is 10/27. I have received NO notice from the bank yet. Normally, I think I'd have received it last Saturday, or today at the latest. But I may be remembering wrong because of my ending stress of when trump is going to work towards killing off us elderly. I don't remember my annuity being affected during other shutdowns, no more than my SS checks were. But damn it, my memory marbles just let one year glide into another without a lot of memory specificity... and it's driving me crazy! Does anyone else here on DU get an annuity from the DoD or other branch of the Federal government? What's your experience, and have you heard whether or not this shutdown will kill it? I could sure use someone talking me (gently) down from the ledge...!
Found this Craft song I'd like to share...
I fell in love with Gypsy's music from the very first album I heard her, Magick. But I just discovered she's got 2-3 other albums, and I'm crazy about this one called Spirit Nation - Blessed Be with Love from Salem.
So, in honor of that new album (which will soon be coming to me!) I give you this link. May we Pagans here bond over it and find strength in this uncertain, hostile territory we find ourselves in once again. Together we ARE stronger than they are.
We Won't Wait Any Longer
Gypsy
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Gender: Do not displayHometown: Kansas
Home country: USA
Current location: Kansas
Member since: Mon Dec 14, 2020, 09:27 AM
Number of posts: 7,583