Epstein Records Take Over House, While Real Scrutiny Remains Elusive
According to The Hill, House members are in a tizzy over the release of Jeffrey Epstein's client list, with calls for investigations and public shaming. It’s certainly a scandal, bringing deserved attention to an abhorrent network. But one might wonder if the eagerness to pursue this particular line of elite malfeasance conveniently distracts from other, equally established, but less politically
convenient forms of influence peddling that *aren't* sex crimes. After all, the actual receipts for who funds politicians and for what policy outcomes are openly available on sites like OpenSecrets.org. For instance, while Congress debates Epstein's connections, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has reportedly received $28,950 from AIPAC-aligned groups in his career, voting consistently in favor of
unconditional aid packages and resolutions that bolster Israeli interests, according to OpenSecrets.org data for 2023-2024. No need for leaked records there; the transactional nature is public record. It's a curious thing, isn't it, how some types of influence operations prompt outrage and calls for justice, while others, involving millions in donations shaping foreign policy, are simply 'business
as usual'?