Unfortunately, our current President seems desperate to start WW3 if it will distract people from the fact that he is one of the child abusers in the Epstein files.

You are more than welcome. When I was a teenager I was a “Born Again” Cristian. I am now an atheist. I remember when I was in that mindset, seemingly innocent things, could appear “satanic” and that the end always seemed right around the corner, making long term planning pointless

Much of the Republican party base is made up a radical fundamentalist Christians who see a war in the Middle East as being a requirement for Armageddon (which they see as a good thing). The answer to your unasked question is religion.

I am curious, who is “them” in your statement and how does opposing all three of those things inherently cause me to give up my bargaining power?

Interesting phrasing. A phrasing that assumes assumptions on my part. So … what social credit system DOES exist.

It is possible to oppose all three things. It is possible to simultaneously oppose the Social Credit System in China, the Credit Score system in the United States, and the elites connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

I was talking about Pam Bondi, not Melania

Designed is different from made.

He is describing Donald Trump, actually.

Edit: except he does have real estate. But he still shouldn’t be in charge.

I have been happy as a Linux user for more than ten years now. Never looked back. I use Trisquel.

I look forward to LibrePhone coming online. I hope it comes soon …

“Librephone — Free Software Foundation — Working together for free software” https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/librephone

I have F-Droid on my Android phone. Iike having a marketplace where I can download floss apps.

Another good reason to switch to a FLOS operating system like GNU-Linux. Why give your money to Microsoft if there is a good alternative?

Do you believe in free association? Do you think people should be forced to associate with people they do not want to? Suppose someone got off legally due to a technicality but anyone paying attention with common sense knew that person was guilty? Should I be forced to associate with such a person? Suppose one of those people applies for a job as science teacher for a middle school; should that middle school be forced to hire such a person?

Unfortunately that is true. This is why it is even MORE important for private individuals and organizations to do what they can with the limited nongovernmental power they have.

Judges and juries are for dolling out legal punishment, such as prison time. Private organizations run by ethcal adults can judge for themselves the very obvious connections and guilt or innocence of people they choose to hire or associate with (or not associate with).

If the communication was prior to Epstein’s conviction I might be inclined to provide some leeway – all else being equal. If the communication was after Epstein’s conviction they should be very firm.

Admiral Akbar told us it was a trap!!

I just recently got into fountain pens a few years ago and some of my first fountain pens were cheap Chinese knock offs. I wanted to see what it was all about without investing a lot of money in a hobby I might not like. I fell in love with fountain pens and have since graduated to TWISBI, Pelikan, and Lamy.

If a vendor is deliberately misrepresenting a product or committing outright fraud, that is a different issue and should be dealt with. However, the existence of cheap Chinese knock offs, so long as the vendor is transparent and honest, does have a place.

Bondi chose the situation she currently is in. Epstein’s victims did not.