No, I will not give anyone associated with Trump the "benefit of the doubt".

[Atticus]

If there is any possible stupid, greedy, racist, cruel, childish explanation for something they've said or done, as far as I'm concerned, THAT is why they spoke or acted as they did.

I freely admit to being what most would call "biased", but I would call it simply being out of fucks to give about being "fair and balanced" when judging Trump or his accomplices.

Right or wrong? WRONG!

Liar or truth-teller? LIAR!

Guilty or innocent? GUILTY!

Legitimate POTUS or illegitimate puppet? ILLEGITIMATE PUPPET!

Trump is not an unknown. We know all anyone should need to know about someone before writing them off as an irredeemable piece of effluent. I will no longer waste time listening to "alternative explanations" for the daily atrocities perpetrated by him and those seeking his favor. I will no longer even consider that he may occasionally---purely by accident---say or do something that is not despicable; not disgusting; not outrageous.

What brings all this out this evening is the quite understandable suggestion by some that perhaps Mr. Epstein actually did just commit suicide in his jail cell. Perhaps there was no foul play; no involvement by anyone acting to seal the lips of a witness who may have been willing to testify in detail about Trump's rapes of underage females; no "favors" done for some of the most powerful men on the planet.

Perhaps. But, until there is absolute incontrovertible proof that Epstein's death was "just" a suicide, I choose to believe that his death was brought about---directly or indirectly---by someone acting on behalf of Trump. That's not jumping to a totally unjustified conclusion. That's just paying attention and playing the odds.

[empedocles]

1. The decision to pull the [suicide watch] guards is not something that 'just happened'

without the intervention of 'others'. Epstein would not have the option of deciding for suicide under strict supervision.

'Others', acting beyond federal guidelines or common sense? Hmmm?

[jberryhill]

2. So, you don't believe the charges brought against Epstein by the DoJ?

But you do believe that he is dead, yes? Because that news only came from them too.

[uponit7771]

7. Come on man, they can bring valid charges and still have killed him in the end. I don't even

...believe the bastards dead until I see a body.

We're not dealing with run of the mill smart criminals here; they're stupid and they'll do and try anything.

I didn't see a body with OBL because Obama admin had been relatively honest but I still said seeing a body would be nice

[jberryhill]

8. " they're stupid and they'll do and try anything"

Thus rendering your beliefs immune to any facts which are counter to them.

Any facts consistent with your belief reinforces your belief.

Any facts inconsistent with your belief merely demonstrate that the conspirators were stupid, and thus reinforce your belief.

Focusing national attention on Epstein as a prelude to murdering him is, yep, a pretty stupid plan, give the innumerable much quieter ways to kill him without having to go through the trouble of making a national spectacle of him first.

[uponit7771]

9. Or rendering me rationally skeptical

[FakeNoose]

10. Epstein's body was taken to the hospital

I believe he was already dead at that point. Do you also disbelieve the hospital?

[uponit7771]

11. Haven't seen clear pictures of Epstein dead, so hell naw ... that's rationally skeptical.

I know they rolleyes brigaide are out wondering why everyone doesn't trust the Trump admin as much as they do but the gas lighting is getting over done.

[Snackshack]

3. I can't disagree.

With you.

I too have reached the end of giving any benefit of the doubt to his supporters. They are not just frustrated voters who looked to shake things up in 2016, not anymore. I used to think we needed to be the adults and try to reach out to those who supported trump and try to find common ground...I was unequivocally wrong in that mindset.

As for today’s event. It could very well be the case that the man simply did suicide himself at first opportunity but there is just too much potential for benefit by those who felt threatened by him speaking to take at face value. So as you say unless and until there is incontrovertible evidence that he simply did suicide no scenario is a bridge too far.

[ancianita]

4. Well put. I'm with you on this.

[jimlup]

5. So the sad fact is that you ARE being fair and balanced ...

This is a fucking cruel cosmic joke we were dealt in 2016 and apparently, it isn't going to end anytime soon.

[uponit7771]

6. Come on !! We're supposed to trust Barr and Trump enough to eat the story they tell without

... going into alternate intentions.