This was enlightening, and your Epstein saga description is correct as far as I can judge.. Thanks!
Honestly, I’m glad you have a more judgmental approach than Klein. We need more of that.
I completely reject the idea that Trump is some self-reinforcing force of nature and power, although that is very much the toadying mindset of many elites. If congress acted as it ought to, Trump could be gone tomorrow. And I think many elites could make short work of him too. It’s honestly embarrassing how cowardly they are as you have mentioned.
This is an excellent analysis. Yet I have to say, as a psychologist to me it is no news, that people for whom status, money and power (interchangeable currencies) are most important, will be corrupt, unaccountable and despise the Law. For the psychology of extrinsic rewards and the way these corrupt read research of Deci and Ryan (Self Determination Theory),
Yet you have made a lot of things more transparent for me, thank you so much!
Also I want to add two well-know people who have said no to Epstein. Sam Harris and Michael Shermer, who both are in the Epstein files but who have not answered mails and did not react to invitations. Both have told their experience with Epstein contact on YouTube.
So there are people (I guess a lot of them) who are successful and rich and who have never participated in the Epstein Crowd. Maybe someone can put together a file of people who did NOT continue contact with Epstein or never even have been contacted by him. How about the Obamas, the Bidens…
It really does seem to depend on whether a person’s values focus primarily on those three items you identified: money, status, and power, or if they are driven by other values that are more outward-focused
Anand, thank you for you insightful analysis & your attempt to steer the conversation to what change can occur, with the bravery of everyday people & the awareness that these concentric circles of enablers don’t have to be in charge. Unfortunately, I kept hearing & getting disgusted by Mr. Klein wanting to discuss their “genius”, their power, the “rooms where it happens” & the depravity. I’m glad you were there to offset what seemed his admiration for Epstein et al, & your obvious respect for the victims in your comments + use of quotes from VGiuffre’s book. I admire your obvious realization/respect of the “everyday” American & our strengths, that Mr Klein seemingly wanted to dismiss & not recognize as a rising force that will benefit us all.
Unfortunately it’s classic Ezra Klein: Anand shares that incredible quote from Laurie Tisch about the systemic reinforcement of impunity for the oligarch class, but Klein cannot engage at all and wants to return to the topic of discretion. Thank you again, Anand, for your incisive analysis. We need a lot more of it.
I live in Portland, OR where we’ve stood against trumps goons during BLM & now his ICE occupations. MN has shown such bravery, such organization & people power it’s an inspiring movement of every day Americans. Using whistles, like Revere used his voice & horse, is something we should all rally behind & emulate.
I’m not communicating this well, it’s everyday people, average folks, that will break this Epstein class hold, not the concentric circles of cowardice.
Anand, would you host a live chat on Epstein for discussion with the Ink community? I think you have great insights into what this all means beyond the misdeeds of the super rich and famous.
Thank you for this excellent interview. It is truly shocking how corrupting it is when people decide that money, power, and status are the things that matter to them most.
The redactions make no sense. The only things that should be redacted are victims or real not fake criminal investigations. They are hiding stuff. And not all released
Anand, you truly are such a class act. I hope that I get to shake your hand someday, but in the meantime and for what it's worth, I really admire you and am grateful to have found The Ink under your leadership.
It grieves me that this is my first comment, but we are all good at something. I thoroughly enjoy your podcast, and especially your recent interview by Ezra Klein. Keep up your insightful commentary.
These power elites did not just abuse underage women, but enslaved and hurt women, women women. And perhaps they spread their elite entitled ravaging requests across and around genders. And ages. Hoo Boy!!!!OUT THEM ALLL!!!!
So glad you added a good measure of “go beyond symbolic advocacy “ to Ezra No more clickbaits but CALL TO ACTION. You delivered a passionate and grounded CLASS element in your discussions of the Epstein slop-adjacent elite class. Keep moving the needle. This fascism is no longer creeping but in full bloom. BRAVO.
With greatest respect, please learn how to combine pronouns correctly. “Listen to Ezra Klein and ME….” Is correct. Just delete the name of the other person to “hear” it properly in your head. No one would say “Listen to I….” Easy. Thanks.
I had to laugh! This is exactly the 'lesson' that I had to teach my younger brother when he was about 37 and I was 44. I told him that the 'I' has to stand alone. He never forgot that, and now, years later, his daughters have told me that he told them the same exact way!
"Everybody's looking for something. . . Some of them want to use you/Some of them want to be used by you/Some of them want to abuse you/Some of them want to be abused."
Fwiw. The Eurythmics are usually good for quite a bit.
Today I posted the following comment to Ezra's solo opinion piece:
"This opinion piece mentions Israel once. Ezra’s otherwise excellent interview with Anand Giridharadas published on Friday fails to mention it at all. Most other articles in the Times, such as the article yesterday about Joel Klein former school chancellor in NYC either fail to mention Israel or make a passing reference. Unlike the concentric circles surrounding Epstein that Anand described in his interview, the Israel connection cuts across those circles in a line running from right to left and through the center of the Epstein universe. The failure to explore this unique feature of that universe is a profound failure. As Anand noted in his interview, even though people were indirectly facilitating future predatory behavior, they were comfortable dealing with Epstein despite his 2008 conviction (and the many other stories about him). Part of the reason, like it or not, is that Epstein was a staunch supporter of Israel and this created a powerful common bond he shared with other strong pro-Israel supporters. I understand that this topic is fraught and deeply uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it is impossible to claim to be explaining the Epstein phenomenon without addressing it. Ignoring the topic ignores the danger of how one common belief with another person can blind us to issues of character and morality. Anand and Ezra discussed the failure of elites to be brave. We are witnessing that here in the failure to discuss this topic."
I needed to recopy it above, because after garnering over 150 recommendations, 2 positive replies and being among the top most recommended comments by fellow readers, it was removed. Who knows why, though I can imagine a band of "flaggers" out there who try to snuff out anything that doesn't toe the party line.
I would be interested to hear Anand's views on this topic.
Anand, there is plentiful evidence that Epstein was directly connected to the Israeli government. Please see Drop Site News and Democracy Now for starters. Rep Thomas Massie has said bluntly that Epstein was directly connected to Israeli and US intelligence.
It is disturbing that the New York Times - and most mainstream media is not covering.
I’ve always trusted you to be brave and truthful Why are you not talking about this?
This interview was heavily driven by Ezra Klein. He did more speaking than asking questions. The intent seemed to push a disingenuous alternative narrative.
Drop Site News is an independent investigative journalism site founded in part by journalist Ryan Grim. Grim worked as the Washington bureau chief for The Intercept. Grim served as the D.C. bureau chief for The Huffington Post, where he led a team to a Pulitzer Prize.
The Times day wraps up with Columbia university Dental school meting out some punishment for helping Epstein’s girlfriend get into dental school and Thomas Pritzker resigning in shame from Hyatt board and chair.
Wow, Anand, you bring such insight and substance to this conversation! As you look around corners to find the psychological truth of, well, fabulously insecure morally blind wealthy losers with hollow lives—- (as my mom would say)—-hanger-onners. Thanks for keeping the lights on!!
This was enlightening, and your Epstein saga description is correct as far as I can judge.. Thanks!
Honestly, I’m glad you have a more judgmental approach than Klein. We need more of that.
I completely reject the idea that Trump is some self-reinforcing force of nature and power, although that is very much the toadying mindset of many elites. If congress acted as it ought to, Trump could be gone tomorrow. And I think many elites could make short work of him too. It’s honestly embarrassing how cowardly they are as you have mentioned.
This is an excellent analysis. Yet I have to say, as a psychologist to me it is no news, that people for whom status, money and power (interchangeable currencies) are most important, will be corrupt, unaccountable and despise the Law. For the psychology of extrinsic rewards and the way these corrupt read research of Deci and Ryan (Self Determination Theory),
Yet you have made a lot of things more transparent for me, thank you so much!
Also I want to add two well-know people who have said no to Epstein. Sam Harris and Michael Shermer, who both are in the Epstein files but who have not answered mails and did not react to invitations. Both have told their experience with Epstein contact on YouTube.
So there are people (I guess a lot of them) who are successful and rich and who have never participated in the Epstein Crowd. Maybe someone can put together a file of people who did NOT continue contact with Epstein or never even have been contacted by him. How about the Obamas, the Bidens…
It really does seem to depend on whether a person’s values focus primarily on those three items you identified: money, status, and power, or if they are driven by other values that are more outward-focused
Anand, thank you for you insightful analysis & your attempt to steer the conversation to what change can occur, with the bravery of everyday people & the awareness that these concentric circles of enablers don’t have to be in charge. Unfortunately, I kept hearing & getting disgusted by Mr. Klein wanting to discuss their “genius”, their power, the “rooms where it happens” & the depravity. I’m glad you were there to offset what seemed his admiration for Epstein et al, & your obvious respect for the victims in your comments + use of quotes from VGiuffre’s book. I admire your obvious realization/respect of the “everyday” American & our strengths, that Mr Klein seemingly wanted to dismiss & not recognize as a rising force that will benefit us all.
Unfortunately it’s classic Ezra Klein: Anand shares that incredible quote from Laurie Tisch about the systemic reinforcement of impunity for the oligarch class, but Klein cannot engage at all and wants to return to the topic of discretion. Thank you again, Anand, for your incisive analysis. We need a lot more of it.
I live in Portland, OR where we’ve stood against trumps goons during BLM & now his ICE occupations. MN has shown such bravery, such organization & people power it’s an inspiring movement of every day Americans. Using whistles, like Revere used his voice & horse, is something we should all rally behind & emulate.
I’m not communicating this well, it’s everyday people, average folks, that will break this Epstein class hold, not the concentric circles of cowardice.
Anand, would you host a live chat on Epstein for discussion with the Ink community? I think you have great insights into what this all means beyond the misdeeds of the super rich and famous.
Thank you for this excellent interview. It is truly shocking how corrupting it is when people decide that money, power, and status are the things that matter to them most.
The redactions make no sense. The only things that should be redacted are victims or real not fake criminal investigations. They are hiding stuff. And not all released
Anand, you truly are such a class act. I hope that I get to shake your hand someday, but in the meantime and for what it's worth, I really admire you and am grateful to have found The Ink under your leadership.
It grieves me that this is my first comment, but we are all good at something. I thoroughly enjoy your podcast, and especially your recent interview by Ezra Klein. Keep up your insightful commentary.
Does Conchita Sarnoff have a newer book than Trafficking? I was confused by your comment about her book not being published.
Same. After listening, I immediately searched for her and saw this book.
These power elites did not just abuse underage women, but enslaved and hurt women, women women. And perhaps they spread their elite entitled ravaging requests across and around genders. And ages. Hoo Boy!!!!OUT THEM ALLL!!!!
So glad you added a good measure of “go beyond symbolic advocacy “ to Ezra No more clickbaits but CALL TO ACTION. You delivered a passionate and grounded CLASS element in your discussions of the Epstein slop-adjacent elite class. Keep moving the needle. This fascism is no longer creeping but in full bloom. BRAVO.
Excellent discussion.
With greatest respect, please learn how to combine pronouns correctly. “Listen to Ezra Klein and ME….” Is correct. Just delete the name of the other person to “hear” it properly in your head. No one would say “Listen to I….” Easy. Thanks.
Betsy! Thank you so much for your grammar help!
I had to laugh! This is exactly the 'lesson' that I had to teach my younger brother when he was about 37 and I was 44. I told him that the 'I' has to stand alone. He never forgot that, and now, years later, his daughters have told me that he told them the same exact way!
"Everybody's looking for something. . . Some of them want to use you/Some of them want to be used by you/Some of them want to abuse you/Some of them want to be abused."
Fwiw. The Eurythmics are usually good for quite a bit.
I posted this comment to Anand's first posting of his interview with Ezra: https://open.substack.com/pub/anandwrites/p/talking-epstein-and-elites-with-ezra?utm_campaign=comment-list-share-cta&utm_medium=web&comments=true&commentId=214223363;
Today I posted the following comment to Ezra's solo opinion piece:
"This opinion piece mentions Israel once. Ezra’s otherwise excellent interview with Anand Giridharadas published on Friday fails to mention it at all. Most other articles in the Times, such as the article yesterday about Joel Klein former school chancellor in NYC either fail to mention Israel or make a passing reference. Unlike the concentric circles surrounding Epstein that Anand described in his interview, the Israel connection cuts across those circles in a line running from right to left and through the center of the Epstein universe. The failure to explore this unique feature of that universe is a profound failure. As Anand noted in his interview, even though people were indirectly facilitating future predatory behavior, they were comfortable dealing with Epstein despite his 2008 conviction (and the many other stories about him). Part of the reason, like it or not, is that Epstein was a staunch supporter of Israel and this created a powerful common bond he shared with other strong pro-Israel supporters. I understand that this topic is fraught and deeply uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it is impossible to claim to be explaining the Epstein phenomenon without addressing it. Ignoring the topic ignores the danger of how one common belief with another person can blind us to issues of character and morality. Anand and Ezra discussed the failure of elites to be brave. We are witnessing that here in the failure to discuss this topic."
I needed to recopy it above, because after garnering over 150 recommendations, 2 positive replies and being among the top most recommended comments by fellow readers, it was removed. Who knows why, though I can imagine a band of "flaggers" out there who try to snuff out anything that doesn't toe the party line.
I would be interested to hear Anand's views on this topic.
Anand, there is plentiful evidence that Epstein was directly connected to the Israeli government. Please see Drop Site News and Democracy Now for starters. Rep Thomas Massie has said bluntly that Epstein was directly connected to Israeli and US intelligence.
It is disturbing that the New York Times - and most mainstream media is not covering.
I’ve always trusted you to be brave and truthful Why are you not talking about this?
This interview was heavily driven by Ezra Klein. He did more speaking than asking questions. The intent seemed to push a disingenuous alternative narrative.
Like clockwork, the Monday Times has Epstein articles about academia and a potential link to Naomi Campbell. Almost all the news that's fit to print.
Drop Site News is an independent investigative journalism site founded in part by journalist Ryan Grim. Grim worked as the Washington bureau chief for The Intercept. Grim served as the D.C. bureau chief for The Huffington Post, where he led a team to a Pulitzer Prize.
Here are 14 in-depth articles regarding Epstein's connections to Israel. https://www.dropsitenews.com/s/epstein-and-israel/archive?sort=new
Also, see:
utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share
Democracy Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0W-wBWwAdOs
The Times day wraps up with Columbia university Dental school meting out some punishment for helping Epstein’s girlfriend get into dental school and Thomas Pritzker resigning in shame from Hyatt board and chair.
This episode is brilliant. It provides a synopsis of Epstein’s crimes and details a cover-up by state and federal agencies.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-do-hard-things/id1564530722?i=1000749023113
Thanks
LOL, now the Times has added a third story about the Epstein-Bannon connection.
Thank you!
Wow, Anand, you bring such insight and substance to this conversation! As you look around corners to find the psychological truth of, well, fabulously insecure morally blind wealthy losers with hollow lives—- (as my mom would say)—-hanger-onners. Thanks for keeping the lights on!!