Morality

Growing up I learned early on that having a positive moral compass was a foundation of a good life. I can’t point to one thing, or person, who taught me that, instead it was a mix of every day teachings from my parents, from Sunday school teachers, and school teachers, and from who I hung around with each day. My friends. My parents’ friends. My community.

Was I just lucky to be put in an environment that stressed morality? With everything going on these days I wonder.

I know that as a kid I was sheltered from the bad in the world, and I certainly did not see the news all the time, or I did not have social media to show me otherwise. I grew up among people who really, really valued having good intentions and true caring for others, who taught me right from wrong, and about the importance of the laws of our land.

Therefore…

I am thinking of morality this morning – because the Epstein Files and possible List are foremost in the news right now.

If you have been living under a rock, here is the summary as I know it. Jeffrey Epstein became a rich person through banking and investing. Living in NYC he hung out with the rich and famous there. In the early 2000’s he owned a mansion in Manhattan, a secluded place in Palm Springs, and a private island.

He was arrested for child abuse, for prostitution, and sex trafficking. As more and more information came out about his sick desire for young girls, for finding them, abusing them, and “working’’ them to satisfy men, interest became great. OF course! There are testimonies from the girls and the staff, and pictures of men who were guests of Epstein and were invited to his homes. Some of the young girls, now older, have bravely spoken out. Prince Andrew of England was named as a ‘customer’. His mother Queen Elizabeth basically disowned him. Lots of other names from all walks of life, all wealthy men, have been rumored to be on the list.

There was an investigation – and it produced pages and pages about the illegal and ill-moral activity. It is thought that this ‘list’ is in the huge investigation folder that sits on Attorney General Pam Bondi’s desk and it holds the names of those who participated. People in politics. Possibly CEO’s of major firms and banks. Celebrities. Princes.

Now, you don’t have to be a genius to realize Donald Trump was one of Epstein’s good friends. They were very similar. Both lived in NYC, both were wealthy, and both loved the ladies. There were many, many pictures of them taken together at parties and other places. Some of the pictures are with young girls.

As I said, I am a person with a moral compass and I find the behavior of them, and all the others involved, disgusting. There seems to be an invisible cushion around these rich, white, men – and for years now they have gone unnamed.

But, just the other day Trump and his administrative ‘groupies’ claim that there is no list. What?!?! They want Americans to stop pushing for the file to be opened and made public. It seems to be an effort on his part to keep the information, and the names, secret and hidden.

So, I come back to morality.

I can safely say that Donald Trump has never had good morals. All his life he was taught that winning and getting wealthy was the most important thing ever. It did not matter how it happened. Who was walked over or hurt. There are case after case of people who knew Trump in business and saw and felt the wrath of his dealings. Many have spoken out that the man has no empathy for others. He has a psychological issue, a narcissist, unable to consider anything beyond himself.

I have to ask: where is the integrity of others? Doesn’t anyone have morality anymore? What happened to other people in government and in powerful positions having a conscience? A moral fiber or two?

Can so many be so ill-moral???

This morning I texted with my bestie that this is a moment where we need a “Deep Throat,” an anonymous source, someone willing to bring the facts out to the public. There needs to be someone in the administration who will put justice above everything else. One person willing to do the right thing.

Because… remember, there are a lot of men walking around, free, who are on that list and who need to come before a court of law. There is a ‘good ole boy’ system that must end. Justice can be an important deterrent.

For the sake of women and girls, it must end.

We need to hold men accountable to their actions.

This is the perfect time.