the Russian Mob and massage parlors.

is into everything! Blackmail and extortion included.

Even money odds that Trump's involved with this as well.

They make the Sicilian Mafia look like Boy Scouts.

are brutal, and have absolutely no respect for the sanctity of life. The slightest suspicion of impropriety gets you hung, disembowled, from an overpass. Coincidences don't exist, either. That's an instant ticket to a dirt nap.
Getting involved with either one of them is madness.

in the KGB or FSB, so they are very organized and skilled in their brutality.

There is so much pure evil in the world. I had no idea how much.

Larry, a caller to Thom Hartmann's show yesterday, noted that not until Epstein indicated he would cooperate with the investigation and start revealing information that could implicate others including krasnov was he arrested, imprisoned, and then dead. I'm unsure of the exact timeline and sequence of events but it sure sounds suggestive. And, who would put it past krasnov to imprison and kill such a dangerous enemy?

Probably with Russian roots, so blackmail was most likely a big part of it. The Russians had the money, manpower, muscle, and technology to make it all work. Epstein provided the hook with his use of underage girls to entrap rich and/or powerful men. There was also the lure of big profits for those on the inside, like Les Wexner.

I have no hesitation in saying that Trump was also on the inside, or at least so badly compromised that he had to go along with everything. Besides, this had all the things he lives for...money, power, control, and underage girls. His long term relationship with Epstein should have been a big red flag to everyone, but his hatred for certain types of people was his hook to political power. Also, it always seemed there were people out there willing to cover Trump's ass.

This makes it very clear as to strong Russian involvement in Trump's 2016 victory, and again in 2024.

But, it's looking a little bit more like truth will out.

... stinks in the world of trump!
Our government needs a serious overhaul. America won't survive without one, and at this point I'm not sure there are enough Republicans alive that can be trusted to keep the best interests of working Americans as their primary focus, if they're allowed to take part in whatever group takes on such a Herculean task. Nothing they've done in living memory supports any assumption that they would. And oligarchs and corporatists need not apply for the same reason.
We must start with the impeachment and CONVICTION of Trump and everyone in his regime. Their treachery cannot be forgiven. Then we set phasers to KILL the Electoral College, and sink its ashes to the bottom of the Challenger Deep in a lead-lined casket, never to rise again.
Then comes a long list of ways to ensure that something like Trump never, ever happens again. One has to prove that one is qualified to cut hair. One should have to prove that one is qualified to run for president. At the moment, no such requirement exists.
Updates to come.

You say you don't think there are enough (R)epublicons alive that value "working American". If there were ever more than a few percent points in the last 100 years I'd be surprised.

They (the (R)s) embraced the business/political/military class long ago. I bit of cheap veneer to give credibility to the reaganesque pronouncements.

... of unattainable aspirations! Some of 'em might even get done some day, though at my age, it's a crap shoot as to whether or not I'll be around to see it. I'm just a year and change shy of 80, so I don't even buy green bananas anymore!

I'm in your solar revolution range also. And I remember thinking these same thoughts at many marker points along the calendar - "Why bother since I won't be here to appreciate." Damn it, I'm still here - wanted or not.

... I've never tried it, but I just might. Thanks for the tip!