The names being thrown around in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the Ghislaine Maxwell arrest are a who’s who of transatlantic aristocracy of both political and social stature. Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Prince Andrew, various billionaires, and other politicians round out the possible list. They come from both major parties and some were regular travelers on Epstein’s plane and frequent visitors to his private perv island.

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What was the goal of Epstein and Maxwell in setting up this snare for the rich and illicit satisfaction seeking? Personal hubris, general perversion, intelligence gathering, blackmail, and other theories are bandied about, some that strain the limits of credulity.

In the hubbub surrounding this affair it is easy to dismiss certain theories that allege a conspiracy or plan executed behind the shadows by powerful men at risk of exposure. However, it would take a very naïve person to have full confidence in the public version of facts surrounding the death of Jeffrey Epstein.

That was done with the precision of a military intelligence operation and the coverage was restricted on the problems with the apparent scenario. So one does not have to wear a tinfoil hat or bark at the moon to suspect something nefarious is afoot. But what?

Sex and its various permutations have been the Achilles heel for many a powerful man. JFK, Bill Clinton, and countless others have suffered from an obsession with it and paid a historical or political price for it. On the other side of the Atlantic the Duke of Windsor, John Profumo, and Prince Andrew have been stung by allegations of sexual impropriety. But this scandal goes a lot farther than hookers or affairs.

If Maxwell sings to the feds, and as Epstein is dead there is very little reason for her to remain silent, the fallout could make Hiroshima look like a pop gun. Some people give a wink and a nod to sexual escapades involving consenting adults. However, this is nothing of the sort.

This is the serial abuse of underage females for the prurient desires of the rich and powerful. No libertarian, no fighter for the sexual revolution, no serious person can or will condone that. Thus if Maxwell names prominent names, careers could come crashing down and candidacies halted in their tracks. Expect the Left to try and make much hay of the president’s minor and vague association with Epstein. Expect the social Right to concentrate on Bill Clinton and possibly the Obamas. Expect the rest of America to be concentrating on, in the immortal words of the theme song to the “Beverly Hillbillies,” “swimming pools, movie stars.”

If Maxwell squawks before the November election there will be selective releases of her revelations likely designed to implicate the president. As it will be an ongoing investigation, authorities will not officially comment, which will only further titillate the public imagination. But no matter what she says or doesn’t say about anyone, a sword is poised over the heads of some very influential men at this moment. When it drops, many of them will rue the day they met Jeffrey Epstein.