Mickey O'Connor

And if we can read it, see it, and still shrug… then maybe the ugliest truth isn’t what happened. Maybe the ugliest truth is what we’ve become willing to live with. 12

That “justice” is a word we use to keep ourselves calm while the powerful do whatever they want. I don’t know if writing this matters. I don’t know if it’s worth reading. I don’t know if this is even new. But I do know this: This is not how things should be. 11

And I think what disgusts me most isn’t even what was said. It’s what was said between the lines: That nothing is going to happen. That nobody important is going to pay. That accountability is for ordinary people. 10

Because if this could happen for decades, at this scale, with this many rumors and this much evidence, then it isn’t a failure of one person. It’s a system functioning exactly as designed. I also suspect I read too much of what was released. 9

They’ll argue about parties, and presidents, and “their side” versus “your side,” while ignoring the fact that the entire machine protects itself. 8

I suspect most will care more about the political implications than the human reality; the fact that the bill is always paid by the most vulnerable, in innocence taken and suffering imposed. 7

But here we are. Still watching the same story unfold. Still acting surprised. Still pretending the next document drop will be the one that matters. I suspect many people will read this and completely miss what I’m saying. 6

TIL our society is so saturated, distracted, and entertained into submission that there is no will to change anything. Because if there were will, 20 years would have been too long. Even 30 years would have been too long. 5

TIL that if you have enough money, enough connections, and the right last name, you can do things that would ruin a normal person’s life, and walk away untouched. And we’re expected to accept that as normal. 4

TIL “there’s a price for everything” isn’t just a cynical saying. It’s a business model. TIL laws aren’t applied inconsistently. They’re applied selectively. For some people, justice is slow. For others, justice is theoretical. For a few, justice simply does not exist. 3

Their innocence has a market value. Their bodies have been commoditized. Their pain has been priced. And the buyers aren’t hiding in alleyways, they’re flying private. TIL there is no meaningful limit to what power can purchase in America. 2

TIL means “Today I learned.” People use it when something finally clicks; something they didn’t know, didn’t understand, or didn’t want to believe. TIL our children are for sale. Not metaphorically. Not “in some tragic poetic sense.” Literally. 1

@LadyMadd Cheers!

Time for this Regulator to raise a glass! Carpe Noctum!!! Wishing you a great weekend!! #toastandpost family

@Kartkaprokai No.

@LadyMadd Cheers and Happy Valentine’s Day!

#ToastandPost Happy Friday my Regulator friends! Slaintè Enjoying a well deserved getaway with the family during this challenging last month. Sometimes you need a break and just have fun together. It doesn’t change the challenges but lets you renew and refresh together.

Cheers #ToastAndPost to all #Regulators Another week down!

@btmahoney @CorissaBaker You’ve lived in this area a long time. It must be really hard and scary to see stuff like that. Praying for everyone impacted.

@btmahoney @aFrenchWalker @NocturnalKen Glad you and your family are safe.

@btmahoney That’s horrifyingly close.

@aFrenchWalker @btmahoney He hasn’t posted in a while. I hope all is well.

@ShmickMickey @btmahoney Hi, Do you know if anyone has heard from Brian?

#toastandpost Cheers to another 7 revolutions on the outside of the rock! Praying for safety of those impacted by the fires in CA. Hope you’re safe @btmahoney Until next week #Regulators