@Curl: "It's what Democrats/Socialists/Communists do. Which one are you?"
When you get into these tribalistic mindsets, these things can happen. These labels and broad-sweeping generalizations aren't helpful. I understand that you're reacting to a tribalist smear yourself, and I credit the Professor for stepping up and apologizing. The only Tribe that should matter is that we are American Citizens, living in a Country with the most advanced set of political and personal rights when it was created (unfortunately many of these rights have been gutted). The Professor is a Democrat and I don't know either of you, but hopefully we'd all find common cause and enjoy each other's company over a cocktail or two ... or three ... You shouldn't be looking at each other as the enemy or the problem. Both of these political Parties are OWNED and have been for some time, which is why you have seen movements in both parties to break free of the corrupt Party Leadership - whether it's the Tea-Party and Trump supporters or the Progressives and AOC supporters --- they all want change from the corrupt Status Quo. In that sense, they should find some common cause ... in time hopefully, because the only chance for the people is if they unite against a corrupt ruling system.
On that score ... Professor - I would not have attempted to sour you on Warren if I thought it might lead you to Harris - Omg Harris is bad. She is a Party politician who will say anything of convenience to the public - a classic lying politician.
On another topic - I don't understand this optimism over the Epstein prosecution. These high-level sex crimes usually serve one purpose, if they are pursued - and they rarely are successfully pursued. More often - they end up the way it originally ended up in FL - high level cover-up. The usefulness of high-level sex crimes is blackmail. The Trump supporters here seem very confident that Trump is safe from this prosecution, but personally ... I am worried that the whole thing can be used to intimidate him and coerce him into attacking Iran. It's pretty clear that Enormous Pressure is being applied to Trump to attack Iran, and so far ... he's managed to stand fast. So shortly after he calls off an Airstrike in the aftermath of the Drone downing controversy ... all of sudden, the Epstein case rises from the Dead and goes into high gear. I am a little worried about the timing of that.
Don't forget Clinton, Monica, Wag-the-Dog ... airstrikes against Sudan. One thing I have learned about the Ruling Elite (Deep State, if you like), when they find a Formula that works -- they stick with it.