Remember when republicans were outrage that boys and young men were groomed by pedophiles. Now you have the Epstein files fight has some on the right questioning whether or not if Epstein is a pedophile of young girls and women, he groomed them. The reasoning is they have gone through puberty. No, it is just the old double standard. Just another example of republicans in power not valuing women and girls in our country.

I have no love for the Republican party, but I applaud Representative Massie and Representative Marjorie Taylor-Greene for their standing up for the victims of Epstein. There will be Republicans who will vote to release the e-mails, but they are doing so because Trump finally relented and said to vote for it. They are not being brave; they waited for permission from Trump.

Speaker Johnson is now blaming Democrats and defending Trump. I would like to remind Speaker Johnson that Trump and Republicans campaigned they would release the Epstein e-mails immediately when they won. Now he is making excuses for not releasing the e-mails.

This a black mark on our government and justice system and should have never taken this long to give the victims justice. They should be protecting the victims not those involved or connected to them. Unfortunately that is what happens when one is well connected to powerful people. I am afraid the e-mails will not be fully released.

CHARLES M. REEDER

Montoursville

Submitted byVirtual Newsroom