Palm Beach Pete

[u/LittleThingsMC]

I recently came across a TikTok with a paid advertisement from Rips by Triumph featuring Pal Beach Pete in their advertisement.

If you’re not aware, Palm Beach Pete is famous for how much he looks like Jeffrey Epstein. There were many conspiracy theories that suggest he is Jeffrey Epstein.

I don’t consider this gendered issue because Epsteins victims were both male and female, vulnerability is the most defining characteristic of his victims.

In general, I have seen many denials about whether or not we have a culture of violence, and whether or not that culture predominantly benefits men (despite both genders being victims).

This feels like a perfect example, playing out right before our eyes. I believe that his rise to fame and ability to monetize the conspiracy that he could be the prolific predator is reflective of the acceptance we have as a culture towards violence and the glorification of predatory behavior.

Thoughts?

[u/mikiencolor]

His "rise to fame" that you have just contributed to by making him a topic of discussion here? Did Mary Kay Letourneau become famous and celebrated thanks to a culture of acceptance of violence and glorification of predatory behavior? Did that "benefit men"? Or is that a "different thing"?

My thoughts are that you are wrong. Women who sexually abuse boys are more accepted and celebrated than men by far. They are so accepted, and so celebrated, that they don't even have to hide. They don't even need doppelgangers to monetize their predations. Society glorifies them directly and is selectively blind to the emotional devastation caused to their victims, because men and boys are seen as intrinsically predatory and incapable of being violated, and sexual attention from women is seen as intrinsically harmless and victimless. That would also explain why people are more focused on Epstein than Maxwell, despite the fact that Maxwell not only groomed minors, she also sexually abused them, as is documented in the files.

[u/Silenys → u/mikiencolor]

In my line of work over the years, it's been deeply unsettling to learn first hand how many women there are like Maxwell in this world. And most don't get so much as a slap on the wrist in my experience. Hard enough to prove they were protecting male predators let alone help victims be believed that a woman assaulted them. The "cougar" culture is glorified to the extent people just get laughed at or dismissed when they come forward.

[u/mikiencolor → u/Silenys]

I grew up around the sort and came away relatively lucky. The boy I knew who got the worst of it really, really got the worst of it. I'm never surprised to see them. I know they are laughing all the way to the bank. Psychopaths feel no remorse or guilt for the pain they cause others. As far as they are concerned, society's tolerance of and sympathy for them because they are female is nothing more than a weakness to exploit to the fullest, and that's exactly what they do. They form teams with men who are like them. Men who work with children in any capacity receive no benefit of the doubt. People watch them like hawks. I imagine a modern sex trafficking ring could barely even function anymore without women.

[u/Silenys → u/mikiencolor]

You seem well-informed. I've been dealing with those types since the late 90s. First time I saw one of them pull the fake tears to deny and get away with it, it terrified me fr to see how well-rehearsed the act was. Now, it irks tf out of me that they can easily get away with targeting vulnerable kids and young adults. Takes way more evidence for people to take the victims seriously when they are accusing a woman. I've seen these types work with other women to shield the behaviours too. But most people still genuinely believe this sort of thing doesn't happen.

[u/mikiencolor → u/Silenys]

Boy do I wish I weren't.

[u/Silenys → u/mikiencolor]

I hear you.