The Next Level 1025: Bleak House – Reflections on a Quietly Depressing Week
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Oct 18, 2025 JVL and Sarah dive into a whirlwind of dark political topics, starting with the indictment of John Bolton and comparisons to past high-profile cases. They explore the nuances of classified-document mishandling and discuss fears of retaliation in politics. The discussion takes a turn to the Pentagon press corps purge, examining the threat of state-sanctioned media. Concerns rise over media ownership concentration and its implications for independent journalism. It’s a provocative journey through a quietly depressing week in politics.
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Politicized Prosecutions Can Still Contain Real Cases
- Political prosecutions are increasingly common and often mix real misconduct with vindictiveness.
- Bolton's documents case may differ from Comey/Tish James because it could involve genuine mishandling even if politically motivated.
Trust Jury Verdicts As A Check
- Rely on jury trials as a safeguard when prosecutions appear politicized.
- Remember that convincing 12 jurors remains harder than securing politically motivated indictments.
Classified-Document Cases Vary By Context
- Upper-echelon document mishandling is often circumstantial and common due to overclassification and record complexity.
- Juries remain a crucial check because prosecutors still must convince 12 peers beyond political motives.