Yet so many aren’t “stopped.”

Yes and this is the case for the vast majority of investigations in organised crime. You don't see mafia networks not being completely dismantled and people there getting away. You don't see cops protecting other cops when they transgress. The whole Epstein thing is a pattern that repeats in all of society, on almost all levels.

I cannot help but notice the parallels between Epstein and Plastic straws in media. On one side you have the outrage regarding Epstein, on the other you have systemic facts that enable Epstein that also cause a lot of other uncomfortable realities. You have plastic straws that most can do without, where it's easy to say "we don't need this" and then you have an entire economy centred around single use plastics where straws are only a minute subset. We could say this is just barking around the lowest common denominator and I find it insulting that the science of economic critique has its language, aesthetics and politics appropriated for tabloid-level engagement farming.

Now, where am I committing the sin of apologia of shaving cuts when I am rubbing salt in the wounds otherwise covered by garment?