Response to http://pizzagate.com/ , beginning from "How did this start?"

Code words – First of all, the term “cheese pizza” has been used as a code word for child pornography because they both contain the same initials (CP). There has not been proof presented that either word by itself has been used with any commonality to refer to pedo-related subjects. Additionally, the coded definition of “cheese pizza” refers to pornography, and does not make much sense in context of the pizzagate emails unless “pizza” was referring to something else. This is essentially just taking a known code word and making it mean something else because it’s encompassed in the same subject, despite the whole purpose of that code word being based on its grammatical features. The other supposed code words are not specifically mentioned here, but have no references before the beginning of pizzagate.

Antinous – Antinous has been a popular homosexual symbol for decades. For one thing, while originally an underaged lover, he was more than likely around or over 18 during his later years when he became so admired, and his status as an underage boy was never a focus of his life. Additionally, there is no source suggesting he had become a widely-known pedo symbol like you are suggesting. He’s much more often referenced as a typical gay symbol (which makes sense, as Alefantis is gay and a supporter of the gay community)

Chickenlover – While its appearance on some dictionary websites is legitimate, I am having difficulty sourcing its origin as having that meaning. I have also never heard that as a slang term before (but I know I’m not a personal source). What’s interesting to me is that it does not appear on Urban Dictionary as having that definition, whereas almost any colloquialism to such a thing would likely appear there. The definition of “chickenlover” there is, rather, one who has sexual relations with chickens. This leads me to believe it’s not a commonly-known term, even in more lowly circles. But more importantly to the point, if you search the hashtag on Instagram, you commonly see pictures of chicken (the food), referring to their love of chicken (the food). As a chef, it doesn’t seem unlikely that Alefantis was referring to a meal they had eaten prior to the photo, perhaps as a special at their restaurant or another event, and many of his Instagram friends may have been aware of this and understood his reference.

The child taped to the table – I didn’t make this so I can’t take credit it, but this pretty much explains it - http://i65.tinypic.com/28t98hd.png . It’s a joke referring to the complaints of kids running around the restaurant. The reviews cited there are also legitimate and findable, but I’m not sure how to properly link them.

The baby for sale – This is likely a joke, like you said, and I’m also pretty sure it’s a doll? It’s not found to be funny within the context of the accusations, but those accusations came after this was posted.

The “my favorite pedo” thing – This also sounds like an inside joke, and very loosely related to the accused, of which we’re not likely going to get the reference as it was probably never expected to be part of some internet investigation

Heavy Breathing – This is just another part of these “this thing looks weird” pieces of evidence. There’s no evidence that she’s involved with anything beyond dark humor.

The sexual ads – This isn’t uncommon for hipster-run businesses. Especially for one run by a man active in the gay community, why not appeal with that?

Pedo symbols – The Besta Pizza one is odd, but that could have many explanations. For example, being a normal geometric symbol that was accidentally similar to a pedo symbol. It’s also pretty likely that the owners didn’t make the symbol themselves, but was rather created by a graphic designer for them, and they had no knowledge (like most people) of its alternative meaning. Regardless, Besta isn’t necessarily a part of the investigations into Comet. For Comet’s logo, it seems like a pretty far stretch to equate the two. One is a multi-colored butterfly, and one is a cross of two single-colored objects. There are a million things this could be similar to, from a cross of swords to a simple X.

Killroom – This is one of the many instances where the supposed code words are apparently substituted with literal terms. This makes little sense if they’ve been trying to be so secretive with never-before-used code words. “Killroom” is almost certainly used as a joke, as it looks like a torture room while it’s bare. But that’s how any newly constructed walk-in would look. Again, prior to this investigation, Alefantis and others would have no reason to think anyone could take such comments literally.

Dahmer statue – This is not a sculpture based on a Dahmer murder victim, but rather a not-too-uncommon sculpture based on a 19th century psychiatric patient - https://www.gallery.ca/en/see/collections/artwork.php?mkey=100798 . I don’t have one at home because I make $15/hr.

Spirit cooking – Abramovic used the term “spirit cooking” as a name for an admittedly disturbing but minor 1990’s performance art piece. Since then, she’s simply used the term “spirit cooking” to describe her method of cooking (regular food), which is inspired from other cultures and religions. A spirit cooking dinner is even used as part of a reward for her kickstarter campaign ( https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/maihudson/marina-abramovic-institute-the-founders ), described as cooking traditional soups, ending with the making of a Tibetan “golden ball”, described elsewhere as a mixture of almonds, seeds, honey, and gold leaf ( https://mitpress.mit.edu/blog/marina-abramovic%E2%80%99s-spirit-cooking )

Washroom graffiti – That’s pretty gross for sure. But not evidence of anything more than poor bathroom upkeep. I remember seeing worse in the stalls of my high school.

Murals and pictures – Just to cover this in general, some may find it odd and/or distasteful, but they’re simply art pieces that can represent any number of things, from abstract concepts to simply whatever the artist had in their head at the time. Again, it would be a little odd for a restaurant in which every patron apparently has a pretty normal experience to be depicting certain things so openly and literally, while being extremely secretive and subtle with others and constantly using food-related code words.

Hastert connection – This is simply a consequence of prominent figures having so many acquaintances and associates. It’s likely that every powerful figure in Washington is (or was) friends with someone convicted of a child-related sex crime at some point. I can admit I even know one myself, but I don’t think that makes myself or my other friends guilty by association. We had no reason to suspect it before the arrest. As for the “Japanese island” quote, that sounds like a joke obviously not meant to be public, as evidenced by Hastert’s current incarceration.

Pool email – First of all, the description given is intentionally misleading by saying it’s a hot tub. That’s a little bit different than a pool with the connotations it can bring. The kids being “further entertainment” refers to kids being fun to be around, because they’re kids, and not boring Washington elites. When she mentions the kids being in the pool “for sure”, that can also be an invitation for the others to bring swimsuits, as it can be kinda awkward to swim alone. Also as an invitation for others to bring their kids and not have them be bored.

Handkerchief email – I’m not sure why this is an “obvious indication” that “pizza” is a code word. This can also literally be a handkerchief with some sort of graphic that’s pizza-related (like a map of the best pizza places in Chicago, for instance). Being as it had this graphic on it, it was recognized as a personal item, and therefore led her to ask if he wants it mailed to him. The implication of the alternative is that she found Podesta’s sex rag and asked if he wanted it mailed to him rather than throwing it out. The logic in that hasn’t been explained.

Pasta/cheese gift – Nothing in this email mentions pizza, so I don’t know where that came from. They were gifted a cheese assortment rather than their usual gift of pasta (which, by the way, is not an uncommon gift in traditional Italian families). The biggest issue with the pizzagate-interpretation of this email is the first half of it, when discussing the box. I’m not sure what kind of trafficked child arrives in a square-shaped box, and they must have also then expanded their code word vocabulary so much to make things work in a Christmas thank-you message. Not only does that not make sense, but it sounds extremely unnecessary. As for the “playing dominos” part of it, it actually took me a while to figure out what people thought was weird about that. You can also read it (as I did) as “Do you think I’ll do better playing dominos under the influence of cheese than under the influence of pasta?”. Families play board games on Christmas, and pasta is a heavy meal that can make people tired. It’s a dumb joke.

Torture chamber email – I find it odd that they apparently have an extended code-word vocabulary yet use the words “torture chamber” and “kill room” literally. Terms like “torture chamber” also commonly refer to long meetings and conferences at work.

Tony Podesta’s art – There’s no indication that child abuse is a theme or even a big commonality in Podesta’s collection. While it may seem weird, artistic depictions of youths is a normal thing in the art world. The article also mentions that Podesta has collected nearly 800 pieces of artwork, most of which is probably not child-related (or, at least, we don’t have evidence that it is).

Alefantis and Clinton – Whatever picture you had here is a broken link, so I’m not sure what it is. But you don’t seem to indicate that he’s actually met Clinton, only that he has friendly relationships with other Democratic figures.

Clinton-Epstein connection – Like the Podesta-Hastert connection, this is the consequence of having a large social circle. Epstein was also good friends with Trump (I know you’re not pushing Trump support or anything here, just giving him as an example). I’ve seen no indication that the Clintons supported Epstein when the case against him broke.

Laura Silsby – This is a strange case, but it seems like it probably resulted from a big misunderstanding. Silsby was also never accused of sex trafficking.