Posted on 07/05/2016 4:50:42 PM PDT by Kaslin
I may be alone in saying this, but when the proverbial dust settles, James Comey may have hurt Hillary Clinton more than he helped her in his statement Tuesday concerning the Grand Email Controversy. He may have let her off the hook legally, but personally he has left the putative Democratic candidate scarred almost beyond recognition.
By getting out in front of the Justice Department, the FBI director, speaking publicly in an admittedly unusual fashion, was able to frame the case in a manner that Attorney General Loretta Lynch in all probability never would have.
Read this portion of Comey's transcript and ask yourself how this person (Clinton) could ever serve successfully as president of the United States:
Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case. Prosecutors necessarily weigh a number of factors before bringing charges. There are obvious considerations, like the strength of the evidence, especially regarding intent. Responsible decisions also consider the context of a person’s actions, and how similar situations have been handled in the past.
In looking back at our investigations into mishandling or removal of classified information, we cannot find a case that would support bringing criminal charges on these facts. All the cases prosecuted involved some combination of: clearly intentional and willful mishandling of classified information; or vast quantities of materials exposed in such a way as to support an inference of intentional misconduct; or indications of disloyalty to the United States; or efforts to obstruct justice. We do not see those things here.
To be clear, this is not to suggest that in similar circumstances, a person who engaged in this activity would face no consequences. To the contrary, those individuals are often subject to security or administrative sanctions. But that is not what we are deciding now.
Look at that last paragraph again, because, if the Republicans have any brains at all, they will be quoting it ad infinitum. "To the contrary, those individuals are often subject to security or administrative sanctions." What Comey is clearly saying (and leaving for us to "decide now") is that--whether you agree with his decision not to indict or no (I don't)—in a normal, real-world situation Clinton would face consequences, quite probably be demoted or even fired, certainly not promoted to the presidency of the United States, for what she did.
Which brings me back to why Comey made this speech.
Yes, I suppose he owed it to the public, as he indicated. But I wonder if the greater motivation was fear that Clinton would be completely exonerated, that she would skate away free once he passed the FBI decision on to the Justice Department. It's hard to imagine Lynch speaking in public about how Clinton and her aides were "extremely careless" about national security, obvious though that was, or the high probability that the Clinton's server, not to mention her cell phone (!), was hacked by foreign powers. There were also several new revelations, such as the surprising fact that there were actually multiple personal servers, not just one. This was prevarication of a high and deliberate order. (Remember how Hillary claimed Powell and Rice did the same thing? What complete and utter horse hockey.) And that her lawyers never actually read her emails before deleting them, relying on the subject lines (how to keep yourself out of trouble).
The proximity of Comey's statement to the Bill Clinton/Loretta Lynch meeting on Lynch's plane should also be noted and is potential grist for the mill for historians in the years to come.
My purpose here is not to exonerate Comey. In all probability he was a more than a bit of a coward, looking for a way out. But that way out may prove to have powerful ramifications. A Hillary indictment, in all likelihood, would have meant a new and more scandal-free Democratic candidate, a Joe Biden perhaps, far more potent than the seriously wounded Clinton who now has even more explaining to do. It's an endless case of be-careful-what-you-wish-for. And if we are to believe Judicial Watch (and I do), it's only just begun:
FBI Director James Comey detailed Hillary Clinton’s massive destruction of government records and grossly negligent handling of classified information. Frankly, there’s a disconnect between Comey’s devastating findings and his weak recommendation not to prosecute Hillary Clinton. Federal prosecutors, independent of politics, need to consider whether to pursue the potential violations of law confirmed by the FBI.
“But this isn’t the hill to die on” no, not yet, stop being defeatist, td.
So when? When they are so emboldened by their lawlessness that they start banging on our doors?
NEVER!
If Trump plays this right, comey may have given him truckloads of ammunition. The media will never, ever play along.
Convention, ads and debates, Trump needs to hammer her utter corruption and her .000000000000000000000000001% status as a super citizen, above all laws.
IMO the FBI has no stomach to investigate the Clinton Foundation. It’s over.
Missing it completely, imho. Bill was the Clinton First Reich, Obama was simply a great placeholder as the Clinton Second Reich, and Hillary is their hopeful Clinton Third Reich. And the despicable spawn Chelsea will be waiting in the shadows.
People have forgotten that nearly all Obama appointees from start to finish are Clinton c*cksuckers, or at least have worshipped at the Clinton altar. Obama is now and always has been nothing but the Clinton’s tool and buttboy. They hate eachother, but they hate their many enemies even worse.
I want to believe that I’m wrong about the g*ddam Clintons, but I don’t think I am.
Yeah, like “Justice” Roberts drove a stake through the heart of Obamacare with his mystical ruling.
Dream on.
WOW. She has man-hands.
No. This is just the rationalization of a human mind trying to wrap itself around the reality of a very bad situation that has very earth shaking, culture changing, destabilizing ramifications.
I think this hurt Hillary, but not as much as it helped Trump.
Comey caved because he knew if he went the indictment route, he’d never have another appointed position. And he’s an entirely political critter, no matter what anyone says bout his integrity.
Trump has a lot of ammunition here, if he will use it, and never stop hammering her about it. Starting with a good ad contrasting her comments with Comey’s facts.
I’ve been mad all day too, this is despicable, appalling, deplorable...the fix is definitely in. Comey had his chance and he blew it in a big way. He could have taken the high road, instead he went into the gutter with the Clintons.
He laid out all the findings that should make a case for gross negligence a slam dunk, then flipped us the finger and let her walk away. His claim that they didn’t find intent was only valid for one of the statutes he initially listed in his opening remarks. Gross negligence does not require intent and Comey knows it, he even said so.
Rudy Giuliani said in an interview he looked up the legal definition of gross negligence. Exceptional carelessness is what it means. (thanks Mr G, I was wondering) He also said any responsible prosecutor wouldn’t be able to NOT prosecute her. The exact opposite of what Comey said.
I’m appalled. Disgusted. The justice system n this country is hopelessly corrupt, same as every other facet of government.
We have only one hope now...
Dear Washington,
America is coming.
And they’re bringing Donald J Trump.
Comey was the US Atty in NYC when he nailed Martha Stewart on some perjury charge. His legacy is that he could bring down Martha Stewart, but he wouldn’t touch Hillary Clinton when she was ####ing guilty guilty guilty as sin of major national security violations.
Nice job, Director Comey, you twit.
One thing I forgot.
Why is nobody even mentioning the fact that Hillary was one of the people appointed to determine what communications were classified, and at what level. She knew without any “markings” what was classified.
Nobody is saying a word about this.
http://www.archives.gov/isoo/policy-documents/cnsi-eo.html
Hillary’s claim that none of her emails were “marked” as classified is a smoke screen at best, and outright lie at worst. She knew without any markings.
The stench from Bill and Lynch is beyond awful.
“Tired of it, yes. But very unwilling to do a thing about it I’m afraid. I guess you and others could prove me wrong, but the last 20-30 years has shown that voters will take just about anything their elected officials dish out. And vote them in again and again. Wish it were different.”
Most Americans got up this morning, at breakfast, brushed their teeth and are going about their daily routine giving little thought to Comey, Hillary, Trump, or their elected officials.
People will be complacent until their daily routines are disrupted in a major way. Turn off the electricity for a month, burn their houses to the ground, take away their electronic gadgets, put them in prison, make them starve, or kill their children and you’ll then see them begin to think about banding together and taking action. Until major disruption of their routines occur, little Washington does will make a difference.
For most Americans life is reasonably easy, particularly compared to most of the rest of the people on the planet. Whether or not they are producers are takers the overwhelming majority have the basics (food, clothing, and shelter) covered. They have transportation, medical care, and cheap entertainment (television, movies and streaming content). Most have more computing power in their smart phones, tablets, and home computers than was used to put men on the moon in 1969. Plus they have the freedom to engage in every kind of sexual activity imaginable. While the quality of education for the masses has deteriorated significantly over the past 60 years most can read, write and perform enough basic math to get by in today’s society. Except for inner city dwellers, most are secure in their homes and are unlikely to experience violent crime in their homes and workplaces. Even war is not on the radar screen for most Americans. Wars are fought in distant lands and if the USA is involved in a war the members of the military engaged in those wars are other people’s children.
The truth is most Americans are well fed, complacent,and reasonably satisfied with life. The intrusions of government in their daily lives are not bothersome enough for them to take the time to write a letter to a congresscritter, much less organize protests and storm city hall.
In fact 42.5% of eligible voters did not even bother to vote in the 2012 presidential election. Add that 42.5% to the 30% who voted for Obama and the Democrats and you have almost 3/4 of the electorate either complacent or happy with the big government status quo. When 3/4 of the electorate is happy or doesn’t care, meaningful change will not occur. Inertia is a power force and without opposition from the people, big government will continue to expand.
When the inevitable happens, and guns are taken from the American people, expect them to behave just as the Australians, British, and German citizens did. Most will turn in their guns without a whimper and return to daily life.
That was my first thought, too. The filthy DOJ under Loretta Lynch was NEVER going to convict Hitlery and then she'd be untouchable. Now, in a Trump administration we'll get a second go at her--besides the fact that the Clinton Crime Family Foundation investigation is still waiting...
Except that dirty Loretta would never have brought charges, no matter what she said ahead.
It is up to the voters.
Well, I would agree, but I'd like to be surprised...
But it has been proven time and time again, thats what the majority of citizens want, the enemy in charge. America will get the leader they deserve. I sadly thing America deserves the Clintons again, and then maybe she will appoint Obama to the Supreme court, to once and for all remove the 2nd amendment from the Bill or Rights for good!
These people play for keeps, they are of their father satan, the father of lies. They lit up the white house with rainbow colors, the symbol God gave to his people that he will never destroy the earth again with water. It so evil for the homosexuals to use that symbol for their abomination. And Obama lit up our country's house in solidarity with the homosexual lobby, anathema to God and his children.
True, but it suggests she commited a crime. That is fodder going forward against her campaign. By giving her a completely clean slate, her campaign can say she has been proven innocent, and the dupes will believe her. She couldnt say that if he said take her case to a Grand Jury. She would be tainted.
Also now Lynch has complete cover. Had James Commie thrown it back onto Lynch, she would look far worse and lose political capital rejecting the FBIs recommendation, especiall after the secret meeting with the Rapist Bill Clinton.
James Commie screwed us all around.
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