Christopher Johnson at Midwest Conservative Journal says it all:
From the United States Code, Title 18, section 793(f):
Whoever, being entrusted with or having lawful possession or control of any document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, instrument, appliance, note, or information, relating to the national defense, (1) through gross negligence permits the same to be removed from its proper place of custody or delivered to anyone in violation of his trust, or to be lost, stolen, abstracted, or destroyed, or (2) having knowledge that the same has been illegally removed from its proper place of custody or delivered to anyone in violation of its trust, or lost, or stolen, abstracted, or destroyed, and fails to make prompt report of such loss, theft, abstraction, or destruction to his superior officer—
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
There’s nothing in there about whether or not Hillary “intended” to break the law, Jimmy boy.
Today, the FBI sold out the Rule of Law in America. After describing clear evidence of extensive mishandling of classified national security information, FBI Director James Comey announced that the FBI will not recommend indicting former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. This is naked crony government, ugly and exposed. Comey’s decision will go down as one of the government’s worst assaults on truth in its War on Honesty.
Today’s press conference was, in many respects, an exercise in legal and cognitive dissonance. Comey acknowledged Clinton sent and received Top Secret emails that “any reasonable person” understands not to discuss on an unclassified system.
Red flags? Excuse me, sir—that’s a crime.
Comey also acknowledged her email system was housed on unclassified personal servers that lacked full time security systems. Indeed, nations and groups hostile to the U.S. could have hacked the system. Comey acknowledged “hostile actors” hacked individuals corresponding with Clinton on her unauthorized system. She also used her unsecured personal system outside of the U.S.—in places where sophisticated adversaries could hack her communications.
Comey called this careless. Sir, it is reprehensible. It is reckless disregard of American security.
Then he said he would not recommend indictment.
This is beyond outrage. Everyone who has carried a Top Secret clearance and had access to Top Secret information knows that Clinton has criminally violated the laws protecting classified information. These laws serve a purpose. Protecting security secrets is essential to protecting America.
I am certain [Comey] expects an angry reaction, and he should also expect sustained anger. Public trust in the federal government is near an all-time low, and Comey’s decision is a heavy blow. Elitists should prepare for sustained disrespect of laws they favor. A large slice of the American population, fed up with crony government and crony capitalism, will begin experimenting with civil disobedience. As a former community organizer, President Obama is no position to object.
You know that Hillary Clinton has taken a torpedo amidships when the KINDEST POSSIBLE spin anyone can put on this travesty of justice is that Hillary is too bonecrushingly stupid to even be allowed on a White House tour, never mind being elected to the presidency of the most powerful country in the world as even the Washington Post’s Chris Cilizza admits.
Here’s the good news for Hillary Clinton: The FBI has recommended that no charges be brought following its investigation of the former secretary of state’s private email server.
Here’s the bad news: Just about everything else.
FBI Director James B. Comey dismantled large portions of Clinton’s long-told story about her private server and what she sent or received on it during a stirring 15-minute news conference, after which he took no questions. While Comey exonerated Clinton, legally speaking, he provided huge amounts of fodder that could badly hamstring her in the court of public opinion.
Most importantly, Comey said the FBI found 110 emails on Clinton’s server that were classified at the time they were sent or received. That stands in direct contradiction to Clinton’s repeated insistence she never sent or received any classified emails. And it even stands in contrast to her amended statement that she never knowingly sent or received any classified information.
And while OJ Simpson was cleared of murdering his wife and Ronald Goldman, it did not ultimately matter much what a California court wrongly decided since from that moment, Simpson’s life was effectively over.
That said, campaigns aren’t governed by the ultimate legality of what Clinton did or didn’t do. So, while dodging an indictment is a good thing — she isn’t under criminal investigation and remains a candidate — it’s a far different thing from being cleared (or even close to it) in the court of public opinion.
For a candidate already badly struggling on questions of whether she is honest and trustworthy enough to hold the office to which she aspires, Comey’s comments are devastating. Watching them, I could close my eyes and imagine them spliced into a bevy of 30-second ads — all of which end with the FBI director rebuking Clinton as “extremely careless.”
So where are we?
(1) None of this should shock or surprise anyone since The Single Most Lawless Presidential Administration In The History Of This Country, The Nixon Administration Included corrupts everything it touches and everyone connected with it. But the Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken a hit from which it may take a generation to recover. And that hit was entirely self-inflicted.
(2) Remember when people asked, “Do you really want someone like Donald Trump anywhere near this country’s nuclear launch codes?” Considering everything that’s transpired, any country that would allow Hillary Clinton near those codes has a national death wish.
(3) Hillary Clinton might be the stupidest person who has ever lived. Or she might the most arrogant (but there’s no reason why she can’t be both). Either way, electing her to the most powerful office in this land would signal open season on her and on rest of the left’s political enemies. And probably the downfall of the republic.
(4) Because if the American people are mentally challenged enough to elect the Va-Jay-Jay, it’s not too hard to imagine many state legislatures suddenly taking a, for lack of a better term, “Jacksonian” view of the “rule of law.”
Let’s say that the State of Missouri elects a conservative Republican governor this fall and keeps its Republican-dominated General Assembly. Let’s also say that the legislature passes and the new governor signs a measure which not only forbids “gay marriage” and legally invalidates all that have been performed in the state but allows anyone in a public or private capacity to opt out of direct or even indirect participation in a “gay marriage” without any possible legal sanction of any kind.
YOU CAN’T DO THAT, shrieks the left. THE SUPREME COURT SAYS YOU CAN’T!!
Maybe so, replies Missouri. But the Supreme Court has made its decision. Now let the Supreme Court enforce it. Because “the rule of law” either applies to everyone or it applies to no one at all.
Go here to read the comments. Elect Hillary Clinton President and bid a fond farewell to any remnants of the rule of law.
The FBI has definitely had its “John Roberts” moment. I had a discussion with family this weekend about how I now understand what life was like for the average Israelite under the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.
I respectfully disagree, Arminius. John Roberts did not misrepresent the applicability of a law, he only misrepresented the intent of Congress as seen in its debates. In effect all he did was call out their “this is not a tax” lie and say “oh yes it is”.
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This is far worse.
Comey was under some coercion I think, under this “Chicago style” administration. Maybe even a threat against someone he knows- He followed the letter of the coercion but he did the right thing in spilling All the beans.
The same Left that would shriek about hypothetical Missouri is the same Left that, in conflict with federal laws, lured multiple states into legalizing marijuana and so-called sanctuary cities decades ago
Hillary puts the “UP” in corruption.
A way to climb to the top.
It’s not about how you got their…it’s about getting there. Fake it till you make it Hillary.
Earning respect and buying respect are opposites. She will shrivel up and blow away like a potato bug who’s crawled out from under a nasty rotten log and basks in the brilliant light of the SON.
As soon as I saw the headline, I felt physically ill.
This is very bad.
We have no country if we have not the Rule of Law. It is what we are. It is ALL we are. THAT is what soldiers fight and die for.
Director Comey is accomplice to the crime now, He sold out his country.
This defeat is as great as any loss on the field of battle n time of war. We fight to defend our country and our way of life. These people are destroying us from within.
I came to the same conclusion as Anzlyne. Mr. Comey folded under pressure, but he still wanted to make sure that the truth at least saw the light of day. He did as much damage as he dared to do.
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Obviously this is speculation on my part, but he seems to want to make sure that everyone knows that he came to the wrong conclusion about bringing charges against Hilary. He is willing to smear his own reputation with (more than?) half the country.
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If Anzlyne and I have it right … that’s some pretty powerful pressure point that was used.
Nicholas, I agree with you. I think that is reasonable and likely correct.
I repeat, however, THAT is what soldiers fight and die for. Sometimes on a lonely rock at 12,000′ in Afghanistan. Sometimes in an air conditioned room, at a mahogany table, seated on 2″ plush carpet.
At some point, someone will need to take the stand of Thomas More. I pray, God, I am able when my time comes.
Absolutely, Brian. I’m sure that Mr. Comey knew going into the job that there are high risks associated with being Director of the FBI. He took the job knowing those risks.
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So if, in fact, there was a threat, I don’t believe it related to his personal safety.
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I also don’t think he declined to bring charges to stay in the good graces of the Washington elite. I don’t think his laundry list of evidence pointing to criminal activity will get him any invitations to Martha’s Vineyard … except maybe to be shown as a leashed pet.
Nicholas, I just saw TAC’s Clinton v. Comey link.
Yes, that is devastating to her. He did not, to his great credit hold anything back in the Catalogue of Errors.
Perhaps, he sees this as a political struggle at its core; as an existential threat to the nation, it must be resolved politically first. Perhaps that IS how we return to our pride of place as a Nation of Laws, not men. Perhaps it is to be settled on the debate stage, and not in a Court before a solitary judge. Perhaps he is subtly handing the baton to the opposition candidate. Perhaps.
IF Trump can wage that battle effectively, with the ammunition provided by Director Comey, he most CERTAINLY will have my vote.
Another thought about Director Comey’s words and actions:
he effectively put everything, including his list contradicting her claims, on the table right Now —He made definitive statements, not to be dragged out until the election. They wanted to put the lid on it but he plainly expresses the judgements that they could have continued blurring for a long time.
Re Clinton v Comey Reason TV video. Comey should not be vilified. He laid out her crimes for all the world to hear and see and passed the ball to Obama’s DOJ.
If Reason TV will give the Trump campaign permission to use excerpts of the video, the resulting 30 second spots will be devastating.
Best use is after the Dem convention nominates Hillary, not before.
That said in my comments above regarding the campaign, what about the yeoman or analyst who inadvertently left out classified material and who had no intent to disseminate it? Hammered…depending on the classification levels of material…, demoted or dismissed, fined and/or jailed. Doesn’t Comey’s judgement re intent set a dangerous precedent for punishment of security violators?
“Perhaps, he sees this as a political struggle at its core; as an existential threat to the nation, it must be resolved politically first. ”
Brian, you have a point there. A lot of people in our society are very legalistic: pass the right law, pass the right constitutional amendment, enforce them, and all will be well. Politically that only works if most people are willing to put law above politics, as they eventually did during Watergate.
During both the Clinton impeachment and the 2000 Florida recount too many people put politics above the law. Perhaps Comey foresaw the same outcome here.
Comey may have made the better decision but on the prospects rather than the merits. Remember the OJ trial? Clinton’s legal defense team would certainly load a jury with sympathetic members. It would be due process much modified by affirmative action. Election Day will be the penultimate trial for Hillary, and Judgment Day the ultimate trial for us all.
Election day will be the penultimate trial for Hillary, and Judgement day the ultimate trial for us all.”
With that…….. crickets chirping.
“Election day will be the penultimate trial for Hillary, and Judgement day the ultimate trial for us all.”- William P. Walsh.
With that…….. crickets chirping.
Good post Mr Walsh.
There is no reason to give Comey any credit. He could have resigned; he did not.
“There is no reason to give Comey any credit. He could have resigned; he did not.”
There certainly is reason to give Comey credit. His presentation against Clinton was devastating. He did not need to say a word of it. If he had decided to recommend indictment of Clinton, he could not have said a syllable of it for fear of his remarks being viewed as prejudicial to the case. Due to Comey Clinton’s dodging the indictment bullet may well be a Pyrrhic victory for her.
“There certainly is reason to give Comey credit. His presentation against Clinton was devastating. He did not need to say a word of it. If he had decided to recommend indictment of Clinton, he could not have said a syllable of it for fear of his remarks being viewed as prejudicial to the case. Due to Comey Clinton’s dodging the indictment bullet may well be a Pyrrhic victory for her.”
He was never going to decide to indict Clinton at any point. That is clearly seen by the fact that he did not have Clinton under oath for questioning. Nor did he even have a transcript made of her interview with the FBI. What a joke!! And he continues to work to shore up the false narrative that Clinton should have not had charges brought against her. Any truth he is sharing is most likely shared for the simple reason of self protection. He doesn’t want to go down with anyone else at a later point in time. This is the Obama Admin we are talking about here. It seems to me that he went through as few of the sham motions as was necessary for appearances on this deal.