Let the Willing Suspension of Disbelief Begin

 

tdy_andrea_hillary_150305As a senator, Hillary Clinton once told General David Petraeus that trusting his positive reports to Congress on the surge in Iraq required “the willing suspension of disbelief.”

FBI director James Comey announced today that he would decline to recommend Clinton for prosecution for her mishandling of top secret information during her tenure as secretary of state.

Here’s a short list of claims related to the FBI’s investigation of Secretary Clinton’s unsecured e-mail setup  that currently require the willing suspension of disbelief:

  1. Clinton didn’t know the e-mails she sent and received were classified and, in some cases, top secret, the most secret that a government secret can be.
  2. She set up the unorthodox e-mail server out of convenience, not in some attempt to hide what she was doing as Secretary of State from public view.
  3. She cooperated fully with the investigations into her e-mail setup.
  4. All of the 30,000 e-mails that her staff deleted from the server were about Chelsea’s wedding, yoga routines, and family vacations.
  5. Bill Clinton’s private meeting last week in Phoenix with Comey’s boss, Loretta Lynch, was entirely coincidental.
  6. The former president and the attorney general didn’t discuss the e-mail investigation at all.
  7. The 2012 prosecution of Petraeus for mishandling classified information was, like, totally different.
  8. Donald Trump knows how to exploit Hillary’s troubles in a way that both heals the nation and ensures a sweeping repudiation of Clintonian politics.
  9. If Hillary were a man, this wouldn’t be happening.
  10. We are a nation of laws.
  11. Words have meaning.
  12. Everything is okay.
Published in Law
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  1. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    it’s alwasy been about selling influence.  The e mails were a distraction.  She was never at risk from them.  Only regular people get prosecuted for such willing disregard security and pretend incompetence.

    • #31
  2. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    Nick Stuart:Unedited transcript of Comey announcement:

    Gabble, ……gabble. No questions.

    Smartest comment of the day!

    • #32
  3. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Herbert:

    The Reticulator:If I were Paul Ryan and I wanted to prove my disgusting GOPe credentials, I’d make sure anything I said about Donald Trump’s social media would overshadow what I have to say about this.

    Donald has already beat him to the punch tweeting this…..

    The system is rigged. General Petraeus got in trouble for far less. Very very unfair! As usual, bad judgment.

    11:37 AM – 5 Jul 2016

    Yes, but guess which comments of Ryan made it onto the front page of the Wall Street Journal?

    ryan

    Letting himself be used that way is at least as bad as Trump allowing a graphic from a racist site to be used in his twitter feed.

    • #33
  4. Probable Cause Inactive
    Probable Cause
    @ProbableCause

    I think “no reasonable prosecutor” is code for “no reasonable prosecutor who doesn’t want to make himself a life-long enemy of the Clintons.”

    • #34
  5. Misthiocracy Member
    Misthiocracy
    @Misthiocracy

    I still say the tone of Comey’s statement comes across differently when one watches the tape compared to how it comes across when one reads the transcript. When I read the transcript he comes across as a feckless crapweasel, but when I watch the video I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

    The tone of his speech totally makes me want to believe that he really, really, thinks there’s a prima facia case for prosecution, but as a career bureaucrat in Obama-Democratic Washington he simply doesn’t get to make that kind of decision, so rather than carry water for Clinton he lays out the facts of the case in gruesome detail as a last-ditch attempt to hurt her in the court of public opinion.

    But, of course, I don’t know the man. Maybe he is a feckless crapweasel and he just happens to be really good at giving speeches that make me feel sympathetic. I dunno.

    All I’m sayin’, the video tugs at different emotional strings for me than the written transcript does.

    • #35
  6. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Valiuth:Wouldn’t it be really nice if right now there was a nominee with a serious record of public and political competence?

    Yep. GOP, you have one job…

    • #36
  7. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Front Seat Cat: She is not going to be prosecuted. I don’t think we need to spend anymore time or taxpayer money on this – any common sense person can figure out if she is that clueless, careless or crafty regarding the security of our country, why would anyone trust her ability as President of the United States and director of our armed forces? We have serious accountability issues throughout all branches of government, top to bottom. If it continues, and we elect her, we have ourselves to blame.

    If there is a case to be made for the election of Donald Trump, this is it. Should this woman be elected, we can look forward to four years of a constant barrage of questionable actions, if not illegal behavior, accompanied by full-throated, lying denials. Please, never people, I beg you to not give the keys to the White House to this woman and her husband.

    • #37
  8. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Valiuth: I don’t think he has anymore credibility than she does.

    At least he’s never put the security of our country at risk. This woman is an abomination, and the mere thought of her election makes me ill. You may dislike Trump, but he’s  a proud patriot.

    • #38
  9. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Probable Cause: I think “no reasonable prosecutor” is code for “no reasonable prosecutor who doesn’t want to make himself a life-long enemy of the Clintons.”

    Every single person in this country who ever had a security clearance knows full well she and people who worked for her should have been charged with a misdemeanor at the very least. Career prosecutors simply want to keep their jobs. I am just sick over this turn of events.

    • #39
  10. Valiuth Member
    Valiuth
    @Valiuth

    goldwaterwoman:

    Valiuth: I don’t think he has anymore credibility than she does.

    At least he’s never put the security of our country at risk. This woman is an abomination, and the mere thought of her election makes me ill. You may dislike Trump, but he’s a proud patriot.

    He thinks himself one, but is putting on a hat really all that patriotic? Even if it is a baseball cap?

    • #40
  11. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Misthiocracy:I still say the tone of Comey’s statement comes across differently when one watches the tape compared to how it comes across when one reads the transcript. When I read the transcript he comes across as a feckless crapweasel, but when I watch the video I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

    The tone of his speech totally makes me want to believe that he really, really, thinks there’s a prima facia case for prosecution, but as a career bureaucrat in Obama-Democratic Washington he simply doesn’t get to make that kind of decision, so rather than carry water for Clinton he lays out the facts of the case in gruesome detail as a last-ditch attempt to hurt her in the court of public opinion.

    But, of course, I don’t know the man. Maybe he is a feckless crapweasel and he just happens to be really good at giving speeches that make me feel sympathetic. I dunno.

    All I’m sayin’, the video tugs at different emotional strings for me than the written transcript does.

    I completely agree. There was clearly a man who knew he was letting down his principles and his country. I can understand that he didn’t want to recommend the prosecution of a presidential candidate. I just wish he had had the courage to speak plainer and then resign.

    • #41
  12. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Valiuth: He thinks himself one, but is putting on a hat really all that patriotic?

    Yes. I’m buying it and so should every true Republican in this country. Ricochet is “Conservative conversation and community.” So, you don’t think Trump isn’t conservative enough and she has more credibility? Go ahead and enable this pathetic, evil woman to be our next president by fighting against him. You want Hillary?  Does that make you feel good? Please don’t reply.

    • #42
  13. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    One would think there would be about 100 comments on here by now protesting the FBI’s unbelievable comments today. Where are you people?

    • #43
  14. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    goldwaterwoman:

    Valiuth: He thinks himself one, but is putting on a hat really all that patriotic?

    Yes. I’m buying it and so should every true Republican in this country. Ricochet is “Conservative conversation and community.” So, you don’t think Trump is conservative enough and she has more credibility? Go ahead and enable this pathetic, evil woman to be our next president by fighting against him. You want Hillary? Does that make you feel good? Please don’t reply.

    GWW,  I’ve been where you were when you wrote that, and still am.  The comparison is ludicrous, of course.  He is a smart bet, although not completely predictable, and she is the Devil.  She is, and I’ll say this again in case there are some following this thread that haven’t heard it before, an actual manifestation of Satan.  Follow this reeking creature at your existential peril.

    And, beware those who characterize Trump as all hat.  Are all the people who disavow and actively fight our only nominee childless?!  Reality will intrude.

    • #44
  15. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    goldwaterwoman:One would think there would be about 100 comments on here by now protesting the FBI’s unbelievable comments today. Where are you people?

    We are here, but unfortunately for Ricochet, few in number.  The Devil claimed more souls today in the form of Comey and his co-conspirators.

    • #45
  16. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Trinity Waters: We are here, but unfortunately for Ricochet, few in number. The Devil claimed more souls today in the form of Comey and his co-conspirators.

    We are not alone, and we are not few in number;o don’t believe it for a second. . There are lots of us on here; the ones with the loudest megaphones, unfortunately, are willing to enable a Hillary win. under a misguided belief that Trump isn’t a “conservative.” Give me a break.  Take a look back at that poll we took about three weeks ago; we are pretty evenly divided on Ricochet. Anyone who still calls themselves a never after Comey’s lousy speech today should be ashamed of themselves. Not me. Hang in there Trumpers so we can make American Great Again!!!

    • #46
  17. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    The Reticulator: She was careless with national security,

    And some among us would enable this woman to be our president by actively working against Trump? Give me a break.

    • #47
  18. Joe P Member
    Joe P
    @JoeP

    I Walton:it’s alwasy been about selling influence. The e mails were a distraction. She was never at risk from them. Only regular people get prosecuted for such willing disregard security and pretend incompetence.

    This is part of what I have been thinking. And it may be wishful thinking.

    This press conference makes no sense at face value, as if it’s been constructed not to make sense. But, it is entirely about Hillary’s email servers. Not a single word about influence peddling, even though many believe there should be plenty of evidence of that in those emails.

    What if there’s another shoe to drop, real soon? What if he passed on the emails to buy time to put together a case about the influence peddling?

    • #48
  19. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Acook:Waiting for Comey’s report felt to me kind of like waiting for the Supreme Court’s first Obamacare decision. Hoping so much that it would go our way, but knowing deep down inside that it wouldn’t. Now I put Comey in the same category as Roberts. He argues that A=B and B=C, but therefore A does not = C. I don’t get it. This reluctant Trumper just became a little less reluctant. I just want the whole rat infested place fumigated.

    Gen. Patreus pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for mishandling classified material and was sentenced to two years probation and a $100,000 fine.  The reason: he gave his calendar to his biographer. Clinton gets off with no charges for being “extremely careless in handling very sensitive, highly classified information?” Unbelievable. Am I the only one who is incredibly upset over this? You never people are awfully quiet. Where is the indignation?  Hmmmmm.

    • #49
  20. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Marion Evans:

    Front Seat Cat:She is not going to be prosecuted. I don’t think we need to spend anymore time or taxpayer money on this – any common sense person can figure out if she is that clueless, careless or crafty regarding the security of our country, why would anyone trust her ability as President of the United States and director of our armed forces? We have serious accountability issues throughout all branches of government, top to bottom. If it continues, and we elect her, we have ourselves to blame.

    Except that we have youknowwho running on the other side. This is who we are now? to have nominated these two people?

    No kidding – it is a mess!

    • #50
  21. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    goldwaterwoman:

    Acook:Waiting for Comey’s report felt to me kind of like waiting for the Supreme Court’s first Obamacare decision. Hoping so much that it would go our way, but knowing deep down inside that it wouldn’t. Now I put Comey in the same category as Roberts. He argues that A=B and B=C, but therefore A does not = C. I don’t get it. This reluctant Trumper just became a little less reluctant. I just want the whole rat infested place fumigated.

    Gen. Patreus pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for mishandling classified material and was sentenced to two years probation and a $100,000 fine. The reason: he gave his calendar to his biographer. Clinton gets off with no charges for being “extremely careless in handling very sensitive, highly classified information?” Unbelievable. Am I the only one who is incredibly upset over this? You never people are awfully quiet. Where is the indignation? Hmmmmm.

    It’s not going to change the course – At some point you need to quit beating the dead horse – if someone in a high level position in a co did what she did, you would not get a raise to president – we’re seeing lies, corruption, cover ups on steroids….evil has dug in its heels – we had 16 other choices and Trump won the nomination – now HRC is ahead – I feel sorry for my country and we need a Plan B here. It may be local level change – start over.

    • #51
  22. Richard Finlay Inactive
    Richard Finlay
    @RichardFinlay

    Dan Campbell:Congress needs to have an impeachment package ready to go on inauguration day.

    No matter who wins.

    • #52
  23. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Front Seat Cat: It’s not going to change the course – At some point you need to quit beating the dead horse – if someone in a high level position in a co did what she did, you would not get a raise to president – we’re seeing lies, corruption, cover ups on steroids….evil has dug in its heels – we had 16 other choices and Trump won the nomination – now HRC is ahead – I feel sorry for my country and we need a Plan B here. It may be local level change – start over.

    At some point one should quit beating the dead horse, but this one needs a lot more beating before we get to that point.

    • #53
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