Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Forget the Durham Report
When I heard from @rodin that the report on John Durham’s comprehensive investigation wasn’t coming out before the election, I was livid. I’m sure many of you experienced a similar reaction. But I started thinking about the investigation and its results, and realized that we might want to look at them with a revised perspective.
Let’s review the hopes we had when we learned that John Durham was on the case. We hoped that he would provide an incriminating report that would implicate every despicable action taken by the miscreants at the FBI. Perhaps even more important, we wanted justice to be served; after years of watching the attacks on Republicans by the political Left, asking for justice seemed appropriate and fair.
The assumptions we made early on were that the report would be published well before the election, so that the Republicans were less likely to be accused of political motives. We assumed that Joe Biden’s role in these activities would be included, and we would relish his trying to free himself from the entanglement with these outrageous acts. Finally, we wanted to ensure that the results could be acted on by a Republican-appointed Attorney General before the Democrats could bury the information.
So much for hopes, expectations, and assumptions.
But we shouldn’t be surprised. We have no idea why reporting the results has been delayed. We can guess at the reasons: the investigation is still in progress; the AG is afraid of political pushback (which doesn’t sound typical of AG Barr); and we can propose one hundred other reasons. In one sense, I realized, it doesn’t matter.
Consider the following factors:
- Was a report before the election going to be all that helpful? I doubt it. The mainstream media would have ignored it, or discounted it, or made sure that they zeroed in on current issues, claiming that the results were old information. And if the media ignored it, the public would learn next to nothing about what took place. Biden’s people would also have ignored it, stating that Biden doesn’t remember any of the meetings which took place regarding Russian collusion. And no matter how far before the election the information was released, they would cry that the Republicans were trying unfairly to influence election results.
- Is an actual report that critical? I don’t believe that an actual report was promised. Aren’t we most concerned about justice occurring and that some people are actually charged with crimes?
I would like to propose that there is still hope that we will know the results of the investigation. What if Durham releases the results on November 4 or shortly thereafter? The public probably wouldn’t have learned of the results if a report had been released earlier. And if a report is not released immediately, it doesn’t matter. I propose that shortly after the election, Durham and Barr, in a joint press conference, release the names of the people who will go before grand juries for indictment. (I’m not a lawyer so it’s unclear to me whether a grand jury will need to be involved, or if indictments can be made based on Durham’s investigation.) They can promise that the report will be released by a specific time, but shine the spotlight on the criminal activities, and perhaps on those who will lose their jobs.
* * * * *
I believe that most of us want to ensure that prosecutions are pursued and that people are held accountable for their irresponsible, and in some cases criminal, activities. We may not be able to influence the timing, but we can certainly cry for justice.
Justice must be done.
Published in Politics
I hate to say it, but someone has to. Nothing is going to happen. It’s all sound and fury to keep us hopeful. But it will amount to nothing. They got their low level scalp. They are just playing out the string now. Spend the last of the budget.
The Durham investigation is afflicted with Scope Creep.
Prosecutors don’t issue reports concerning criminal investigations. They hand down grand jury indictments or they don’t.
Of course, I hope you’re wrong. Who are you referring to–the low level scalp?
I think I understand your point. And I suspect he still hasn’t gotten through all of it. But I refuse to give up hope for indictments!
@dukepowell, I tried to research how that process works, but it wasn’t clear to me. Are they required to go to the grand jury to get indictments?
Mueller did for Trump. I guess that’s back to being against the rules now.
It won’t be
Didn’t they get some FBI attorney to plead guilty to falsifying a FISA document?
Nothing happening except spending out the budget is much BAU in Washington. Unless it involves spending Money to buy votes. But ordinarily they are all hat, no cattle. You have to give the Comey Coup Crew credit … for good or ill they actually did something. That’s a rare thing in DC.
Yes they did. I think his name was Clingensmith. He has yet to be sentenced.
The American people (including many members of my family) have been immunized against the facts by the greatest disinformation in American history. Those facts are certainly relevant to the election before us and that ignorance has been purposely cultivated to produce votes that, in light of the truth, might be abstained or even go the other way.
It is incumbent on all loyal and informed citizens that support the Constitution, in or out of government, to convey the reality in the most truthful and effective manner available.
And, in passing, why did the Moeller investigation leak like a wino with a bladder infection but the protectors of the Constitution are bristling with integrity. A lie circles the globe in the time it takes for the truth to find its mobile phone.
Among Chris Wallace’s many failures as a moderator, he never asked Biden about the Moscow payments and failed to press the issue when Biden lied about it. I am glad there are two more debates. (But does that mean I have to watch?)
Clinesmith.
There is a long-standing DOJ policy to not indict within 60 days of an election.
Different statute.
I guess. But I do recall people raising a stink at the time.
And, apparently, for 1400 days after as well.
Some of us will continue to do that–no excuses, @sisyphus. But others are so corrupted that they refuse to see the difference between good and evil and right and wrong. And no, you don’t have to watch the debate–it will be so painful. And I know that I will watch it. This will be a time when I want to bear witness to all of it.
Is it policy or just a norm? Still, nothing stops them from indicting the day after an election!
Could you cite a source for that, @ekosj?
I’m no lawyer but it’s my understanding that Durham is presenting to a grand jury. I’m also confident that indictments will be handed down. Follow @adamhousley and scroll thru his time line.
@dukepowell, I’m not on Twitter–it looks like that is where he posts. I am very encouraged by this information. Can you give us a different link where he can be located?
They can indict the day after an election. That’s no problem.
Adam Housely just left Fox News (for anyone else who doesn’t know who he is). He was an award-winning reporter and left after 17 years with them.
Are you referring to the statute of limitations? That is, there is a five-year deadline for filing an indictment.
Do we know why? Is he going somewhere else? Or has his doctor ordered him to avoid highly repulsive toxins like politics?
A policy that needs to be gotten rid of . . .
No. I’m joking that they never file indictments. 4 years is 1460 days. So if you don’t file for 60 days before or 1400 days after … you never file.
You haven’t learned how literal I can be! Got it!
From Adam Housely:
@adamhousley Aug 24 • Getting some time to see all this spin has me wanting to make one thing clear. Fox gave me amazing opportunities. I am not bashing them on the way out. For you partisans, look at my news reporting. I have 17 years of solid fair work. My coverage speaks for itself.
• Some news numbers for you. 24 countries. 22 states…more than 1100 nights on the road. Some of the biggest stories of our time. It was a blessing. I will miss it and my colleagues. Behind the camera and in front. Many lifelong friends. Here’s a shocker. From all networks too
• And final comment on this. My statement speaks for itself and as soon as this hurricane collapses I can’t wait to hug my kids and my amazing wife, have an amazing glass of wine and coach soccer. Proud of my friends, family and career this far.
Well wishes to Adam
[He must have been covering a hurricane when he wrote this message.]