Following Michael Flynn's guilty plea for "lying to the FBI", there seem likely to be further feverish developments in Robert Mueller's "Russia investigation". Professor William Jacobson asks the obvious question:
Why is Robert Mueller even investigating the presidential transition?
The Order appointing Mueller concerns election interference, not post-election political decisions of the winning candidate.
Indeed. First, it shouldn't be a crime to lie to the FBI given the way the FBI lies to us with impunity. Yours truly thirteen years ago:
Martha, it seems, will be going to jail for telling a lie. Not in court, not under oath, not perjury, but merely when the Feds came round to see her about a possible crime. They couldn't prove she'd committed a crime, so they nailed her for lying while chit-chatting to them about the non-crime. And for that they're prepared to destroy her company.
It's true that it's an offence to lie to the Feds. But, as my New Hampshire neighbours Tom and Scott, currently in my basement stretching out a little light carpentry job to the end of the winter, are the first to point out, the Feds lied to the public about Waco and Ruby Ridge (another bloodbath) for years. If the Feds can lie to the people, why can't the people lie to the Feds?
Martha Stewart wound up behind bars for telling a lie in a matter in which there was no underlying crime. In the case of Flynn, I heard some bigshot in Congress argue that Flynn's lies were somehow "material" to the investigation. But, as Professor Jacobson points out, it's hard to see how Russia can "interfere" with the election after it's been held. Flynn's conversations occurred in his capacity as a senior figure in the incoming administration. That's the normal business of diplomatic relations - and it is most emphatically not the business of minor policemen within a leaky and insecure permanent bureaucracy.
So Flynn's "lies" are not material - unless the Deep State is "investigating" the winning side in the election for engaging in the usual business of government.
Second, I happened to speak to the FBI about a certain matter a couple of months back. Very pleasant lady. Thought it all went well. But my lawyers were dead set against it - because, if you go to see the Feds in the context of some or other investigation and you chance to be infelicitous about this or that, you'll find that suddenly you're the one being investigated for, as noted above, the one-way crime of lying to the authorities. Did Flynn, in fact, lie? When you're shooting the breeze with G-men, mistakes or faulty recollection can be enough to land you in prison - if the Feds think it useful to them to threaten you with that. When Flynn pleaded guilty, was he, in fact, guilty? Or was he rather a ruined and broke man who could no longer withstand the pressure of the metaphorical electrodes with attendant billable hours?
I think we all know the answer to that. As I always say, the process is the punishment. And the Federal Government (which wins 97 per cent of cases it brings to court) can inflict a more punishing process than anyone this side of Pyongyang. This is a vile business that does no credit to a civilized society.
Third, as longtime readers, listeners and viewers know, I strongly dislike the uniquely American "presidential transition" period. As you know, in, say, the Westminster system, if a prime minister loses on a Thursday, his goes to the Palace to resign on the Friday, and he moves out of Downing Street on the weekend. The new cabinet ministers are in place the following Monday or Tuesday. The "transition" is part of the general institutional sclerosis of Washington, and certainly no friend to swamp-drainers: A year after Trump's election, key positions in every cabinet department - Deputy Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Under-Secretaries, Deputy Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Deputy Secretaries, Deputy Assistant Under-Secretaries - are still held by Obama appointees.
Well, you say, that's business as usual with Chuck Schumer. What can you expect? But in this case the losing party decided to take the opportunities afforded by the transition to the next level. As I put it back in October:
During the stupid and anachronistic two-and-a-half-month electoral "transition", the outgoing Administration worked round the clock to de-legitimize and cripple their successors.
Hence Susan Rice and Samantha Power frantically "unmasking" all the way up to inauguration day.
If there is any justification for this absurd "transition", it is that a US presidential administration is uniquely unwieldy and is constitutionally required to go through ever more molasses-speed confirmations of key figures. Therefore, it helps to keep the old government around to have someone to answer the telephone in case Little Rocketman nukes Cleveland. That justification would only have merit if the outgoing administration behaved with a degree of circumspection and deference to the people's verdict. That's to say, they should be keeping the seat warm, not making substantive policy moves at odds with the positions of the duly elected incoming government.
Obama's decision to pick a last-minute fight with Moscow and expel a bunch of Russian diplomats does not seem to me to be appropriate for a placeholder president on the way out the door. So it is not just that the incoming administration's attempts to ameliorate the damage were, pace Mueller, entirely legitimate, but that it is Obama's actions that are, in the sense of political decorum, wholly improper.
Since January 20th, the party that lost the election has been, supposedly, out of power. But its appointees remain in charge - to the point where the President has to go to court to evict the in effect self-appointed head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - a lawless and unaccountable body so beyond the much vaunted "checks and balances" of the US Constitution that it can shake down its targets (banks) and transfer the proceeds to its ideological allies (anti-capitalist activist groups). The permanent bureaucracy's argument re the CFPB is that elections don't matter. Primitive countries have coups against the president; subtler systems have a thousand below-the-radar coups in every rinky-dink bureau and agency.
As Peter Roff puts it in US News:
In case anyone still doubts it, the deep state is real.
So it is. Whatever else may be said about them, Republicans make good losers: Nixon to Kennedy, Bush Sr to Clinton, McCain to Obama... For a generation, Democrats have convinced themselves that there is no such thing as a legitimate Republican victory: Bush Jr was the "selected" president, and the tag was sufficiently effective that even the murderous assault of 9/11 provided only a brief respite. The strategy this time round is a kind of inversion: Trump may be the elected president, but at the CFPB, the Justice Department, State, Homeland Security et al the self-selected permanent state cruises on.
~We had a busy weekend at SteynOnline, including my special audio interview with rock legend Ted Nugent, covering everything from feral cats to Mitt Romney. We also marked the fortieth anniversary since Ted warmed up "Cat Scratch Fever" for me. In a different musical vein, my Song of the Week celebrated a classic novelty number - and my weekend movie column told the tragic tale of a great comic, Charlie Chaplin's heavy.
We also presented my radio serialization of Scott Fitzgerald's story "The Rubber Check" in three episodes: Parts One, Two and Three. I'll be starting a special Christmas edition of Tales for Our Time this coming weekend. If you were otherwise distracted these last 72 hours and missed any or all of these delights, I hope you'll check out one or two of them.
If you're thinking of giving the gift of Steyn this holiday season, we've introduced a special Mark Steyn Club Christmas Gift Membership that lets you sign up a chum for the Steyn Club and then choose a personally autographed welcome gift for them - either one of two handsome hardback books or a couple of CDs. You'll find more details here - and scroll down to the foot of the order form for the choice of books/CDs.
And, for members and non-members alike, there are bargains galore in our Steynamite Christmas specials.
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Dear Holly,
I'm sorry you have been offended by me complementing the members of the Mark Steyn Club. The format of Mark Steyn Club is to tell Mark what his members think of his post. I'm surprised the Gatekeepers of Mark's site have let you and I carry on with this dialogue. This back and forth ends now. Sorry Club members. TUG
Nah, Flynn was accused of a criminal act, so he had the right to a quick and speedy trial, guaranteed by the 6th amendment, and just like the other amendments, the US government faithfully guarantees those rights. ... That's why I don't have to report any equities or properties I buy or sell every year in my income taxes in adherence to the 4th amendment...
Nothing would surprise me anymore: bad people lying to the FBI, intentionally or not, good people lying, intentionally or not, Secretaries of States destroying tens of thousands of pieces of evidence to obstruct justice, FBI employees changing the words in a statute to mitigate the weight of an offense, er, "a careless act," former US Presidents meeting with heads of DOJ on a tarmac in attempt to influence the outcome of an investigation, er, "matter." FBI, DOJ, IRS and CIA and NSA employees acting in concert with an order to destroy the enemy and coming to find out the American electorate who support the US Constitution is the enemy; a massive investigation being set up on a false premise that was entirely fabricated to turn the focus off the misdeeds of the political machine supposed to hand over reins of power, weather data being changed by employees at gov weather agencies to sync with their scientifically unsupported AGW agenda, language about genders being changed in armed service training manuals, tax dollars being paid for a sex change operation for an ex-soldier, a non-guilty verdict for a soldier who left his outpost leading his fellow soldiers on a deadly goose chase, leads about Islamic terrorist connections being made to disappear in HS files. ( I'm sure this is just a tip of the fast melting iceberg). All of these things surprised me and shocked me but the grind in the Deep State seems to churn onwards as if it's just another day at the office. When will the good people rise up (and can they) and be free of all of this? This is what keeps gnawing at me.
It reminds me of the remarks made by Mark a few months back regarding the disrespect done to the country at the kneeling of the anthem at the Pro football games. It was, just summarizing, how a society and culture can fall apart so easily if the courtesy is withdrawn from simply honoring our flag at certain occasions when we gather together to illustrate that we share certain, if only a few, remaining common goals. If disregard for the shared goal that we have fair elections and accept the outcome win or lose, in the same fashion, is disposed of or thwarted in any way whatsoever, we really have lost our way, our country and all that she represents to the world that the Founders so eloquently expressed at the founding of our nation. I'm heatbroken to write this as a US citizen of six decades.
Fran,
I was about to take a brief respite from the Ether and there you were.
Of all the concerns you articulated, none of which I disagree with, the question you pose at the end of your 1st paragraph is my focus today.
"When will the good people rise up (and can they) and be free of all of this?"
Are you familiar with the tenets of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? Without delving too far into his 1943 offering entitled, "A Theory of Human Motivation," that time will only arise when sufficient numbers in our society realize we are losing ground to the opposition. We can afford to be "fat, dumb and happy" just as long as we can afford it. Further extrapolating on his theory of meeting basic needs; the more we have the more we can afford to be generous - but our basic needs must be met first (Lots and lots more to this - it took nearly a full semester in an advanced sociology course to get through it all.)
Take away some benefits of our good life and force-feed-us with the clap-trap of the social justice crowd, then perhaps - only perhaps - can we get the ship back on course. A rudder is a mighty thing to swing taking even mightier effort and determination to accomplish (Sailor Tom, 2017).
Fran, I know you are not living in a dream world - nor am I. Reality is as reality does (distortion from Forest Gump).
I cannot identity one tenant of "what used to be" in my upbringing that has been spared from distortion or oblivion in this "modern" society we find ourselves in. Boy Scouting succumbing to what once was deviance (homosexuality in all of its forms and abbreviations); Christianity on the decline; more cars in the parking lots of golf courses than in church parking lots on Sundays. "Yes Sir, No Ma'am, and Thank you" are terms when heard from an adolescent are received in somewhat of a surprise fashion than when they were the norms of times past. Opening a door for a female by a male construed as some sort of a condescending gesture, or other deferential acts from the male to the female now viewed as "taboo." Really? Yeah, really. Christmas, the mere mention, being insulting, threatening or otherwise off-limits to a minority within a minority of public oh-pin-yun; many of whom are "guests" in our country as opposed to citizens. (Hmmmm - methinks that piñata has been beaten to death elsewhere.)
I could go on and on, but I have never suffered from high blood pressure (my release valve works quite well) and do not wish to tweak it.
Change is the root of all good and evil. Seriously - change is the keystone with regard to everything we are discussing. One may embrace it or oppose it, but change happens (a bumper sticker idea!).
Nearing my 80th natal day, I doubt that I will be in this life to witness what I hope is to take place: rise up - throw 'em out - begin anew and stick to the principals agreed to by our "framers." Worked well for so long and for so many and well worth trying again.
And oh yes - for those who feel they have been oppressed or otherwise "put down," there are mechanisms for change within our civil society and governance. Use our legal remedies as opposed to the anarchistic approach and you may find comfort in knowing your efforts won more friends than made enemies.
Good stuff, once again, from Fran.
Tom in Missouri
Greetings Tom!
Yes, still here, flitting about from branch to branch like a happy little bluebird. Here one minute then over there the next. Depends what fluffs my feathers and sets me off. One day it's a little melody on Mark's song posts, the next day a fresh batch of comments calls like the backyard feeder that was just replenished. It's one of the many joys of being an active member of the Mark Steyn Club!
Unfortunately, I seem short on solutions, long on grievances and concerns.
There's just so much going on in the news. Surprisingly, my dreams don't revolve about political events. I forgot the huge ones: the uranium one deal and the Iranian deal! Such crazy stuff. It's very disheartening. I suppose we're in for yet another eventful year. I don't know where we're headed as a country if serious crimes by people in powerful positions continually get swept under carpets as big as landing strips. Something has to give here soon. Change would be welcomed!
No, I haven't heard of Maslow's "Hierarchy Of Needs." I veered into math and foreign languages. But to fill in my educational gaps I did begin a notebook on all of the recommended readings by the other club members and those are, of course, in addition to Mark's books. I add them each as they surface into my consciousness. I'll add this one. I also have a growing list of songs, musicians, and films that I have either never heard about or ages have passed since I saw or heard them. Life is chock full of good surprises lately. It's a little like Christmas year round here at the Mark Steyn Club.
There's a lot to ponder in your comment. No time crunch to respond, I hope. 'Tis the season at the moment to be Jolly, right?
Ciao-ciao! and soon it will be Christmas Day!
Fran
As a security professional holding Top Secret and Cryptographic clearances for a number of years in the military, I can assure you that EVERYTHING Hillary said about her emails and - especially - security, was a LIE. For instance that it couldn't be criminal because no "intent" was alleged. There is no mention of intent in the security regulations. If sensitive info in the emails might be blown it doesn't matter if it's due to carelessness, stupidity, arrogance or whatever- it's still a possibly dangerous and certainly expensive failure.
If there WAS intent, it isn't a "security violation"... it's Espionage.
That emails were "not classified at the time" they were received and sent by her server in itself would be a security breach because the person sending any message is fully responsible for its proper classification. Failing to specify this classification is punishable by serious prison time, so... it does not happen.
I know what you're saying but it's good to hear the view of someone in your position. I'm no lawyer but i've been around since before Watergate and I never saw anything like it. The amount of evidence destroyed by her lawyers (since when is that kosher to have your lawyers clean up your files before you would have to hand over anything?) and the collusion that was going on between the FBI, people in Obama's Cabinet and Hillary's team was so thick you could slice it up and use it to build a huge Clinton monument to Corruption Shaped like a cell phone near the reflecting pond. I heard many things she did had to do with infractions of the espionage laws. I heard she changed cell phone numbers and Huma texted Obama with the new number or something like that. There was so much negligent behavior going on, it was of a magnitude nobody ever conceive of before. Frankly the stupidest thing she did was act stupid about it. Why she joked about wiping her server clean as if she thought that meant dusting, i'll never get over that. Even if you aren't a tech geek who would want such a dumbbell anywhere near the oval office.
Dear Holly Birtwistle,
In the land of Mark Steyn Club I was under the impression I did not have to wear my P.C. HAT to complement Mark's commentators. I'm impressed with ALL of the Mark's Members who share their Wisdom with me. I open the car door for my wife of 48 years, my 46 year old daughter and my 16 year old granddaughter. Male chavnist pig stuck in the 60's
Tug, you seem to be missing the point; it's not about chivalry or compliments, although those are appreciated by women.
Dear Holly,
I'm not "missing the point". I paid a sincere compliment to ALL members of the Mark Steyn Club who share their thoughts and observations of Mark's commentaries. What P. C. APPROVED PRONOUN should I have used instead of "wise men". Please, lighten up, I appreciate insightful knowledge no matter what gender shares it with me.
What pro-nouns should you have used IMHO? Wise men and women. Not a "quorum of wise men". Not a "quorum of wise women". I re-iterate, it's not about compliments, it's much deeper than that. You seem to think chivalry is more important than fundamental equality. Your comments give me the impression you are patting me, and women in general, on the head, in a sense saying"there there, don't get your shorts in a knot" sort of thing, There is a fundamental difference between remembering to open the car door, and remembering that women should be a included in quorum of wise people looking for solutions to issues in a complex world.
Man is an inclusive noun. Depending on context, it can describe both males and females. Some modern varieties of the latter only allow it when used pejoratively, for instance "man-made global warming". We never seem to hear about womyn-made anything.
Reference: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/man
With regard to my Dec 4th posting to Mark along with his reply and mine in return:
As stated in my initial offering: "This is going to upset many of your ardent followers: . . ."
I have had this much "fun" since dropping a firecracker into a hornet's nest whilst at Boy Scout camp way, way back in my day.
Great to have stirred the pot.
Mark is a terrific friend to the USA and his unparalleled insights are just that - unparalleled.
He invites debate and I engaged him. He seemed to "get" what I had to say and it is now time to move along.
Tom in Missouri
"Mark's Quorum" I've had the good fortune of spending my adult life in an industry with Jewish businessmen, they shared their wit and wisdom with me for over 45 years. Sage advise such as "Tommy, to be successful you have to have three "ish's" speak English, act Irish, think Yidish". One also explained that a Quorum was a gathering of at least 10 mostly wise men. Reading the Comments on Mark's post, He has definitely assembled a Quorum. Thank you All.
Tug,
Mark hasn't assembled a quorum of mostly wise men in my observation. There are quite a few wise women commenting on various topics. Historically speaking, I understand your not noticing.
Aristotle didn't notice us either. I guess it's one of those things that comes with growing older and wiser: we women must extrapolate what he, or they, might have said if alive today and assume it would be something that would put us in a very glowing light. (hee hee) And since I'm in a musical frame of mind:
(Hit it band!)
You've got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In Between.
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene
Nor did Confucius notice women. It was the times. We have come a long way baby!
That's a great song, and yes, there is a lot to be positive about:))
The Deep State doesn't lie so deep. Mueller is on the front pages, as Comey was before him. Sure, the deputies and subordinates weave a tangled web of alliances, but with Samantha Power, Susan Rice, Loretta Lynch, and Eric Holder recklessly operating the heavy machinery of the state, who needs to dig any deeper? As Andy McCarthy and Alan Dershowitz have written in the past few days, Mueller isn't building a collusion case, he's building an impeachment case. And without constraints to time, budget, or even purported crime, he can take his sweet time--like after the 2018 midterms, when, Dems hope, they have the House back in Nancy Pelosi's crusty paws. The "loyal opposition" is a concept unknown to Democrats. When they lose elections, votes, arguments, they merely plot their next leg of their long march to "the right side of history", as they see their mission. Democratic institutions be damned, it's single-payer or bust, impeachment or assassination. While a bemused but unsurprised Vladimir Putin, who "colluded" with both sides if he colluded with any, contemplates the wisdom of Lenin's observation: "The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them."
I think it's entirely possible that the "Deep State" is a lot deeper than previously thought, with Mueller, Lynch, Holder, et al acting merely as the visible root stock to an organization much more sinister than any of us who believe in the concept of a free society can imagine
The Left is only loyal to its Ideology.
100% Roy.
Well, the UK had the Austin Mini, which became the Mini Cooper when (I think) BMW bought the design.
I guess the US has its own Mini Coup'ers, and there's probably as many of them in Washington as there are of the BMW variety on the roads.
Funny! It was getting a little heavy around here for my tastes. I heard those Mini Coopers don't hold up well under impact. Let's hope it goes for the Mini Coup'ers as well.
Hi Mark,
Has anyone else noticed the disturbing parallels with Conrad Black's ensnarement? Could you please put together something from your past columns?
Thanks in advance!
The trouble is that following the assassination of James Garfield by - as the textbooks used to say - a disappointed office seeker, the Congress at that time passed a civil service reform act, so that federal employment would be "merit based," non-partisan and protected from political pressure by changing party control of the presidency. No one could have foreseen in the 1880's the immense growth in the size and power of the federal government, or that over time federal employment would become the almost exclusive preserve of partisan Democrats. Even if the Constitution was amended to move the presidential inauguration to, say, December 1; and the process of vetting, nominating and Senate confirmation of Schedule C political appointees to, in theory at least, run the agencies could be streamlined, the career civil "servants" would still be there. It is almost impossible to fire any of them. They can delay and obstruct any Republican administration policy initiatives; undermine the sitting Republican president; and harass and intimidate private citizens at will. The "deep state" is nothing more - or less - than the Democratic Party's enforcement wing.
Thank You. I droned on and on about this further down at 16_04.... but you put it succinctly.
The DNC is the party of government. I never knew that an incoming president was subject to the "whims" of the civil servants in the Executive Branch. Trump doesn't have any influence over the FBI, CIA, NSA or even Justice. Sessions signed on early for positioning.... he's one of em.
This is no way to run a government.... because corruption is inevitable when a popular outsider tries to challenge the status quo.
I have no respect for the FBI.... they are a bunch of hacks. After Martha Stewart, I wondered how someone like Clinton could stay out of jail. The answer is that the Clinton, Bush, Obama crime families are all connected to this "deep state":
We need a thorough housecleaning. I cannot think for a moment, this Mueller hack thinks he can take down our President with these transparently 3rd world tactics. This isn't Uganda - but after O , we ARE a bit closer.
We're in scary times, Carol. I was late coming to see the Bushes for what they are. The scales came off my eyes recently when Obama for eight years said he was learning things just like we in the public were: as the news was printed, or as the evening news came on. The see no evil, hear no evil guy! George W never spoke out, which possibly could have been seen as being respectful, but when he came out in his NYC Democracy speech early fall and blasted a certain president and how he was running things, then I was convinced I had been snookered all those years.
Why did no one in the republican party see all this coming? As soon as the mainstream media and the democratic party (now a single entity) demanded that Sessions recuse himself he quickly scurried away allowing an Obama holdover to set in place a team of hard left lawyers with unlimited powers to take down our president. Try a thought experiment and reverse all this with Obama and Eric Holder coming under fire from Fox and conservative talk radio in a similar situation. Their response would have been brief and to the point - GET LOST! If the republican party can be manipulated so easily into self destruction then what hope is there for taking this country back from the brink?
I'll add to that.... do they really think they can pull this off? It doesn't take a Civics Professor to see the double standards and the machinery at work to replace a sitting president because the "insiders" don't want reform.
You don't have to be a Trump lover to see the error in this. I have family members who didn't vote for him... well, they didn't vote because they hated Clinton and thought Trump was a joke. But that said.. we've talked about this at the Thanksgiving table and at get togethers..... everybody sees the evil at work.
I keep thinking... GOOD GOD, so much must be at stake for men and women with careers in government to out themselves as corrupt pols.... for all to see.
This is a transparent coup against an outsider. Trump is no demon. He's a reformer - hated by both corrupt parties.
That's something they can't take back... or hide any longer... they outed themselves.
Well-said Carol!
Once again another great column that sums up the issues very well.
The Deep State seems to be winning in their war against the will of the American people. These victories will have a chilling effect for anyone thinking of wanting to serve in the federal government. I could see some of this in the military before I left, you either get with the program or you are out. The government does not want people to make waves or changes, it only wants its power to grow. Why go take a cabinet or executive branch position, when I will end up a million dollar legal bill and my family being dragged through the mud. The state has a way of stopping any reform. To paraphrase good old Barack - "the arm of government is long, and it bends towards totalitarianism."
But look at the lengths they are willing to go to.... I mean, this is beyond overkill. It's evident even to very indifferent voters. I have very apolitical family members... and they are struck by the selective prosecution of wrong doing.
If the Clintons were never prosecuted... what in the world is the FBI doing? And at whose behest?
These agencies are committing suicide. Who will believe they are honest enough to have that kind of power after this?
Scot wrote: Why go take a cabinet or executive branch position, when I will end up a million dollar legal bill and my family being dragged through the mud.
Indeed, why run for office at all these days?
Sane people, like Scot and myself, aren't even considering taking such positions or running because we're Sane.
So: what happens? People who are 'off', who are psychologically damaged, take the positions and run for office.
Comey is a poster boy for these Misfits
Bingo. Catherine Austin Fitts is a former Bush I undersecretary. She runs the Solari Report.
I listened to one of her lectures wherein she blithely referred to CONTROL FILES as the single most destructive method of controlling elected officials. She spoke of these files as if they were common knowledge for a fundamental understanding of government.
She blamed Control Files for everything from Bush II and 9/11 to Session's withering efforts to thwart a White House Coup.
There's just too much money and power at stake to risk Mr. Smith coming to Washington ... so candidates are vetted at the local level... and only deviants need apply.
It used to be vanilla adultery which kept everybody on the donor reservation. That morphed into homosexuality when new depths were necessary to leash laws. Some time in the early 21st century, homosexuality lost its sting ... and what do you know? Barney Frank was running an underage boys service out of the House Cloak Room and a Pedophile was speaker of the House.
If Austin Fitts is right... Hastert was speaker BECAUSE he was a pedophile... not in spite of it.
Americans have let our government spin out of any semblance of Constitutional Governance. This is now a perverse mob of psychopaths and deviates.
I wonder each day what the motivation could possibly be for the relentless assault on Donald Trump. Day after day after day ... on and on and on... The never Trumpers are singular in purpose and indefatigable in their efforts.
Detractors don't notice or care that it's now a fools errand - that the selective prosecutions and histrionics are those of something far more insidious than Donald Trump.
John Wayne has come to Washington. With lifts in his boots, and cue cards to help him construct a sentence.
The Eagle Scouts have landed. It is scaring the bejesus out of more than a few power players.
As Mark might say to Trump ... "With all your faults we love you still.... it had to be you... had to be you....
HAD TO BE YOU."
Probably in the hinterlands many FBI agents are crisp, focused, sincere, and serious investigators loyal to the country.
In Washington, DC, they are too serious. If you hang around DC long enough, it's likely to sweep you up in a leftward rip current, with a small minority of firmly rooted exceptions, like Tucker Carlson. On election night, as stunned as I was to realize Trump had won, I saw a number I couldn't believe. In the District of Columbia, Trump had received 4.1 percent of the votes.
The permanent state is so overfunded that it has distorted its sense of itself, its sense of importance, and its sense of self-importance. It's become like a gigantic alien ship that has assumed residence in the sky above the district. Remember the "districts" in The Hunger Games? They're based on a story to be true in the future.
I didn't understand at first what it was that Mark perceived about Comey's weirdness. Thankfully he reminds us of what he's said so it can gradually dawn. The Deep State spaceship blocks out a lot of the light.
At first, I actually took Comey seriously during his performance as the last honest man in Washington. To a congressional committte, he said he was befuddled as to why Obama's AG might have suggested he replace "investigation" with "matter" re Hillary Clinton's felony stealing of top-secret national security documents.
Trump's bodyguard (whom else could he trust?) served Comey his termination notice while he was out of town - done that way, an FBI agent's brother told me, very intentionally as, simultaneously, Comey's DC office was being cleaned out for him.
The fired Comey jokingly described his employment status to the committee as "in-between opportunities". Like Grover Norquis who recognized there weren't enough tax-fighters at Burning Man, Comey saw his joblessness and a shortage of poets meet at a point. In time, a new Comey emerged: not as Jack Bauer - that work was done - but as Jack Kerouac, on an Instagram road-trip. After Flynn got his first smack-down by the merciless political strike force of the DOJ, Comey posted of the triumph of his crusade for his warped idea of justice on his recently unmasked Instagram account":
Beautiful Long Island Sound from Westport, CT. To paraphrase the Buddha - Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth."
Comey is doing us a favor by showing what his nature is like. He convinced the TV show 60 Minutes he was trustworthy and above it all, and he convinced Bill Kristol of the same, as Kristol was later convinced Mueller would earnestly seek a fair, impartial inquiry into an infraction, the evidence of which armies of motivated partisans on the hunt have turned up little more than a document full of hearsay that the Clintons paid the Russian government for. Kristol has been in DC too long.
Comey seems to be off to pasture incubating mad-cow disease, but when he was in power, he went rogue, trying to thread the needle and do what the Supreme Court did in "settling" abortion, which we know did nothing of the sort, because it was an unjust mockery of a ruling. Comey bungled the Deus ex Machina role he assumed spectacularly. The story should studied and publicized as a reminder to stick with our institutions, investigative powers, and justice system as they were designed - and not let Gummy worms off the hook.
Oh, my. Media now raise their skirts above their head – in a racy summons for impeachment. This week's bawdy expo is about Obstruction – In the next installment of Trump – The Gift that Keeps on Giving.
I thought I understood the Parties, and "representative" government. I most certainly did not.
When the Clitnons came to power, I remember a skirmish when they fired everyone in every agency. At the time, that exercise sounded reasonable, since that was the NEW administration. I hated them both, but hey, they won.
Our job was to get rid of them before they did as much damage as the Bush family.
[I am an equal opportunity hater]
I never knew that George the Younger never replaced the replacements. He didn't have to, since WE NOW KNOW there was less than 3% separation between the Clitnon and Bush crime families... ditto for Bath House Barry and Co.
So, Donald Trump is president in name only – His Executive Agencies and Cabinet Appointees are mere geldings in a stable of DNC operatives.
When I read that the FBI and Justice Dept refused to hand over documents to Congress. – I asked, WHERE IS JEFF SESSIONS?
Now I understand. The Justice Dept is run by career prosecutors who are Democrats or Never Trumpers.
The FBI is run by career investigators and litigators who are Democrats or Never Trumpers.
A Republican congress cautioned Trump that they will not confirm a replacement for Sessions, should he try to replace him. I guess Sessions signed on early for "positioning" to defend the workings of Gubmin As Usual - at Justice, CIA, FBI, NSA. Does anyone in DC work for Trump?
So we have an open ended TAX PAYER FUNDED bi partisan effort to overturn the election, using Clinton, Bush and Obama operatives – with methods we never understood when Scooter Libby was chum in the water.
The DNC and Clintons concoct a damning dossier, give it to the FBI, who uses it to obtain illegal wire taps, search warrants and a Special Prosecutor. Who is given carte blanche to find someone to bankrupt with legal fees, unless they give evidence of crimes by President Trump.
Am I missing anything?
No, you are not missing anything.
The most amazing - and vexing - thing to me is that so few people realize that, in a sense, John Edwards was right, there are two Americas. But it's not rich and poor, it's insider versus outsider. And the insiders are a tiny percentage. But somehow they've managed to convince a huge portion of the population that the insiders are out for them, not merely themselves, the insiders.
I'm beyond frustrated. I'm just trying to figure out when I should move to New Zealand...
They won't take you. I know some heavy hitters from Aspen... and NZ is closed.
At least we are awake. Finally, the machinery of DC is so consumed with fear and loathing that they lost their ability to see themselves as others see them. The histrionics are so far out of proportion to anything Trump has done or threatened... that even apolitical types are noticing the double standards and selective prosecution.
Careers are being flushed ... Jeb Bush announced a few weeks ago that Trump would be gone by Xmas.
How much political capital is this loser willing to toss? On his deathbed, McCain is frothing at the mouth to remove Trump and throw himself in front of the Trump engine for America.
Feinstein just told MSNBC that "her" committee is now looking at obstruction charges.... HER committee?
Day after day after day.... after day... it's now a joke in our house. What's New? How is the world treating you? ... You haven't changed a bit... Handsome as ever, I must admit.
I sing it to the TV when I turn on the "news"
Wow. Great insight and explanation Carol, thank you.
It feels like Democrats and Republicans could use some therapy to move past the election of Trump and actually do the work we're paying them to do. Maybe like in the scene in "Good Will Hunting", where Sean (Robin William) hugs Will (Matt Damon), we can give them a hug and keep on repeating to them, "It's not your fault" over and over again until the progress is made and they will start crying and move on with their lives. But then I think maybe it will not work because it is objectionable to both sides not to mention that later in the movie, Will asks, "Does this violate the doctor-patient relationship?" and Sean responds, "Not unless you grab my as*".
There is a theory circulating on the net that Flynn deliberately lied to the FBI, knowing it would leak, so that his assistants could trace the leak. See Thomas Wictor on twitter
Given that it's an offense to lie to the Feds I'm just amazed that anybody ever says anything to them at all. With this lot, you might say "Good morning" and they'll find some weather guy who proves it's NOT a good morning and use that as a reason to put you in the slammer.My advice... say nothing!
Exactly...and the same goes for state police organizations.
In fact, say nothing to anyone from the DOJ, because all law enforcement entities of the national government use this Immoral method to catch people in their sticky and Tyrannical webs.
As I've said many times over the past nine years: 'Banana, meet Republic'.
Did you know by lying to a US Customs & Border Protection officer while attempting to make entry into the USA you can get a 10 year ban? Non US citizens of course.
If they can catch them first, or track them down?
At the point of entry at a POE. Scenario: I ask you if you committed X and I know it from NCIC or Interpol or whatever and you deny it, I can put a ten year ban on you. Happens all the time, but people only hear about the illegals. There are gad zillions of people trying to enter every day through Ports of Entry, whether it be an airport, seaport or land border. Goes on all the time and you never hear about it because the whole world is trying to enter the USA every day!
The numbers would overwhelm us, I'm sure. Shore up the watery borders with more USCG patrol boats and increase the numbers of our Border Patrol officers until the wall is completed. Also adding drone technology as an assist. I'm for all the check points, quizzing and triple checking we can stomach. I just heard an number quoted today of crimes and accidents involving illegals. Something incredible like over 651,000 (but sorry I failed to catch since which year the stats were taken). Just chatted with an elderly widower, who was also a veteran, up the street and asked how he got over his hand surgery last year after being rear rammed by an illegal youth going 35 mph as he sat at a red light waiting for it to change. He saw her in his rear view and saw she was looking down and not slowing so he braced his hands on the wheel preparing for impact rather than try to maneuver into a busy intersection. She had no collision insurance. There was no court appearance. He had three surgeries in his hand, another on his wrist, and forearm, also his shoulder and three in his lower back, all from this one accident.
"If there is any justification for this absurd "transition", it is that a US presidential administration is uniquely unwieldy and is constitutionally required to go through ever more molasses-speed confirmations of key figures."
Boy, Mark nailed that. I am half-English and have been a keen student of British political history all of my life. In almost every transition of British executive power going back to Sir Robert Walpole (who managed to remain in power for 21 years) the outgoing government surrenders the seals of office, the incoming government kisses hands, and the new guys are conducting government business within a few days.. Imagine if Churchill would have had to wait for ten weeks to begin governing after Neville Chamberlain resigned.
The reasoning why we have to wait until mid-January for the new government to formally be sworn in TODAY is beyond me. Historically, the delay was was originally due to the fact that people had to travel long distances on bad transportation facilities to reach New York or Philadelphia or Washington DC or wherever the inauguration was to take place. That is certainly not true anymore. Well, it used to be worse - Until the 20th Amendment was passed in 1933, the new guy had to wait until March 4th or so to be sworn in thus giving the "outgoing" government nearly four months of mischief making if they chose. If Lincoln could have been sworn into office on, say November 10th, then the outgoing (and subversive) Buchanan administration would not have been able to make the blunders and concessions that enabled the South to fight for over four years.
President Trump would do well to correct all this nonsense. W.e.f. the next election in November 2020 have the new administration in place and in power by the following Monday. That would be some legacy.
Quite a lot to absorb with this one . . .
This is going to upset many of your ardent followers: Had your epistle come from a U.S. citizen, it would hold much more appreciation than from a "guest-in-my-house." Not a damned thing wrong with offering your 2-cents - just happened to impact me negatively.
I bristle at "brick bats" (no matter the form) being tossed my way from those who do not have "standing." Sorry 'bout that. A remedy: Become a U.S. citizen and join the other spokes in the wheel to effect the change(s) many of us would like to see. We do have remedies; albeit slow to rise.
I have no issues with the substantive points you have made other than this one: "First, it shouldn't be a crime to lie to the FBI given the way the FBI lies to us with impunity." What "should be," is not. Unless and until changed by law, it remains a crime to lie to the FBI.
In keep with your guidelines regarding "overly lengthy responses," I will close with this:
Much luck to you with regard to the seemingly-never-ending legal matter you are engaged in; I support your defense (defence).
Tom in Missouri
Mark replies:
Dear Tom,
First, I do have, in the legal sense, "standing". Generally speaking, US law does not discriminate between "US persons" - which means anybody who is in the country legally (such as Mohammed Atta).
In the opinion sense, everyone anywhere on the planet has standing: Americans express opinions on Canuckistani wimps, French surrender-monkeys, etc, all the time. I write on what matters to me - whether federal corruption in America, Islamization in Sweden, or stupid High Court decisions in Australia - and Americans, Swedes and Aussies are entitled to accord my views such value as they see fit, as are Czechs, Tongans and Somalis.
But I take your point more generally. As I've joked on Greg Gutfeld and Rush, nobody likes hoity-toity foreigners banging on about what's wrong with their country. That's one reason why I've resisted invitations to do a regular radio or TV show on US airwaves: A lot of Americans wouldn't care for it on principle, and I'm entirely sympathetic to that.
Re the FBI point: I understand that, too. It's a common conservative position, deeply tied to respect for the law. But respect for the law rests upon equality before the law, and at the federal level US justice is increasingly capricious. So the FBI leans on Flynn to confess to a process crime in order to nail Trump, but they'd never lean on, say, Huma to confess to a process crime in order to nail Hillary. So the "lying to the FBI" business is less a crime than a weapon in their armory, to be deployed when useful.
While we are at it.. let's dump de Tocqueville . Orwell is for Englishman only. Tacitus or Cicero? Too long ago.
Hum... collusion I assume?
Robert,
As stated: "This is going to upset many of your ardent followers: . . ."
As I recall, de Tocqueville's writings, based on his observations, were for "outsiders," not those within the newly founded nation.
The others - quite a bit tangental - but your 2-cents are your 2-cents.
Tom in Missouri
I had a chance meet with a fairly prominent Los Angeles talk-radio show host a few years back. He did evening drive-time on one of the biggest stations. He mentioned that he has been told on occasion by listeners that he "shouldn't talk about any controversial topics". He told me this while looking down and shaking his head. It's an odd conceit when someone tells a person whose profession is expressing compelling opinions that they shouldn't opine on some topics. Exponentially so when it amounts to not what's said, but who's saying it.
You offer no specific objections to the piece, only that you think Mark hasn't the right to say such things. Your preference that nobody but U.S. citizens should speak about the U.S. political systems due to "standing" is a personal eccentricity, nothing more. I myself value the insight of thoughtful people raised in a different political system, at least when it doesn't come at it from an "I hate America" stance. And when it does, I shrug and move on, not challenge the right of the opiner to so opine. I value the informal "first amendment", the cultural one, which allows anyone to express an opinion. And anyone else to disagree, so long as it stays relatively civil.
At this point, Mark.... I'm not sure the FBI or the Justice Dept will survive their own corruption.
They cannot believe this is going unnoticed. You don't have to be a fervent Trump supporter to see the selective use of the law for political ends. That's a death sentence for the FBI. I'm bedrock America. So is my family.
With enemies like me and mine.... they are in very deep doo doo. I want a purge in DC... every branch.
Good Monday Evening Mark,
Appears I flicked your switch; good.
My responses:
(1) No challenge to your legal "standing," mine is not a court of law - just the way I view someone from outside the bubble making comment regarding those of us on the inside. Simply struck a negative chord on this day. I do discriminate though - there are many "legals" in my country who if under my charge would be tossed back to whence they came. You are exempt from that wrath; breathe easy.
(2) Of course you write about matters of interest and importance to you; a reason I have purchased nearly all of your books. In many instances I am in complete agreement with your appraisals without any challenge to your "right" to opine. If not for you, I would be ignorant of so much going on elsewhere in this world of ours. As for Canadians, Swedes, Aussies, Czechs, Tongans and Somalis: they would be wise not to say to my face anything disparaging about my country. The written word does offer insulation; dontchathink?
(3) Absolutely on-the-mark, Mark. Many Americans do not appreciate foreigners spewing their disdain regarding our way of doing this or that. Put me down as being atop that list. Insofar as you hosting a radio or TV show - I would be a regular; just throw in your (un)Documented descriptor before taking to the mike.
(4) As I used to say over a long military career along with municipal policing: respect has to be earned. The law is nothing more than words - the beef comes from those sworn to enforce it and others who seem to revel on treading on the circumference of what is right and wrong. The organization (FBI) is an amalgamation of people who come and go. One would have to be a total Pollyanna to believe that those at the helm are evermore "fair and balanced." This business with faux-Queen Hillary, Russian "collusion" along with the not-so-special selection of the Prosecutor-whats-in-charge makes me want to head to the lee side - pronto quick. I concur with your thinking there.
Appreciate your taking the time to respond with points well understood. However, I stand behind what I have said (typed) and the manner expressed.
Should the opportunity present itself, I would gladly attend your U.S. citizenship ceremony, should personal circumstances permit. You would be the second Canadian in my life to take the plunge with my bride being the first.
Cheers!
Tom in Missouri
Rob,
As stated: "This is going to upset many of your ardent followers: . . ."
Nope - I did not say that "Mark hasn't the right to say such things." Nor did I offer specific objections for several reasons, one of which was to avoid monopolizing the band-width with nothing more than my oh-pin-yuns. I made my comments "general" for that reason.
Also, my preferences are just that - mine; as yours are yours. You do not know me well enough to imply that you know what they (preferences) are, unless of course I specifically stated them.
For me and apparently only me, I refrain from making disparaging comments regarding someone else's country; with only this exception: if that country is pursuing a policy bent on destroying mine.
You may shrug and move on, but that is not my style. Perhaps in another life I will be as tolerant as you wish I could be.
I value what Mark has to say as I do his Club Members, including you.
You may wish to review Mark's comments to me along with my responses.
Tom in Missouri
Tom...
Mark Steyn commenting on America is like Edmund Burke commenting on France.
If you agree that we have all benefited from Mr. Burke's reflections, would you not grant the same respect to those of M. Steyn?
This is one American who agrees with everything Mark said in this article and in his response to you. I care not a whit that he's not a citizen, it doesn't mean he's wrong. He is in fact entirely correct in his assessment of our shortcomings.
And it's damn frustrating to say "our" in that instance, because I can certainly see the problems our country faces, and how little control I have over them.
What upsets me is Mark declining invitations to do a regular TV show. Say it ain't so, Mark! I really, really want a Steyn TV show. I think Sunday nights on Fox would be ideal as I don't care for either of the shows they have on now. Much better to have some great insights, interesting guests, and good music.
I have told you what I want, what I really, really want and I'm 'Murican as they come.
Since Mark's non-citizenship has been brought up, I should point out that he just doesn't understand our transition period. There are balls and galas to be planned, celebrities chosen and contracted to perform, gowns to be designed, flowers to be picked, poems to be written, the size of the motorcade to be determined (go with the minimum 70 SUVs or more?), and on and on and on.
Mark doesn't understand this as he comes from a country with royalty, and thus, a lot of ceremony.
Tom,
In my opinion, Mark does more to expose the Deep State and corruption and Effect Change in America than anyone I can think of, except maybe Trump himself. What is most important is one's insight into and ability to translate The Swamp coherently and accurately to readers, not where they are originally from.
Dear Tom,
I don't know if this was just a case of judgment clouded by indigestion but what you're saying seems to me entirely out of character for the person you seem to be.
Have you ever heard the saying, people would rather be destroyed by flattery than saved by criticism?
For too many reasons to name, I love America far more than a great number of your fellow American citizens do, especially among the relatively young (under forty or so) victims of brainwashing by the unionized public educational system. But apart from loving America and wishing her well, as an inhabitant of this planet, I also need America, as my own and my descendants' future depends on restoring America to what it used to be and what it's meant to be.
While it is not without merit to argue that if somebody is about to commit a suicide, it's his or her own business, I'd still find quite appropriate to try to talk the person out of it. But if that person is the only one who has the capacity to steer the ship that I am aboard of in the middle of the ocean, I suggest I do have a standing in the matter.
What would you expect me, or Mark, or any other sane and informed non-American, to be saying, watching your country's slide down the path of self-destruction?
That everything is just fine?
Is that what friends are for - telling soothing lies or side-stepping the issues that are killing you?
Can't you see and understand the difference between petty immature anti-Americanism, unfortunately quite widespread around the world (in a great extent thanks to the last about 50 years of Hollywood production), and can't you appreciate a genuine and abundantly justified concern for the country's - and with her the rest of the world's - well-being and future?
The truth is rarely pleasant and flattering. But if it's the truth, it's the truth, wherever and whomever does it come from. Whoever it happens to be, it's not the messenger who deserves your wrath.
All the best.
Ivan,
As stated: "This is going to upset many of your ardent followers: . . ."
Absolutely compelling points you have made and in such a civil tone; thank you.
I had promised myself not to "engage" on this subject any longer - but felt yours deserved at least an acknowledgment and then some.
You are correct - friends should be able to discuss damned near anything with friends; on that I totally concur.
In another chapter of my long life I recall a shipmate's wife who was less than faithful whilst we were at sea. I was only one amongst several who knew. This fellow was my friend - not just an acquaintence but a friend. It was quite the dilemma fostered upon me. Should I tell him or should I not? The outcome is mine alone to know - but I definitely get your point(s) - all.
As for "standing," I maintain that should one be invited into someone else's home, does that entitle the guest to toss barbs in the direction of the hosts regarding the manner in which they keep house? Just the way I view it, Ivan, nothing more.
My wrath was not directed towards Mark - not all and I stated as such. I have come to the end of my rope with American bashers and those who revel in their negativity about my country. At times the use of "our" or "we" made in reference to citizenry, coming from one who is not strikes that discordant note.
In closing, it was not indigestion nor a case of a "bad hair day" that was the trigger. Not all; just struck a negative chord.
Best to you too!
Tom in Missouri
Ha! Good one Steven, I like that!
GB has the "Shadow Cabinet" , the USA now has a malevolent shadowy government replete with embedded 5th column control into all branches of government and supported by a de facto propaganda directorate called the mainstream press. The FBI is now "coup"-operating with its Shadow State masters. Having seen the voting box and the jury box being corrupted.... ah... that unfortunately doesn't leave many boxes left as checks and balances. The dangers that were so obvious to a bunch of guys in the late 1700's is now blindly being ignored.
I keep asking - What is at stake here. Career politicians. prosecutors, investigators and civil servants are self destructing in a transparent murder suicide pact with media to oust a sitting president.
He's crazy, paranoid, racist, treasonous, philandering, and dangerous? All that? What am I missing?
And what has he done to deserve this? It could be that a man without a CONTROL FILE, sitting in that office is a death sentence for a whole lot of people and a whole lot of scams. That's my guess.
In any case, I suspect THEM not him.
Carol,
I don't think that the career swamp thinks it is committing murder-suicide - they are so corrupt and entitled that they think they are going to regain all their power. They've convinced themselves they are justified in their treasonous tactics. It's a demonstration of what happens when the built-in checks and balances on the power of the government are circumvented. All is not lost yet. Those limits on power built into the design of the American government may yet save the country.
I had forgotten until someone to whom I sent your column reminded me that, prior to passage of the 20th Amendment (nicknamed the "Lame Duck amendment"), presidents weren't inaugurated until March 4 or 5. Of course, in the old days it took a long time to count up ballots around the country and to determine the winner, and it took time for the winner to relocate to Washington and to pick his cabinet and other positions. Ironically, some are still questioning the election results and the president is still trying to nominate his own people to some positions.
There's a theory that the longer transition period allowed the southern secessionists time and opportunity to get the Civil War going. We should still be concerned at what our adversaries may try to do during the long transition period.
Maybe Congress will work at its usual speed and take a serious look at this again in another 50 years or so.
Very good. I just wrote in making similar points.
Great minds and all that...
Yes, in about fifty years or so is right. If they have gotten on the same page about anything seems it's the long game!
Mark wrote: As I always say, the process is the punishment.
Bob says: The Process is The Tyranny.
I think the Secretaries and various newly appointed department heads should be tasked with cleaning out the deep state denizens and Obama leftovers ASAP. To Mark's point about investigating the winning side, I am absolutely baffled by Justice Department boss Sessions playing ball with the enemy and allowing himself to be emasculated at the start of the "Russia Investigation". Sessions is also obstructing Congress in their quest to look into the FBI and the Justice Department. I don't get it.
Glad I'm not alone out here. My son in law keeps thumping that Alex Jones has the answer. I am not a fan, but when he says you don't get to be dog catcher without a control file that keeps you on a short leash....
It dovetails perfectly with what we are seeing. Jeff Sessions is obviously on a very short leash. He is not Trumps man .... but he's owned.
If there is anything good coming out of this it's a whirlwind education in the DC owners manual.
It explains a lot.... and redeems those who say there isn't a nickels difference between the Clinton, Bush and Obama Crime families.
That is an enormous sea change. Even apolitical types in my family are noticing the selective prosecution of selective crimes. Trump is an Eagle Scout compared to the inbred filth of Washington.
I think he's earning respect from those who hesitated to give him a break.
Definitely Carol. Sessions is afraid of something, as is Flynn, and others. Trump is standing tall, and as time goes by, as you said, earning respect. I'm hoping too, as Citizens become increasingly aware of how deep the swamp is in DC, and Trump holds strong and steady as the People's Choice and Outsider, that the tide will turn. Trump is giving the swamp enough rope to hang themselves, with time.
Let's pray ...