Thursday, May 26, 2016

More on the Hillary Clinton e-mail "scandal."

Courtesy of Forbes:  

The report released Wednesday by the State Department Inspector General on its email records management is being reported as heavy-duty criticism of former Secretary Hillary Clinton. However, the report has more in it that vindicates Clinton than nails her. 

It does not add any new serious charges or adverse facts. And, it shows she was less out of line with her predecessors, notably Colin Powell, than has been charged. Powell’s handling of his email was so similar, in fact, that when House Republicans drag this issue through hearings up to Election Day, Powell should be called as a witness – a witness for Clinton. To put it differently, she is having a double standard applied to her.

The author then goes on to list five key takeaways from the report. I won't list all them all on this post, but here are a few highlights.   

First, and foremost, it is simply not about classified email. It is about regular, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, unclassified email. Yet it is the classified email, not these messages, that are the focus of the FBI investigation of Clinton. In other words, the report does not, and cannot, talk about the most serious issues. It is about a sideshow.

It is, by the way, my opinion that the FBI investigation will not include anything substantial that damages Hillary either, and I join with others in hoping that they wrap up the investigation quickly.

However if the Right Wing hoped that his report contained a smoking gun, well it really doesn't.

I will skip through the next three takeaways and go directly to the last one, which I think is key.

Fifth, to the extent that she is criticized because “she did not comply with the Department’s policies that were implemented in accordance with the Federal Records Act,” the report is making a legal judgment that is not particularly strong. Note how she is not labeled as violating any statute, but rather, a real mouthful of mush – “the Department’s policies that were implemented in accordance with the Federal Records Act.” So we are talking about obscure, dull, bureaucratic policies. Not a criminal statute. Not even a civil statute – just the bureaucratic policies. 

A report that says so little new against Clinton, amounts to a vindication.

You may disagree with that very last sentence, but the paragraph before it is hard to refute.

In short she broke NO laws. 

In fact other news outlets far less sympathetic to Hillary have come to essentially the same determination, like the Washington Post for instance:

The department’s email technology was archaic. Other staffers also used personal email, as did Secretary Colin Powell (2001-2005), without preserving the records. But there is no excuse for the way Ms. Clinton breezed through all the warnings and notifications. While not illegal behavior, it was disturbingly unmindful of the rules.

Okay but WAS it "disturbingly unmindful of the rules?"  Or is there in fact an epidemic of individuals in the State Department flouting the rules and Clinton is simply being held to a higher standard than the rest of them.

Because it appears very much as if it is the latter.

I think now might be a good time to once again remind everybody that the State Department's e-mail system suffered one of the "worst hacks" ever.

75 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:05 PM

    OT but what happened at Track's trial? Did it actually start?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:01 PM

      Thanks for asking! I was wondering the same thing. Wasn't it open to the media? Anyone have an update?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:23 PM

      Set back yet again.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous3:53 PM

      There should be a flash back for poor old Track. Why can't he move on?

      This is what that atty is for, set back, set back, set back forget about it.

      Track's idol is in the news. Todd worked with him and he protected Sarah.

      The Palin's know all the big strong men of military fame. The ones that lie. Track is a sad sack next to all the ones that Sarah likes.

      Which will come first? Track court saga will end? Jordan will have some babies?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous7:18 PM

      ADN has a report that he's being considered for program geared toward veterans. He's pondering his options. Atty said he will be in attendance at next hearing.

      Seriously, do they never face any consequences?! Probably lining up a reality show to follow him.

      Delete
  2. 66gardeners12:58 PM

    Why hasn't Condoleeza Rice's name come up. Colin Powell was mentioned, but he was head of the State Dept. BEFORE Condoleeza, and we have never seen any of her e-mails. Boy would that be a treasure trove.

    I've said it before, and it still applies: As long as they are talking about e-mails and Benghazi, rest assured they've got nothing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually that was addressed and apparently she did not use e-mail.

      However her aide did and that person also did not follow protocol, as I understand it.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:56 PM

      Condoleeza Rice did not use email. Frankly, I think that makes her a wise woman.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous1:03 PM

    Here comes Trump's 47% moment...

    Trump Just Opened His Mouth And Created A Gigantic New Problem For Republicans

    Trump said, “There is one more thing that we have to do to make America wealthy again, and you have to be wealthy in order to be great. I’m sorry to say it…..We’ll build the wall. We’re going to build the wall. Believe me. We’re going to build the wall.”

    In Donald Trump’s view greatness only comes with wealth. People who dedicate their lives to helping others for low pay aren’t great. Public servants who risk their lives as police officers, firefighters, or serving in the military aren’t great. To Trump, greatness is defined by the size of your bank account.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/26/trump-opened-mouth-created-gigantic-problem-republicans.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:10 PM

      He is a piece of work. He is having Mexico build the wall but he says he is building it.

      He boasts about being a Gordon Gekko type greed is good in the housing market. The man is disgusting. I detest when he goes into the smooth more sensible sounding personality, the personality is pleasant and sounds better but who he is is too well known.

      Ronald Reagan's son was saying he doesn't believe he is anywhere as rich as he claims. I doubt he will ever show his taxes. We won't know about his wealth.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:04 PM

      This country has long judged the value of people by how much they make. That is why we worship national sports stars and celebrities more than firemen, policemen, teachers, nurses, etc.

      And we don't value the services they provide because what we pay them equates to how much we value the services they provide. A teacher with a college degree can make less than a cashier, a hairdresser or a mechanic. I guess having a running car is more important than making sure you house doesn't burn down or having your hair cut is more important than taking care of your after that appendix operation.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous1:06 PM

    Hillary Clinton didn't do any differently than others. She is being made to the scapegoat. Media and various others are just trying to put negative thoughts out there to decrease her chances of becoming POTUS!

    I can hardly wait to cast my vote for her and watched her take the oath of office in January, 2017!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:28 PM

      Nope. "Other people did it" is not an excuse. Also, "Other people" were subject to different rules.

      From the report:
      "By Secretary Clinton's tenure, the department's guidance was considerably more detailed and more sophisticated." {than when Powell was SOS} "Secretary Clintons' cyber-security practices accordingly must be evaluated in light of these more comprehensive directives."

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:42 PM

      No law was broken, 2:28. In 2014, the protocol changed.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous2:54 PM

      Others did not do what she did.

      Others are not running for President.

      Others did not maintain a private server.

      Others did not delete 30,000 emails.

      Others did not maintain a cash for play foundation.

      Others are not currently being investigated by the FBI.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:13 PM

      @2:42

      Posters here and Gryphen keep saying no law was broken. Veteran intelligence officers say otherwise, as do lawyers familiar with the pertinent statutes and the FBI continues its investigation.


      http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/05/26/hillary-clinton-email-scandal/

      : “It’s not good news for the Clinton camp,” Nathan Sales, a Syracuse law professor and a former lawyer for the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, said.

      Sales said Clinton faces possible legal exposure on two fronts: the 2009 Federal Records Act for using a non-governmental email server, and Title 18, Chapter 37 of the U.S. Code, which covers handling of classified material.

      Sales said the FBI team investigating will do it “by the book.”


      Sorry for the repetition--others have posted this info and statutes already.

      Some people have paid a steep price for less relating to classified docs.(See James Risen case.) Hilary Clinton is not above the law. I don't want to see Trump elected but Hilary acts as if she's above the law in this fiasco--also she was incredibly naive and had very poor judgment to expose classified material to hackers like the one who pled guilty to hacking her server and is in prison in VA now. He said she even used her own initials and last name and it was incredibly easy to hack, for him for anyone.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:00 PM

      She has not acted above the law. Shebroke no laws. So tired of the same unfounded rightwing points. You cannot prove intent. Quote all the statutes you want. There was no oversight in place, so she will not be blamed.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous4:48 AM

      She did break the law. That is not right wing talking point,but a fact currently being spun out of recognition by her political allies. The only question is will she pay any penalty for doing so?

      The intelligence community is not happy with the idea she will pay no price while others have had their careers taken and even been jailed for less; they say it is already affecting morale with career intelligence personnel.

      She will not be blamed? She already is to blame for giving orders to circumvent security regs. And there still is the matter of the law involved. Hilary acting as if she is above the law--as noted already, others who mishandled or were even thought to have mishandled classified and top secret information have been fired and or jailed for less. Look at the James Risen case.

      Acting as if the rules only apply to the less powerful is not going to help Hilary's election campaign.
      She is already seen as untrustworthy by a majority of voters polled, adding arrogance and entitlement to that is not a good recipe for winning votes.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous7:08 AM

      There is no provable intent, you can scream it until the nodes in your vocal chords dissolve, but that won't make it true! Watch: she will be cleared in June.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous9:02 AM

      Cleared for the big house that is. Delousing, fire hose shower, bend over and spread em, and an xl orange jump suit.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous1:57 PM

      9:02 - you are so scared of Hillary! LMAO!

      Delete
  5. Anonymous1:12 PM

    G: It is, by the way, my opinion that the FBI investigation will not include anything substantial that damages Hillary either, and I join with others in hoping that they wrap up the investigation quickly.

    At least we can all agree on that:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Qk8oC6vPk&feature=youtu.be&t=33

    But the real hit HRC is gonna take is how this growing pile of examples continues to make the voters feel she is 'untrustworthy'.

    https://youtu.be/yBUI8nRbtNU?t=48

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All old news. No one cares.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:23 PM

      Old lies / new proof. And some
      people that can see reality care:

      https://snag.gy/ybXRI9.jpg

      She's sinking her own ship. And if the best reason to vote Dem is to stop Trump...nominate Bernie.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:49 PM

      Hillary Clinton will be the nominee and Bernie is going down - where he should be! He's a messed up old man with an ego that has been exposed which most of us didn't realize existed.

      He's exposed himself to be the likes of Donald Trump! Both are assholes!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:58 AM

      Hillary Clinton is headed for the clink.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous1:56 PM

      8:58 - yes, the clink of champagne glasses as she sips in celebration of victory! I agree!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous1:35 PM

    Was Dick Cheney just "breezing" through when is emails were deliberately destroyed as the Bush Administration was leaving office? And no problems with the other millions of emails destroyed by that administration in its final days. Like every other so-called scandal that the GOP has tried to smear Hillary Clinton with, there is no scandal here. Nothing was ever leaked. She did what her predecessors had done. Had she been a Republican she would have been praised for the same thing. The GOP has been scared of Hillary Clinton since she came on the national scene in 1992.
    Beaglemom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:46 PM

      Beaglemom, it's refreshing that you didn't lay this at Bernie Sander's door.

      I enjoy reading your posts, but lately you've gone black/white (no gray).

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:14 PM

      "Some Republicans did something similar" is not an excuse. I can't believe intelligent people here are using that 3rd grader excuse to try to give Clinton a pass on flouting her agency's guidelines and rules.

      As for what her predecessor Colin Powell did, the IG report points out:
      "By Secretary Clinton's tenure, the department's guidance was considerably more detailed and more sophisticated." {than when Powell was SOS} "Secretary Clintons' cyber-security practices accordingly must be evaluated in light of these more comprehensive directives."

      Nor did Powell exclusively use a personal email account and have a private server through which that email went in his basement at home. Clinton's other predecessors in the last 20 years, Rice and Albright, didn't use email at all. So "she did what her predecessors had done" is a demonstrably false and tired Clinton talking point.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous3:58 PM

      Bernie just has to be a bad guy. He is old. No one cares that he was one of the few wise enough not to be hoodwinked into war. It only matters that he is the bad guy. His hair is old and funny and he is grumpy. Blame everything on Bernie.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous5:13 PM

      Under Secretary Clinton, the department's guidance may have been considerably more detailed but the process of retaining emails was definitely not more sophisticated. Per the latest Rachel Maddow show, the process used for retaining emails at the State department is to print off a copy of an email when you send it and store it in a box. When an email is received, that email should also be printed off and stored in a box. This s fricking joke. No wonder there are some missing emails. With a process like this, the only scandal is the fact that Congress hasn't budgeted enough funds to update the email retention process. The State Dept might as well be using typewritten letters with carbon copies to retain.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:02 PM

      Thanks, 5:13. Hillary did not invent the state dept. e-mail system.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:07 PM

      5:13......"Per the latest Rachel Maddow show,"

      My god, no wonder you people are so misinformed.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous7:06 AM

      11:07 - so says the Fox news viewer...

      Delete
  7. Anonymous1:47 PM

    Chuck Todd Grills Hillary Over Emails: Report ‘Contradicts Many of the Things You’ve Said’

    http://www.mediaite.com/tv/chuck-todd-grills-hillary-over-emails-report-contradicts-many-of-the-things-youve-said/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:04 PM

      Chuck Todd Grills Hillary Over Emails: Report ‘Contradicts Many of the Things You’ve Said’

      Anything she ever says can reasonably be expected to be in contadiction to what she ever does.

      Delete
    2. 2:03pm is so clever. Oh my god.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous2:43 PM

      I love HRC & will be seeing her live in June!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:03 PM

      Addendum - "Live in person" in June!

      Delete
  8. Anonymous1:58 PM

    As Donald Trump launches a series of zombie attacks, digging up long-dead personal accusations and wild conspiracy theories to attack Bill and Hillary Clinton, he might want to take a look at how that strategy has fared in the past.
    The politics of personal destruction, which Trump has embraced with gusto, are certain to fail. Republicans used the strategy relentlessly against Bill Clinton. He was accused by right-wing conspiracy mongers of murder, rape, real estate fraud -- pretty much everything except complicity in the Kennedy assassination.

    Every time, at every turn, in every instance, Clinton conspiracy buffs have failed with this. It is a strategy for losers. Clinton won 33 states twice, dominating the GOP in two presidential elections. He became the first president since Reconstruction to gain seats in the sixth year of his presidency as voters punished Republicans for pursuing an illegitimate, partisan impeachment.

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/26/opinions/trump-clinton-smears-begala/index.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous2:04 PM

    Donald Trump has a woman problem -- 3 of them

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/25/politics/donald-trump-women/index.html

    In Trump attacks, Hillary Clinton finds her voice

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/26/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-attacks/index.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous2:06 PM

    Why the 'woman voter' is a myth

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/26/opinions/myths-about-women-voters-thomson-deveaux/index.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous2:09 PM

    Hillary Clinton to win California Democratic Primary
    78%

    Bernie Sanders to win California Democratic Primary
    23%

    http://www.cnn.com/specials/politics/predict

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:08 PM

      http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/26/senate-democrats-fed-bernie-sanders-trump-debate-stunt.html

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:34 PM

      that poll is rigged, gotta be. Bernie has foreign experience with the leader of the vatican, that's gotta count for something. Add his uncanny willingness to debate Trump using other people's money for charity, meh.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous2:18 PM

    Not even a little surprised to find out that a murderer is also a liar. And even less surprised that Sarah Palin is in cahoots with said murderer and liar. It disgusts me that this criminal homicidal maniac has been feted by our media for his murderous rampages on innocent civilians. I hope he is rotting in hell for all eternity and that he has to relive every one of the murders he perpetrated on his victims.

    The Navy is investigating why documents show a discrepancy between the number of medals awarded to Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and what he wrote about in his best-selling book "American Sniper."

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/26/politics/american-sniper-medals/index.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:49 PM

      Sniper Kyle, Dakota Meyer, and Track Palin all faked and frauds. Taxpayer expenses. Thanks Bush/Cheney. You need to all be in prison.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:42 PM

      And, Sarah Palin and her pussy husband, Todd, begot being fake and frauds. Check out their histories in Alaska and all the FACTS of their individual beings!

      Messed up, fucked up, white trash from a very small town in Alaska with a small population as compared to others in the country!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous2:20 PM

    Trump’s Neo-Nazi And Jewish Backers Are Both Convinced He’s Secretly On Their Side

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-neo-nazis-jews_us_5747397be4b0dacf7ad4480e?mowcc0c7ynwmi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:37 PM

      Sick as can be!!! Trump - the second coming of Adolph Hitler - WWII! Racism and HATE is all he represents!

      PAY ATTENTIOIN AMERICAN VOTERS!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:05 PM

      lol. Eyroll.

      Paying attention to you morons and laughing. Democrats are starting to become a laughing stock with all your handwringing.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:05 AM

      11:05 - but at least we know how to spell "eye roll," rightwinger!

      Delete
  14. Anonymous2:35 PM

    In my opinion, when the Inspector General of a cabinet- level agency concludes the head of the agency knowingly flouted the rules of her department, it is not a sideshow. It goes to integrity and leadership.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:34 PM

      Funny, you never cared when all the men did it.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:26 PM

      Facts not in evidence. All what men? No Secretary of State other than Clinton has exclusively used a personal email address that ran off a private server in their basement at home. As for Colin Powell using his private email, the IG report:
      "By Secretary Clinton's tenure, the department's guidance was considerably more detailed and more sophisticated." {than when Powell was SOS} "Secretary Clintons' cyber-security practices accordingly must be evaluated in light of these more comprehensive directives."

      Her other predecessors in the last 20 years were Rice and Albright. Neither used email at all.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:04 PM

      All the men 4:26: Bush, Cheney, Powell...

      Delete
  15. Anonymous2:38 PM

    "Clinton is simply being held to a higher standard than the rest of them."
    C'mon now.
    Once we see the 30,000+ deleted emails which will surely include correspondence between Clinton Foundation and State Dept,we ALL can decide.
    And let's not forget Huma and Pagliano both drew paychecks from both entities simultaneously.
    Pagliano is the chap that set up the unsecure server in Hillary's home and has been given full immunity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:34 PM

      Liar!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:55 PM

      https://www.facebook.com/747754388695524/videos/909877859149842/?autoplay_reason=gatekeeper&video_container_type=0&video_creator_product_type=2&app_id=2392950137

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:27 PM

      Clinton's being held to a higher standard than prior Secretaries of State because the standards were higher by her tenure:

      ""By Secretary Clinton's tenure, the department's guidance was considerably more detailed and more sophisticated." {than when Powell was SOS} "Secretary Clintons' cyber-security practices accordingly must be evaluated in light of these more comprehensive directives."

      Delete
    4. Anonymous4:36 PM

      The majority of voters do not believe all the anti crap about Hillary Clinton!!! Most folks do not watch cable TV - look at their numbers - dropping like dead flies!

      She will be our next POTUS and I can hardly wait to see the Republican party eat crow once AGAIN!!!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous4:15 AM

      I love how Gryph used the picture of Hillary using her Blackberry,or should we call it Hackberry?

      "Given the NSA's refusal to give Clinton what she wanted, the secretary apparently decided to continue to use her personal e-mail server for State Department business, while her staff was fully aware of the security risks associated with using her BlackBerry."
      http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/03/nsa-refused-clinton-a-secure-blackberry-like-obama-so-she-used-her-own/

      Delete
    6. Anonymous6:59 AM

      Are they all just Trump Fans? All about alleged Bernie supporters obsessed with Hillary's e-mails: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/28/us/politics/bernie-sanders-hillary-clinton-fbi.html

      Delete
  16. Anonymous2:53 PM

    Lawernce O'Donnell was pretty sure that Mrs. Clinton was going to prison on his show last night.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:05 PM

      Learn to spell & come back see us soon!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:19 PM

      Lawrence O!Donnell said Trump,was going to prison last night. #Fraud University

      Delete
  17. Anonymous3:58 PM

    She made the decision to go around the State depts. system even though she was told not to. That shows an intent to deceive and she will get away with it. Be proud you support a lying bitch, shows your lack of judgment skills and reflects you are just as sad as she is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:57 AM

      Smart people, like President Obama, support her. I support her. Misogyny is not tolerated.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous4:30 PM

    Hillary Clinton is a star...she's been through the ropes more than anyone else I can think of! She's smart, educated, experienced, knowledgeable about our government and exceeds any other candidate out there that has been under the 'fire' for years - in either party!

    She will be our next POTUS and I know many folks that plan to vote for her - thinking "anything but a fucking Republican" especially the likes of a Donald Trump!

    You go get him, Hillary! Kick him in his large fat, white ass! He's has an ego the size of TX and it needs to be deflated to where he soars in the sky forever and ever - never to be seen or heard from again!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous4:34 PM

    Lawrence O'Donnell is one of those on cable that spouts nothing but anti - Hillary. He's boring and his viewership has dropped considerably over what it use to be. Along w/Chris Hayes and Chris Matthews!

    They are paid to be anti Hillary by corporate owners of cable!

    They are constantly spouting anti Hillary messages....she is going to cream them just as President Obama did! Republicans never learned their lessons! Thank God they are the minority with Trump!

    ReplyDelete
  20. HELLO: I will vote for Hillary....BUT it does seem shady to use a personally control email system for official business. If she wanted to send personal stuff...use a Gmail account. Just because Colin Powell (Dubyas lackey) did it, doesn't make it ok. She was trying to hide something.... but like I said, I will vote for her anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:21 PM

      who cares? Gov't e-mails are always redacted anyway.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous8:57 AM

    Hillary is going to the big house!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:55 PM

      Yes, the White House!

      Delete

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