Saturday, July 02, 2016

So let's address the Bill Clinton/Lorretta Lynch kerfuffle.

For those who have not turned on their TV's for the past 48 hours: 

A meeting this week between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton is creating headaches for Hillary Clinton's campaign. 

Lynch and Bill Clinton met privately in Phoenix Monday after the two realized they were on the same tarmac, an aide to the former president said. The encounter took place ahead of the public release Tuesday morning of the House Benghazi Committee's report on the 2012 attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya. 

The meeting is raising questions about whether the independence of the Justice Department, which is conducting an investigation of Hillary Clinton's private email server, might have been compromised.

Are you clutching your pearls yet?

Well if not then you are probably more intelligent than most.

First off for this to deserve even a scintilla of the news coverage that it is receiving you have to believe that Loretta Lynch, a woman that typically both Republicans and Democrats agree has impeccable integrity, would allow herself to be influenced by the former president.

Secondly you would have to believe that Bill Clinton would choose to meet Lynch in such a public venue in order to exert that influence, rather than to meet her in a more private location or to simply phone her at his leisure.

Thirdly people keep talking about "the optics" of this interaction considering the fact that Hillary in under investigation. But through WHOSE optics are seeing this interaction?

From my point of view this does not even come close to rising to the level of scandal, and if I read about it without all of the hyperbolic language I would think nothing of it. Nothing.

However if I am looking at it through the eyes of a conservative or Bernie-bot desperately scouring the internet for something to be outraged about concerning Hillary and her campaign, then "ding, ding, ding," apparently we have a winner.

But is it a winner?

Fuck no!

It is yet another tiny molehill, piled with bullshit until it appears to be a mountain.

(Hey, do you all remember the time that Bill visited that polling place in Massachusetts and stole the election for Hillary? Yeah, it's like that.)

So right around this part of the post is where the trolls start searching for that article which talks about Hillary's meeting with the FBI today.

Here let me save them the trouble:

"Secretary Clinton gave a voluntary interview this morning about her email arrangements while she was Secretary," Clinton campaign spokesman Nick Merrill said in an email Saturday afternoon. "She is pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Department of Justice in bringing this review to a conclusion. Out of respect for the investigative process, she will not comment further on her interview."

And then they will follow that up by also sending me a link to an article where Loretta Lynch says that she will do whatever the FBI recommends when they submit their report. (Here you go)

And then with what I would assume is a huge shit eating grin on their face the troll will sit back in that beanbag chair in their parent's basement and say, "There I told you she was screwed."

Except that of course she's not.

Let's take a moment to remind ourselves that the FBI answers to Attorney General Lynch, and that despite what she might say publicly she knows full well what they are investigating and what evidence that have accumulated.

Then let us remind ourselves that she was appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, who is determined to see his legacy protected by the next President elected to office.

Now acknowledging those two things should we actually entertain the possibility that Loretta Lynch would publicly say that she will abide by the FBI's report if she did not KNOW for a fact that Hillary Clinton was going to be completely exonerated?

Of course not.

Like I said, molehills piled up with bullshit until they appear to be mountains.

77 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:33 AM

    They both "know" how the republican's work. They weren't thinking. Shouldn't have happened.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:41 AM

    I'll take it one step further - do we really believe that Bill Clinton (who is one the most savvy politicians out there) would take the step to have this chat without the knowledge of the Clinton campaign? I think it was a decision, not to try to influence Secretary Lynch, but to puncture the air in any email-scandal-balloon before Hillary's interview with the FBI and before the convention starts. And to some extent it has worked. The media focus and outrage is on him, not on Hillary's interview. Whether it pays long-term dividends, who knows - but Bill took one for Team Hillary.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11:44 AM

    Optics = Loretta Lynch and Bill Clinton should have behaved in a "politically correct" manner. Wait. Political Correctness is what republicans keep saying we should not be, i.e. "it's OK to openly put your racism on display." They can't have it both ways.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:30 PM

      Sure they can.

      These are the same people who are supporting the candidate who says he's going to change libel laws so he can sue the press when they're mean to him, take over all the negotiating with foreign countries, start bombing large swaths of the Middle East, build a wall and make Mexico pay for it, overturn Roe vs. Wade, ban all Muslims from entering the country, deport undocumented immigrants AND their American-born children, eliminate numerous federal agencies, eliminate the ACA, bring back jobs from China, force private companies to manufacture in the U.S., redesign the tax code, and indict Hillary Clinton. All by himself.

      And in the next breath, they're vilifying President Obama for being an evil dictator.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous12:20 PM

    The 'other side' of the molehill?

    CNN: Clinton questioned
    by FBI as part of email probe


    This was expected. This is a routine
    part of an investigation like this.


    http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/02/politics/clinton-meets-with-fbi-as-part-of-email-probe/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:05 PM

      Interesting 'update' ?!?

      I was surfin'round and came across a version of the video above that is 1m19s shorter than the video in the CNN post. Same story with the same intro, recorded 30m earlier with some interesting edits.

      *Note the omissions and additions:

      https://youtu.be/5kc8lBx_2to

      Just edited for time I'm sure.

      (。◕‿-) ~ ♎

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:52 PM

      Conspiracy! Illuminati!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous6:38 PM

      They don't call 'em Clinton News Network for nuthin.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:18 PM

      Is it Clinton News Network when Trump's main man Corey Lewindowski works there? Don't think so.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous6:31 AM

      The story edits specifically omitted negative news and the additions inserted positive explanations, excuses, and HRC talking points. Nice!

      Lewindowski was hired as cover so CNN can say they aren't in the bag for Hill like MSNBClinton. Likewise, HRCNN also knew Corey would end up looking like an idiot...and it's working. Win-win!

      Americans are so easily conned.

      http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-06-16/fyi-hillary-clinton-had-a-front-pew-seat-at-donald-trump-s-wedding

      Delete
  5. Anonymous12:28 PM

    As usual, Gryphen is the voice of reason.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous12:40 PM

    I wish he had not done it because I want the focus to remain on that dumbass Trump. Like today, re Trump's dog whistle to anti-Semites.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey, at least Hillary is dominating the newsfeed instead of "the Donald". When the FBI cuts her loose there will still be those "die-hard" conservative conspiracy theorists who won't believe that Bill Clinton is just a "good-ole-boy" who wanted to say hi and talk, and talk, and talk to a friend. He has eaten so many "big macs" that his arteries are clogged and he is unaware of the "optics" of his meeting with Loretta Lynch...or is he?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous4:24 PM

      This is how blind the Clintonites are:

      Days before a presidential candidate is questioned by the FBI in a criminal investigation, her spouse meets with the attorney general who will decide if his spouse will be prosecuted is "dominating the newsfeed." I bet you think you can polish turds into gemstones.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:30 PM

      Truly, no one cares.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:43 PM

      5:30, speak for yourself. I care.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:16 PM

      No, you really don't care, @7:43. No one who really cares would waste time commenting here but instead would be engaged pro-actively. Duh.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous12:47 PM

    Yee-haw!
    200mph freight train of truth comin' down the track for the Clintons!
    3.5 hours at FBI headquarters for Hillary today.
    Get ready for the fireworks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:41 PM

      Please see comment at 12:20 above.

      Delete
    2. 12:47pm, Your stupidity pains me.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous1:58 PM

      Eleven hours in front of the Republican-led committee investigating the Benghazi attack and trying desperately to find her guilty.

      Nothing.

      Three and a half hours with the FBI?

      Piece of cake. Next.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous2:47 PM

      "Three and a half hours with the FBI?

      Piece of cake. Next."

      Uh-huh.
      You are very naive to believe Hillary can dance with the FBI elite.
      Don't forget they have her emails she thought were gone forever.They already know half the answers to the questions they asked her and just were handing her more rope.
      James Comey won't miss this time...

      Delete
    5. Anonymous4:27 PM

      Routine true that: investigators always interview the target of an investigation last.

      This routine confirms Clinton is the target.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous4:42 PM

      @4:27
      Got that right!
      They have almost all the answers to their questions already.
      Just gonna let the target add perjury to the charges forthcoming.
      ie:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiIP_KDQmXs

      Delete
    7. Anonymous5:31 PM

      Nothingburger once again!

      Delete
    8. Anonymous5:53 PM

      Because Clinton was the last to be questioned, it's certain the FBI didn't ask Clinton any questions they didn't already know the answer to. Remember, Martha Stewart didn't go to prison for securities fraud, she went to prison for making false statements to the FBI. So did Rod Blagojevich, Jeff Skilling, Scooter Libby, Bernie Kerik and John Poindexter. It just shows that very often it's not the crime that gets you, it's the cover-up.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous7:32 PM

      There is no cover-up. It's over! Hurray!

      Delete
  9. Anonymous12:48 PM

    Haha i think Clay at Claytoonz has called it...

    https://claytoonz.com/2016/07/02/sleazin-with-bill/

    "It has an appearance of impropriety that Lynch would have a “chat” with Bill while his wife is under investigation by her department. Her defense is “it was wrong because of the appearance it gives. It was a mistake. I wouldn’t do it again.” You don’t have to do it again because Bill only needed you to do it the one time. The “wouldn’t do it again” excuse is the same excuse Hillary gives for her server issues currently under investigation. Loretta will remember her own defense when the time comes, if it comes, to prosecute.

    Did I mention Bill Clinton is a political genius?"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:29 PM

      @12:48
      It was planned by Bill fer sure.
      This way Loretta can recuse herself and a Special Prosecutor will be brought in that has to be brought up to speed and postpone the inevitable 'til the hammer drops.
      Just killin' time...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:32 PM

      Nothing is going to happen - wow. Desperate much?

      Delete
  10. AKRNHSNC12:55 PM

    Anyone who believes after all this time that Hillary will be indicted is underestimating the intelligence of President Obama, Vice President Biden and all the other Democratic members of Congress who support her. She would have been very quietly and emphatically told that there was no chance of them endorsing her and that would have been the end of any chance of her campaigning if there had been even a remote possibility of an indictment. However, they also knew she hadn't broken any laws.

    If President Clinton wanted to speak to A.G. Lynch, he could easily have done so without the knowledge of the MSM. However, it is far more likely it was just as we've been told, an impromptu moment in which he decided to say hello to someone he had appt. to the Judiciary and who he also admired. If they had seen each other somewhere else and he had ignored her, the press would have had a field day. No matter what they say or do, the Clintons' cannot win when it comes to the media. They are determined to see nefarious activity where there is none despite all these years of scandal and innuendo, investigations and committees that have led to absolutely F'ING nothing! There have been no charges brought, no indictments, no revelations of any sort that have proven a damn thing. Hillary Clinton was never charged w/anything and the GOP wasted $250M of taxpayer money to find out there was nothing going on behind the scenes.

    For those few BoB's who are hoping for an indictment, please, hold your breath. It will be a pleasure watching you as we wait for the FBI and the DOJ to say there are no charges being brought against Secretary Clinton as there were no laws in place that were broken. If they were to bring charges, they would have to go back and charge former Secretaries Powell and Rice and the likelihood of that happening is nil.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous4:31 PM

      You are wrong. That's not how Obama rolls. He would not interfere with the FBI or with Cinton's desire to run in the primary. As for the Lynch Clinton meet up, I have no doubt Obama did a double facepalm.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:36 PM

      4:31 - you've never met Obama nor do you know anyone who has.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:48 PM

      “He believes that this matter should be handled without regard to politics,” Earnest said Friday. “And he believes this investigation should be conducted based on facts, not based on the political affiliation or the political standing of anybody who may be involved in it.”

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:07 PM

      5:36 PM How the fuck would you know what an anonymous poster has done? Are you stupid or just ignorant?

      Delete
  11. Just one reason why I love you, Gryphen. And depend on you to be a voice of reason during this election cycle. Like another hero of mine, Al Giordano, you do not tolerate either "chicken-little-ing" or "poutrage."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:15 PM

      I keep on hearing quite a few good things about Al and will be more than happy to support him in future campaigns....maybe even a Senate seat.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:33 PM

      Al Giordano is the moron who thought "pushing for your position in Clinton's cabinet" meant "pushing for a position". The guy's a dumbass.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous5:39 PM

      4:33 - I read Al's newsletter last night about why he supports HRC. Absolutely brilliant! He went from O'Malley to Sanders to HRC. Wow, he now calls it The Obama-Clinton coalition!

      Delete
  12. Anonymous2:01 PM

    Does Bill Want Hillary To Lose?

    I ask this question not because I have the expertise to answer it. I’m not a psychiatrist, or a historian.

    I am, however, a journalist who lived through the Clinton years. I’ve intensively followed Hillary’s campaigns, both now and in 2008. And I’m a feminist who’s been married more than thirty years to the same man.

    I certainly don’t believe that Bill is consciously trying to sabotage his wife. But I’m not sure about what’s happening unconsciously.

    There have been so many instances when, just when she’s reached some sweet spot in her campaign, he does or says something that throws her off kilter.

    The latest example, of course, is his “chat” with our current Attorney General, Loretta Lynch.

    http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/7/2/1544590/-Does-Bill-Want-Hillary-To-Lose

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous2:02 PM

    Respectfully disagree Gryphen.

    WE know Lynch is ethical and highly qualified and that no matter what they do the right wing will conjure up some alleged scandal.

    The "optics" is an issue for the run of the mill voter -- intelligent and rational, but very very busy with work and kids and life in general. They don't have time to watch the political shows on TV or blog. They get sound bites and don't know about these people in depth. Many probably couldn't even tell you who the current AG is. So to give the GOP more completely avoidable bullets was foolish. If Clinton did it on purpose, I think it backfired.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous2:03 PM

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/07/02/1544638/-Clinton-E-mail-investigation-early-reports

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous7:38 PM

      These tweets are great news. Of course she won't be charged!

      Delete
  15. Anonymous3:11 PM

    http://www.mediaite.com/tv/maher-has-a-problem-with-lynchclinton-meeting-she-should-have-said-get-off-my-plane/

    ReplyDelete
  16. It wouldn't matter that they just wanted to swap cookie recipes, the only ethical "loophole" for those two is that the FBI has not yet turned their report over to Lynch, and that is a damn small loophole, given who they are and the high visibility of the parties involved. It's not the first time I've been haunted by the question: Will the day ever come when we can trust Bill Clinton to stop doing utterly stupid things?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:53 PM

      @3:17
      "Will the day ever come when we can trust Bill Clinton to stop doing utterly stupid things?"
      No Shit!
      >Blow job in the Oval Office from an intern?
      >26 flights on the Lolita Express with convicted pedophile Epstein?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:42 PM

      3:53, you mean the Epstein that is good friends with Trump? The underaged girl accusing Trump of raping her says it was at Epstein's house.

      Delete
    3. Yes. Same Epstein.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous7:46 PM

      Yes, 4:42. You can't justify Bill hanging around with Epstein, if you criticize Trump for doing so. And, vice versa.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:03 PM

      3:53 PM Bill knows how to have fun, and not get caught. When will Trump deny all of the rape allegations against him? How much donated foundation money did Trump spend on autographed memorabilia from Tim Tebow? Why would a self described 'billionaire' have to use donations for personal use? Donald Trump is a fraud, and you rubes are in for a big letdown.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous3:35 PM

    “Secretary Clinton gave a voluntary interview this morning about her email arrangements while she was secretary,” Nick Merrill, a campaign spokesman, said in a statement. “She is pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Department of Justice in bringing this review to a conclusion.”

    B.U.L.L.S.H.I.T.

    FBI Director James Comey:
    “We’re conducting an investigation. … That’s what we do.”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:55 PM

      Comey who fell down on Orlando & Charleston?

      Delete
  18. Anonymous3:42 PM

    Lynch herself had some choice things to say regarding if she had a do-over she'd have locked her door and said NO to the meeting. She was caught unawares and now that meeting has also cast aspersions upon her, not just the BIllHillary campaign.

    This is something, whether the blog owner or any Hillary commenters say to the contrary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:46 PM

      What's spectacularly appalling is that someone in Lynch's position would try to claim she recognized it was wrong only in hindsight.

      "I wouldn't do it again". No, because you don't have to, do you? One time was enough. Whatever benefit it afforded you or Hillary Clinton is already in the bag.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:55 PM

      "We'll indict because the Agency head didn't realize the government Email procedures were a hot mess" said no prosecutor ever.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:58 PM

      5:55 PM WTF does that even mean?

      Delete
  19. Anonymous3:48 PM

    She's not my candidate of choice so this is not my problem, but damn, she needs to muzzle and chain that stupid old man of hers or he will take her down sure as shit, if the FBI doesn't get her first :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:45 PM

      Take a breathe. Get a life.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:58 PM

      3:48 PM Nobody has taken down the tundra turd and her Pimp Husband yet.

      Delete
  20. I think Lynch is honest enough to not have discussed the investigation Hillary is under.
    But I wouldn't doubt for a second that Bill might have asked about it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous4:29 PM

    One thing that always astounds me about the Palin/Trumpeters at c4p, is their inability to call a spade a spade a Nd their need to make excuses for their infallible leaders.
    Bill should not have had ANY meetings with Lynch at this time and he certainly should be politically savvy enough to know it.
    Trying to dismiss this so casually is very akin to the saviour attitude at the pond.
    I refuse to pretend like everything Clinton does is excusable, even if I am voting for her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:44 PM

      No one cares. Get real. Orlando. Charleston.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:47 PM

      5:44, you comments are nonsensical. What is your point?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:19 PM

      Keep thinking, @7:47. It will come to you.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous4:46 PM

    Jesus Christ people, take off your Clinton blinders. There are ethical standards even when it's your fav candidate and her hubby. This meeting was unethical.

    Look at it in the context of a murder trial. Imagine the spouse of a murder suspect shows up unannounced wanting to meet with the prosecutor. The prosecutor knows that ethically he cannot and would refuse to meet. Loretta Lynch has been around long enough to know Clinton was doing something unethical and the fact she didn't have the balls to tell him she couldn't meet with him is a problem for her and a problem for the email investigation.

    It's ludicrous to deny it looks bad. It looks bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Murder trial? You're comparing this to a murder trial?

      So who has blinders in here?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:41 PM

      The issue is the ethical standard. It's unethical for the spouse of a defendant or someone under investigation to meet privately with the prosecutor or investigator or judge or anyone who can influence the outcome of the proceeding. There is no question it was unethical for Clinton and Lynch to meet. Denying it is silly. At the very least it shows extremely poor judgement by both, especially Lynch.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous5:42 PM

      Only a crazy person has blinders on like this!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:56 PM

      @4:46/5:41/5:42 Your dumb ass is too uninformed to understand that Bill Clinton appointed Lorreta Lynch as a U.S. Attorney.
      So why wouldn't he have a conversation with her when they happened to be on the same tarmac at the same time? You wish for Hillary Clinton to fail is eating you alive. Get a life, before your "sploding head" gets the best of you. BWAHAHAHAHA.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous5:23 PM

    Clinton supporters - read and know yourself.
    https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/06/the-psychology-of-why-hillary-clinton-supporters-a.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:41 PM

      What idiot writes for Paste Magazine! Hahaha

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:50 AM

      Did you even read it? He makes a lot of good points. I'd rather read an article like this in an entertainment magazine than one of the mainstream media outlets - total biased writing from all sides.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous5:51 PM

    "We'll indict because the Agency head didn't realize the government Email procedures were a hot mess" said no prosecutor ever.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Marthe7:41 PM

    I read most of the comments on this story and I just can't believe the level of hatred that exists from many in the US towards anyone who is not their candidate of choice. The most innocuous event becomes a gigantic conspiracy when they hate someone. If they don't agree with someone politically, that person is automatically labelled either evil or a criminal and has to be brought down. This latest outrage about Hillary's emails when her predecessors have done exactly the same thing is quite unbelievable. If anyone deserved to go to jail it's the ones who truly caused a lot of harm and suffering by starting a war under false pretense.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous11:46 PM

    G - Regardless, if it was an impromptu meeting and they only talked about the weather, traveling, grandkids, golf, or exchanged recipes, it shouldn't have taken place. It was a conflict of interest!

    The molehill could get so high and the ramifications could be so bad - Lynch could lose her job and Hillary could lose the election.

    The GOP, media, and Trump will beat this to death. Hopefully, the GOP and Trump's supporters heads will be "splodn and keep splodn"!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. "Loretta Lynch and Bill Clinton have known each other for quite a while, as the former president nominated her as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York in 1999. Lynch would go on to become the U.S. Attorney General in 2014, nominated by President Barack Obama."
    [...] I imagine they knew each other before 1999, too.
    "Stephen Hargrove [Loretta Lynch's husband of 9 years], as it turns out, was present for that exchange; Stephen had been with his wife on a recent trip, and the two had just landed when Bill Clinton noticed their plane and decided to go over and say hello, according to the Los Angeles Times. Lynch told reporters that their conversation was only concerning Clinton’s new grandchildren and that they did not discuss the Clinton email case."

    ReplyDelete
  28. Bill Clinton is still an idiot

    ReplyDelete

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