Good summary of where we are at this point, but one big thing that you didn't address is the insistence by the FBI that Trump's lawyers be kept from observing the search, and also the reported demand that security cameras be turned off (which I believe the employees at MAL refused to do). That seems highly unusual, and even more so in a…
Good summary of where we are at this point, but one big thing that you didn't address is the insistence by the FBI that Trump's lawyers be kept from observing the search, and also the reported demand that security cameras be turned off (which I believe the employees at MAL refused to do). That seems highly unusual, and even more so in a case with such political volatility. I would think, if you're taking the unprecedented step of raiding a former President, that you would want to make sure you do everything by the book. But expelling the attorneys on hand and trying to shut off cameras sure makes it seem like something fishy is going on. Why on earth would you do that, and risk the inevitable firestorm and accusations of potentially planting "evidence", if everything is above-board? The FBI has lost all institutional trust they may have once had, and they certainly don't deserve the benefit of the doubt.
As for your last paragraph, urging people to "keep their heads about them", I think that is going to fall flat with a lot of people (it certainly does with me). This is an organization that has demonstrated again and again over the last six (or sixty) years that they are political police that operate at the discretion of the Democrat party. This is truly a Rubicon moment, and Caesar is marching on Rome. Would you tell Cato the Younger to "stay calm, just see how this plays out" when legions arrive at Rome's doorstep? No, that would be foolish, because we aren't waiting for the FBI to reveal whether or not they are political actors. They already revealed that in 2016.
To be clear: the burden is NOT on the American people to remain calm and level-headed when confronted with a desperate, brazen power grab. The burden is on the DOJ/FBI to prove to the people that this isn't what it so clearly seems to be. The federal government writ large seems to have forgotten that it exists to serve the people of this country, not the other way around. We have reached a crisis in the United States of America, and I see no way forward for this great country unless and until the entrenched bureaucracy is cast out on their ass. We can do it with schedule F in two years, or with a guillotine in 10. It's up to them.
My understanding is that it’s a possible executive order that would reclassify a large number of executive branch bureaucrats to make them at-will employees, so that they could be fired. I believe currently they can only be fired for cause.
Brilliant summary--I would only quibble with the word "seems"--otherwise a fine statement of the peril to our Constitutional liberties as American citizens if we remain passive: "To be clear: the burden is NOT on the American people to remain calm and level-headed when confronted with a desperate, brazen power grab. The burden is on the DOJ/FBI to prove to the people that this isn't what it so clearly seems to be. The federal government writ large seems to have forgotten that it exists to serve the people of this country, not the other way around. We have reached a crisis in the United States of America, and I see no way forward for this great country unless and until the entrenched bureaucracy is cast out on their ass. We can do it with schedule F in two years, or with a guillotine in 10. It's up to them."
My father used say that he worked for the government from January to June, after which he was allowed to take home his earnings for his family, the rest being taxed away.
The FBI has failed to apprehend literally dozens of major criminals about whom it had advance warning: the Orlando shooter, the Parkville shooter, the Boston Marathon bombers, and many others... In some cases they even had arrested the future shooter then let him go (Orlando, for example). Any ordinary citizen could have done a better job than the FBI did.
They are an incompetent organization, only good at theatrical shows like busting down an old man's door at 6am and duck-walking him in shackles to jail after frisking his wife in her nightgown. This, they're very good at. They are very good at "sending a message": don't mess with us or you'll be next.
But actual, dangerous criminals? Very poor record these last 20-30 years. The old FBI that took down major mobsters back in the day is long gone. In my opinion, the FBI should be shut down as a dangerous, extra-legal armed organization that is a threat to innocent Americans.
Good summary of where we are at this point, but one big thing that you didn't address is the insistence by the FBI that Trump's lawyers be kept from observing the search, and also the reported demand that security cameras be turned off (which I believe the employees at MAL refused to do). That seems highly unusual, and even more so in a case with such political volatility. I would think, if you're taking the unprecedented step of raiding a former President, that you would want to make sure you do everything by the book. But expelling the attorneys on hand and trying to shut off cameras sure makes it seem like something fishy is going on. Why on earth would you do that, and risk the inevitable firestorm and accusations of potentially planting "evidence", if everything is above-board? The FBI has lost all institutional trust they may have once had, and they certainly don't deserve the benefit of the doubt.
As for your last paragraph, urging people to "keep their heads about them", I think that is going to fall flat with a lot of people (it certainly does with me). This is an organization that has demonstrated again and again over the last six (or sixty) years that they are political police that operate at the discretion of the Democrat party. This is truly a Rubicon moment, and Caesar is marching on Rome. Would you tell Cato the Younger to "stay calm, just see how this plays out" when legions arrive at Rome's doorstep? No, that would be foolish, because we aren't waiting for the FBI to reveal whether or not they are political actors. They already revealed that in 2016.
To be clear: the burden is NOT on the American people to remain calm and level-headed when confronted with a desperate, brazen power grab. The burden is on the DOJ/FBI to prove to the people that this isn't what it so clearly seems to be. The federal government writ large seems to have forgotten that it exists to serve the people of this country, not the other way around. We have reached a crisis in the United States of America, and I see no way forward for this great country unless and until the entrenched bureaucracy is cast out on their ass. We can do it with schedule F in two years, or with a guillotine in 10. It's up to them.
What is schedule f?
My understanding is that it’s a possible executive order that would reclassify a large number of executive branch bureaucrats to make them at-will employees, so that they could be fired. I believe currently they can only be fired for cause.
Excellent! Good to know, thanks. I can only add that public unions are oxymoronic.
Brilliant summary--I would only quibble with the word "seems"--otherwise a fine statement of the peril to our Constitutional liberties as American citizens if we remain passive: "To be clear: the burden is NOT on the American people to remain calm and level-headed when confronted with a desperate, brazen power grab. The burden is on the DOJ/FBI to prove to the people that this isn't what it so clearly seems to be. The federal government writ large seems to have forgotten that it exists to serve the people of this country, not the other way around. We have reached a crisis in the United States of America, and I see no way forward for this great country unless and until the entrenched bureaucracy is cast out on their ass. We can do it with schedule F in two years, or with a guillotine in 10. It's up to them."
Remember when dis-Hon. Sen. H. Reid, D-NV stated "I think the people work for the government."
That was a rare, probably accidental, moment of honesty from a then leader of the Democrat party.
I don't actually remember that, but it reinforces my suspicion that the phrase of the century will be, "Saying the quiet part out loud".
My father used say that he worked for the government from January to June, after which he was allowed to take home his earnings for his family, the rest being taxed away.
The FBI has failed to apprehend literally dozens of major criminals about whom it had advance warning: the Orlando shooter, the Parkville shooter, the Boston Marathon bombers, and many others... In some cases they even had arrested the future shooter then let him go (Orlando, for example). Any ordinary citizen could have done a better job than the FBI did.
They are an incompetent organization, only good at theatrical shows like busting down an old man's door at 6am and duck-walking him in shackles to jail after frisking his wife in her nightgown. This, they're very good at. They are very good at "sending a message": don't mess with us or you'll be next.
But actual, dangerous criminals? Very poor record these last 20-30 years. The old FBI that took down major mobsters back in the day is long gone. In my opinion, the FBI should be shut down as a dangerous, extra-legal armed organization that is a threat to innocent Americans.
Dr. Larry Nasser.....the pedo doctor to our Olympic gymnasts! Disgusting how feckless the FBI is.