The Buck Stops Where? The FBI, Hillary and Obama

The political landscape in the American election changes from moment to moment. For those of us who love the process of Democracy, the critical issues matter above and beyond which candidate will win the presidency of the United States. The focus has somehow veered away from  President Obama, as he has been silent and the media has not asked why he might not want to be front and center at the moment.

One critical issue comes to mind: The 30-plus thousand emails that were destroyed so easily were identified within seconds as critical to delete and hide from the American public. One must presume that the newly revealed information that President Obama used a pseudonym when writing to Mrs. Clinton, explains why none of those emails survived for inspection. There was no question in the minds of Hillary’s staff that these communications needed to be hidden from the public.  The more important question that no one is asking is how it can be that President O. was sending emails to her private server and at the same time is not now held responsible for doing so when it was clearly illegal?  He is quiet these days in the manner of a man holding his breath underwater. It is as if he is counting the seconds, intent on protecting what he perceives as his “historic legacy.” That, in and of itself is a subject for a historical treatise- not for a short article. No one has revealed the political contract between Hillary and Obama. And the secret agreements that were made between them. Their mutual covenant of silence is deafening.

How is it possible  with a reported 600-plus requests for back-up and increased security in the US diplomatic “outpost”  in Benghazi,  that we are asked to believe that at no time did Mrs. Clinton discuss with her boss what action or inaction was to be taken? It is inconceivable that a woman given the post of secretary of state, with the clear proviso that she was to do only her president instructed, would have made life and death decisions without his advice on the matter. Those discussions could well be in the 30,000 emails that were eradicated and on the computers washed with acid and bleach before being demolished.  Where is the accountability for those who destroyed the computers and evidence of historic importance?

Those who deleted the emails are themselves holding their breath as they wait in the wings. Have they all been given immunity by the FBI in exchange for their help in the investigation? Who are they? Will they be brought to justice?  If not, what deals have been done? The American public has been kept in the dark and is now becoming aware of just how deep the cover-up goes.

As I wrote previously (in my Times of Israel Blog; “Mrs.C. and the FBI — Finessing a Potential Earthquake July 6, 2016), the Clinton email scandal was skillfully redirected by FBI Director James Comey with his announced and unexpected conclusion that in spite of the illegal acts committed by Mrs. C., that the FBI would not recommend prosecution.  It is now being revealed that this decision was taken by a team of FBI top level executives facing a new political disaster. The dilemma they faced was a result of the Attorney General Loretta Lynch having met Bill Clinton on the tarmac, holding private discussions, while the case against Hillary was not yet resolved. The reports that Ms. Lynch  was told that she would retain her position in a future Hillary Clinton administration made her an impossible authority to pass judgement as to whether or not Hillary would be indicted following the conclusions of the FBI investigation.

Director Comey averted that disaster by making his recommendation which was in total contradiction to the facts he clearly and honestly reported to the American public.  Now this same director has reopened the case in a shocking move that well may change the course of United States history.  It is believed that this has come about partially because of a revolt within the FBI. Over 80 investigators participated in the original  process.  It was inevitable that they could not all be silenced regardless of the long arm of the presidency. The submission of new emails to the FBI have made this additional investigation a possibility. One must presume that there was enough important information in what was newly revealed and analyzed to force immediate action. This is also an opportunity for Director Comey to reestablish his own credibility, albeit at the expense of Mrs. Clinton.  Such a morass of tangled webs has rarely been seen up close by the American public, and now thanks to technology, by the entire world, who are no doubt aghast , as America’s corruption and scandals are aired for all to see.

Those of us who grew up in America, were fed the mother’s milk of the purity of Democracy.  We trusted our officials. We went door to door to ask for the voters to support our candidate.  Private lives were private.  Illusions were positive ones. There was always hope in the air.  We adored our heroes, our handsome Presidents and their wives who stood for goodness and wholesomeness.  This 2016 election has dashed those dreams to rubble. But the reopening of the case against Mrs. C. gives insight into the strength of America’s institutions. Memories of the Watergate Scandal of 1972 are haunting.  The embarrassment of President Nixon as a result of the illegal cover up of the affair,  brought on his resignation.  Today’s politicians are immune to shame and will only be brought down by the institutions put in place to enforce laws and create order. It is hard to believe that Watergate took place 44 years ago. A massive portion of those voting today have no memory of how that scandal shook the nation.

The decision to reopen the investigation on the Clinton email abuse is a signal that order can be reestablished. It is a sign that the systems put in place in the United States over the past three hundred years have not totally lost their ability to function and get to the truth.  It is a moment of hope which we must revel in.  The courage of Director Comey to reopen the investigation into Hillary’s misdeeds is inspirational at a time when  the United States is at one of its most demoralizing lows.  America is at a precipice and this may be its defining moment.