When former Attorney General Bill Barr preempted the findings of the Mueller investigation into the links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign, Democrats were caught flat-footed. Even after special counsel Bob Mueller testified haltingly before congress of ten instances of obstruction of justice and stated flatly after questioning about active Russian measures to continue interfering in American elections, “They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller said. Unfortunately, Bill Barr summarized Mueller’s report before its release to the public as vindication for the former President.
Yesterday the chair of the committee investigating the weaponization of the federal government, rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) introduced three of the “dozens and dozens” of whistleblowers he promised would blow the lid off the FBI, DOJ, and the “deep state.” Unlike Barr, the truth was exposed that they were paid operatives, rife with conspiracy theories and allegiance to Donald Trump. Fortunately, the Democrats leaked part of their 316-page report. One witness, retired FBI supervisor George Hill, said of the Capitol Hill riot, [It was a] “set up, and sadly, there’s no shortage of idiots willing to take the bait.” The two other witnesses, Stephen Friend and Garrett O’Boyle revealed they had been paid by Kash Patel, who worked for the Trump administration.
Jordan, in his familiar jacketless posture— but serious because his sleeves were rolled down, gave the typical Republican response. He did not address the facts of the report but attacked the messenger. “It is beyond disappointing, but sadly not surprising, that Democrats would leak cherry-picked excerpts of testimony to attack the brave whistleblowers who risked their careers to speak out on abuses at the Justice Department and FBI,” said a GOP House Judiciary spokesperson.
Get out in front
Democratic supporters often complain that the Party is usually fashionably late. This time they learned the lessons of the former AG (get out in front). They brought their own whistles and dammed the misinformation wave before it could wash over the masses.Jordan’s witnesses have trafficked in conspiracies and called for the abolishment of the FBI. An excerpt from the Democrats’ report states, ‘One has called repeatedly for the dismantling of the FBI. Another suggested that it would be better for Americans to die than to have any kind of domestic intelligence program.’ Of course, Jordan will never address the fact that some of his witnesses’ legal fees were paid by a Trump ally.
I realize most of the GOP is engaged in fundraising hyperbole. Say something outrageous and send a fundraising letter. Calls for the dissolution of the “United” States, the reinstatement of public hanging from trees, and a suggestion that the death of an abused child is good for the state’s coffers.“How would you respond to the argument that I have heard on occasion where, in the case where child abuse is fatal, obviously it’s not good for the child but it’s actually a benefit to society because there aren’t needs for government services and whatnot over the whole course of the child’s life?” asked Republican state congressman David Eastman of Alaska. The Republican party is in trouble; their leaders are selling malice as a new religion, and even more alarming is their voters are worshipping at the altar of cruelty.
Continue to Vote for Change.