They both belong in jail...

@room101 perfect...

@pdqsailor1 Thank you. I really like Politics Girl and watch her videos quite a lot. Which, in itself is a bit odd for me because I tend to seek out content that doesn't confirm my own political views.

But I love the way that she breaks things down. I love her podcasts where she chats (interviews?) with a broad selection of socio/political commentators.

She's bloody good!

@room101 😀 Great video

@room101 I also listen often to the politics girl. And I saw this one already.

Okay so here's the thing... In Comey's report, he clearly states that classified information was mishandled. But he declined to prosecute because he didn't feel it was "intentional".

If I mishandled classified material, no one would think to even ask if that mishandling was intentional. I would be locked up pending court material. Intent is irrelevant. Even in the link you have in another comment. The story clearly states there was mishandling of classified information. Oh but it wasn't intentional!!! 🙄

Trump should face criminal prosecution. Yes yes, I know, we need to wait for the investigation. But we had Clinton's investigation and it showed she should've faced prosecution. She didn't because of her special status. I hope the same exception is not made for Trump.

@sarabee1995 You start by explaining, accurately, why Hilary wasn't prosecuted. Then conclude that is was because of her "special status"🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

BTW, isn't that bogus "special status" what TFG is essentially claiming? Well, it's one of his many totally bogus claims.

@room101 How is this not due to her special status???

If the FBI came to visit me on my boat and found ONE classified document, I would be in hand cuffs that moment and would remain in custody while they pursued their investigation. This is a national security investigation. There is no bail. 🙄 And there is no walking around completely free during the investigation.

Then, upon completing their investigation and finding that I did indeed have ONE classified document in my possession, no one would ask me if it was an accident!!! It what my intent was!?!? Intent is not an element of the crime!!! Possession of a single classified document outside of the SCIF is a felony. Intent is irrelevant for any "normal" person.

Clearly Secretary Clinton was and President Trump is being treated special because of who they are. THAT is what I object to.



And what, pray tell, does "TFG" stand for?

@sarabee1995 Sorry for butting in.

You are sort of right and wrong about special status, I think?

Comey made a distinction regarding the law for "government officials" implying they get different rules maybe? I thought that was confusing at the time and I looked into that when he first stated so. And didn't find anything. Comey doesn't say much beyond that many cases in the past were handled behind closed doors. So not enough transparency to know.

We do know what Obama's executive order ( One can Google EO 13526 section 5.5.) says. And what title 18 US Code says.(One can Google 18 U.S.C. § 1924)
I not sure what else applies, unless you know?

Likely you may already know these: Officers and employees of the United States Government, and its contractors, licensees, certificate holders, and grantees shall be subject to appropriate sanctions if they knowingly, willfully, or negligently: (includes clauses about what constitutes disclosing/mishandling/other information).

And that Sanctions may include reprimand, suspension without pay, removal, termination of classification authority, loss or denial of access to classified information, or other sanctions in accordance with applicable law and agency regulation.

The US code states: (a)Whoever, being an officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of the United States, and, by virtue of his office, employment, position, or contract, becomes possessed of documents or materials containing classified information of the United States, knowingly removes such documents or materials without authority and with the intent to retain such documents or materials at an unauthorized location shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.

We do know some cases like General David Petraeus was prosecuted and pled guilty; some were not such as including Richard Armitage, Alberto Gonzales, and Leon Panetta. The difference was intention. If I recall, all were fired or stepped down from office.

Comey also specifically stated that criminal prosecution would need clear intentional and willful mishandling of classified information; or vast quantities of materials exposed in such a way as to support an inference of intentional misconduct; or indications of disloyalty to the United States; or efforts to obstruct justice to pursue criminal charges.

He stated that Hilary and her lawyers and staff were somewhat careless and don't meet the criminal prosecution level. So what consequence should she have? Idk.

What will an investigation of Donald Trump and his intentions reveal? Idk.
Will he get away with it? Idk. What consequences will he get? Idk

Are they being treated special? Not according to the law as applied, so far that I can find. But then I can't say that I have case files of tons of people that have been in trouble for disclosing classified information. The law seems very open ended as to consequences. :/

I'm somewhat inclined to believe that people in power get away with more wrongdoing though. So perhaps you are right in the end in a general sense. Idk.
I still don't think the cases are equal.

@Scribbles First, I never said anywhere that the cases were equal. I don't know enough about either to make that assessment.

What I do know is that Sec'y Clinton's investigation is complete and she was found to have mishandled classified information. That is fact. If she were a lowly Navy Lieutenant at the time and not the Secretary of State, she absolutely 100% would've ended up in handcuffs.

President Trump is being investigated now. From what little I know of the search of his home, I know that if he were a lowly Navy Lieutenant rather than an ex-President, then he would be in handcuffs now pending completion of the investigation.

This is the only point I'm making in this entire mess of a post.

@sarabee1995 sorry, the cases not being equal is something I referred to in my own comment somewhere else on this post in response to you saying both should be locked up.

Ok, I get your point. Is your post more a vent then stating an arguement? Because I sympathize, if so. I've vented when things are unfair all the time. I'm afraid,.Justice isn't fair or blind, Sara. It never has been. :/

@Scribbles My post is completely a vent.

I demand good governance. I'm sick of powerful people always getting a break. I believe in equal protection under law and the rule of law.

None of our current political class would be happy if I were suddenly in charge (Republican or Democrat).

I think zero tolerance policies in middle school are (mostly) stupid, but I think we very much need a zero tolerance policy for politicians.

@sarabee1995 One more thing............bloody hell, I've got to let this go!

"Clearly Secretary Clinton was and President Trump is being treated special because of who they are. THAT is what I object to."

Or maybe, just maybe, TFG is being treated as special because of the constant threats, threats that the world witnessed in actuality on 6th Jan, of violence by his rabid supporters. Including elected representatives!

@room101 From the Reuters link YOU posted:






Read that last one again.

And yes, I understand that most of my "..." areas above are where the article authors explain that Comey or the DOJ found all this to be unintentional. 🙄

@sarabee1995 Whether you like it or not, intent is relevant. @Scribbles pointed that out to you.

Of the questions that I put to you above, you've answered one. The question of "hundreds of violations". From the source that I provided. I'm happy to hold my hands up on that one. I'm also happy to hold my hands up to the fact that my source seems to contradict what the Politics Girl asserted in her video ie that only three emails were initially thought to be classified and turned out not to be.

Is there anything that you would like to hold your hands up to?

@sarabee1995 I get it. The rich and powerful do often get away with corruption and wrongdoing which can be frustrating. You'll just have to become Attorney General of the United States and makes things more fair?. 🤔

But at the same time they have to treat it this way. They do have to treat it as investigating a former president and Secretary of State, not as investigating a captain or General or something. It sucks but that is just realistic. 🤷‍♀️. It just means all the rest of the country have to work hard to hold powerful people accountable and not be swayed. Look at how much money and crazy conspiracy theories that Trump has generated by refusing to give up the documents in his basement. Makes you wonder if he wanted to get raided on purpose. He certainly ignored all the attempts to collect quietly.

@room101 yeah according to the law neither are technically getting special treatment. But in a way Sara is right that they are also getting treated according to their position which is sort of special treatment in a way. Idk. I don't have anything left to say.

A decent link with a summary if it's helpful: https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/press-releases/statement-by-fbi-director-james-b-comey-on-the-investigation-of-secretary-hillary-clinton2019s-use-of-a-personal-e-mail-system

@Scribbles Hmmm... Attorney General, eh? I was going for Madam Secretary, but I do like the sound of your idea. 🤔 How long do you think I'd last before the government kicks me out of government???

@room101 Hi Roomie... I think we understand each other's position and have said all we need to say here. On some things we will simply need to agree to disagree.