Just the facts, ma’am.
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| Joe Friday reminds me a bit of Robert Mueller |
When Dragnet TV detective Joe Friday was gathering info, that’s
all he wanted.
And with the daily Trumpian meltdowns (and the cry of “WITCH
HUNT!” ringing throughout the Twitterverse) I’m just going to present the
facts.
Although it seems I’m metaphorically pounding my head
against a wall, it’s incredibly important—vital—not to lose sight of facts when
Trump and his followers are already trying to build a case that Mueller’s
unseen report is nothing but lies.
But if you just look at the facts, something sure smells,
doesn’t it? I can see why Trump is terrified.
Fact 1
Russia tried to interfere in the 2016 Presidential election.
This has been verified by the many agencies of the US Intelligence
community. Despite his numerous denials, Russia’s election interference has even
(albeit grudgingly) been publicly admitted by Trump (“I never
said Russia did not meddle in the election”).
So there’s that.
Fact 2
Despite knowing about the suspected interference by Russia,
Trump’s associates either “forgot” or purposely lied about their numerous contacts
with Russia or Russian operatives. Several of them were even convicted of
crimes for these lies.
That’s how we know these contacts are facts.
Fact 3
Even Donald Trump lied about his contacts or knowing about
contacts with Russia or Russian operatives.
During his campaign, he professed he had nothing to do with Russia.
It turns out (and he happily admitted when caught) that of course he was
negotiating to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during that time, and it was in
all the papers (SPOILER ALERT: It wasn’t).
When the news of Don, Jr’s Trump Tower meeting to obtain “dirt”
on Clinton came to light, Trump’s people denied he had any knowledge of this
meeting. Ever. As it turns out, Trump’s Press Secretary admitted that of course
Trump weighed in on the situation as any father would do to write about it
after the fact.
So, even the President wasn’t immune to “forgetting” or
lying about anything he had to do with Russia. Huh.
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| Can't you just picture him saying, "Just the facts, ma'am?" |
Fact 4
Donald Trump told
Russia to find Hillary Clinton’s missing emails. By the next day, according to evidence
collected in the Mueller investigation, RUSSIA HAD HACKED THE DNC!
Fact 5
I'm tired of writing all these facts. Although there are
more (as well as speculations about the reasons behind Trump’s comments praising
Putin, or his unrecorded meeting with Putin, or his change in policies—Syria, no-INF,
Iran—that seem to benefit Russia), these four facts—even corroborated by Trump
himself!—should be enough to help any rational person that this may not be a
nothingburger, after all.
But therein lies the problem. His supporters aren't thinking rationally. Those in power choose to follow
Trump because he’s following their agenda. Those poor working-class supporters
choose to follow him because they somehow don’t believe facts—indisputable ones even corroborated by Trump—and think facts can never be facts unless they are complimentary
of Donald Trump.
It’s sad and, actually, terrifying.
But when you look at just the facts, ma’am, I think there’s
a pretty strong case (at least one worth looking into).
Maybe Joe Friday can come and clear this all up.
Well, or Robert Mueller.
