Quick Notes on the Email Scandal

Today, FBI Director James Comey gave a statement saying that the FBI has concluded its investigation into Hillary's email practices while she was Secretary of State and is not recommending any criminal charges. Here's some quick thoughts on the fallout since I think enough has been made of this already:

The fact that there weren't any criminal charges will be red meat in and of itself.  Trump has already fired off a couple tweets about how the system is rigged and you can practically hear the keys pounding out the conspiracy theories about how the Bill Clinton/Loretta Lynch plane ride was all about a secret deal to ensure Hillary wouldn't be charged so when she's President she'll give Lynch some kind of favor.  This is just bullshit, but, the Clintons have a habit of opening themselves up to criticisms like this so I blame them almost as much as the conspiracy nuts.

Also, yes, if this was anyone other Hillary Clinton who had done this that person would already be rotting away in federal prison,on that, there's no question.  That being said, if you're going to take a swing at one of the most powerful political figures in the country, you better not miss.  And with all the resources Hillary has, she's going to put up a much better fight than say, Chelsea Manning or Daniel Ellsburg, so yes, it is a political decision to not recommend charges, but that decision is save the FBI's ass, not Clinton's.

The one thing to take away from the statement, though, is Comey's bit about how reckless Clinton was n handling the information.  It has been a long time criticism of Hillary that she behaves like rules are things for other people, but not her. Comey's statement, along with the Inspector General report from the State Department, both go a long way to backing that sentiment up.  So maybe, if you're a Hillary supporter, you should think about that personal quality and start calling for her to be held accountable by her own staff before she does something she can't escape from.

And those are my thoughts.  There'll still be a lot of bullshit flung around regarding this whole affair so, be sure to have a tarp to cover yourself