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The New State Department Report on Hillary’s Email, and Why it Matters
The State Department Inspector General’s (IG) investigation report leaked out a day early on May 25 makes a number of significant points. These matter, and need to be considered by anyone voting in November.
What’s in the IG Report— Neither Clinton nor any of her senior staff would participate in the IG’s investigation.
— Clinton never sought approval, legal or technical, for her unprecedented private email system.
— IT staffers and others at State warned her against it.
— Had she sought approval, the State Department would not have granted it.
— Clinton violated Federal Records laws.
— Clinton did not turn over all of her work-related emails. Several (unclassified) were quoted in the IG report that had never been released.
— Clinton violated State Department policies and guidelines in place at the time, even as the State Department enforced those on the rank-and-file.
— IT staff at the State Department who raised concerns internally were falsely told the server was approved and ordered to not discuss it further.
— Clinton’s use of a non-standard email account caused many of her emails to not reach their recipients inside State, and ended up instead in Spam.
— State Department staffers not in Clinton’s inner circle aware of her private email address could not communicate with the head of their agency.
— His State Department bosses did not know their employee, Bryan Pagliano, was simultaneously working directly for Clinton maintaining her private server.
— The server came under severe enough hacker attacks that its administrator had to physically unplug it to prevent intrusions.
The question of classified material handling is, by agreement, being left by State to the FBI, and is thus not addressed in the IG report.
All of that is in the report. I’ve read the whole thing, and if you do not believe my summary, above, or wonder what specific laws and regulations are being cited, you can also read the whole thing and learn for yourself.
What Matters— For the first time, a set of actual facts of Clinton’s actions and decisions have been laid out by an independent, government entity. The IG was appointed by Obama and his report is dispassionate. No one can realistically claim this is a hit job. Sources are cited and laws footnoted.
— Clinton did break Federal Records laws and violate State Department regulations that her organization held others to.
— Despite repeated promises of transparency and cooperation, neither Hillary nor any of her senior staff would agree to participate in the IG’s investigation. Former Sectaries of State Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright did participate fully and voluntarily in the investigation. Clinton alone did not.
— Clinton never sought approval, and ignored advice to stop what she was doing. She ran the server with no oversight. With no oversight, the only check on Clinton was Clinton herself.
— That lack of oversights extended to potential destruction of evidence. It was Clinton alone who determined which emails to turn over to the State Department as “work related” and which to delete, some 30,000. It was Clinton who made the decision to then try and wipe the server clean. It is unclear whether or not the FBI can forensically retrieve and review those 30,000 deleted emails.
Simply put, what she did wasn’t supposed to be done.
Why It Matters— Hillary Clinton lied when she claimed her actions were approved. She lied when she said there were no regulations in place at the time of her server decisions. She lied when she said she broke no laws. She lied when she said this all was a Republican hit job. She lied when she said she would cooperate with any investigation.
— Hillary Clinton covered up her actions for four years as Secretary, then another two years after she left office, and only admitted to anything after it hit the news last year.
— Hillary Clinton asks voters to trust her with the most important job in America. She has not shown she is trustworthy.
— Hillary Clinton asks to be America’s leader. She did not lead her State Department, and she showed contempt for its rules. She did not lead by example.
— Hillary Clinton made clear by her actions that she believes rules that apply to others do not apply to her.
— Hillary Clinton by her actions succeeded in hiding all of her official emails from the Freedom of Information Act for six years in open contempt for that process and the American people.
— Hillary Clinton purposefully and willfully created a system that exempted her from the oversight applied to every other government employee.
— Hillary Clinton alone in the entire U.S. government conducted 100% of her official business on a private email server.
Defense?The other shoe has yet to drop. Though the Inspectors General from the intelligence community have stated unequivocally that Clinton did handle highly classified material on her unsecured server, the FBI report on the same matter has not yet been released.
For those who wish to defend Clinton with the “but everybody did it” argument, Condoleezza Rice did not send any emails on any unsecured system at all. Powell and Albright sent a handful in the early days of the web. All of them cooperated in the State IG investigation. None of them ran a fully private system for four years and most importantly, none of them are asking us to trust them now running for president.
If your support is whittle down to a sad Hillary is down to “well, she’s not Trump,” do be careful what you wish for. She’s not Trump, but she is all of the above.
For those who wish to defend Clinton by saying “she’s not indicted,” well, actual criminality is a pretty low bar to set for the most important job in America. Also, the FBI has yet to release its report which may point to actual national security violations.
And lastly, it is not about crime per se, but about trust and judgement.
BONUS: If Bernie Sanders will not discuss any of this publically, he does not want to be president.
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved. The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) in their private capacity.
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John Poole said...
1If Sanders pulls off a win in California I can’t see how she’ll survive this damning report. If the State Department IG had been a woman that would have been the silver
bullet to end the career of a sociopath.
05/27/16 8:41 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
2With Hillary gone might it be Pocahantus vs Sitting Bull in the general? This paleface will bail.
05/27/16 9:23 AM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
3All I know is this.
IF, the FBI decides she didn’t break the law..it’s a done deal. Even if they decide she DID..there’s still the DOJ. And frankly, I don’t see it happening. After all…I’m 100% sure Hillary’s little black book is in the back minds of those who would do her harm.
HOWEVER..if they refuse to charge and indict her.. this country needs no more living proof that there is indeed, a two tiered IN-justice system in this country. Unfortunately, I’ve got $25 that says the Dumbest Fucking Country on the Planet doesn’t give a flying fuck.
On the other hand, should a mob of 10k protesters arrive on the steps of the DOJ… I’ll eat my words. With a cold beer of course. 🙂
There’s one great consequence no matter what. James Comey must be squirming 24/7, cause he KNOWS..it’s Damned if he does..and Damned if he doesn’t..big time. And I like that. 🙂
05/27/16 9:48 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
4I can’t help but think that if Hillary had been a normal woman she’d have been indeed the first woman POTUS but she was too ruthless, needy too obsessed with power. She schemed maliciously and the scheming has done her in.
05/27/16 9:58 AM | Comment Link
Kyzl Orda said...
51) The Washington Post’s Editorial Board yesterday argued this was not illegal.
Last year, when the Supreme Court approved a law very ominously allowing the government to retro-actively classify materials — what was Secretary Clinton’s response? Did she advocate for every single whistle blower and government employee accused of handling retro-actively classified materials? No, Mrs. Voice of the People said zilch. It suddenly becomes an issue when it is herself being accused of handling retro-actively classified info — and she argues to be the exception, not even acknowledging this new rule
2) Clinton’s loyal supporters are also claiming the NSA refused to allow her the use of a blackberry and that she had to “step outside” to use hers. If 30,000 emails are deleted because these are supposedly personal emails and Mrs Secretary is stepping out of the office to send emails and delete them — who is minding the Candy Store? Is this why not one conflict was resolved or even one peace conference organized?
3. Clinton allowed whistle blowers in her own agency to be fired and forced to resign. In contrast her actions benefitted no one but herself – there was zero whistle blowing aspect to what occurred. In fact — Guccifer was able to hack into her inner circle thanks to the unsecured system
05/27/16 11:36 AM | Comment Link
Kyzl Orda said...
6And from Guccifer the info went to the Russians
05/27/16 11:37 AM | Comment Link
Bruce said...
7Since her answers’ SHITE; they Must INDICT ! And since she’s DERELICT; they Must CONVICT !! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgVYIhCWIAET7G8.jpg
If Bern’s aware of Federal Records Law and he oughtta be; he may not wanna discuss if he would also have to DEM PublicLY !!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrBXcKcviuc
05/27/16 1:12 PM | Comment Link
Sokollu said...
8Someone (or more than one person) told at least two employees who raised concerns to shut up. I would like to know who did that. Could be part of Hillary’s Hacks or, shamefully, a carrer employee unwilling to risk angering Madam Secretary.He, she or they should be investigated for suppressing legitimate security concerns and for threatening whistleblowers.
05/27/16 5:23 PM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
9Sokollu- the list is too long to post here let alone investigate. Sycophants are drawn to Hillary likes flies to….. – well you know what I mean.
05/27/16 5:43 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
10John Poole said…
quote” Sycophants are drawn to POWER..like flies to….. – well you know what I mean.”unquote
There. Fixed it.
05/27/16 7:44 PM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
11Pitch, we should share an e cocktail over the internet when and if Shrillary goes down. Damn, I will buy drinks for the house at any local bar near me.
05/27/16 8:02 PM | Comment Link
“If Bernie Sanders will not discuss any of this publically, he does… | Dr. Roy Schestowitz (罗伊) said...
12[…] Bernie Sanders will not discuss any of this publically, he does not want to be president." https://wemeantwell.com/blog/2016/05/27/the-new-state-department-report-on-hillarys-email-and-why-it-… good point. […]
05/27/16 11:15 PM | Comment Link
Kyzl Orda said...
13Sokollu and John – bet it was Cheryl Mills.
One of the FSOs, I think the one who asked for an evacuation after the Benghazi incident, reported that Mills called him and told him to keep quiet when he went before Congress (He’d been called to testify) and he stated he was being retaliated against as well by State
Mills is the great gumbatti. No record usually exists – she likes to call and avoid a paper trail. The fact these guys deliberately avoid leaving a public record speaks volumes. But it is not like they get much accomplished anyway for the record, too
05/28/16 1:05 AM | Comment Link
teri said...
14What seems odd to me is that no-one, even those who hate her ass, is pointing out that her actions in this instance, as specified by this report alone (not even taking into account whatever the FBI might say later) would bar her from being appointed to ANY position in any administration; she wouldn’t be able to get through the nomination process. In other words, having this on her record would immediately make her ineligible for any position in government.
With the strange exception, however, that she may be nominated for president. Apparently the bar is way lower in that race.
And Bernie Sanders is probably the only person in the US who isn’t interested in her emails. That’s strange, too.
05/28/16 5:00 AM | Comment Link
rich bauer said...
15This dimwit is running on her experience and the ability to get things done. Yet, her excuse for why she did not have a standalone computer in her office to check her emails was, “She didn’t know how to use a computer.” Hillarious. She is the perfect candidate to lead the Dumbest Country on the Planet.
http://11oclocknews.typepad.com/the_11_oclock_news/2016/05/hillarious-the-rich-are-not-like-you-and-me.html
05/28/16 6:24 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
16People today actually refer to themselves as a loyal Republican or loyal Democrat which is as tragically pathetic as defining oneself as Sunni or Shia. Such thinking must be jettisoned now that we learned how to split the atom. Slim chance that will happen -“The codes Huma, the codes! Top of the world!” Cacklel cackle
05/28/16 8:12 AM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
17teri said…
“With the strange exception, however, that she may be nominated for president. Apparently the bar is way lower in that race.”
Ha. If anything, Donald Trump defines how low.
“And Bernie Sanders is probably the only person in the US who isn’t interested in her emails. That’s strange, too.”
Yeah. I don’t get that either, except perhaps his campaign “ethics” bar is pretty high. Although, I suspect..IF..he does happen to get the nomination, he better start lowering it beyond this…
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/281589-sanders-mocks-tough-guy-trump-for-changing-mind-on-debate
John Poole said…
“Such thinking must be jettisoned now that we learned how to split the atom.”
Hahahaha! Perfect.
05/28/16 9:50 AM | Comment Link
rich bauer said...
18The reason Hillarious hid her emails is to hide the plan that Hillarious will reward Donald for his service.
http://11oclocknews.typepad.com/the_11_oclock_news/2016/05/mission-impossible-donald-trump-manchurian-candidate.html
05/28/16 9:55 AM | Comment Link
teri said...
19Rich,
Not only did she claim she didn’t know how to use a computer, part of the testimony of the one guy whose testimony has been released to the public so far is that she did not use a password on the email system they let her set up [against all rules, illegally]. So they helped her evade the proper protocol, use a personal server and email AND allowed her to use that email without even the minimum security of being password protected.
No wonder that Gruccifer guy claims he could hack into it with such ease.
Putin claims to have been given the hacked emails, too. Maybe he could do the dumb Americans a solid and release the emails into the wild. Like, before the election.
05/28/16 10:00 AM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
20teri said
“Maybe he could do the dumb Americans a solid and release the emails into the wild. Like, before the election.”
Yeah, but let’s hope he would do it ..after.. Comey decides “there’s nothing to see here folks”. I’d love to see that fuckface go down in flames, notwithstanding Clinton.
On a side note..I got a beef. With politicians who are currently holding office WHILE campaigning. Someone please tell me..where in the world can anyone hold a job, while running around the country campaigning for a YEAR?????? I mean, we’re PAYING these schmucks paychecks, while they’re NOT doing the job they are paid to do. Fuck. This pisses me off so bad I could….. well.. piss on them. Goddammit..there oughta be a law!!! right. Politicians enact a law taking making it illegal to do any thing OTHER than what they are getting paid to do. right. Un hunh. When pigs fly comes to mind. fuck
Ya know, politicians are the only ones on the planet that can do this. Not to mention vacationing around the planet while disguised as “government business”. SheeezusHchrist. Dumbest Country on the Planet is a massive understatement. I can hear the politicians raucous guffaws as I type.
05/28/16 11:02 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
21Pitch- Bernie dismissing Hillary’s email “troubles” suggests he may have had some inside information very early on how damaging it is and is terrified that he may now end up the nominee. I have no other explanation for his dismissal of what was clearly an important marker of Clinton’s character. Crooked Hillary. Well The Donald does have creative terms.
Oh, Susan Swart as PVB noted is now happily at the IMF.
I guess it was a promotion for doing wonderfully in her previous position. NOT! If she had been doing her job Hillary would have dropped out by now.
05/28/16 12:26 PM | Comment Link
rich bauer said...
22Bernie could have easily said he wasn’t interested in Bill’s Oval Office blowjobs when he was more interested in stopping the blowjobs the Wall Street War Party was giving Wall Street and the Military-Industrial Complex.
05/28/16 1:11 PM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
23Well, we in the 99% have been ass pounded for decades by both Wall Street and the MIC with not even the courtesy of a reach around.
05/28/16 2:39 PM | Comment Link
StarkNakedTruth said...
24“If Bernie Sanders will not discuss any of this publicly, he does not want to be president.”
Bazinga PVB! You get the prize!
And insomuch as Sanders has stated that we all simply need to “get over” the damn emails, I’m in
agreement…
Sanders must not want to be President. I wonder if any of his supporters have figured that out yet?
05/28/16 6:33 PM | Comment Link
StarkNakedTruth said...
25John Poole said…
“People today actually refer to themselves as a loyal Republican or loyal Democrat which is as tragically pathetic…”
Actually, what’s more tragically pathetic is the realization that Clinton the Criminal and Trump the Clown are the best America has to offer on the November ballot.
If that’s not depressing, I don’t know what is.
05/28/16 6:36 PM | Comment Link
chuck said...
26Clowns are Happy!
05/29/16 1:10 AM | Comment Link
Kyzl Orda said...
27It was interesting that, for a change, State didnt release this report at 4:58 pm Friday but the day before – a whole 24 hours before a 3 day holiday weekend.
I’m not sure Clinton is going to skate through this one, but still have to wonder what the next Clinton scandal will be
05/29/16 1:11 AM | Comment Link
wemeantwell said...
28It was leaked/released to the media by a unknown member of Congress one day early.
05/29/16 8:30 AM | Comment Link
rich bauer said...
29Here’s the clown that should be crying:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/senate-sleuths-focus-ex-state-000000777.html
05/29/16 8:17 AM | Comment Link
rich bauer said...
30Speaking of the revolting US media, coverage of drownings of 700 people trying to reach Europe gets less coverage than the death of a gorilla. Gorilla journalism.
05/29/16 12:05 PM | Comment Link
Kyzl Orda said...
31“It was leaked/released to the media by a unknown member of Congress one day early.”
Ah. That explains why.
Even if State had released this 5:01 Friday, this will not go away.
05/30/16 11:37 AM | Comment Link
PBC News & Comment: Trump Previews His Dictator Act – Peter B. Collins said...
32[…] van Buren, who was drummed out of State Dept. by Clinton, comments on the email […]
06/1/16 5:15 PM | Comment Link