The “games” -- meaning the Congressional Hearings
regarding the Russian influence on our election results and the possible
“cooperation” of Trump and/or his legion of surrogates.
James Comey laid out his case in great documented
detail. Is there enough there to “prove”
a case of impeding an investigation by a sitting U.S. President, or even
impeachment. No. Not, yet at least.
And Trump’s reaction was predictable, cherry picking what
he liked such as the three times Comey said he was not personally under
investigation (he wouldn’t be – yet), then claiming other statements were “a
lie,” such as demanding “loyalty” of Comey.
Trump also said he is “100%” committed to testifying
under oath (watch out what you wish for).
It was a one on one conversation, so it boils down to who
do you believe, the meticulous note taker Comey, or the off-the cuff reactions
of President Trump? Yet, they both may
be telling “the truth.” How can that
be?
At the risk of sounding like an armchair psychologist,
simply put perhaps Trump believes his own lies, has created his own reality,
and really does not believe he said or meant those aspects of Comey’s testimony. Therefore, he can in good conscience testify
to that effect. 100%.
As Eric Hoffer, author of The True Believer said, “We lie the loudest when we lie to
ourselves.
Perhaps future candidates for President should be
required to undergo physical AND psychological testing? Aren’t we entitled to choose between the
healthiest candidates for such an important office?
One possible symptom of sociopathic
behavior is the ability to lie but believe the lie is true: In fact, they are so good at lying, many times they become their own lie….If a sociopath can stage himself to believe his own lie and truly live in his own fantasy, how many more people can he convince it is the truth and wreak his havoc and devastation on?
And from another site (there are many), “certain personality traits where pathological lying may occur include” (does any of
this strike a chord?):
Narcissism or self-centered behaviors and
thought patterns
Selfishness
Abusive attitude
Obsessive, controlling, and compulsive
behaviors
Impulsivity
Aggressiveness
Jealous behavior
Manipulative behaviors
Deceptiveness
Socially awkward, uncomfortable, or
isolated
Low self-esteem
Tempermentalness
Anger
Almost a month ago I wrote to our two Senators (Marco Rubio
and Bill Nelson) and our Representative (Brian Mast). This was before Robert Mueller
was appointed by the Justice Department as special counsel but right after
James Comey was dismissed as FBI Director by Trump. I ultimately received responses from Nelson
and Mast, those were after Mueller was appointed and thus their responses were understandably
focused on that appointment.
Rubio on the other hand provided an automated response
that a reply would be forthcoming and such a reply never did. I find this interesting as Rubio’s
questioning of Comey was definitely Trump predisposed. Rubio seems to be committed to appealing to
the base that got him elected. This
country has devolved into Newton's third law of physics, that for
every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Just flip back and forth between MSNBC and
FOX and you can experience the polarity.
Here is our letter first and then the responses.
May 13, 2017
Dear (insert name
of Senator or Representative):
My wife and I, both
retired, are distraught and anxiety ridden over the behavior of President
Trump. I can think of only two times
we’ve felt so concerned: during the
Cuban missile crisis and during the end of the Nixon administration. Luckily, a stable, resolute President Kennedy
prevailed during the former crisis and our democracy and separation of powers
worked to ensure the preservation of the Republic during the latter.
Where are the
courageous Senators to insist on a special prosecutor (now that the FBI has
been kneecapped) to investigate the extent of any possible collusion of the
Trump election team with Russian operatives?
Where are the courageous Senators to insist on a complete examination of
Trump’s financial dealings in light of the emolument clause of the Constitution
or to consider whether his removal is justified by the 25th Amendment to the
Constitution based on mental illness?
Perhaps you feel
the same existential dilemma we do: how does one, as a citizen of a country
he/she loves, support its new leader, given his unstable, even despotic
behavior, one who relies on nepotistic advice?
The concept of
separation of powers and the role of the 4th estate are being severely tested
and we look to the Senate as the last bastion of defense. Will you and your colleagues rise to the
occasion or are you going to allow this person to run amuck and jeopardize
everything our founding fathers stood for?
His behavior is an affront to the dignity of the Office of the
Presidency, weakening our country instead of protecting it, something he
pledged to do when he was sworn into office.
We will be
carefully watching your actions and depending on you to do the morally right
thing to protect our country.
Respectfully,
Replies:
Senator Marco Rubio
May 13 at 11:54 AM
Thank you for
taking the time to contact me. Your correspondence has been received and I welcome
the opportunity to address your concerns. Hearing directly from constituents
such as yourself is truly an honor, and your input is much appreciated.
Please look for my
response in the near future. In an effort to serve you better, please do not duplicate
e-mails into the web-form, as it may serve to delay the response to your
concerns. If you need immediate assistance with a federal agency, please call
(866) 630-7106, toll-free in Florida.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Marco
Rubio
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May 22 at 6:40 PM
Dear Mr.
Hagelstein,
Thank you for
contacting me in support of appointing a special prosecutor to investigate
Russian interference in our elections and potential ties to the Trump administration.
Your thoughts are important to me as I work to effectively represent you in
Congress.
You deserve
transparency and accountability in government. We should never run or hide from
the truth. If we seek out truth and embrace it then Americans can know we all
play by the same set of rules.
As you may know, in
addition to ongoing investigations in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of
Representatives, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has appointed former
F.B.I. Director Robert S. Mueller III as special counsel for the Russia
investigation. Like you, I hope that Director Mueller can be looked at as
unbiased and that his finding will be respected by all. The American people
deserve answers, and I am committed to ensuring a transparent process as these investigations
move forward.
Thank you again for
taking the time to contact me. If you’d
like to receive updates about this issue and other news that’s important to our
community, please sign up here. To
follow along with my work on your behalf, please join me on Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and YouTube. If you have any additional questions, please
do not hesitate to contact me again. As
always it is an honor to represent you in the United States Congress.
Sincerely,
Brian Mast
Member of Congress
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May 30, 2017
Dear Mr. and Mrs.
Hagelstein:
Thank you for contacting me about ongoing
investigations related to the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the
2016 Presidential election.
In March, I called
for the appointment of a special prosecutor and/or the establishment of an
independent commission to get to the bottom of Russia’s interference.
After the President
fired FBI Director Comey on May 9, I repeated my calls for a special prosecutor
and/or an independent commission. Shortly thereafter, the Department of Justice
named former FBI Director Bob Mueller Special Counsel to oversee the Russia
investigation. Bob Mueller has the experience to conduct a thorough investigation.
Now, he must be provided the resources and independent authority he needs to
follow the facts wherever they lead.
The Senate Select
Committee on Intelligence has pledged to continue its bipartisan investigation
into Russian attempts to influence our election. In addition, I am cosponsoring
S. 27, which would create an independent commission to investigate Russia’s
attempts to interfere with the 2016 Presidential election.
According to the
U.S. intelligence community, Russia is responsible for a number of hacks and
the subsequent leaking of stolen information related to the 2016 Presidential
election, at Putin's direct order. The attempt by an outside power to influence
the election and promote a particular candidate is a very serious threat to our
constitutional form of government.
On December 29,
2016, President Obama imposed sanctions on Russia in response to these hacks. I
am cosponsoring S. 341, the Russia Sanctions Review Act of 2017, a bill that
would keep sanctions imposed on Russia for election hacking and other
aggression in place until Congress says otherwise.
As a senior member
of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Ranking Member of the SASC
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, I will continue to support policies that enhance
our capability to deter and defend against cyber attacks from all enemies.
Now isn’t the time
to cozy up to Russia, now is the time to stand up to Russian aggression. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this
issue.
Sincerely, Bill
Nelson
