This is the first of in a set of “Rich’s Reads”.
Rich’s Reads are articles and commentary written by others that I have found interesting and informative. Perhaps you will find them to be the same.
Before I get to the article itself. There is a lot to see and read on the net, as we all know. But after all the kitty cats, doggies and Unicorns, a lot of it is what we used to call, “hooey’. And then you run into a piece that lays things out with great clarity and even-handedness. It informs without spin (yes, even without some of my gentle spin).
Summarizing this “Spygate” article would be is neither right or fair to the Author, especially given the complexity of the subject and the methodical, step-by-step, peeling back of the onion that the Author, Jeff Carlson has taken.
A quick note here – this post’s Title is not the Title given to this fine article written by its Author, Jeff Carlson, writing for The Epoch Times. His Title is Spygate: The True Story of Collusion. The reference to Schadenfreude is entirely mine.
Here is how that happened…
I found myself the other day in a conversation with someone who I deeply respect, whom I have known for more decades than either one of us cares to admit (that happens as you age) and who opposes my view on certain policy matters. Neither one of us ignores the elephant in the room (as you might with family and others) but both us have always treated each other with respect. That can and does happen. Really.
Now on to that word…
“Schadenfreude” refers in part, to that all-American adage that “what goes around comes around”… but it goes one step further.
“Schadenfreude” is the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction that comes from learning of or witnessing the troubles, failures, or humiliation of another. You know, it’s the moment when the bad guy “gets his”… just like the moment the diabolical Hans Gruber, is finally beaten and outsmarted by Bruce Willis and falls to his death off of Nakatomi Tower in the first “Die Hard” movie. Schadenfreude. You can see it in his eyes.
OK, I’ll admit that when I was talking with this person I refer to, I was teasing a bit as we discussed The New York Times beginning to back-pedal, “misremember” and suddenly be “concerned” about “anonymous sources” regarding their reporting of the so-called “Russiagate” matter.
OK, I admit it. I shouldn’t do that but after two years of incessant deception, lies and the apparent “collusion” between some of the most powerful people in the Justice Department and so much fake news by the so-called “fourth estate” mainstream media, I went from a grin to (still) to sadness.
Why sadness?
Because whether you are a Conservative, Liberal or Independent, the fact that those in positions used this power, in a brazen attempt to undermine a duly-elected President and Chief Executive is so fundamentally wrong it should be a sad thing for all of “We, the People”.
We are the United States of America built on a tradition of many people from many backgrounds and history with differences of opinion but always (at least in theory) secured by a Constitution that was intended to safeguard us ALL from the abuse of government.
Next week Inspector General Michael Horowitz is expected to release his IG’s report, which will likely lay bare much of the sordid, collusion between the media, the DOJ and a former Presidential Candidate… and it won’t be President Trump in the cross-hairs.
Many of us very much hope that the rule of law will be re-established beginning next week. Perhaps some will then realize how close we came to the moment when on September 17, 1787, upon leaving Independence Hall when he was asked by a soon-to-be new American Citizen: “What kind of government have you given us, Dr. Franklin?” He replied: “A Republic if you can keep it.”
We are a wounded Nation because too many of us have been played by those in power who should never be allowed to do this again. We cannot lose our representative, Constitutional Republic (not just a “Democracy”) to those who think of themselves as Princes and Princesses of State, free to do as they wish with our governance.
See, I did not even say “Schadenfreude” again.
Read “Spygate” and other Rich’s Reads posts here.
Onward…
