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DOJ Will Not File Charges Against Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (politico.com)

An anonymous reader writes: After FBI Director James Comey recommended not to indict Hillary Clinton for her email misconduct yesterday, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Wednesday that the Justice Department has decided not to pursue charges against Hillary Clinton or her aids and that the department will close the investigation into her use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state. "Late this afternoon, I met with FBI Director James Comey and career prosecutors and agents who conducted the investigation of Secretary Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system during her time as Secretary of State," Lynch said in a statement on Wednesday. "I received and accepted their unanimous recommendation that the thorough, year-long investigation be closed and that no charges be brought against any individuals within the scope of the investigation."

32 of 801 comments (clear)

  1. Yawn by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Voting for Hillary because she's "not guilty" is like hiring Casey Anthony to babysit your kid.

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    1. Re:Yawn by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This is merely to put the final nail in Bernie's coffin. We're left with two absolutely horrible people who shouldn't be pissed on should they catch fire. But we're not lucky enough for either one to catch fire.

      The election is over, we all lost.

    2. Re: Yawn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What leaks do you need? If what Comey said wasn't enough nothing will satisfy you. He said she's a total fuckwit but her last name is Clinton so his hands are tied.

    3. Re: Yawn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Comey didn't say that she leaked anything. He said that she didn't properly safeguard classified information.

      However, there was no intent to leak information, nor is there evidence that anything was leaked. Comey searched high and low for a precedent which would allow him to bring charges, and he concluded that if he indicted Clinton, he would probably have to indict a significant portion of the federal bureaucracy.

      Hard to bring criminal charges for utilizing a bad process. "Should have known better" isn't a criminal offense.

  2. No justice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Snowden blows the whistle on illegal government spying, is forced to flee the country. Clinton violates laws and exposes classified information and will be the next President. There is no justice in America.

    1. Re:No justice by shmlco · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ".... and exposes classified information ..."

      As the article indicates, there's no proof that classified information was exposed. It's "possible" that it was, but it's also "possible" that an airliner is about to land on your head.

      Further, there's "classified" information and then there's "classified" information. Many things are classified, (in fact, it's hard to find government information that's not), but we haven't been told if it's just classified, secret, top secret, or higher...

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    2. Re:No justice by argumentsockpuppet · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I support the NSA and I also support Snowden. Snowden did a brave and terrifying thing that needed to happen, that needed to be done, knowing the consequences he faced. The NSA is a good organization with many good people doing what they need to do with love for their countrymen in their hearts and honor in their actions. Some people in the NSA made bad, perhaps even evil decisions. Sometimes bad people get put in positions they shouldn't be, and sometimes people with power, even good people, make decisions that are bad.

      Supporting the NSA doesn't mean I support all the decisions or people that are a part of it. I believe the NSA did some bad things, but that doesn't mean I think the organization is bad or comprised of bad people.

      What Snowden did may have been illegal, but it was a choice to do what he believed was right. For what it's worth I believe it was right too. I think it is a terrible thing to have to choose between following the law and doing what is right when the two are mutually exclusive.

      The US justice system was designed intentionally to have people determine not only whether the law was followed, but also whether the law should apply. Snowden should be able to face a court of his peers and plead his case and that jury should be able to make a judgement not based on the law, but on whether what he did was wrong or right. It disturbs and saddens me to realize I don't trust that he could receive such a fair trial.

  3. When the legal system fails.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I think that is all that needs to be said.

    Also probably enough to get you flagged by the paranoid powers that be.

    captcha was 'kneeling'... one guess on what you're kneeling to do...

  4. Not surprising by _xeno_ · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We of course knew this was coming when the FBI didn't recommend indictment, given that Lynch said she'd go along with whatever the FBI decided.

    But I expect the real reason is simple: they don't feel they're guaranteed a conviction. If you listen to Comey's reasoning, he was quite clear that there was no precedent for such a case - meaning that they don't want to set a precedent until they have iron tight evidence where they can be sure they know how the case will go.

    Likewise, "no reasonable prosecutor" would want to be the prosecutor who indicted potentially the first woman president and then lost the case. If the case wasn't a 100%, sure-fire victory, no one would be willing to prosecute it. Which is kind of reasonable: who wants to torpedo their career by killing Hillary's presidential chances only to lose at trial?

    But it does lay clear that there are two classes in the US: the ruling class, who won't be charged for clear violations because they might be able to get off, and the rest of us. Who will be charged for anything and everything they can think of.

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  5. Will that include Guccifer? by zedaroca · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "I received and accepted their unanimous recommendation that the thorough, year-long investigation be closed and that no charges be brought against any individuals within the scope of the investigation."

    We know about her crime because Guccifer was involved in exposing it. Will they retract the charges against him? Or the only chargeable crime in America is to expose what the law says is a crime?

  6. Protest in the streets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    There needs to be protests in the streets about Hillary Clinton not being charged for violating federal law.

    This is where it starts, the selective application of the law to those in power vs those that are ruled. Make a stand now before all is lost.

  7. You realize by johnsmithperson123 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That "extremely careless" is more or less the definition of gross negligence.

  8. Such faith in the delegates by Lead+Butthead · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You assumed the delegates have moral fiber.
    People of good character can't this far in the political process.

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  9. FBI director announced she IS guilty, won't prosec by raymorris · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The director stated in his news conference that Clinton was "extremely careless" with classified information on at least 110 occasions. It's federal crime to be "grossly negligent" in handling classified information. Essentially, he announced "she's guilty on 110 counts, but we won't prosecute".

  10. Re:Limits of slander? None by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Maybe you should consider that to people outside your little bubble, your particular brand of insulting comments about those who disagree with you may not be particularly insightful.

    Calling everyone who moderates you down a "sock puppet" account is neither a rational nor intelligent comment.

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  11. Privilege by prof_robinson · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Just another case of Progressive Privilege. The utterly amazing thing is how blatant and public it all is....and how little shame the Progressives have over it. Nevermind the fact that between Comey's punt and the Benghazi report, virtually everything the Right has been saying for the last three years has been vindicated. But, who cares, right? As long as we stick it to those "horrible Republicans", right? Who cares if we elect the most flawed corrupt person ever to seek the office. It's all about getting those evil rightwingers!

  12. There actually is precedent - no intent here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "The investigation did not reveal evidence that Nishimura intended to distribute classified information to unauthorized personnel." https://www.fbi.gov/sacramento/press-releases/2015/folsom-naval-reservist-is-sentenced-after-pleading-guilty-to-unauthorized-removal-and-retention-of-classified-materials

  13. Wow by wwalker · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case," Comey said.

    If this was said by their local version of FBI anywhere in Russia, China, Brasil, etc., everyone would be crying foul how that country is corrupt and how FSB, PSB, "FBI", etc. is clearly intimidating prosecutors not to bring any cases against an oligarch, even though there is evidence they violated the law (gross negligence). And how "important figures" in those countries are above the law. I'm so glad USA is not one of "those countries"!

  14. omg by Smiddi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Hillary vs Trump. The rest of the world is shaking its head at the stupidity of the Americans for letting things get to this point.

    1. Re:omg by fnj · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Hillary vs Trump. The rest of the world is shaking its head at the stupidity of the Americans for letting things get to this point.

      The rest of the world can get stuffed. All are in the same boat. The UK goes from Major to Cameron; both are assholes. Germany puts up with that witch. Hollande is the best that France can come up with? Venezuela let Chavez ruin their economy, only to have his successor make it exponentially worse. China is ruled with an iron fist by one bunch of ancient fossils after another.

      The only bright spot might be Switzerland. ALL other governments are dens of incompetency, corruption, and evil oligarchy.

  15. Re:Sign the petittion... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you think Clinton should be charged, then at least sign the petittion:

    Criminal prosecution by popular vote. There's absolutely nothing fascist about that.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  16. Mod parent up by rsilvergun · · Score: 4, Insightful

    this is how prosecution works. You don't bring forth a case you know you're gonna lose. I'm not huge fan of Hilary. I've got buddies that live and breath because the Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid enough for them to get their Meds. She's pretty much guaranteed to leave it alone so she gets my vote. But whatever side your on it'd be silly to try and prosecute her.

    All that said to be completely fair think about _why_ a prosecutor isn't confident with getting a conviction: because a jury wouldn't convict her. This is a criminal matter, so that's how these things work. This isn't the ruling class per-se. This is how our jury system works. It sometimes ignores law in favor of feelings. If you want to see an example of America's two tiered justice system ask any dirt poor man in jail for pot possession why he didn't get diverted to drug treatment like a pop star or even an attorney's son.

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  17. Too much talk radio? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    An unsecure e-mail server makes Hillary worse than Nixon? Do you guys actually believe this shit, or are you just mindlessly repeating what you see in Youtube comments?

    Hillary isn't a great candidate, but this issue isn't on the radar for me. The FBI itself has gotten hacked, so had the CIA. The US military has gotten hacked. The FBI buys zero day warez to hack one of the largest US companies. The IRS recently stopped using 5 digit pins because they were getting hacked. I'm sure every large US company and government organization has fallen victim. It's like extreme Republicans arbitrarily took something that happens all the time and started yelling that it's a felony offense that disqualifies Hillary from being President.

    In normal life, this wouldn't disqualify her from being head of the IT department.

  18. Re:FBI director announced she IS guilty, won't pro by Dcnjoe60 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Prisons are full of people who didn't "intend" to violate the law.

  19. Re:I would daresay... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you find yourself declaring that the lack of evidence of wrongdoing is, in fact, evidence of wrongdoing, it's time to take a break and realize that you've become trapped in a self-referential delusion loop.

    its_time_to_stop_posting.jpg

  20. Too bad we can't kill all the lawyers? by shanen · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You do know what a lawyer is, don't you? Hillary is a good lawyer and several other oxymorons. Okay, so "skilled lawyer" is probably a "better" way to say it.

    Actually, she, like everyone else, has a bunch of personal identities. One of the things I like least about Hillary is that "lawyer" or "corporate lawyer" might be her top personal identity. Obviously it isn't "politician", though "politician" is probably in her top ten (and I definitely think it's Bill's #1). I doubt that "philosopher" is on her top 10 list, but "feminist" is probably in there somewhere (and I don't regard it as a terrible thing, though it isn't so high in my own priorities). She's an unusually complicated person, and it's hard to figure her out. For example, I think that "grandmother" might be a higher ranked personal identity for her than "mother" (whereas I think that "father" is definitely one of President Obama's top 10).

    Just for reference I do think that "philosopher" is in Bernie's top 10, but I can't figure out if it's above or below "politician". Maybe "wise man" is his #1, but there's zero chance America would elect one of those to the presidency, even in the backlash from a fiasco like Dubya or the even worse mess that Trump might leave behind.

    The Donald? His #1 has to be "con man" or "salesman". Or maybe he switches back and forth depending on the weather. Actually, I think it possible that "authoritarian" might be his secret #1.

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    1. Re:Too bad we can't kill all the lawyers? by dbIII · · Score: 4, Insightful

      After Carter was driven from office for being honest we haven't seen a single person seriously running for the post who is going to make that mistake.
      You wanted people who are all show and no snow? You got them. AWOL Bush pushing his military service in Texas versus a war hero getting swift boated.

  21. Earned reputation versus propaganda? by shanen · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Let me first say that I do regard Sanders as the best candidate of the entire crowd, even including the entire clown car that started on the so-called Republican side. I even donated my poll tax to him, but in retrospect I am saddened to conclude that no matter how broken the system is, it is still incapable of electing a candidate who has any prominent philosophic streak. (No, Reagan had senility, NOT a philosophy.)

    However, as regards Hillary's popularity, how much of it do you think that she actually earned? Seems quite obvious to me that she has been aggressively targeted for decades for primarily partisan political reasons, and even that much of the hateful rhetoric is displaced from other targets. Mostly stuff that would have been targeted at her husband if Bill hadn't whupped all their arses in the unfair fight. (However, I still haven't made up my mind if he was a good or bad president. Actually much easier to see the obviously bad ones such as Dubya.)

    All of this is intuitively obvious to the most casual observer. The problem is that there is only one "most casual observer", and it usually isn't me.

    --
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    1. Re:Earned reputation versus propaganda? by TangoMargarine · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It would probably also help if you actually pointed out what was wrong with their worldview instead of just calling them dumb.

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  22. Re:Sign the petittion... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Also, since when is it a bad thing to petition the government to enforce its own laws? Are the ruling class above the law?

    So, whenever the FBI and the Justice Department don't prosecute someone you don't like, there should be a popular vote on whether to prosecute? No need to look at evidence, no need to take testimony, just listen to talk radio and if they say, "guilty" you say, "how high?"

    --
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  23. Re: Sanders has an option by m6ack · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Colin Powell did NOT do the same thing. He did NOT use personal email to send ANY confidential, or even sensitive information over private email. He NEVER culled his email in an effort to hide anything. There was NEVER any question about his correspondence with anyone - and there was NEVER anything Colin Powel ever had to hide. That's why Colin Powel's integrity was NEVER in question. But on the other hand.... Mrs. Clinton is by the admission of the FBI guilty of gross negligence... With many emails on a private account classified or _greater_ basically made available in the public domain due to her wanting to have her relationship with Huma Abadeen or other side deals secret? I held a clearance. I hold that trust that the us government placed in me as an honor. Clearly, this woman feels that such a confidence is not an honor, but an inconvenience.

  24. Re:Hillary concerned about legitimacy ? by GLMDesigns · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Then don't vote for evil. Vote 3rd Party.

    Yes. We will have to suffer either Trump or Hillary but let's get the ball rolling on killing the two party system. Vote 3rd Party. The only advantage of a President Trump is that Congress (both Republican and Democrat) would not be on his side and the press will act like watch dogs instead of lapdogs (as they would with Hillary).

    I'm #NeverTrump and #NeverHillary - Vote 3rd Party in 2016

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