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Congress Opens Probe Into FBI's Handling of Clinton Email Investigation (arstechnica.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Two House committees announced Tuesday that they would conduct a joint probe into the FBI's handling of the Clinton e-mail investigation. The Clinton investigation concluded with no charges being levied against the former secretary of state who was running for president under the Democratic ticket. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said in a joint statement that they are unsatisfied with how the probe into Clinton's private e-mail server concluded. Among other things, the chairmen want to know why the bureau publicly said it was investigating Clinton while keeping silent that it was looking into President Donald Trump's campaign associates and their connections to Russia.

"Our justice system is represented by a blind-folded woman holding a set of scales. Those scales do not tip to the right or the left; they do not recognize wealth, power, or social status," Goodlatte and Gowdy said in a joint statement. "The impartiality of our justice system is the bedrock of our republic, and our fellow citizens must have confidence in its objectivity, independence, and evenhandedness. The law is the most equalizing force in this country. No entity or individual is exempt from oversight."

34 of 390 comments (clear)

  1. Still not looking into by Altus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The 4 dead service members from last week and the absolute cluster fuck that resulted in their deaths... but at least we are on top of this... thank god.

    --

    "In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women..." -H. Simpson

    1. Re:Still not looking into by UnknowingFool · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You mean besides the multiple Congressional hearings controlled by Republicans over years that failed to produce anything of substance to charge Clinton with wrong doing? Other than those, nothing.

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    2. Re:Still not looking into by amiga3D · · Score: 4, Insightful

      We've got hundreds of special forces troops running around in Niger. Some of them got caught in an ambush and fought their way out of it losing 4 team members. It's not a fucking video game. People make mistakes and people die. I don't know if you know this or not but Trump doesn't go on those missions. It was a routine mission and likely the first anyone in the administration knew about it was when they found out 4 soldiers were killed. I served in the eighties and we had people die from training exercises or just working. Turning 18 year old guys loose with heavy equipment can lead to that. One rolled an off road fork lift, one electrocuted, one rolled a 2 1/2 ton truck. It's dangerous work even when people aren't shooting at you. It's the fucking military. Check out how many Sailors die every cruise.

    3. Re:Still not looking into by eaglesrule · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You mean the hearings where people like Clinton, Comey and Lynch are able to give nonanswers, declare ignorance in the face of questions they should be able to give answers to, and generally be completely evasive?

      Have you ever watched those hearings? They only serve to show how unaccountable you are when your political faction can run interference.

  2. Hrm.... by Kierthos · · Score: 3, Insightful

    One wonder if Gowdy will manage to show up for more than 20% of the witness testimony this time. Or is he just going to implicitly acknowledge that this is a gigantic waste of time and money, and serves as nothing other than a distraction from what a colossal clusterfuck the Trump presidency has been thus far?

    --
    Mr. Hu is not a ninja.
  3. When you only know how to do one thing by xzelldx · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You keep doing it, ad infinitum.

    1. Re:When you only know how to do one thing by gtall · · Score: 1, Insightful

      No its the Wookie defense. Their boy in the WH is looking like a petulant brat, time to pull out the "Whooooo...Clinton...scary!". And just in time for Halloween.

    2. Re:When you only know how to do one thing by ClickOnThis · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It's "ad nauseam"...

      That would imply that the doer gets sick of doing it. You think that's the case? No? then it's ad infinitum, like the GP said.

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    3. Re:When you only know how to do one thing by phantomfive · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Ha! You fucking wish! This is distracting the populace from looking at the laws they are going to pass.

      Last year I would have agreed with you, but so far they haven't been able to pull anything together. Republicans in congress don't seem capable of passing much.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    4. Re:When you only know how to do one thing by quantaman · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You keep doing it, ad infinitum.

      If the article is correct, which it might not be, I think the situation is actually reversed.

      Previously the Republicans were investigating Clinton's emails with the goal of turning them into an election issue.

      Now, two Republicans are investigating the FBI investigation of Clinton's emails and asking why the FBI turned it into an election issue.

      Maybe they're just trying to whitewash it, but whatever side you're on it's hard to argue that the FBI didn't bungle the election campaign really, really badly.

      --
      I stole this Sig
  4. But her Emails! (Aren't TREASON unlike Moscow Don) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Still focusing on emails that were examined and re-examined finding now crimes whatsoever while treasonously pretending the Moscow Donald didn't collude with Russia's ongoing attacks on America.

  5. Trump's Benghazi by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    We need independent prosecutor to gather evidence to convict trump of gross negligence and Treason by essentially allowing the slaughter of US service members in Niger. Impeachment is simply not enough for negligence of this magnitude, we need to see serious and long term jail time. Not even a year in, and multiple impeachable offenses and convictable crimes. OMG.

  6. Bone spurs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If itâ(TM)s ok to investigate Obama over his birth certificate.. an offense allegedly and speculated to have been committed decades ago, why canâ(TM)t we investigate Trumpâ(TM)s draft dodging? Last I checked draft dodging was a crime. Some other guy had to go die in Vietnam because Trump paid his way out of the draft. Anyway at the very least we should investigate how bone spurs can disappear over time. You never know, Trump might get the Nobel prize for medicine for such a discovery.

  7. Where are the Niger hearings? by netizen_james · · Score: 1, Insightful
    Four servicemen lost their lives in an ISIS ambush in Niger due to the Trump administration's clueless incompetence. Where are the endless hours of congressional hearings on that like we had on Benghazi?

    Oh yeah - the old 'IOIYAR' rule - "It's Ok If You're A Republican".

    Sodomizing underage boys, and paying them hush money (Hastert) - it's ok if you're a Republican.

    Serial adultery (Gingrich, Giuliani, Trump, etc, etc, etc) - it's ok if you're a Republican

    Intentionally breaking laws you just don't like (Ollie North) - it's ok if you're a Republican

    1. Re:Where are the Niger hearings? by eaglesrule · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What does the Niger incident have to do with this, other than to serve as yet another 'whataboutism'.

      You're complaining about a double standard, for a probe investigating a double standard, i.e. the unusual activities of the DOJ and the FBI in relation to Clinton. This kind of corruption spanning multiple branches of government can't be just brushed aside just because the parties involved were able to run out the clock. There needs to be answers, there needs to be accountability.

      It happens to be democrats on the receiving end this time, and hopefully with republicans too there can be transparency and accountability with the public. I say a pox on both their houses, it is in the public interest to know the truth.

  8. Re:Because you'd be in jail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Actually, half of the present administration is using personal email for official business. Oops!

  9. what a load by cmdr_klarg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The impartiality of our justice system is the bedrock of our republic, and our fellow citizens must have confidence in its objectivity, independence, and evenhandedness. The law is the most equalizing force in this country. No entity or individual is exempt from oversight.

    LOL
    *snort*

    That ranks up there as one of the biggest piles of unadulterated bullshit I've ever seen. I don't care which tribe you subscribe to, everyone should realize that our justice system is anything but evenhanded or impartial.

    --
    THE SOFTWARE, IT NO WORKY!!!
  10. Re:I visit slashdot to escape this political bs by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Holy fuck, can we stop with the pissing an moaning about politics on slashdot? That ship sailed a long, long time ago. Get over it or move the fuck on. It's not like this site is loaded with content in the first place.

    --
    Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
  11. Re:Hillary's for prison! by UnknowingFool · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How about the simple fact that Clinton's investigation was concluded before the election and the FBI found nothing? With Trump they are still investigating. I don't know if Trump has done anything wrong but FBI should not divulge the results of an investigation before the investigation is done. That seems common sense.

    --
    Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
  12. Impartial as granite by Archtech · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Those scales do not tip to the right or the left; they do not recognize wealth, power, or social status".

    Ha ha, very funny. Of course they don't! The rich, powerful, and politically connected always get EXACTLY the same treatment as the poor from the justice system.

    Being on good social term with the judge, the DA, or the Attorney General could never do an accused person the slightest good. And the prosecution would be just as likely to frame up a wealthy, influential political donor as the lowest miscreant.

    Yes, folks, thank goodness it's a government of laws, not persons!

    --
    I am sure that there are many other solipsists out there.
  13. "I could stand on fifth avenue and shoot someone" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "I could stand in the middle of fifth avenue and shoot someone, and people would still vote for me."

    Yes, Trump fuckers. I will post this delightfull quote from your beloved peodophile in chief every chance I get, or untill I'm IP banned.

    And downmodding me to hell won't change the fact that you knowingly, freely, and willfully elected for president a man who thinks that you're all fucking morons, and told you to your face.

  14. Re:Hillary's for prison! by HornWumpus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Should they also have written Hillary's exoneration before the investigation is done?

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  15. Re:Hillary's for prison! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    They didn't find "nothing", they found that she and her compatriots had mishandled classified information, lied to investigations, and destroyed evidence - but Comey, having decided not to charge Clinton (his expected new boss) with anything before the investigation even interviewed her or her staff, made up the original interpretation that "negligence" - the actual term used in the US Code - suddenly required a deliberate motive in the mishandling, and that he would not recommend charges even though she displayed "great carelessness".

  16. I don't care. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    No harm was done. There's just a lot of speculation and all these "what could have happened." fantasies - no actual evidence.

    The ONLY reason the emails were even discovered was because of the Benghazi witch hunt. And as we found out, it was all because the Pentagon didn't have any "military assets" (as they put it) close enough to respond. NOTHING to do with Clinton.

    So, I'm bored now. The emails are an irrelevant issue.

    In the meantime, I'm concerned about what's going to happen to NAFTA, healthcare and the ACA, and what's up with Trump's executive order allowing the Pentagon to pull service people out of retirement. WTF is he going to do?

    The last thing this country needs is yet another endless war.

    1. Re:I don't care. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      How could you possibly know no harm was done as a result of this data being leaked? You don't know who has seen it or what their plans are. Why are you lying?

      The emails are highly relevant to me. I have a DOD clearance. I'd go to jail if I did this. I don't believe in a political or economic class being above the law - she can hang like anyone else would.

      If we're lucky, NAFTA will get scrapped and ACA will get repealed. Two big piles of shit.

    2. Re:I don't care. by bobbied · · Score: 4, Insightful

      No harm was done. There's just a lot of speculation and all these "what could have happened." fantasies....

      With that as a legal standard, I guess a LOT of stuff just becomes fine and dandy...

      If I want to run that red light or slide though the 4 way stop It's OK.. Just have to make sure "no harm done" so as long as I don't cause a wreck, no ticket can be issue or fines assessed.

      If I want to drive 50MPH though the school zone near my house with kids present in the cross walks, fine! Just don't hit a kid or do any harm and you get off Scott free..

      If I want to own a Title 2 regulated firearm, large capacity magazines and a couple of live grenades, forget he law about background checks and tax stamps, as long as nobody gets hurt, no harm is done, I'm not going to be charged for violating any gun or explosives laws.

      Are you starting to get the picture here? "No harm done" is not a good legal standard... I'm thinking you need to rethink this. Maybe a "letter of the law" standard might be better?

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    3. Re:I don't care. by HornWumpus · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Every embassy, owned by every country on the planet has spooks operating out of it. Mostly as 'Military attaches'.

      It is SOP.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    4. Re:I don't care. by Felix+Da+Rat · · Score: 0, Insightful

      You were doing so well with the first two points. Then, well, you got over your skies.

      In the first two cases, you propose wantonly engaging in an activity which does pose a (significant) risk of harm.

      In the third case, you are choosing to purchase controlled items; granted, which _could be used_ to cause significant harm, but the ownership in and of itself does not constitute a risk of harm to anyone else. At least no more (significantly) so than your ownership of the vehicle you used in the first two cases.

      I note that you called out ignoring the laws on those items, but did not call out ignoring the laws regarding licensing, insuring, and titling your vehicle.

      You would have done better to say 'I want to take my legally purchased firearm with a large capacity magazine and go target shooting at the park next to the kids playground'.

      But you didn't. Because you are conflating ownership of a firearm with intent to cause harm.

      Which brings us to your root argument; the foundation of 'Harm' as the basis of our legal standard.

      We have laws that exist to codify societal mores, such as safe operation of a three ton steel vehicle. We have courts that exist to decide punishment when those mores are broken. And, the foundation of our legal system is (supposed to be) proportional punishment for the 'Harm' caused by the infraction. The punishment should 'hurt' the offender enough that they do not offend again.

      Now then, regarding the 'Letter of the Law' foundation you are proposing. Do you have any idea how many laws you break on a daily basis? Assuming you live in the USA, it's fairly safe to assume it's at least once a day. Do you deserve punishment for all of those infractions? No.

      Law is fallible, open to grey areas, and thus we have the courts to decide cases based upon.... guess what? HARM DONE. This harm may be perceived as harm to society - such as making sure that speed limits in school zones is respected, but it is still a perceived harm.

      I would suggest that (assuming you are American) you take a look at the foundations of our legal system, as well as spending some time contemplating what Freedom (as codified in the 9th amendment) means and how it measures up to your daily existence.

  17. Re:"I could stand on fifth avenue and shoot someon by sexconker · · Score: 2, Insightful

    At least Trump tells it like it is. What would HRC do? Be awful and then deny being awful?

  18. Re:The USA is a joke by hey! · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yeah, it sounds crazy when you put it that way: "free stuff".

    Maybe not so crazy when you specify what the stuff is. Education, for example. Health care. In both these cases insufficient access has an impact on society wider than the directly affected people. Stuff you end up paying for. Because when people have no money, they can still cost the rest of us.

    A lot of people would be willing to pay more for the consequences of squalor than to risk someone getting something "for free". It's a principled position, you see. I'm more of a pragmatist, myself.

    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  19. Previous investigation a whitewash by steveha · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A common meme is: "The Republicans already tried to look into this and couldn't make anything stick. So clearly Hillary Clinton was innocent and the Republicans are just digging for dirt and hoping to find something." Variations on this have already been posted in this discussion.

    What's extraordinary here is that the Director of the FBI intervened personally on Hillary Clinton's behalf. He wrote a draft of his speech exonerating her before the FBI ever interviewed her. Her aides were given broad immunity, which is usually used to compel people to talk[1], but then they were allowed to just say things like "I don't remember". Hillary Clinton, or someone working for her, wiped her email server after a subpoena was issued requiring her to hand it over to Congress, and there were absolutely no consequences from that. A usual FBI investigation would collect as much evidence as possible as early as possible, but that wasn't done in this case... the Anthony Weiner/Huma Abedin copies of Hillary Clinton emails were found during an investigation of Weiner, but they should have been found earlier. When the FBI is actually investigating they are thorough about collecting evidence. They should have grabbed every computer Hillary ever touched, and as Huma Abedin was an aide to Hillary, every computer Huma ever touched. (They could have copied the hard disks and given the computers back right away.)

    Most extraordinary of all: the Director of the FBI claimed that "no reasonable prosecutor" would prosecute Hillary Clinton as no proof of ill intent was found, yet the laws she broke do not require intent but only require proof of mishandling of data.

    ...prosecutors are not required to prove motive. [...] Clinton could have been prosecuted either for willfully mishandling classified information or for doing so through gross negligence.

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/447209/hillary-clinton-e-mail-investigation-grand-jury-subpoenas

    Consider what happened to David Petraeus. He was guilty, but what he did wasn't even a tenth as serious as what Hillary Clinton did. But the Director of the FBI didn't whitewash the investigation for him, so his career was over. (By the way, he didn't go to prison, so he still got better treatment than the "little people" would get. Consider the case of Bryan H. Nishimura. I would say that what Nishimura did wasn't even a thousandth as serious as what Hillary Clinton did, but he was treated much more harshly than she was. Note that he wasn't charged with any "intent", just the mishandling of data.)

    I'm pretty sure that if a member of the Trump administration mishandles classified data, he or she won't get the special treatment that Hillary Clinton got. But the Democrats will get a President elected again sometime in the future and I would like to get a precedent established that the laws apply to Democrats as much as to Trump and his staff. I know that the law is not enforced perfectly even-handedly in this country (or any country in the real world) but I am appalled at the epic whitewashing done on behalf of Hillary Clinton to protect

    --
    lf(1): it's like ls(1) but sorts filenames by extension, tersely
  20. Re:Keep it up, if you dislike Democrats by SuperKendall · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Trump doesn't have to be anything other than mildly clever to simply get a few things done while people like you call him a monster because he tweets and you all react like the pavlovian dogs you all seem to want to be.

    I think it utterly hilarious that people claim, in the same breath, that Trump has a huge ego and cares what others think. How many egotistical people do YOU know that give a rats ass what YOU think about them? None. So he smiles when you call him names and signs another order dismantling something you once cared about but now ignore.

    As to cognitive dissidence - everything Trump has done. and the reactions from the Democrats, have been exactly as I predicted and according to model. The only variation being that Democrats deems to be rather a lot more stupid about it all than I thought they would be, and are making many tactical mistakes that have nothing at all do do with Trump. Trump has merely acted as a catalyst for the Democrats hyper-active push for self destruction. You are the one whose analysis has become utterly ungrounded in reality, and more is the shame for it as really the country needs both sides of the two parties sane and rational. Not like the Republicans are much more sane mind you, but they have simply not into as deep waters as the Democrats all have...

    The best aspect is though, is that the most insane people on "left" AND "right" have been the statists; Trump has rendered them not just ineffectual but actually driven to seeming madness.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  21. Re:The fox is no longer guarding the henhouse by SlaveToTheGrind · · Score: 1, Insightful

    If attorney-general Jeff Sessions were going to bring charges against Hillary, if it was winnable, if it's even a good idea to go after your former opponent just after the election's over, he would have done so already.

    It's beyond debate that Clinton committed a felony even under Comey's optimistic rendition of the facts. You and I would have been most cheerfully prosecuted -- and likely convicted -- under these same facts.

    It's ironic that you're happy to acknowledge that the Trump administration's decision not to prosecute might be politically motivated -- you're simply proving my point about Obama's.

  22. Re:Because you'd be in jail by AutodidactLabrat · · Score: 3, Insightful