Prosecuting the Prosecutor
By Thom Palmer
July 22, 2016
On July 19th, the entire world heard how Chris Christie would like to operate as Attorney General in a Trump administration. On stage before thousands at the Republican Convention and millions of people world-wide, he held a mock trial. Displaying to the world how the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States of America has no place in a Trump administration. A trial by mob, with the prosecutor laying out his version of facts, and then, like Pontius Pilate or Cesar, asking the mob to judge the defendant. Who do we release? Jesus or Barabbas? Or in the Colosseum in the first century, King Chris asks the blood thirsty crowd a question posed by raising his thumb up, or thumb down. The loudest roar lends the verdict. The accused is arrested, tried, convicted and executed without representation or the right to defend themself. This was on full display for the world to see on Tuesday. Such is Trumps America.
The Governor who is likely be on trial himself soon on racketeering charges pertaining to extortion, bribery, and blackmail in the Bridgegate scandal. The man who is more than likely guilty of lying and putting the public in danger for political purposes, has mock tried and mock convicted Hillary Clinton on a host of phony charges before the civilized world, defecating on the Bill of Rights for the world to see.
Since Hillary Clinton was not afforded representation in the "Pants on Fire", seventh-grade mock trial, allow me to be her defense.
Here is the full transcript of Christie's speech at the RC, followed by the defense, and the ruling.
CHRISTIE: "Over the last three weeks, we've seen the Justice Department refuse to prosecute her. As a former federal prosecutor, I welcome the opportunity to hold Hillary Rodham Clinton accountable for her performance and her character."
(Crowd roars, Christie presents a smug grin, and bobs his head up and down thinking "Oh Ya...")
CHRISTIE: "Were gonna present the facts to you. I'm gonna present to you, a jury of her peers, tonight, in this hall, and in your living room around our nation. Since the Justice Department refuses to allow you to render a verdict, I'm going to present the case now, on the facts, against Hillary Rodham Clinton. She was American's chief diplomat. Let's look around the world at the violence and danger today at every region that has been infected by her flawed judgment. I'm going to be specific so that you can render your verdict on the facts."
LIBYA
CHRISTIE: "Chief engineer of the disastrous overthrow of Gadaffi in Libya. Libya today is after Hillary Clinton's grand strategy, their economy is in ruins, there is death and violence on the streets, and ISIS is now dominating their country. So I ask you this... Hillary Clinton, as a failure for ruining Libya, and creating a next for terrorist activity by ISIS, answer me now, is she guilty or not guilty?"
CROWD: "GUILTY"
DEFENSE: In March, 2011, the United Nations Security Council authorized all necessary measures to protect the Libyan people from its dictator, Gaddafi, who was slaughtering his people during the Arab Spring, when many Arab nations were revolting, and fighting for a democratically elected government. Air strikes by U.N. fighters bombed military targets, as a result of Gaddafi killing thousands of civilians during the Arab Spring. U.N. air power assisted the rebels, who took Tripoli. In August of that year, Gaddafi was captured and killed. Libya held a democratic election, where liberal leaders defeated Muslim Brotherhood aligned conservatives. Since then however, ISIS forces have occupied a weak Libya, although they do not control the government, and control relatively little land. Relatively few civilians have been killed by ISIS as opposed to the mass killings by Gaddafi prior to the coup. This is actually where Syria comes in.
All Republicans, including Christie, have been in favor of doing the exact same thing in Syria for years, but with U.S. ground troops added to the air strikes. The reason Obama and Clinton did not take out Assad in Syria is that Libya didn't exactly turn out the way we had hoped. With many times more ISIS fighters in Syria, that country would surely have been taken over, at the government level, by ISIS forces shortly after a coup against Assad. The result would have clearly been another ground war, and another decade or more of mass U.S. casualties. So, on one hand, they want to blame Obama and Clinton for the unrest in Libya, while on the other hand blaming Obama and Clinton for not doing the same in Syria. Witch-Hunt anybody?
VERDICT: INNOCENT
VERDICT ON CHRISTIE: PANTS ON FIRE
NIGERIA
CHRISTIE: Hillary Clinton amazingly fought for two years to keep an Al Qaeda affiliate off of the terrorist watch list. Now, what happened because of this reckless action by the candidate who is the self-proclaimed champion of women all around the world. These Al Qaeda terrorists abducted hundreds innocent young women two years ago. These school girls are still missing today. What was the solution from the Obama/Clinton team? A hash tag campaign. So let's decide. Hillary Clinton as an apologist for an Al Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria resulting in the capture of innocent young women. Is she guilty or not guilty?
ANGRY MOB: Crucify Her! (Actually, they said "Guilty" but it sounded more like "Crucify Her to me".)
DEFENSE: Referring to Boko Haram, this is one of the most ridiculous claims Republicans have made. Boko Haram has been on the terror watch list, but not before other nations attempted to bring them to the table. After declaring Sharia law and waging terror attacks in North Africa, the United States and United Nations added Boko Haram to the terror watch list in 2013. Many feel that this was done too late. The U.K, France, and the United States have been assisting the opposition to Boko Haram for years. Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have spoken out against them for years. Clinton “Was Heeding The Advice Of Numerous Regional Experts” And There Is Doubt About “Whether The Designation Could Have Prevented” The Abduction Of School Girls. Politico fact-checked Christie’s claims about Clinton’s foreign policy record as secretary of state, noting that Clinton “was heeding the advice of numerous regional experts who argued in an open letter that” designating Boko Haram a terrorist group “could elevate the group's prestige” and that “It is not clear that the group ever pledged formal allegiance to al Qaeda, and the two groups were sometimes described as rivals. Politico: Boko Haram was designated a terrorist group a year before the Nigerian schoolgirls were abducted. CNN: “No Evidence” Clinton Personally “‘Fought’” To Keep Boko Haram Off Terror List. CNN’s Reality Check Team gave Christie’s claim a “false” rating, noting the lack of evidence that Clinton “was personally responsible for the delay in the designation.” CNN also pointed out the “delay” did not result in the kidnapping of Nigerian school girls, which occurred after Clinton left the State Department. Washington Post: “No Evidence That Clinton Played A Role Or ‘Fought’ To Keep Boko Haram Off The List” Or “That A Terrorist Designation Any Sooner Would Have Prevented” The Mass Kidnappings. The fact check also pointed out that the hashtag campaign “came after Clinton had left the State Department.” ABC: Clinton “Publicly Denounced Boko Haram.” An ABC News fact check rebutted Christie’s claim that Clinton personally “fought” to keep Boko Haram off the terrorist organization list and “responded to its mass kidnapping with a ‘hashtag strategy,’” noting that she publicly denounced the group and that “she was not Secretary of State when the kidnapping happened.”
VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
VERDICT ON CHRISTIE: PANTS ON FIRE
CHINA
CHRISTIE: Hillary Clinton praised the Chinese government for buying our debt to finance Barack Obama's bloated stimulus plan. She was so desperate for Chinese cash that she opposed the Buy American provision in the stimulus bill, in exchange for the cash, to finance a huge expansion in spending. So, Hillary Clinton, for putting big government spending financed by the Chinese ahead of good paying jobs for middle class Americans. Is she guilty or not guilty?
ANGRY MOB: "BURN HER AT THE STAKE" (Actually, they said "GUILTY")
DEFENSE: Just following the Bush/Cheney financial crash of 2008 was not the best time to launch a trade war with China. The leading opponents of the Buy American provision were business groups, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, because many of its corporate members no longer manufacture in the U.S. "If we refuse to buy foreign-made goods, then our trading partners will refuse to buy from us," Chamber President Tom Donohue said in February 2009. "And since we are the world's largest exporter, who will be hurt more?" Let's face it; unless the President is willing to start new wars, Republicans will never be happy.
VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
VERDICT ON CHRISTIE: PANTS ON FIRE
SYRIA
CHRISTIE: In Syria, imagine this. She called President Assad a reformer. She called Assad a different kind of leader. There's not 400,000 dead. Think about that. 400,000 dead at the hands of the man that Hillary defended. So we must ask this question. Hillary Clinton, as an awful judge of the character of a dictator and butcher in the Middle East. Is she guilty or not guilty?
ANGRY COMMONERS: "HANG HER HIGH" (or "Guilty"...whatever.)
DEFENSE: What is sold to the piranha's as weakness was actually a brilliant display of how diplomacy backed by strength can solve a problem without blowing up a country. Under intense pressure, the President put a deadline on Assad removing chemical weapons from his arsenal. As the deadline approached, Russia and the United Nations had intervened, and plans were already underway to remove the chemical weapons from Syria. Had President Obama followed through with military force, just as Assad was complying with the ultimatum, ISIS would surely be in total control of Syria at this time. Another cluster**** would have ensued, just like when Bush and Cheney jumped the gun by attacking Iraq in 2003. Had McCain or any other Republican been President at the time, we would currently be at war with Syria, Russia, North Korea and Iran. Thank God for "Brains over Braun".
VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
VERDICT ON CHRISTIE: PANTS ON FIRE and EXTREME DUMB-ASSEDNESS
IRAN
CHRISTIE: She launched the negotiation that brought about the worst nuclear deal in history. Let me be clear. America and the world are measurably less safe and less respected because of the Iran deal that Hillary helped cut. After she launched those negotiations, she became the biggest cheerleader for this agreement in the end. It's a deal that will lead to a nuclear Iran, and Israel will be less safe and secure, and a much more dangerous middle east. So let's ask it. Hillary Clinton, as an inept negotiator of the worst nuclear deal in America history, is she guilty or not guilty? (Christie then gave that smug smile to the crowd and raised and lowered his eyebrows a few times.)
ANGRY MOB: "ARREST HER AND BURN HER AT THE STAKE" (Actual "Guilty")
DEFENSE: Let me be clear. America, Israel, and the entire world is a safer place because of this agreement. UN inspectors are able to verify compliance, and Iran has shipped off its enriched uranium. The billions of dollars released to Iran was THEIR money that we had frozen in the sanctions, and upon signing the nuclear agreement, what was remaining of the money after other nations had been paid the money due them by Iran, was returned to Iran. It is a flat out lies to say that Obama GAVE Iran billions of dollars. It was theirs already, and we swiped it in order to bring them to the table. The President and Secretary Kerry are working diligently to bring Iran into the community of nations, to provide for a more peaceful, cooperative world. Incidentally, most of Israel agrees, and prospects for peace have never been stronger. Under a Republican regime, war would have already ensued, and everything would be in total chaos. Keep in mind that oil profits, war profits, and gun profits are about the only thing the GOP is interested in. The dark money funding their coffers is all that matters to them.
VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
VERDICT ON CHRISTIE: Extreme PANTS ON FIRE and EXTREME RECKLESSNESS.
RUSSIA
CHRISTIE: She went to the Kremlin on her very first visit and gave them that stupid, symbolic reset button. Ya know what I think that button should have read? It should have read "delete". Ya know she's very good at that by the way. And it should have read delete because she deleted in 4 years the safety and security that it took us 40 years to build. The next year, she said "America's goal was to strengthen Russia. Strengthen an adversary led by a dictator who dreams of reassembling the old Soviet empire? What an extraordinarily dangerous lack of judgment. So once again, we need to ask; as a flawed evaluator of dictators and failed strategist who permitted Russia back in as a major player in the middle east, Is Hillary Clinton guilty or not guilty?
ANGRY MOB: "FREE BARABBAS" ("Guilty")
DEFENSE: The re-set was a failure. Shortly after the reset, Russia, in protest of United States threats against Iran and U.S. espionage, they began acting more like the old KGB than the free Russia. It was a good try, but didn't work. For God's sake, do we have to start a war with EVERYBODY? The President and the State Department has been at odds with Putin since Putin took over. He is an ex-KGB guy that took over the reins in Russia when Russia was doing pretty bad after the Cold War. Putin disagreed with Republicans when they were fighting in Congress and with the United Nations to blow the hell out of Syria first and then deal with the consequences later. He waited, and waited, and waited for logic to prevail, and then decided to end the deliberation by siding with Assad against ISIS, doing much of our work for us. Unfortunately, this also meant that he had to protect Assad by providing support to him in his fight against the rebels, who the United States supports. It's a mess alright. Yes, Russia is a major player in the Middle East. It's about time someone else picks up some of the work, and arguably, American soldiers are NOT currently being blown up in the streets Damascus. My comments are surely guaranteed to outrage the haters, but it is what it is, and Russia is Russia. Did Hillary's support of the "Reset Button" cause Russia to go the other way? Hell no.
VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
VERDICT ON CHRISTIE: GUILTY OF WARMONGERING, RETURNING TO THE COLD WAR and SPREADING FEAR.
CUBA
CHRISTIE: Hillary Clinton supported concessions to the Castro brothers, and got almost nothing in return for ending the embargo. She supported a deal that didn't even require this murderous regime to return a cop killer. Joanne Chessimard to face justice. You see, I know about this personally. Joanne Chessimard murdered a New Jersey state trooper in cold blood, fled to Cuba and lives there under Cuban protection to this very day. How can someone live with their own conscience when you reward a domestic terrorist with continued safety, and at the same time, betray the family of a fallen police officer waiting for decades for justice for his murder. So let's ask the question. Hillary Clinton, as a coddler of the brutal Castro brothers and betrayer of the family of a fallen state trooper Werner Foerster and his family, is she guilty or not guilty? (smug grin..so proud he could exploit a dead cop and his family for political gain).
ANGRY MOB: "What the hell are you talking about?" (Actually, they said "Guilty" but have no clue.)
DEFENSE: Hillary was not even involved in this issue. Chessimard was arrested in the 1970's, and Obama began easing relations with Cuba after Hillary left the State Department. Chessimard escaped prison in 1979, after having been convicted of killing the cop. The single witness on the New Jersey Turnpike as not called to testify, and the guy she was with was convicted of pulling the trigger. Chessimard was an active leader in the Black Panthers. She was shot twice, once in the arm and once in the back as she had her arms raised up in compliance with orders by the police, and medical examiners determined that she could not have shot the officer. She did not pull the trigger, but New Jersey doesn't differentiate between the killer and accomplice. Apparently, her treatment in the NJ Correctional Facility was pretty bad, and friends from the outside gained her escape. After being on the run for four years, she sought and was granted asylum in Cuba in 1984.
In order for the United States, who has never formally asked that Chessimard by extradited, make a request from Cuba, Cuba will ask that Luis Carriles, who's failed assassination attempt on Castro and terrorist bombings, granted asylum in the United States, be extradited to Cuba. Oh, what a tangled web we weave when at first we practice to deceive. Bringing Chessimard to the United States serves no value to the U.S. intelligence, but releasing Carriles who was involved in the Bay of Pigs, Contra wars, and a lot of other U.S. spy games could have serious repercussions. It's a decision that the CIA made decades ago.
Barack Obama has decided that 40 years of punishment of Cuba is enough, and has begun to ease tensions between the two countries as Fidel Castro is no longer in power, humanitarian issues are much better than they had previously been, and economic cooperation between the two countries separated by just 90 miles will make for a more prosperous and free Cuba, and help Cuba move to a more democratic and free society. In addition, United States exports to Cuba will begin, adding jobs and opportunity for Americans. There's a lot more to this whole issue, but I support normalizing relations with Cuba big-time. Again, Hillary had and has nothing to do with this.
VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
VERDICT ON CHRISTIE: PANTS ON FIRE and a GENERAL LACK OF INTELLIGENCE
EMAIL SERVER
CHRISTIE: Finally, here at home in one of her first decisions as Secretary of State, she set up a private email server in her basement in violation of our national security. Let's face the facts. Hillary Clinton cared more about protecting her own secrets than she cared about protecting American secrets. And then, she lied about it over and over and over. She said there was no marked classified information on her server. The FBI director said "that's untrue". She said that she did not email any classified information. The FBI director said "that's untrue". She said all work related emails were sent back to the State Department. The FBI director said "that's not true". So, as to Hillary Clinton, the charge of putting herself ahead of America, guilty or not guilty?
ANGRY MOB: "GUILTY"
DEFENSE: How many times do I have to explain this? Through November obviously, but here you go again...
As much as Republicans want to create a different reality, Hillary did not lie to the Benghazi committee or the FBI about her emails. Everything she was aware of, she shared voluntarily. The FBI and DOJ are officially finished with the matter. Their verdict, as well as mine, is "Not Guilty". As hard as it was for him to admit, Republican FBI Director James Comey admitted the following in exonerating Hillary:
A) Out of over 30,000 emails reviewed, only three had any marking stating that they were “Confidential”
B) Of the three found marked “Confidential”, all three were marked in error, and should not have been marked “Confidential”
C) Of the three found marked “Confidential”, none were appropriately marked, and the (c) was misplaced far down into the email body, against regulation.
D) There is no evidence that any of Hillary’s emails, incoming or outgoing, were hacked. Comey initially made it sound like this happened, but no evidence exists that proves that. He put to rest the conspiracy Guccifer hacked into Hillary’s server, stating that this is false, and that Guccifer himself has admitted the hoax.
E) None of the remaining emails, at the time they were sent or received, were marked “Confidential” or “Classified” or “Top Secret.” None.
F) As Hillary stated in the House Benghazi hearings, she did not receive or send any emails marked “Confidential” 0r “Classified” or “Secret” except the three marked incorrectly. She told the truth.
G) While the use of a private server was considered “carelessness,” it was not considered “gross negligence.” The actual term the FBI used was “careless,” which Comey admitted is a far cry from gross negligence.
H) After the fact, some emails that had not been marked “classified” were retroactively marked classified by FBI. At the time Hillary sent or received these emails, they were not marked classified. She told the truth.
I) Despite phony claims, the State Department is not re-investigating Hillary’s email.
VERDICT: NOT GUILTY
VERDICT ON CHRISTIE: PANTS ON FIRE, and it's TIME TO STFU ABOUT EMAILS
DEFENSE CLOSING ARGUMENTS
Driving Hillary's approval rating from 66% in 2012, as she was touted as one of our greatest Secretary's of State, to just 40% today has taken a lot of effort by the GOP, Fox News and Conservative pundits. Every single claim of dishonesty or corruption about Hillary by Republican witch-hunters, is designed to do exactly what it has done to much of the electorate. It is very difficult to defend when this stuff was sold as fact to you for so long, and the lies travel many times through cyberspace before the truth can get a start.
The reality is that PolitiFact and most reputable journalists have determined that Hillary happens to be the most honest candidate that ran for President in either party. She has worked for decades for the betterment of society as a whole, not just here, but world-wide as well. With humanity on the brink, we need Hillary's intelligence, compassion, and experience to help us get through some pretty serious problems. Many believe, and I am one of them, that Hillary is our last-best hope for turning the tide in mankind's losing battle with ourselves.
FINAL VERDICT: Republicans have been found GUILTY of bearing false witness, ironically falsely accusing and convicting Clinton, in a mock trial without defense, of bearing false witness. The problem for Republicans is that there are hundreds of them in the Senate and House of Representatives guilty of the same crime. If we're going to convict without a trial, we should at least convict the right criminals.
One last thing.... Chris Christie may be the worst Prosecutor in history, and certainly unqualified to serve as Attorney General of the United States of America. Not to worry, Chris, there's a job opening as Trumps personal bell hop. I'll concede that you're qualified to continue carrying his bags for him, but keep in mind, it only pays minimum wage and you've been fighting against an increase in minimum wage for years. Whoops.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC FAKE ALLEGATIONS, PLEASE READ...
Well written my friend! Keep Up the Good Work! I'm With Hillary!
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