James Comey's Book

A Weekly Online Publication of the Anonymous Anything Society — May 2, 2018

REVIEWING JAMES COMEY'S BOOK: A HIGHER LOYALTY-Truth, Lies, and Leadership - Part II

Comey titled it "Roadkill" and used the most appropriate observation by "The Iron Lady" as a lead-in to things connected with the then FBI Director's challenge "to do what is right instead of what is politically expedient." (his words on the inner fold of the front cover).

"Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides. -Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher"

The former FBI Director tells some compelling stuff when he revisits a famous case: The Marc Rich pardon by President Clinton, then jumps directly into the investigation initiated by President Obama's Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, who responded to a referral from the inspector general of the intelligence community that raised the issue: did Democrat Party Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton mishandle classified information while using her personal email system when Secretary of State?

The next two pages of the book detail what constitutes "Confidential," "Secret" and "Top Secret" information and the potential of damage wrought by the misuse of Intelligence contained in any of the three classifications of government intelligence:

The result of the investigation: Thirty-six of Hillary's email chains were about topics that could cause "serious damage" to national security and eight could cause exceptionally grave damage to the United States. Comey added an important modifier: "If released." (We will never know whether or which any of these emails resulted in actual damage. However, I believe that chances are overwhelming that they were hacked.)

The really important question for Comey: Could the FBI prove that Hillary knew she was doing something she knew she shouldn't be doing? (My comment: We all probably have had problems with email, but not coupled with such crucial ramifications, such as could any our spies in foreign countries be outed by Hillary's misuse of easily hacked email servers?)

As illustration, Comey takes a break and recapitulates the sorry case involving CIA Director David Petraeus and his notorious affair that ended with his lying to the FBI about his providing his lover classified documents, whereas according to Comey, everyone Hillary emailed on an unclassified system dealing with some classified topics, did have appropriate clearances and there was a legitimate need for the recipient to know the information Hillary provided. There is a difference here. Petraeus deserved his punishment. (My comment: Mrs. Clinton will never know how much this lack of proficiency with Internet devices cost her in the race for the presidency; this alone is severe punishment.)

With the election heading into the bottom of the ninth inning with both political parties baying for resolution, Comey must have felt he couldn't satisfy anyone in either party. With vigorous prodding from the politicians urged on by the media for an answer that could be contrary to long-held policy of the FBI of keeping silent regarding even the possibility of admitting the existence of an ongoing investigation. James Comey had to feel stuck on the railroad crossing with the approaching locomotive's headlight shining in his eyes. It is apparent that he felt obligated by circumstances to speak to the matter by what at this juncture was, in his estimation, the public's need to know.

Meanwhile, a complication: he had gotten an invitation from the President to come to the White House for a "get acquainted" luncheon.

(To Be Continued) Part I of my review can be found on the link below to "Archive of Prior Commentaries."

Can't wait for my review to continue? "A Higher Loyalty, Truth, Lies and Leadership" is riveting reading. It is well-written for a first-time, neophyte author. Yes I've read all of it. Discerning what was bound to have been going on in his head while all of this was evolving can best be done by each reader of Comey's reflections. I suggest you obtain a copy from your favorite bookstore. I'm glad that I did.

-Phil Richardson, Observer of the Human Condition and Storyteller. "He goes doddering on into his old age, making a public nuisance of himself."—Joseph Menchen

Our unending thanks to Jim Bromley, who programs our Archive of Prior Commentaries

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