For democracy to work we must know that it works equally for everyone, that people no matter their level of privilege are above the law. This is a founding principle of our reality in America, or at least it is supposed to be. When you live in the margins of America you learn very quickly that is not how it works. During the campaign, one of the things that was going to happen with the change maker Trump was painting himself as no longer was there going to be two systems of justice. That everyone was going to be treated the same. Let’s see how that is working...
For example, what is it about Hillary Clinton that made her word so dubious? She never was convicted of a crime, everything she has been investigated for was not charged due to the events having occurred deep in the shadows of legal intersections. Is it good judgement? NO! Does it look good? NO! Is it any different that what is happening now in 45’s administration? NOT EVEN AN IOTA!! Even now in this administration with their promises of swamp draining have avoided these darkened places where so many political figures operate, and yet the same thing made HRC’s guilt inescapable?
Ms. Clinton was Secretary of State and part of the Clinton Foundation- when she met with officials of foreign governments. During that time was she talking for country or for foundation? Can a person holding multiple positions be completely free of influences from the opposing side? While it was Ms. Clinton being asked the question, the answer was no. It should be acknowledged that she and Sessions while not being of the same political beliefs, have similar records on the kind of service they have provided. Both are long time public servants- senators, closely linked with government, and also nether has ever been convicted of anything. It should also be of note though that unlike Sessions, she has never been turned down for federal jobs due to concerns about partiality due to her perspectives on race. It is of great note that Corretta Scott King, the wife of our country’s greatest civil rights organizer, wrote a letter about Sessions saying that his appointment to any position would “irreparably damage the work of my husband”, Dr. King. She never felt the need to do that when Ms. Clinton was nominated for governmental positions.
That said, we all know that during the campaign Sessions met with the Russian ambassador. It happened during the time he was acting as a surrogate for the campaign. (www.cnn.com/...) The meeting was after the announcement about the Russians being responsible for the hack. It was after some of the information from the hack had been dripping out. Somehow, Sessions judged that it would be fine to meet with Sergei Kislyak.(www.cnn.com/...) Then when he was being confirmed in front of the Senate Justice Committee, he was asked “if it was discovered that someone in the Trump campaign had communicated with the Russian government what would you do?” His answer was that he “was not aware of any of those activities. I did not have communication with the Russians and I had been called a surrogate a time or two.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kudqbdgVqs)
After all of the facts were revealed Sessions made one excuse after another. At one point, he even engaged in the best “aww, shucks” stereotypical southern persona, and admitted that he should have answered differently. He was nervous? Couldn’t remember what he should say? The eventual excuse that stuck was the explanation that he just believed he was asked if he had met as a surrogate with the Russian ambassador, not as a Senator. It is funny, I did not realize that they were different people. I always thought you had people like that campaign for you because they were senators- so how could the two be separated? The meeting with Kislyak took place with Jeff Sessions the senator- even during the two times at the Republican Convention? Okay sure, he was nervous and because of that he had the chance to amend his testimony- I guess no one really explained how that was ok, legal, but you know he was a senator, a prosecuting attorney. Too bad there was no testimony from an unimpeachable source testifying to his character, oh yeah...
Would any of those exceptions been awarded to anyone else? An average person who is hardworking, who has never been in trouble except for what their parents had done? Ask young Jessica Colotl, a DACA recipient who just had her work permit and protected status revoked because she lied to a law enforcement officer. Likely an officer asking her if she was a legal immigrant. She was scared, and doing what she had to do to survive and stay in her home. even more disheartening is that the charges of lying to an officer were dismissed by the criminal judge. The ICE petition argues that as an admission of guilt Just like Sessions was scared and nervous when Sen. Franken asked him that question. He lied. Maybe he was scared that like in 1986, the truth would come out about who he is, Funny, I think Ms.Colotl was feeling the same- too bad she isn’t Sessions, then maybe her life wouldn’t be upended in the way that the new American system of #TrumpJustice is enacting.
I was always told that why a person breaks the law makes little difference, but in the dawning era of #TrumpJustice who you are matters. Reason for the crime could play into the punishment, but still there is a punishment. In essence, lying is lying when it comes to the law, but that is only true in writing, and in middle class white reality perception. In reality, none of those actual standards apply to rich, powerful senators, and surrogates of their class- is this what cultural practices they were talking about with their #MAGA hats? The return to the high point of white supremacy? Back to the place where white was automatically right? With the lies, the Muslim Bans, the attacks on Plan Parenthood, and everything else that has to do with People of Color, women, and issues of poverty. Then when it is topped off with the torch burning protest last night- it seems like that is the goal. Considering the level of fear and intimidation that a gang of white people with burning torches represents for PoC communities it is hard to believe that protecting Confederate statues does not seem to be the only point. (www.washingtonpost.com/...) What evidence do we have to the contrary?
Is this American Justice? Really? Is this how we hold the powerful to the same standard of justice that Ms. Colotl is experiencing? Sadly for Ms. Colotl, she is the sacrificial lamb that will make #TrumpJustice more real. Everyday 45 & the Kleptokrats dismantle more and more of the good parts of our system. Is this who we are? More importantly, is this who we want to be?