More on Clinton's exchange with Wallace!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

PolitiFact fumbles again:
Candidate Trump's peculiar behavior has driven Candidate Clinton's emails from public view. That said:

Yesterday, at New York Magazine, Jesse Singal critiqued Clinton's recent discussion with Chris Wallace of those infernal emails. We thought he did a poor job.

In fairness, so did Lauren Carroll at PolitiFact. Singal began his piece by reviewing Carroll's fact-check of Clinton's statements.

In our view, Clinton's statements to Wallace were strange, but these journalistic analyses were perhaps even stranger. Elementary facts went unmentioned. Basic questions weren't asked.

Let's review what the fact-checkers said. Today, let's start with Carroll:

What's wrong with Carroll's fact-check? For starters, she seems to assume the omniscience of Comey the God.

Consider the passage shown below. Quite correctly, Carroll notes that Clinton's statements to Wallace seem to contradict Comey's earlier statements. But at no point does she say how she knows Comey is right:
CARROLL (8/1/16): Take the video Wallace played on Fox News Sunday. In it, Clinton said, "I did not email any classified material to anyone on my email. There is no classified materials" (March 10, 2015); "I am confident that I never sent nor received any information that was classified at the time" (July 25, 2015); "I had not sent classified material nor received anything marked classified" (Aug. 18, 2015).

But Comey reported that, of the tens of thousands of emails investigators reviewed, 113 individual emails contained classified information, and three of them bore markings signifying their classification status. (Information can still be classified even if it does not have a label.) Eight email threads contained top-secret information, the highest level of classification, 36 contained secret information, and the remaining eight contained confidential information.
It's true. Comey did make the statements Carroll describes in the highlighted passage. He did say that three (3) of the emails "bore markings signifying their classification status." Beyond that, he did say that 110 other emails "contained classified information."

Comey the God did sat those things, first in his July 5 press statement, then to the House two days later. But who's to say that Comey was right? On whose authority did he make those pronouncements?

No one asked that question during Comey's testimony; in her fact-check, Carroll simply assumes that his judgments are right. She simply assumes that Comey was right in what he said about those emails. This is the way our "press corps" behaves when a major Establishment Figure has been anointed a God.

Forget the three marked mails for now. Is it true? Did 110 other emails "contain classified information?" It's certainly possible that they did. But what makes Carroll so sure?

Simple—Comey said! This is the way our press corps' most exalted fact-checkers proceed with a case of this type.

Carroll simply assumes that Comey's second statement was true. That said, let's return to Comey's first statement, in which he said that three emails "bore markings signifying their classification status."

It's true! Comey the God did make that assertion, first on July 5, then again before the House. But under questioning in the House, Comey acknowledged an awkward fact—the three emails which were "marked" had all been marked incorrectly!

Under questioning, Comey acknowledged that the markings had not been placed in the headers of the emails, where the recipient would be able to see it. That's where the State Department manual says the markings should be placed.

We think it's astounding that Comey only acknowledged this problem under questioning two days after his dramatic initial statement. Only three of the 30,000 emails had any "markings"at all—and in each of those cases, the markings had been misplaced!

We stopped believing in Comey's good faith when he failed to mention this problem. But what about Carroll? She doesn't even mention this problem with Comey's treatment of the marked emails. After that, she simply assumes that Comey was right about the other 110 emails.

In her exchange with Wallace, Clinton seemed to suggest that she and her associates actually weren't emailing classified information. Yesterday, we imagined a possible reason for her convoluted statements to that apparent effect.

As we suggested yesterday, Fred Kaplan's piece in Slate may start us on the road to Clinton's thinking. But Carroll did a very poor job outlining the basic facts of this case.

Our view? Comey the God was remarkably slick in his treatment of the "marked" emails. Carroll simply ignored this problem, after which simply assumed that Comey was right about everything else.

Clinton's exchange with Wallace was strange; Carroll's analysis is perhaps even stranger. But this is the way our press corps works. Basic analytical skills no longer exist in this guild.

How do we know that Comey is right? On what basis did he make his assessment? Carroll never explains!

Tomorrow: Singal takes it from there

19 comments:

  1. The liberal media should make a huge stink about those misplaced markings. It's true. Cmon guys - get it together.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Comey lumped Clinton in with her colleagues at the state department when he pronounced they were extremely careless. None of the top secret e-mails originated with Clinton as Diane Feinstein has revealed. Somehow Kaplan knew the actual content was related to CIA drone strikes. That's why she made the statements to Wallace about trusting her colleagues. She never dreamed when she set up the server that classified stuff would land there. I'm sure if the non-classified state.gov accounts of every one in the state department was scoured the way Clinton's account was, there would be many many inadvertent breaches.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I guess I am doing nuance on this one. I don't think Comey was treated as a God. I don't think the basic appropriateness of what he was doing was sufficiently challenged.
    I think the left just took it as a win that he was finally ending the thing and there was no indictment. Sure, the exchange between Comey and Goudy was comedy gold, just totally nonsensical, but leave it be, we won. Some Clinton fans are trying to set the record straight but it doesn't much matter. Like The Marc Rich Pardon being the most shocking affront to common decency in the history of mankind ( Thank God speaker Hastert will not be troubled by this matter!) Clinton haters going to hate hate hate.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Washington Post, NPR, USA Today* and PolitiFact all challenged Clinton’s claims, saying they appeared to be based on a selective and misleading interpretation of Comey’s remarks. The Post awarded her “Four Pinocchios,” the worst truth-telling rating it gives, for statements it classifies as “Whoppers.”

    WaPo, NPR and PolitiFact tilt left. USA Today is slightly left. Are all these liberal sources wrong?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "liberal sources": you're funny.

      You ought to check out a great blog.
      It's called The Daily Howler by Bob Somerby.

      Are they all wrong: YES

      Delete
    2. I feel sorry for Dunning-Kregers like David. Maybe there will be a cure soon.

      Delete
    3. So you're saying that those four sources took Comey as infallible? That's Bob's point.

      Delete
    4. No, Bob is making another point. Comey behaved inappropriately and has proven himself to be a sleezy partisan.

      What I am saying is that they are wrong because their argument is illogical.

      Here is the title of Lauren Carroll's article at PolitiFact.

      Hillary Clinton's wrong claim that FBI director Comey called her comments about email 'truthful'

      Under oath at the ridiculous, unprecedented and extraordinary Congressional hearing, Comey answered the question.

      "We have no basis to conclude she lied to the FBI," Comey told House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) during one of the hearing's opening exchanges.

      So, when asked about this by Chris Wallace, that's all she repeated.

      Clinton Rules demand that she is never allowed to defend herself. She has been slandered and smeared with rumors and false news reports filled with rank speculation for over a year. she has had to remain silent while this ridiculous FBI investigation proceeded, enduring a constant stream of leaks from investigators to GOP sources.

      Now that the investigation is finally over and she has been exonerated, the media will still not accept the verdict.

      No one, including Glenn Kessler and Lauren Carroll can possibly know and have no basis for speculating what the FBI asked her and what her answers were.

      Yet here they are claiming they do know, claiming that they just know that what she told the FBI differs in some material way from what she has been saying publicly all year.

      Look closely at the dishonest way Chris Wallace begins:
      ***
      WALLACE: After a long investigation, FBI Director James Comey said none of those things that you told the American public were true.
      ****

      In reality, what Comey said when asked that specific question directly"

      *Chaffetz then asked whether Clinton lied to the public. "That's a question I'm not qualified to answer. I can speak about what she said to the FBI," Comey said.
      ***
      Here is how Clinton answered.

      ***
      CLINTON: Chris, that's not what I heard Director Comey say, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity, in my view, clarify.

      Director Comey said my answers were truthful, and what I’ve said is consistent with what I have told the American people, that there were decisions discussed and made to classify retroactively certain of the emails.

      I was communicating with over 300 people in my e-mailing. They certainly did not believe and had no reason to believe that what they were sending was classified.

      Now, in retrospect, different agencies come in and say, well, it should have been, but that's not what was happening in real time.
      ***

      You really have to be highly motivated to twist her answer into a 4 Pinocchio rating.





      Delete
  5. You want your ex back with a good relationship and this spell caster can solve all the marital problems and
    Many issues is a good spell caster
    Get in touch with
    Dr. ukaka
    He specialized in casting various spells.
    (Greatspellcasterr@gmail.com)
    WhatsApp + 2348101333444

    ReplyDelete
  6. Are you stuck in a cycle of payday loan? Have unexpected
    bills? Do you need a loan, additional money for
    upgrades and repair your car? Apply now



    INFORMATION borrowers

    The names of {1}
    {2} Country
    [3} Address:
    [4} Age: Number of 5.Fax:
    {6} The number of .Personal:
    {7} Occupation:
    {8} Gender:
    {9} Monthly income:
    {10} Amount Needed:
    {11} Loan duration:

    wicklaurelscapitalsoughtfirms@gmail.com

    Sincerely

    ReplyDelete
  7. Greetings to everyone who is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my husband after three (3) years of

    marriage just because another woman had a spell on him, and he with me and the children left to suffer. one day,

    when I was reading through the web, I saw a post about how this launcher of spells in this direction

    (Greatspellcasterr@gmail.com) number is (2348101333444), are to help a woman to return to her husband and gave him

    an answer to his address and he told me that a woman had a spell on my husband and he told me that I am going to

    help and after 2 days of that I'll have my husband's back. I thought you and now I'm glad that everyone you know

    that this spells Launcher has the power to bring back lovers. because I am now happy with my husband. It is

    specialized in the following spell.

    1. to make your lover or husband's return
    2 spiritual bullet-proof
    3 training
    4. the money spell
    5 long-lasting spell
    6. prosperity spell
    7. protection spell
    8. obtain a spell of employment
    9. become a manager of spell
    10 get a huge loan without having to pay any fee's spell
    11 get your cash back scam
    12 spell child
    13 spell pregnancy
    14. the freedom spell
    15. the love spell
    16, vanishing spell
    17 spell human invisible
    18. the success or the spell pass
    19. the marriage spell
    20 spell Avenging
    21 spell of popularity
    22 spell Killing
    23 spell cancer
    24. supernatural power spell.

    contact (Greatspellcasterr@gmail.com) their number is (2348101333444) and its WHATSAPP (2348101333444) is even

    written in 1 John 4 vs 1, not you condemn any spirit, but to test every spirit that is not the one of God, because

    God help through man. success

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well put. If you read the full interview, the context is clear and the focus (if we should focus on this at all) is why she did it (never asked or clarified) and was real classified information that could be damaging at risk (never discussed or reviewed).

    Most importantly, she was exonerated from wrong doing.

    Maybe the reporters should get one of these marriage spells. I don't know why, but just thought someone should acknowledge them! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi. Im 25years old and I was with my ex for 3years after a year of being together we moved in with eachother with my daughter who calls my ex daddy our relationship was great living apart but once we moved in with eachother the arguments started and my trust issues. I always use to get funny about him going down the pub with his mates while im at home and we then ended up falling out and he would be gone all night and come in at like 3-4am drunk. I also use to get funny about him going away on holiday with his mates every year. I know him breaking up with me was my fault but not sure why he broke up with me anyway money was getting tight living together so we decided to move out and he go back to his mums and I get a place for me and my daughter we argued alot at that point because of the stress trying to find somewhere to live he said he wanted to go on a months break after moving out so we can clear our heads 3weeks into our break me text me saying we’re over I was really upset because I love him so much I was always texting him and ringing him saying I love him give me another chance then he blocked my number so I couldn’t contact him do then I message him on fb asking about my daughter as she was going on about how she doesn’t understand why she’s nit seeing daddy anymore he replies with contact me once your over me and I will have contact with your daughter.so I left it a week and even though im not over him still till this day I messaged him saying I was over him so he replies with im glad to hear your over me we will arrange something for me to see your daughter. I still love him and I wanted him back i told my sister about it and she introduced me to the Famous Prophet Akim,who helps in so many ways.i contacted him and he did his thing,before i knew it,the next day Moric called me and apologized that he was sorry for everything and im sure he will never leave me again. i am so happy now,you can also get in touch with akim on his email .(prayerstosavemarriage@hotmail.com) :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. My name is dr.midnight from United States. I wish to
    share my testimony with the general public about
    A great spell caster called (Dr.midnight5@gmail.com) have done for me,
    this temple
    have just brought back my lost ex
    lover to me with their great spell work, I was dating this man called
    Steven we were together for a long
    time and we loved our self's but when I was unable
    to give him a male child for 5 years he left me and told
    me he can't continue anymore then I was now
    looking for ways to get him back and also get pregnant, until a friend
    of mine told me about this temple and gave me their contact email,
    then you won't believe this when I contacted them on my problems they
    prepared the items and cast the spell for me and bring my lost husband
    back, and after a month I missed my monthly flow and go for a test and
    the result stated that i was pregnant, am happy today am a mother of
    a set of twins a boy and a girl, i thank the temple once again for
    what they have done for me, if you are out there passing through any
    of this problems you can contact this great Dr for help listed below:
    Contact them...drmidnight5@gmail.com or call them on +23437137208

    ReplyDelete
  11. My name is dr.midnight from United States. I wish to
    share my testimony with the general public about
    A great spell caster called (Dr.midnight5@gmail.com) have done for me,
    this temple
    have just brought back my lost ex
    lover to me with their great spell work, I was dating this man called
    Steven we were together for a long
    time and we loved our self's but when I was unable
    to give him a male child for 5 years he left me and told
    me he can't continue anymore then I was now
    looking for ways to get him back and also get pregnant, until a friend
    of mine told me about this temple and gave me their contact email,
    then you won't believe this when I contacted them on my problems they
    prepared the items and cast the spell for me and bring my lost husband
    back, and after a month I missed my monthly flow and go for a test and
    the result stated that i was pregnant, am happy today am a mother of
    a set of twins a boy and a girl, i thank the temple once again for
    what they have done for me, if you are out there passing through any
    of this problems you can contact this great Dr for help listed below:
    Contact them...drmidnight5@gmail.com or all them on +2347037137208

    ReplyDelete
  12. How I Got My Ex Husband Back...........

    I am Shannon by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my husband after three(3) years of marriage just because another woman had a spell on him and he left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address Makospelltemple@yahoo.com , have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a woman had a spell on my husband and he told me that he will help me and after 2 days that i will have my husband back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my husband. Thanks for Dr.Mako. His email: Makospelltemple@yahoo.com OR. his phone number: +2348108737816.

    ReplyDelete
  13. In our simple life, love plays a very specific role.Now you are able to make your love life healthy and it has no space for any type trouble. These all are possible with the help of AGBAZARA TEMPLE OF SOLUTION. He helped me cast a spell that brought my long lost lover back withing 48hours who left me for another woman. you can also contact him on ( agbazara@gmail.com ) or whatsapp or call him on +2348104102662 and be happy forever like am now with his experience.

    from USA.

    ReplyDelete
  14. My name is Thelma Williams, i am writing this to attest to the healing mettle of Dr. Ayeni. I have being under the hold of the deadly disease known as HIV for over 8 years now. I have sought help and solution from all and sundry but to no avail. I searched all nook and cranny for a lasting solution but was greatly disappointed. Not until i stumbled on a testimony of a woman` who suffered same ailment and was cured by Dr Ayeni. He gave me some specific directions which i strictly adhered to, to the very last. He prepared a herbal medicine for me, gave me directions on how to use it and the dosage for each day. And after about 2 weeks of intense application of this herbal medicine, i got the desired result and today i am hale and hearty, sound and healthy. All thanks to Dr Ayeni. I strongly believe that this testimony will be of help to some other person out there with any form of illness, be it STDs, or what have you, just contact Dr Ayeni. through this Email:ayeniharbelcure@gmail.com through his website:http://ayeniharbelcure.wix.com/cure

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

    BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS


    1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
    2. Telephone Numbers:……….
    3. Address and Location:…….
    4. Amount in request………..
    5. Repayment Period:………..
    6. Purpose Of Loan………….
    7. country…………………
    8. phone…………………..
    9. occupation………………
    10.age/sex…………………
    11.Monthly Income…………..
    12.Email……………..

    Regards.
    Managements
    Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete