Our Precarious Conundrum

The present moment is fraught with confusion and mayhem for some of us, while for others everything is just fine.  One side of this conundrum is former CIA Director John Brennen’s statement to Mr. Trump yesterday after the McCabe firing.  “When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history…America will triumph over you.”

The other (and opposite) side of the conundrum was expressed by Attorney General Sessions:  “The FBI expects every employee to adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and accountability,” and Fox reporter Robert Charles’ comment, “There the story of McCabe ends.  What is happening, plain and simple, is that justice — and respect for the non-political oath taken by all men and women at the FBI, Justice Department and in federal service — is being restored.  And that is the truth.” 

A conundrum is “a confusing and difficult problem, or question.”  Synonyms are “puzzle, quandary, enigma, or dilemma.”  All of those synonyms work in this situation.  America is in a quandary.  America is divided.  America is in a dilemma—one side with Brennan and the other side with Trump and Fox News.  The conundrum (problem, question, puzzle) is which side has the truth?  Both claim it.  Who is right?  One side cries “injustice” and the other “justice.”

If the FBI “expects every employee to adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and accountability” should we not also expect the same from the highest office of the land?  Or from the Attorney General?  From our congress men and women? And from our “so-called free” press? I’m all for “the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and accountability,” beginning at the top and flowing all the way down.  If it isn’t at the top in the FBI suggests Mr. Trump, the Attorney General and Fox reporter Charles, then justice is jeopardized.  I agree with the premise.  I’m looking for the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and accountability from all three of them:  Mr. Trump, Attorney General Sessions, and Fox News.

Erosion is a reality.  A raging river can create
 Gooseneck State Park in Utah.