The media (D) must be thrilled that at least SOMEONE on team-Trump got iced.
Honorable man that he is, General Michael Flynn has submitted his resignation after the recent controversy about his conversations with a Russian Ambassador.
Here are some ‘Fast Facts’:
— General Flynn’s stellar thirty-year record was emphasized. This recent unfortunate incident ought not to overshadow all the great work he has done over a lifetime of service.
— However this story may have been reported elsewhere, Flynn states that he spoke with a significant number of his counterparts. His contact with Russian ambassadors should be seen in that context, rather than as a secret backroom deal type of a meeting. In his own words:
In the course of my duties as the incoming National Security Advisor, I held numerous phone calls with foreign counterparts, ministers, and ambassadors. These calls were to facilitate a smooth transition and begin to build the necessary relationships between the President, his advisors and foreign leaders. Such calls are standard practice in any transition of this magnitude.
— This is being explained as an oversight or an omission, rather than an intentional cover-up. As he has described ‘numerous’ phone calls with counterparts, his explanation becomes more plausible than it might have been had this been the only ambassador with whom he had spoken.
— Flynn who is being painted as ‘pro-Russian’ even though he is on record in NOVEMBER being critical of American policy with respect to Turkey which would possibly drive a Nato Ally into the waiting arms of Russia. (Is that how pro-Russian hardliners talk?) The same article that explains these points, also makes a case for why the CIA has an axe to grind with General Flynn and may have played a part in ousting him.
— Flynn’s position will be filled in the interim by his chief of staff, Keith Kellogg.
— With political ‘blood in the water’ we can anticipate media attempts to make this a bigger story than it really is. In fact, early signs are that they already intend to do so. Watch for leading choices of words like ‘Russian Contacts’ that imply a shady connection between Flynn and the Russians, and contrast that to what you have seen elsewhere, like concern that our Turkey policy will weaken our relationship and strengthen Russia’s. It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out which side is playing politics over this issue.
Let’s contrast the CNN ‘broke the law’ stories (exhibit A) with the following statement:
First, the allegation of various Democrats that Flynn violated the 1799 Logan Act is silly. No-one ever has been prosecuted under the Logan Act. It forbids U.S. citizens from communicating with foreign governments “with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States.” Flynn reportedly was talking about prospective policies of an administration that would take office in a matter of days; it is absurd to construe such discussions, whatever they may have contained, as an intent to undermine disputes with the United States. —David P Goldman
And finally, here is the text of General Flynn’s resignation letter:
“In the course of my duties as the incoming National Security Advisor, I held numerous phone calls with foreign counterparts, ministers, and ambassadors. These calls were to facilitate a smooth transition and begin to build the necessary relationships between the President, his advisors and foreign leaders. Such calls are standard practice in any transition of this magnitude.
“Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador. I have sincerely apologized to the President and the Vice President, and they have accepted my apology
“Throughout my over thirty three years of honorable military service, and my tenure as the National Security Advisor, I have always performed my duties with the utmost of integrity and honesty to those I have served, to include the President of the United States.
“I am tendering my resignation, honored to have served our nation and the American people in such a distinguished way.
“I am also extremely honored to have served President Trump, who in just three weeks, has reoriented American foreign policy in fundamental ways to restore America’s leadership position in the world.
“As I step away once again from serving my nation in this current capacity, I wish to thank President Trump for his personal loyalty, the friendship of those who I worked with throughout the hard fought campaign, the challenging period of transition, and during the early days of his presidency.
“I know with the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and the superb team they are assembling, this team will go down in history as one of the greatest presidencies in U.S. history, and I firmly believe the American people will be well served as they all work together to help Make America Great Again.” (as transcribed by Pamela Geller’s site)
