I watched both hearings yesterday. I have read the Mueller Report. My expectations going in were not for bombshell revelations, not for me, at least. But then that's what happens when YOU HAVE READ THE REPORT. You already know the extent of the depravity, subterfuge, and complete disdain for our rule of law practiced by Trump and his minions. And that's just in the unredacted part.
No, my expectations had more to do with my fellow citizens who might deign to tune in and receive a Cliff's Notes version of main events.
And that is exactly what was offered. Yes and no answers. Passages from the actual report being read into the record for the public, and for the confirmation from Bob Mueller that they were accurate.
As I was watching, one thing kept nagging at me - although this was the height of REALITY TV, as this shit actually happened, it clearly was not going to be flashy enough for our hooked-on-adrenaline populace.
There were no zombies (Although the sycophantic bootlickers come close). There were no Real Housewives with pathetic catchphrases (Although, Who needs truth when you have power and Chardonnay? would be a good one). People weren't naked (but we should be very afraid). No one was hooking up on Love Island (despite the copious Trump asskissing in plain view). A million dollars and a recording contract were not on the line (one could, however, clearly see who was auditioning for a bigger role in Trump's Playhouse). Howie Mandel did not have a bevy of beauties with suitcases (hell, Jim Jordan couldn't even be bothered with a jacket again). There were no dragons breathing fire (Pssst, GOP - screaming at a witness does not make you look like Drogon. More like Hodor. All apologies to Hodor.). No one using the word "cocksucker" as a noun, a verb, an adjective - all in the same sentence. (Kudos to both sides for not going that far.) No rose ceremony or human soup in a hot tub. (There was alphabet soup as words with no meaning poured forth from maws like Nunes and Gaetz.)
You know, all the things it takes to keep our interest, make us watch, invest in the outcome.
And that is just so very sad.
Instead of focusing on the plainly stated facts of obstruction and Russian interference in our elections which is active and ongoing; instead of paying attention to the measured, quiet, non flashy, non partisan tone of Mueller; instead of coming away incensed at what has been done to this country - the takeaway was "Meh. He looked tired, confused."
JFC, are we really that addicted to scripted drama that real life is too boring for us to process?
Robert Mueller is a veteran, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient. He has served this country for decades, and he has served it well and honorably. He is 74 years old, of course he looks tired. He doesn't spray tan, loop his hair into some cotton candy farce, or have a plastic surgeon on retainer. He is dignified, thoughtful, knows his business, understands discretion, and was not there to sing a song and hope you called in a vote for him.
I am disgusted by the "He looked weak, couldn't hear" lines. If you actually watch these hearings, the person at the desk fielding questions ALWAYS has trouble hearing from the assembly in front of them. There are ALWAYS requests to have a question repeated. And the person at the desk ALWAYS looks around trying to find who is speaking to them this time. Because there are MANY and they do not go down some methodical line.
He had the two volumes of the report beside him for reference. And he did reference them often to make sure he was being accurate and not led. He did not agree with something that was unclear or slanted. He was not lured into offering his opinions, as his opinions are not germane. He refused to speak to ongoing investigations, offer details on deliberations that rely on confidentiality because he understands what is at stake not just in this, but in every case that may go forward from here.
As for his age? You suddenly hold Mueller to some arbitrary standard, when you literally see a mumbling, stumbling, illiterate orange dullard on TV daily and that's cool because he talks like you, thinks like you, entertains you?
But then, that's the whole crux of this response to Mueller's appearance yesterday. He did not titillate, he did not make shit up, he was not contentious, he did not pepper his word salad with "great" bigly" yuge" or point his finger and squawk FAKE NEWS! ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!
And that criticism applies to the left, not just the right. There were just as many on the left decrying how boring it was (it was a Congressional hearing, not the Kardashians), how awful Mueller looked (again, he is 74, for Christ's sake), that he couldn't hear (my mother is in her 70s, wears a hearing aid, and is still sharp as a tack), that he seemed confused (point of fact, he only seemed "confused" in the face of the shit laden monologues of GOPers that had no real question anywhere in them).
It is disappointing. It was not up to Mueller to make it flashy, catchy, mesmerizing - make you give a damn. The facts of this case are flashy enough on their own, and you should give a damn. They should be appalling to every citizen. And every citizen should find them irrefutably damning to the scourge in the White House.
But go ahead, keep looking the other way. Run your mouth about how Mueller was disappointing TV. You know, the things that really matter.
Because at this rate, you are likely to get your wish for much more exciting television drama as Russia affects yet another election and you get to watch a new series called Dancing With The Czars.
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