The Email Scandal - What She Did

There has been a ridiculous amount of information and misinformation regarding the email scandal. I thought a hopefully unbiased summary might be of some value.

Server – Rather than use the State Department’s email system, she had a server installed in her home. This was done by people without any security clearance. While some of her predecessors may have used private email, none used a private server. This shows a shocking lack of judgment. Obviously it was not as secure as the State Department systems. Presumably this was done so she could have total control over the emails.

Emails – Once she had the server, she used it for her emails. This was obviously done to avoid the Freedom of Information Act. Using a commercial email service would accomplish the same purpose but leave a trail.

Comingling – She set up one account for both personal and professional emails. This was unbelievably stupid.

Classified information – There was little or no regard for using this system for sensitive, even highly classified, information.

Deleting – Before turning over the emails over to the State Department after she left office, someone went through and deleted those deemed personal. This was done using a word search, not by looking at each email. It is entirely possible that hundreds, if not thousands, of work related emails were deleted.

Lying – She has repeatedly lied to the American public. When caught in one lie, she tells another.

Each one of these actions shows a lack of judgment and/or character. The question is whether or not she committed a crime. James Comey has said that the statutes require an intentional mishandling of classified information and there is no crime without intent. I believe him to be a man of honor and take him at his word. I wish those that call her a criminal would point out a specific section of the criminal code that she broke.

More important than whether or not she committed a crime is whether she is fit to serve as President. Last year I did a blog titled “Unfit to Serve”. My belief has not changed.

What has changed is the nomination of Donald Trump. I also believe he is unfit to serve based on temperament and a lack of appreciation of our democratic process. That leaves voters between a rock and a hard place.
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