I count things that aren't imaginary and things that really matter, like the two supreme court justices (and soon to be three once Ginsburg retires or croaks) that he's appointed that will effect the law of the land for the next two decades. President Trump will completely change the direction of this nation through his SCOTUS appointments during his two terms in office.
I'm reading a book on the "ambition" of key folks on both sides of the American Revolution. The primary focus is on George Washington and Benedict Arnold. But, there is a large cast of characters, American and British, loyalists (Tories), and revolutionists. It's a fascinating read. One character, you would love, goosey, is an attorney...a slimy attorney (that's redundant)...one Joseph Reed of Pennsylvania. He was Robert Mueller before there was a Robert Mueller. I have no doubt that a book written 200 years from now will properly cast Mueller as the same self-serving piece of chit Reed was.
Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Case in point.
I have noticed that you folks who were about “locking her up” aren’t saying the same thing when your guy is the one that committed the crimes. What has changed?
On Benedict Arnold....
I have a different view of Arnold, now that I've been reading that book about him, and others at the time. No, Arnold was not without his faults/guilt, but he was really driven to switch sides due to the actions of Joseph Reed. One Continental Congressman, who appreciated Arnold as a general, came to his aid by writing a letter on his behalf to the president of the Congress, Henry Laurens, detailing the unfair/unwarranted investigations pending against him. In that letter, the Congressman used the expression "it's a witch hunt."
In the Spring of 1779, the war, the American Revolution was a stalemate. At that point, General George Washington was 2-6 in major engagements. He had his two brilliant victories at Trenton and at Princeton....and 6 humiliating defeats on the battlefield. General Benedict Arnold was a perfect 4-0, with the most significant being the Battle of Saratoga. Thus, overall we were 6-6 and had fought the powerful British to a standstill. As many historians say, had Arnold died that day at Saratoga, instead of surviving his horrific wound (leg), he'd be remembered as one of the greatest generals in American history! A year after Saratoga even Arnold recognized that and in a letter to a confidant, he wrote "only bad luck kept me alive to endure what I must these days. Far better had I expired that day."
Alas, that old lure of riches and power and celebrity status drove Benedict Arnold beyond his means.
The incident that best sums up Arnold's post-Saratoga troubles was the taking of two merchant ships....and the tons, and tons, and tons of critical supplies, wares, chests of silver, medicines, and the like. Two armed American merchant ships, the Active and the Charming Nancy, sat in the river below Philadelphia, trapped by the British Navy blockading the harbor, and a small British fort between the ships and the city. The British had abandoned Philly but took and/or destroyed critical supplies, like food, fresh water, and medicines. Even though he was great pain, still recovering from his wound, and the 3 surgeries he had to endure, General Arnold told the leaders of the city that he would secure the supplies from those ships. He had 50 wagons assembled, and took with him only 20 American soldiers, plus the teamsters who drove the wagons. Arnold approached the isolated British fort, with its 100 defenders, and the battery of heavy cannons covering the river. Under a white flag Arnold met the British commander to discuss terms. He said it was in the best interest of the British to abandon the fort, and if they did, Arnold would assure safe passage for the garrison to return to their own lines. The British commander looked past Arnold and counted, "You have but 20 soldiers, why should I fear an attack?" Arnold replied, "Do you really think I would have come here with only 20 soldiers?" The Brit replied, "No, I don't suppose you would have." And then agreed to the terms.
Brilliant ruse. General Arnold's reputation, by then well known to the Brits, allowed him to bluff his way to a victory, without firing a shot.
Okay, great, right! Yeah....except Arnold now saw an opportunity to make a buck. Together with a couple of lawyer friends, and a wealthy merchant, Arnold seized the two vessels and took from them all those goods. They then sold the supplies at HUGE mark-ups to the people of Philadelphia. There are more details how they pulled this off, but the gist of it is, Arnold justified his actions because of his mounting personal debt, and to having to pay those same lawyers to defend him against the attacks of Joseph Reed. THIS is where, and how, Benedict Arnold departs from his previous path of being a true American hero, to ending up known as the biggest traitor in American history.
British general Howe's Chief of Staff, Lord Sterile (something like that), wrote of Joseph Reed's "witch hunts," He [Reed] is doing us a great service....by prosecuting General Arnold, and others, he is forcing "the fence sitters" to take sides and he drives them straight into our camp.
Is it still on Netflix?
I watched the first season it was on regular TV, but lost interest, mostly, after that. I did watch some more episodes. I'd rather read history, and not be disappointed by the inevitable poetic license producers take when making movies or TV series.
Benedict Arnold's civil trial and court-martial...
Arnold decided to act as his own attorney. First because as a narcissist, and he was, he thought no one could do better, and secondly because he had come to despise attorneys. Joseph Reed and his merry band of "witch hunters" thought they had Arnold nailed. One of the attorneys who had plotted with Arnold to seize the supplies from those ships and sell them for huge profits, had gotten cold feet, and was afraid the plot would be discovered in its details. Two merchants had been hung, in a public hanging, by Reed and his cohorts with scant evidence of any wrong doing. Actually, it was later learned the two merchants were innocent, to which Reed shrugged it off, saying "it will still serve as a warning." So, this attorney, went to Reed and confessed to the plot, "turning state's evidence" in exchange for a guarantee he would not be prosecuted. Reed wanted Arnold most of all, so he agreed.
But, just hours before the trial was to begin, a friend learned of this and warned Arnold. Making his opening statement, Arnold admitted to the plot. He justified it by saying, the people of Philadelphia needed those supplies, the medicines, and many hundreds would have soon died if not for HIM [Benedict Arnold] taking action. One of the 3-judge panel's own daughter was one needing that medicine. Arnold looked that judge square in the eyes and asked, "Do you regret paying a fee to save your daughter?" He continued, "Who else but me could have pulled that off?" He reminded the panel he had secured the supplies, and captured a British fort without firing a shot. Arnold then pointed at that attorney, now seated next to Joseph Reed, and said, the only reason I agreed to sell those supplies was to feed the trough of those said to be defending me against false charges. Oh, he might now say something differently, to protect himself, but I assure you, it will all be lies!
With that opening statement Arnold rendered Reed's case ineffective. It worked too. Arnold was found not guilt of all charges, except the "misappropriation of government property for personal use" (the 50 wagons, the teamsters, and the 20 soldiers). He was ordered to pay a small fine to reimburse the government for it. Typical Benedict Arnold though, instead of simply accepting his victory in court, he was incensed about the fine. He wrote his wife, "I did nothing wrong, and I am made to suffer the public humiliation of paying a fine, like a common criminal."
General George Washington had rebuffed numerous communications from Arnold, asking him to intervene on his behalf. Washington wrote Arnold a letter, about a month before the trial. In it he emphasized that Arnold was facing a civil court, on charges brought by a duly elected body "The Pennsylvania Executive Council" and that it would be inappropriate for he, General Washington, to use his influence as a military leader to usurp the rule of law. But he expressed confidence that Arnold would beat the charges "on the merits of the case." On the military aspect, the court-martial, Washington said he would use all his influence possible, short of ordering the panel to rule a certain way. "the integrity of the process" must prevail, Washington wrote.
After the trial Washington wrote a letter of congratulations to Arnold, with one reprimand. Washington expressed extreme dissatisfaction with Arnold profiting personally from the seizure of the supplies. "We are charged to serve the people" he wrote. "You have tarnished the image of the Continental Army as a prominent officer, so admired and so respected by so many." But, Washington needed Arnold! General Benedict Arnold was a fighter, and a brilliant commander. Washington confided in a close advisor, "General Arnold is ten times the battlefield commander that I am."
Washington then, to smooth things over, offered Arnold "whatever post, whatever position in the army you aspire to." Benedict Arnold knew which post he wanted....commander of the largest and most important fort, and military installation, America held: West Point, New York.
Nice! Please keep posting "the rest of the story".