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Likewise, former special counsel Robert Mueller regards as complete and infallible his written report on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible "collusion" or obstruction of justice by President Donald Trump and associates.
As Mueller made clear in his only comments since his report was handed down from on high, he has no interest in testifying before Congress, because he has provided from beginning to end that which he intends humankind to know.
"Any testimony from this office would not go beyond our report," Mueller said back in May. "It contains our findings and analysis, and the reasons for the decisions we made. We chose those words carefully, and the work speaks for itself. And the report is my testimony. I would not provide information beyond that which is already public in any appearance before Congress."
One envisions Mueller sitting at the witness table and, under questioning, doing nothing more than leafing to the appropriate page of his sacred text to recite his answers. Mueller is smart. He understands that many regard him as an infallible arbiter of truth. His admirers portray him as beyond reproach. Throughout his investigation, he remained inscrutable and aloof. He knows that testifying can do nothing but lessen the impact of his written words.
The Mueller report has been scrutinized and debated just as biblical scholars parse the meaning and intent of every word of scripture. G od does not subject himself to man's interrogations. He does not clarify his intent or participate in political theater. Likewise, Mueller understands the value in remaining above it all.
That is why, rather than resist the notion of Mueller testifying, Trump and his Republican allies should be clamoring for it. They should be thrilled that his advent was delayed a week to allow for more time and more questions. Why did he select certain members of his team and not others? Why did he interview some witnesses and ignore others with pertinent information? Why did he ask one set of questions and ignore other avenues of inquiry? Why did he break prosecutorial tradition and elaborate on incriminating episodes when no charges were forthcoming?
Highlighting those items and many others, no matter how inconsequential, will reveal that Mueller is a human being subject to the same imperfections as are all humans.
Mueller knows it, too.
He has nothing to gain and everything to lose by subjecting himself to the political agendas of Trump's persecutors and defenders. His testimony cannot enhance his written report; it can only diminish it. Democrats are foolish for insisting on such a spectacle, and it is likely Mueller has tried to explain as much as he negotiates his manifestation before Congress. In fact, Mueller, a churchgoing man, knows he is not G od. He is fully aware that he is not omnipotent or divinely inspired. He realizes that the more he elaborates in public testimony, the more his fallibilities will be revealed. He worked hard on his written report and fine-tuned it to perfection. "We chose those words carefully, and the report speaks for itself," he said. His report is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.
Everyone from Abraham Lincoln to Mark Twain has been credited for a variation of the quote, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."
Regardless of its source, it is a sentiment filled with wisdom. It is widely agreed that Trump's approval rating would jump several points if he would cease his endless tweet-fests. He chooses instead to remove all doubt on a daily basis. By contrast, Mueller knows silence is golden.
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies,"King David wrote in the 23rd Psalm, describing G od's care for him under dire circumstances. But in their bloodlust to devour Trump, Democrats are leading Mueller to a witness table prepared for him in the presence of his Republican enemies, content to make him their sacrificial lamb
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Abernathy is the former publisher and editor of the (Hillsboro, Ohio) Times-Gazette.
Previously:
• 07/02/19 No one makes the President as unsteady as Kamala Harris does
• 05/28/19 In the heart of Trump Country, renewable energy is about to flourish
• 05/08/19 These are the times that try cynics' souls
• 04/19/19 Mueller report is out. The other shoe may drop soon
• 04/16/19 It behooves serious journalists to delve into a story that might actually be worthy of Watergate comparisons
• 04/09/19 Get ready for Mueller report 'bombshells'
• 03/26/19 Trump Country's reaction to the Mueller report: 'So what?'
• 02/14/19 Things are going well if these stories are considered big news
• 01/22/19 '%#&@ --- Trump found something to bash us with yet again!'
• 01/14/19 The wall is Trump's 'read my lips' pledge
• 01/10/19 Dems risk misreading the meaning of the midterms
• 12/24/18 Is arming teachers a good idea? Depends on where you live
• 12/11/18 The partisan media still doesn't understand us
• 11/23/18 Prez honoring Elvis? It's about time
• 10/03/18 The Kavanaugh accusations were just what the doctor ordered for Trump Country
• 08/21/18 America can't stop watching
• 08/07/18 To the GOP's base, Trump can do no wrong
• 07/31/18 Will the media's anti-Trump fever ever break?
• 07/24/18 The media's martyr complex
• 07/18/18 What got Trump into hot water regarding Putin was not what he said
• 06/14/18 One lib pol's careful playing of the Trump card
• 06/13/18 Roseanne's twisted tweet was horrible. Its consequences will be worse
• 05/08/18 America's charitable instincts know no political divide
• 05/01/18 Millions of women voted for Trump, and didn't need a man to convince them
• 04/05/18 'Roseanne' is not pro-Trump; it's pro-civility
• 01/09/18 Trump is right to bully America's enemies
• 12/11/17 Abandon Trump? Oh, absolutely not now!
• 11/10/17 Please, Big Media, come visit us in Trump country
• 10/12/17 The left does not out-care the right
• 08/15/17 An honest conversation about race is not allowed
• 08/02/17 Why people like me still support Trump