In a twist of fate that feels almost as satisfying as watching a Hollywood villain receive their comeuppance, former FBI Director James Comey has found himself on the receiving end of the judicial gavel. Charged with criminal offenses, it’s as if there’s a glimmer of accountability shining through the smog of political double standards. Just days before the statute of limitations would have kicked in, the GOP must be feeling like they finally found the rulebook the Democrats have been using for years. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good plot twist?
It’s a breath of fresh air to see the once untouchable Comey, who practically penned a manual on saving face while jousting with political rivals, now facing the stern glare of justice. Remember the good old days when he suggested lawfare against Trump, wishing he could lock him up, bar him from future service, and practically run him out of town on a rail? Well, the shoe’s on the other foot, and it fits quite nicely. Comey’s innocence claims about not leaking FBI information to the press but rather having a friend do it? Let’s call it a masterclass in plausible deniability.
However, don’t get those hopes up too high. The cynics among us might wager a few loose bills that this case might never see a jury. Perhaps the courts will discover a sudden case of selective amnesia, or maybe, just maybe, they’ll see Trump’s public decree for indictments as proof of malicious prosecution. Come on, let’s be real – mob bosses don’t broadcast their plans on social media. But hey, at least there’s something to distract from the monotonous hum of ‘business as usual’ on Capitol Hill.
Meanwhile, the ever-entertaining saga of online censorship continues. With right-wing figures like Alex Jones testing the waters of YouTube’s supposed free speech mea culpa, only to find the platform’s door swiftly slammed shut on their digital faces, it’s clear there’s a discord between policy and practice. Vive Ramaswami, in a rare display of backbone, publicly called for lifting bans on conservative voices, arguing that censorship stifles everything America stands for, from free speech to the mighty pursuit of scientific inquiry. One has to wonder, though, if Silicon Valley misunderstood democratizing speech as democratizing who gets to speak.
Lest we forget the ‘book bans’ by mighty Amazon, the silent banisher of ancient and controversial literary works – a kinder, gentler burning at the digital stake, if you will. It’s curious, though, how the vocal defenders of free speech suddenly develop laryngitis when it comes to calling out Big Tech’s Orwellian overreach. A funny notion this is, censorship disguised as protection and endorsed by apathy, unless, of course, one dares hit the like button on suppressed content to sip a cup of digital rebellion.
Thus, in the court of public opinion, the race remains ongoing, with each side hoping the scales will tip in their favor. Whether it’s Comey tangoing with justice or forgotten volumes seeking the freedom to be read, the landscape of political gamesmanship and digital dominion keeps its audience on a rollercoaster that only climbs higher. Here’s to hoping the riders don’t lose their lunch.
