In a world where the average American just wants to enjoy a quiet day at the beach, away from the tumult of politics, it’s quite ironic to see a former influential figure stir up controversy with something as seemingly innocent as seashells. Recently, James Comey, the onetime guardian of justice, found himself in choppy waters when he shared a photo of seashells spelling out “86” and “47.” One might think he was just getting crafty with shell art, but given the context, many see a veiled threat aimed at Donald Trump, whose status as the 47th President is the hope of many conservatives.
Now, everyone knows that “86” is slang for canceling or eliminating something. So when you pair that with “47,” it doesn’t take a conspiracy theorist to connect the dots. Comey claims it was all harmless, yet why should anyone assume innocence from someone who has wielded such power? It’s like assuming that a cat in a canary shop is just window shopping. Conservatives and regular folks alike are justified in raising an eyebrow, perhaps both eyebrows.
What gets really interesting is the media’s response to this not-so-subtle shell message. Instead of focusing on the potential threat in Comey’s little beach escapade, much of the mainstream media seems more interested in painting conservatives as the ones overreacting. This is especially rich coming from the folks who spent countless hours dissecting every aspect of Elon Musk’s actions, only now to handwave away something potentially serious as “innocent.” The hypocrisy is as clear as day, particularly when one considers how stringently such things are handled if they were aimed at a liberal figure.
Given his previous tenure at the FBI, one might expect Comey to know that words, or in this case, shell arrangements, can have significant implications. Anyone else making a similar gesture might have found themselves receiving a not-so-gentle knock on the door from law enforcement. An acquaintance from radio once said something flip during an Obama visit and got a swift visit from the Secret Service. But when you’re someone of Comey’s standing, it seems there’s more leeway, which many find a stark double standard.
It’s bewildering to many that his actions haven’t prompted a deeper investigation. If a truck driver pulled a similar stunt, there’d likely be consequences much quicker than you can say “seashell.” But as it stands, Comey’s shell game continues, with many wondering why his actions aren’t being scrutinized with the same rigor afforded to others. The American people are watching, and they’re growing tired of the uneven scales of justice tilted in favor of former power players. Until something shifts, we’ll all just have to keep guessing what message the next beach outing might have in store.
