So, No Oscar for Mueller? By Connie Schultz

[babylonsister]

https://www.creators.com/read/connie-schultz?fbclid=IwAR0Tcz2ZyinWWNASJlE0NlZcuZ51UzQN8VuVXM-9MVrsM9Hz1GST7DgWsPo


So, No Oscar for Mueller?
By Connie Schultz
July 25, 2019 6 min read


Minutes after Robert Mueller III had completed his first round of Wednesday's congressional testimony, journalists and pundits started weighing in — on his acting abilities.

Mueller was "boring" and "phlegmatic."

His performance was "a disaster," "painful" and "deeply unsatisfying."

Some compared his testimony to the bombastic pathology of Donald Trump — and even the conversational theatrics of former FBI Director James Comey — and found him wanting.

Mueller had expressed not one partisan viewpoint. He refused to be political. He even stumbled at times, failing to remember every reference in the 448 pages of his published report.

In this time of crisis in our country, with the most dangerous president in the United States history, they wanted former special counsel Robert Mueller to be entertaining.

Look at what we've become.

Better yet, look at what Mueller did say during his seven hours of testimony.

Let's start with the Judiciary Committee, and Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler's questioning:

snip//

If any word of this strikes us as boring, we have our own question to answer: When did we give up on America?

[treestar]

1. Exactly.

It's getting depressing. All shallow, all the time.

[Zoonart]

7. Are we not entertained?

This article is 1000% spot on.

[calimary]

39. Mindblowing. "Gee, it wasn't a very good show."

[tblue37]

28. The problem for a lot of people is that Mueller's responses come across as saying, "RTFM!"*

* "Read the f***ing manual!"

[The_Counsel]

34. Yes. And Mueller Said Two Months Ago That He'd Do Just That

What saddens me is it appears not a single elected official (Edited to Add: except Adam Schiff and--MAYBE Elijah Cummings) wants to impeach the president because he's a criminal. If anything they want to impeach because they don't like him and/or his policies--which is exactly the WRONG reason for doing it.

Donald J. Trump should resign TODAY because he is compromised. Even if he did that, he should be immediately taken into custody and tried for his crimes. Crimes for which any other U.S. citizen would be tried. The end.

[DemocracyMouse]

37. Where does a citizens arrest come into play?

[The_Counsel]

41. It Doesn't, Sadly...:-(

Secret Service detail could probably put down a citizen's arrest attempt easily.

In a perfect world, #46 will NOT be of the GOP persuasion and will have the full power and might of the DoJ at his/her disposal. Hell, if it were me, I would arrange for him to be taken into custody on Marine One right after the Inauguration. But that's just if I were the new Commander in Chief....

[treestar]

54. Can't agree about the Democrats

they would want to be sure they have good evidence. Like any prosecution, you don't just go ahead because the defendant is "a criminal." You need a specific charge and some degree of confidence that you have enough evidence for a conviction. When you can't pick the jury and know it is biased (Republican Senate) you need even more than enough for proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

[CatMor]

2. Great article.....

the one I find boring is trump. I'm so tired of his same old shtick everyday I stopped watching news on TV. From what I have read of Mueller he did a fine job.

[pazzyanne]

16. He did!

He did, and his afternoon hearing with Adam Schift was great! The republicans in the morning hearing were grandstanding attack machines. If you can't dispute what is said, Kill the messenger! If I were a republican member of the committees I would not be able to look myself in a mirror. They were not interested in finding out what was in the Mueller report. They were only interested in attacking the biggest patriot in the room. It was disgraceful!

[FarPoint]

3. Like someone just stated on MSNBC " Morning Joe"

We didn't ask for Robert De Niro to testify...it was Robert Muller to clarify the Muller Report...which he did well...

[octoberlib]

4. Last night Brian Williams did an hour

of Mueller and Democrat bashing. I feel like I watched a completely different hearing than Beltway reporters and pundits. Do they realize that most Americans haven’t read the entire report and that was the purpose of this hearing? I didn’t expect any new blockbusters but there were couple new things I learned. Like the FBI is still investigating Trump/Russia.

[Zoonart]

5. Lately Brian Williams has spent his hour knocking down

the two housr set-up by Rachel and Lawrence. I turn it off.

[Farmer-Rick]

10. Yes, me too

I missed the beginning of the hearings and so I left Brian Williams on, even though I dislike him, to hear what had happened.

I was so angry with him. I never heard what Schiff had to say. I just heard how Mueller was not performing well and the optics were bad. You would think I was watching Fox.

This is a right wing talking point making the rounds of all the right wing media and even center left media. Know that it is straight up BS. Mueller was Mueller. A straight lace careful investigator NOT an overpaid news talker.

[RVN VET71]

11. Brian's never recovered from that devastating helicopter crash in Iraq

He was involved, you must remember, with the military's surveillance of terrorist strongholds, and stood on the skid of a Huey, pointing out to the crew where the terrorist's were, and shouting "God Bless America" as the ship he was in was struck by a stinger missile and crashed to the ground. How lucky that he survived to share with us his wisdom, born of his experiences and iron-clad integrity, regarding the political scene that prevails today in the country he so loves.

But, seriously, his pretended experience in Iraq apparently injured his brain, hurting his ability to interpret what he sees presented in front of him. So he uses the crutch of formulaic punditry.

May he be quietly but peacefully retired.

[nolabear]

14. ...

Staahp!

Seriously, he might have recovered from that. He’s chosen not to. Too bad.

[PA Democrat]

31. Great description of Williams

[lefty2000]

32. Brian Williams is a Light Weight

He is prone to profound statements like "I have just been handed some great reporting!" I cringe every time they run that clip.

[UpInArms]

6. They are playing into the trump narrative

That a “performance rating” not a substance rating is what is important.

It is his code ... and they are his new Cohens.

[dhill926]

8. This all does bring the fall...

of the Roman Empire to mind. Very depressing...

[justhanginon]

9. Probably word from the exec suites. Since the words were damning, create a diversion

by talking about the "optics" and ignore the actual testimony. Then switch to the obscene clown show known as trump loudly proclaiming his innocence if possible. Journalists? Bullshit!
They did as told. That's exciting by their political pundit grade school standards.

[PA Democrat]

12. Recommended.

Sad that there were people here on DU pushing the "disaster" description of the hearings.

If we learn NOTHING ELSE from dealing with the Minion of Moscow, it must be the importance of controlling the narrative.

[pazzyanne]

13. K & R

Perfectly stated, babylonsister!

[2naSalit]

15. K&R

I also see the "nobody has read the report" meme to be code indicating that everyone is bored with this major problem already.

That's not true and it seems to be used to cast the concept that nobody even reads anymore.

[Timmygoat]

17. I guess we all remember

That Gorilla Barr issued Mueller with a long list of things he could not talk about before he would agree to let him testify, his hands were tied from the beginning.

[sl8]

18. I was told there would be bread and circuses ...

[Roy Rolling]

19. Like Fine Wine

Mueller’s testimony will age well over time.

[ananda]

20. The truth is simple and uncomplicated.

I like it.

[redstatebluegirl]

21. The main threat to America is our educational system.

I talked to more people yesterday who said "I quit watching because they were boring". I found them interesting and something every citizen should be curious about. Not how entertaining they were, but getting to the truth about the attack on our democracy by Russia, and about the high crimes and misdemeanors committed by the President of the United States. I wasn't there hoping someone lit themselves on fire for my entertainment.

The amount of people who do not understand our government and how it works, who don't understand the impeachment process and the checks and balances in government. Our very lives could be in danger and our citizens want to be entertained like our government is an episode of "The Bachelor" (yet another example of what is wrong with us right now).

[Pepsidog]

30. You are correct. My 22 year old college educated son is a Trumper. I told him last night his views

don’t count in my house because he has no idea what is happening. Many young people today couldn’t answer basic civics questions. Young men see Trump as macho and want to emulate him because of his wealth and ability attract women. They have no clue how his policies, destruction of the regulatory system of our government, and how his federal court judicial appointments will effect their lives and their kids lives. But can I blame them? I was a Trump fan during the Apprentice years. I bought into his fiction of being a billionaire even though as a resident of NJ I saw him destroy Atlantic City with his gaudy, mismanaged casinos. It was only during the campaign that I realized that Trump was an ignorant fool who knows nothing. For young men Trumps appeal is understandable. When I was 19 years old I voted for Ronald Reagan and as a young man bought into the thought that the Dems were weak. After all Carter didn’t inspire confidence in our nation. As I grew older, went to college and law school, I realized that the Republican Party were nothing more than religious zealots who stood for nothing. As a lawyer I saw the Rs push Tort reform and bankruptcy reform two areas of law I specialize in. Bankruptcy reform under W was especially cruel, a big give away to the banks who wrote the law. Most people filing bankruptcy are hard working middle class people who suffered from either divorce, job loss or medical condition that wiped them out. 96% of my clients were ashamed to be filing bankruptcy and never thought they would. After Bankruptcy reform, the legal costs of bankruptcy increased and make filers jump through hoops before they can file. The biggest indignity is that before you can file a debtor must take a credit counseling course which informs people they can save money by turning off the lights and other idiotic suggestions. Funny how the banks who were bailed out and caused the Great Recession were never required to take such courses before lending huge some of money to people without verifying their income. Republicans have really fucked up this country. Sorry for rambling but it’s all so crazy.

[mcar]

22. Looking at you, Chuck Todd

[Pepsidog]

26. He must go. Both-sider Todd is a disgrace.

[mcar]

27. He is completely ineffectual

[Pepsidog]

33. I can't believe Nicole Wallace is one of my favorites.

[mcar]

40. I only listen on Sirius when I'm in the car

But I like her too.

[Pepsidog]

44. Me too

[JI7]

23. Chuck Todd is a piece of shit

[calimary]

43. He's certainly dropped a big piece of shit on journalism.

Mr. “I just bring one side on and let ‘em say their thing. Then I bring the other side on and let them say their thing. And voila! That’s all I need to bother with.”

Mr. “It’s not my job to ask questions or try to get to any truths.”

I despise Chuck Todd. If I were running MSNBC, he’d be one of the first staff changes I’d make. I’ve never been impressed with him.

[live love laugh]

57. Agree 💯 percent--wish I could agree more. nt

[live love laugh]

58. Dan Abrams is another piece of shit.

On The View today he tried to end by saying that “the Democrats” failed. Thankfully Whoopi didn’t let him get away with it—she quickly said no they did a GREAT job and went to commercial. Abrams’ expression after failing to get away with his bullshit was priceless as he looked at Whoopi and then down.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. Enthusiastic K&R

[Pepsidog]

25. Very true.

[dlk]

29. Perfectly Stated-How Shallow So Many of Us Have Become

Our country is being destroyed before our very eyes and some are complaining about not being entertained.

[gademocrat7]

35. Director Mueller is not an entertainer.

He testified before Congress that trump committed obstruction of justice numerous times. Instead of critiquing his delivery, pundits and viewers should be processing how dangerous this administration is and how Russia is still trying to destroy our democracy.

[Johonny]

36. It would have been nice had Mueller come off as giving a * about what's in his report

[Wounded Bear]

38. It's the Reality TV presidency...

[mnhtnbb]

42. The Oscar goes to Chairman Adam Schiff

for this stellar performance in his opening statement at the House Intelligence Committee . When I first watched this clip on-line (didn't watch the hearing), I felt like I was seeing something written for The West Wing. This is a man who understands the importance of the Mueller report--for its substance--and the challenge this country faces in preserving the rule of law and the integrity of our system of government.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=m9HiLh5gTng

[MFGsunny]

55. +1

[malaise]

45. Connie nailed it

Rec

[Pepsidog]

46. Mueller could have been more articulate and animated. After 2 years he owed us a better performance.

But the focus on 2020 must be do we the USA want Trump to be the face of what once was a great nation. Right now the USA is not the greatest nation in the world. I grew up believing that but Bush and Trump and the Republican Party since Newt Gingrich has proven we are not this shining city on a hill. We are slipping into a banana republic everyday that these traitors hold power. Right now we are closer to the Axis of Evil than anytime in our history. Just yesterday Trump administration proposed making it harder to get food stamps and today Barr wants you know to bring back the Federal Death penalty. Thank you Republicans, the Founding Fathers are turning in their graves.

[emulatorloo]

47. Great op-Ed. Thank you for posting it.

[moondust]

48. Trump is a corporate media creation.

They have to protect their boy if they want more tax cuts and deregulation and zombie viewers boosting their advertising revenues.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

49. M$M sure got excited about Barr's lies and Trump's lies, though

Truth seems to bore our tv masters.

[elocs]

50. Reality sucks and is a harsh master, but it is what it is.

This is the reality and the world we live in and it does no good to wish it away or pretend it was otherwise.

[tymorial]

51. Someone needs to remind the mainstream news media that Congress is not a reality show

The priorities of far too many people in this country are completely screwed up

[Progressive dog]

52. The ratings go up when loud

and nasty people spit on right and wrong to win. We now have a conman holding the presidency and trying to turn it into a dictatorship. The mock patriots still control the Senate, SCOTUS is fast becoming a layer of the swamp scum that was helped to power by Putin and Fox News still exists and prospers.
The fact that the Mueller hearings are dominating the news was a win for democracy. Even idiots like the GOP congressmen spent most of their time attacking the origins of the investigation, not what the investigation found. Maybe you could get Trump off on that technicality (fruit of the poisoned tree), but that wouldn't make him any less an amoral psychopath who continues to obstruct justice.

[elleng]

53. Thanks, b'sis; 'sharing.'

[warmfeet]

56. This narrative plays well with the Democratic Underground.

For the swing voters, of which I am not one, we may want to pay attention to their concerns.

We want their votes. We want the orange asshole gone.

[JonLP24]

59. I wonder what life would be like if we were in the days of Walter Conkrite

Or an era where you didn't know journalists political leanings. What is certainly missing is investigative journalism.

[orangecrush]

60. Expected.

At least for me it was.

Money before country, as usual.

[CottonBear]

61. Last evening's NPR analyst roundtable was appalling. "Democrat Party" was blamed

...for EVERYTHING.

[CDerekGo]

62. Better yet

When did America need to be 'entertained' for every waking second of daily life? It's almost as if every moment, of every day has to be a 'reality show' and what 'ratings' any network receives. This is exactly why I no longer have cable tv, and gave away my 55" LG flat screen last month. There literally is NOTHING to watch on television, except for someone else's opinion. No one goes on television and states facts any longer

[VOX]

63. So the Trump Show draws bigger shares? We're fucking living in "Network."

Paddy Chayefsky’s script rings truer with every passing year. But instead of Howard Beale, we got Donald Trump.

Last word from Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius, “Are you not entertained?”