Re: Oct. 28 news story.
FBI director James Comey’s announcement of reopening the Hillary Clinton e-mail investigation is either an intentional interference in the election process, or itap a terrible lapse of judgment. If intentional, itap a violation of established protocol and an egregious affront to voters and to our democracy. It may actually be a violation of the Hatch Act, the law intended to discourage government officials from using their power to influence elections. Certainly it will reflect negatively on the director and the bureau. Without evidence of criminality, the disclosure should have been delayed until after Nov. 8.
Since the FBI’s failures of the 1990s, the bureau has put lots of effort in gaining public trust, but Comey’s bad judgment or bad intention could have deleterious, long-term consequences for the country if elections are thrown to undeserving candidates — thereby finalizing the country’s status as a banana republic.
Walt Heidenfelder, Denver
I am no political operative, nor do I have a financial interest in the outcome of the election. I am, however, naive enough to still care about truth and justice.
I am a former federal prosecutor who was honored to receive letters of commendation from the director of the FBI and the chief of the criminal division of the Justice Department. I recently had contemplated returning those letters to FBI Director James Comey because I had felt them so tarnished by his treatment of the Clinton investigation. When Comey publicly stated in July that he had found no evidence of Clinton knowingly committing criminal acts, he and the DOJ completely ignored the legal precepts of conscious avoidance and reckless disregard as evidence of criminal knowledge and intent. My experience cried out “fix.”
By publicly reopening this matter Comey has restored a semblance of integrity to his office and created the possibility that justice may indeed triumph.
Anthony T. Accetta, Denver
So, James Comey, head of the FBI, has announced that, in an unrelated matter, they may or may not have found some e-mails which may or may not be new and which may or may not concern Hillary Clinton. It was important to make this announcement now because the information may or may not be relevant to the coming election. They may or may not announce more specific details, but if they do it will be after the election.
Is any comment necessary?
Paul Brown, Denver
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