What's The Deal With Hillary's Emails? Buster Explains It All

In the latest news this morning, the FBI has been able to retrieve some emails from Hillary Clinton's private server.  Hillary had said previously all her personal emails were deleted.  Apparently not.  The FBI said it will continue its review to see if any classified information was mishandled.

OK, time out.  What's the problem with Hillary's emails?  What did she do wrong?  It's helpful to go back and review.

Hillary Clinton never used an official government email account in her four years as Secretary of State.  Instead, she used a personal email account on her own private server.  She sent plenty emails to other people with .gov email accounts; she just never used one herself.

No one at the State Dept. noticed or cared until 2014.  At that point, State requested she turn over all government-related emails and information on her private server.  Hillary provided them with about 30,000 work-related emails, but she deleted another 30,000 "personal" emails.  Then she had her server wiped clean and turned it over to the FBI.

Most of Hillary's explanations and rationalizations for her use of private email have been plausible but rather weak (e.g. "convenience").  She should have used an official public .gov account because 1.) that's what government employees do, and 2.) undoubtedly some of her communications contained classified material.  But, intentionally, she didn't do it that way.

Do not jump to conclusions about classified material.  Lots of unimportant drivel is "classified" initially, just for the power-trip hell of it.  Most classified info is rather quickly declassified.  And "classified" does not mean "top secret."

Hillary has acknowledged her error in judgment in using private email, and has apologized for it.  Her conduct in this area was borderline unethical (emphasis on borderline), but was not in any way illegal.

In addition, there has been zero evidence (so far) of any nefarious purpose on her part, or of any of her emails being hacked, causing a national security breach, or doing any demonstrable harm of any sort.  There is no smoking gun, no unforgivable sin.

For example, there are no emails like these:
_____________________________________________

From:  HRC
To:  Staff@statedept.gov
Just heard credible reports that some crazies are planning to attack one of our embassies in Libya.  I say fuck it, those goofy diplomats are on their own.
_____________________________________________

From:  HRC
To:  v.putin@russianbear.gov
Hello, Vladi, you shirtless hunk!  Thought you'd like a copy of our nuclear launch codes.  Here they are.  Enjoy!  My best to you and your horse.
Love, Hil
_____________________________________________

Stuff like that?  No.  "Mishandled" info?  Yes.    But that's enough for the conspiracy theorists who still believe that Hillary made an illicit fortune on Whitewater real estate (she lost money), and that she had White House Counsel Vince Foster murdered to cover it up.  (Puh-leeze!)

This email "scandal" is no scandal at all.  It's just Ken Starr redux -- shiny-object bullshit designed to damage and distract.

In reality, it's small foul, no harm.  Hillary Clinton may not be a perfect candidate, but this little sideshow shouldn't take her down.  If she's the nominee, I'll certainly vote for her, because she'll be far preferable to any possible opponent.