Sometimes I feel pragmatism here at DU is on short-supply. (Re: Comey)

[Tommy_Carcetti]

Before I elucidate, let me tell you what pragmatism is and isn't.

Pragmatism isn't about giving up on your heartfelt beliefs, positions and principles for the matter of expediency or avoiding all conflict, including necessary conflict.

Pragmatism is a matter of choosing one's battles and placing priorities of argument after taking into consideration the time and place and the appropriateness that arises therefrom.

Just as an example, over the past year or two, I've seen more than a few posts on DU with the message being (sometimes verbatim) "Fuck the media." And the underlying argument is that the media (which the poster will inevitably group together as a collective, even though in fact it represents thousands of different sources, mediums, personalities, viewpoints, etc.) gave Donald Trump a platform during the Republican primaries which essentially legitimized him as a candidate, where if it had ignored him, he would have been laughed away as the joke candidate he should have been viewed as. And as a result, the "media" has made its bed and now must lie in it in shame, and all further questions or criticisms of Trump by the media should be seen as self-inflicted wounds.

That's all well and good and you can argue that the media--in creating a "trainwreck" style of coverage towards Trump during his campaign where the inherent controversy he brings to the table means better sales and ratings--should not be afforded a pass.

But at this point, what good is that going to do? We already have Donald Trump claiming that the media (spare Fox News and a couple of other fawning outlets) is the "enemy of the people", a purveyor of lies, and shouldn't be trusted. So why in the hell should we have someone here at this Democratic/liberal message board echoing Trump's messaging and soundbites, even if for very different reasons than Trump?

Perhaps the "media" (in the collective sense) bears some degree of responsibility for creating the situation, but good luck trying to get out of the situation without the help of the media and quality journalism.

Now we have James Comey giving interviews regarding his book and the publication of his memos, and inevitably DU was hit with a whole host of "Fuck James Comey and we shouldn't care what he has to say because he totally screwed us earlier" posts. The reason for that sentiment, of course, is his handling/mishandling of the Clinton email investigation during the 2016 campaign.

And I'll fully admit for the record I'm just as miffed and puzzled by some of his decisions as to that regard myself, and perhaps the criticism and scrutiny of those decisions is well-warranted.

However, we don't have a time machine. The actual 2016 election has come and gone. We cannot change what happened in November 2016. The reality is now that we have a madman in the form of Donald Trump in the White House who did collude with Russia and who did act to obstruct the investigation of that collusion.

Considering the huge mess we find ourselves in, battles need to be picked for full impact. Right now, Donald Trump is launching an all out assault on James Comey and what he documented in his memo, his testimony to Congress, and his book. And there is nothing that should lead anyone to believe Comey is lying or acting out of a selfish agenda when it comes to his dealings with Donald Trump as President and his attack on the Trussia investigation. His claims are well-documented and supported by others and they need to be pushed forward, not hidden under the table because of past wounds.

Like him, dislike him, or have a completely indifferent opinion of him, James Comey is probably the very best witness there is as it relates to the Obstruction of Justice angle of the Trussia investigation. Attacking him personally and attempting to minimize his credibility does us absolutely no favors.

Echoing Donald Trump's talking points--albeit for very different reasons--creates needless self-inflicted wounds in which there would be only one winner: Donald Trump.

Don't do that.

Think.

Contextualize.

Pick only the smartest courses of action for the situation which you find yourself in.

Be sensible.

Be pragmatic.