EASY READING — The Weekly Opine

A 15-year July 4th tradition of reading the Declaration of Independence will be augmented this year. (Photo credit: The Weekly Opine)

The gift of knowledge.

On the 4th of July, I sit on my porch under the American Flag and read the Declaration of Independence. It is a 15-year tradition that I will honor again this week, as always, early in the day before parades and cookouts begin.

This year, I will also re-read the Mueller report executive summary. I read it a few weeks ago and found it to be enlightening and worthy of a second read.

The full Mueller report is 448 pages and too time consuming for most of us. However, the executive summary is only nine pages, printed on 8 ½ x 11 paper. (This is the same executive summary that Attorney General Bill Barr ignored when he issued his deceptive, 2-page letter earlier this year.)

Some folks express indignant outrage about the Jussie Smollett hoax and Kim Foxx’s handling of the case, but they remain silent about Trump’s criminality. (Photo credit: UPI, WGN-TV, Time Magazine)

Everyone high school age on up should read the executive summary. Especially anyone who finds the time to rage about the Jussie Smollett hoax, which is nothing compared to what Trump is doing.

And there is not a better day than Independence Day to acquire understanding of how the Trump administration is undermining our fundamental, constitutional tenet of the rule of law. Particularly if you plan to watch Trump’s speech Thursday.

The eye-opening executive summary of the Mueller report takes only about 20-25 minutes to read. (Photo credit: The Weekly Opine)

Set yourself free

Volume I of the 9-page executive summary deals with collusion. Volume II deals with obstruction. Reading both volumes – which total only nine pages - takes 20 to 25 minutes.

The last paragraph of Volume I is particularly compelling. It refutes Trump’s “no collusion” claim. The paragraph makes it clear that, due to deleted information that was purposefully kept from Mueller, collusion is still an open question. The executive summary states the unavailable information “would shed additional light (or cast in a new light) the events described in the report.”

Before hoisting your flag on Independence Day, or attending a big parade and fireworks show, every American who values our democracy should read the executive summary and learn for themselves – not from MSNBC or Fox News - what the Trump administration is doing.

Here is the link to the executive summary:

www.lawfareblog.com/full-text-mueller-reports-executive-summaries

Happy 4th!