GAVEL GAMUT

By Jim Redwine

Week of 14 January 2019

WHO WORKS FOR WHOM?

You may be aware of a story in the January 11, 2019 New York Times that disclosed the FBI decided to investigate President Trump for possible treason right after he fired FBI Director James B. Comey. As America divides almost in half over whether Donald Trump is a messiah or a menace, probably half of you who read the Times story were infuriated and half of you were elated. Perhaps this column may invoke similar reactions, among a somewhat smaller audience of course.

If you have read Gavel Gamut over the past 28 years you may recall my general philosophical position on our political system is that democracy not bureaucracy is the ideal. In other words, if we want to keep control of our government and our freedom, we should elect all public officials, they should all be term-limited and bureaucrats should be subservient to elected officer holders. Much as we make our military subservient to our civilian authority, we should make sure we do not allow unelected, life-time appointees to rule us via unfettered discretion.

On the local level that means our law enforcement community’s duty is to serve and protect not abuse. And at the federal level that means our FBI, CIA, FISA (United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court) and other agencies should serve at the pleasure of our elected officials because we can know who our officials are, and we have the power to remove them at the next election.

Unfortunately, our FBI has always been a political organization with shifting ideologies depending upon the bureaucrats, especially the Directors, who lead them. As set forth on National Public Radio in a January 26, 2018 report:

“Everyone agrees that the FBI should be as professional and impartial as possible and that its investigations should not be driven by any political agenda or vendetta. That has always been the ideal.

… As a matter of reality, the FBI has been political from its outset.

… Surely there is a massive case of collective amnesia afflicting Washington and much of the media commentariat on that score.”

NPR then exposited the sordid history of the FBI being used to harass Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., anti-war protesters during the Viet Nam War and numerous instances of FBI surveillances and investigations of civil rights activists by agents of the FBI whose main purpose was to advance partisan political positions.

I realize if you hate the President, you want him investigated. If you hate Hillary Clinton, you want her investigated. And if you hate your neighbors, you want them investigated. However, you might reflect on the possibility they feel the same way.

As for politically connected matters, some do need to be addressed and even investigated. I respectfully suggest that should remain the purview of Congress. They will gladly proceed.

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Who needs the same ol’ bouquet of flowers on Valentine’s Day when you can send your sweetheart puppy breath? For the first time, the Vanderburgh Humane Society will sell Cuddlegrams for Valentine’s Day. Each Cuddlegram will be delivered to the recipient’s workplace or home on Thursday, February 14^th and includes:

• small box of Libs chocolates
• personalized card
• three red roses
• And most importantly: a 30-minute cuddle session with a puppy, a kitten, or a rabbit.

Pricing starts at $50 for a Bunnygram, followed by $75 for a Kittengram and $100 for a Puppygram. Proceeds after expenses benefit the Vanderburgh Humane Society’s mission.

Grams must be purchased directly through the VHS Development Office by:

• Phone: (812) 426-2563 ext. 218
• Email: events@vhslifesaver.org
• In person Tuesday-Friday 10 am – 5 pm

This is to ensure that there are available animals to fulfill the Grams. Only a limited number will be available based on the number of animals, so don’t wait! Payment is due at the time of purchase using cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Cuddlegram sales will end on Monday, February 11^th to allow for preparation time.

VHS staff and volunteers will be hand-delivering the Cuddlegrams. “Our lips are sealed;” all Cuddlegrams will be kept confidential to preserve the element of surprise. Secret marriage or prom-proposals can be arranged for an additional $25 fee.

Those sending Cuddlegrams are strongly encouraged to verify with the recipient’s place of employment that animals are allowed on the premises. There will be no refunds issued. VHS staff and volunteers are fully insured and will take responsibility for any messes.

Cuddlegrams will only be delivered to locations in Vanderburgh County, Newburgh, Princeton, or Mt. Vernon, Indiana.