More thoughts on The Smirk: pride goeth
I’ll leave Strzok alone after this, I promise (maybe). But I just thought I’d comment a bit more on The Smirk.
Have you noticed that just about everyone on the right has used that same word, smirk, to describe Strzok’s default facial expression during the hearings? It was almost the textbook definition of a smirk.
But why does he do it? Surely he knows he’s smirking? Surely he knows it’s offputting?
Well, maybe he knows and doesn’t care, because—as many people have suggested—he also knows he’ll be getting away with everything he did. There’s certainly some truth to that; I doubt Strzok will incur any further official punishment. But he’s already experienced demotion, as well as (I would imagine) trouble in his marriage, publication of his meant-to-be-very private emails, and a lot of ridicule and anger as a result.
For a proud man (which he clearly appears to be) that’s no fun. On some level it has to be embarrassing.
And that’s what I see as another reason—a big one—for his smirk: bravado, as well as defiance.
Strzok really had two choices of demeanor at the hearing. The first would have been contrition and admission of guilt. But Strzok appears firm in his feeling that he’s guilty of nothing (he doesn’t even seem contrite about the affair). Whatever he actually feels or doesn’t feel, even if he does feel a modicum of guilt, to display it to the world would cause further shame in someone who operates from an honor/shame point of view.
I think Strzok is an honor/shame kind of guy rather than a guilt kind of guy. Half the world thinks you’re despicable? Laugh at that half of the world. Wrap yourself in the flag. Say how despicable they are, not you. Put a sardonic, condescending little smile on your face to show your contempt for them and your superiority to them.
[NOTE: By the way, I think Trump should coin one of his trademark nicknames for Strzok. Maybe “Smirky Strzok”?]
Smirky Snake
Rush Limbaugh said yesterday that Peter was smirking because he knows he is going to get away with his crimes; and crimes they are.
But his ex-lover is looking like she might flip. If true, awesome. Nothing like a woman scorned.
I have commented here and on Power Line that Sessions needs to appoint a Special Counsel. Next week.
The CRIME to investigate is the obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice by Comey, Strzok and McCabe. I think McCabe will flip on the other two.
Another aspect of this is jailing Rosenstein for contempt of Congress until he turns over all the documents. Congress doesn’t need to go to the DOJ for this. It has the power to enforce its orders.
Everyone needs to quit screwing around otherwise the Deep State wins.
Comey and Strzok will serve hard time for intentionally point shaving the Hillary investigation.
I remember when “liberals” were making fun of George W. Bush’s alleged smirk, although prior to Bush they had rallied ’round the King of Smirk, Bill Clinton. As with Strzok, Slick Willie’s smirk seemed to be saying, “I’m getting away with it, y’all know I’m getting away with it, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Comey and Strzok will serve hard time for intentionally point shaving the Hillary investigation.”
Cornhead, I share 100% of your desire but 0% of your confidence. I pray that I am wrong & the Biblical admonition Neo noted matches your prediction “Pride goes before destruction a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
Looks like narcissism of a medical grade, really. Even psychopathy.
The dems with RINO collusion are making a mockery of the rule of law. Real injustice can only be tolerated so long. The Left has called the tune and sooner or later will have to pay the piper. The longer the delay, the higher the cost will be.
The ‘judge’ in the Sen. Rand Paul assault case just handed down a 30 DAY ‘penalty’ for an attack that grievously injured a US Senator.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/07/the_amazing_marianne_another_mindreading_judge.html
Isn’t one of the tells of a sociopath that he doesn’t feel shame or embarrassment?
Another aspect of this is jailing Rosenstein for contempt of Congress until he turns over all the documents. Congress doesn’t need to go to the DOJ for this. It has the power to enforce its orders.
Andrew C. McCarthy addresses this in his latest —“Strzok by a Farce: Congress should either use its contempt power or shut down the investigations”:
Alas for him, he does not seem bright enough to realize that, by his actions, he has no honor. Arrogance, and stupid are not a good mix.
“MasterStrzoker”
I want to know what the hell is AG Sessions doing, letting “his” department running roughshod over the Congress, refusing to respond to Congressional directives.
This passivity has nothing to do with his stupid and ill-considered recusal from all matters Russian.
We are in deeper danger than most of us here, even, realize.
It’s a matter of “the bluff” vs. “the tell”.
All those involved in this scandal are bluffing and bluffing big.
That’s all they have.
But they’re fully confident that, given the forces, the powers and the protection racket that are on their side, it’s all they need.
They may be right.
It’s a battleground. Plus there’s the Republic to consider
(Cf. I Kings, III:16-28).
Strzok’s haughty smirk and insolent demeanor perfectly symbolize today’s deranged left: pompous, imperious, snotty, sanctimonious, overbearing and quite willing to lie, cheat and intimidate to get their way.
Overflowing with self-righteous certainty, they believe they can use almost any means available to achieve their goals.
How different is Strzok from Oliver North at the Iran-Contra hearings?
I don’t recall staring up into North’s nostrils as much as I did with Strzok, but they both responded with bristly, self-righteous indignation that their allegedly unlawful actions were anything other than patriotic defense of the country.