Sorry for missing our regular chats. Well, sorry is not the best word, but they were missed.
The biggest news of the last week, while my family was enjoying spring break more than we probably deserved, was the Mueller report.
The report was circulated Friday afternoon during the NCAA tournament. First, is there a more covert place to release big news than the Friday afternoon of the NCAA tournament? Seriously?
So, the details were lost on most of America and the specifics were glommed onto by folks looking to push talking points.
Think of the hand-wringing from the Left and the posturing from the Right.
There has been a river of ink spilled about the opinions on the report. There will be another river more.
Each side has something to crow about, and those catcalls will continue to echo.
To those announcements, I will say this: Move on.
Let's move on and make the most of this chance.
For all the consternation and all the finger pointing and anticipatory allegations about the president's role in alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 election, according to U.S. attorney general William Barr, there was no evidence to charge Trump.
Yes, the obstruction charges were not as clearly dismissed by Barr, but there was not enough evidence to charge Trump there either.
That Democrats are using the "not a neutral observer" claims on Barr or Mueller screams of desperation and grade-school attempts of claims of bias. In truth, this report and Barr's summary are a chance for Trump to redirect his presidency in a lot of ways with this now behind him.
And, regardless of your political leanings, even if you wanted Trump indicted and removed immediately, this is actually good news for the country as a whole.
This is not endorsing one party or the other. It's a simple acknowledgment that the mess/political disaster of a finding of collusion with the Russians to influence our presidential election would be a nightmare for democracy and America as a whole. Plain and simple.
Let's embrace this chance as a society, an electorate and a elected body of leaders.
Let's embrace this chance to reconnect in an unprecedented time of division.
Let's embrace this chance to refocus on what truly is the biggest issue before us.
Mueller reported that Russia tried but did not have an influence in the 2016 election. That's great news. For all of us.
Now, let's move forward and focus on the issues that truly matter, such as the ballooning debt that will cripple us long after the Donald Trump tug-of-war is the latest political talking point.
The Mueller report is a win, regardless of political persuasion. And of you think otherwise, then you are more party and more partisan than you are patriotic.
Now, let's move to the bigger issues - and yes, that includes President Trump, who should try grasping the word conservative in regard to finances as much as he does in other matters - and hope those reports are more clear cut.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343.