I felt such excitement watching Olympic women, Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins, win the first ever cross-country gold medal for the USA. To know there are men and women competing for the USA; men and women who understand the importance of teamwork who love representing America – is a welcome distraction from the chaos in Washington.

But after a night of excitement, I knew I could count on FOX “SPEWS” to bring me back to reality with a suggestion that former US Army General Michael Flynn withdraw his guilty plea on lying to the FBI. This was apparently based on a judge’s order for the Mueller Special Council to turn over any exculpatory evidence to attorneys representing General Flynn.

And just like that, my American Olympic bliss was met by Shepard Smith’s judgmental stare.

As the Olympics come to a close, the commercials that inundate us with “PLOP-PLOP, FIZZ-FIZZ, OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS” messages that zombie us to their shelf space are now being overwhelmed by 24 hours of so-called “news” – hours which they cannot fill.

Whenever there is news that people like General Flynn and others get in trouble, I ask why?

In the FBI the the five B’s frequently proved to be the answer: booze, broads, boys, bucks, or bu-cars (bureau cars). What he’s done, unless done with malicious or criminal intent, is probably smaller or mistakenly misunderstood than lying or hiding information of his actions which would tarnish not only his service as an Army General and the people of the United States, but the US Army and American values.

I say that because I reviewed The Soldiers Creed that reads in part: I am an American Soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first… I am an expert, and I am a professional. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.

As I read it, I understood The Army’s Creed written by humans, knowing that mistakes can happen but that professionalism and service should be the goal of each enlisted soldier and general. However, there is no allowance for dishonesty and lying that harms character; something Flynn also learned from Helen and Charles Flynn.

Let us check off TEN items of what would be affected if Flynn followed advice from such oracles:

Special Counsel Mueller’s lesser charge of lying to the FBI ( CHECK )

Helen and Charles Flynn Christian upbringing ( CHECK )

Agreements ( CHECK )

Honesty ( CHECK )

US Army Character ( CHECK )

The Soldier’s Creed ( CHECK )

American values ( CHECK )

Religious teachings ( CHECK )

The rule of law ( CHECK )

18 U.S.C. § 1001 ( CHECK )

Maybe an Archibald Cox style removal of Mueller would stop the criticism of values to this ongoing investigation and Make America Nixononian Again. Our values were sturdy then and sound journalism meant balance, whereas sound journalism now means yelling opinions.

General Flynn, the truth will set you free.

I seem to have heard that more than once and it refers not necessarily to prison, but conscience.

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Sam Martinez is a retired FBI special agent

and author of

Systemic Evil, Mat Perez vs the FBI