OK, this is crazy enough.  Nobody (or so we’re told by Republicans, Democrats, and the media) knows what happened during Trump’s private meeting with Vladimir Putin.  How could we know?  Trump made sure there weren’t any staffers or stenographers in the room.  Trump deliberately eliminated every person who would normally be a witness.  No American recordings, either.  So, they all say, nobody knows what was said.  I hear variations on it every day.  So, instead of being able to read the official American understanding, we’re scanning the Russian press and their readout to find out what Trump might have promised unless, you know, the Russians lie about it or something.

First, it’s not true that nobody knows.  Putin knows what they said, I’m pretty sure.  We’re assuming Putin even recorded the whole thing.  I’m guessing Trump didn’t have Putin patted down, but then again, what do I know?  That might be part of their foreplay, but I’m guessing Putin would be on top.

Putin had his translator, so now that’s two people.  I’m guessing Putin had no compunctions about getting a written record of the meeting, and that translator was part of that.  And with the U.S. translator in the room, there were three people we know about.  Democrats wanted to talk to our translator, but Republicans said ‘no’ to that.  (Nothing guilty-looking about that one, no sir!)

But hey, here’s a crazy idea: why doesn’t Congress just ask Trump what he said?  I’m pretty sure Donald was in the same room.  It’s certainly the most direct way to find out what our President said and promised after Trump eliminated every other possible record.  And overseeing the Executive branch is a Congressional responsibility.  It’s really clear: all they have to do is ask sharply.  And come on: wouldn’t it be a stitch watching Trump pretend he can’t remember the details?

Republicans are trying to crush our expectations down into small, twisted versions of what we really deserve.  And the media repeat this absurd nonsense as if they don’t know better.

The U.S President answers to Congress.  It’s not a question.  You’ve got to ask yourself why so many people keep pretending otherwise.