7.22K

J.K. Trotter

05/22/15 03:17PM

Filed to: emails

“I apologize, both for my language and for my tone.” — Hillary Clinton advisor Philippe Reines, in an email to Michael Hastings following their testy exchange in September 2012 over Clinton’s response to the attacks in Benghazi, Libya. (Reines told Hastings to “fuck off,” among other things.)

The email appeared in a batch of Benghazi-related emails released today by the State Department in response to widespread scrutiny about Clinton’s private email account, which she used to conduct official State Department business. Reines, one of Clinton’s most devoted disciples, is known for scuffling with reporters.

Full exchange (begins at the bottom):

From: Michael Hastings
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 09:17 PM
To: Reines, Philippe
Subject: Re: Our Exchange
Hi Philippe:
Thanks very much for the note. I appreciate it.
I have deep sympathy for what your team and the families of the victims are going through. In Baghdad years ago, someone I cared for very deeply lost her life with three others in the service of promoting our values overseas. This experience probably added to the intensity behind my questions and responses as well.
In the interest of diplomacy and extending an olive branch: we should get a drink sometime, off the record.
Best, Michael
On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 8:18 PM, Reines, Philippe I wrote:
Hi Michael
As you can imagine this has been an intense time for everyone at the State Department, including me.
While I stand by the fundamental principles at issue here, that does not justify my unprofessional response to your emails. I particularly do not want my words to be a distraction from this tragedy.
I apologize, both for my language and for my tone.
Philippe

You can read the rest of the emails published today here.

H/T Lachlan Markay

The following replies are approved. To see additional replies that are pending approval, click Show Pending. Warning: These may contain graphic material.

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Quantum Suicide J.K. Trotter 05/22/15 03:23PM

“Have a good day. And by ‘Good Day’ I mean ‘Fuck Off.’

(Reines to Hastings)

Philippe Reines wins all hearts, four years ago and today

http://www.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeedpoliti…

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VtDkDude Quantum Suicide 05/22/15 03:31PM

I wonder how long I could have this be the auto-signature of my email before I get fired? Because, honestly, I’d love to say this to 99% of the people I get to email.

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Quantum Suicide VtDkDude 05/22/15 03:31PM

Do it, try it, test it, and get back to us.

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World Construct Quantum Suicide 05/22/15 08:00PM

According to you and the people who purportedly starred you, he wins for obstructing journalism through lack of decorum and ethics. Amazing.

Michael Hastings was murdered by the government for speaking truth to power. We are all eager to keep his cause alive. Phillipe Reines is not a respectable man.

BRCBurner Quantum Suicide 05/22/15 08:25PM

I’m trying to understand why he needs to apologize to the reporter. The guy certainly comes off like an unmitigated asshole in the admittedly limited context we see in the linked emails. Still though, that reporter made my teeth grind, and it wasn’t even addressed to me.

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Brock Samsa J.K. Trotter 05/22/15 03:34PM

I apologize, both for my language and my tone. Also, I really shouldn’t have tripped you and kicked you in the ribs. That was simply unprofessional. I apologize. Also, what I said about your grandmother and that biker gang - I think I’m man enough to acknowledge that was outside the bounds of professional decorum. If you forward me the address of your dog’s veterinarian, I’d like to cover the cost of Scooter’s surgery. I’m sorry about that and if I’d seen the semi, I never would have flung Scooter from the overpass. I also hope your soup was still palatable after I dunked my balls in your vichyssoise. I shouldn’t have lost my cool like that. And finally, I should never have posted those picture of you to Reddit; revenge porn has no place in political discourse. You are not, and have never been, a “twat waffle.”

Phillipe

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ElfInBrooklyn Brock Samsa 05/22/15 07:00PM

Bravo, my good sir. That was masterful.

NeccoWafers ElfInBrooklyn 05/23/15 10:04AM

What’s with this “sir” stuff - don’t bring in the geek shit.

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Kaidog J.K. Trotter 05/22/15 03:29PM

You guys have fun digging through this mini trove.

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sui_generis Kaidog 05/22/15 04:44PM

That’s exactly what this entire Hillary Clinton email “scandal” was supposed to be about, from the jump-off, which many of us pointed out when it started.

Even though her use of a private email address was no different than anyone else’s in gov’t — which was why they passed a law requiring everyone to use their government address, but long after Hillary had left that post — pretending that Hillary did something out of the ordinary encourages the media and everyone else to sift through every single email she sent, in the hopes that like anyone’s email, there might be something in there embarrassing that will destroy her run at the White House.

The question is, why isn’t the media putting this all in context, rather than allowing themselves to be used as pawns in this game...? I guess the ad dollars sensationalism generates trumps perspective any day.

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Fred Smith J.K. Trotter 05/22/15 05:09PM

It’s kind of a bummer to read Michael Hastings, of all people, spouting imperialist garbage like “promoting our values overseas”. Good Lord!

AgingHipster Fred Smith 05/22/15 05:57PM

But really, that’s what he was all about.

Fred Smith AgingHipster 05/22/15 06:14PM

I thought he was all Rage Against the Machine, and whatnot.

AgingHipster Fred Smith 05/22/15 06:28PM

Sorry, I had totally meant to elaborate more on that but I accidentally sent it and then decided I should probably shut up, but I’ll dive in again...

Like, he married a Condeleezza Rice speechwriter and National Security Council flak, you know? He was as much part of that industry as anybody else in DC. I dunno, I didn’t know the guy, and I thought he was a good writer, and I certainly wouldn’t wish death on him or anybody else, but I also never did think he was as much of a maverick as he’s been made out to be - especially since his death.