This is a quote attributed to Henry II of England that preceded the death of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170. The king’s words were “misinterpreted” as an order, prompting four knights from Normandy to travel to Canterbury and murder Becket. Right there in the cathedral.

The phrase implies that a leader’s desire may be taken as an order by his or her officials. It is frequently used in contemporary settings to convey the idea that a ruler’s wish might be interpreted as a command by his or her subordinates. Is this what is going on today in DC?

We see that once more Uncle Joe has been caught in a seeming lie, as discussed in the New York Times as reported by The Blaze. “And while the president has never communicated his frustrations directly to Mr. Garland, he has said privately that he wanted Mr. Garland to act less like a ponderous judge and more like a prosecutor who is willing to take decisive action over the events of Jan. 6.” The frustration? “As recently as late last year, Mr. Biden confided to his inner circle that he believed former President Donald J. Trump was a threat to democracy and should be prosecuted, according to two people familiar with his comments.” Yet Uncle Joe famously claimed in June that Americans should trust the independence of the DOJ because he is “honest.” He said, “Because you notice I have never once — not one single time — suggested to the Justice Department what they should do or not do, relative to bringing a charge or not bringing a charge. I’m honest,” Biden said.

Well, now with yet a fourth round of charges and arraignments, The Donald is firmly in the sights of the Department of Justice and therefore (theoretically) the whole FedGov. Such fun! Hint, hint!

Actually, maybe Uncle Joe is telling the truth – at least as he remembers. Apparently he did not pick up the phone and call the DOJ and tell them “prosecute him.” Is he still smart enough to avoid that, or did someone snip the phone line quickly enough? And The Donald does appear, today, to be more of a threat to “The Democracy” today – “The Democracy” being a common name for the Democratic Party especially before the War between the States. (While we here at TPOL have lots of beefs with Trump, his “threat to democracy” is not one of them. Somebody needs to threaten this messed-up political and governmental system almost everyone calls “democracy” in America.) A democracy that seems to be getting worse and worse than, say, the rather lackadaisical regime imposed on Saxon England by William the Conqueror and his successors.

Syncophants and worshippers of human rulers – including many who claimed to be deputies of God the Creator Himself – have frequently interpreted remarks by those they worship/serve (definitely not God!) as “Your wish is my command, sire.” And even authority to do whatever. It is a frequent and nasty failing of human government.

And has no place whatsoever in a land and society of free people who believe in and try to live in liberty.