George Hahn

Mueller's counterterrorism agents blew the whistle on abuses and torture at secret CIA interrogation sites.

Later, in 2004, Mueller, with his resignation letter in hand, confronted President George W. Bush about a secret NSA program to spy on Americans.

In his memoir, Bush wrote, "'I had to make a big decision, and fast,'

I thought about the Saturday Night Massacre.

That was not a historical crisis I was eager to replicate.

Fearing others would follow Mueller's lead, Bush backed down, agreeing to reforms that would narrow the spying program and place it on more solid legal ground.

A year later, Mueller's deputy, James Comey, told an NSA audience,

It takes far more than a sharp legal mind to say no when it matters most.

It takes moral character.

It takes an ability to see the future.

It takes an appreciation of the damage that will flow from an unjustified yes.

My sons are too young to remember when Trump didn't dominate America's politics.

In their eyes, bragging about grabbing women by the pussy, using your office to enrich yourself, and calling your efforts to avoid STDs your own personal Vietnam aren't disqualifying.

The manosphere is teaching their generation that masculinity is performative.

Mueller's life proves the opposite.

Masculinity is a lifetime practice.

Vietnam wasn't a punchline for Muller, but a moral proving ground.

As he later said, you were scared to death of the unknown.

More afraid in some ways of failure than death.

More afraid of being found wanting.