you are familiar with oaths, because i'm sure you've taken them 50 million times. but i remind you that you're under oath. and i'm just going to ask you this. how do you square that? in other words, i understand the piece about there are so many layers that the fbi wouldn't even allow to happen, even if they -- you wanted to. wanted them to. but how do you take that, compartmentalize -- i guess that's the best word i can think of, ask then when you walk into the room be neutral or independent or live up to your oath. do you understand my question? >> i do, sir. >> can you answer that? because i think that would be very helpful to me. and hopefully your answering that question will be helpful to my colleagues. in fairness to all of us. go ahead. >> yes, sir.