# A Thread for the Mueller Investigation Results and Outcomes (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 28, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093 "2017-10-28T20:14:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 122
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2422 "2018-02-10T01:04:09Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > REALLY ?? By all accounts? Where do you come up with this stuff? …checks to make sure this is the pit thread…this is BY ALL ACCOUNTS the stupidest thing I’ve ever read on this board, surpassing another one of your classics. Do you even think before you write crap like this? > > By the accounts I’ve read, Vladimir Putin is a murderous and corrupt gangster running a criminal enterprise that has nuclear weapons. He has business owners tortured and killed in order to steal their assets, and is backed up with paperwork issued by a totally corrupt legal system that answers to him. This is the crux of the Magnitsky Act. He’s been known to poison foreign business executives. He imprisons, tortures and kills his political opponents and journalists that speak out against him. > > Now, I know that you and your ilk have a hard-on for him because he foments hate for minorities and persecutes gay people. Plus he had Pussy Riot attacked by bull-whipped wielding Cossacks. So conservatives are all in love with this democracy hating asshole. > > And because he’s such s major league bully that actually completely destroys then kills everyone that opposes him, Trump has a schoolgirl crush on him. ( “Maybe he’ll give me a present” ). And Putin knows this and spent a long time playing hard to get. > > And Putin’s just playing with him ( and the rest of the world). And Trump is still desperate for his attention. It’s so ridiculous, they’re both like comic book villains. > > And for those that still doubt that Putin, at heart, is a common criminal— remember that he literally stole a Super Bowl ring from NE Pats owner Robert Kraft. > > [Here's how Vladimir Putin stole a Super Bowl ring from the Patriots' Robert Kraft - CBSSports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/heres-how-vladimir-putin-stole-a-super-bowl-ring-from-the-patriots-robert-kraft/) > > Or are you going to defend Putin? Are you stupid? He’s got approval ratings of 80% plus. IMHO, because he’s a murdering thug. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2423 "2018-02-10T01:37:12Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > REALLY ?? By all accounts? Where do you come up with this stuff? …checks to make sure this is the pit thread…this is BY ALL ACCOUNTS the stupidest thing I’ve ever read on this board, surpassing another one of your classics. Do you even think before you write crap like this? > > By the accounts I’ve read, Vladimir Putin is a murderous and corrupt gangster running a criminal enterprise that has nuclear weapons. He has business owners tortured and killed in order to steal their assets, and is backed up with paperwork issued by a totally corrupt legal system that answers to him. This is the crux of the Magnitsky Act. He’s been known to poison foreign business executives. He imprisons, tortures and kills his political opponents and journalists that speak out against him. > > Now, I know that you and your ilk have a hard-on for him because he foments hate for minorities and persecutes gay people. Plus he had Pussy Riot attacked by bull-whipped wielding Cossacks. So conservatives are all in love with this democracy hating asshole. > > And because he’s such s major league bully that actually completely destroys then kills everyone that opposes him, Trump has a schoolgirl crush on him. ( “Maybe he’ll give me a present” ). And Putin knows this and spent a long time playing hard to get. > > And Putin’s just playing with him ( and the rest of the world). And Trump is still desperate for his attention. It’s so ridiculous, they’re both like comic book villains. > > And for those that still doubt that Putin, at heart, is a common criminal— remember that he literally stole a Super Bowl ring from NE Pats owner Robert Kraft. Errrr…yeah. And he’s a pretty [popular guy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/how-to-understand-putins-jaw-droppingly-high-approval-ratings/2016/03/05/17f5d8f2-d5ba-11e5-a65b-587e721fb231_story.html) in Russia. If you’re going to be a shitlord dictator you need to make sure people like you. Or at least don’t have enough contempt for you that they think stabbing you is a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2424 "2018-02-10T01:39:30Z")
Trump is blocking the release of the Democratic response to the bullshit Nunes memo. > **[Trump won't release Democratic memo, sends back to committee | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/09/politics/democratic-memo-trump-wont-declassify/index.html)** > > President Donald Trump won't release the Democratic rebuttal to the Republican intelligence memo alleging FBI abuses of its surveillance authority at this time, and has sent it back to the House Intelligence Committee for changes. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2425 "2018-02-10T01:44:26Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Trump is blocking the release of the Democratic response to the bullshit Nunes memo. > > [https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/09/politics/democratic-memo-trump-wont-declassify/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/09/politics/democratic-memo-trump-wont-declassify/index.html) And the overwhelming majority of Americans don’t understand and don’t care. Jesus wept. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2426 "2018-02-10T02:17:28Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The number three person, Rachel Brand, (number two behind Rosenstein, ie the person that would replace him if he is fired) is [stepping down](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/us/politics/rachel-brand-justice-department.html). Whispered at Davos - “That’s a nice associate attorney general you have there. Sure would be a shame if someone offers her a private sector job she can’t refuse.” ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2427 "2018-02-10T02:32:42Z")
Who wouldn’t want to work for Walmart? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2428 "2018-02-10T02:47:10Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > Who wouldn’t want to work for Walmart? Those blue vests are so cute. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2429 "2018-02-10T02:52:48Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > Who wouldn’t want to work for Walmart? I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that she’s not gonna be a greeter. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2430 "2018-02-10T02:54:46Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Re Rachel Brand… > > Sooner or later, Rosenstein is going to have to step aside when he becomes a witness in the primary obstruction charge that is surely heading toward Trump for firing Comey. So there is no question that Brand would have had to assume the position (however one wishes to take that) at some point. You can’t really blame her for not wanting to be in the middle of the ensuing nightmare, being savaged by Trump and his supporters. > > My understanding: > > Trump can appoint someone to the position, but that person must be confirmed by the Senate. With such a narrow margin now, **Trump would need to tread carefully**. I don’t think he’d be able to appoint a crony. Flake, McCain, Corker, Collins and maybe even a few others won’t toe the Trump line if he tries. > > Alternatively, he can choose someone already confirmed as a U.S. Attorney – not someone who is merely acting. Remember, he’s been pretty involved in picking those people. If he goes this route, he might be able to slither someone handpicked into the position. > > All this would change if Dems prevail at the mid-terms. > > It’s going to be so ugly between now and then. Pfff…what you and others don’t want to bring yourselves to admit, don’t want to understand, is that every single day that Trump is in office, every day that he and his allies remain in power, is a day that they are wearing down the good, civic-minded bureaucrats. This is not what Rachel Brand signed up for. I’m guessing that this government is not what many of the career bureaucrats signed up for – but this is what they’ve got at least until January of 2021. A change of Congress - if it even happens and that’s an entirely different thread of discussion – won’t change that. Trump and his billionaire plutocratic alliance is making the bureaucracy an uncomfortable place for people who actually care about preserving institutions for the public. This is an irreversible trend. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2431 "2018-02-10T02:56:39Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that she’s not gonna be a greeter. What? No blue vest? I wouldn’t take that stupid job then. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2432 "2018-02-10T03:14:57Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Pfff…what you and others don’t want to bring yourselves to admit, don’t want to understand, is that every single day that Trump is in office, every day that he and his allies remain in power, is a day that they are wearing down the good, civic-minded bureaucrats. This is not what Rachel Brand signed up for. I’m guessing that this government is not what many of the career bureaucrats signed up for – but this is what they’ve got at least until January of 2021. A change of Congress - if it even happens and that’s an entirely different thread of discussion – won’t change that. Trump and his billionaire plutocratic alliance is making the bureaucracy an uncomfortable place for people who actually care about preserving institutions for the public. This is an irreversible trend. Please don’t tell me what I don’t want to admit, don’t want to understand. You have a perspective, just as I do – nothing more. I’m not telling you that you’re wrong. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t attack me as being wrong, either. We neither of us know the end of this story. I appreciate how grim things look just now. I’m well aware of how many forces are arrayed against our institutional norms of government. But I’m not willing to just give up and cave to some nihilistic vision of our future, and I don’t think that means I “don’t want to admit, don’t want to understand.” Your perspective reminds me of people who go from climate change denial to, “We’re all gonna die and there’s nothing we can do!” There’s a lot in between, and if you’re right, we’ll all know soon enough. Meantime, I intend to fight and see what can be done. Your Cassandra routine is getting rather tiresome. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2433 "2018-02-10T03:40:26Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Please don’t tell me what I don’t want to admit, don’t want to understand. You have a perspective, just as I do – nothing more. I’m not telling you that you’re wrong. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t attack me as being wrong, either. We neither of us know the end of this story. > > I appreciate how grim things look just now. I’m well aware of how many forces are arrayed against our institutional norms of government. But I’m not willing to just give up and cave to some nihilistic vision of our future, and I don’t think that means I “don’t want to admit, don’t want to understand.” > > Your perspective reminds me of people who go from climate change denial to, “We’re all gonna die and there’s nothing we can do!” There’s a lot in between, and if you’re right, we’ll all know soon enough. Meantime, I intend to fight and see what can be done. **Your Cassandra routine is getting rather tiresome.** It’s not my Cassandra routine that’s tiresome; **it’s reality that’s tiresome**. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2434 "2018-02-10T03:51:34Z")
Whatev’s, bro. I guess you have your hands full being the self-appointed Oracle of The Straight Dope. All the best. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2435 "2018-02-10T03:57:08Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Whatev’s, bro. I guess you have your hands full being the self-appointed Oracle of The Straight Dope. All the best. :shrug: I get it. The reality _is_ tiresome. It’s real easy to be pessimistic. I am. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2436 "2018-02-10T04:06:19Z")
If you decide you’re already beaten… you are. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2437 "2018-02-10T04:10:03Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Whatev’s, bro. I guess you have your hands full being the self-appointed Oracle of The Straight Dope. All the best. I have a hidden (or not so hidden) agenda: I’m trying to strip the bark off of our cultural propensity for confidence. I fully confess: **I want you to be scared.** The first step to solving a problem is acknowledging that we, in fact, have a very serious problem and acknowledge the complete scope of it. Even among progressives, I get the sense that the feeling is that this can, and will, be corrected in the next election. However…I’m not so confident. Our confidence, our arrogance, our complacency is killing us. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2438 "2018-02-10T04:11:27Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > If you decide you’re already beaten… you are. How far are you willing to go? What are you willing to sacrifice? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2439 "2018-02-10T04:16:30Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > How far are you willing to go? > > What are you willing to sacrifice? According to you, it doesn’t matter. It won’t be enough. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2440 "2018-02-10T04:57:30Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > If you decide you’re already beaten… you are. Oh, _I’m_ not beaten. Our particular political experiment has run its course, that’s all. It happens. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2441 "2018-02-10T04:57:58Z")
Of course, one should never forget that Everest is strewn with the corpsicles of motivated, determined people who wouldn’t let anything stop them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=121) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=123)