# 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:** 161
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3202 "2018-03-13T20:36:08Z")
ISTM that you’ve said essentially the same thing several times, each time in its own paragraph. And after all that, not something which seems to call for any sort of response. So I think we’re good. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3203 "2018-03-13T20:36:52Z")
Ok cool guess I win the bet then :):rolleyes: Let me help you a bit with my last post. Here are what each of the four points were about: 1. a response to your first sentence claiming that I was whining 2. asking for a cite about all of the insults you claim that I dish out around here 3. pointing out just how many insults were in your post countering my claim that you insult people too much 4. an offer of a bet See all four were different things. I do note your lack of response though, and do not excuse you, so unless you have something else to say on the matter, I am satisfied that I’ve made my point and you had nothing to say in response. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3204 "2018-03-13T20:39:12Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I don’t know what House committees are legally allowed to do. But as a practical matter, this investigation was about Russian collusion. Which makes sense to me, considering that it’s the House Intelligence committee. That’s just not correct. The Intelligence Committee wasn’t investigating “collusion” as in, was Trump working with the Russians. It was studying broader issues: > [@](#): > > - Russian cyber activity and other “active measures” directed against the U.S. and its allies; > - Counterintelligence concerns related to Russia and the 2016 U.S. election, including any intelligence regarding links between Russia and individuals associated with political campaigns; > - The United States Government response to these Russian active measures and any impact they may have on intelligence relationships and traditional alliances; and > - Possible leaks of classified information related to the Intelligence Community’s assessments of these matters. Note that the issue of “collusion” is only part of what the second bullet encompasses. That they reportedly found no collusion is hardly surprising, given that the conclusion is reportedly the opinion of Republican politicians that have quite obviously long ago given up any vague effort to conduct a bipartisan and thorough investigation. Quite simply, anyone who has any confidence is the House Intelligence Committee as a whole at this time is a fool. What’s most interesting to me is that the Trump-supporting Republicans have reportedly found that Russia did not favor Trump in the election, which is a contradiction to the assessment of the intelligence agencies who looked at the same issue. This, to me, is the ballsy part of this story. On one hand, we have the people who tracked down Osama bin Laden and sent him to his death. On the other, we have politicians who have shown zero interest in doing anything but carry the water of the White House. **FP,** which side do you trust? ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3205 "2018-03-13T20:46:43Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > That’s just not correct. The Intelligence Committee wasn’t investigating “collusion” as in, was Trump working with the Russians. It was studying broader issues:Note that the issue of “collusion” is only part of what the second bullet encompasses. See my earlier exchange with iiandyiiii on this subject. > [@](#): > > What’s most interesting to me is that the Trump-supporting Republicans have reportedly found that Russia did not favor Trump in the election, which is a contradiction to the assessment of the intelligence agencies who looked at the same issue. This, to me, is the ballsy part of this story. On one hand, we have the people who tracked down Osama bin Laden and sent him to his death. On the other, we have politicians who have shown zero interest in doing anything but carry the water of the White House. > > **FP,** which side do you trust? I don’t share your assessment of the Republicans on that committee. That said, if I had to pick a side I would go with the intelligence agencies. Nonetheless, I doubt if Russian intentions are all that clear to anyone, and the assessments of intelligence agencies about such matters are probably not as conclusive as people might assume. So I think the Republicans probably have some wriggle room there. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3206 "2018-03-13T21:37:46Z")
This House bullshit will not stop Meuller. It will not stop any Senate investigations. It will not stop investigations at the state level. All the House report does, is show that Republicans are not ignoring Trump’s cover-up, they’re actively participating. They’re joining in on the conspiracy. They destroyed any illusion that the House was engaged in meaningful investigation, or that they ever had any intention other than protecting Trump at every turn. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3207 "2018-03-13T23:44:23Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The pretzels one has to twist oneself into in order to stay on the Trump train are impressive. Are those goalposts getting heavier every time? At some point do you ask yourself whether it is worth it? It is their cross, and they must bear it. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3208 "2018-03-14T00:06:07Z")
nm. ninjad ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3209 "2018-03-14T00:19:05Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > There is a lot of value in using terms that people understand rather than identifying particular specific laws that may or may not have been violated. The investigation is into what happened. Those happenings can perhaps be mapped onto crimes. > > If someone says someone committed the crime of collusion, that’s when the conversation can switch to what crimes might have been committed, if any, and how collusion is just a colloquial term for secret dealings. But when it’s just a conversation without a lot of clear information, calling the whole bucket of happenings possible collusion makes perfect sense to me. > > Or “hinky dealings,” if you prefer. Kinda wish “hinky dealings” had been the official term of choice from the start. Then the America-hating fuckstick would have been spewing tweets with various forms of “NO HINKY DEALINGS!” peppered throughout, and maybe even a few of his supporters would have difficulty buying THAT line of horse shit. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3210 "2018-03-14T00:33:21Z")
One down, 2 to go. Investigations, Inquiries, Mountainous Molehills busily piled high by seething Dems too blinded by their ill-conceived raging witch hunt to see the irony and futility. Wah. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3211 "2018-03-14T01:06:40Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > One down, 2 to go. Investigations, Inquiries, Mountainous Molehills busily piled high by seething Dems too blinded by their ill-conceived raging witch hunt to see the irony and futility. > > Wah. :rolleyes: How’s the weather in Moscow this time of year? Still a bit snowy? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2018, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3212 "2018-03-14T01:33:27Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > See my earlier exchange with iiandyiiii on this subject. I read it and you are just factually wrong. For example, your statement to the effect that the main topic of the investigation is collusion because it is the House **Intelligence** Committee. That makes literally no sense. > [@](#): > > I don’t share your assessment of the Republicans on that committee. That said, if I had to pick a side I would go with the intelligence agencies. What is your opinion of Devin Nunes? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3213 "2018-03-14T03:00:40Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > One down, 2 to go. Investigations, Inquiries, Mountainous Molehills busily piled high by seething Dems too blinded by their ill-conceived raging witch hunt to see the irony and futility. > > Wah. :rolleyes: Whenever I read one of these posts without noticing the username I assume it must be a parody. Poe’s Law in action.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3214 "2018-03-14T03:15:00Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > One down, 2 to go. Investigations, Inquiries, Mountainous Molehills busily piled high by seething Dems too blinded by their ill-conceived raging witch hunt to see the irony and futility. > > Wah. :rolleyes: It’s that last molehill (the one constructed by Mueller) that’s gonna be difficult for our fat, out of shape President to climb over, methinks. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3215 "2018-03-14T12:58:46Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I read it and you are just factually wrong. For example, your statement to the effect that the main topic of the investigation is collusion because it is the House **Intelligence** Committee. That makes literally no sense. Oh. Well of course, now that you put it that way, that changes everything … > [@](#): > > What is your opinion of Devin Nunes? Hard to tell once a guy gets into the hot seat. My impression is that he’s a politician like any other politician, e.g. Adam Schiff. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3216 "2018-03-14T13:04:56Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Hard to tell once a guy gets into the hot seat. My impression is that he’s a politician like any other politician, e.g. Adam Schiff. Do you think it’s reasonable to suspect that Nunes has colluded with the White House to minimize the political harm of this investigation? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3217 "2018-03-14T13:09:19Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > My impression is that he’s a politician like any other politician, e.g. Adam Schiff. What would a statesman, one who values his country above his party and reality above lies, do and say in the situation, and how is that different from what (A) Nunes and (B) Schiff have done? IOW none of this bothsidesist bullshit, please. It only fools the pre-fooled. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3218 "2018-03-14T13:10:14Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Do you think it’s reasonable to suspect that Nunes has colluded with the White House to minimize the political harm of this investigation? It’s certainly reasonable to suspect that, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3219 "2018-03-14T13:15:33Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > This House bullshit will not stop Meuller. It will not stop any Senate investigations. It will not stop investigations at the state level. > > All the House report does, is show that Republicans are not ignoring Trump’s cover-up, they’re actively participating. They’re joining in on the conspiracy. They destroyed any illusion that the House was engaged in meaningful investigation, or that they ever had any intention other than protecting Trump at every turn. I bet Mueller was banging his head against the wall yesterday. Just think of how many new investigative threads opened up yesterday alone. Did the House Intelligence Committee work with the White House in their report? Do they need to be investigated for obstruction? If there are things in the report that Muller knows to be false that’s a possibility. Did Tillerson’s firing have anything to do with his Russia statements? I was thinking how this must be a different experience for the investigators. Because they are probably used to examining thread after thread for irregularities and occasionally finding one that leads somewhere else, and they pull it a little more and it’s usually nothing but sometimes it leads somewhere else — and that’s how they find the underlying crimes. But I think in this one every thread leads to a big steaming pile of more irregularities, each one meriting it’s own investigation. Then once they start following those, more big steaming piles of possible crimes appear. I don’t know how they keep up. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3220 "2018-03-14T13:18:54Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I bet Mueller was banging his head against the wall yesterday. Just think of how many new investigative threads opened up yesterday alone. Did the House Intelligence Committee work with the White House in their report? Do they need to be investigated for obstruction? If there are things in the report that Muller knows to be false that’s a possibility. Did Tillerson’s firing have anything to do with his Russia statements? It’s like fighting the Hydra. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2018, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/3221 "2018-03-14T13:28:32Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > It’s certainly reasonable to suspect that, yes. While it’s possible Schiff would do the same with a Democratic President and him leading a House investigation, we don’t know that, nor do I think we have any reason to suspect it. Thus I don’t think it’s reasonable to presume that Schiff is just as corrupt/dishonest/dishonorable/etc. as Nunes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=160) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=162)