# 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:** 310
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6182 "2018-08-04T11:14:59Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > “Mueller offers to limit investigators’ questions for Trump in special counsel’s latest effort to secure presidential interview” > [https://wapo.st/2Me7Ovb](https://wapo.st/2Me7Ovb) > Frankly, this sounds like a good idea to me. No matter how limited the questions, once thump starts talking, he won’t be able to shut his yap. And he will certainly ignore any coaching from his only-slightly-smarter advisors. I like it. This underestimates the wily sociopath. He’ll be on some medication (Imodium?) to tighten his vomit-hole sphincter and will have rehearsed a refusal (“executive secrets” rather than “self-incrimination”). There are YouTubes of Trump being deposed. In one example, he declines to read a document because he didn’t bring his glasses. (Shouldn’t the judge have said “How stupid must you be not to bring glasses to a deposition? Get your lackey to fetch the glasses but the deposition is extended by however many hours that takes with you paying costs.”?) ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6183 "2018-08-04T15:17:54Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > This underestimates the wily sociopath. He’ll be on some medication (Imodium?) to tighten his vomit-hole sphincter and will have rehearsed a refusal (“executive secrets” rather than “self-incrimination”). > > There are YouTubes of Trump being deposed. In one example, he declines to read a document because he didn’t bring his glasses. (Shouldn’t the judge have said “How stupid must you be not to bring glasses to a deposition? Get your lackey to fetch the glasses but the deposition is extended by however many hours that takes with you paying costs.”?) Wily indeed, not bringing his glasses. Of course, since I don’t think I’ve ever seen Trump wearing glasses, I think that by applying Occam’s Razor we may come up with an even simpler explanation–Trump is barely literate and can’t understand big words any more. :eek: 😃 Samantha Bee: [A Totally Real, 100% Valid Theory](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LFkN7QGp2c) Obviously done partly for laughs. David Packman actually takes a more serious look: [Uh-Oh: Does Donald Trump Know How to Read?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd79UsXSLWg) [WOW: Trump Fails Basic Literacy Test](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXGuJlTVXfw) ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6184 "2018-08-04T15:36:09Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > David Packman actually takes a more serious look: Here are some highlights from the [Canadian Police low literacy checklist](http://policeabc.ca/files/factsheets_englishPDFs/Ch04FactSheet01.pdf) that Packman mentions in one of the videos: > [@](#): > > In a verbal interview, a person with low literacy may: > > • have difficulty telling a clear story; for example, they may get the order of events confused > • seem to talk in circles – this thinking pattern is common among people with low literacy > • have stiff body language; for example, they may not nod or shake their head to indicate agreement or disagreement > • seem nervous or embarrassed > • seem to lack confidence and be easily intimidated > > When asked to read or write something, a person with low literacy may: > > •make excuses to avoid the task; for example, > •“I can’t read this because I forgot my glasses,” > •“I don’t have time to read this now. Can I take it home?” > •“I hurt my hand, so I can’t fill out this form.” > • read very slowly > • stare at the page they’re supposed to read, but not move their eyes back and forth > • ask questions about things that are clearly stated in the document > • make a lot of spelling or grammar mistakes in their writing, or fill out a form with incorrect information > • bring a friend or relative with them who helps with reading and writing > > People who have difficulty understanding verbal and written information have other tell-tale behaviours. Many people with low literacy: > > • give what seem to be indirect, confused, or irrelevant answers to questions > • act confused or ask questions that do not seem to relate to the problem or situation > • not ask any questions at all (rather than reveal they don’t understand what’s going on) > • nod to indicate they agree or understand something, but then not do what you expect > > They may also: > > • not show up for meetings or hearings (because they did not understand the instructions on a > written notice) > • sign statements or legal documents that they do not understand (rather than admit they > have a reading problem) > • look dazed or uncomfortable when someone gives them something to read Not all items apply to Trump, but a lot do. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6185 "2018-08-04T15:41:21Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Speaking of… > > [Trump Thinks He Can Convince Mueller’s Team Their Own Investigation Is a Witch Hunt](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-convince-robert-mueller-investigation-witch-hunt-1053547):If he wants to stick his head in the lion’s mouth, I say we should encourage him. Tell him Obama would never be brave enough to sit down with the investigators for a no-preconditions interview on live TV. Tell him only low-energy losers would say this is a bad idea. It’s his idea, isn’t it? So it must be great. Everyone else thinks so. Of course. He is the greatest everything, in the history of ever. Even Meuller and the investigators think so. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6186 "2018-08-04T15:45:35Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > [https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/03/paul-manafort-trial-2018-761300](https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/03/paul-manafort-trial-2018-761300) > > Looks like Manaforts former associates showed up in court wearing some flippers – 'cause they’re flipping on him bigly. Good. And then he will flip on Trump. Good. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6187 "2018-08-04T17:35:49Z")
When it was first suggested, the idea that Manny was afraid of extra-legal forms of retribution from his former bosses seemed far-fetched. Not so sure any more. Explains a lot. And, keep in mind, he knows those people a lot better than we do. Also, might merely be a figment of his paranoid imagination. Equally effective, a threat need not be real to be effective. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6188 "2018-08-04T17:48:00Z")
Yeah, he’s not afraid of conviction or jail. He’s afraid of polonium tea and novichok in umbrella tips, for himself AND his family. My money is on “not flipping”, unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6189 "2018-08-04T18:05:29Z")
If Manafort gets convicted, what kind of prison experience is he looking at? Are they going to keep him in a high security, lock down type of place, or a relatively comfortable, low security facility? Not that I think a low security federal prison is a fun place to be. But an acquaintance of mine did 18 months in one, and it sure sounded a lot better than being killed by polonium poisoning. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6190 "2018-08-04T18:49:37Z")
It really depends on whether or not the Bureau of Prisons thinks there are credible threats to his safety on the inside. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6191 "2018-08-04T18:52:49Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > It really depends on whether or not the Bureau of Prisons thinks there are credible threats to his safety on the inside. There probably are. Best to lock him up in solitary confinement for his duration. For his own safety, of course. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6192 "2018-08-04T19:28:57Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > … a threat need not be real to be effective. This. In fact, unreal, over-the-top, exaggerated threats may be the most effective of all. > [@jayjay](#): > > Yeah, he’s not afraid of conviction or jail. He’s afraid of polonium tea and novichok in umbrella tips, for himself AND his family. My money is on “not flipping”, unfortunately. AND this. In fact, many thump family and associates should be worried about this sort of thing IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6193 "2018-08-04T20:11:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This. In fact, unreal, over-the-top, exaggerated threats may be the most effective of all… Just indulging the typical Texan habit of reserved understatement. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6194 "2018-08-04T21:08:08Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > I have been worried for some time now about the personal safety of Mueller, Rosenstein and other key members of the team. Hopefully even Trump isn’t corrupt enough to try to arrange an assassination (and probably too incompetent to pull it off) but Putin would have no such scruples. I could see him suggesting to his best bud Don that he could take care of this investigation thing for him, no problem. Has some spare polonium and nerve poisons in the medicine cabinet he’d be happy to donate. > I’m sure this possibility has occurred to others with more expertise in these areas than me, and appropriate safeguards are being taken. But I still worry. In my opinion, they’re all safe (from Putin, anyway). Putin seems to reserve his assassinations for those who he sees as a direct danger to his power or as traitors. I don’t think he’s interested so much in keeping Trump in power as in creating the most chaos in the US political system as possible. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6195 "2018-08-04T22:56:21Z")
You all are ignoring the most important issue. Do I need to change accountants? Is the whole firm tainted if one or more of their accountants testify that they knowingly submitted tax returns and banking loan documents that they assumed were falsified? Will I be audited? (Yes, of course it’s all about me. I have my priorities.) ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6196 "2018-08-05T00:41:02Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > You all are ignoring the most important issue. Do I need to change accountants? Is the whole firm tainted if one or more of their accountants testify that they knowingly submitted tax returns and banking loan documents that they assumed were falsified? Will I be audited? > (Yes, of course it’s all about me. I have my priorities.) You’re going to jail. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6197 "2018-08-05T00:55:20Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > You all are ignoring the most important issue. Do I need to change accountants? Is the whole firm tainted if one or more of their accountants testify that they knowingly submitted tax returns and banking loan documents that they assumed were falsified? Will I be audited? > (Yes, of course it’s all about me. I have my priorities.) Yes, you should change accountants. My 2 cents. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6198 "2018-08-05T01:29:46Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > You all are ignoring the most important issue. Do I need to change accountants? Is the whole firm tainted if one or more of their accountants testify that they knowingly submitted tax returns and banking loan documents that they assumed were falsified? Will I be audited? > (Yes, of course it’s all about me. I have my priorities.) 1. Probably 2. Yes. Not everyone at Arthur Anderson was a crook who helped falsify Enron’s financial statements, but enough were and so the firm died. 3. If your accountant falsified some work for another client, your books may be of increased interest to prosecutors/regulators, etc. The people who testified, even though they have immunity, will almost certainly lose their license to practice and their immunity deals will only apply to Muellers team and for these transactions. State regulators are still waiting in the wings, unless their lawyers have been working that route. Most likely minimal action is that they will be barred from the industry and have fines imposed. IANAL, not your lawyer, nor am I a regulator of any sort. My 2 cents. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6199 "2018-08-05T05:08:17Z")
If you do change accountants, be sure to tell your ex-accountants why you’re leaving them. In addition to fearing their regulators, if they see the power of the market reacting to one of their bad apples it might help scare them to keep straight in the future. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2018, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6200 "2018-08-05T12:10:34Z")
Looks like the Big Don believes he’s got nothing to worry about, but is very worried about Don Jr. > **[President Is Worried About Donald Jr. Legal Risk: Reports](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-worried-about-legal-trouble-for-trump-jr_n_5b6656aee4b0b15abaa3e7da)** > > The president's recent social media outbursts are motivated by fear for his son, CNN and WaPo report. My hunch - just a hunch and nothing more - is that when Donald reaches the point at which he truly, palpably fears for the survival of himself, his financial ‘empire’, and his family - any or all of those - that would be the point at which he goes after Mueller and the investigation more directly. I think he’s wanted to stop Mueller from day one but probably didn’t sense any real urgency to do so because he was led to believe - or led himself to believe - that there was nothing to worry about, that it was just another investigation that would be wrapped up with some testimony before committees (despite plenty of evidence to the contrary). He might have believed, too, that he could simply intimidate and bully Mueller in light of what he did to his protege, Comey. Perhaps this is off-base and maybe nothing would have changed the trajectory of the investigation, but I wonder if Trump’s biggest mistake was the public humiliation of Jeff Sessions, his attorney general. I get the sense now that despite their shared interest in making America great again, there is deep personal animosity between those two, and that Sessions has vowed to remain attorney general just to spite Trump. If Trump wants to make this investigation go away, he’s going to have to hit a 3-run homer: Sessions, then Rosenstein, and then Mueller. It’s asking a lot of the voting public to shrug that off. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/6201 "2018-08-05T13:15:58Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Here are some highlights from the [Canadian Police low literacy checklist](http://policeabc.ca/files/factsheets_englishPDFs/Ch04FactSheet01.pdf) that Packman mentions in one of the videos: These aren’t in the list, but I had a coworker who would not realize he was holding a printed page upside-down, or that he’d been given a document in a language he didn’t know. The same coworker was at one point confused that he hadn’t been given the Warehouse Foreman promotion despite having seniority over the guy who’d been promoted and who, like everybody else in the factory, knew which side of a document was up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=309) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=311)