# 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:** 489
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9763 "2019-03-01T16:57:11Z")
> [@Batano](#): > > I hate Trump as much as anyone. My distaste goes back before Apprentice, birtherism, or his run for president. I hated his tarted-up Trump tower bespoilling Manhattan. > > But, the hush money payments seem like weak sauce. If you are in the public eye it just makes sense to hush up scandals. It seems like a very technical violation of campaign finance law. I agree. If this was all we had against him I would put it at the same level as Clinton’s lie about the Lewinski blowjob. Technically illegal cover-up of a legal but unseemly act. But not something that should on its own derail a presidency. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9764 "2019-03-01T17:00:31Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > _"Go to jail / go directly to jail / do not pass Go / do not collect $200…_\* in fact, you OWE $200! (Which you don’t really have, do you, you loser? SAD!!!)"\*\*\* Genius! Genius, I say! ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9765 "2019-03-01T17:18:39Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > I agree. If this was all we had against him I would put it at the same level as Clinton’s lie about the Lewinski blowjob. > > Technically illegal cover-up of a legal but unseemly act. But not something that should on its own derail a presidency. Except it isn’t equivalent. The equivalent act was John Edwards trying to cover up his mistress and impending baby, and he was indicted and tried for that. Admittedly, it resulted in a mistrial and Justice didn’t retry him, but what Edwards (and Trump) did was a federal campaign felony. The point is that Clinton lied, but Trump (and Edwards) paid money. It’s not the “unseemly act” that is at issue, it’s the act of paying money to cover it up. Edwards lost his wife, his family, and his career in politics, even though he did not get convicted. He was also not President when he commited it. Trump was still engaging in the coverup after his inauguration. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9766 "2019-03-01T17:33:22Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > I agree. If this was all we had against him I would put it at the same level as Clinton’s lie about the Lewinski blowjob. > > **Technically illegal cover-up of a legal but unseemly act**. But not something that should on its own derail a presidency. No. No, it wasn’t. I don’t think you actually understand things very well. This was illegal cover-ups of illegal acts (plural). And the illegal acts were ones which would help fraudulently obtain the most powerful elected office on the planet. You don’t think “that should on its own derail a presidency” : obtaining the presidency through fraud? :dubious::rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9767 "2019-03-01T17:35:50Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Except it isn’t equivalent. The equivalent act was John Edwards trying to cover up his mistress and impending baby, and he was indicted and tried for that. Admittedly, it resulted in a mistrial and Justice didn’t retry him, but what Edwards (and Trump) did was a federal campaign felony. The point is that Clinton lied, but Trump (and Edwards) paid money. It’s not the “unseemly act” that is at issue, it’s the act of paying money to cover it up. No, in this case it’s also the unseemly act: committing fraud in order to obtain the presidency. > [@Morgyn](#): > > Edwards lost his wife, his family, and his career in politics, even though he did not get convicted. He was also not President when he commited it. Trump was still engaging in the coverup after his inauguration. Trump is still engaged in the coverup, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9768 "2019-03-01T17:55:36Z")
I believe the “unseemly acts” were the one-night stand with Stormy and the affair with the other woman whose name I’ve forgotten. Those weren’t illegal. Covering them up, that was illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9769 "2019-03-01T18:21:11Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I believe the “unseemly acts” were the one-night stand with Stormy and the affair with the other woman whose name I’ve forgotten. Those weren’t illegal. Covering them up, that was illegal. Even covering them up wasn’t illegal, what was illegal was doing so in a way that may have ended up being equivalent to a campaign contribution above the legal limit. This to me is what is equivalent to Clinton’s lie to the grand Jury. Don’t get me wrong, Trump is likely guilty of a multitude of illegal acts that should necessitate his removal from office, from using his office for personal gain, to obstruction of justice, to being a foreign agent. But if the Stormy Daniels thing is the only thing they can pin on him its pretty weak sauce. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9770 "2019-03-01T18:38:10Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > This to me is what is equivalent to Clinton’s lie to the grand Jury. Maybe it would be equivalent if Clinton had lied for the specific purpose of improving his chances in an election. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9771 "2019-03-01T18:59:38Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Even covering them up wasn’t illegal, what was illegal was doing so in a way that may have ended up being equivalent to a campaign contribution above the legal limit. > > This to me is what is equivalent to Clinton’s lie to the grand Jury. > > Don’t get me wrong, Trump is likely guilty of a multitude of illegal acts that should necessitate his removal from office, from using his office for personal gain, to obstruction of justice, to being a foreign agent. But if the Stormy Daniels thing is the only thing they can pin on him its pretty weak sauce. We know about the stormy daniels thing because it is weak sauce. All the real damning stuff, Mueller is still keeping close to his chest. ---
**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 1, 2019, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9772 "2019-03-01T19:01:01Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Even covering them up wasn’t illegal, what was illegal was doing so in a way that may have ended up being equivalent to a campaign contribution above the legal limit. > > This to me is what is equivalent to Clinton’s lie to the grand Jury. > > Don’t get me wrong, Trump is likely guilty of a multitude of illegal acts that should necessitate his removal from office, from using his office for personal gain, to obstruction of justice, to being a foreign agent. But if the Stormy Daniels thing is the only thing they can pin on him its pretty weak sauce. I’m sure there were more than a few widows and orphans created by Capone; some of whom might have characterized tax evasion as “weak sauce” (when placed alongside their personal losses). I’m less sure that any of those individuals were dissatisfied that his stint in Alcatraz relied on his conviction for tax evasion. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9773 "2019-03-02T03:32:11Z")
So there is a book coming out that will likely violate the gag order on Stone. And oops, they forgot to tell the judge about its “imminent release.” > [@](#): > > Republican operative and longtime Trump friend Roger Stone faced fresh legal trouble Friday after a federal judge ordered his attorneys to explain why they failed to tell her before now about the imminent publication of a book that could violate his gag order by potentially criticizing the judge or prosecutors with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. > **[Judge orders Roger Stone to explain imminent release of book that may violate...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/judge-orders-roger-stone-to-explain-imminent-release-of-book-that-may-violate-gag-order/2019/03/01/c5302c0e-3c80-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137_story.html?utm_term=.14bbd0dcafae)** > > U.S. judge earlier depicted next to crosshairs in Stone Instagram photo gives attorneys until Monday to answer. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9774 "2019-03-02T15:34:04Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > So there is a book coming out that will likely violate the gag order on Stone. And oops, they forgot to tell the judge about its “imminent release.” > > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/judge-orders-roger-stone-to-explain-imminent-release-of-book-that-may-violate-gag-order/2019/03/01/c5302c0e-3c80-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137\_story.html?utm\_term=.14bbd0dcafae](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/judge-orders-roger-stone-to-explain-imminent-release-of-book-that-may-violate-gag-order/2019/03/01/c5302c0e-3c80-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137_story.html?utm_term=.14bbd0dcafae) “I for-GOT!” _[Steve Martin voice]_ ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9775 "2019-03-02T16:16:32Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > “I for-GOT!” _[Steve Martin voice]_ “Two simple words. Two simple words in the English language:” ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9776 "2019-03-02T19:58:28Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > So there is a book coming out that will likely violate the gag order on Stone. And oops, they forgot to tell the judge about its “imminent release.” > > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/judge-orders-roger-stone-to-explain-imminent-release-of-book-that-may-violate-gag-order/2019/03/01/c5302c0e-3c80-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137\_story.html?utm\_term=.14bbd0dcafae](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/judge-orders-roger-stone-to-explain-imminent-release-of-book-that-may-violate-gag-order/2019/03/01/c5302c0e-3c80-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137_story.html?utm_term=.14bbd0dcafae) I read that article and couldn’t tell if the judge is going to do anything about this or what. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9777 "2019-03-02T20:50:52Z")
Amazon has announced it will be selling copies of the Mueller Report towards the end of March. > ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9778 "2019-03-02T21:00:38Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Amazon has announced it will be selling copies of the Mueller Report towards the end of March. > [https://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann/status/1101945367673954304](https://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann/status/1101945367673954304) Uh huh. As of March 26, Amazon will be selling copies of [_The Mueller Report: The Final Report of the Special Counsel into Donald Trump, Russia, and Collusion_](https://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Report-Special-Counsel-Collusion/dp/1510750169/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Mueller+Report&qid=1551560068&s=gateway&sr=8-1). By “the United States Department of Justice”. With an Introduction by [Alan Dershowitz](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alan+dershowitz+case+against+impeachment&crid=1RRAR2I8YAI9M&sprefix=Alan+Dersh%2Caps%2C215&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_10). :dubious: I small a [rat](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ratfucking). Or possibly even a [крыса](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D0%BA%D1%80%D1%8B%D1%81%D0%B0#Russian). ---
**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 2, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9779 "2019-03-02T22:32:57Z")
When will they be shipping them, and can I get a pro-rated discount pegged to the percentage of pages that are redacted? Unless I can, no way I’m pre-ordering. ---
**Author:** ![UnwittingAmericans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d9b06d/32.png) [@UnwittingAmericans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwittingAmericans)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9780 "2019-03-02T22:41:29Z")
You can get it on the dark web already. ---
**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 2, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9781 "2019-03-02T22:58:38Z")
Linky? ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/9782 "2019-03-02T23:19:08Z")
That’s clearly the “What the GOP Thinks of Mueller’s Witch Hunt” version of the report. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=488) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=490)