# The Hunter Biden Investigation {thread started in 2019}, Hunter Pardoned on December 1, 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 28, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964 "2019-09-28T19:54:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 45
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/883 "2024-01-11T19:21:49Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Look how many posts it took for @Sage_Rat to concede that Hunter was present when Moskowitz asked for a show of hands; this was something trivial to google or observe from watching a few minutes of the proceedings. Denial or willful ignorance is a form of interpretation. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/884 "2024-01-11T19:23:40Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Denial or willful ignorance is a form of interpretation. I don’t think I’d agree with that either, but the point is, the conclusion was not reached through observation. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/885 "2024-01-11T19:25:30Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I don’t think I’d agree with that either, but the point is, the conclusion was not reached through observation. Are you telling me that “observation” and “assumption” aren’t synonyms?! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/886 "2024-01-11T19:25:31Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Hunter was not called by the committee yesterday in any way, shape, or form. He crashed the Oversight Committee meeting of his own volition to make them look like fools, not because he was required by lying liars to be there. It boggles my mind that this point had been missed as it was perhaps the most salient point of yesterday’s goings-on, and much of the commentary here notes that. It was a surprise. Nobody called him there. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/887 "2024-01-11T19:25:54Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > … But that still makes the whole action just thumbing his nose at the law. If anyone were “thumbing [their] nose at the law,” it was the Republicans on the ~~kangaroo court~~ committee. At most HB was thumbing his nose at them, which they richly deserved. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/888 "2024-01-11T19:26:43Z")
It’s been repeatedly pointed out. The fight against ignorance continues unabated. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/889 "2024-01-11T19:33:21Z")
I mean, I don’t even watch or read the news anymore, but I do listen to radio, and when the station took a news break, it led with something like “Hunter Biden’s surprise appearance” or words of that nature. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/890 "2024-01-11T19:35:49Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Are you telling me that “observation” and “assumption” aren’t synonyms?! You know what you do when you observe? You make an “O” out of “B” and “Serve”. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/891 "2024-01-11T19:39:22Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > If anyone were “thumbing [their] nose at the law,” Moral issues aside, a subpoena is a lawful obligation, and not complying with a subpoena is not complying with law. Here is an FAQ, unfortunately it’s a PDF, but it covers contempt of Congress and criminality: [https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10974](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10974) Per that page: > Under 2 U.S.C. § 192, it is a misdemeanor criminal offense to “willfully” fail to comply with a valid congressional subpoena for either documents or testimony “upon any matter under inquiry before either House . . . or any committee of either House of Congress.” Though as @iiandyiiii stated: > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > IANAL, but I’m pretty sure the law doesn’t support frivolous or bad-faith subpoenas. The law does say it must be a “ **valid** congressional subpoena”. I don’t know what would constitute it being “valid” or not (legally; I’ve made it clear that I think this is all BS and there is no real intent to actually question Hunter). If you don’t comply, I think that’s a bit of a gamble. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/892 "2024-01-11T19:39:27Z")
You can’t educate someone who willfully refuses to learn. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/893 "2024-01-11T19:44:38Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I don’t think it is. > Look how many posts it took for @Sage_Rat to concede that Hunter was present when Moskowitz asked for a show of hands; this was something trivial to google or observe from watching a few minutes of the proceedings. The issue is that you’re making the a priori assumption that I have a side and that I’m defending that side. Or at least, I take that assumption from your use of the word “concede”. You’re probably right that I’d have no issues if I had watched the entire proceedings. The issue is that I’ve read reporting and a) that reporting isn’t a simple transcript so it’s not entirely clear what happened at what time, in what order, and what it actually portended, and b) the descriptions that I’m being given by the people here have not matched the reporting or even the cites that I’m being pointed to. I’ve probably misunderstood the item about Hunter’s invitation to appear before the committee but, in general, that seems to be less egregious than most of the commentary here. Mine is, at least, unintentional and non-partisan. It seemed reasonable that a person would have been called to defend themselves in a sentencing hearing. That was incorrect. I don’t, personally, care what the answer ends up being. If Hunter is a hero then so be it. If he’s a bastard, then so be it. I’m happy to concede any result that matches the evidence that I’ve seen and can be shown. And the best way to do that is to simple and factually trust that I have a good intention and will accept anything that is citable and matches the given cite. If your cite supposes that a Democrat can read the mind of Republicans, that’s BS. If it demonstrates that Hunter was free to come and go as he pleased then that directly combats what I had understood to be the situation. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/894 "2024-01-11T19:48:47Z")
Well, to use your own words from this very thread, with some slight editing… > [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > If you can find trustworthy sources, obviously that is wonderful and all, but ultimately you need the ability to … watch the actual proceedings instead of reading about them, and think about what you have seen… > [@](#): > > separate out the fact-checkable statements, and ignore everything else regardless of whether that’s a source you believe in or not. All the source of the information means is how much fact-checking you actually do. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/895 "2024-01-11T19:50:12Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I don’t, personally, care what the answer ends up being. You have 100 posts in this thread. I refuse to believe you’re not invested. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/896 "2024-01-11T19:50:32Z")
I’m not seeing the disconnect. That is exactly what I’m saying now, as well? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/897 "2024-01-11T19:51:48Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I refuse to think you’re not invested. A police officer is invested in finding out who murdered the victim. He’s not invested in it being Bob Shiftyface versus it being Roger Neerdowell. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/898 "2024-01-11T19:52:45Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > A police officer is invested in finding out who murdered the victim. He’s not invested in it being Bob Shiftyface versus it being Roger Neerdowell So you’re starting with a crime and victim and doing a whodunit? Great! What was the crime and who was the victim? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/899 "2024-01-11T19:55:46Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > It seemed reasonable that a person would have been called to defend themselves in a sentencing hearing. That was incorrect. Yes, very incorrect. What sentencing hearing??? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/900 "2024-01-11T19:56:31Z")
You’re reading too much into the example. We should all want to know if we can trust our elected leaders. Having an a priori answer to that question isn’t a path to coming to an answer. Currently, I trust Joe. But I also hold that subpoenas aren’t optional and whataboutism isn’t a morally acceptable response to that. I don’t expect anything interesting to come if the subpoena had actually worked, mind, but that also has no relevance to what the law is. If you’re subpoenaed, you have to show up. Maybe at some point, you’re getting subpoenaed over and over and it’s veritable harassment. At that point you can sue for an injunction citing due process. We’re not at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/901 "2024-01-11T19:57:27Z")
I think @Sage_Rat is saying that they don’t care if Hunter gets convicted or exonerated, but that doesn’t mean there is no interest or investment in the case itself. I can say that myself about a lot of things I am interested in. You can be invested in a contest (which is what this is really) without having to root for one side or the other. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/902 "2024-01-11T20:02:51Z")
Truth. Maganut says he “ran” out when MTG was going to question him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=46)