Instigator / Pro

Cowscreen

1450

rating

debates

30.0%

won

Topic

#420

The Mueller Investigation Is Not A Witch Hunt

Status

Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics

Winner

After 6 votes and with 6 points ahead, the winner is...

Logical-Master

Tags

Politics

Parameters

Publication date: 12.02.2018 08:28PM
Last updated date: 12.25.2018 05:35PM
Type: Standard
Number of rounds: 5
Time for argument: Twelve hours
Max argument characters: 30,000
Voting period: One week
Point system: Winner selection
Voting system: Open

Contender / Con

Logical-Master

1491

rating

debates

41.67%

won

Description

There is no evidence that Robert Mueller's investigation is illegitimate so it should continue.

Round 1

Cowscreen

12.16.2018 03:37AM

Pro

Forfeited

Logical-Master

12.16.2018 03:42AM

Con

Since no BOP was specified by PRO, I am going to presume that PRO holds the BOP and hold him to it. Failure to prove that the Mueller Investigation is Not a Witch Hunt is in itself sufficient grounds to vote CON.

Although I don't have to, I will submit an affirmative argument: The Mueller investigation is a witch hunt on the basis that Mueller is pursuing prosecutions completely and utterly unrelated to whether Trump coordinated with the Russians to influence to 2016 presidential election. I will elaborate more in this in the next round where hopefully PRO will participate.

Round 2

Cowscreen

12.16.2018 03:42PM

Pro

Forfeited

Logical-Master

12.16.2018 03:52PM

Con

On second thought, let's give PRO another chance to participate before I go any further.

Round 3

Cowscreen

12.17.2018 03:52AM

Pro

Forfeited

Logical-Master

12.17.2018 08:09AM

Con

Feeling generous we'll give PRO an additional opportunity to participate before we go any further!

Round 4

Cowscreen

12.17.2018 08:09PM

Pro

Forfeited

Logical-Master

12.17.2018 09:31PM

Con

The point of the Mueller probe is to determine whether Trump and Russia conspired to interfere with the 2016 elections.[1] Throughout the course of the Mueller investigation, there have been a series of investigations/prosecutions that have had no bearing whatsoever on the investigation[2]. Investigations and prosecutions that have been focused on investigating people as opposed to investigating crimes. A very key distinction from a prosecutorial standpoint. As such, the Mueller probe has gone from being an investigation about russian interference into a full-on "political fishing expedition."[3] An expedition that has gone as far as spending millions in tax-payer money to determine whether Trump and former-lawyer paid a woman some hush-money to keep her from revealing his illicit affair to the world. A shameful act for sure, but nothing of which has any bearing on what Mueller was appointed to do. Of course, when considering Mueller's ties to the disgraced former FBI director James Comey (a gentleman relieved of his position by none other than the sitting president), is it any wonder that the investigation has gone the route that it has?

Sources:

[1] https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Appointment_of_Special_Counsel_to_Investigate_Russian_Interference_with_the_2016_Presidential_Election_and_Related_Matters.pdf

[2]https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/newt-gingrich-mueller-probe-has-gone-from-a-witch-hunt-to-an-inquisition-of-trump-and-allies

[3] https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/06/opinions/rosenstein-should-curb-mueller-whittaker-opinion/index.html

Round 5

Cowscreen

12.18.2018 09:31AM

Pro

Forfeited

Logical-Master

12.18.2018 05:35PM

Con

#10

PRO has failed to participate in this debate. Vote CON!

Mharman

12.21.2018 02:44PM

#14

Fun fact: this is DART's 420th debate.

Blaze it

Logical-Master

12.18.2018 05:34PM

#13

-->

@dustryder

Any interpretation of those documents that extends beyond investigating the Russian collusion should be rejected for the sake of your best interest and mine. =)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-manafort/us-judge-questions-special-counsels-powers-in-manafort-case-idUSKBN1I51WE

A point I would have been happy to discuss with PRO had he participated in this debate. A shame.

dustryder

12.18.2018 10:48AM

#12

-->

@Logical-Master

The document you've linked states that the objectives of the special council are to investigate any links or coordination efforts between the Russian government and people associated with the Trump campaign. And additionally, to investigate any matters that arise from what is discovered during the investigation.

This is far broader than just examining whether Trump conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 elections

Vader

12.16.2018 10:28PM

#11

Trump is in hot waters and it will stay that way for a while...his investigation is his job.

David

12.16.2018 05:14AM

#10

-->

@Logical-Master

Ok cool!

Logical-Master

12.16.2018 05:13AM

-->

@David

I'm fine with either proposal!

David

12.16.2018 03:45AM

-->

@Logical-Master

Sounds good. I would propose the following resolution "Resolved: That we should support the Muller investigation" or "Resolved: The Muller investigation should be continued."

Logical-Master

12.16.2018 03:44AM

-->

@David

Maybe next week! Two pending debates on my docket is enough for me for now!

David

12.16.2018 03:39AM

-->

@Logical-Master

I'd be happy to take the pro side in a debate with you

MagicAintReal

12.15.2018 02:03AM

-->

@Cowscreen

If you put a reasonable definition of witch hunt up, I will accept this.

Barney

12.06.2018 04:38AM

This debate should probably have a link to a news story in the description. Also a definition of witch hunt.

Alec

12.02.2018 10:36PM

No. I was a little curious. I don't know too much on this issue.

RationalMadman

12.02.2018 09:42PM

-->

@Alec

Are you trolling?

Alec

12.02.2018 09:27PM

What is the muller investigation?

Raltar

12.19.2018 07:41PM

Criterion

Pro

Tie

Con

Points

Winner

1 point(s)

Reason:

Full forfeit.

RationalMadman

12.19.2018 07:29PM

Criterion

Pro

Tie

Con

Points

Winner

1 point(s)

Reason:

Full Forfeit

Mharman

12.19.2018 07:26PM

Criterion

Pro

Tie

Con

Points

Winner

1 point(s)

Reason:

Foooooorfeit

Ramshutu

12.18.2018 06:53PM

Criterion

Pro

Tie

Con

Points

Winner

1 point(s)

Reason:

Full Forfeit

Alec

12.18.2018 06:25PM

Criterion

Pro

Tie

Con

Points

Winner

1 point(s)

Reason:

Pro forfeited the whole Big Boy debate.

David

12.18.2018 05:48PM

Criterion

Pro

Tie

Con

Points

Winner

1 point(s)

Reason:

Full forfeit