General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo, admittedly I hadn't been paying that close attention to the "Hunter Biden laptop" story...
I knew the very general basics of it, knew that it had changed hands and thus there would naturally be issues about chain of custody on it.
So I naturally just wrote the entire story off as right-wing bullshit/disinformation, even though people on right wing social media were screaming and yelling how it was a "SMOKING GUN" of...well, something. I don't know.
As it turns out, it was in fact right-wing bullshit/disinformation.
But I had no idea how extreme right-wing bullshit/disinformation it actually is.
Turns out, it is a pure dumpster fire on a train-wreck level of bullshit/disinformation that only the stupidest, most gullible idiots would possibly believe has any merit.
To wit:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/12/now-warning-about-hunter-biden-laptop-disinfo-guy-who-leaked-it/
Last month, The Washington Post was able to publish a report based on a copy of material that we obtained from a Republican activist named Jack Maxey whod gotten it from Giuliani. We had multiple experts examine the contents of a hard drive that purported to contain the laptops contents, validating tens of thousands of emails as likely to be legitimate. But an enormous amount of the material on the drive couldnt be validated as legitimate, in part because of the game of telephone that the material had undergone by the time it reached us. (The report notes that efforts to obtain the material in 2020 were rebuffed.)
The experts found the data had been repeatedly accessed and copied by people other than Hunter Biden over nearly three years, our report explained, with those we spoke with being unable to reach definitive conclusions about the contents as a whole, including whether all of it originated from a single computer or could have been assembled from files from multiple computers and put on the portable drive.
For example:
[An expert] also found records on the drive that indicated someone may have accessed the drive from a West Coast location in October 2020, little more than a week after the first New York Post stories on Hunter Bidens laptop appeared.
Over the next few days, somebody created three additional folders on the drive, titled, Mail,' Salacious Pics Package and Big Guy File an apparent reference to Joe Biden.
So let's just get this straight.
1. Someone had access to Hunter Biden's laptop
2. Someone added new files to that laptop thinking that wouldn't be easily detected
3. Someone actually decided to title those files "Salacious Pics Package" and "Big Guy File" because they thought that would somehow make this a SMOKING GUN of criminality.
I mean...holy shit.
What sort of brain dead thought process is that?
It's as if I wanted to frame my neighbor for murder, and so I dig a hole in his back yard, put a gun in it, and then fill it up and place a sign saying "MURDER WEAPON BURIED HERE" right above it.
That's just so pathetically lazy and half-assed I would almost feel bad for the person who thought they were a genius doing it, except that there are plenty of people out there who are more than happy to buy that story, hook, line and sinker.
Ohio Joe
(21,755 posts)LakeArenal
(28,817 posts)No one will give up the serial number to prove who it belonged to.
geardaddy
(24,930 posts)TomSlick
(11,098 posts)I even wear it to Scottish events. Otherwise, not so much.
geardaddy
(24,930 posts)But I left it somewhere. I used to play in a bagpipe band and that was part of our uniform.
TomSlick
(11,098 posts)So I have one of those too but never wear it.
Galraedia
(5,025 posts)Answer is he didn't. Owner never saw Hunter Biden leave it there and never showed a signed receipt. Also, copying a hard drive that contains someone else's personal information is not only morally wrong but shady as hell for a computer repair shop to admit to. I've repaired dozens of laptops and I've always made sure to protect the private information of the owner. Your job is to repair the device and going through the owner's personal contents is not a part of that process. That's bad business and breaks the trust between you and your customers. Who knows how many others personal information this guy has actively looked for on their device and copied?
catrose
(5,066 posts)Plus everything you said.
Captain Zero
(6,805 posts)This guy has four, just sayin'.
John Paul Mac Isaac
gab13by13
(21,337 posts)all of the time DOJ (Barr) special prosecutor John Durham has been working to bring down president Biden. If anyone suggests Garland hiring a special prosecutor it is shot down, by people here.
Response to gab13by13 (Reply #2)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
marybourg
(12,631 posts)certainot
(9,090 posts)every week, just like the global warming denial, covid denial, clinton corruption, voter fraud, etc....
marybourg
(12,631 posts)tastes and preferences?
certainot
(9,090 posts)in case others might think you were advocating others ignore it
marybourg
(12,631 posts)it would have gone away by now, with only the craziest of the rwnjs still babbling on.
certainot
(9,090 posts)which gets to repeat the lies to 50 mil a week for as long as it takes, and makes fox acceptable
Qutzupalotl
(14,311 posts)piece by piece: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216584154
LenaBaby61
(6,974 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,083 posts)Just as he picks part all the rest of the Right's bullshit. His YouTube page is worth a visit.
Botany
(70,504 posts)This is from the republican led senate intel committee
A New Report Adds Evidence That Trump Was a Russian Asset
He helped Putin manipulate the U.S. election in 2020, as he did in 2016.
"Attacks on Biden and his son, Hunter, were part of this operation. Through US officials and prominent US individuals, some of whom were close to former President Trump and his administration, the report says Russias intelligence services repeatedly spread unsubstantiated or misleading claims about President Biden and his familys alleged wrongdoing related to Ukraine. In this way, Trumps circle laundered the Russian-planted stories, which were then recirculatedand promoted by Russias online proxiesas American news."
The Hunter Biden laptop story is just Hillary and her emails 2.0. Hunter Biden's laptop was "discovered" in a computer
repair shop in New Jersey he had never been to and I think thousands of miles away from where he lived.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/03/trump-russian-asset-election-intelligence-community-report.html?msclkid=8781c329c0ba11eca8e95cfd43002d6a
Response to Botany (Reply #5)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
Botany
(70,504 posts).... and it received almost zero media attention. The exit polls in 2016 had Hillary winning Wisconsin,
Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida and Facebook has since paid a 5 billion $ fine for
their rat fucking of the 2016 by passing on Russian disinformation about Hillary and their use of algorithms
by Cambridge Analytica in order to ID targeted voted and make sure those voters heard all about HRC's
emails and "the scandals" of the Clinton Foundation (which there wasn't any).
Response to Botany (Reply #40)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
niyad
(113,302 posts)Hunter Biden just dropped a "smoking gun" laptop off to some random pawn shop? Knowing that the rwnj's were targeting him? Seriously?
Wapo is taking the words of qputlikkklan operatives? Are you f'n kidding me? Tens of thousands of emails? JFC.
Ray Bruns
(4,095 posts)That is the republican base.
mainer
(12,022 posts)And why board a plane to drop it off in Delaware when he was living in California at the time?
It makes no sense.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)On Fux Noise wouldn't touch it.
Joinfortmill
(14,419 posts)Jerry2144
(2,101 posts)Since they are proven to have manufactured evidence of a crime, they must be doing it to distract or discredit from something else that will be coming out showing they committed a similar, but worse, crime.
Look at all the pedophile stuff they accuse, the stolen elections stuff, election fraud.
JustAnotherGen
(31,823 posts)I'm now really wondering about the depth and extent of the Trump violation of the emoluments rules/laws. What does Putin have in his possession - and one which Trump kid's laptop.
calimary
(81,261 posts)Sounds like projection much. Somebody over there DOES have a problem with pedophilia. I'd say count on it. Projection is their #1 weapon of choice. And projection is what you'll see a lot of, especially Republicans aiming outward with all kinds of icky accusations and insinuations. It's because they're doing it back home. Or someone close to them is, while they're busy looking - and pointing - the other way. But I'd say if they're making this big a deal about pedophilia among their opponents, then it's UNDOUBTEDLY going on in their own midst. Maybe not just "going on" but raging and roaring on! I suspect the Russian emphasis on pedophilia among its opponents is a BIG tell. With bells on, and a big flashing neon hat like an electrified cherry on top.
Jerry2144
(2,101 posts)About their projecting as strongly as a quasar. In several billion years, a little green alien in another galaxy far away will see the projection coming from our little rock around our little star
calimary
(81,261 posts)sop
(10,177 posts)opponents' computers so they could be accused and prosecuted.
(Edited to add link) Here's the entire transcript about Russian "eliminationist rhetoric":
https://www.msnbc.com/transcripts/rachel-maddow-show/transcript-rachel-maddow-show-4-18-22-n1294580
calimary
(81,261 posts)Surprised they havent flung that poo at Biden yet. Hell, seems like theyve tried everything else
llashram
(6,265 posts)of "stupid and gullible" people. Hell enough followed Hitler into being responsible for the unnatural deaths of millions upon millions of innocent people. Putin also has Russians believing his big lie. Fighting Nazis? What an obvious crock of shit!
Walleye
(31,022 posts)It must be frustrating trying to smear Joe Biden, one of the most ethical, honest, and kindest man youll ever meet in any profession. Yet they keep trying.
Chainfire
(17,537 posts)What they "know" is that Hunter Biden's computer went to a repair shop. He didn't claim it. The shop owner examined the content and called "Trump's lawyer." It had tons of information to prove that Hunter and his Father were bad, bad, people. It is the same kind of operation of "her emails." It doesn't have to make any sense, and using logic to demonstrate how flawed the story is only proves the "coverup.
It is easy for the Republican Army to launch their disinformation campaigns because their followers are so damn gullible.
Beaverhausen
(24,470 posts)The right just needs their little catchphrases such as "hunter's laptop" etc
They don't care about facts or the truth. They don't have to. They believe what they want to believe.
moose65
(3,166 posts)How stupid do they think Hunter Biden is? Yeah, "I've got all these emails and pictures and other incriminating shit on my laptop, so I think I'll drop it off at a random repair shop across the country and then I'll forget about it."
The people who believe that are the same ones that believed PizzaGate, I guess. They also remember the Weekly World News story about Hillary giving birth to an alien baby back in the 90's.
Tree Lady
(11,465 posts)of this story I just figured it was a lie.
Did Hunter really turn his laptop into a repair shop then take off and other people put false info on that laptop? My question is why would he do such a thing? Doesn't make sense.
It's confusing to me as a regular citizen and if its confusing to me it will be to others not paying close attention they will just believe whatever their team Dem or Republican tells them.
Emile
(22,729 posts)after so long without anyone neutral safe guarding this so called evidence.
Warpy
(111,256 posts)I mean, really.
unblock
(52,221 posts)the real story, of course, is the (blatant and pathetic) attempted framing of an innocent american for political gain.
that republicans are on the lookout for negative information about political opponents is not really news.
but that then launch such lies and keep insisting we should take them and their ridiculous fantasies seriously is a major story.
but the media consistently just repeats whatever republicans want them to. even if they say there's not much there, they always present it as possible scandal -- heads the democrat loses, tails the democrat maybe breaks even. there is no "win" for the democrat, ever, and there is no "lose" for the republicans, ever.
but that's not how it should work at all. when republicans get ridiculous about an alleged democratic "scandal", especially if it's fabricated, they should pay a major price. they have *zero* credibility because they've proven themselves liars and frauds.
the media going back again and again, to these same discredited sources, putting these people on the air, is a disgrace to journalism.
onetexan
(13,041 posts)I rolled my eyes as he seems to be a faux news type reporter, but i was more upset msnbc had crap like that peddling the RW hysteria.
Ahna KneeMoose
(302 posts)Caliman73
(11,738 posts)No idea about the level of right wing bullshit/disinformation?
Nixon was forced to resign because he had people break into his opponent's campaign headquarters to steal dirt on the opponent, in a race that Nixon was the HEAVY favorite in. No need to do it, just did it because...
Reagan went behind the back of the Carter administration and made a deal with Iran to hold the hostages until after the election in order to hurt Carter. He then made another deal to sell weapons (illegally) to Iran, THEN funneled money (illegally) to right wing death squads in Nicaragua.
Bush Jr., well we know the controversy on the Florida electoral votes, the recount, hanging chad, ect... Bush Jr. also lied America into BOTH Afghanistan and Iraq. Iraq is more famous because it had ZERO connection with 9/11. The Taliban however, had agreed to turn Bin Laden over to the international court, but Bush rejected the offer and invaded saying the Taliban were protecting Bin Laden.
Trump doesn't need any more discussion, just Trump...
Nixon's re-election was in 1972. Almost 50 years of rat fucking to win elections. I didn't even mention the Southern Strategy for Nixon, Reagan giving his announcement speech in Philadelphia Mississippi (racial dog whistle), and his "welfare queen" and "young buck" stories that were bullshit. Bush Sr.'s Willie Horton smear on Dukakis...etc. All they have is bullshit/disinformation.
AllaN01Bear
(18,201 posts)Response to AllaN01Bear (Reply #23)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
Cartoonist
(7,316 posts)While the laptop is dead as evidence, it can still provide leads for investigation. Names and businesses mentioned in the emails can be followed up.
2Gingersnaps
(1,000 posts)Response to 2Gingersnaps (Reply #26)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
geardaddy
(24,930 posts)That is exactly how they think!
2naSalit
(86,601 posts)At cartoon level or are completely unencumbered by the thought process all together.
geardaddy
(24,930 posts)I wish we could just erase them.
2naSalit
(86,601 posts)Their lack of ability to come up with anything above third grade level, and I'm being generous here, is astounding.
It reminds me of the time I proofread a paper for a former boss of mine and was horrified by his inability to write a proper sentence.
The expectation that everyone else will take what they spew as honest or true is like that of a child under ten. Their explanations are just as lacking in credibility as the premise.
ChazInAz
(2,569 posts)Last edited Wed Apr 20, 2022, 02:50 PM - Edit history (1)
That's just the way a right wing nutter would think that one of us would label something.
Three syllable words are surely a tell-tale sign of liberals to them.
Being sly, I label all my porn files as "Feelthy pitchers".
Shouldn't that be "pitchers?"
ChazInAz
(2,569 posts)I shall correct it forthwith!
Butterflylady
(3,543 posts)And yes they are that stupid.
H2O Man
(73,537 posts)jaxexpat
(6,827 posts)Don't look at me all fish-eyed. It's just something I noticed.
Hulk
(6,699 posts)Not a day goes by, nor a sleazy stooge host-whore goes through their pathetic clown act, without referring to the "non-story", or devote the WHOLE segment to this disinformation distraction.
Never one peep of kushner's TWO BILLION bail out loan from the Saudis. Just so blatantly open propaganda. Not much different from Putin's stooges in Russia media.
Carlitos Brigante
(26,501 posts)payback time, muthafuckas!!!!!
BadgerMom
(2,771 posts)That is all.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Maybe he has a libel case!
usonian
(9,795 posts)heckles65
(549 posts)Both were forgeries that were widely believed as genuine; in retrospect, they were both clever and dumb at the same time.
And oh yes, both have the fingerprints of the Russian secret police all over them.
Slammer
(714 posts)I know almost nothing about computer security and what can and cannot be detected.
But if I have control of a laptop and control over when the laptop is rediscovered, I could put crap on it which could arguably have come from the original owner. That's because I have some level of intelligence, am not shy about looking up how things work when I'm not familiar with them, and am a paranoid SOB who thinks that "if anything could go wrong, it will go wrong for me".
I think part of this gross incompetence is the "old guy" network of people like Giuliani who probably didn't know that people looking at the laptop could read the names you put on the files. And who don't respect that other people have some level of intelligence.
Saboburns
(2,807 posts)Last edited Thu Apr 21, 2022, 07:19 AM - Edit history (1)
People have no idea how many Americans are told the most outrageous things that become "Facts" to the WingNuts. Until we can get our arms around all the propaganda consumed then things will not improve.
Obama born in Kenya
Hillary gave Uranium to Russia
Clintons killed Vince Foster
BENGHAZI!!
the pedo bullshit
pizzagate
Trump won!
etc.
150 million Americans not only say this shit, post this shit, spread this shit, wallow in this shit...they absolutely believe this shit There are hundreds of of AltRight "news" websites and more pop up everyday.
kwijybo
(230 posts)I mean, Hunter flew from California (where he was living in preparation for his upcoming wedding) to Delaware to take his Apple laptop to a Mom & Pop computer store. You know, instead of driving down to the mall to take it to the Genius Bar or Applestore (it should have been under warranty, based on the supposed date and year of the computer). He then gives it to a guy who can't see him but recognizes Hunter Biden.
Then it starts to get really weird (at least for a computer guy). Instead of pulling the hard drive and doing an image copy (bit for bit) to get the complete file system, the computer guy copies stuff file by file. This is slow, labor intensive, and error prone.
onecaliberal
(32,856 posts)Emile
(22,729 posts)uponit7771
(90,336 posts)Novara
(5,842 posts)If you can't find evidence, make it up. Lie. Cheat. Steal. Commit forgery. Plant nonexistent "evidence."
Then accuse democrats of what you're doing.
What's pathetic is that it's so transparent and utterly ridiculous and anyone with a brain can spot this shit from miles away, but there are far too many people so stupid that they believe anything just because their hate for "the other side" makes them desperately WANT to believe it.
It's called confirmation bias:
"Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values."
The desire to believe something negative about their enemies is so strong that they will believe anything without question. Nevermind that there's no actual proof. Nevermind that it doesn't make sense. Nevermind that it may not even be possible. If it's something negative about their enemies, they'll automatically believe it.
Don't you sometimes wonder how half this country got so brainwashed?