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Remember the dossier? Many journalists (not to mention the FBI) worked hard to confirm its allegations against Donald Trump. They failed miserably. But even then, some Democrats, and their allies in the press, refused to admit the dossier was BS. Instead, they argued that since it had not been proven untrue, it must be true. With that in mind, what standard of proof should apply to the Hunter Biden story? One thing is certain: Republicans and conservatives should not fall into the “not proven untrue” trap. It’s the wrong standard to apply to serious allegations. Instead, media organizations should be working to confirm the details of the Hunter Biden emails. If they succeed, they’ve got a big story. If they fail, they can report that the story could not be confirmed. It’s a very simple approach — too bad many news organizations are not following it.
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There is a probative difference between taking a position by denying allegations (Trump) and refusing to comment (Bidens). That goes to the probability that the content on the laptop is authentic . . . . kind of suggests a pretty high probability under the circumstances.
Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” #4, “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” Or in this case down, if they wish to hold evidence to the standards of the ‘Steele dossier’ then its perfectly fair to hold evidence against them to the same standards. Only by experiencing what they have put others through – will they learn not to do it.
Unlike the Steele Dossier – there is actual physical evidence (or virtual evidence) that these emails are genuine. Question the counter parties – or subpoena the counter party’s emails.
Also people question the validity of the story, because there is no security video of the transaction, and the repair guy has no clear recollection of who he dealt with. Ask any retail business for video for April 2019, and I think you’d find that nearly all of them would be unable to provide it – particularly for a date where the was no suspicious or criminal activity. Also ask anyone who works at a retail job about a routine transaction that took place in April 2019 and I am sure most would have zero recollection of any details of it. SO this point is not at all suspicious to me.
What motive would an obscure computer guy have to do something like this? The attorney Robert Barnes goes over a couple of aspects, like if Biden basically abandoned and didn’t pay for the repair, the shop can do what it wants, similar to private eyes going through your garbage. And perhaps if there is criminal activity recorded on it, like child porn, there may have been some type of duty to report.
The motive of the computer guy to make clones is security; he didn’t trust the FBI. The FBI looks pretty naive and seem flat footed in response.
“What Standard of Proof for Hunter Biden’s Laptop?”
The hard drive has to have Hunter’s fingerprints on it . . .
I don’t care much for this “standard of proof” concept, because we aren’t dealing with a matter of law – at this point. Rather, I think a better was of looking at it would be the weight of evidence. And in that realm, based on my current state of knowledge, it sure looks like it’s actually what it is claimed to be. Also in that realm lies the evidence of things not said. And that of things that suddenly align, when they didn’t before.
But first, it must be said that any suggestion that Russia, at any point, would have preferred Trump over Clinton or Biden is utterly absurd on its face.
If it were Russian disinformation, it would have to have started with Joe Biden’s help, in 2019, at the Council on Foreign Relations.
The emails align with previously – known, but seemingly unrelated (sort of) events in the past. And with that evidence, other people have dug further into more, previously – unknown records, and come up with more corresponding (at least) evidence. I’m thinking of the holes in Biden’s official itinerary. travel records, etc.
Then there is the lack of actual denials coming from the Biden camp, with the possible claims of a brain – addled Joe that he had no knowledge of Hunter’s overseas business dealings. And so it goes. This is really just the tip of the iceberg re: evidence that tends to corroborate the claim that it is Hunter Biden’s hard drive.
I have heard, but can’t cite the source, that somebody claiming to be Hunter’s attorney or something called the computer repair shop, asking for the return of Hunter’s hard drive. Personally, I have a hard time believing that this is genuine. Even a cocaine – addled Hunter Biden could be that stupid.
Could he?
Great overview of the situation. If I were a FBI agent I would hang my head in shame and, for sure, be looking for another job. I can see that the FBI feels burned by what happened under Comey and want to avoid wading into a political situation. BUT IF YOU DO THE RIGHT THING, follow the law and investigate, you will be respected. If you continue to play politics, you just become another political player. This reminds me of what John Roberts thinks he is doing to make the Supreme Court less of a political football. No all you’re doing, by not following the law, is becoming more political. What reason can you give for what you are doing other than politics. You cannot point to the law.
Let’s see? …. Is it “stupid” for anyone to take selfies of oneself smoking crack and engaging in sexual acts and keep the photos archived on your laptop.
Even if you were not the 40 something Yale Law School graduate adult son of the Vice President who is now running for President this behavior is beyond “stupid”.
Maybe you try and explain it all away with the pathetic substance abuser excuse, but it doesn’t make it any less “stupid”.
So to answer your question: “Personally, I have a hard time believing that this is genuine. Even a cocaine – addled Hunter Biden could be that stupid. Could he?”
Yes.