Originally Posted by Giordano (Post 13263994)

I agree that it is very unlikely the computer tech initiated the scam. I think someone else, probably Russians seeking to disrupt the election, used the computer tech to implant the bogus hard drive by offering it to Rudi.

Originally Posted by xjx388 (Post 13263969)

OK, but even if it's true that the laptop became legally his after X time, it's still a gross violation of privacy. The standard procedure of any legitimate shop would be to completely erase such laptops before reselling them. If it's possible that this shop makes a practice of looking through a user's files before erasing them . . . well, it's a good thing people know this now.

Basically, this guy just showed everyone that your worst fears (having your privacy violated by an unscrupulous and independent shop owner) are very very possible. An Authorized Apple shop or Apple itself isn't going to do this because the risks are too high. Apple has been very clear that they aren't in the business of turning over their user's info to law enforcement.

Originally Posted by surrogate (Post 13264080)

If he is willing to snoop through emails, chances are he would have no problem looking at pictures, videos, saved passwords, and any other documents. He also doesn't charge very much for his service. $85 to backup 3 laptops is less than I would charge if I was running a business.

Originally Posted by Giordano (Post 13263994)

I agree that it is very unlikely the computer tech initiated the scam. I think someone else, probably Russians seeking to disrupt the election, used the computer tech to implant the bogus hard drive by offering it to Rudi.

Originally Posted by Stacyhs (Post 13264098)

I've little doubt this is a classic Russia misinformation plant using Giuliani as its useful idiot. He's proven himself to be more than a willing stooge before. And there is no lack of other Trump sycophants happy to help.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13263345)

And because no where in the reported story does Andrii Derkach make an appearance.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13263345)

Unless you have some inside information, the hardware was left at a repair shop by Hunter Biden. The FBI was contacted through an intermediary, then given to the FBI under a Grand Jury subpoena. A copy was given through the mediator of the repair shop guy to Robert Costello who is Giuliani's attorney.

Originally Posted by Minoosh (Post 13264140)

The truth doesn't depend on whether I have inside information. But I think the likeliest explanation for what we know so far is that the FBI is probing a possible Russian disinformation campaign, such as the ones that federal investigators, U.S. intelligence agencies and bipartisan congressional committees have been warning us about for literally years, and which DJT has spent his entire presidency furiously denying.

Originally Posted by Minoosh (Post 13264140)

Prove Andrii Derkach wasn't involved. Should be easy.

The truth doesn't depend on whether I have inside information. But I think the likeliest explanation for what we know so far is that the FBI is probing a possible Russian disinformation campaign, such as the ones that federal investigators, U.S. intelligence agencies and bipartisan congressional committees have been warning us about for literally years, and which DJT has spent his entire presidency furiously denying.

Originally Posted by shuttlt (Post 13264153)

The FBI had better come out with some details soon, or in your scenario, they will have known about a Russian plan to influence the election a year out and silently let it run its course.

Originally Posted by shuttlt (Post 13264153)

The FBI had better come out with some details soon, or in your scenario, they will have known about a Russian plan to influence the election a year out and silently let it run its course.

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue (Post 13264164)

*Raises hand* Question.

Who... the... ****... cares?

Hunter Biden isn't running for President. Even if the laptop contains a map showing where Jimmy Hoffa is buried what does this have to do with Donald Trump being unfit to coach a Little League team, Joe Biden, or the cost of tea in China?

Hunter Biden can go to jail and I'll still for Joe Biden over Donald Trump.

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue (Post 13264164)

*Raises hand* Question.

Who... the... ****... cares?

Hunter Biden isn't running for President. Even if the laptop contains a map showing where Jimmy Hoffa is buried what does this have to do with Donald Trump being unfit to coach a Little League team, Joe Biden, or the cost of tea in China?

Hunter Biden can go to jail and I'll still for Joe Biden over Donald Trump.

Originally Posted by Babbylonian (Post 13264178)

Except that we've been told over and over again that Russia definitely tampered with the 2016 election and that they've been working on this one for a long time, too.

Just because something isn't in Trump tweets, making headlines in The New York Post and The Washington Times, and/or the top story on Fox News and OANN doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

We need the FBI to inform us about Russian election interference about as much as we need them to inform us that water is wet.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13264180)

As has been explained 3 or 4 times now, the emails could possibly implicate Joe Biden receiving money through his son.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13264180)

As has been explained 3 or 4 times now, the emails could possibly implicate Joe Biden receiving money through his son.

Originally Posted by surrogate (Post 13264080)

$85 to backup 3 laptops is less than I would charge if I was running a business.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13264183)

Do you just believe things because you're told? Or would you like to see evidence?

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue (Post 13264186)

Oh really.

Well I have a shoe box in my closet that could implicate you in the Black Dahlia murders.

We're a lot of proven facts down the ladder from "Joe Biden did anything."

But yes I know let's argue about the bottle that Hunter Biden didn't beat a hooker to death was champagne or sparkling whine (pun intended.)

Originally Posted by Babbylonian (Post 13264195)

I think you know what you can do with your disingenuous questions.

To be clear, you can go to the above links, read them, maybe click through the references, and generally educate yourself.

Originally Posted by Armitage72 (Post 13264166)

Like they did last time?

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13264205)

Nothing in there about Biden's emails, perhaps you could point it out to me.

Originally Posted by Babbylonian (Post 13264178)

We need the FBI to inform us about Russian election interference about as much as we need them to inform us that water is wet.

Originally Posted by shuttlt (Post 13264153)

The FBI had better come out with some details soon, or in your scenario, they will have known about a Russian plan to influence the election a year out and silently let it run its course.

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue (Post 13264164)

Who... the... ****... cares?

Originally Posted by shuttlt (Post 13264217)

Is the FBIs job to defend the country, or to silently document attacks so that afterwards they can tell us how they happened?

Originally Posted by Minoosh (Post 13264218)

It’s not happening silently. There has been a well-publicized, bipartisan effort to warn the U.S. of an ongoing threat. Meanwhile, Trump supporters haven’t wanted to hear it and Trump has been doing all he can to discredit career investigators and prosecutors.

Surely you must know that the FBI does not routinely make announcements of ongoing investigations.

While Trump’s faithful minions have spread the mantra of “no collusion,” what is sometimes overlooked is that no one really disputes that Russians collude with other Russians to influence elections. Of course Trump’s boast itself was dishonest, but his base likes being lied to.

Originally Posted by shuttlt (Post 13264236)

They very clearly brief people about ongoing investigations. They briefed Trump and Obama about the Steele dossier while that was an ongoing investigation. We've been hearing about them briefing Obama about Flynn before that became an active investigation.

Originally Posted by Minoosh (Post 13264220)

It’s their job to investigate. There’s kind of a hint in the name.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13263803)

Actually it's not funny at all. In case you missed it. The "Russian collusion" investigation was filled with leaks from anonymous sources that didn't pan out. Which only showed that leaks and "anonymous" sources speak to "reputable" news sources to push an agenda.

The repair shop owner's name is John Paul Mac Isaac, not sure why you think "single repair shop guy at his word, despite him also being unnamed " because that is clearly wrong.

We have 50 former intel and military people coming out on the "Russian disinformation" side. All these ex officials were in charge when Biden was doing his shady deals, and many have known ties to Chinese money, gov't, and orgs. I wouldn't take their word for it, they have no more information than you or I. They don't want to disrupt the gravy train. It's in their interest to push this line given much of the purported info in the emails is China related.

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim (Post 13264248)

Once again ignoring inconvenient facts in order to push a favourite conspiracy theory.

Well, no matter. I wasn't trying to initiate conversation with you, as I already know that that's pointless. I just thought it might have value for others to point out one particular brand of your hypocrisy.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13264161)

You asking to prove a negative is rich.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13264161)

Although that's all you have because evidence he is involved is non existant otherwise youd post it.

Originally Posted by Babbylonian (Post 13264244)

And Trump was briefed specifically that his buddy Giuliani was being targeted by the Russians to spread misinformation. What ******* good did that do?

Originally Posted by Babbylonian (Post 13264244)

Again, this is information that has spread far and wide, including being discussed in this very thread. How have you not been exposed to it?

Originally Posted by shuttlt (Post 13264247)

In that case, a new federal agency needs to be set up to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats.

Originally Posted by shuttlt (Post 13264236)

They very clearly brief people about ongoing investigations. They briefed Trump and Obama about the Steele dossier while that was an ongoing investigation. We've been hearing about them briefing Obama about Flynn before that became an active investigation.

The way we are talking about this, it's like one of those nature documentaries where some innocent baby gazelle is about to be killed by a pack of hyenas and the film crew do nothing because they have vowed not to interfere in the natural order. I don't believe the FBI takes that same approach with foreign election interference.

Originally Posted by TahiniBinShawarma (Post 13264250)

Point out the "conspiracy theory" part and the "hypocracy", or run with your tail between your legs.