# A serious question for Sam Stone on Factual Errors **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 11, 2021, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881 "2021-12-11T12:32:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 87
**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 17, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1721 "2024-01-17T17:37:08Z")
1. But what does this have to do with Joe? 2. Who cares? You know who else has naked pictures of themselves? A lot of married couples. 3. Why am I wasting my time asking this? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1722 "2024-01-17T17:41:35Z")
Seriously re: #3…at the time the laptop surfaced, was it not well known that Hunter had abused drugs and purchased a gun (and filled out the incriminating form)? How are those photos significant? What breakthrough resulted from that photographic “evidence”? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1723 "2024-01-17T18:06:17Z")
What is significant about any of those photos? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1724 "2024-01-17T18:07:16Z")
That fact that evidence from the laptop is being used in multiple federal cases makes it significant. This should be obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1725 "2024-01-17T18:15:14Z")
So the chain of custody for this laptop is secure and unimpeachable I suppose. There’s no way that any evidence from this laptop could have been compromised at any point right? It MUST be the case that laptop was never in a situation where a bad actor might have had access to it - otherwise we would not even be having this discussion. Right? Because I imagine that this minor point may come up if anything on this laptop is introduced into a court of law as evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1726 "2024-01-17T18:16:35Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > That fact that evidence from the laptop is being used in multiple federal cases makes it significant. _The Daily Fail_, _New York Post_, and some [Spanish _sports_ site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marca_(newspaper)) were the best you could do? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1727 "2024-01-17T18:17:40Z")
What cases are using the photos or any other evidence from the laptop? With cites please. Oh, unless you mean the House investigation. Because that would be funny. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1728 "2024-01-17T18:43:56Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > What cases are using the photos or any other evidence from the laptop? With cites please. I’m guessing you know this, but Sam evidently doesn’t. No evidence from the laptop was included in Hunter’s indictment on gun charges. It doesn’t mean that something from the laptop can’t later be entered in evidence for a trial, but at this point Sam’s statement is false. There has been no evidence of corruption found on the laptop. There are no drug charges against Hunter at this time, so photos of him with a “crack pipe” are not of any significance. Sam, either you’ve been hoodwinked by your sources, or you know all this and are trying to hoodwink everyone here. Not a good look either way. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1729 "2024-01-17T18:52:04Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > There are no drug charges against Hunter at this time, so photos of him with a “crack pipe” are not of any significance. I have seen more crack pipes than most people, from my days as a public defender. I didn’t recognize the object in Hunter’s mouth as a crack pipe. That doesn’t mean it isn’t, but it’s not obvious to me that it is. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1730 "2024-01-17T18:52:29Z")
I stand by my assertion that I’m glad Hunter is not POTUS. Same as I’m glad Don Jr isn’t president since it appears he is fueled entirely on cocaine and spittle. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1731 "2024-01-17T18:55:25Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I was responding to the claim that there was ‘nothing of significance’ on the laptop. To refute this claim, you offer a Daily Mail link. From that link: > But even if the shocking new images will hardly tell well-informed voters anything they didn’t already know, they are unlikely to bolster Mr Biden’s image as a wholesome alternative to the current president. So your link that shows something of significance is on the laptop tells us that its contents “will hardly tell well-informed voters anything they didn’t already know.” It’s not surprising that you offered a link that contradicted your claim; it’s your signature move. I just want to make sure everyone sees that you’re still doing it. You did, however, show proof that there are pictures of Hunter with a crack pipe. If some other poster, like WalterBishop or the late lamented Bricker or nearly anyone else, claimed such pictures exist, I think there’d be a lot less demand for cites. You’ve got yourself a reputation, though, so asking for cites is actually a sign of respect for you: we’re at the point where I don’t bother, I just casually dismiss any claim you make as unsupported. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1732 "2024-01-17T18:55:49Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > That fact that evidence from the laptop is being used in multiple federal cases makes it significant. This should be obvious. No cite for this assertion. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1733 "2024-01-17T19:08:21Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I’m guessing you know this, but Sam evidently doesn’t. No evidence from the laptop was included in Hunter’s indictment on gun charges. It doesn’t mean that something from the laptop can’t later be entered in evidence for a trial, but at this point Sam’s statement is false. Yes, indeed. I am not holding my breath waiting for the cites. ---
**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 17, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1734 "2024-01-17T19:17:27Z")
I really don’t understand why this is so confusing to everyone except Sam. Maybe this photograph will help? [![](https://i.imgflip.com/8coamo.jpg) ](https://i.imgflip.com/8coamo.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1735 "2024-01-17T19:37:45Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I have seen more crack pipes than most people, from my days as a public defender. I didn’t recognize the object in Hunter’s mouth as a crack pipe. That doesn’t mean it isn’t, but it’s not obvious to me that it is… You’ve got to realize that these assertions are brought to you by the same sort of folks who found it easy to diagnose someone’s medical condition by looking at pictures of her. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1736 "2024-01-17T19:42:48Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > So your link that shows something of significance is on the laptop tells us that its contents “will hardly tell well-informed voters anything they didn’t already know.” > > It’s not surprising that you offered a link that contradicted your claim; it’s your signature move. I just want to make sure everyone sees that you’re still doing it. I’m shocked, _shocked_ that the cite did not say what Sam claimed. (narrator: He’s not shocked) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1737 "2024-01-17T19:56:02Z")
I’m going to repeat it one more time. Sam Stone isn’t “hoodwinked” by bad sources. His intelligence, as shown in his non-political touching threads is more than adequate. It’s that he doesn’t CARE. He has picked his tribe (which he then accuses us of doing, as every accusation is a confession) and is supporting it come hell or high water. His intellect is in service of his team, and that’s why he misrepresents any piece of information he comes across. He can’t claim ignorance (it’s been pointed out hundreds of times or more by now), it’s a matter of _belief_ in his own righteousness. He’s like a Qanon supporter, or another MAGA reborn again individual, or another true believer who has come to whatever religion you name. Anything he thinks supports his side IS support regardless of facts, anything that contradicts his faith is false, misleading, or merely bad faith. He feels he is a righteous crusader, and our facts mean nothing to the armor of his faith. Whether or not he’s a honest believer, or just enjoying the martyrdom as part of emotional trolling is entirely up in the air. I -personally- believe the latter. But he’s so consistent across a number of subjects, he _could_ be the former. I still doubt. But he’s so dishonest, and unwilling to admit it when called out directly, that he’s a huge net negative for the board. Which I’ve said before. What I’m ever so slightly glad about is that anecdotal evidence is growing that everyone else is coming around to the evaluation of a net negative. And hopefully one day Sam will go bask in the glow of like minded zealots and give us a respite. But, as a counter, the very activity of -this- thread shows just how much joy Sam Stone derives from stirring the pot. Which very strongly points to some flavor of ‘troll’ hypothesis. So I won’t help him any more with his attention-whoring, and encourage you all to do the same. Absolutely point out his (many) lies, but don’t try to debate them again - it only feeds him. I fully acknowledge that some of us (including myself at times) can’t help but feed the troll, just a helpful reminder. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1738 "2024-01-17T20:29:20Z")
I guarantee you I don’t enjoy this. But now that I’ve said that, I can expect the harassment to double. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1739 "2024-01-17T20:39:09Z")
> **[https://i.redd.it/fz88gr4ytafa1.jpg](https://i.redd.it/fz88gr4ytafa1.jpg)** How’d a picture of Sam get on reddit? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881/1740 "2024-01-17T20:42:18Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I guarantee you I don’t enjoy this. The fact that you keep doing it suggests otherwise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881.md?page=86) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-serious-question-for-sam-stone-on-factual-errors/955881.md?page=88)