# How did the Russians meddle in our election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 8, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293 "2018-08-08T19:11:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/21 "2018-08-08T23:00:42Z")
It is quite clear that Russia engaged in a state-sponsored propaganda campaign during the 2016 election cycle. While you cannot tie any particular piece of Russian propaganda to any particular changed vote, if propaganda did not influence elections then we would not have so much domestically generated propaganda around elections. There has always been a very high correlation between the amount a candidate spends relative to the opponent and the success of that candidate. If there weren’t, _there wouldn’t be so damned many campaign ads._ Politicians wouldn’t spend a majority of their time raising funds for their next campaign. Any argument that a propaganda campaign cannot influence the outcome of an election is specious. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/22 "2018-08-08T23:11:34Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > Clinton and Trump spent over 81 MILLION dollars on Facebook political ads and some Russia hackers spent around 100 THOUSAND dollars on political ads. These few Russian ads threw the whole election to Trump??? And about one third of the ads were pro Hillary! Have you seen the “ads”? If these kinds of ads actually convinced you to switch from one candidate to the other, you shouldn’t even be voting. > > Many, many people were “exposed” to these Russian ads, but who really knows how many read them and were “influenced” by them. I use Facebook for my business and scroll threw well over 100 ads a day. I actually read less than 10% of them. > > [https://www.recode.net/2017/10/31/16587174/fake-ads-news-propaganda-congress-facebook-twitter-google-tech-hearing](https://www.recode.net/2017/10/31/16587174/fake-ads-news-propaganda-congress-facebook-twitter-google-tech-hearing) Actually, the Russians [spent over $1.25 million,](http://adage.com/article/digital/russia-spent-1-25m-ads-acted-agency-mueller/312424) not $100,000, and that’s simply on ads. It doesn’t include the social media presence that doesn’t cost money. There’s no way to measure the impact of Russian interference on the election, but that isn’t the point. The point is that a foreign power actively sought to interfere with and influence a U.S. election. If it had helped Hillary Clinton and hurt Donald Trump, it would be every bit as much a concern. If it didn’t affect a single voter, it would _still_ be as much a concern. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/23 "2018-08-08T23:48:02Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > I don’t think voting machines were hacked, but certainly not for lack of trying. There is some indication that the Russians did manage to hack into the voter database in many states. With this, they could eliminate from the registered voter list people they didn’t want voting. (But it might be tough to distinguish this from efforts by Republicans to purge Democratic-leaning voters from the lists.) Here in Minnesota, there were specific hacking attempts identified by the Secretary of State, but they managed to stop them. Though it wouldn’t matter much here in Minnesota, because we have same-day election registration. (And the highest voter turnout in the nation – not a coincidence.) But in many states, if your name was deleted from the list, when you get to the polls on election day, you won’t be able to vote. That can be just as effective as hacking the vote-counting machines. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/24 "2018-08-09T00:55:45Z")
I’ve asked this question before. Here it is again: Imagine that the Clinton campaign is approached in September 2016 by five Mexican nationals who are illegally present in the country. They reveal that they have been working at Mar-a-Lago Golf Club “under the table,” for less than minimum wage, paid in cash, and threatened with deportation if they complained. They want to provide the Clinton campaign with any assistance it needs to tell this story: interviews, video of a Mar-a-Lago manager paying them/threatening them, etc. Does the Clinton campaign’s decision to accept this offer mean a crime was committed involving foreign meddling? ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/25 "2018-08-09T01:07:14Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I’ve asked this question before. > > Here it is again: > > Imagine that the Clinton campaign is approached in September 2016 by five Mexican nationals who are illegally present in the country. They reveal that they have been working at Mar-a-Lago Golf Club “under the table,” for less than minimum wage, paid in cash, and threatened with deportation if they complained. They want to provide the Clinton campaign with any assistance it needs to tell this story: interviews, video of a Mar-a-Lago manager paying them/threatening them, etc. > > Does the Clinton campaign’s decision to accept this offer mean a crime was committed involving foreign meddling? In what way, in relation to adhering to Enemies and giving them Aid and Comfort? Or as some foreign campaign donation? Do you have any links on case law related to a bar for actions by a “agent of a foreign principal”? If you ask in a form that is less leading we will probably answer it. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/26 "2018-08-09T01:09:58Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I’ve asked this question before. > > Here it is again: > > Imagine that the Clinton campaign is approached in September 2016 by five Mexican nationals who are illegally present in the country. They reveal that they have been working at Mar-a-Lago Golf Club “under the table,” for less than minimum wage, paid in cash, and threatened with deportation if they complained. They want to provide the Clinton campaign with any assistance it needs to tell this story: interviews, video of a Mar-a-Lago manager paying them/threatening them, etc. > > Does the Clinton campaign’s decision to accept this offer mean a crime was committed involving foreign meddling? You’re right, that’s exactly the same as asking Russia to commit espionage on Trump’s behalf. I’ve never thought of it like that before. Gee golly\*\* Bricker,\*\* you sure won this one! ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/27 "2018-08-09T01:11:23Z")
New hypothetical question: Elin Suleymanov, the ambassador from the Azerbaijan Republic to the United States, writes the following letter to the Washington Post editorial page, on September 20, 2016: "I respectfully urge all United States citizens to consider carefully their choice for President next month. The Azerbaijan Republic strongly believes that a weak, ineffectual president in the White House will destabilize the world stage. Mrs. Clinton’s terrible performance as Secretary of State and her vacillating on key world issues will make the United States lose influence it desperately needs. Donald Trump’s forceful and direct leadership will serve as a needed bridge to the countries that fear lawless strongmen will topple their democratically elected governments. “When you vote, citizens of the US, vote for strong leadership that will calm the simmering pot of world tensions. Vote Trump.” The Post publishes the letter. Is any of that a crime? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/28 "2018-08-09T01:16:27Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > You’re right, that’s exactly the same as asking Russia to commit espionage on Trump’s behalf. I’ve never thought of it like that before. Gee golly\*\* Bricker,\*\* you sure won this one! That’s not an answer. If we’re discussing armed bank robbery, and I ask if a kid wielding a pen knife stealing the cash box from a lemonade stand is a crime, you might equally well respond in identical sarcastic tones, “You’re right, a lemonade stand with eight dollars and forty-four cents exactly the same as a bank with thousands of dollars, and a pen knife is exactly the same as a semi-automatic rifle!” But of course – that wasn’t the question. I’m not asking if they are exactly the same – I’m asking if each describes a crime. So to help you understand: yes, the pen knife-assisted theft of the lemonade stand cash box is also a crime. Now, with that guidance, can you handle the original question? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/29 "2018-08-09T01:18:34Z")
> [@rat\_avatar](#): > > In what way, in relation to adhering to Enemies and giving them Aid and Comfort? > > Or as some foreign campaign donation? > > Do you have any links on case law related to a bar for actions by a “agent of a foreign principal”? > > If you ask in a form that is less leading we will probably answer it. I don’t understand the “in what way?” I have no links. I’m asking if the actions I describe are, to your understanding, any kind of crime. That’s not a leading question, and even if it were, what of it? Why are you unable to answer a leading question? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/30 "2018-08-09T01:20:59Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > That’s not an answer. > > If we’re discussing armed bank robbery, and I ask if a kid wielding a pen knife stealing the cash box from a lemonade stand is a crime, you might equally well respond in identical sarcastic tones, “You’re right, a lemonade stand with eight dollars and forty-four cents exactly the same as a bank with thousands of dollars, and a pen knife is exactly the same as a semi-automatic rifle!” > > But of course – that wasn’t the question. I’m not asking if they are exactly the same – I’m asking if each describes a crime. > > So to help you understand: yes, the pen knife-assisted theft of the lemonade stand cash box is also a crime. > > Now, with that guidance, can you handle the original question? Yes, and the comparison of the comparison of two armed robberies is the same as the previous comparison you made! Yes, I can’t wait to discuss all the things with you in bad faith! ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/31 "2018-08-09T01:26:10Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > New hypothetical question: > > Elin Suleymanov, the ambassador from the Azerbaijan Republic to the United States, writes the following letter to the Washington Post editorial page, on September 20, 2016: > > "I respectfully urge all United States citizens to consider carefully their choice for President next month. The Azerbaijan Republic strongly believes that a weak, ineffectual president in the White House will destabilize the world stage. Mrs. Clinton’s terrible performance as Secretary of State and her vacillating on key world issues will make the United States lose influence it desperately needs. Donald Trump’s forceful and direct leadership will serve as a needed bridge to the countries that fear lawless strongmen will topple their democratically elected governments. > > “When you vote, citizens of the US, vote for strong leadership that will calm the simmering pot of world tensions. Vote Trump.” > > The Post publishes the letter. > > Is any of that a crime? As you are the one who has passed the bar, how about quitting the rhetoric game. I doubt it will go forward but remember that Trump asked Russia to commit computer fraud and they assembled a body of men and spent large amounts of money to do so. Would that possibly count as the following? > [@](#): > > “Letters of advice and correspondence and intelligence to the enemy, to enable them to annoy us or to defend themselves, written and sent in order to be delivered to the enemy, are, though intercepted, overt acts of both these species of treason” ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/32 "2018-08-09T02:02:05Z")
> [@rat\_avatar](#): > > As you are the one who has passed the bar, how about quitting the rhetoric game. It’s not a game. I’m trying to illustrate the contradiction in the position you seem to be suggesting: that foreign assistance directed to benefit one candidate in a US election is _per se_ illegal. > [@](#): > > I doubt it will go forward but remember that Trump asked Russia to commit computer fraud and they assembled a body of men and spent large amounts of money to do so. Would that possibly count as the following? > > > [@](#): > > > > “Letters of advice and correspondence and intelligence to the enemy, to enable them to annoy us or to defend themselves, written and sent in order to be delivered to the enemy, are, though intercepted, overt acts of both these species of treason” (color added for emphasis by me) No. For several reasons, but the easiest type type is: because “enemy” is not “Russia.” Why? Because “enemy,” is “a foreign power in open declared war with the United States.” Now, see that? You asked a question, and I answered it. Can you answer my questions now? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/33 "2018-08-09T02:04:14Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Yes, and the comparison of the comparison of two armed robberies is the same as the previous comparison you made! > > Yes, I can’t wait to discuss all the things with you in bad faith! Neither of my comparisons are in bad faith. Both question illustrate important principles necessary to determine the existence of a crime. Can you answer my questions now? They must be terrifying. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/34 "2018-08-09T02:07:36Z")
I believe that the purpose of GQ is to inform, not to lead people into a Q&A session… Here are a variety of, possibly, relevant laws and court cases. > **[923. 18 U.S.C. § 371—Conspiracy to Defraud the United States](https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-923-18-usc-371-conspiracy-defraud-us)** > > This is archived content from the U.S. Department of Justice website. The information here may be outdated and links may no longer function. Please contact webmaster@usdoj.gov if you have any questions about the archive site. > **[11 CFR § 110.20 - Prohibition on contributions, donations, expenditures,...](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/11/110.20)** > **[FARA Related Statutes](https://www.justice.gov/nsd-fara/fara-related-statutes)** > **[18 U.S. Code § 1030 - Fraud and related activity in connection with computers](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1030)** > **[FindLaw's United States Fifth Circuit case and opinions.](https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1297051.html)** > > FindLaw's searchable database of United States Fifth Circuit decisions since > **[U.S. Constitution - Article 3 Section 3 - The U.S. Constitution Online -...](https://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A3Sec3.html)** > > Article 3 Section 3 of the United States Constitution Which are relevant will obviously depend on your view of the matter. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/35 "2018-08-09T02:31:18Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > It’s not a game. > > I’m trying to illustrate the contradiction in the position you seem to be suggesting: that foreign assistance directed to benefit one candidate in a US election is _per se_ illegal. > > (color added for emphasis by me) > > No. For several reasons, but the easiest type type is: because “enemy” is not “Russia.” > > Why? Because “enemy,” is “a foreign power in open declared war with the United States.” > > Now, see that? You asked a question, and I answered it. > > Can you answer my questions now? As other posters have noted, I was just playing the same game but can you provide the articles of war related to this indictment for treason? [https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2006/October/06\_nsd\_695.html](https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2006/October/06_nsd_695.html) Obviously a U.S. Citizen can be at least indicted on Treason for providing aid and comfort absent an official act of war. Can you justify the exception in that case while ignoring Casus Foederis in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty related to Russia’s use of chemical weapons on UK soil? Is the attack against a NATO state in defiance of the Chemical Weapons Convention not an illegal act of aggression? While prosecution is difficult, I don’t think this is as cut and dry as you claim. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/36 "2018-08-09T02:36:24Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I’ve asked this question before. > > Here it is again: > > Imagine that the Clinton campaign is approached in September 2016 by five Mexican nationals who are illegally present in the country. They reveal that they have been working at Mar-a-Lago Golf Club “under the table,” for less than minimum wage, paid in cash, and threatened with deportation if they complained. They want to provide the Clinton campaign with any assistance it needs to tell this story: interviews, video of a Mar-a-Lago manager paying them/threatening them, etc. > > Does the Clinton campaign’s decision to accept this offer mean a crime was committed involving foreign meddling? > [@Bricker](#): > > New hypothetical question: > > Elin Suleymanov, the ambassador from the Azerbaijan Republic to the United States, writes the following letter to the Washington Post editorial page, on September 20, 2016: > > "I respectfully urge all United States citizens to consider carefully their choice for President next month. The Azerbaijan Republic strongly believes that a weak, ineffectual president in the White House will destabilize the world stage. Mrs. Clinton’s terrible performance as Secretary of State and her vacillating on key world issues will make the United States lose influence it desperately needs. Donald Trump’s forceful and direct leadership will serve as a needed bridge to the countries that fear lawless strongmen will topple their democratically elected governments. > > “When you vote, citizens of the US, vote for strong leadership that will calm the simmering pot of world tensions. Vote Trump.” > > The Post publishes the letter. > > Is any of that a crime? [Moderator Note] This is GQ, not Great Debates. If you want to debate this question, start a new thread in GD. Otherwise comments should be addressed to the specific question in the OP. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/37 "2018-08-09T03:00:59Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > This is GQ, but it will be very difficult to keep it here. All I ask is that posters give it the old college try. So, two questions: > > 1. What specifically is it alleged that the Russians did to “meddle” in the 2016 election? People say that it is undisputed that Russia meddled. What did it do exactly? Hack voting machines? Give out vodka at the polling place? > > 2. What specifically it it alleged that Trump or representatives from his campaign did to “collude” with Russia? 1. They appear to have provided assistance to the Trump campaign in the form of Facebook postings, Twitter tweets, and similar social media content that favored Ztrump or disfavored Clinton. They also are alleged to have directly contacted Trump campaign staff with offers of helpful negative information on Clinton. Finally, they are alleged to have obtained negative information about the Clinton campaign and released it via Wikileaks, to the benefit of the Trump campaign. 2. I’m a bit fuzzier on that one, but I think the answer is: the above-mentioned contact with Trump campaign staff is the “collusion,” that is most often mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/38 "2018-08-09T03:09:10Z")
> [@rat\_avatar](#): > > As other posters have noted, I was just playing the same game but can you provide the articles of war related to this indictment for treason? > > [#06-695 : 10-11-06 U.S. Citizen Indicted on Treason, Material Support Charges for Providing Aid and Comfort to al Qaeda](https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2006/October/06_nsd_695.html) > > Obviously a U.S. Citizen can be at least indicted on Treason for providing aid and comfort absent an official act of war. The Authorization for Use of Military Force, Public Law 107-40, 115 Stat. 224. The word “war,” is not necessary. The declaration by the Congress is necesssry. > [@](#): > > Can you justify the exception in that case while ignoring Casus Foederis in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty related to Russia’s use of chemical weapons on UK soil? Is the attack against a NATO state in defiance of the Chemical Weapons Convention not an illegal act of aggression? “Illegal,” meaning what? Punching my neighbor in the nose is an illegal act of aggression. The relevant question is: under US law, does that trigger a state of war? Answer: no. > [@](#): > > While prosecution is difficult, I don’t think this is as cut and dry as you claim. You are mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/39 "2018-08-09T03:19:33Z")
While I don’t know if Russia can be classified as an “enemy” nation, it is pretty indisputable that they are a _hostile_ one. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293/40 "2018-08-09T03:33:02Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > While I don’t know if Russia can be classified as an “enemy” nation, it is pretty indisputable that they are a _hostile_ one. For the purposes of criminal law, you say it’s indisputable? Criminal law is not enforceable if it relies on standards that are vague. Criminal law must give a person clear and unambiguous notice of what conduct is prohibited. Criminal laws that fail to provide this specificity are constitutionally infirm. With that in mind, I do not agree that in a criminal law context, it is factually accurate to aver that it is “indisputable.” But if the comment is not relevant to criminal law, and is simply a matter of opinion, then I don’t disagree. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-russians-meddle-in-our-election/819293.md?page=3)