# Hunter Biden Laptop Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 22, 2020, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587 "2020-10-22T11:17:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/141 "2020-10-24T14:59:53Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Giuliani has this great dirt on Hunter Biden; why doesn’t he take it to Fox News? I think Rudy is keeping a low profile until people forget about his, er, untucked-in shirt. ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/142 "2020-10-24T15:04:02Z")
Actually we do know. > Reuters: > Biden, in the interview added that he didn’t discuss his business dealings in Ukraine with his father, other than one brief exchange in which his father told him “I hope you know what you’re doing.” To me that sounds like Joe Biden disapproved of what Hunter was doing but accepted that he was an adult and responsible for his own actions. That sounds like most parents that I know of. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/144 "2020-10-24T15:06:11Z")
Yes, I’m familiar with the strictures involving government employees and I’m aware that Joe Biden’s son might not “pass” that kind of vetting. Of course, since he has no intention of working in a government job, I don’t see how that matters. But your statement that **perhaps** that level of vetting doesn’t apply to elected officials is totally disingenuous. It doesn’t and, frankly -after 4 years of Donald Trump- I don’t believe that you didn’t _know_ that it doesn’t. You seem reasonably engaged politically and the fact that Trump has a background that would never let him pass a standard security check has been discussed ad infinitum- as well as the fact that he pushed through an exception for Jared, who is the Michael Corleone of a New Jersey crime family (one that Chris Christie pursued like Captain Ahab, which is why Trump and Kushner always torture him). It’s not like Hunter Biden did anything that came close to approaching the level of Don Jr’s transgressions in 2016, like trying to coordinate election fraud with people that represented themselves as Russian government agents. Or his business deals in Russia. Or the time Daddy paid off the NY DA ( and all his victims) to not prosecute Don Jr and Ivanka for fraud. Or Ivanka and Jared’s problematic close friendship with Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and his wife. Or Ivanka’s friendship with geo-political whore Wendy Deng. …I could do this all day. Frankly, if that’s the worst they can get on Joe after 47 years he must be a freaking choirboy. This whole thing is as ridiculous as arguing “Who’s more corrupt, Warren Buffet or Bernie Madoff?” ---
**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:** [October 24, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/145 "2020-10-24T15:08:57Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Maybe he did. We don’t know. But I’ve expressed why I think he might not have been quite so inclined to do so. How is this different than Tucker Carlson “just asking questions” about whatever random evidence-free bullshit he’s going on about? > [@](#): > > For the same reason that we criticize the Trump miscreants for their financial dealings while their dad occupies the highest office in the land. Because they ostensibly work for the White House and are using their official duties to enrich themselves? What does that have to do with the Bidens? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/146 "2020-10-24T15:12:02Z")
> [@eenerms](#): > > Radcliffe is a Russian spy now? Several people rose to blindly partisan, melodramatic prominence during the impeachment hearings – memorably, Mark Meadows, Doug Collins, Jim Jordan, John Ratcliffe, and Elise Stefanik. A few of them – having proved their unfailing loyalty – were rewarded. Ratcliffe is a sycophant Trump loyalist. I wouldn’t trust a word coming out of his mouth, particularly concerning a close election, this close _to the_ election. Nothing about this Hunter Biden story has **ever** sounded legitimate, setting aside the fact that – if it were **all** true – Hunter Biden would effectively just be Jared or Ivanka. Nothing worse than that. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/147 "2020-10-24T15:29:56Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > How is this different than Tucker Carlson “just asking questions” about whatever random evidence-free bullshit he’s going on about? It is not my intention to engage in that kind of dishonest behavior. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Because they ostensibly work for the White House and are using their official duties to enrich themselves? What does that have to do with the Bidens? We’re talking about events that took place while Joe Biden held the second highest office and Hunter Biden has admitted that he owes some of his success due to his name. Also the fact that Hunter has admitted to using poor judgement: [https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/15/politics/hunter-biden-foreign-business-trump-abc-interview/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/15/politics/hunter-biden-foreign-business-trump-abc-interview/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/148 "2020-10-24T15:30:07Z")
So Is Director of the FBI Wray a Russian asset too? ---
**Author:** ![Monocracy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monocracy/32/4493_2.png) [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/149 "2020-10-24T15:34:33Z")
Wow. I was actually starting to believe some of what **Sam Stone** was saying, until he posted that diatribe against Hunter Biden, filled with inaccuracies, debunked information, and twisted facts. Now I believe absolutely nothing about this current laptop situation. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The guy is a crackhead screwup This is disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself. There are many people in America struggling with drug addiction and many families who have loved ones who are struggling or lost their struggle with addiction. To label them as “crackhead screwups” is abhorrent. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > But somehow landed a $50,000+ per month board position on a corrupt Ukranian gas and oil firm despite knowing nothing about Oil, Gas, or the Ukraine This is a classic case of begging the question. The statement assumes that knowledge of “Oil, Gas, or the Ukraine” is necessary to fill a position on the board of directors. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > a multi-million dollar payout from various sketchy Chinese firms with connections to the Chinese Communist Party. A citation is needed from a reliable source. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Hunter even admitted that he would not have gotten any of that if his last name wasn’t Biden. This is true, but it’s not an indication of corruption. This not only happens all the time in politics, but also in sports, business, and the entertainment industry. People with influential families can get great jobs. Welcome to Earth. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Everyone knew that Hunter Biden was a drug-addicted loose cannon who wasn’t much good for any real work. Here is a list of Hunter Biden’s professional accomplishments condensed from Wikipedia: Executive vice president of MBNA, a major bank holding company Served in the U.S. Department of Commerce, specializing in ecommerce policy Co-founded the lobbying firm, Oldaker, Biden, and Belair Served a five year term on the board of directors at Amtrak, appointed by President George W. Bush, and was the board’s vice chairman for 2 1/2 years Co-founded the investment and advisory firm, Rosemont Seneca Founded Eudora Global, a venture capital firm Held the position of counsel in the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP Served on the board of directors for World Food Program USA That’s quite the resume for someone who “wasn’t much good for any real work.” ---
**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:** [October 24, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/150 "2020-10-24T15:37:42Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > We’re talking about events that took place while Joe Biden held the second highest office and Hunter Biden has admitted that he owes some of his success due to his name. Also the fact that Hunter has admitted to using poor judgement: > [https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/15/politics/hunter-biden-foreign-business-trump-abc-interview/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/15/politics/hunter-biden-foreign-business-trump-abc-interview/index.html) Yes, maybe Hunter has poor judgment. But why is that relevant? We don’t criticize the Trumps because of poor judgment. We criticize them because they use their official capacity in the WH to enrich themselves. Hunter had no official (or unofficial, for that matter) capacity in government. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/151 "2020-10-24T15:47:46Z")
> [@Monocracy](#): > > This is a classic case of begging the question. The statement assumes that knowledge of “Oil, Gas, or the Ukraine” is necessary to fill a position on the board of directors. One famous example of being able to do the job even with no direct experience is when Lou Gerstner became head of IBM in 1993. At the time IBM was in a downslide and had lost 2/3rds of its stock value as it was having trouble finding success in the new word of PC computers. Even though Gerstner was head of Nabisco at the time–a cookie company–he oversaw a turnaround which increased IBM’s market capitalization from $29 billion to $168 billion. At the top of the company it can be sometimes be more beneficial to have business skills rather than be an expert in field. It’s better when the person has both, but having the business skills is often the more important factor to the company’s success. Many industry experts have failed in business because they didn’t understand business fundamentals like marketing, cash flow, etc. Someone like Hunter who has been at the top of other companies would bring valuable business experience. However, we can’t just say he was hired for his business skills alone. His last name of Biden greatly increased his value to the company by his ability to make contacts and the impressive appearance of a Biden on the board. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/152 "2020-10-24T16:00:01Z")
The importance, relevance, and accuracy of what you wrote there really cannot be overstated. This, as somebody with a background as a VP of several NYSE-traded companies … who had pretty much zero familiarity with the products we produced. I gained the product knowledge that I needed along the way, but that wasn’t the skill set that I brought to the table. And it’s even more true on BoD’s where connections may be even more important than broad-based business savvy. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/153 "2020-10-24T16:17:20Z")
It’s like stoppng to pick up a hooker, she looks you over and says: “No, I don’t think so.” (I would imagine, you know.) ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/154 "2020-10-24T16:25:33Z")
I just want to add that regardless of whether or not Hunter Biden’s position on the board of Burisma was problematic, in general the US and other Western companies were strongly encouraging Ukrainian companies to place westerners on their boards. It was part of their overall strategy for combatting corruption. The Trump campaign is counting on the fact that most Americans don’t understand Ukraine, Russia and corruption. That is why I’m appalled that they are doing this to a private citizen. Do you realize that Ukraine is not above jailing and executing people over trumped-up allegations? Do you know the story behind the Magnitsky Act? I admit, that happened way more often under the Ukrainian administration that Trump campaign manager Manafort worked with, they actually jailed the President’s political appointment. I’m convinced that Trump is trying to have Hunter Biden jailed or killed just to show Joe Biden what happens when you try to unseat the king. Because Trump is a violent nasty sociopath with no redeeming qualities, and anyone that would cast a vote for him, without exception, is as gullible and ignorant as every person that gave him $35,000 tuition for Trump University. I can’t even get angry at them anymore, they are too pathetic. I bet every sing,e one of them would think THIS is a good deal. > **[Donald Trump, bad science, and the vitamin company that went bust](https://www.statnews.com/2016/03/02/donald-trump-vitamin-company/)** > > Before his White House bid, the real estate mogul put his brand behind a firm that sold supplements, health testing kits, and, according to many outside experts, bad science. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/155 "2020-10-24T16:32:42Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Yes, maybe Hunter has poor judgment. But why is that relevant? We don’t criticize the Trumps because of poor judgment. We criticize them because they use their official capacity in the WH to enrich themselves. Hunter had no official (or unofficial, for that matter) capacity in government. Color me a hopeless romantic (you’d be the first), but the GOP did not become the corrupt and a-moral party it is today overnight. If we (libs/progs/dems/etc) continue to point at them and say, ‘Yeah, but we’re not as bad as those guys!’, I think there is a very real chance that in 20 years time we’ll find ourselves ‘As bad as those guys’. It should be okay to call out our own when they make small mistakes rather than excuse them, in an effort to maintain the moral high ground we so enjoy reminding others about. ETA: you being an advocate of social shaming in order to compel people to do the right thing should be in favor of this kind of corrective criticism. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/156 "2020-10-24T17:37:39Z")
I see your point, but in the case the disparities in the corruption are currently so immense that I feel that any attempt to equate them is inherently dishonest. I keep coming back to this one analogy, but if Warren Buffet and Bernie Madoff are both vying to manage your retirement accounts, the best response is NOT to agree to listen to them both and see what they have to say. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/157 "2020-10-24T17:38:46Z")
It’s one thing to be be very good at business and they changing from car-making to toothbrushes, the basics are there. It’s completely different to have no experience at all in anything and never having anything positive to say or do and getting it becasue of contacts. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/158 "2020-10-24T17:59:23Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Color me a hopeless romantic (you’d be the first), but the GOP did not become the corrupt and a-moral party it is today overnight. If we (libs/progs/dems/etc) continue to point at them and say, ‘Yeah, but we’re not as bad as those guys!’, I think there is a very real chance that in 20 years time we’ll find ourselves ‘As bad as those guys’. It should be okay to call out our own when they make small mistakes rather than excuse them, in an effort to maintain the moral high ground we so enjoy reminding others about If Hunter runs for office, have at it. I have adult children. I have limited influence over their actions. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/159 "2020-10-24T18:16:14Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > It’s one thing to be be very good at business and they changing from car-making to toothbrushes, the basics are there. It’s completely different to have no experience at all in anything and never having anything positive to say or do and getting it becasue of contacts. How is this relevant? Have you read the thread? ---
**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:** [October 24, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/160 "2020-10-24T18:17:35Z")
Feel free to shame Hunter in a non-campaign context. I have no problem with that. But this has nothing to do with this campaign. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587/161 "2020-10-24T18:26:39Z")
BTW as I remarked early, I foresee that if Biden gets elected the Republicans will wake from their 3 monkey act and will agree with the Democrats to make laws to counteract nepotism and other apparent corruption moves from the executive. If Trump wins I expect the Republicans to once again look the other way when he continues to abolish any anti corruption efforts in government. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-laptop-question/923587.md?page=9)