# I have changed my mind about the Clinton email scandal (and so should you) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 29, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514 "2016-03-29T13:31:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**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:** [June 21, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/401 "2016-06-21T18:46:33Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > As a Hillary supporter, even more importantly as an Obama and ACA supporter, I have absolutely no idea why this email issue should be worth _more_ to me than the continued survival and expansion of the ACA, than the importance of keeping Trump (or any R) out of the White House, than the importance of having a solidly-progressive Supreme Court. > > This thread, despite the tens of thousands of words expended, has not made _that_ case. “Old Lady with power is bad at computer security” is far, far, far less important to me than keeping “you can still get quality health insurance even if you have a pre-existing condition” a rock-solid cornerstone of health insurance provisions. > > So it is not “bad news”, it is merely a weighing of priorities and long-term objectives for many of us, with those conclusions not matching your own. I’m pretty sure **Richard Parker** hasn’t disputed that Hillary is still a much better choice than Trump. I think he’s disappointed that so many Hillary supporters are unwilling to say that she screwed up here. I’m a bit disappointed too, though I’m not surprised. Hillary screwed up. She’s still a nigh-infinitely better choice than Trump. I hope she’s learned from her mistake, and takes cyber-security seriously going forward. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/402 "2016-06-21T18:52:49Z")
I hope she ignores all this shit, 'cause it’s not worth bothering over. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/403 "2016-06-21T21:24:44Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Perfect response. Lol. Forget it, Richard Parker. It’s Dopertown. :rolleyes: Again, the case has been made that this is important. The case hasn’t been made that this is _more_ important than the things I have listed or that it is more important than other objectives other Hillary supporters may have (abortion rights, Citizen United rollback, etc). ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/404 "2016-06-21T21:33:27Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > :rolleyes: > > Again, the case has been made that this is important. The case hasn’t been made that this is _more_ important than the things I have listed or that it is more important than other objectives other Hillary supporters may have (abortion rights, Citizen United rollback, etc). :rolleyes: Look, just be happy she’s up against a clown. Neither I nor Richard Parker were trying to convinvce you that this should be your most important issue. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/405 "2016-06-21T22:13:00Z")
Of course, if that is their most important issue, won’t bother me much. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/406 "2016-06-21T22:29:51Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Perfect response. Lol. Forget it, Richard Parker. It’s Dopertown. Well, what do you want? Were you expecting OH MY GOD HILLARY IS AWFUL! SHE MADE A MISTAKE! In one succinct phrase, give me a fucking break. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2016, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/407 "2016-06-21T22:48:09Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > :rolleyes: > > Again, the case has been made that this is important. The case hasn’t been made that this is _more_ important than the things I have listed or that it is more important than other objectives other Hillary supporters may have (abortion rights, Citizen United rollback, etc). As far as I can tell, **Richard Parker** isn’t trying to make this argument at all. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/408 "2016-06-21T22:51:42Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Well, what do you want? Were you expecting OH MY GOD HILLARY IS AWFUL! SHE MADE A MISTAKE! > > In one succinct phrase, give me a fucking break. I know break giving inside and out. You don’t deserve one. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/409 "2016-06-21T22:54:45Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Well, what do you want? Were you expecting OH MY GOD HILLARY IS AWFUL! SHE MADE A MISTAKE! > > In one succinct phrase, give me a fucking break. Apparently they _were_ expecting something of the kind; certainly there are few (or no) posts in the thread praising Clinton’s decisions with regard to the email/server issue. Virtually all posts by avowed Clinton supporters have contained some variation of ‘this wasn’t good.’ But it would seem that “changing [one’s] mind about the Clinton email scandal” must perforce include an unequivocal expression of Disgust and Outrage, or our OP simply _shall_ not be satisfied. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/410 "2016-06-21T23:13:03Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Apparently they _were_ expecting something of the kind; certainly there are few (or no) posts in the thread praising Clinton’s decisions with regard to the email/server issue. Virtually all posts by avowed Clinton supporters have contained some variation of ‘this wasn’t good.’ > > But it would seem that “changing [one’s] mind about the Clinton email scandal” must perforce include an unequivocal expression of Disgust and Outrage, or our OP simply _shall_ not be satisfied. I think the surprise is that so many posts seem to be dismissing any criticism at all of Clinton - that some posters don’t even count this as a mark against her at all, even if she’s still much better than Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/411 "2016-06-21T23:38:40Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I know break giving inside and out. You don’t deserve one. Oh now I’m put in my place. If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you think Hillary is the devil. Sorry that there aren’t a lot of others who agree with you, but that’s your cross to bear. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/412 "2016-06-21T23:40:32Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I think the surprise is that so many posts seem to be dismissing any criticism at all of Clinton - that some posters don’t even count this as a mark against her at all, even if she’s still much better than Trump. Well, maybe, though it seems to me that most have said something like ‘this wasn’t good but it’s not as big a deal as the OP says’ _rather than_ ‘this is nothing at all.’ I haven’t done a statistical analysis of the thread, so I can’t say for certain. Many people have come away from the email/server story with a renewed conviction that a free press remains one of our most important bulwarks against tendency of all humans–including government officials–to protect their privacy. Oh, and also that the US should probably be funding information-tech research (e.g. anti-hacking) to a greater degree, not to mention nailing down whatever their electronic-communication policy should optimally be. It’s not nothing. But it’s _also_ not ‘this woman has sinned and must bow down before us in shame’—as some seem to want it to be. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/413 "2016-06-22T00:01:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you think Hillary is the devil. Since I don’t think that it’s pretty fair to say you know nothing about me then. Glad I didn’t give you that undeserved break. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/414 "2016-06-22T00:12:46Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I think the surprise is that so many posts seem to be dismissing any criticism at all of Clinton - that some posters don’t even count this as a mark against her at all, even if she’s still much better than Trump. That’d be me. It’s a total “so fucking what?” It falls below her fibbing about being under fire. It falls below her wearing white after labor day. It is of absolutely zero goddamn importance. Oh, wow, the Secretary of State tried to protect the integrity of her email by having a server under her personal control. What a sin! (It sounds like actually taking responsibility to me.) Gosh, it violates rules that are set down by the Secretary of State. Too bad the Secretary of State wasn’t available to okay this. Wait a minute… I dismiss all criticism of Clinton in this. It’s just made-up political bullshit, a smear attack by shallow-minded right-wing conspiracy fanatics. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/415 "2016-06-22T00:37:30Z")
And given credence by people who are trying to give a fair shake to all people, when not all people are worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/416 "2016-06-22T00:47:26Z")
Actually, let me amend that - trying to give a fair shake to all _ideas_, when not all _ideas_ are worth it. …but it’s the people crying the crocodile tears who are exploiting the ones trying to be fair. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/417 "2016-06-22T01:16:03Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > But it would seem that “changing [one’s] mind about the Clinton email scandal” must perforce include an unequivocal expression of Disgust and Outrage, or our OP simply _shall_ not be satisfied. Perspective and context do matter. This was the result of, what, \*eight \*investigations by the Republicans intended to finally show how she callously ordered the murder of that ambassador, just like she had Vince Foster killed. What it turned into was that she overrode a recommendation of an IT guy. If your purpose is to establish what the evidence shows about her character and fitness, then yes, the size of that finding amounts to canonization. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/418 "2016-06-22T02:30:15Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Since I don’t think that it’s pretty fair to say you know nothing about me then. Glad I didn’t give you that undeserved break. Please. You criticize Hillary at every opportunity. Here’s the deal. You have four options. You can 1. stick your head in the sand and vote for no one. 2. vote for some third-party candidate who has no chance of winning. 3. vote for Trump. 4. vote for Hillary. That’s it. T’ain’t no more. Now whatcha gonna do, Chumley, aside from bitch? (Oh, right, I forgot, attack my credibility whenever I have the audacity to disagree with you.) ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/419 "2016-06-22T12:21:26Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Please. You criticize Hillary at every opportunity. Not really and what criticism I do make isn’t remotely at the “think she’s the devil” level. So sorry I haven’t joined the circle jerk. And this thread is only time I’ve “attacked your credibility” so you’re a little delusional there too. ---
**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:** [June 22, 2016, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514/420 "2016-06-22T12:35:01Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > That’d be me. It’s a total “so fucking what?” It falls below her fibbing about being under fire. It falls below her wearing white after labor day. It is of absolutely zero goddamn importance. > > Oh, wow, the Secretary of State tried to protect the integrity of her email by having a server under her personal control. What a sin! (It sounds like actually taking responsibility to me.) > > Gosh, it violates rules that are set down by the Secretary of State. Too bad the Secretary of State wasn’t available to okay this. Wait a minute… > > I dismiss all criticism of Clinton in this. It’s just made-up political bullshit, a smear attack by shallow-minded right-wing conspiracy fanatics. I think it’s mostly made up political bullshit, but from what I’ve read she was indeed asked by Federal cyber-security professionals to change her email practices in terms of her blackberry usage, and she appears to have ignored that request. It might have been hubris, or it might have been distrust of those professionals, or an unwillingness to sacrifice for her convenience. Not the end of the world, and she’s still much, much better than Trump, but ignoring such a request reflects poorly on her, in my opinion (while many other things in her record might reflect very well upon her). YMMV. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-changed-my-mind-about-the-clinton-email-scandal-and-so-should-you/750514.md?page=22)