# Smapti is Pitted **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 21, 2014, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907 "2014-05-21T08:14:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/41 "2014-05-21T11:02:30Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > So **Smapti** has absolutely no concept of the value of privacy. Okay, I can understand that. I don’t _agree_, but it’s at least not completely without merit to rob privacy to serve safety. At least in principle. In practice… Well, **Smapti** , I think you’re a threat to national security. To prove that you aren’t, please install a webcam in your living room, dining room, bedroom, and bathroom. Keep them on at all times. I’ll be reviewing the livestream to ensure that you aren’t doing anything suspicious. I’ll also be opening all your mail. > > …Sound like something you wouldn’t like? Huh. I thought you were totally okay with violating people’s privacy to prevent potential terrorism. :rolleyes: Send me a copy of the court order, and I’ll gladly comply. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2014, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/42 "2014-05-21T11:05:58Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I love _life_ more than I love liberty. And yet you are willing to (ab)use your freedom of speech to promulgate preposterous fear-mongering about organ donation, thereby insuring that some will die who otherwise would have lived and placing all (yourself included) at higher risk. Add “massive hypocrite” to the richly deserved description in the OP. If you’re really so addicted to nonsense, can’t you at least switch to a pseudo-intellectual version of the nicotine patch? Try transitioning to less malignant forms of twaddle like “Neil Armstrong took one small step onto a soundstage” or “I was once abducted by a space alien” – silly, but not directly undermining the lives and liberties of everyone around you. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2014, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/43 "2014-05-21T11:07:16Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Send me a copy of the court order, and I’ll gladly comply. Sorry; it’s secret. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/44 "2014-05-21T11:13:43Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > If you’re really so addicted to nonsense, can’t you at least switch to a pseudo-intellectual version of the nicotine patch? Try transitioning to less malignant forms of twaddle like “Neil Armstrong took one small step onto a soundstage” or “I was once abducted by a space alien” – silly, but not directly undermining the lives and liberties of everyone around you. I prefer to live in the real world, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/45 "2014-05-21T11:15:08Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Sorry; it’s secret. Sorry, [even Lavabit was presented with a court order.](http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/20/why-did-lavabit-shut-down-snowden-email) ---
**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:** [May 21, 2014, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/46 "2014-05-21T11:16:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I prefer to live in the real world, thanks. Er, you do realize that making the other guy convulse with laughter means you _lost_ the argument, right? > [@Smapti](#): > > Sorry, [even Lavabit was presented with a court order.](http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/20/why-did-lavabit-shut-down-snowden-email) As noted on the other thread, the gag-order policy makes this impossible to verify. Assertions of fact that are impossible to verify are out of order. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/47 "2014-05-21T11:19:53Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Er, you do realize that making the other guy convulse with laughter means you _lost_ the argument, right? I don’t live in a world where the Moon landing was faked. I _do_ live in a world where “incompetent men hiding in caves” can kill thousands. > [@](#): > > As noted on the other thread, the gag-order policy makes this impossible to verify. Which is as it should be. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/48 "2014-05-21T11:20:16Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Send me a copy of the court order, and I’ll gladly comply. :smack::smack::smack::smack: I almost want to go into politics to make this happen. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2014, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/49 "2014-05-21T11:25:03Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I don’t live in a world where the Moon landing was faked. As revealed on the thread that switched my engagement with you toward 30% serious, 70% mock, you live in a demon-haunted world where every doctor who crosses your path is checking you out, and not because they want to tap that. “Real world”, indeed! > [@](#): > > Which is as it should be. Well, then, you stipulate that you don’t get to use the unverifiable fact, and you don’t get to discuss the warrant presented to you. I’ll have it printed, er, presented as soon as I get around to it… ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/50 "2014-05-21T11:28:45Z")
I have no desire to enter this mess but I do have an honest question: Why is it being stated as fact (or genuinely accepted) that millions of parents en mass will now turn their backs on the vaccination program due to the CIA being ousted? I’m not at all convinced that they will. There might be an initial knee jerk reaction to it, but with a little damage control I see no reason why this vaccination program couldn’t get back on track. I mean jeez, how many parents out there are going to roll the dice on their child’s life because the vaccination folks _might_ be watching them? I know I sure as hell wouldn’t (roll the dice that is) if I were in their shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/51 "2014-05-21T11:29:07Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > As revealed on the thread that switched my engagement with you toward 30% serious, 70% mock, you live in a demon-haunted world where every doctor who crosses your path is checking you out, and not because they want to tap that. “Real world”, indeed! An opinion which I have yet to be dissuaded of by the available evidence. > [@](#): > > Well, then, you stipulate that you don’t get to use the unverifiable fact, and you don’t get to discuss the warrant presented to you. I’ll have it printed, er, presented as soon as I get around to it… Sure you will. As of now I’m not convinced you even work for the courts. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/52 "2014-05-21T11:37:17Z")
With regards to the “at least they got free vaccinations so the program did some good” angle, apparently the program [wouldn’t work as a vaccine](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/11/cia-fake-vaccinations-osama-bin-ladens-dna) since it only administered 1 of the 3 required injections. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/53 "2014-05-21T11:51:04Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > With regards to the “at least they got free vaccinations so the program did some good” angle, apparently the program [wouldn’t work as a vaccine](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/11/cia-fake-vaccinations-osama-bin-ladens-dna) since it only administered 1 of the 3 required injections. Well, that (assuming the reports by Snowden’s fellow-travelers at the Guardian are actually true) is damned unfortunate and I wish they hadn’t gone that route, and had delivered the full vaccination instead of half-assing it. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/54 "2014-05-21T12:00:10Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > An opinion which I have yet to be dissuaded of by the available evidence. Well, I’m sad to say there’s no available evidence that a crack team of spidermonkeys working for the KGB are not, in fact, plotting to kill you in your bed either. Sleep tight. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/55 "2014-05-21T12:14:09Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I have no desire to enter this mess but I do have an honest question: > > Why is it being stated as fact (or genuinely accepted) that millions of parents en mass will now turn their backs on the vaccination program due to the CIA being ousted? The CIA’s involvement didn’t help matters. But I think that its role in generating suspicion about vaccination drives and avoidance of immunization has been overstated. There’s plenty of idiotic fear, extreme religious sentiment and political gaming going on over rejection of vaccination in Islamic countries that has [nothing to do with the CIA](http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20120625/editorial-radical-islam-nixes-big-polio-vaccination-effort). ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/56 "2014-05-21T12:36:05Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > In our defense, the vast majority of Americans think Smapti is an idiot. Thankfully, I figured as much. If this messageboard has taught me anything, it’s that even most Americans are OK guys, even the ones with way opposed political views to me. Sure, you get the occasional idiots or flat-out repellent ones (the racists, the **Starving Artist** s), but it’s a nice microcosm for all that. Before I hung out here, I was _much_ more anti-American than I am now (yes, hard to believe, I know…) ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/57 "2014-05-21T12:39:48Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I have no desire to enter this mess but I do have an honest question: > > Why is it being stated as fact (or genuinely accepted) that millions of parents en mass will now turn their backs on the vaccination program due to the CIA being ousted? The years after Wakefield’s hit piece saw a 12% drop in MMR vaccination rates in the UK - and that was all bullshit. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to not want to give the antivaxxers the opportunity to point to a genuine CIA conspiracy to subvert a vaccination program for their own purposes. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/58 "2014-05-21T12:49:10Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Thankfully, I figured as much. > > If this messageboard has taught me anything, it’s that even most Americans are OK guys, even the ones with way opposed political views to me. Sure, you get the occasional idiots or flat-out repellent ones (the racists, the **Starving Artist** s), but it’s a nice microcosm for all that. Before I hung out here, I was _much_ more anti-American than I am now (yes, hard to believe, I know…) If you think that this board is representative of the country, you need to take a road trip across the U.S. So you may want to dial your hatred of Americans back up to where it was. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/59 "2014-05-21T13:51:13Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I have no desire to enter this mess but I do have an honest question: > > Why is it being stated as fact (or genuinely accepted) that millions of parents en mass will now turn their backs on the vaccination program due to the CIA being ousted? > > I’m not at all convinced that they will. The CIA’s little stunt escalated the problem from the usual fear and ignorance into outright murderous hostility, directly leading to the deaths of dozens of medical aid personnel. One public health expert quoted in [a _Scientific American_ article on the subject](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-cia-fake-vaccination-campaign-endangers-us-all/) estimates that the CIA program caused a twenty-year delay in polio eradication. This sort of thing is why perfidy (e.g. placing armed forces under false medical/humanitarian aid insignia) is a war crime. As I noted earlier, **Smapti** wouldn’t be concerned with that; his stated position of blaming the whistleblower is equivalent to saying that anything goes as long as you don’t get caught. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/60 "2014-05-21T14:18:12Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > (assuming the reports by Snowden’s fellow-travelers at the Guardian are actually true) You don’t get to engage in selectively partisan skepticism. I expect to see an equivalent disclaimer on each statement asserting some benefit from sooper sekrit spycraft. (Actually, the latter really should have stronger disclaimers, being inherently less susceptible to independent verification, but I’ll settle for equivalent ones. I’m generous like that.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907.md?page=4)