# White House likley altered video of Jim Acosta **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2018, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242 "2018-11-09T15:06:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/201 "2018-11-21T17:32:29Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I don’t see how I can be more specific then quoting your exact words. In the first one, you maintain that Acosta hit and assaulted a woman. > > In the next quote you simply say “made physical contact” (post shortened) You don’t see how you can be more specific, and then you proceed to be more specific. I knew you could do it. Clarification sometimes requires a bit of back and forth conversation. People have described the incident differently. Some claim that no contact was made. Some describe the contact as being minor. Others describe the contact as being forceful. We are all entitled to our own opinion of what we saw in the various videos. Open communication suffers when some people insist that everyone think, and speak, as they do. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/202 "2018-11-21T17:33:35Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Because, apparently, the issue has not yet been settled. Plus, the terms used to have changed as time goes by. You say their arms touched as she reached for the microphone. You ARE entitled to your opinion. Yes I am, but “their arms touched as she reached for the microphone” is not an opinion. > [@](#): > > While there are some people who insist that there is only one acceptable description of the Acosta vs woman interaction, I’m not one of them. Much in the same way that some people think there’s only one acceptable way to describe the Earth while others think describing it as flat is a valid alternative opinion. But if you happen to consider what Acosta did to be physical assault, how do you feel about Donald Trump [physically assaulting another world leader](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHL5wy0RQo)? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/203 "2018-11-21T17:37:43Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > (post shortened) > > You don’t see how you can be more specific, and then you proceed to be more specific. I knew you could do it. Clarification sometimes requires a bit of back and forth conversation. > > People have described the incident differently. Some claim that no contact was made. Some describe the contact as being minor. Others describe the contact as being forceful. We are all entitled to our own opinion of what we saw in the various videos. > > Open communication suffers when some people insist that everyone think, and speak, as they do. Seems strange that I have to paraphrase your own words to get your opinion, but ok. I notice that nowhere in this post do you explain why your earlier posts say “assault” and then later you simply say “contact”. My question to you was why the discrepancy between the two and do you still believe that Acosta assaulted the woman? I was asking about your opinion, not the opinions of others who are not you. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/204 "2018-11-21T18:22:07Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > You’re entitled to your opinion. This video shows Acosta making contact with the woman at 1:38. Acosta follows up by saying, “Pardon me, ma’am” at 1:39. No it does not; Acosta did not initiate the contact. If you had used a different verb, you might have point, but you didn’t and so you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/205 "2018-11-21T18:50:51Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Seems strange that I have to paraphrase your own words to get your opinion, but ok. > > I notice that nowhere in this post do you explain why your earlier posts say “assault” and then later you simply say “contact”. My question to you was why the discrepancy between the two and do you still believe that Acosta assaulted the woman? I was asking about your opinion, not the opinions of others who are not you. Is this a trick question? I believe it’s safer for me to use terms introduced by others. This thread is about whether, or not, the video was altered. Since the original video still exists, I feel that’s a red herring. The primary questions are whether contact was made, who initiated it, and how forceful it was. People’s opinions of what actually happened still differ. I don’t see a discrepancy. There have been many terms used to describe the interaction between Acosta and the woman. You pick the ones your prefer, and I’ll do the same. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/206 "2018-11-21T18:59:02Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Is this a trick question? I believe it’s safer for me to use terms introduced by others. This thread is about whether, or not, the video was altered. Since the original video still exists, I feel that’s a red herring. The primary questions are whether contact was made, who initiated it, and how forceful it was. People’s opinions of what actually happened still differ. > > I don’t see a discrepancy. There have been many terms used to describe the interaction between Acosta and the woman. You pick the ones your prefer, and I’ll do the same. So your excuse is that you refuse to take responsibility for the words _you_ choose to use? You gave two different versions of what happened-which version is more accurate in your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/207 "2018-11-21T19:02:57Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > No it does not; Acosta did not initiate the contact. If you had used a different verb, you might have point, but you didn’t and so you don’t. Everyone is, or should be, entitled to their own opinion. You may disagree. Remember the white and gold dress vs the blue and black dress controversy? A photograph of a dress on the Internet prompted a short-lived, but lively discussion. What color was it? Some people saw a white and gold dress in dark shadow. Some people saw a blue and black dress washed out in bright light. People relied on their own personal interpretation of what they saw. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/208 "2018-11-21T19:06:33Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Everyone is, or should be, entitled to their own opinion. You may disagree. "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” -Daniel Patrick Moynihan ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/209 "2018-11-21T19:08:50Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So your excuse is that you refuse to take responsibility for the words _you_ choose to use? You gave two different versions of what happened-which version is more accurate in your opinion? Excuse me? I was already issued a warning for stating my opinion. I was also held responsible for another member’s rule breaking. I’m not stepping into your trap. Better luck next time. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/210 "2018-11-21T19:12:04Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Excuse me? I was already issued a warning for stating my opinion. I was also held responsible for another member’s rule breaking. I’m not stepping into your trap. Better luck next time. I have no idea what the hell you are talking about, but thank you just the same, Admiral Ackbar. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/211 "2018-11-21T19:16:50Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Is this a trick question? I believe it’s safer for me to use terms introduced by others. This thread is about whether, or not, the video was altered. Since the original video still exists, I feel that’s a red herring. The primary questions are whether contact was made, who initiated it, and how forceful it was. People’s opinions of what actually happened still differ. > > I don’t see a discrepancy. There have been many terms used to describe the interaction between Acosta and the woman. You pick the ones your prefer, and I’ll do the same. Hmmm…seems others were right that you won’t even give your own opinion. Have a good day! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/212 "2018-11-21T19:21:13Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Hmmm…seems others were right that you won’t even give your own opinion. Have a good day! Deciding which opinions to repeat is a way to give opinions without taking responsibility for them, in _my_ opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/213 "2018-11-21T20:21:17Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Everyone is, or should be, entitled to their own opinion. You may disagree. :rolleyes: You don’t appear to even have an opinion to disagree with; I’m simply calling out your slanted and biased presentation for how it differs greatly from being factual. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/214 "2018-11-21T20:23:09Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Hmmm…seems others were right that you won’t even give your own opinion. Have a good day! It just got even better. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/215 "2018-11-21T20:26:42Z")
You guys convinced him yet? ---
**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:** [November 21, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/216 "2018-11-21T20:29:33Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > People have described the incident differently. Some claim that no contact was made. Some describe the contact as being minor. Others describe the contact as being forceful. We are all entitled to our own opinion of what we saw in the various videos. “Everyone can have their own opinion about clearly documented objective reality.” This is the problem with contemporary conservatism in a nutshell. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/217 "2018-11-21T20:40:59Z")
“Everybody has opinions: I have them, you have them. And we are all told from the moment we open our eyes, that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Well, that’s horsepuckey, of course. We are not entitled to our opinions; we are entitled to our informed opinions. Without research, without background, without understanding, it’s nothing. It’s just bibble-babble. It’s like a fart in a wind tunnel, folks.” -Harlan Ellison ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/218 "2018-11-21T20:46:16Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > You guys convinced him yet? Yes. You can tell by the increasingly transparent spin. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/219 "2018-11-21T22:42:11Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Everyone is, or should be, entitled to their own opinion. You may disagree. > > Remember the white and gold dress vs the blue and black dress controversy? A photograph of a dress on the Internet prompted a short-lived, but lively discussion. What color was it? Some people saw a white and gold dress in dark shadow. Some people saw a blue and black dress washed out in bright light. People relied on their own personal interpretation of what they saw. The attempt to make this a “matter of interpretation” is not going to succeed; the press-conference video is simply too clear. Anyone who looks at it can see that the claim you made back in post 70 (one still being made by others on the right): > [@doorhinge](#): > > The video shows Acosta hit a woman ------ is frankly and plainly false. But this is of a piece with the White House attempt to push the sped-up version of the video. There’s a general orientation on the right that facts do not matter. _Why not alter the video?–no one will notice, or if they notice, no one will care_ was apparently the reasoning at work. We saw in the recent midterm election that many Americans are finding this claim to be unattractive. We will see that conviction grow, and be even more manifest in 2020. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242.md?page=10)