# Why doesn't Trump's childishness simply disqualify him outright in your mind? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 2, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184 "2017-01-02T23:26:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/261 "2017-01-04T18:00:13Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > A command to whom? And why do you think he was talking about “classified” info specifically? Almost all (in fact, I think, all) of the emails released by Wikileaks were not classified. But some of them were important, and quite a few were embarrassing. It would be a command to anyone who had “something really important”, and I guess you are right, he may not have been talking about classified stuff, he may have just been talking about random important stuff like grocery lists. But then, why would he care if the computer is safe? But, you are correct, in that it is not just classified material that he seems to be moved by courier, but all “important” material. That’s a distinction with a difference. The difference is, it’s even stupider. So, you are right, I will rephrase my paraphrase of his statement to "if you want to sent _important_ info, it must be done by courier > [@](#): > > I would use the government encrypted system, or use some of the commercial encryption systems. With the caveat (as Trump said) that I am compromising some measure of security by doing so. So, you would not follow trump’s advice. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/262 "2017-01-04T18:00:57Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Hey, buddy, read for context. We were talking about a specific case. Then we replied about a specific case. Then you jumped in and accused me of talking about the general case. > > Was I talking universally about couriering documents being a bad idea? No. Well, let’s see exactly what you said: “This is, if you are talking about digital OTP cryptography, if you are talking about pen and paper OTP, then yeah, that’s about as stupid as couriering your secret documents.” So, I agree that you were NOT in fact talking universally about couriering documents being a bad idea You WERE calling something “as stupid as couriering your secret documents” So, when I read that, it seems like you are calling the act of “couriering your secret documents” stupid. Notice no qualifications to your statement, it is simply “as stupid as couriering your secret documents” Or are we not supposed to take what you said literally? > [@](#): > > The specific point here, is that trump says that if you want to sent classified info, it must be done by courier. Is that what he said? Doesn’t seem like it to me. In fact, he didn’t even use the word “classified” at all. > [@](#): > > I am pretty sure you just heard of them yourself, what with your furious backpedaling about the length of time it takes for them to move documents about. I am well acquainted with the DCD, having actually used them in the past. And please quote where I said anything about how fast it was. What I object to is someone denigrating a whole organization that provides a valuable service, simply to slam Trump. And I don’t even LIKE Trump as President! BAH! ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/263 "2017-01-04T18:01:04Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Please provide to me your understanding of “really important information” and “classified information”. When would you use a computer and when would you use a courier? Explain your reasoning. I would not use a courier, because sending it electronically is more convenient. But I would understand (as Trump does say) that that would compromise its security. As for “really important” vs “classified” - the two are different concepts. Some info is really important and is not classified. Some info is classified and not really important. And some is both. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/264 "2017-01-04T18:02:34Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > But, “No computer is safe.” As I said, “…with the caveat (as Trump said) that I am compromising some measure of security by doing so.”. You probably missed that part. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/265 "2017-01-04T18:03:08Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > But, since you seem to think it is a great idea, when do you think it would be useful to use a courier service that takes 2 weeks to deliver a document within the continental US? Anything where speed of delivery is not as important as secure delivery. I assure you there are things where that is important. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/266 "2017-01-04T18:05:33Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > It would be a command to anyone who had “something really important” No, it was not a command. It was a statement of a general principle that when you send stuff by computer, you accept that its security may be compromised. Which is perfectly correct. > [@](#): > > So, you are right, I will rephrase my paraphrase of his statement to “if you want to sent _important_ info, it must be done by courier”. Restate it “if you want to send important info extremely securely, sending it by computer is not the best method”. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/267 "2017-01-04T18:08:14Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > I would not use a courier, because sending it electronically is more convenient. But I would understand (as Trump does say) that that would compromise its security. > > As for “really important” vs “classified” - the two are different concepts. Some info is really important and is not classified. Some info is classified and not really important. And some is both. So when faced with state and independent enemy actors trying to hack US computer systems, is it your understanding that Trump’s solution is to return to the pre-digital communication era as opposed to enhancing US cyber-security technology and measures? And if so, is that a viable and realistic policy? ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/268 "2017-01-04T18:10:19Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So when faced with state and independent enemy actors trying to hack US computer systems, is it your understanding that Trump’s solution is to return to the pre-digital communication era as opposed to enhancing US cyber-security technology and measures? **And if so, is that a viable and realistic policy?** It is if he (or family/friends) owns a company that would be doing the work. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/269 "2017-01-04T18:10:55Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > As I said, “…with the caveat (as Trump said) that I am compromising some measure of security by doing so.”. You probably missed that part. Perhaps so. Can you provide a link to this caveat as stated by Trump? ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/270 "2017-01-04T18:12:40Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So when faced with state and independent enemy actors trying to hack US computer systems, is it your understanding that Trump’s solution is to return to the pre-digital communication era as opposed to enhancing US cyber-security technology and measures? And if so, is that a viable and realistic policy? That’s a really silly and biased way of interpreting what he said. As I explained several times. Again, if I said “If you want to encrypt something with 100% guarantee that it won’t be broken, you should use the one-time pads method” (which is a completely accurate statement), would it be your understanding that my solution to the problem of electronic security of US government communications is to encrypt everything using this method? ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/271 "2017-01-04T18:13:40Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Perhaps so. Can you provide a link to this caveat as stated by Trump? “No computer is safe”. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/272 "2017-01-04T18:15:52Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > “No computer is safe”. So you agree that in order to keep important and classified information safe in the US, we should dismantle our digital communication capabilities. As a matter of policy as stated by president-elect Trump. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/273 "2017-01-04T18:16:30Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Well, let’s see exactly what you said: “This is, if you are talking about digital OTP cryptography, if you are talking about pen and paper OTP, then yeah, that’s about as stupid as couriering your secret documents.” > > So, I agree that you were NOT in fact talking universally about couriering documents being a bad idea > > You WERE calling something “as stupid as couriering your secret documents” So, when I read that, it seems like you are calling the act of “couriering your secret documents” stupid. > > Notice no qualifications to your statement, it is simply “as stupid as couriering your secret documents” > > Or are we not supposed to take what you said literally? > > Is that what he said? Doesn’t seem like it to me. In fact, he didn’t even use the word “classified” at all. > > I am well acquainted with the DCD, having actually used them in the past. And please quote where I said anything about how fast it was. > > What I object to is someone denigrating a whole organization that provides a valuable service, simply to slam Trump. > > And I don’t even LIKE Trump as President! BAH! Done with you, buddy. If you misunderstood what I said, that’s on you. I have clarified it to the best of my ability, and you don’t accept that. This means you have no intention of debating in good faith. You have added to and expanded my meanings and intentions in disingenuous ways. Good Day! ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/274 "2017-01-04T18:17:03Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So you agree that in order to keep important and classified information safe in the US, we should dismantle our digital communication capabilities. As a matter of policy as stated by president-elect Trump. For the Nth time, no, it was not a “matter of policy” and no, it shouldn’t be dismantled. But since “no computer is safe” the security of transmission of the information is balanced by the convenience and efficiency of the communications. The concept has been explained to you numerous times. You refuse to understand it. That’s your problem. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/275 "2017-01-04T18:19:47Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > That’s a really silly and biased way of interpreting what he said. As I explained several times. > > Again, if I said “If you want to encrypt something with 100% guarantee that it won’t be broken, you should use the one-time pads method” (which is a completely accurate statement), would it be your understanding that my solution to the problem of electronic security of US government communications is to encrypt everything using this method? If you were the POTUS elect and you stated this as your emerging cyber-security policy, I would take you at your word. And mock you accordingly. As I do with the proposed courier solution. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/276 "2017-01-04T18:19:56Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > That’s a really silly and biased way of interpreting what he said. As I explained several times. > > Again, if I said “If you want to encrypt something with 100% guarantee that it won’t be broken, you should use the one-time pads method” (which is a completely accurate statement), would it be your understanding that my solution to the problem of electronic security of US government communications is to encrypt everything using this method? If you said that? No. If the president (or soon to be president) said that? Yes. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/277 "2017-01-04T18:20:25Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Done with you, buddy. If you misunderstood what I said, that’s on you. I have clarified it to the best of my ability, and you don’t accept that. > > This means you have no intention of debating in good faith. You have added to and expanded my meanings and intentions in disingenuous ways. > > Good Day! LOL, ok. With that reasoning, Trump could just say to you “If you misunderstood what I said, that’s on you!” Let me know when you call up the DCD and let them know that you can’t think of any reason why someone would use their slow, inefficient service. I’m interested to hear what they say to you. Good day to you too, kind sir! ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/278 "2017-01-04T18:23:05Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > If you were the POTUS elect and you stated this as your emerging cyber-security policy Can you cite that it was stated as “emerging cyber-security policy”? ---
**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:** [January 4, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/279 "2017-01-04T18:23:31Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > For the Nth time, no, it was not a “matter of policy” and no, it shouldn’t be dismantled. But since “no computer is safe” the security of transmission of the information is balanced by the convenience and efficiency of the communications. > > The concept has been explained to you numerous times. You refuse to understand it. That’s your problem. I know you think you’re offering a nuanced explanation for the problem. But you’re actually not. Not even a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/280 "2017-01-04T18:24:07Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > If the president (or soon to be president) said that? Yes. … and you’d be just as wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184.md?page=15)