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The Right Wing noise machine

Now: to speed things up just a little bit, rather than doing an analysis of the law like a law student or a litigator might perform, I will use a short cut: m going to quote another lawyer and refer to the citations he shared.

Bear in mind that there are losing lawyers in every single court case, so citing a lawyer as a legal authority is a dicey business.

Nonsense. The law is the law. Elements are elements. And the recitation of elements (supported by case law citation) has nothing to do with the fact that a lawyer might lose or win some cases.

I did not dispute any of that. Interpreting the law is not as straightforward as people make it out to be, but your entire argument is composed of the kind of logic-chopping legalism that provides many a lawyer with rewarding compensation, the assumption being that the wording in legal documentation is alone sufficient to solve a legal issue. You might as well argue that the person who runs the office of the Presidency is not actually an officer of the US government. Laughable on its face, as long as the lawyers manage to keep straight faces while defending it in the courtroom. Trying to distinguish "victims" from "injured parties" in the language you quoted is a similar kind of stretch, but we are all used to defending untenable claims with that kind of tenuous semantic distinction.
 
"Unsold residential condominium units owned by Mr. Trump or the Trump Organization
represented the lion’s share of reported value for this property (in excess of 95% in
some years). Reported values of the unsold residential units of the Trump Park Avenue
building were significantly higher than the internal valuations used by the Trump
Organization for business planning and failed to account for the fact that 12 of the units
were rent-stabilized. For example, an independent bank-ordered appraisal in 2010
valued the 12 rent-stabilized units at $750,000 total. Yet, in the 2011 and 2012
statements, the rent-stabilized apartments at Trump Park Avenue were valued at the
non-regulated market rate for nearly $50 million total."

Another example of Trumpy shenanigans. Is it worth less than $1m, or FIFTY MILLION?
Depends if you're a banker or a taxman, right, @DeplorableInfidel ?
I think you would do yourself a favor by perusing this pdf, which details more than twenty misrepresentations, ALL of them intended to inflate Trump's supposed "net worth" (which is probably a negative number today).

ETA: here's the synopsis of the scams he has been using:
Mr. Trump used a number of
deceptive techniques in determining the value of the clubs:

• Fixed Assets Scheme: This tactic valued the clubs based on fixed assets
without factoring in any depreciation. This is contrary to industry custom and
practice for an ongoing business, which typically values these types of properties
using an income-based approach.
• Unsold Membership Scheme: This tactic artificially increased the properties’
value by claiming unsold memberships were considerably more expensive than
what they actually cost and claiming that their purchase was considerably more
common than they actually were.
• Membership Deposit Scheme: This tactic treated the value of membership
deposit liability as part of the purchase price of a club despite representing at the
same time that Mr. Trump’s liability for those deposits was zero. This tactic
artificially increased the cost, and value, of clubs purchased by the Trump
Organization.
• Brand Premium Scheme: The Trump Organization added a premium to inflate
the value of golf courses and clubs, often up to 30% for the “Trump Brand,” but
expressly claimed that brand premiums were not included. Including an
intangible asset, such as a brand premium, is prohibited by GAAP.
Do you think all that is LEGAL, Deplo?
 
Trump cheated. He got caught. That went to court.
Trump was found guilty. And that is that.

There is no excuse for Trump. Finis.
 
Now: to speed things up just a little bit, rather than doing an analysis of the law like a law student or a litigator might perform, I will use a short cut: m going to quote another lawyer and refer to the citations he shared.

Bear in mind that there are losing lawyers in every single court case, so citing a lawyer as a legal authority is a dicey business.

Nonsense. The law is the law. Elements are elements. And the recitation of elements (supported by case law citation) has nothing to do with the fact that a lawyer might lose or win some cases.

I did not dispute any of that. Interpreting the law is not as straightforward as people make it out to be, but your entire argument is composed of the kind of logic-chopping legalism that provides many a lawyer with rewarding compensation, the assumption being that the wording in legal documentation is alone sufficient to solve a legal issue. You might as well argue that the person who runs the office of the Presidency is not actually an officer of the US government. Laughable on its face, as long as the lawyers manage to keep straight faces while defending it in the courtroom. Trying to distinguish "victims" from "injured parties" in the language you quoted is a similar kind of stretch, but we are all used to defending untenable claims with that kind of tenuous semantic distinction.
Actually, your complaint t is plain juvenile. Ascertaining the actual meaning of words is part of what lawyers are supposed to do. And making use of logic isn’t logic chopping.

The elements of a tort are there for good reason. If I declare (for whatever stupid reason) that a sky at night is always a pale violet in color, m claim may be mistaken or or may be intentionally false. That difference matters. Similarly, if I said it to lull you into parting with some of your money, we might be a part of the way to making out a complaint for fraud. But more is required. For example, if you have some obligation to exercise at least a little due diligence, it would be difficult to make out the contention that my false statement caused any harm to you if you didn’t bother to even check it out

All of the elements exist for a reason. They didn’t spring up overnight or just for this case. And here’s a fun fact. One of the elements is that my deceptive claim somehow caused you damages. But if you weren’t injured even after relying on my claim, then you weren’t damaged.
 
Welcome back Deplo. You ever going to address the facts of the case or just keep waving your hands around?
And … why aren’t you setting The Donald straight, now that you know he doesn’t think the victim you demand is a required “element” of what is going to cost him a half billion?

Also, what about his taxes? If he declares a property to be worth $50m but pays tax on a tiny fraction of that valuation, is that illegal, or another “no harm no foul” situation in your expert legal opinion?

Hint: he’s about to get a bill for the difference.
 
...
Nonsense. The law is the law. Elements are elements. And the recitation of elements (supported by case law citation) has nothing to do with the fact that a lawyer might lose or win some cases.

I did not dispute any of that. Interpreting the law is not as straightforward as people make it out to be, but your entire argument is composed of the kind of logic-chopping legalism that provides many a lawyer with rewarding compensation, the assumption being that the wording in legal documentation is alone sufficient to solve a legal issue. You might as well argue that the person who runs the office of the Presidency is not actually an officer of the US government. Laughable on its face, as long as the lawyers manage to keep straight faces while defending it in the courtroom. Trying to distinguish "victims" from "injured parties" in the language you quoted is a similar kind of stretch, but we are all used to defending untenable claims with that kind of tenuous semantic distinction.
Actually, your complaint t is plain juvenile. Ascertaining the actual meaning of words is part of what lawyers are supposed to do. And making use of logic isn’t logic chopping.

We are in violent agreement that lawyers deal in word meanings, but that only means that they are supposed to ascertain what words mean in their legal context, which is not always easy and straightforward. So lawyers are continually at odds over how to interpret those meanings. Your legalistic argument doesn't amount to much more than logic chopping, which is a fallacy that focuses on trivialities. For example, making a distinction without a difference--"victim" versus "injured party". The injured party in a fraud case is a victim of fraud, and I think you know that very well.


The elements of a tort are there for good reason. If I declare (for whatever stupid reason) that a sky at night is always a pale violet in color, m claim may be mistaken or or may be intentionally false. That difference matters. Similarly, if I said it to lull you into parting with some of your money, we might be a part of the way to making out a complaint for fraud. But more is required. For example, if you have some obligation to exercise at least a little due diligence, it would be difficult to make out the contention that my false statement caused any harm to you if you didn’t bother to even check it out

Nothing I said disputed any of that, and that is precisely what was being adjudicated in Trump's case. He was caught in a series of lies, and witnesses gave testimony to support that. Banks are not expected to physically measure square footage in apartments. They require that those seeking loans make legally binding claims about the worth of their assets. Those making the claims are the ones that need to exercise due diligence before signing a paper that makes them liable for their truth.

All of the elements exist for a reason. They didn’t spring up overnight or just for this case. And here’s a fun fact. One of the elements is that my deceptive claim somehow caused you damages. But if you weren’t injured even after relying on my claim, then you weren’t damaged.

That's right. Your "fun fact" was simply false, but I get that conservatives often call false claims "alternative facts". You didn't cause me injury or damage, just amusement.
 
I’m curious. Why would the attack be against “right wing” news (like Fox News) when we should all be able to see that the left wing news (meaning almost all mainstream “news” sources) is generally just the apparatchik for the more “liberal”/Democrat components of our society?
That's not the way English works.

When you add a modifier to a word you often are distinguishing the group from the normal version. Thus the existence of right wing news doesn't mean the rest is left wing.
 
I’m curious. Why would the attack be against “right wing” news (like Fox News) when we should all be able to see that the left wing news (meaning almost all mainstream “news” sources) is generally just the apparatchik for the more “liberal”/Democrat components of our society?
That's not the way English works.

When you add a modifier to a word you often are distinguishing the group from the normal version. Thus the existence of right wing news doesn't mean the rest is left wing.

I would treat the claim as poor reasoning rather than poor English--a weak attempt at an excluded middle fallacy. I don't know how far deplo has been sucked into the MAGA whirlpool, but attacking the mainstream press is one way to convince people to dismiss news reports that haven't been properly vetted and decontaminated.
 
Incorrect. To a city town or village assessor, a person’s plot of land has one estimated “value.” But for me to sell that land or to negotiate a loan on that plot of land as collateral, I am not a obligated to rely on some arcane “assessment” valuation. I can lay claim to whatever “value” I reasonably ascribe to that plot of land. The would-be lender is not any more bound to my estimated valuation than it would be to the town assessor’s valuation.
In practice your buyer won't get a mortgage if the appraised value is less than the sale price.
Lenders generally engage in significant “due diligence” before making loan decisions.
You've already had a banker weigh in on the issue.
Example: say that about two years ago, I purchased a new home in a nice location in a warm southern state for say, $600,000.00. Two years later the market value of this place may be $750,000.00. HOWEVER, due to the value of my “brand,” I say that I place its value at $1,000,000.00. Is a bank required to accept my cool million valuation? No. And is it “fraud” for me to place a higher estimated value on my own residence than current market value? No.
It's not fraud for you to offer it for sale at $1M. It is fraud if you turn around and using that as evidence that it's worth $1M.
 
Welcome back Deplo. You ever going to address the facts of the case or just keep waving your hands around?
And … why aren’t you setting The Donald straight, now that you know he doesn’t think the victim you demand is a required “element” of what is going to cost him a half billion?

Also, what about his taxes? If he declares a property to be worth $50m but pays tax on a tiny fraction of that valuation, is that illegal, or another “no harm no foul” situation in your expert legal opinion?

Hint: he’s about to get a bill for the difference.
Already did address the facts.
 
Incorrect. To a city town or village assessor, a person’s plot of land has one estimated “value.” But for me to sell that land or to negotiate a loan on that plot of land as collateral, I am not a obligated to rely on some arcane “assessment” valuation. I can lay claim to whatever “value” I reasonably ascribe to that plot of land. The would-be lender is not any more bound to my estimated valuation than it would be to the town assessor’s valuation.
In practice your buyer won't get a mortgage if the appraised value is less than the sale price.
Lenders generally engage in significant “due diligence” before making loan decisions.
You've already had a banker weigh in on the issue.
Example: say that about two years ago, I purchased a new home in a nice location in a warm southern state for say, $600,000.00. Two years later the market value of this place may be $750,000.00. HOWEVER, due to the value of my “brand,” I say that I place its value at $1,000,000.00. Is a bank required to accept my cool million valuation? No. And is it “fraud” for me to place a higher estimated value on my own residence than current market value? No.
It's not fraud for you to offer it for sale at $1M. It is fraud if you turn around and using that as evidence that it's worth $1M.
No. It’s not. You can cite to another price as “evidence” f value if you wish. Nothing fraudulent in that. The would-be lender is still under an obligation to perform some due diligence. And a subsequent whining complaint that “orange man bad misled me” would reflect a complete lack of due diligence on the part of the lender. A simple question by the lender to the loan-applicant might be:
“On what basis or bases do you, dear loan applicant, predicate your claim of a $1 million dollar valuation.”
 
I’m curious. Why would the attack be against “right wing” news (like Fox News) when we should all be able to see that the left wing news (meaning almost all mainstream “news” sources) is generally just the apparatchik for the more “liberal”/Democrat components of our society?
That's not the way English works.

When you add a modifier to a word you often are distinguishing the group from the normal version. Thus the existence of right wing news doesn't mean the rest is left wing.
Ah. A lecture on English. I reject it.

Of course there is a source of right wing news. The meaning of which, by the way, is right wing slanted.

Similarly, to deny that most of the main stream media is left wing slanted merely ignores reality.
 
Welcome back Deplo. You ever going to address the facts of the case or just keep waving your hands around?
And … why aren’t you setting The Donald straight, now that you know he doesn’t think the victim you demand is a required “element” of what is going to cost him a half billion?

Also, what about his taxes? If he declares a property to be worth $50m but pays tax on a tiny fraction of that valuation, is that illegal, or another “no harm no foul” situation in your expert legal opinion?

Hint: he’s about to get a bill for the difference.
Already did address the facts.
Uh, no.
You prevaricate and fabricate, but never address.
Here’s a fact for you; your delusion goes well beyond bias. Faith in the rantings of the logorrheal man baby does that to people. The idea that Trump’s burgeoning list of crimes are all political perecution, is a product of unredeemable delusion.
I bet you think Jack Smith is a Democrat Party Operative, too :hysterical:
 
Welcome back Deplo. You ever going to address the facts of the case or just keep waving your hands around?
And … why aren’t you setting The Donald straight, now that you know he doesn’t think the victim you demand is a required “element” of what is going to cost him a half billion?

Also, what about his taxes? If he declares a property to be worth $50m but pays tax on a tiny fraction of that valuation, is that illegal, or another “no harm no foul” situation in your expert legal opinion?

Hint: he’s about to get a bill for the difference.
Already did address the facts.
Uh, no.
You prevaricate and fabricate, but never address.

Uhm. False. I address and leave prevarication and fabrication to you.
Here’s a fact for you; your delusion goes well beyond bias. Faith in the rantings of the logorrheal man baby does that to people. The idea that Trump’s burgeoning list of crimes are all political perecution, is a product of unredeemable delusion.
I bet you think Jack Smith is a Democrat Party Operative, too
You stated an opinion (and a very biased one at that) as a “fact.” It wasn’t a fact. It isn’t a fact.

If you need a primer to distinguish between your opinions and actual facts, maybe this Board isn’t the place for you. 👍
 
...
Nonsense. The law is the law. Elements are elements. And the recitation of elements (supported by case law citation) has nothing to do with the fact that a lawyer might lose or win some cases.

I did not dispute any of that. Interpreting the law is not as straightforward as people make it out to be, but your entire argument is composed of the kind of logic-chopping legalism that provides many a lawyer with rewarding compensation, the assumption being that the wording in legal documentation is alone sufficient to solve a legal issue. You might as well argue that the person who runs the office of the Presidency is not actually an officer of the US government. Laughable on its face, as long as the lawyers manage to keep straight faces while defending it in the courtroom. Trying to distinguish "victims" from "injured parties" in the language you quoted is a similar kind of stretch, but we are all used to defending untenable claims with that kind of tenuous semantic distinction.
Actually, your complaint t is plain juvenile. Ascertaining the actual meaning of words is part of what lawyers are supposed to do. And making use of logic isn’t logic chopping.

We are in violent agreement that lawyers deal in word meanings, but that only means that they are supposed to ascertain what words mean in their legal context, which is not always easy and straightforward. So lawyers are continually at odds over how to interpret those meanings. Your legalistic argument doesn't amount to much more than logic chopping, which is a fallacy that focuses on trivialities. For example, making a distinction without a difference--"victim" versus "injured party". The injured party in a fraud case is a victim of fraud, and I think you know that very well.


The elements of a tort are there for good reason. If I declare (for whatever stupid reason) that a sky at night is always a pale violet in color, m claim may be mistaken or or may be intentionally false. That difference matters. Similarly, if I said it to lull you into parting with some of your money, we might be a part of the way to making out a complaint for fraud. But more is required. For example, if you have some obligation to exercise at least a little due diligence, it would be difficult to make out the contention that my false statement caused any harm to you if you didn’t bother to even check it out

Nothing I said disputed any of that, and that is precisely what was being adjudicated in Trump's case. He was caught in a series of lies, and witnesses gave testimony to support that. Banks are not expected to physically measure square footage in apartments. They require that those seeking loans make legally binding claims about the worth of their assets. Those making the claims are the ones that need to exercise due diligence before signing a paper that makes them liable for their truth.

All of the elements exist for a reason. They didn’t spring up overnight or just for this case. And here’s a fun fact. One of the elements is that my deceptive claim somehow caused you damages. But if you weren’t injured even after relying on my claim, then you weren’t damaged.

That's right. Your "fun fact" was simply false, but I get that conservatives often call false claims "alternative facts". You didn't cause me injury or damage, just amusement.
Your repeated claim that I engaged in so-called “logic chopping” is false.

You, of course, remain free to ignore the points I made. But I’ll tell you another fun fact. Ignoring them doesn’t actually make them go away. Thought you should know.
 
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