• Peer
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    15 hours ago

    The NYT is just reporting what’s ‘fit to print’. Unless there’s verified proof of actual blackmail this description seems apt. Saying you have information on people and you may use it is not blackmail, as that would require a direct request.

    • Hegar@fedia.io
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      6 hours ago

      They’re describing blackmail, they’re just too cowardly to name what they’ve described.

      If someone has notes on the secrets of powerful people and claims to use those secrets to empower themself, that person is engaging in blackmail.

      • Peer
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        5 hours ago

        If I say I have notes on powerful people and say that empowers me, that’s bragging. Not blackmail, because those people might not even know. If I were to say it to those powerful people, it could be perceived as threatening. But it’s not blackmail, as I don’t demand anything. If I were to use those notes to get something done: that’s blackmail.