[gotchange]

Yes, this could be all smoke and mirrors and Apple is already in bed with the USG and they just playing us and taking us for suckers but setting all these legitimate concerns aside and assuming that this whole controversy is legit, I think Apple's position is vulnerable given their tax policies and hoarding cash reserves in offshore subsidiaries and holding the repatriation of these funds to the US.

I think that the USG could really twist Apple's arm and take them to courts over trumped up tax evasion charges and force Apple to cooperate with them on that FBI issue.

Let's just wait to see how this interesting story evolves and concludes before passing judgements very early.