That makes no sense. What do you think is the difference in "denial levels"? Kind of like Dragonball-Z power levels? Does a "vehement denial" cost the one making it any more than a "meek denial"? If making "vehement denials", coming at exactly the same cost as less strong denials, are more effective, you would just have made all PR companies/people extremely happy - they get a stringer weapon for free. All the have to do is issue "vehement denials" instead of just "denials" and a larger share of the population believes them (for no valid reason). Especially when the public has no way to get the "real truth" but can only watch a Dragonball-Z style "strong statement" vs "incredibly strong statement" showdown.

> People claiming gag orders are crazy, mostly for thinking that Apple, or anyone else for that matter, would ever sign a document forcing them to lie to their customers

Why do you think a "gag order" is something that has to be signed off on by the one getting it? That too does not make any sense. An order is issued by someone who has more power, here, the government. You don't have to sign anything for the order to exist. "Gag order" has "order" right in the name.