Question: Wouldn't padding--even thin--be gilding the lilies?
Wouldn't putting any type of padding on the seat be unnecessary ?

Answer: it is not possible to tell

Question: It is a kind of three-card monte, says Olson.
Olson said something about cards.

Answer: yes

Question: Graffiti written by Russian soldiers can be seen in the caves of Antiparos.
Russian soldiers drew on the caves of Antiparos.

Answer:
yes