Sure.
"unresponsive" is defined as a scenario where commands are sent and absolutely nothing happens.
"random LEDs lighting up" is defined as a scenario where random LEDs light up and stay on, unprompted. Not always the same ones. Due to noise.
You are implying that the two different comments that you quoted contradict each other. They aren't related. With the ASCII program, a few random LEDs light up due to noise. I guess becuase that 10k resistor isn't there holding the latch pin down.. but that's irrelevant. With the main program, the whole thing is unresponsive to commands (only when wired correctly).