The Goat Pen

I'm so glad IB finally left. Dude was a creeper.

I agree Trump should keep his mouth shut on Whelan.

That said, doesn't excuse Biden's actions.

Whelan isn't a boy scout by any means but he was an ex marine and served his country. Regardless of his issues in leaving the Marines, the country has an obligation to him.

You do realize Putin wasn't giving him up no matter what right? Guess we should have just left her there until he changed his mind.

Hell, even Whalens own brother says we've done everything we can to get him home.

Until we have a convicted Russian spy in prison to trade, Whalen isn't coming home. Victor Mueller might be the best chance.

Jungle Rat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 8:14 am You do realize Putin wasn't giving him up no matter what right? Guess we should have just left her there until he changed his mind.

who told you that? I'd love to know how you got that bit of confirmation

I know Sasquatch had weed, but what was Russia's excuse for imprisoning Whelan?

eCat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:43 am

Jungle Rat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 8:14 am You do realize Putin wasn't giving him up no matter what right? Guess we should have just left her there until he changed his mind.

who told you that? I'd love to know how you got that bit of confirmation

Whelans brother on GMA this morning

sardis wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 12:42 pm I know Sasquatch had weed, but what was Russia's excuse for imprisoning Whelan?

fairly incriminating

he had on his possession a memory stick with I think border crossing information - not sure specifically but it wasn't benign

So in other words, Whelan pretty much deserved it (certainly according to Russia) whereas Griner didn't...

The US has any obligation to get any citizen home from a hostile foreign nation. I'm guessing the Russkies are never going to let go of a guy they say was spying. I'd prefer to have him back over Griner but both of them are responsible for what happened to them. And if it was Griner or nothing, I'd take Griner and anyone who says otherwise ain't an American. Biden is a fuck up but this ain't one of the reasons why. Besides Trump had 2 years to bring Whelan home and didnt because he sucks. So bad, in fact, we have Joe Biden as president now.

Griner was targeted right before the invasion.

She's easy to spot

hedge wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 2:28 pm So in other words, Whelan pretty much deserved it (certainly according to Russia) whereas Griner didn't...

so if he was a spy for the US, and all the risk that was involved, then whatever Russia thinks he deserves, America should double their efforts to bring him back given he was putting his life at jeopardy for America

and if he isn't a spy( meaning he didn't have a memory stick of whatever) then he is innocent and America should double their efforts to bring him back.

Griner was guilty of bringing illegal drugs into a foreign country. Play stupid games , win stupid prizes.

now if he *had* the memory stick and wasn't spying for America, then that's a different situation.

and again Trump should have brought him home if he could

but that doesn't excuse Biden choosing to score political lesbian brownie points over someone who served their country, albeit, not with distinction, but still as a Iraqi war veteran

I'm not a big fan of Americans breaking laws of countries they visit and expect to get bailed out. Griner deserved some punishment, maybe like a month or two and a big fine, but her punishment was quite excessive so I understand trying to bail her out. The marine? I still don't understand what he did, but it sounds like it wasn't under the auspice of the USA so I don't feel sorry for him.

just read that at the time of his capture, there was speculation he was targeted with the sole purpose of participating in an eventual prisoner swap with a different arms dealer

who knows

sardis wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 3:20 pm I'm not a big fan of Americans breaking laws of countries they visit and expect to get bailed out. Griner deserved some punishment, maybe like a month or two and a big fine, but her punishment was quite excessive so I understand trying to bail her out. The marine? I still don't understand what he did, but it sounds like it wasn't under the auspice of the USA so I don't feel sorry for him.

it was excessive by our standards, not by Russia

Are drug laws strict in Russia?
Russian drug laws are widely considered draconian and the country imprisons more people per capita for drug crimes compared with the rest of Europe, according to The Moscow Times. Marijuana remains illegal for recreational and medical purposes. "They're a zero-tolerance jurisdiction,"

The sentencing of WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years behind bars and a fine of 1 million rubles – between US$10,000 and $20,000 depending on the exchange rate – should come as no surprise to those familiar with Russian law.

The country has long enforced strict drug laws and has a well-deserved reputation for zero-tolerance jurisdiction.

Indeed, the crime Griner was prosecuted of – smuggling narcotics in “significant amount” in violation of Article 229¹(2)(c) of the Russian criminal code – carries a minimum sentence of five to 10 years “deprivation of freedom” along with the fine, and the upper end of the spectrum seems to be common. The prosecutor in Griner’s case asked for 9 ½ years and, presumably, the maximum fine. He got most of what he wanted.

E will criticize Biden for wiping his ass the wrong way.

MAGA!!