Russia

[wease's ex-girlfriend]

Just so I'm clear (too lazy to read through 4 pages of shit), Burt/bi/simple - are you guys saying that it would have been ok to trade Bout if Whelan was included? Or are you arguing that we shouldn't have released Bout at all? Because these are two very different and separate arguments. Thanks in advance for clarifying.

[Bi_3]

Just so I'm clear (too lazy to read through 4 pages of shit), Burt/bi/simple - are you guys saying that it would have been ok to trade Bout if Whelan was included? Or are you arguing that we shouldn't have released Bout at all? Because these are two very different and separate arguments. Thanks in advance for clarifying.

Never have been released

[BurtReynolds]

I don't know if a trade for Whelan would be in our best interests (which is the president's sole job), but it's an argument worth having. And those arguments are not, as some fucking moron wandered in earlier saying, just a case of "the pieces of shit are at it again"; they are actual arguments about how the president should best act in our interests.

I think Bout might be a large bargaining chip that we gave away for very little. A chip that possibly could have been used to help more people. Or, as Bi says, it may be better for us to let him rot in jail forever. Again, it's an argument worth having. If that sounds too Machiavellian to some, then those people shouldn't be president, because they can't make the best decisions in a world that doesn't provide perfect solutions to every problem.

And the idea that Biden just had to do something is absurd. He was not forced into making a decision against our interests here. the only thing forcing his hand was popularity.

[simple schoolboy]

I don't know if a trade for Whelan would be in our best interests (which is the president's sole job), but it's an argument worth having. And those arguments are not, as some fucking moron wandered in earlier saying, just a case of "the pieces of shit are at it again"; they are actual arguments about how the president should best act in our interests.

I think Bout might be a large bargaining chip that we gave away for very little. A chip that possibly could have been used to help more people. Or, as Bi says, it may be better for us to let him rot in jail forever. Again, it's an argument worth having. If that sounds too Machiavellian to some, then those people shouldn't be president, because they can't make the best decisions in a world that doesn't provide perfect solutions to every problem.

And the idea that Biden just had to do something is absurd. He was not forced into making a decision against our interests here. the only thing forcing his hand was popularity.

This is where I'm at. I have no confidence that:

1) They aren't lying to us.

2) This was undertaken with due consideration of changing the perceived cost of imprisoning Americans overseas.

[BurtReynolds]

Also, Merchant of Death is the most badass nickname you could have. I don't think this has been considered.

[Bi_3]

According to Bolton, the Trump admin turned down a Bout for Whelan trade (the right choice). MAGA needs to STFU about "never leave a marine behind" in light of this.

[wease]

According to Bolton, the Trump admin turned down a Bout for Whelan trade (the right choice). MAGA needs to STFU about "never leave a marine behind" in light of this.

Verified by Pence.

[simple schoolboy]

According to Bolton, the Trump admin turned down a Bout for Whelan trade (the right choice). MAGA needs to STFU about "never leave a marine behind" in light of this.

This is consistent with your view that Bout should not be traded though, yes?

[Bi_3]

According to Bolton, the Trump admin turned down a Bout for Whelan trade (the right choice). MAGA needs to STFU about "never leave a marine behind" in light of this.

This is consistent with your view that Bout should not be traded though, yes?

Yup. But with such scant details it's possible-to-likely Trump was just holding out for a different deal or didn't like the political optics of coordinating with Putin.

[simple schoolboy]

According to Bolton, the Trump admin turned down a Bout for Whelan trade (the right choice). MAGA needs to STFU about "never leave a marine behind" in light of this.

This is consistent with your view that Bout should not be traded though, yes?

Yup. But with such scant details it's possible-to-likely Trump was just holding out for a different deal or didn't like the political optics of coordinating with Putin.

He loves making deals and all. Bolton was one of the stranger picks for his cabinet, why did either of them think they could come to an understanding (invading Iran is good, in this essay I will...)

[Anders]

[simple schoolboy]

Russian mobiks I assume have been scraping US 2A/ survivalist websites for ratings on armor plates and other various gear, just to order it and have it confiscated by the authorities.

Americans LARP so that Russians can die in a hole in Ukraine.

Americans can also buy the rations* and some of the other gear that was supposed to be issued** to mobiks so we are living our best lives.

*I am still lousy with US manufactured MREs, but apparently their canned meats if not past expiration are not bad.

**Dudes have been selling Russian Rations with 2022 manufacture dates

[BurtReynolds]

The most Russian thing I've ever heard.

[elliseamos]

[simple schoolboy]

US state department warns US Citizens to leave Russia for the upteenth time. Can we have an official policy that we won't negotiate your release if you enter the country at this point?

[Anders]

[blueviper]

reminds me of this for some reason:

[96583UP]

Putin's a real loser the way he's gotta kiss Xi Jingping's ass

[96583UP]

also Xi Jingping literally sounds like Jabba the Hut

[simple schoolboy]

Executing a Russian military blogger with an exploding statuette seems especially theatrical.