Otto Warmbier

Gern Blansten

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2169308/otto-warmbier-what-happened-north-korean-jail-led

Interesting article of a very sad situation.

I really hope tRump doesn't tweet insults at Warmbier's parents.

my2hands

it's a shame what happened to that kid......... but it's a risk being a CIA asset

Meltdown99

Just like I did not feel sympathy for the fool who got killed on that island, I have very little sympathy for this dude.  You go to a place like NK, then you should assume bad things can happen...and they did in this case. Maybe listen to the travel warnings that the government issue.  May sound cold, but folks like him put themselves in harms way, and I sure many do this thinking your government can bail their ass...

cincybearcat

Meltdown99 said:

Just like I did not feel sympathy for the fool who got killed on that island, I have very little sympathy for this dude.  You go to a place like NK, then you should assume bad things can happen...and they did in this case. Maybe listen to the travel warnings that the government issue.  May sound cold, but folks like him put themselves in harms way, and I sure many do this thinking your government can bail their ass...

That kid is from right down the street from where I am now.  I feel sympathy for him.  I don't think any normal person actually expects that kinda shit to happen.

Trump backing down on that is utterly ridiculous.  As we already know, he is susceptible to flattery...so that is one of the tactics he uses with others.  

Meltdown99

cincybearcat said:

Meltdown99 said:

Just like I did not feel sympathy for the fool who got killed on that island, I have very little sympathy for this dude.  You go to a place like NK, then you should assume bad things can happen...and they did in this case. Maybe listen to the travel warnings that the government issue.  May sound cold, but folks like him put themselves in harms way, and I sure many do this thinking your government can bail their ass...

That kid is from right down the street from where I am now.  I feel sympathy for him.  I don't think any normal person actually expects that kinda shit to happen.

Trump backing down on that is utterly ridiculous.  As we already know, he is susceptible to flattery...so that is one of the tactics he uses with others.  

Then he is just dumb.  Why do you think the government warns people about going to these places.  They do not put these warnings up because they have nothing better to do.  They warn you because these are legitimately dangerous places.  I would also suggest, not breaking the law in these places.  The fucking guy gave NK a reason to arrest him...did this Otto fellow and his family and live under a rock.  NK does not care what happens to US citizens...

cincybearcat

Meltdown99 said:

cincybearcat said:

Meltdown99 said:

Just like I did not feel sympathy for the fool who got killed on that island, I have very little sympathy for this dude.  You go to a place like NK, then you should assume bad things can happen...and they did in this case. Maybe listen to the travel warnings that the government issue.  May sound cold, but folks like him put themselves in harms way, and I sure many do this thinking your government can bail their ass...

That kid is from right down the street from where I am now.  I feel sympathy for him.  I don't think any normal person actually expects that kinda shit to happen.

Trump backing down on that is utterly ridiculous.  As we already know, he is susceptible to flattery...so that is one of the tactics he uses with others.  

Then he is just dumb.  Why do you think the government warns people about going to these places.  They do not put these warnings up because they have nothing better to do.  They warn you because these are legitimately dangerous places.  I would also suggest, not breaking the law in these places.  The fucking guy gave NK a reason to arrest him...did this Otto fellow and his family and live under a rock.  NK does not care what happens to US citizens...

I understand.  And I still feel bad for him and his family.  The punishment certainly didnt fit the crime.  NK is a piece of shit.  

OnWis97

It's easy to sit here in the cheap seats and call him an idiot.  First and foremost, the idea that he deserved the fate he eventually go is way off base.  But I cannot imagine not having sympathy for the kid...I've done stupid things, too...kudos to those of you that have not.

Meltdown99

It's not a cheap shot.  It's called using "common sense"...and he clearly didn't.  He paid the ultimate price.  

cincybearcat

We, myself included, often call someone dumb or stupid when we really just mean they committed a stupid or dumb act.  You don't have to be an idiot to make an idiotic decision from time to time.

A nice little discussion with Brian here made me realize how important that distinction is.  I still fail from time to time but I'm trying to be better at ensuring the distinction is made.  

I don't think the kid is dumb or an idiot.  Naive and made a dumb choice? Probably.

Meltdown99

It's not much different than when I'm in a National Park and see some fool getting out of there car to try to get as close to a bear for a picture.  Common sense tells you it's a bad idea, people still do it...if the bear eats them, I'm like "oh well" ... there is a reason the park tells people to stay in your vehicle.

Also, understand, I think the world is way overpopulated...so I am fine with nature weeding these people.

josevolution

I feel terrible for this family he went on a school trip did he make a mistake did he deserve to die for fuck no , I’m not down with any of you here stating you don’t feel for him or the family ! Fuck NK and totally fuck this president...

dignin

Did anyone here read OP's article?

jeffbr

josevolution said:

I feel terrible for this family he went on a school trip did he make a mistake did he deserve to die for fuck no , I’m not down with any of you here stating you don’t feel for him or the family ! Fuck NK and totally fuck this president...

I'm with you, Jose.

dignin

Gern Blansten said:

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2169308/otto-warmbier-what-happened-north-korean-jail-led

Interesting article of a very sad situation.

I really hope tRump doesn't tweet insults at Warmbier's parents.

Thanks for sharing by the way. I learned a lot and based on the evidence I'm inclined to believe it was a suicide attempt.

my2hands

We realize he was a CIA asset, right?

dignin

my2hands said:

We realize he was a CIA asset, right?

I love that people think he was just a naive kid jaunting across North Korea for kicks 

Am I supposed to believe you or do you have any evidence of that claim?

And as an aside, your use of the word love is strange.

my2hands

But if course what happened to him is horrible, shouldn't happen to anybody, want to be clear about that 

HughFreakingDillon

cincybearcat said:

We, myself included, often call someone dumb or stupid when we really just mean they committed a stupid or dumb act.  You don't have to be an idiot to make an idiotic decision from time to time.

A nice little discussion with Brian here made me realize how important that distinction is.  I still fail from time to time but I'm trying to be better at ensuring the distinction is made.  

I don't think the kid is dumb or an idiot.  Naive and made a dumb choice? Probably.

based on the article, it sounds like he was incredibly naive as to NK's history and present. it's incredible he went there seemingly not researching it at all. 

HughFreakingDillon

dignin said:

Gern Blansten said:

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2169308/otto-warmbier-what-happened-north-korean-jail-led

Interesting article of a very sad situation.

I really hope tRump doesn't tweet insults at Warmbier's parents.

Thanks for sharing by the way. I learned a lot and based on the evidence I'm inclined to believe it was a suicide attempt.

absolutely was my thought too even before that was mentioned as a possibility in the article. 

HughFreakingDillon

Meltdown99 said:

It's not a cheap shot.  It's called using "common sense"...and he clearly didn't.  He paid the ultimate price.  

onwis didn't say cheap shot. he said 'from the cheap seats'. 

HughFreakingDillon

Meltdown99 said:

It's not much different than when I'm in a National Park and see some fool getting out of there car to try to get as close to a bear for a picture.  Common sense tells you it's a bad idea, people still do it...if the bear eats them, I'm like "oh well" ... there is a reason the park tells people to stay in your vehicle.

Also, understand, I think the world is way overpopulated...so I am fine with nature weeding these people.

it amazes me when people say things like this. if it were your kid, would you still be ok with 'nature weeding these people'? 

i often joke about 'darwin awards' and shit, but never ever do i believe anyone ever deserved to die for careless/naive actions. i hope i never get to that point. 

i easily could have died several times over as a teen for all the stupid shit i did. i doubt anyone here didn't do stuff like that too. some people are lucky and some aren't. it's as simple as that.