#46 President Joe Biden

Gern Blansten

gimmesometruth27 said:

lindamarie73 said:

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

brianlux said:

I'm not taking side here but I honestly want to know, what is it about Brittney Griner to refer to her as "represents the best America — the best about America"?

Honest question.  Anyone?

You’d have look at her life prior to getting arrested for basically an extract of weed! Was she a great student? Def a great athlete! Was she ever arrested before? I haven’t look deep into her life but I bet she was a good American citizen! 

And very possibly so but taking weed extract into Russia does not indicate a lot of smarts.  Great athlete, yes, for sure. 

But I still question what make her the best America has to offer.  I am suspicious of such a claim as being more a political move than an accurate statement. 

I would list Mike McCready as a better candidate for such a statement. 

So Brittany Griner was one of those that wouldn't stand for the anthem.  She is/has and will get a lot of shit for that.  She does not represent the best America.  Who even said that?

I'm glad she is freed though.  Sucks for anyone to be locked up abroad.  Hopefully she is smarter next time she packs.

The Shit-4-brains President said that..
One would hope she would now stand for the anthem after experiencing what real oppression looks and feels like…

honestly there are bigger issues in this country. hardly anybody actually gives a shit about whether someone stands for the national anthem or not. those people that do are just creating a wedge issue that literally no democrats care about. the anthem being played at sporting events is a stupid tradition anyway.

exactly....I just saw my first "war on christmas" post from Fox

They are attacking parents that don't want their kids to believe in Santa Claus because they feel like they are lying to them.

Which they are

mrussel1

lindamarie73 said:

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

brianlux said:

I'm not taking side here but I honestly want to know, what is it about Brittney Griner to refer to her as "represents the best America — the best about America"?

Honest question.  Anyone?

You’d have look at her life prior to getting arrested for basically an extract of weed! Was she a great student? Def a great athlete! Was she ever arrested before? I haven’t look deep into her life but I bet she was a good American citizen! 

And very possibly so but taking weed extract into Russia does not indicate a lot of smarts.  Great athlete, yes, for sure. 

But I still question what make her the best America has to offer.  I am suspicious of such a claim as being more a political move than an accurate statement. 

I would list Mike McCready as a better candidate for such a statement. 

So Brittany Griner was one of those that wouldn't stand for the anthem.  She is/has and will get a lot of shit for that.  She does not represent the best America.  Who even said that?

I'm glad she is freed though.  Sucks for anyone to be locked up abroad.  Hopefully she is smarter next time she packs.

The Shit-4-brains President said that..
One would hope she would now stand for the anthem after experiencing what real oppression looks and feels like…

So what's worse,  not standing for the anthem or being dishonorably discharged for theft in Iraq?

Merkin Baller

Not standing for the anthem is every American's right. It's right there in the 1st Amendment. 

Why do so many conservatives hate freedom of speech? 

mickeyrat

lindamarie73 said:

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

brianlux said:

I'm not taking side here but I honestly want to know, what is it about Brittney Griner to refer to her as "represents the best America — the best about America"?

Honest question.  Anyone?

You’d have look at her life prior to getting arrested for basically an extract of weed! Was she a great student? Def a great athlete! Was she ever arrested before? I haven’t look deep into her life but I bet she was a good American citizen! 

And very possibly so but taking weed extract into Russia does not indicate a lot of smarts.  Great athlete, yes, for sure. 

But I still question what make her the best America has to offer.  I am suspicious of such a claim as being more a political move than an accurate statement. 

I would list Mike McCready as a better candidate for such a statement. 

So Brittany Griner was one of those that wouldn't stand for the anthem.  She is/has and will get a lot of shit for that.  She does not represent the best America.  Who even said that?

I'm glad she is freed though.  Sucks for anyone to be locked up abroad.  Hopefully she is smarter next time she packs.

The Shit-4-brains President said that..
One would hope she would now stand for the anthem after experiencing what real oppression looks and feels like…

like a black woman in america doesnt already know......

josevolution

lindamarie73 said:

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

brianlux said:

I'm not taking side here but I honestly want to know, what is it about Brittney Griner to refer to her as "represents the best America — the best about America"?

Honest question.  Anyone?

You’d have look at her life prior to getting arrested for basically an extract of weed! Was she a great student? Def a great athlete! Was she ever arrested before? I haven’t look deep into her life but I bet she was a good American citizen! 

And very possibly so but taking weed extract into Russia does not indicate a lot of smarts.  Great athlete, yes, for sure. 

But I still question what make her the best America has to offer.  I am suspicious of such a claim as being more a political move than an accurate statement. 

I would list Mike McCready as a better candidate for such a statement. 

So Brittany Griner was one of those that wouldn't stand for the anthem.  She is/has and will get a lot of shit for that.  She does not represent the best America.  Who even said that?

I'm glad she is freed though.  Sucks for anyone to be locked up abroad.  Hopefully she is smarter next time she packs.

The Shit-4-brains President said that..
One would hope she would now stand for the anthem after experiencing what real oppression looks and feels like…

Damn lady you are def a deplorable human! Do you address all elder folks like that is your father a shit for brains elder or your mother or aunt or uncle! The facts are that the previous president was a total deplorable human being! Go ahead post just one good human trait he possesses I’ll be here waiting! One day you too will be an elder person I hope no one ever calls you shit for brains..

josevolution

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

brianlux said:

I'm not taking side here but I honestly want to know, what is it about Brittney Griner to refer to her as "represents the best America — the best about America"?

Honest question.  Anyone?

You’d have look at her life prior to getting arrested for basically an extract of weed! Was she a great student? Def a great athlete! Was she ever arrested before? I haven’t look deep into her life but I bet she was a good American citizen! 

And very possibly so but taking weed extract into Russia does not indicate a lot of smarts.  Great athlete, yes, for sure. 

But I still question what make her the best America has to offer.  I am suspicious of such a claim as being more a political move than an accurate statement. 

I would list Mike McCready as a better candidate for such a statement. 

So Brittany Griner was one of those that wouldn't stand for the anthem.  She is/has and will get a lot of shit for that.  She does not represent the best America.  Who even said that?

I'm glad she is freed though.  Sucks for anyone to be locked up abroad.  Hopefully she is smarter next time she packs.

I’ve never walked in a black man/women shoes specially a lesbian woman! I have zero problem with anyone not standing for the Anthem! 

Gern Blansten

mickeyrat said:

lindamarie73 said:

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

brianlux said:

I'm not taking side here but I honestly want to know, what is it about Brittney Griner to refer to her as "represents the best America — the best about America"?

Honest question.  Anyone?

You’d have look at her life prior to getting arrested for basically an extract of weed! Was she a great student? Def a great athlete! Was she ever arrested before? I haven’t look deep into her life but I bet she was a good American citizen! 

And very possibly so but taking weed extract into Russia does not indicate a lot of smarts.  Great athlete, yes, for sure. 

But I still question what make her the best America has to offer.  I am suspicious of such a claim as being more a political move than an accurate statement. 

I would list Mike McCready as a better candidate for such a statement. 

So Brittany Griner was one of those that wouldn't stand for the anthem.  She is/has and will get a lot of shit for that.  She does not represent the best America.  Who even said that?

I'm glad she is freed though.  Sucks for anyone to be locked up abroad.  Hopefully she is smarter next time she packs.

The Shit-4-brains President said that..
One would hope she would now stand for the anthem after experiencing what real oppression looks and feels like…

like a black woman in america doesnt already know......

No shit! 

The Juggler

mrussel1 said:

lindamarie73 said:

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

brianlux said:

I'm not taking side here but I honestly want to know, what is it about Brittney Griner to refer to her as "represents the best America — the best about America"?

Honest question.  Anyone?

You’d have look at her life prior to getting arrested for basically an extract of weed! Was she a great student? Def a great athlete! Was she ever arrested before? I haven’t look deep into her life but I bet she was a good American citizen! 

And very possibly so but taking weed extract into Russia does not indicate a lot of smarts.  Great athlete, yes, for sure. 

But I still question what make her the best America has to offer.  I am suspicious of such a claim as being more a political move than an accurate statement. 

I would list Mike McCready as a better candidate for such a statement. 

So Brittany Griner was one of those that wouldn't stand for the anthem.  She is/has and will get a lot of shit for that.  She does not represent the best America.  Who even said that?

I'm glad she is freed though.  Sucks for anyone to be locked up abroad.  Hopefully she is smarter next time she packs.

The Shit-4-brains President said that..
One would hope she would now stand for the anthem after experiencing what real oppression looks and feels like…

So what's worse,  not standing for the anthem or being dishonorably discharged for theft in Iraq?

Shhhhhhh.....her right wing "news" outlets did not tell her about that.

cincybearcat

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

The Juggler

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

Because it fits their narrative in comparing him to a black lesbian who kneeled for a song. 


And kudos to you for your reasonable take. God speed!

tempo_n_groove

My FB feed is all up on hating Biden and not bringing the Marine back.  They have zero idea that he was Dishonorably discharged and if he was it was just a CIA ruse because he was decorated beforehand.

Crazy shit man.  People do not read and when they do they change the rules.

The Juggler

tempo_n_groove said:

My FB feed is all up on hating Biden and not bringing the Marine back.  They have zero idea that he was Dishonorably discharged and if he was it was just a CIA ruse because he was decorated beforehand.

Crazy shit man.  People do not read and when they do they change the rules.

Well I bet they are reading and consumer some "news"....but it is from sources that are simply leaving that information out to push their narrative. 

Gern Blansten

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

yeah and discharged for attempting to steal $10K or something

If he was framed by the Russians I think they would have given him up by now.

Halifax2TheMax

So, why would a dishonourably discharged ex marine turned corporate security chief possess passports from four different nations and keep them all current?

Gern Blansten

Halifax2TheMax said:

So, why would a dishonourably discharged ex marine turned corporate security chief possess passports from four different nations and keep them all current?

And it would make total sense for the CIA to say they had no idea who he was.

Bentleyspop

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

Because facts, like provable data and numbers, are anathema to the QtRUmplican horde.

mrussel1

Gern Blansten said:

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

yeah and discharged for attempting to steal $10K or something

If he was framed by the Russians I think they would have given him up by now.

That's exactly right.  

gimmesometruth27

dude's own brother said that biden made the right deal to get at least one american home.

OnWis97

The Juggler said:

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

Because it fits their narrative in comparing him to a black lesbian who kneeled for a song. 

It's not that simple.

Oh, wait. It is.

Per social media, anyway, there are a lot of people who didn't hide their glee that she was going to spend nearly a decade in prison because of the kneeling (the race and orientation elements being a bit more difficult to get away with stating).

The "fuck your feelings" crowd really hates it when someone exercises certain First Amendment rights.

I'm not expert on international prison swapping so I'm choosing to be glad she's back.

Indifference

people bring up the dishonorable discharge but not the guilty plea on domestic abuse, wish both got home but to slander one for faults and not the other is weird. no one perfect.

Halifax2TheMax

See? I told you so.

Opinion  The suppression of Hunter Biden’s laptop is a huge scandal

Opinion | The suppression of Hunter Biden’s laptop is a huge scandal - The Washington Post

Halifax2TheMax

Halifax2TheMax said:

brianlux said:

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

brianlux said:

I'm not taking side here but I honestly want to know, what is it about Brittney Griner to refer to her as "represents the best America — the best about America"?

Honest question.  Anyone?

You’d have look at her life prior to getting arrested for basically an extract of weed! Was she a great student? Def a great athlete! Was she ever arrested before? I haven’t look deep into her life but I bet she was a good American citizen! 

And very possibly so but taking weed extract into Russia does not indicate a lot of smarts.  Great athlete, yes, for sure. 

But I still question what make her the best America has to offer.  I am suspicious of such a claim as being more a political move than an accurate statement. 

I would list Mike McCready as a better candidate for such a statement. 

I'll take a stab at it. Maybe its her ability to overcome growing up black, female and lesbian, having been rejected by her father upon coming out and still rising above to become the best female basketball player in college and the WNBA and a two-time Olympic gold champion, despite her personal flaws of breaking an opponent's nose, domestic violence conviction and divorce and pot smoking? Maybe its because she's trying to mentor youth and break the mold to make it easier for the next generation (you see the hostility here to her, imagine how she must feel?) and for taking a stand for a cause she believes in, protesting the national anthem during the Briona Taylor and George Floyd protests, whether you agree with her or not, and exercising her freedom of speech and giving voice to those with none. At any point she could have just walked away and gone back to where many Americans expect her to go, back in "her place." She could have walked away from it all and forever. But she didn't. Maybe its the courage to stand up and speak truth to power and fight for her right to be who she is and do the things that many of us take for granted or have no obstacles in our path, like being recognized and respected for who you are? Maybe she's just another strong black woman in a long line of them?

Does she represent the "best of America?" I'm not sure but given her background and who she is, she's accomplished a lot and she's flawed, like everyone is, and an American that people can be proud of. I'm happy that she'll be home for Christmas.

@Indifference

jimjam1982

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

This is the proper take.  You don't negotiate with terrorists (the russians).  You most certainly don't free a terrorist for individuals of little to no value (Whelan and Griner).  They should have executed Bout years ago for his crimes against humanity.

mrussel1

jimjam1982 said:

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

This is the proper take.  You don't negotiate with terrorists (the russians).  You most certainly don't free a terrorist for individuals of little to no value (Whelan and Griner).  They should have executed Bout years ago for his crimes against humanity.

I don't think it's practical to say you don't negotiate with Russia.  Realpoitik.

gimmesometruth27

mrussel1 said:

jimjam1982 said:

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

This is the proper take.  You don't negotiate with terrorists (the russians).  You most certainly don't free a terrorist for individuals of little to no value (Whelan and Griner).  They should have executed Bout years ago for his crimes against humanity.

I don't think it's practical to say you don't negotiate with Russia.  Realpoitik.

it is a nice movie catchphrase.

mickeyrat

jimjam1982 said:

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

This is the proper take.  You don't negotiate with terrorists (the russians).  You most certainly don't free a terrorist for individuals of little to no value (Whelan and Griner).  They should have executed Bout years ago for his crimes against humanity.

so do tell which American citizens you consider to be of value to negotiate for in a given circumstance.

Wonder if I would make the cut.

Halifax2TheMax

jimjam1982 said:

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

This is the proper take.  You don't negotiate with terrorists (the russians).  You most certainly don't free a terrorist for individuals of little to no value (Whelan and Griner).  They should have executed Bout years ago for his crimes against humanity.

Do you invite them into the Oval Office? Or accept gifts from them? Maybe sell them condos in Florida and NYC for an inflated value?

mickeyrat

jimjam1982 said:

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

This is the proper take.  You don't negotiate with terrorists (the russians).  You most certainly don't free a terrorist for individuals of little to no value (Whelan and Griner).  They should have executed Bout years ago for his crimes against humanity.

https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-sports-prisons-united-states-government-and-politics-aeee54aed1f989223538cdb9c7a4df27

 

Brittney Griner Prisons U.S. National Security Council United States government Government and politics Russia government

'I want to talk': Griner opened up during her long trip home

By SEUNG MIN KIM

Today

WASHINGTON (AP) — WNBA star Brittney Griner didn’t want any alone time as soon as she boarded a U.S. government plane that would bring her home.

“I have been in prison for 10 months now, listening to Russian. I want to talk,” Griner said, according to Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, who helped secure the basketball star’s release and bring her back to the U.S. last week.

She then asked Carstens, referring to others on the plane: "But, first of all, who are these guys?”

“And she moved right past me and went to every member on that crew, looked them in the eyes, shook their hands and asked about them, got their names, making a personal connection with them,” Carstens recalled in an interview on CNN's “State of the Union.” “It was really amazing.”

Ultimately, Griner spent about 12 hours of an 18-hour flight talking with others on the plane, Carstens said. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and Phoenix Mercury pro basketball star spoke about her time in the Russian penal colony and her months in captivity, Carstens recalled, although he declined to go into specific details.

“I was left with the impression this is an intelligent, passionate, compassionate, humble, interesting person, a patriotic person,” Carstens said. “But above all, authentic. I hate the fact that I had to meet her in this manner, but I actually felt blessed having had a chance to get to know her.”

---

BRITTNEY GRINER

Griner swap reveals dilemma US faces in freeing detainees

Griner in ‘good spirits’ in US after Russian prisoner swap

Griner case latest in string of high-profile prisoner swaps

Griner's home, but WNBA players still competing overseas

Although Griner is undergoing a full medical and mental evaluation, Carstens said she appeared “full of energy, looked fantastic.”

Griner, who also played pro basketball in Russia, was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February after Russian authorities said she was carrying vape canisters with cannabis oil. The U.S. State Department declared Griner to be “wrongfully detained” — a charge that Russia has sharply rejected.

President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that the U.S. had secured Griner's release. In exchange, the administration offered Russia the release of notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had been serving a 25-year sentence on charges that he conspired to sell tens of millions of dollars in weapons that U.S officials said were to be used against Americans.

But the U.S. was unable to secure the freedom of Paul Whelan, who has been held in Russia for nearly four years. Administration officials have stressed repeatedly that they are still working to release Whelan, whom Russian officials have jailed on espionage charges that both his family and the U.S. government say are baseless.

“They hold Mr. Whelan differently because of these espionage charges,” John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said Sunday on ABC's “This Week.” “So we’re working through that now. We are now more informed, clearly having gone through this process over the last few months. We’re more informed. We have a better sense of the context here, where the Russia’s expectations are and we’re just going to keep working on it.”

Carstens, the U.S. government’s top hostage negotiator, said “there's always cards” to play in securing an offer for Whelan and said he spoke with the jailed American on Friday.

“Here’s what I told him. I said, ‘Paul, you have the commitment of this president. The president’s focused. The secretary of state’s focused. I’m certainly focused, and we’re going to bring you home,’” Carstens said. “And I reminded him, I said, ‘Paul, when you were in the Marines, and I was in the Army, they always reminded you, keep the faith.’ And I said, ‘Keep the faith. We’re coming to get you.’”

The Juggler

mickeyrat said:

jimjam1982 said:

cincybearcat said:

I don’t think we should have traded that man for either Griner or Whelan. 

Whelan was dishonorably discharged right? So why do people refer to him as a marine?

This is the proper take.  You don't negotiate with terrorists (the russians).  You most certainly don't free a terrorist for individuals of little to no value (Whelan and Griner).  They should have executed Bout years ago for his crimes against humanity.

so do tell which American citizens you consider to be of value to negotiate for in a given circumstance.

Wonder if I would make the cut.

Yeah....what the fuck? haha

mickeyrat

this didnt start with Biden obviously. This man's tenure with BoP should be ended by him... And fuck his pension to

https://apnews.com/article/prisons-us-department-of-justice-united-states-government-e68aaf2e4ead5c9bfb0659db46275405

 

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and MICHAEL BALSAMO

9 Dec 2022

The prison staff didn’t know much about the new acting warden. Then, they say, he made a bizarre and startling confession: Years ago, he beat inmates — and got away with it.

Thomas Ray Hinkle, a high-ranking federal Bureau of Prisons official, was sent to restore order and trust at a women’s prison wracked by a deplorable scandal. Instead, workers say, he left the federal lockup in Dublin, California, even more broken.

Staff saw Hinkle as a bully and regarded his presence there — just after allegations that the previous warden and other employees sexually assaulted inmates — as hypocrisy from an agency that was publicly pledging to end its abusive, corrupt culture.

So at a staff meeting in March, they confronted the then-director of the Bureau of Prisons and asked: Why, instead of firing Hinkle years ago, was the agency keen to keep promoting him?

“That’s something we’ve got to look into,” Michael Carvajal responded, according to people in the room.

Three months later, the Bureau of Prisons promoted Hinkle again, putting him in charge of 20 federal prisons and 21,000 inmates from Utah to Hawaii as acting western regional director. Among them: Dublin.

___

continues.....