“Well, good morning, folks. And it is a good morning,” President Joe Biden said in remarks today at the White House. “Moments ago, standing together with her wife, Cherelle, in the Oval Office, I spoke with Brittney Griner. She’s safe. She’s on a plane. She’s on her way home.”
Wow! Trump said Biden could have gotten Whelan out "for the asking." Trump had the opportunity to ask his buddy Putin, but didn't. This one just got to me, just for the pure mendacity and hypocrisy on an issue related to someone imprisoned, after he pardoned all his buddies and got them out of prison sentences. That set into the context of his disgusting comments about Griner's release!
So many layers of awfulness crammed into a few sentences. No matter how I try to steel myself before I read I keep being gut punched. I just can't believe what this malevolent sociopath can say and not get called out on it, whether big issues like terminating the Constitution or individual, like one woman's freedom.
Hi Heather, This is good news for Brittaney and family. Obviously it would have been good to include Paul Whelan in the deal. However, a high school social studies teacher, Marc Fogel, was arrested at the same aiprort for the same charge, having medical marijuana with him, in August 2021. He had been teaching at the Anglo American School of Moscow for 10 years and was returning for the new school year. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison and is now in some Russian penal colony doing hard labor. Unbelievable, but true. He was prescribed the medical marijuana for chronic back pain, and has been without since his arrest. I'm sure that his pain is still there, while being forced to do hard labor. I know of this because he is a friend of mine. Who knows how many other Americans are being unjustly detained in Russia? Please add something about Marc to your newsletter as the Brittaney story continues to unfold. Thank you!
In today's Letter, HCR, gave, ‘Los Angeles Times legal correspondent Harry Litman the last word. He tweeted: “Wow. DOJ wants to hold Trump in contempt for violation of subpoena. A natural outgrowth of the trickling out of documents and failure to comply with subpoena from last May. But quite a strike across the bow.” (Letter)
Now for some history:
‘Why do we say 'shot across the bows'?
‘Where does the popular saying 'shot across the bows' come from? And what does it mean?’
‘To give someone a warning of imminent severe action is referred to as giving them a 'shot across the bows' – a phrase that, unsurprisingly, comes from the history of warfare. The ‘bows’ in question were found at the front of a ship, essentially the ‘shoulders’ of the vessel and the phrase first appeared during the 18th century.’
‘Sending a shot across the bows was a naval technique introduced at a time when the British navy ruled the seas and wars were fought not just on land but from the decks of mighty tall ships. The idea was not to actually fire on the ship, but to send a cannon ball near enough to signal them, force them to stop or let them know you’re ready for battle.’ (HistoryExtra)
As Harry tweeted, ‘Wow. DOJ wants to hold Trump in contempt for violation of subpoena.”
ON DECEMBER 9TH THE RAILROAD UNIONS SHUT DOWN THE RAILROADS AND PLUNGED THE COUNTRY INTO A PRE-CHRISTMAS ECONOMIC FREE FALL.
Oophs, did this turn out to be a nothingburger? Today it didn’t merit a mention on the digital New York Times or Washington Post.
What happened? The facts seem straightforward:
1) Railroad management deliberately shaved down its number of employees by 29% over three years to become ‘lean and mean’ and much more profitable;
2) Railroad management set draconian regulations forcing its reduced staff to work limitless extra hours with harsh punishment for any employee who did not appear on a moment’s notice;
3) Four major railroad unions rejected a contract that did not provide some employee relief with at least five paid sick days;
4) President Biden declared that a railroad strike on December 9th would be a national pre-Christmas economic disaster;
5) Congress, under an archaic railroad law, met in emergency session to prohibit a railroad strike;
6) The House included a legislative provision that would provide days of paid employee sick leave;
7) Senate Republicans rejected the paid sick leave provision;
8) President Biden signed the no-railroad-strike legislation.
Huh? To me this is almost as bad as the Railroad Strike of 1877 when Federal troops were employed to deals with the ‘troublesome’ railroad strikers.
What about union railroad workers who are being screwed by railroad management as railroad profits and top executive compensation are hitting historic highs?
I am astonished that the health and family welfare of union railroad workers are seemingly being swept under the rug and a smug railroad management has been rewarded with a stunning legislative victory.
This may seem like a nothingburger on December 9th. If I were a railroad union employee, I would be contemplating sick outs and other ‘mini strikes’ to obtain more humane working conditions.
It seems even star women pro basketball players like Brittney Griner are paid so poorly compared to male pro players they have to travel to places like Russia (in winter!) in the offseason to augment their meager income.
Griner was a victim of state kidnapping for ransom by the Russian government. If they hadn’t found that little bit of cannabis oil they would have drummed up something else as a reason for her arrest. According to a story in The NY Times, (link below) Putin has been trying to repatriate arms dealer, and probable GRU agent, Bout for some time. Snatching Griner worked for him.
I’m glad Brittney is home. Being a pawn is never a good thing. Bet she never goes back to Russia.
The other guy, his time will come. Please.
Onto the lying orange mange of your society. I’m happy they are cornering him, dismayed that it has taken so long, dismayed that so many people still believe his lies.
Chump can ALWAYS be counted on to divide, distract, and digress. He never disappoints in phony concern for a Marine, he who is the bone spurs coward and who called fallen soldiers “losers,”
While the release of Griner in exchange for the “Merchant of Death,” Viktor Bout, may seem like an unbalanced deal: Bout will assuredly remain a target on worldwide networks. Ms. Griner is hardly a threat off the court, and being used as a pawn in the Kremlin’s game. There will always be Bouts to fill the boots.
Bout was arrested in 2008 in Thailand, which was actively helping US counterterrorism activities at the time. He was held in Thailand for three years until extradited to the US for trial in 2011. So, for 14 years he has been available to the US Intelligence community and FBI for interrogation on matters touching on possible Russian--particularly Putin--support for terrorist organizations who mean harm to Americans. In 14 years I imagine he has divulged much if not all relevant information he possesses. If he hasn't, Putin, who like most of his nomenklatura comrades suffers paranoia and a guilty conscience, must think he (Bout) has sung like a canary.
No kidding Putin wants him home.
I don't doubt we have gotten what we need in intelligence information from the man. If Biden's critics are upset that Bout won't be "paying his debt to society" in an American prison, I doubt he'll find life under suspicion (or worse) in Russia much of an improvement.
Somehow though, I don't think the folks hollering about swapping Bout for Griner are really that offended he was released.
Two very important developments highlighted in your letter tonight; Thank you so much, Professor. The generic point you make about the Russians, as well as others possibly, is perhaps particularly salient: "[As it has been noted elsewhere] [i]t is worth noting that Russian operatives work to sow division in the U.S., and permitting Biden to win the freedom of a Black married lesbian while keeping a white former Marine in prison is the sort of ploy that could turn the repatriation of an American into a cultural flashpoint. Impressively, both the Griner family and the Whelan family avoided that trap and kept a united front."
Trump blasting this exchange is to be expected. It's all he knows how to do. It would be nice if he'd have the same class and decorum as the two families (Whelan and Griner) who are actually involved in this case But 'class and decorum' are two things Trump can't even spell let alone possess.
I am very thankful Brittaney is home, I am sure she will need time for recovery. I pray she will be able to return to the sport she loves.
I really appreciated the reminder through our news agencies that there are many Americans held in captivity throughout the world. I appreciated this information so that I can expand my reality and support those who are working to free others, in prison . Amnesty International is one such organization.
Thank you Heather. I am so greatful for your work....for your "letters"'
It seems like a reasonable trade to me. One more arms dealer amongst hundreds probably won't make much difference in arms trading in the future. And, one less prisoner in a federal lockup is saving the taxpayers many thousands of dollars every year. Grines was foolish, but lacking in criminal intent. She'll earn a bunch of money back in the league and pay a bunch of taxes, also a useful contribution to the stability of our country. I imagine she'll have some enlightening things to say about the Russian justice and penal systems over the coming days and weeks.
Too bad for El Jefe Del Merde A Loco that "So much winning" applies to Joe Biden, while "so much losing" applies to That Fucking Guy.
Wow! Trump said Biden could have gotten Whelan out "for the asking." Trump had the opportunity to ask his buddy Putin, but didn't. This one just got to me, just for the pure mendacity and hypocrisy on an issue related to someone imprisoned, after he pardoned all his buddies and got them out of prison sentences. That set into the context of his disgusting comments about Griner's release!
So many layers of awfulness crammed into a few sentences. No matter how I try to steel myself before I read I keep being gut punched. I just can't believe what this malevolent sociopath can say and not get called out on it, whether big issues like terminating the Constitution or individual, like one woman's freedom.
Hi Heather, This is good news for Brittaney and family. Obviously it would have been good to include Paul Whelan in the deal. However, a high school social studies teacher, Marc Fogel, was arrested at the same aiprort for the same charge, having medical marijuana with him, in August 2021. He had been teaching at the Anglo American School of Moscow for 10 years and was returning for the new school year. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison and is now in some Russian penal colony doing hard labor. Unbelievable, but true. He was prescribed the medical marijuana for chronic back pain, and has been without since his arrest. I'm sure that his pain is still there, while being forced to do hard labor. I know of this because he is a friend of mine. Who knows how many other Americans are being unjustly detained in Russia? Please add something about Marc to your newsletter as the Brittaney story continues to unfold. Thank you!
In today's Letter, HCR, gave, ‘Los Angeles Times legal correspondent Harry Litman the last word. He tweeted: “Wow. DOJ wants to hold Trump in contempt for violation of subpoena. A natural outgrowth of the trickling out of documents and failure to comply with subpoena from last May. But quite a strike across the bow.” (Letter)
Now for some history:
‘Why do we say 'shot across the bows'?
‘Where does the popular saying 'shot across the bows' come from? And what does it mean?’
‘To give someone a warning of imminent severe action is referred to as giving them a 'shot across the bows' – a phrase that, unsurprisingly, comes from the history of warfare. The ‘bows’ in question were found at the front of a ship, essentially the ‘shoulders’ of the vessel and the phrase first appeared during the 18th century.’
‘Sending a shot across the bows was a naval technique introduced at a time when the British navy ruled the seas and wars were fought not just on land but from the decks of mighty tall ships. The idea was not to actually fire on the ship, but to send a cannon ball near enough to signal them, force them to stop or let them know you’re ready for battle.’ (HistoryExtra)
As Harry tweeted, ‘Wow. DOJ wants to hold Trump in contempt for violation of subpoena.”
‘BUT QUITE A STRIKE ACROSS THE BOW’
Thank you Heather.
Welcome home Brittany!
As to tfg…
O to hear the words,
“Go to jail.
Go directly to jail.
Do not pass go.
Do not collect $200.”
ON DECEMBER 9TH THE RAILROAD UNIONS SHUT DOWN THE RAILROADS AND PLUNGED THE COUNTRY INTO A PRE-CHRISTMAS ECONOMIC FREE FALL.
Oophs, did this turn out to be a nothingburger? Today it didn’t merit a mention on the digital New York Times or Washington Post.
What happened? The facts seem straightforward:
1) Railroad management deliberately shaved down its number of employees by 29% over three years to become ‘lean and mean’ and much more profitable;
2) Railroad management set draconian regulations forcing its reduced staff to work limitless extra hours with harsh punishment for any employee who did not appear on a moment’s notice;
3) Four major railroad unions rejected a contract that did not provide some employee relief with at least five paid sick days;
4) President Biden declared that a railroad strike on December 9th would be a national pre-Christmas economic disaster;
5) Congress, under an archaic railroad law, met in emergency session to prohibit a railroad strike;
6) The House included a legislative provision that would provide days of paid employee sick leave;
7) Senate Republicans rejected the paid sick leave provision;
8) President Biden signed the no-railroad-strike legislation.
Huh? To me this is almost as bad as the Railroad Strike of 1877 when Federal troops were employed to deals with the ‘troublesome’ railroad strikers.
What about union railroad workers who are being screwed by railroad management as railroad profits and top executive compensation are hitting historic highs?
I am astonished that the health and family welfare of union railroad workers are seemingly being swept under the rug and a smug railroad management has been rewarded with a stunning legislative victory.
This may seem like a nothingburger on December 9th. If I were a railroad union employee, I would be contemplating sick outs and other ‘mini strikes’ to obtain more humane working conditions.
It seems even star women pro basketball players like Brittney Griner are paid so poorly compared to male pro players they have to travel to places like Russia (in winter!) in the offseason to augment their meager income.
Griner was a victim of state kidnapping for ransom by the Russian government. If they hadn’t found that little bit of cannabis oil they would have drummed up something else as a reason for her arrest. According to a story in The NY Times, (link below) Putin has been trying to repatriate arms dealer, and probable GRU agent, Bout for some time. Snatching Griner worked for him.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/08/world/europe/viktor-bout-brittney-griner.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Articl
I love these letters.
I’m glad Brittney is home. Being a pawn is never a good thing. Bet she never goes back to Russia.
The other guy, his time will come. Please.
Onto the lying orange mange of your society. I’m happy they are cornering him, dismayed that it has taken so long, dismayed that so many people still believe his lies.
Chump can ALWAYS be counted on to divide, distract, and digress. He never disappoints in phony concern for a Marine, he who is the bone spurs coward and who called fallen soldiers “losers,”
While the release of Griner in exchange for the “Merchant of Death,” Viktor Bout, may seem like an unbalanced deal: Bout will assuredly remain a target on worldwide networks. Ms. Griner is hardly a threat off the court, and being used as a pawn in the Kremlin’s game. There will always be Bouts to fill the boots.
Bout was arrested in 2008 in Thailand, which was actively helping US counterterrorism activities at the time. He was held in Thailand for three years until extradited to the US for trial in 2011. So, for 14 years he has been available to the US Intelligence community and FBI for interrogation on matters touching on possible Russian--particularly Putin--support for terrorist organizations who mean harm to Americans. In 14 years I imagine he has divulged much if not all relevant information he possesses. If he hasn't, Putin, who like most of his nomenklatura comrades suffers paranoia and a guilty conscience, must think he (Bout) has sung like a canary.
No kidding Putin wants him home.
I don't doubt we have gotten what we need in intelligence information from the man. If Biden's critics are upset that Bout won't be "paying his debt to society" in an American prison, I doubt he'll find life under suspicion (or worse) in Russia much of an improvement.
Somehow though, I don't think the folks hollering about swapping Bout for Griner are really that offended he was released.
Welcome home, Brittany!
"She's safe. She's on on a plane. She's on her way home."
One very, very lucky young woman.
Next time, make sure you know the laws of the countries you are playing in, and, make sure you abide by them rigorously.
Then, we don't need prisoner swaps, manipulation of media, and Trump/Russia noise.
Two very important developments highlighted in your letter tonight; Thank you so much, Professor. The generic point you make about the Russians, as well as others possibly, is perhaps particularly salient: "[As it has been noted elsewhere] [i]t is worth noting that Russian operatives work to sow division in the U.S., and permitting Biden to win the freedom of a Black married lesbian while keeping a white former Marine in prison is the sort of ploy that could turn the repatriation of an American into a cultural flashpoint. Impressively, both the Griner family and the Whelan family avoided that trap and kept a united front."
Trump blasting this exchange is to be expected. It's all he knows how to do. It would be nice if he'd have the same class and decorum as the two families (Whelan and Griner) who are actually involved in this case But 'class and decorum' are two things Trump can't even spell let alone possess.
I am very thankful Brittaney is home, I am sure she will need time for recovery. I pray she will be able to return to the sport she loves.
I really appreciated the reminder through our news agencies that there are many Americans held in captivity throughout the world. I appreciated this information so that I can expand my reality and support those who are working to free others, in prison . Amnesty International is one such organization.
Thank you Heather. I am so greatful for your work....for your "letters"'
It seems like a reasonable trade to me. One more arms dealer amongst hundreds probably won't make much difference in arms trading in the future. And, one less prisoner in a federal lockup is saving the taxpayers many thousands of dollars every year. Grines was foolish, but lacking in criminal intent. She'll earn a bunch of money back in the league and pay a bunch of taxes, also a useful contribution to the stability of our country. I imagine she'll have some enlightening things to say about the Russian justice and penal systems over the coming days and weeks.