American leaves Myanmar after release from prison

**morteduzionism** · August 16, 2009, 01:19 PM

Story

I don't understand why he was released. He knowingly/willingly broke multiple laws in the country. Why was it necessary to get him released?

Because he was sick?

The US was OK with deporting an 89 year old Nazi. Why not let this 53 yo man serve his time? He knew he had all those medical conditions before he left his house.

Is it because he was acting on a vision?

I just don't get it.

American hikers in Iran!? Seriously, WHY IN THE HELL ARE YOU HICKING NEAR IRAN!? I mean...

...why would you hike anywhere even remotely close to someplace like Iran!? One of their parents said,

"Shane, Sarah and Josh are young travelers who share a great love of the world and a deep respect for different cultures, societies and religions,"

I'm sorry but the peoples of the earth are not there for your convenience and observations. If you're so oblivious to real world realities...I have no sympathy for you.

Finally, why does the US government try to help these people? I can somewhat understand the reporters/N. Korea. Although, a small part of me thinks that if you get close enough to the border of N. Korea to allow yourself to be kidnapped, if that's what happened, and used as a pawn...you're stupid and deserve what you get.

It makes it seem as if US citizens can NEVER do anything wrong. We can go to any country do whatever we want and never be held responsible.

**LoZz** · August 16, 2009, 01:30 PM

what the hell is Myanmar?

**ivan_the_terrible** · August 16, 2009, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by LoZz

what the hell is Myanmar?

Myanmar is just a PR effort.

Burma - the real name - has too many negative connotations, so they changed it.

**Father Jack** · August 16, 2009, 01:32 PM

Burma

......I think.

I dont know why they released him. He just provided Burma with an excellent excuse to keep Suu Kyi away from the elections.

**~~removeduser_487563287433~~** · August 16, 2009, 01:36 PM

He's been released because the stupid

er did more for the Burmese Junta than any westerner ever.

**morteduzionism** · August 16, 2009, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Ferrets54

He's been released because the stupid

er did more for the Burmese Junta than any westerner ever.

So they [the Junta] can be seen as not being as barbarous?

**~~removeduser_487563287433~~** · August 16, 2009, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by morteduzionism

So they [the Junta] can be seen as not being as barbarous?

No, because he gave them a reason to retry the leader of the opposition, meaning she will not be legally able to stand in the coming elections.

**Gromovnik** · August 16, 2009, 02:25 PM

I wonder how much did they pay him...

**Trey** · August 16, 2009, 02:40 PM

As Ferrets said, this guy really struck a blow to the Burmese opposition. What a dumbass, what did he actually expect to do?

**Amry** · August 16, 2009, 05:35 PM

Well, as long as all these people are released after negotiations, and no military action has been taken from either side, I'm fine with it.

It sure beats the good 'ol days when a country's response to its citizen being held in another country is "release the guy or our warship will say 'hello' to your port".

**Stalins Ghost** · August 16, 2009, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by morteduzionism

I just don't get it.

American hikers in Iran!? Seriously, WHY IN THE HELL ARE YOU HICKING NEAR IRAN!? I mean...

...why would you hike anywhere even remotely close to someplace like Iran!? One of their parents said,

I'm sorry but the peoples of the earth are not there for your convenience and observations. If you're so oblivious to real world realities...I have no sympathy for you.

Sorry, but the situation with Iran is entirely different. Visiting Iran is totally fine most of the time - in fact, I genuinely want to go there myself some day. Just don't visit during political unrest. They were unfortunate enough to visit at a time when the Iranian government is desperate to find a way to direct their citizens away from anger at the government back towards anger towards the "Great Satan" (it's become a classic political move ever since the embassy siege in Iran). The US had every right to lean on Tehran for that one, since they were simply unwitting pawns in an opportunistic government struggling to keep control of its own people.

North Korea? Of course the US should have done something about that. You can't just let members of the independent press from your country fall into the hands of Kim Jong Il II and not do anything about it.

The other guy? I agree there really. When you visit someone's country, you abide by their laws; and thus their punishments. Perhaps with the exception of the death penalty, but that's since I think it should be outlawed internationally

**morteduzionism** · August 16, 2009, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by Stalins Ghost

Sorry, but the situation with Iran is entirely different. Visiting Iran is totally fine most of the time - in fact, I genuinely want to go there myself some day. Just don't visit during political unrest. They were unfortunate enough to visit at a time when the Iranian government is desperate to find a way to direct their citizens away from anger at the government back towards anger towards the "Great Satan" (it's become a classic political move ever since the embassy siege in Iran). The US had every right to lean on Tehran for that one, since they were simply unwitting pawns in an opportunistic government struggling to keep control of its own people.

That's why I said,

If you're so oblivious to real world realities...I have no sympathy for you.

I didn't mean to imply one should NEVER go to Iran.

North Korea? Of course the US should have done something about that. You can't just let members of the independent press from your country fall into the hands of Kim Jong Il II and not do anything about it.

Like I said, I can see the reasons for this it's just...

It's the same as for Iran. Why are you coming that close to N. Korea? They could've got the VJ (video journalists) to shoot b-roll in any wooded area with a creek. They didn't have to get actual footage of the (bleep)ing border. In other words, they could've done the story without getting close enough to N. Korea that anyone could even suggested they crossed the border.

All this "accidentally" crossing borders crap is dubious at best.

If you're anywhere near a country like Iran, N. Korea or China...you make damn sure you stay your arse far enough from the (bleep)ing border so nothing stupid happens. "Accidentally" crossing the borders of these countries is...like...is like the retarded co-ed who always investigated the "noise" in 1980's slasher movies. Just (bleep)ing stupid.

**Phier** · August 16, 2009, 05:54 PM

As soon as someone said they had a vision by default he should remain in prison.

Reading that story, I felt the stupid starting to hurt me.

**boofhead** · August 16, 2009, 05:57 PM

Governments have a duty of care for their citizens. It's a pity the Australian govt doesn't use its embassies with the rigour the US does in this regard. For Australia it seems a few million bucks in banana exports is more important than the life of a man imprisoned in some foreign hellhole. It's all about votes. They'll let you rot in the name of economic rationalism. Good on the US I say.

**~~A pimp named Slickback~~** · August 16, 2009, 05:58 PM

He's not a cute asian woman is he? No? Then he should have been left to rot.

**bushbush** · August 16, 2009, 06:00 PM

y did they rescue this idiot?

**roy34543** · August 16, 2009, 07:04 PM

all he did was swim up to an opposition leaders house and said he had a vision that she was in danger (Which is new how?) because hes crazy .
You dont imprison slightly crazy people for gods sake. Maybe put them in a mental asylum but if theyre only a little crazy its too much expense for little benefit.
its not like he harmed anyone except the opposition leader who was imprisoned on a stupid pretext anyway .

**morteduzionism** · August 16, 2009, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by roy34543

all he did was swim up to an opposition leaders house and said he had a vision that she was in danger (Which is new how?) because hes crazy .
You dont imprison slightly crazy people for gods sake. Maybe put them in a mental asylum but if theyre only a little crazy its too much expense for little benefit.
its not like he harmed anyone except the opposition leader who was imprisoned on a stupid pretext anyway .

He wasn't Burmese. It was illegal to swim in the water. Regardless, it's not for others to determine what the laws are in Myanmar.

If they want to lock you up for walking on the right side of the street on Tuesdays...they can.

**roy34543** · August 16, 2009, 10:22 PM

He wasn't Burmese. It was illegal to swim in the water. Regardless, it's not for others to determine what the laws are in Myanmar.

If they want to lock you up for walking on the right side of the street on Tuesdays...they can.

Your joking right?
Its not for us to determine what the laws of mynammar are, but it certainly is to decide if he should stay in jail or not?

**morteduzionism** · August 17, 2009, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by roy34543

Your joking right?
Its not for us to determine what the laws of mynammar are, but it certainly is to decide if he should stay in jail or not?

Huh!?

You do the crime you do the time. If he doesn't like the conditions of a Burmese jail...HE SHOULDN'T HAVE KNOWINGLY BROKE THEIR LAWS.

So let me get this straight. You're saying that it's "not for us to determine what the laws" are but it is "certainly" up to the US to determine what the punishments are? How does that make sense?