US considers release of spy Johnathan Pollard

[Vanoi]

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-sources-us-...-politics.html

JERUSALEM (AP) — The United States is talking with Israel about releasing convicted spy Jonathan Pollard early from his life sentence as an incentive to the Israelis in the troubled Mideast peace negotiations, people familiar with the talks said Monday. Releasing Pollard, a thorn in U.S.-Israeli relations for three decades, would be an extraordinary step underscoring the urgency of U.S. peace efforts.

Now, Israel has been asking for his release forever since he has been caught. US is thinking about releasing him so the Israels will halt settlement building, possible release of more Palestinian prisoners, ect. help speed up the negotiation process.

However, i am personally opposed to this idea. Pollard is a spy and deserves his time in jail. He is thought to have spied for more than just Israel. Thats not what makes me opposed to his release, but the very fact i don't think Israel would adhere to the agreement. I don't think settlement building would be frozen long enough or stay frozen. to me i don't think the US should give up its last bargaining chip with Israel especially if it has a chance to backfire.

[AqD]

Why oppose it? Surely USA can find something more worthy to exchange for a spy? Besides, selling secrets is hardly seriously enough for imprisonment.

[Vanoi]

Why oppose it? Surely USA can find something more worthy to exchange for a spy? Besides, selling secrets is hardly seriously enough for imprisonment.

Spying is illegal. In every country in the world. If he doesn't like jail, then he shouldn't have been spying.

[AqD]

Spying is illegal. In every country in the world. If he doesn't like jail, then he shouldn't have been spying.

But spying doesn't target or harm any citizen physically, mentally or financially. He could be required to be pay fine of ridiculous amount (such as 1bn) but imprisonment for life is far too much. Why should he be treated worse than a robber or rapist?

[mongrel]

But spying doesn't target or harm any citizen physically, mentally or financially. He could be required to be pay fine of ridiculous amount (such as 1bn) but imprisonment for life is far too much. Why should he be treated worse than a robber or rapist?

Mmm, the CIA, the various incarnations of Russian intelligence , Mosad, Special Operations Executive and MI6 never hurt anyone? Pass the sick bag.

[AqD]

Mmm, the CIA, the various incarnations of Russian intelligence , Mosad, Special Operations Executive and MI6 never hurt anyone? Pass the sick bag.

Of course they have. But spying is no more than thieving of information, unless you have evidence of him hurting anyone in order to complete his mission.

Why should he deserve a life in jail?

[Phier]

Being he is eligible for parole in a year and a half it would be more symbolic than anything else.

[conon394]

Being he is eligible for parole in a year and a half it would be more symbolic than anything else.

But that assumes he is paroled.

opps - I meant to append this not add a new post

[Phier]

But that assumes he is paroled.

opps - I meant to append this not add a new post

I think it likely being the length of the sentence, the age of the man, and that he was spying for an ally.

[Vanoi]

I think it likely being the length of the sentence, the age of the man, and that he was spying for an ally.

See, thats the thing. It is speculated he was spying for more than just Israel. Only reason we didn't find out is that he pled guilty and thus no trial or investigation.

[Phier]

See, thats the thing. It is speculated he was spying for more than just Israel. Only reason we didn't find out is that he pled guilty and thus no trial or investigation.

He will have served the same amount of time as John Walker, who was spying for the Soviets in the cold war, and greatly damaged our national security.

Personally I don't mind him rotting in jail, but I'm not going to freak out if he gets out a year early if we can get something good out of it. He's currently harmless and I think 29 years in prison should be a lesson to would be spies that its a "bad" idea.

[Gaidin]

Being he is eligible for parole in a year and a half it woulnot d be more symbolic than anything else.

Not only is he eligible, but according to his sentencing, it's a parole that can't be dodged. It's details like this Vanoi has missed. Pollard gets out in a year and a half no matter what happens. Aside, even President Obama has refused all pleas on his behalf up until now, a year and a half before a parole that can't be dodged. Interesting math there, I think.

[Vanoi]

Not only is he eligible, but according to his sentencing, it's a parole that can't be dodged. It's details like this Vanoi has missed. Pollard gets out in a year and a half no matter what happens. Aside, even President Obama has refused all pleas on his behalf up until now, a year and a half before a parole that can't be dodged. Interesting math there, I think.

Is he guaranteed to get parole? Cause if not, then its a moot point.

[Gaidin]

Is he guaranteed to get parole? Cause if not, then its a moot point.

What I've read about life sentences and good behavior and thirty years that were given in the eighties mandates(not recommends) parole. It's literally already scheduled for Pollard on November 21, 2015.

[conon394]

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-sources-us-...-politics.html




Now, Israel has been asking for his release forever since he has been caught. US is thinking about releasing him so the Israels will halt settlement building, possible release of more Palestinian prisoners, ect. help speed up the negotiation process.

However, i am personally opposed to this idea. Pollard is a spy and deserves his time in jail. He is thought to have spied for more than just Israel. Thats not what makes me opposed to his release, but the very fact i don't think Israel would adhere to the agreement. I don't think settlement building would be frozen long enough or stay frozen. to me i don't think the US should give up its last bargaining chip with Israel especially if it has a chance to backfire.

I would agree in general - no release. I would not trust Netanyahu to keep his word. And to be blunt does the Jewish vote here affect any toss up race in the mid-term. I mean the only reason I can see for doing this is if internal poling says this would likely (substantially) help the Dem's keep the Senate.

You would think the risk of simply cutting some of the what 3 billion we give Israel would be enough of a chip.

[Sphere]

But spying doesn't target or harm any citizen physically, mentally or financially. He could be required to be pay fine of ridiculous amount (such as 1bn) but imprisonment for life is far too much. Why should he be treated worse than a robber or rapist?

Foreign nations are not actively trying to recruit robbers and rapists within your borders. Severe punishment agaisnt spies is aimed at making life hard for these foreign intelligence agencies by scaring away potential recruits.

[AqD]

Foreign nations are not actively trying to recruit robbers and rapists within your borders. Severe punishment agaisnt spies is aimed at making life hard for these foreign intelligence agencies by scaring away potential recruits.

Would you burn soldiers of enemy force alive in order to deter future invasions?

[conon394]

if we can get something good out of it.

I'm just not sure I trust the current government in Israel to reciprocate in good faith - even a little. I mean we have traded spys before so its not unheard off but I personally would like to see Israel get the stick occasionally and not always carrots.

[Armenum]

Israel blackmailing the US's hosted peace talks with this spy issue? Israel will just get their spy back and the peace talks will not advance. They are just trying to take advantage and US shouldn't be so desperate. A convicted spy needs to serve his punishment.

[Euphoric]

Israel Hamas blackmailing the US's hosted Israeli-Palestinian peace talks with this spy POW issue? Israel Hamas will just get their spy mujaheddin back and the peace talks will not advance. They are just trying to take advantage and US Israel shouldn't be so desperate. A convicted spy war criminal needs to serve his punishment.

Hey, look, I changed your post so that it made perfect sense!