While I 100% agree we should be doing everything we can to get Whelan home, as a former member of our military, I am a bit disturbed by much of the media calling him a “retired Marine.” I note that you don’t do that, Joyce, and call him a “former Marine.” Many on the right have been asserting that, because he was a Marine, he is more “deserving” of efforts to get him home than Griner was, because she was “ungrateful” because she did not stand for the Anthem.
“Retirement” from the military has a specific meaning, and Whelan is not “retired.” He was prosecuted and convicted of a number of charges at court martial, and received a bad conduct discharge, which represents less than 0.5% of military discharges, and is one step less severe than the worst type of discharge, a dishonorable discharge, which is generally reserved for violent criminals (and is less than 0.1% of discharges). Calling Whelan “retired” is a slap in the face to those who actually earned their retirement from the military, and to those who were discharged honorably (the most common type of discharge).
I will stress again that we need to get him home. Our government is obligated to seek to gain the release of any American unjustly held in a foreign land. Whelan should be no exception, because he is an American citizen. But don’t let those on the right say that he is some sort of American military hero.
From your support for Leo, your excellent preview of the upcoming trials, and providing a way for us to support Paul Whelan, I'm blown away. We definitely are in this together. Thank you so much!
Evening Joyce. How you comfort and lovingly attempt to heal a baby chick says a lot about you as a human being. I was moved by your efforts and hope Cleo gets a clean bill of health soon. This must help you stay focused and humane as you weigh the value of life in all forms. It’s what drew me to your newsletter in the first place. Thank you for the update and I will carefully go between holding my head under the covers and coming up for air to get your thoughts and insights on the week ahead.
I'm glad you're back and as a foster mom for rescued senior dogs (one of which I adopted), I know how much time an injured or sick addition can take. I'm sending Cleo and you best wishes. I also appreciate your information on Ayman's tweet. I miss Twitter but am waiting for Musk to tire of it and hopefully sell or turn it over to someone else. What passes for news in these times really doesn't cut it! I knew I got a lot from Twitter but I didn't know how much. I rely now on a few substack subscriptions, like yours, to fill in between the lines!
Thank you, Joyce , for giving us a preview of the coming week. Sending healing energy for Cleo’s recovery. Congratulations to your son for his part in her survival.
Thank you, Joyce. I much appreciate your explaining of what can be some of the most difficult facts and possibilities we face. I also love your chickens and hope all goes well with the sweet on your shoulder.
Joyce, Thank you for the interesting post & for attaching the Indictment. I am a retired California state prosecutor. California is a code pleading state - so basically the only times our pleading documents contain details about the crime is by narrating the crime through the overt act allegations in a conspiracy case. I loved charging conspiracies as the judge educated the jury of my theory of the case during his or her reading of the Information to the jury. And the structure of the overt acts was the structure of my opening statement and my first closing argument. From reading this Indictment, it appears to me that Federal prosecutors find the same benefit in a conspiracy charge.
Well, here we are. Britney is free. Her ordeal should give anyone thinking of "visiting" Russia pause. Britney was there to play basketball, but whether or not she was arrested for having residue from what is an illegal substance in her suitcase in Russia or not, is beside the point. Putin looks for opportunities to grab Americans to be pawns for him to trade for "really bad" Russian criminals in our prisons.
I'm happy she's now free, not so much for whom we had to trade. As for Paul Whelan, my firm belief is that his story is flimsy. Says he was there for a wedding and that a "Russian friend" set him up by giving him a thumb drive with what he believed were nature pictures or some sort thing. Given his past of serving as a Marine Reservist for 5 yrs has little bearing, especially since he was court martialed for attempting to steal $10 grand. Sorry, but I have read too many novels to believe his story. Could he be an American spy? Perhaps.
My real belief is that Americans should stay away from Russia. History shouldn't have to continually repeat itself. At least wait until after Putin escapes to Venezuela and Russia becomes part of Ukraine to go visit. That last part will never happen, but perhaps you catch my drift.
Bless Cleo. Mother nature plays rough. Thanks Joyce.
"There is no crime of 'sedition' itself, but that’s because the goal of a seditious conspiracy is … treason." Most concise description I've read. Does treason require association with/to/for a foreign enemy?
I found Cleo's hurt wing a good metaphor of what tfg/hawk/predator has done to our country.
I'm happy for Britney Griner's release. Paul Whelan questions why not him? Well, my take on that is this: yes, he WAS a Marine Reservist who served 5 yrs, but he was courtmartialed for attempting to steal $10 grand. In my mind, that makes his story that he was in Russia to attend a wedding a bit suspect. He further says he was set up by a "Russian friend" who slipped him a thumb drive with what he thought were some sort of pictures. Maybe I've read too many novels, but that all sounds flimsy and perhaps contrived. The message to Americans should be, "stay away from Russia". If you don't, you risk being a pawn for Putin. At least wait until Putin has flown the coop for Venezuela to escape Russians who want his head for his war on Ukraine. Even then, whoever takes over won't be any better than Putin, imho. Am I sorry that Paul Whelan is still in a Russian prison. Nope. Any American puts themself & whomever is with them in jeopardy if visiting Russia. Why do that? Death wish?
The chicken story is adorable and paves the way for people like me not to be laughed at or look like I’m crazy for telling pet rat stories (they don't lay eggs but they provide a lot of laughs). Hope Cleo stays on the mend and away from sharp knives (that’s not a problem for pet rats).
Where in the world does one find a juror who hasn’t seen the 1/6 recordings … the jungles of Orlando, FL? I think Maddow finally went to Number 1 in tv ratings because she kept showing the 1/6 videos ). Good luck with that.
Thanks for including the data for the sentencing guidelines. The sentencing range for attempting to overthrow our government with no regard to life and by any means necessary for 10-15 yrs seems way too low.
I'mlooking forward to the day when the criminal organization is indicted. So far, it seems they are above the law. I understand they're building a case while the crazies wreak havoc on us and embolden others.
I’m glad that you (and your former AUSA colleague) pointed out the inordinate risk of losing a case against an insurrectionist—especially one against Donald Trump. It is hard to imagine a jury of 12 not having at least one MAGA sympathizer who would refuse to convict regardless of the evidence and jury instructions. Even a hung-jury mistrial (let alone a loss) would be perceived as “clearing” the defendant, enabling the MAGA’s to crow that DOJ has been politicized by woke liberals never-Trumper’s.
You are a beautiful human! Huge thanks to your son for being on the alert, and to you for caring for all as you do! Thank you for sharing this story’s kindness. Feel better, Cleo 🐓!
While I 100% agree we should be doing everything we can to get Whelan home, as a former member of our military, I am a bit disturbed by much of the media calling him a “retired Marine.” I note that you don’t do that, Joyce, and call him a “former Marine.” Many on the right have been asserting that, because he was a Marine, he is more “deserving” of efforts to get him home than Griner was, because she was “ungrateful” because she did not stand for the Anthem.
“Retirement” from the military has a specific meaning, and Whelan is not “retired.” He was prosecuted and convicted of a number of charges at court martial, and received a bad conduct discharge, which represents less than 0.5% of military discharges, and is one step less severe than the worst type of discharge, a dishonorable discharge, which is generally reserved for violent criminals (and is less than 0.1% of discharges). Calling Whelan “retired” is a slap in the face to those who actually earned their retirement from the military, and to those who were discharged honorably (the most common type of discharge).
I will stress again that we need to get him home. Our government is obligated to seek to gain the release of any American unjustly held in a foreign land. Whelan should be no exception, because he is an American citizen. But don’t let those on the right say that he is some sort of American military hero.
Thank you, Joyce, for your column and I hope Cleo gets better soon. 💙
From your support for Leo, your excellent preview of the upcoming trials, and providing a way for us to support Paul Whelan, I'm blown away. We definitely are in this together. Thank you so much!
Evening Joyce. How you comfort and lovingly attempt to heal a baby chick says a lot about you as a human being. I was moved by your efforts and hope Cleo gets a clean bill of health soon. This must help you stay focused and humane as you weigh the value of life in all forms. It’s what drew me to your newsletter in the first place. Thank you for the update and I will carefully go between holding my head under the covers and coming up for air to get your thoughts and insights on the week ahead.
I'm glad you're back and as a foster mom for rescued senior dogs (one of which I adopted), I know how much time an injured or sick addition can take. I'm sending Cleo and you best wishes. I also appreciate your information on Ayman's tweet. I miss Twitter but am waiting for Musk to tire of it and hopefully sell or turn it over to someone else. What passes for news in these times really doesn't cut it! I knew I got a lot from Twitter but I didn't know how much. I rely now on a few substack subscriptions, like yours, to fill in between the lines!
Thank you, Joyce , for giving us a preview of the coming week. Sending healing energy for Cleo’s recovery. Congratulations to your son for his part in her survival.
Thank you, Joyce. I much appreciate your explaining of what can be some of the most difficult facts and possibilities we face. I also love your chickens and hope all goes well with the sweet on your shoulder.
Joyce, Thank you for the interesting post & for attaching the Indictment. I am a retired California state prosecutor. California is a code pleading state - so basically the only times our pleading documents contain details about the crime is by narrating the crime through the overt act allegations in a conspiracy case. I loved charging conspiracies as the judge educated the jury of my theory of the case during his or her reading of the Information to the jury. And the structure of the overt acts was the structure of my opening statement and my first closing argument. From reading this Indictment, it appears to me that Federal prosecutors find the same benefit in a conspiracy charge.
Well, here we are. Britney is free. Her ordeal should give anyone thinking of "visiting" Russia pause. Britney was there to play basketball, but whether or not she was arrested for having residue from what is an illegal substance in her suitcase in Russia or not, is beside the point. Putin looks for opportunities to grab Americans to be pawns for him to trade for "really bad" Russian criminals in our prisons.
I'm happy she's now free, not so much for whom we had to trade. As for Paul Whelan, my firm belief is that his story is flimsy. Says he was there for a wedding and that a "Russian friend" set him up by giving him a thumb drive with what he believed were nature pictures or some sort thing. Given his past of serving as a Marine Reservist for 5 yrs has little bearing, especially since he was court martialed for attempting to steal $10 grand. Sorry, but I have read too many novels to believe his story. Could he be an American spy? Perhaps.
My real belief is that Americans should stay away from Russia. History shouldn't have to continually repeat itself. At least wait until after Putin escapes to Venezuela and Russia becomes part of Ukraine to go visit. That last part will never happen, but perhaps you catch my drift.
Thanks, Joyce.
Bless Cleo. Mother nature plays rough. Thanks Joyce.
"There is no crime of 'sedition' itself, but that’s because the goal of a seditious conspiracy is … treason." Most concise description I've read. Does treason require association with/to/for a foreign enemy?
I found Cleo's hurt wing a good metaphor of what tfg/hawk/predator has done to our country.
Again thanks. Healing thoughts for Cleo.
I'm happy for Britney Griner's release. Paul Whelan questions why not him? Well, my take on that is this: yes, he WAS a Marine Reservist who served 5 yrs, but he was courtmartialed for attempting to steal $10 grand. In my mind, that makes his story that he was in Russia to attend a wedding a bit suspect. He further says he was set up by a "Russian friend" who slipped him a thumb drive with what he thought were some sort of pictures. Maybe I've read too many novels, but that all sounds flimsy and perhaps contrived. The message to Americans should be, "stay away from Russia". If you don't, you risk being a pawn for Putin. At least wait until Putin has flown the coop for Venezuela to escape Russians who want his head for his war on Ukraine. Even then, whoever takes over won't be any better than Putin, imho. Am I sorry that Paul Whelan is still in a Russian prison. Nope. Any American puts themself & whomever is with them in jeopardy if visiting Russia. Why do that? Death wish?
Great read.
The chicken story is adorable and paves the way for people like me not to be laughed at or look like I’m crazy for telling pet rat stories (they don't lay eggs but they provide a lot of laughs). Hope Cleo stays on the mend and away from sharp knives (that’s not a problem for pet rats).
Where in the world does one find a juror who hasn’t seen the 1/6 recordings … the jungles of Orlando, FL? I think Maddow finally went to Number 1 in tv ratings because she kept showing the 1/6 videos ). Good luck with that.
Thanks for including the data for the sentencing guidelines. The sentencing range for attempting to overthrow our government with no regard to life and by any means necessary for 10-15 yrs seems way too low.
I'mlooking forward to the day when the criminal organization is indicted. So far, it seems they are above the law. I understand they're building a case while the crazies wreak havoc on us and embolden others.
I’m glad that you (and your former AUSA colleague) pointed out the inordinate risk of losing a case against an insurrectionist—especially one against Donald Trump. It is hard to imagine a jury of 12 not having at least one MAGA sympathizer who would refuse to convict regardless of the evidence and jury instructions. Even a hung-jury mistrial (let alone a loss) would be perceived as “clearing” the defendant, enabling the MAGA’s to crow that DOJ has been politicized by woke liberals never-Trumper’s.
You are a beautiful human! Huge thanks to your son for being on the alert, and to you for caring for all as you do! Thank you for sharing this story’s kindness. Feel better, Cleo 🐓!