Jingthing

I don’t believe that the US favored Griner because she is lesbian or black. Nothing to do with woke which has become right wing code for being anti LGBT and anti teaching real history. She was prioritized because she's a sports star and her league lobbied aggressively for her. Also Putin wanted to use her as a pawn because LGBT people are now the top scapegoated groups in Russia and he's linking them to the west and Ukraine. If you don't know about this research modern Russian propaganda about LGBT.

People definitely are cut off.

Taken to the cleaners implies he was fooled. He knew the deal and he took it anyway. I agree Putin got the upper hand though.

How do you know the US didn't try that but refused?

That wasn’t the time. It was massively inflated for political purposes.

There was a lot going on with this case. She is reasonably famous in the US. That shouldn't matter but it does, on both sides. Pressure for the U.S. government to do something and the value of the catch for Putin. Of course she played in the U.S. She felt she wasn't paid enough compared to men so was ALSO playing in Russia for the money. Her being lesbian made her a more valuable catch for Putin as Putin is framing the genocidal war against Ukraine in terms of fighting the LGBT tolerant west. The American far right wing, sleazeballs such as Donald Trump Jr., demonize LGBT people in a similar way to Putin and were against getting her out because they see lesbians as not worth anything. Also what she did may be illegal, but there is no doubt that the punishment was very extreme and not anywhere near normal for such a case in Russia, meaning the obvious, that she was held completely for political and trading power purposes. But Russia still won on this trade both objectively and propoganda-wise as Bout is a really really get get for Putin, and a basketball celebrity man or woman, doesn't really compare. Moral of the story: Stay the F out of Russia!

2

Bottom line. You can skip the report. There are no consequences to skipping the report. I would go so far as to suggest NOT to do the report. HOWEVER, You cannot and should not skip following the minimum balance requirements. That will be looked at during your next extension and if you haven't complied, EXPECT a rejection. Talking about standard applications, not agent applications.

Yes this was a very uneven exchange but clearly in wartime Russia Putin wasn't going to budge for anything less.

What that scumbag genocidal fascist is doing is obvious. He is very threatened by Ukraine hitting high value military targets inside Russia as if Ukraine has any choice on the matter if they want to survive. So he says they won't do first nuclear strike. But it's still a direct threat because all that means is that if it happens he will do a false flag game and blame the other side for the first strike. Caving to his threats is not an option.

Don't get too comfortable. These things are cyclical and attention eventually focuses on retirees as that's how cycles work. You did bring up an interesting point about the Russians. They are now flooding Jomtien and an unknown percentage are here to flee Putin's Russia (not on a holiday). Staying long term here will be very difficult for many of them.

Again, I'm happy that she's free but I don't like that Russia will be using this deal for their fascist anti LGBT propaganda. As far as I'm concerned the west is at war with Russia now, and the west NEEDS to win. I hope this doesn't foreshadow future unfavorable deals trying to reach peace in Ukraine prematurely.

Just don't go there is a better option.

First they came for the ED visa holders ... you know the drill.

I'm happy for her but the Russkies sure got the better deal Hey folks stay out of Russia. It also kind of fits Putins propaganda narrative. Look at the big fish we got in exchange for a lesbian that we consider worthless. The west sure is messed up.

Every year.

Nope

For many Indonesia (Nosinesia?) just moved from their bucket list to their "Phuket" list.

I never liked roller coasters.

Mr. West keeps on going. Now advising Jews to forgive Hitler. Jews reply -- blank you very very much. Nobody is stopping his free speech. There will always be right wing extremist media where he can show up with a hood over his head that his speech will be amplified internationally. One bit of good news I heard is that his online fan groups are largely closing up or drying up. Normally I say separate the person from the person's art product, but in his case, I'll make an exception.

Well I've been to Bali and had a good time but really don't see the appeal of moving there. I already wasn't planning to go back to Indonesia but now even more so. Also these laws obviously make all gay sex illegal if it wasn't already. Shooting themselves in the foot. Let them stew in their extremism.

What's excitement?

I don’t see military service as a requirement for high office but it does show civil minded character when someone from a rich family has volunteered for service as did John Kerry.

I would not try two accounts if one is used as a credit card security. That is asking for trouble. Otherwise multiple accounts are generally allowed but its more complicated for the officer. I have always made a withdrawal on the day I get the letter. That is standard. You can also do a deposit.

Primary is different than the general. Could work for the primary.