UVA Student Released from North Korea; Has Been in a Coma for a Year?

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen anywhere on this thread people saying troops should have been put in harms way to retrieve him. The only person mentioning it is the one who is against it I do think there are valid questions about how the Obama administration conducted itself vis a vis Americans held abroad, and history will ultimately arbitrate that one. He's home. Some Americans are still being held there and elsewhere. Prayers for his recovery and for his family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The four company he went with is still in business. It was started by a Brit.
http://www.youngpioneertours.com

Young Pioneer Tours is an adventure travel company formed in 2008 and based in mainland China. Specialising in North Korea tours, we provide “budget travel to destinations your mother would rather you stayed away from”.

Here is a quote from their FAQ's page:
How safe is it?

Extremely safe! Despite what you may hear, North Korea is probably one of the safest places on Earth to visit. Tourism is very welcomed in North Korea, thus tourists are cherished and well taken care of. We have never felt suspicious or threatened at any time. In fact, North Korean’s are super friendly and accommodating, if you let them into your world. Even during tense political moments tourism to the DPRK is never affected.

I'm American. Is this a problem?

Not at all! Restrictions on Americans joining tours throughout the year have been lifted. U.S citizens are allowed to travel at any time! The only restrictions are the train – all Americans must fly in and out of the country and for the Extreme North East tours at Mt Chilbo, they can’t stay overnight in the homestay, though they can visit and enjoy a meal with the local families.
Update: Americans can now join us on our new Weekend Getaway tours starting in Dandong, China. Click here for more information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The four company he went with is still in business. It was started by a Brit.
http://www.youngpioneertours.com

Young Pioneer Tours is an adventure travel company formed in 2008 and based in mainland China. Specialising in North Korea tours, we provide “budget travel to destinations your mother would rather you stayed away from”.

Here is a quote from their FAQ's page:
How safe is it?

Extremely safe! Despite what you may hear, North Korea is probably one of the safest places on Earth to visit. Tourism is very welcomed in North Korea, thus tourists are cherished and well taken care of. We have never felt suspicious or threatened at any time. In fact, North Korean’s are super friendly and accommodating, if you let them into your world. Even during tense political moments tourism to the DPRK is never affected.

I'm American. Is this a problem?

Not at all! Restrictions on Americans joining tours throughout the year have been lifted. U.S citizens are allowed to travel at any time! The only restrictions are the train – all Americans must fly in and out of the country and for the Extreme North East tours at Mt Chilbo, they can’t stay overnight in the homestay, though they can visit and enjoy a meal with the local families.
Update: Americans can now join us on our new Weekend Getaway tours starting in Dandong, China. Click here for more information.

Funny how this hasn't resulted in Americans swarming North Korea. Maybe they had a little more sense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The four company he went with is still in business. It was started by a Brit.
http://www.youngpioneertours.com

Young Pioneer Tours is an adventure travel company formed in 2008 and based in mainland China. Specialising in North Korea tours, we provide “budget travel to destinations your mother would rather you stayed away from”.

Here is a quote from their FAQ's page:
How safe is it?

Extremely safe! Despite what you may hear, North Korea is probably one of the safest places on Earth to visit. Tourism is very welcomed in North Korea, thus tourists are cherished and well taken care of. We have never felt suspicious or threatened at any time. In fact, North Korean’s are super friendly and accommodating, if you let them into your world. Even during tense political moments tourism to the DPRK is never affected.

I'm American. Is this a problem?

Not at all! Restrictions on Americans joining tours throughout the year have been lifted. U.S citizens are allowed to travel at any time! The only restrictions are the train – all Americans must fly in and out of the country and for the Extreme North East tours at Mt Chilbo, they can’t stay overnight in the homestay, though they can visit and enjoy a meal with the local families.
Update: Americans can now join us on our new Weekend Getaway tours starting in Dandong, China. Click here for more information.

This would be funny if it weren't so sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Trump made this a priority. And, had he not, this kid would still be rotting in a prison/hospital in N Korea and his family, nor anyone from our country, would know he was in a coma. "

I don't think so. The North Koreans wanted him off of their soil. Had he died there, it would be much more of a loss for them. There were no favors done here. This was for NK's benefit, plain and simple.

Hey here's a thought... don't go to North Korea!!

Seriously. Now it's Obama's fault that he didn't get Warmbier home. Maybe little Otto shouldn't have been an entitled dumbass. I have zero fucks to give about this whole thing.

....and liberals say conservatives are heartless? Just wow.

+2

I feel SO sorry for that young man. (Well, now he knows nothing, so I feel sorry for his parents.) Did any of you see him pleading for mercy from the North Korean court? And can you even imagine (I can't) the level of torture he endured that actually brought on a cardiac episode?

How can you liberals have no compassion for a young college kid who did a stupid thing, yet defend the stupid young welfare mother who keeps popping out kid, after kid, after kid, and demand that she is entitled to her own apartment and can buy lobster and manicures if she wants? (I'm pulling from another thread.)

NP. You guys need to stop with your partisan bullshit. It isn't just lefties who think that man child should have kept his tail out of NK. No he should not have to pay for his obnoxious entitled attitude with his life. But he knew or should have known the potential dangers for traversing into a madman's lair. He gambled and lost and I definitely would be beyond disgusted if my son had to lose his life trying to rescue Otto from his entitled stupidity. Would you want your son or daughter to die foOtto's stupidity?

In regards to the young welfare mom continuing to have babies with no future plans of self support, I've always advocated forced BC and no additional money for an additional child while receiving public assistance. BTW, a manicure is $10.00 and it's not hard to do it yourself. You obviously have no clue as to the cost of lobster PP, I doubt very seriously welfare mom is eating lobster. Stop acting like only liberals think Otto was foolish. I wasn't in favor, and neither were you PP and others, when it first happened and we agreed then that Obama should not cause a diplomatic or military uproar over this.

Just shut the fuck up. It is time for us to put an end to North Korea, by whatever means necessary. They are a threat to the planet and we need to get rid of them just as much as ISIS.

Then I vote we send you to the Korean Pennisula to deal with it. Ok?

You have my vote, too. Happy travels!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't seen anywhere on this thread people saying troops should have been put in harms way to retrieve him. The only person mentioning it is the one who is against it I do think there are valid questions about how the Obama administration conducted itself vis a vis Americans held abroad, and history will ultimately arbitrate that one. He's home. Some Americans are still being held there and elsewhere. Prayers for his recovery and for his family.

You haven't seen all the "let's roll" and "reduce North Korea" to rubble posts? Then you need to re-read the thread. What exactly happens to our tens of thousands of troops in the DMZ when we reduce NK to rubble?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't seen anywhere on this thread people saying troops should have been put in harms way to retrieve him. The only person mentioning it is the one who is against it I do think there are valid questions about how the Obama administration conducted itself vis a vis Americans held abroad, and history will ultimately arbitrate that one. He's home. Some Americans are still being held there and elsewhere. Prayers for his recovery and for his family.

You haven't seen all the "let's roll" and "reduce North Korea" to rubble posts? Then you need to re-read the thread. What exactly happens to our tens of thousands of troops in the DMZ when we reduce NK to rubble?

BTW-- read up one post for a "get rid of North Korea by any means necessary" idiot. Since reading the whole thread might be taxing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The four company he went with is still in business. It was started by a Brit.
http://www.youngpioneertours.com

Young Pioneer Tours is an adventure travel company formed in 2008 and based in mainland China. Specialising in North Korea tours, we provide “budget travel to destinations your mother would rather you stayed away from”.

Here is a quote from their FAQ's page:
How safe is it?

Extremely safe! Despite what you may hear, North Korea is probably one of the safest places on Earth to visit. Tourism is very welcomed in North Korea, thus tourists are cherished and well taken care of. We have never felt suspicious or threatened at any time. In fact, North Korean’s are super friendly and accommodating, if you let them into your world. Even during tense political moments tourism to the DPRK is never affected.

I'm American. Is this a problem?

Not at all! Restrictions on Americans joining tours throughout the year have been lifted. U.S citizens are allowed to travel at any time! The only restrictions are the train – all Americans must fly in and out of the country and for the Extreme North East tours at Mt Chilbo, they can’t stay overnight in the homestay, though they can visit and enjoy a meal with the local families.
Update: Americans can now join us on our new Weekend Getaway tours starting in Dandong, China. Click here for more information.

we provide “budget travel to destinations your mother would rather you stayed away from"..... Hmmmm, why would mom want me to stay away?!

[Anonymous]

Yeah- he shouldn't have gone, but you assholes could take a little less delight in his situation.
You are terrible people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Trump made this a priority. And, had he not, this kid would still be rotting in a prison/hospital in N Korea and his family, nor anyone from our country, would know he was in a coma. "

I don't think so. The North Koreans wanted him off of their soil. Had he died there, it would be much more of a loss for them. There were no favors done here. This was for NK's benefit, plain and simple.

Hey here's a thought... don't go to North Korea!!

Seriously. Now it's Obama's fault that he didn't get Warmbier home. Maybe little Otto shouldn't have been an entitled dumbass. I have zero fucks to give about this whole thing.

....and liberals say conservatives are heartless? Just wow.

+2

I feel SO sorry for that young man. (Well, now he knows nothing, so I feel sorry for his parents.) Did any of you see him pleading for mercy from the North Korean court? And can you even imagine (I can't) the level of torture he endured that actually brought on a cardiac episode?

How can you liberals have no compassion for a young college kid who did a stupid thing, yet defend the stupid young welfare mother who keeps popping out kid, after kid, after kid, and demand that she is entitled to her own apartment and can buy lobster and manicures if she wants? (I'm pulling from another thread.)

I'm the PP who said she has zero fucks to give and you've all made a mistake in assuming I'm a liberal. I'd like for people to start taking personal responsibility for the stupid stuff they do. What Otto did was extraordinarily stupid and sadly for him and his family, he's paying a terrible price. But, Obama didn't make him go to North Korea. He played with fire and got burned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Trump made this a priority. And, had he not, this kid would still be rotting in a prison/hospital in N Korea and his family, nor anyone from our country, would know he was in a coma. "

I don't think so. The North Koreans wanted him off of their soil. Had he died there, it would be much more of a loss for them. There were no favors done here. This was for NK's benefit, plain and simple.

Hey here's a thought... don't go to North Korea!!

Seriously. Now it's Obama's fault that he didn't get Warmbier home. Maybe little Otto shouldn't have been an entitled dumbass. I have zero fucks to give about this whole thing.

....and liberals say conservatives are heartless? Just wow.

+2

I feel SO sorry for that young man. (Well, now he knows nothing, so I feel sorry for his parents.) Did any of you see him pleading for mercy from the North Korean court? And can you even imagine (I can't) the level of torture he endured that actually brought on a cardiac episode?

How can you liberals have no compassion for a young college kid who did a stupid thing, yet defend the stupid young welfare mother who keeps popping out kid, after kid, after kid, and demand that she is entitled to her own apartment and can buy lobster and manicures if she wants? (I'm pulling from another thread.)

NP. You guys need to stop with your partisan bullshit. It isn't just lefties who think that man child should have kept his tail out of NK. No he should not have to pay for his obnoxious entitled attitude with his life. But he knew or should have known the potential dangers for traversing into a madman's lair. He gambled and lost and I definitely would be beyond disgusted if my son had to lose his life trying to rescue Otto from his entitled stupidity. Would you want your son or daughter to die foOtto's stupidity?

In regards to the young welfare mom continuing to have babies with no future plans of self support, I've always advocated forced BC and no additional money for an additional child while receiving public assistance. BTW, a manicure is $10.00 and it's not hard to do it yourself. You obviously have no clue as to the cost of lobster PP, I doubt very seriously welfare mom is eating lobster. Stop acting like only liberals think Otto was foolish. I wasn't in favor, and neither were you PP and others, when it first happened and we agreed then that Obama should not cause a diplomatic or military uproar over this.

Just shut the fuck up. It is time for us to put an end to North Korea, by whatever means necessary. They are a threat to the planet and we need to get rid of them just as much as ISIS.

Who are "we"? Are they the same "we" who declared saddam, gaddafi and Assad the threat to the planet, destroyed their countries and flooded Europe of hundreds of thousands misplaced people? We need to get rid of "we", they are evil and made America the most hated county in the world.

SK, Russia and China will be thrilled about one more world disaster as they will be flooded with refugees and will have to deal with nuclear radiation cleanup.
Looking for more enemies or something?

You want NK to be destroyed? Pack up, buy a ticket to Pyonguang and fight N Koreans all you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people blaming the Obama Admin if Americans are not allowed to travel there? Or are discouraged from going there.

People who don't understand a concept of personal responsibility always blame someone else.
If the boy was kidnaped by NK intelligence and taken to NK, that would be different.

I don't like obama at all, but what happened to this boy was self inflicted.
Still sorry for him and his family. Doctors said he has extensive brain tissue damage. Awful.

Exactly

Are liberals blaming the black mother on welfare with six kids and no father(s) for her irresponsible life choices? Or are they talking about systemic racism, the history of slavery, etc., etc.?

This kid chose to be reckless. Those women didn't choose to grow up in poverty. Not pardoning their choices, but it's way more complicated than his case.

A college kid goes to NK (admittedly something most people would not do) for a handful of days and the consequences are his fault but a woman who grows up in poverty, has multiple children she cannot afford with no father around, thereby messing up those kids' lives and expecting the taxpayer to take of them, gets a free pass to make stupid decisions for the rest of her life? And then when her children make the same poor choices because they grew up in poverty and the cycle continues, they get a free pass too?

This is such a silly oversimplification.

The kid f-cked up. He went to NK - bad move, but okay. But then he willfully defied the laws of a country known for its despotic tendencies and its merciless justice system (if you can call it that; there's not much justice in that system). He made childish and irresponsible choices that ultimately led to his current situation. It's tragic and no, I don't believe the punishment in any way fit the crime. But the North Koreans have a different take on that and he arrogantly messed with their laws. I feel for his family and for him, but he is to blame.

As for the cycle of poverty and women having kids out of wedlock. Let's not conflate this with Otto's case. The complexity of why women AND men have children despite poverty and whether they in fact get a "free pass" (I'd argue they don't but okay) are totally different issues. Having kids out of wedlock isn't breaking the law in today's America and if we want parents to have fewer kids let's double down on free contraception, education, and providing people with access to education that gives them something to live for and aspire to. But again, this is such a different situation than Otto's case and so much more complex than can be discussed in the context of this forum.

North Korea says he willfully defied the law. Can you prove he did? Are you in the habit of believing rogue nations?

That's exactly why it's really stupid to go there.

[Anonymous]

I feel sorry for the man's parents. He was obviously (in retrospect) not mature enough to go to n. Korea. Dennis Rodman, trained diplomats, scholars...sure. College kids, no. But, it's a free country and anyone over age 18 can pay to travel anywhere they are allowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I feel sorry for the man's parents. He was obviously (in retrospect) not mature enough to go to n. Korea. Dennis Rodman, trained diplomats, scholars...sure. College kids, no. But, it's a free country and anyone over age 18 can pay to travel anywhere they are allowed.

Actually, NK isn't safe for anyone. Some of the Americans being held are, in fact, university professors.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_nationals_detained_in_North_Korea

BTW-- the fact there is a list of foreign nationals detained in North Korea Wikipedia place should be a tip off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah- he shouldn't have gone, but you assholes could take a little less delight in his situation.
You are terrible people.

+100.