Trump on college basketball players in China: "I should have left them in jail!"

[Travis B]

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/...na-jail-248511

The three players themselves (who were arrested for shoplifting in China) thanked Trump for keeping them out of jail. But LaVar Ball, the father of one of the players, said Trump doesn't deserve any credit. So Trump tweeted out, "Now that the three basketball players are out of China and saved from years in jail, LaVar Ball, the father of LiAngelo, is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal. I should have left them in jail!"

How fucking petty can he get?

He is right about one thing though, he should have left them in jail. Anyone who is dumb enough to knowingly and willfully break the law in a foreign country known for harsh punishments deserves to face the consequences. But when all you care about is people thanking you, praising you, and kissing your ass, you tend to make awful decisions.

[Enjoiskate]

My god it hurts me to say this.. but i agree with Trump on something. He should have absolutely left them in jail but he also needs to just stop tweeting or concerning himself with this kind of crap.

[Garnier Fructis]

My god it hurts me to say this.. but i agree with Trump on something. He should have absolutely left them in jail but he also needs to just stop tweeting or concerning himself with this kind of crap.

Nah. The source of practically all of his problems have stemmed from this. He's his own worst enemy; why would we want him to stop being that?

[unfilteredJW]

Insufferable loudmouth vs insufferable loudmouth.

[Endus]

My god it hurts me to say this.. but i agree with Trump on something. He should have absolutely left them in jail but he also needs to just stop tweeting or concerning himself with this kind of crap.

No. I think the players should have been left to face justice in China, but because I feel they should have faced the consequences for their actions. Trump thinks he should have left them there because one of the player's parents didn't lick his boots and prostrate himself sufficiently. That's an abusive, petty, small-minded bit of bullshit.

[Kraenen]

No. I think the players should have been left to face justice in China, but because I feel they should have faced the consequences for their actions. Trump thinks he should have left them there because one of the player's parents didn't lick his boots and prostrate himself sufficiently. That's an abusive, petty, small-minded bit of bullshit.

Would you really want to perpetuate the cycle of criminality? Especially in a Chinese prison...

[Endus]

Would you really want to perpetuate the cycle of criminality? Especially in a Chinese prison...

The "cycle of criminality" is an issue with particular prison systems. Not with the concept of imprisonment in general.

At best, the boys should've been charged, and brought to the USA to serve that sentence.

The important fact remains that Trump is a tantrum-throwing child who only wants to do what's "right" if it gets him sufficient adulation. In his own fucking words.

[Kraenen]

The "cycle of criminality" is an issue with particular prison systems. Not with the concept of imprisonment in general.

At best, the boys should've been charged, and brought to the USA to serve that sentence.

The important fact remains that Trump is a tantrum-throwing child who only wants to do what's "right" if it gets him sufficient adulation. In his own fucking words.

So the cycle of criminality doesn't exist in the USA? I don't get your rationale here.

[Very Tired]

Politics aside, if someone saves your dumb kids from years in a Chinese prison, you don't have to compliment them, but at least keep your mouth shut. Those guys made national news as they embarrassed their school, country, and race. They deserve to be in jail.

[Cerilis]

Politics aside, if someone saves your dumb kids from years in a Chinese prison, you don't have to compliment them, but at least keep your mouth shut. Those guys made national news as they embarrassed their school, country, and race. They deserve to be in jail.

Free speech and stuff.

[Very Tired]

Free speech and stuff.

Until the jack booted feds come in and arrest someone for what they said. No one is arguing free speech.

[Endus]

So the cycle of criminality doesn't exist in the USA? I don't get your rationale here.

I'm saying the proper response is to end that cycle AND penalize offenders appropriately. It isn't either/or.

[Mormolyce]

Basically, he did it in order to fish for praise, and when he didn't get enough he threw another tantrum.

I'd call it childish but honestly most children aren't this petty.

[Deleted]

So the cycle of criminality doesn't exist in the USA? I don't get your rationale here.

They should be treated like criminals are generally treated but criminals shouldn't be treated the way they are treated in China or the USA. Using presidential political leverage to bypass the justice system is not ideal even though I do not advocate for retributive justice.

Like with mobsters having more privileges in prison the problem is not criminals having freedoms, opportunities and higher standards of living per se but the unstructured way they are distributed.

[Templar 331]

Cheeto Emperor wasn't paid proper respect by the father of one of the players and thinks that he should have left them in prison? Sounds like something North Korea does.

Christ this guy keeps trying to be a cliche villain.

[Low Hanging Fruit]

When your whole goal of being President is self gratification this is what the world gets to read every week.

[Deleted]

Cheeto Emperor wasn't paid proper respect by the father of one of the players and thinks that he should have left them in prison? Sounds like something North Korea does.

Christ this guy keeps trying to be a cliche villain.

What a tragedy it is. Truly his magnanimous soul is too noble for this ungrateful world.

[Super Kami Dende]

No. I think the players should have been left to face justice in China, but because I feel they should have faced the consequences for their actions. Trump thinks he should have left them there because one of the player's parents didn't lick his boots and prostrate himself sufficiently. That's an abusive, petty, small-minded bit of bullshit.

There's a difference between wanting people to lick your boots and just wanting to people to be grateful and not pieces of shit biting the hand that feeds them.

[Baneth]

Turns out, that on the same day as this tweet, this happened:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...y-to-child-sex

[chazus]

Did Trump actually 'help' them stay out of jail? If he didn't, it's not like he could have 'left them there'.