Brittney Griner released

[jrmasm]

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/12/08/world/brittney-griner-russia-ukraine-news

 

[Disneyland1084]

What about all the other Americans stuck in prison there? Griner will earn millions in book and movie deals all for doing nothing more than breaking the law in Russia.

 

[JaxDad]

I’m very happy for Brittney Griner and her family and friends. However, just looking at the offenses committed, it seems like a poor trade. The “Merchant of Death” must be thrilled that Ms. Griner failed to just check her luggage before traveling to Russia.

 

[anniemae]

When was the "merchant of death" due to be released? I thought I read he was serving a 25 year sentence. Just wondering how far into that he was.

ETA: Just read he had served 15 years of his sentence.

 

[jesusfreak75]

We traded "The Merchant of Death" for that. Bad trade!

 

[TippyThomas]

Not even gonna try to hide it?

 

[emmabelle]

I think she did have an unreasonable sentence, but I also think the trade was a little lopsided.

 

[cvjw]

And left the US Marine in a Russian prison. Typical.

 

[pigletto]

Well I’m not sure what the back and forth here is about but I agree with everything Sanchez said in his post 100% .

My opinion? Her sentence was too stiff and ridiculous. People make stupid mistakes and I wouldn’t want to rot in a foreign prison for something so small.

I also believe her stupidity necessitated the release of a really awful criminal and I’m not sure that’s to be celebrated.

 

[gmi3804]

Well I’m not sure what the back and forth here is about but I agree with everything Sanchez said in his post 100% .

My opinion? Her sentence was too stiff and ridiculous. People make stupid mistakes and I wouldn’t want to rot in a foreign prison for something so small.

I also believe her stupidity necessitated the release of a really awful criminal and I’m not sure that’s to be celebrated.

What kind of "good criminal" would've been OK for you to swap?

 

[pens4821]

And left the US Marine in a Russian prison. Typical.

So sad. We leave a marine behind, but trade an arms dealer for someone who didn’t want to be on the court when the anthem was played. I’m not saying her sentence over there was warranted, but I think trading someone with terrorist connections for her was absolutely crazy. And to add the fact you left a marine behind is even more a slap in the face.

I wish Paul Whelans family would’ve spoken out more against how horrible this was for their family annd Paul and said what a lot of people are thinking (The things I just mentioned and mentioned here).

 

[BrianL]

I hope everyone can remember that we are talking about HUMAN BEINGS here. It's not about measuring one life against another or equivocating value. This was the deal and we took it. It doesn't matter if it's not ideal, or if it leaves a bad taste in our mouths. It doesn't matter who did what or who came out on top. It doesn't matter what else we did or didn't get. For Brittney's family, the only thing that matters is that she is free and returning home. Sometimes we do good where we can - and we should do that because it's good.

 

[Jennasis]

Glad she is heading home.

 

[gmi3804]

So sad. We leave a marine behind, but trade an arms dealer for someone who didn’t want to be on the court when the anthem was played. I’m not saying her sentence over there was warranted, but I think trading someone with terrorist connections for her was absolutely crazy. And to add the fact you left a marine behind is even more a slap in the face.

I wish Paul Whelans family would’ve spoken out more against how horrible this was for their family annd Paul and said what a lot of people are thinking (The things I just mentioned and mentioned here).

WE didn't leave anyone behind.

WE didn't have any choice about who was released.

I hope everyone can remember that we are talking about HUMAN BEINGS here. It's not about measuring one life against another or equivocating value. This was the deal and we took it. It doesn't matter if it's not ideal, or if it leaves a bad taste in our mouths. It doesn't matter who did what or who came out on top. It doesn't matter what else we did or didn't get. For Brittney's family, the only thing that matters is that she is free and returning home. Sometimes we do good where we can - and we should do that because it's good.

Amen.

 

[Mango7100]

I hope everyone can remember that we are talking about HUMAN BEINGS here. It's not about measuring one life against another or equivocating value. This was the deal and we took it. It doesn't matter if it's not ideal, or if it leaves a bad taste in our mouths. It doesn't matter who did what or who came out on top. It doesn't matter what else we did or didn't get. For Brittney's family, the only thing that matters is that she is free and returning home. Sometimes we do good where we can - and we should do that because it's good.

Exactly. And if people would get more info it is reported by US officials that they tried to get Paul Whelan but Russia said he was absolutely not going to be released. So we could have gotten one person freed or walked away with no one. Whelan has been in prison for 4 years, so he has been imprisoned during 2 presidential administrations

 

[Mango7100]

So sad. We leave a marine behind, but trade an arms dealer for someone who didn’t want to be on the court when the anthem was played. I’m not saying her sentence over there was warranted, but I think trading someone with terrorist connections for her was absolutely crazy. And to add the fact you left a marine behind is even more a slap in the face.

I wish Paul Whelans family would’ve spoken out more against how horrible this was for their family annd Paul and said what a lot of people are thinking (The things I just mentioned and mentioned here).

We didn’t leave anyone behind. They tried to get him and Russia said no way because he is charged with espionage in Russia. It was Griner or no one.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

So sad. We leave a marine behind, but trade an arms dealer for someone who didn’t want to be on the court when the anthem was played. I’m not saying her sentence over there was warranted, but I think trading someone with terrorist connections for her was absolutely crazy. And to add the fact you left a marine behind is even more a slap in the face.

I wish Paul Whelans family would’ve spoken out more against how horrible this was for their family annd Paul and said what a lot of people are thinking (The things I just mentioned and mentioned here).

This was my thought; I hope if she is on court again and the national anthem is played, she doesn't take a knee. I hope she now realizes just how lucky she is to be a US citizen and just how good we all have it here compared to many other countries.

 

[kdonnel]

I bet she will be very careful in the future to ensure she is not traveling with any substance or materials that are not allowed in her destination.

I’ve been watching old episodes of a show called Border Security. It is amazing how many people attempt to import items that are banned. Some appear to genuinely be ignorant but most appear to believe the rules do not apply to them.

 

[mrodgers]

What kind of "good criminal" would've been OK for you to swap?

A Russian caught and sentenced in the US in an illegal marijuana state for illegal possession of marijuana perhaps.

 

[robinb]

Can't we all be happy for Britteny Griner? Does anyone actually believe that she should serve a 9-year sentence in a Russian labor camp for accidentally bringing 0.7 grams of cannabis oil into Moscow?