Brittney Griner released

[anniemae]

Apparently there is also an American teacher who they hoped would be included in the trade but I guess it was just Brittany or nobody. The teacher is 60 years old and tried to enter Russia with a half an ounce of medical marijuana prescribed for pain management. I guess he has to be classified as "wrongfully detained" to be considered to trade. He is not classified as wrongfully detained.

 

[dez1978]

Would you feel the same if the marine was released instead?

That it's about more than just 1 issue? yeah, these things never are about just 1 thing. I'd be happy that he was released and still feel like it's a bad idea to release an arms dealer. Like, is it ever a good idea to release a person like that? Would anyone ever be happy to release him?

Not going to lie though, I'd be much happier if they worked as hard to secure the freedom of a marine who fought for our country as they did for an athlete that didn't think to check the laws of the country she was traveling to. And that has nothing to do with her stance on the anthem or anything else. Just that I think our military should come before celebrities and athletes.

 

[Christine]

That it's about more than just 1 issue? yeah, these things never are about just 1 thing. I'd be happy that he was released and still feel like it's a bad idea to release an arms dealer. Like, is it ever a good idea to release a person like that? Would anyone ever be happy to release him?

Not going to lie though, I'd be much happier if they worked as hard to secure the freedom of a marine who fought for our country as they did for an athlete that didn't think to check the laws of the country she was traveling to. And that has nothing to do with her stance on the anthem or anything else. Just that I think our military should come before celebrities and athletes.

My opinion, take it for what it's worth which is nothing, is that they are trying very hard to get Whelan but Russia is just not playing ball with that one. For whatever the reason. If they won't consider releasing Whelan then do we just stop working on the ones they will release? I agree with you that some of the lesser "famous" prisoners might be more worthy of release, but if Russia won't cooperate then what do you do?

 

[dez1978]

My opinion, take it for what it's worth which is nothing, is that they are trying very hard to get Whelan but Russia is just not playing ball with that one. For whatever the reason. If they won't consider releasing Whelan then do we just stop working on the ones they will release? I agree with you that some of the lesser "famous" prisoners might be more worthy of release, but if Russia won't cooperate then what do you do?

Right, which is why I'm happy for her bc you don't stop working for the rest of them. But just in general I'm irritated that we let go of probably our best leverage bc she's a celebrity

 

[aprilgail]

Russia is sitting there laughing their butts off at how stupid the US is- to trade a basketball player for an arms dealer- we are insane.

 

[Christine]

Russia is sitting there laughing their butts off at how stupid the US is- to trade a basketball player for an arms dealer- we are insane.

The fact that the media made Griner's case *so* public actually caused this, IMO. It upped her value and leverage. Because it was made so public and created such debate in this country, gave Russia all the leverage they needed to get out their "monster." While I don't think this sort of thing should be done in secrecy, I clearly see the damage caused by Griner's case being put front and center in the media.

 

[gmi3804]

I hope that arms dealer has learned not to deal arms in a foreign country. He should kiss Mother Russia's ground when he gets home and realize that not every country looks the other way when it comes to dealing arms.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I would really like to say I am shocked but it would seem to me the guy was getting out anyway and this young lady carried just the right amount of tradable merit to be picked.

No way this is balanced so no way is it on the up and up, still I am glad this young American is on her way or back in the US.

As an aside, this sort of thing is why lots of travel destinations simply do not appeal to me, strange events can be so arbitrary. Remember that little kid who got caned in Singapore? They let that particular bit of crazy happen...

 

[gmi3804]

As an aside, this sort of thing is why lots of travel destinations simply do not appeal to me, strange events can be so arbitrary. Remember that little kid who got caned in Singapore? They let that particular bit of crazy happen...

There was nothing arbitrary about that. That kid stole road signs and vandalized a couple dozen cars, and he received the punishment put forth by their laws. Was he supposed to be let off because he was a foreigner?

 

[pens4821]

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.

Well then in my eyes we should have left her. I know that may sound horrid, but an arms dealer with terrorist ties doesn’t equal a good trade in my eyes. Especially one that wouldn’t come out for the anthem. But I’m no one so my opinion really doesn’t matter. But I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way.

 

[Mango7100]

Well then in my eyes we should have left her. I know that may sound horrid, but an arms dealer with terrorist ties doesn’t equal a good trade in my eyes. Especially one that wouldn’t come out for the anthem. But I’m no one so my opinion really doesn’t matter. But I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way.

Would you have been Ok with the arms dealer being released if it was for Whelan then? Is it the fact that the arms dealer was set free the issue or is for who he was set free in exchange for?

 

[anniemae]

My opinion, take it for what it's worth which is nothing, is that they are trying very hard to get Whelan but Russia is just not playing ball with that one. For whatever the reason. If they won't consider releasing Whelan then do we just stop working on the ones they will release? I agree with you that some of the lesser "famous" prisoners might be more worthy of release, but if Russia won't cooperate then what do you do?

From what I read it has something to do with the fact that he was charged with espionage and they would not consider his release. I guess it was one or none.

 

[NannyBeBe]

This trade was totally political.

 

[pens4821]

Would you have been Ok with the arms dealer being released if it was for Whelan then? Is it the fact that the arms dealer was set free the issue or is for who he was set free in exchange for?

Yes I would’ve been ok with it. It’s more of who it was for. Because their charges are closer. While arms dealer/terrorist is worse than espionage, Whelan was a marine and was fighting for this country. That equals things out a little more. Once again, in my eyes. Im not trying to change your or anyone else’s opinion.

I have no problem with them making a deal for Greiner. But it should’ve been for someone with similar or atleast a little closer charges.

 

[fla4fun]

Would you have been Ok with the arms dealer being released if it was for Whelan then? Is it the fact that the arms dealer was set free the issue or is for who he was set free in exchange for?

For me, it’s that an arms dealer was released. It wouldn’t matter who he is being exchanged for. I believe he is too dangerous to be released, especially in the current world climate. I am happy for Griner and her family, and I wish we could have traded for more Americans to be freed. I just wish there had been a different person for the US to offer in trade. I feel there will be serious repercussions for letting him go.

 

[JaxDad]

Would you have been Ok with the arms dealer being released if it was for Whelan then? Is it the fact that the arms dealer was set free the issue or is for who he was set free in exchange for?

During the previous administration, intelligence officials considered any swap for Bout as “a gift to Putin.”

https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-paul-whelan-detention-bait-prisoner-swap-viktor-bout-2020-6

 

[jrmasm]

Yes I would’ve been ok with it. It’s more of who it was for. Because their charges are closer. While arms dealer/terrorist is worse than espionage, Whelan was a marine and was fighting for this country. That equals things out a little more. Once again, in my eyes. Im not trying to change your or anyone else’s opinion.

I have no problem with them making a deal for Greiner. But it should’ve been for someone with similar or atleast a little closer charges.

How was he fighting for this country? He was dishonorably discharged from the marines in 2008.

 

[Lumpy1106]

You know, I wonder if anything was learned here. Yes, Russia imprisoned Brittany for political reasons. Yes the release was also political, all aspects of it. But what about Brittany and her supporters? I keep seeing it was only a small amount, but you know what? You can go through my luggage any time and the total amount of illegal anything you will find is zero. That goes especially so if you know that there is a war going on and your chances of getting out of the country at all is slim going to none. Leave EVERYTHING behind in that case! That seems like such a no-brainer.

 

[pens4821]

How was he fighting for this country? He was dishonorably discharged from the marines in 2008.

I guess I sjoudve said fought. And discharged for stealing money wasn’t it? I’m not saying it’s right, just saying it wasn’t like he was doing something bad against the United States. Unless I’m wrong on that.

 

[Christine]

Yes I would’ve been ok with it. It’s more of who it was for. Because their charges are closer. While arms dealer/terrorist is worse than espionage, Whelan was a marine and was fighting for this country. That equals things out a little more. Once again, in my eyes. Im not trying to change your or anyone else’s opinion.

I have no problem with them making a deal for Greiner. But it should’ve been for someone with similar or atleast a little closer charges.

Not that it matters to me because Whelan is a human being, but I just found out today that Whelan received a bad-conduct discharge from the military in 2008 for bouncing checks and an attempt to steal $10,000. I don't know "the rest of the story..." but there's something odd there in that whole story because he is being portrayed as some military hero. He was not on a military mission when he was arrested. If you know something about him fighting for the country at the time, please go further on that.

Again, not that he should be ignored but I was kind of stunned to read his history. I had never looked into him before--just bought the line that he was some miitary hero.