Griner freed, Whelan remains jailed

[Picairn]

Probably using it as a funny way of saying "bad". It's a Trump quote about NAFTA, remember?

Ah yes, I'm not familiar with all of Trump's political bangers.

Not "Hyperborean".

"Louis".

Ok, "Louis".

[Ethel mermania]

why tf did griner decide to smuggle drugs into a foreign country

Personal use, she was going to be there a while.

[The United Penguin Commonwealth]

also ITT: foreign policy hawk brain gods deducing that Griner got swapped because uhhh *shuffles notes* black women, amirite

If you're referring to me - My brother in Christ I do not give a fuck about foreign policy. It's just idiotic that the LGBTQIAA2S++

did you sincerely use the longer acronym or are you making fun of it? it's hard to tell on the internet.

basketball player who shat on the US

she's still an american, and saying something bad about america doesn't mean you don't have rights anymore. you see, we have this thing called freedom of speech here.

gets swapped likely because of her immutable characteristics

no, it was because she was a famous basketball star and people would be pissed if we didn't do anything.

before the regular guy who, I might add, if he was spying - was doing a service to the United States.

what do you think the russians would want in exchange for an American spy? because I bet you it's more than some arms dealer. also, considering he's
a) a spy
b) a marine
c) a citizen in four countries
I think it's likely that people have been trying to get him back. but again, it's up to the russians to decide, and they won't let go of such a high-value bargaining chip for nothing.

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

One for one is an improvement, you used to give ten for every four you got back.

[Kerwa]

I guess Marc Fogel can continue to go fuck himself.

[Zanderlock]

I am happy she is free, of course. BUT this feels like trading a level 20 Butterfree for a level 100 Mewtwo

[Page]

I have myself actually declined to travel to certain countries based on my medicine being criminalized in those places but just because I am cautious doesn't mean I hold it against Griner that she was less so. There is no good reason to not believe somebody who travels often that they forgot a little vial in a bag anyway.

Indeed. I once had to fly to a job. In the bag was set of computer screw drivers (corporate swag). Forgot they were there and security flagged them. I laughed and said do they really think I can take over a plane with 4 inch screw drivers. Handed them over and boarded the plane……

My cousin forgot that her gun was in her purse when she went through TSA security. She had to pay a $1000 fine. Her lawyer told her she would be successful if she contested it but she didn't want to risk it.

[Page]

I am happy she is free, of course. BUT this feels like trading a level 20 Butterfree for a level 100 Mewtwo

It's like trading for a level 100 Mewtwo that has no damage dealing moves. Bout has been locked up for over a decade, it's doubtful he can easily hop right back into the game because there is in fact little honor among thieves and his arms dealing associates have long since made new connections and taken over his operations. And Britney is a shiny Butterfree.

[New-Minneapolis]

why tf did griner decide to smuggle drugs into a foreign country

Personal use, she was going to be there a while.

I agree that it was for personal use, but I don’t buy her bullshit story that it was an accident. She’s a stupid and ignorant person that believes all countries have progressive laws regarding cannabis.
I bet she’s gonna still fucking trash the United States after she was chosen over a marine.

[Haganham]

Sure, it might take more to get Russia there, but Jesus, Biden really doesn't seem too torn up about it. Maybe I'm jaded. Maybe not. Either way, the guy would do well to show a bit more emotion. I consider myself liberal/progressive/whatever-you-wanna-call-it on most issues, but Biden really does have a lot of shortcomings, and even though I know he probably isn't directly responsible for the swap, it's hard not to feel some very strong things toward him when nothing I've seen has him seeming genuinely sympathetic or feeling badly toward Mr. Whelan. I blame the Trump administration, too, for his time in jail. They also did not manage to secure his release. There's a lot of blame to go around, I think, and I would favor a much stronger stance taken by the US on the sham that is the Russian judicial (not justice) system.

Ok. How should Biden get him out?

Biden should trade him for Viktor Bout and let the sanction flouting drug smuggler rot

[Andsed]

Personal use, she was going to be there a while.

I agree that it was for personal use, but I don’t buy her bullshit story that it was an accident. She’s a stupid and ignorant person that believes all countries have progressive laws regarding cannabis.
I bet she’s gonna still fucking trash the United States after she was chosen over a marine.

From NBC

A senior U.S. official said the U.S. government had sought to have both Griner and Whelan released as part of a swap with the Kremlin, which wanted the return of Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who has served 11 years of a 25-year sentence in the U.S. But the official said that Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is accused of spying and that the Kremlin ultimately gave the White House the choice of Griner or no one after different options were proposed.

We did not choose Griner over Whelan. The Russians were not offering a one or the other choice they flat out refused to hand Whelan over.

[The North Polish Union]

Massively stupid deal. Arms trader for a basketball player? Come on.

[-Astoria-]

I agree that it was for personal use, but I don’t buy her bullshit story that it was an accident. She’s a stupid and ignorant person that believes all countries have progressive laws regarding cannabis.
I bet she’s gonna still fucking trash the United States after she was chosen over a marine.

From NBC

A senior U.S. official said the U.S. government had sought to have both Griner and Whelan released as part of a swap with the Kremlin, which wanted the return of Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who has served 11 years of a 25-year sentence in the U.S. But the official said that Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is accused of spying and that the Kremlin ultimately gave the White House the choice of Griner or no one after different options were proposed.

We did not choose Griner over Whelan. The Russians were not offering a one or the other choice they flat out refused to hand Whelan over.

A case of "damned if you do and damned if you don't", it seems.

[Des-Bal]

I agree that it was for personal use, but I don’t buy her bullshit story that it was an accident. She’s a stupid and ignorant person that believes all countries have progressive laws regarding cannabis.
I bet she’s gonna still fucking trash the United States after she was chosen over a marine.

From NBC

A senior U.S. official said the U.S. government had sought to have both Griner and Whelan released as part of a swap with the Kremlin, which wanted the return of Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who has served 11 years of a 25-year sentence in the U.S. But the official said that Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is accused of spying and that the Kremlin ultimately gave the White House the choice of Griner or no one after different options were proposed.

We did not choose Griner over Whelan. The Russians were not offering a one or the other choice they flat out refused to hand Whelan over.

Then accept nothing and continue to negotiate.

[Ifreann]

Personal use, she was going to be there a while.

I agree that it was for personal use, but I don’t buy her bullshit story that it was an accident. She’s a stupid and ignorant person that believes all countries have progressive laws regarding cannabis.

She has worked in Russia for years, she is obviously familiar with the local laws. Consider learning anything about this case before making up lies. Literally anything.

I bet she’s gonna still fucking trash the United States after she was chosen over a marine.

Whelan's own family have celebrated her release and said that the government was right to take a possible deal instead of waiting for a better one. And Whelan isn't a marine. He was kicked out of the Corps.

[Andsed]

From NBC

A senior U.S. official said the U.S. government had sought to have both Griner and Whelan released as part of a swap with the Kremlin, which wanted the return of Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who has served 11 years of a 25-year sentence in the U.S. But the official said that Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is accused of spying and that the Kremlin ultimately gave the White House the choice of Griner or no one after different options were proposed.

We did not choose Griner over Whelan. The Russians were not offering a one or the other choice they flat out refused to hand Whelan over.

Then accept nothing and continue to negotiate.

What is there to negotiate? I doubt Russia will be budging on their conditions regarding Whelan anytime soon.

[Des-Bal]

What is there to negotiate? I doubt Russia will be budging on their conditions regarding Whelan anytime soon.

Then they don't get Bout.

[Fartsniffage]

Personal use, she was going to be there a while.

I agree that it was for personal use, but I don’t buy her bullshit story that it was an accident. She’s a stupid and ignorant person that believes all countries have progressive laws regarding cannabis.
I bet she’s gonna still fucking trash the United States after she was chosen over a marine.

Do you still get to call yourself a marine if they kick you out dishonourably for being a criminal and dereliction of duty?

[The Black Forrest]

What is there to negotiate? I doubt Russia will be budging on their conditions regarding Whelan anytime soon.

Then they don't get Bout.

Well? Not your call.

Biden can’t win on this one. If he went your route, he would have been blasted for leaving her in Russian control. He gets her out and he is blasted for giving too much.

If he had given what they probably want for Whelan, it have been way more and he still would have been blasted for doing that.

Hell, a couple my moron maga relatives said Biden was to blame for Whelan getting captured.

[Floofybit]

What a terrible trade. I don't mean to be rude, but we definitely could have traded for someone better. Good for her that she's free though

[The Black Forrest]

What a terrible trade. I don't mean to be rude, but we definitely could have traded for someone better. Good for her that she's free though

From the sounds of it; it was him or nothing.

[Floofybit]

What a terrible trade. I don't mean to be rude, but we definitely could have traded for someone better. Good for her that she's free though

From the sounds of it; it was him or nothing.

Strategically, it would have been better not to trade. Morally, I don't know.

[Des-Bal]

Well? Not your call.

Biden can’t win on this one. If he went your route, he would have been blasted for leaving her in Russian control. He gets her out and he is blasted for giving too much.

If he had given what they probably want for Whelan, it have been way more and he still would have been blasted for doing that.

Hell, a couple my moron maga relatives said Biden was to blame for Whelan getting captured.

Holocaust wasn't my call, I've got some opinions on it.

I'm not saying he had a great move I'm saying he made a bad one.

[Haganham]

What a terrible trade. I don't mean to be rude, but we definitely could have traded for someone better. Good for her that she's free though

From the sounds of it; it was him or nothing.

Nope it was one or the other. I suspect that putin doesn't have a use for Whelan, or Griner, but knew that Biden would pick a basketball player over a marine any day, and knee how it would look

[Floofybit]

Biden would pick a basketball player over a marine any day

This makes me fear for the United States of America