Britney Griner released 12-08-2022 (17 Viewers)

[EGLSShin]

Hopefully she now understands while we in the USA have grown more accepting of Weed, cannibus products over the years, its very serious business in other countries. Russians were throwing the book at her, like 9 years or something like that over something we consider to be ridiculously stupid in the USA. She definitely found out in Russia.

 

[livefromDC]

Probably, i just thought it was worth pointing out before people started talking about how he had served the country.

Listen, I'm not trying to take a side in this at all. I'm glad Griner was released, but hoped both would be released. That said, Is it possible that Whelan was "dishonorably discharged" the way Jason Bourne was disappeared before his special service started. Please note that most of my military knowledge comes from movies and this board, LOL.

 

[El Caliente]

It sure seemed like you just used her profession as a way of devaluing her life in this exchange.

The choice, according to the administration, was bringing her home on these terms or not bringing her home. I understand you don’t believe that exchange should have been made.

You are reading more into it than you need to.

I’m happy she was released, and I hope she speaks out against Russia after this.

It just seems like the Ceedy Deuce trade all over again. We got less than we could have.

 

[El Caliente]

Probably, i just thought it was worth pointing out before people started talking about how he had served the country.

I mean, yeah, full disclosure, 11 years ago I was on academic probation in college (while I was studying business), so take that into consideration when I offer advice on making jambalaya this winter.

 

[WhoDatPhan78]

Listen, I'm not trying to take a side in this at all. I'm glad Griner was released, but hoped both would be released. That said, Is it possible that Whelan was "dishonorably discharged" the way Jason Bourne was disappeared before his special service started. Please note that most of my military knowledge comes from movies and this board, LOL.

It looks like he was stealing. There isn't any reason in reality why they couldn't just give him an honorable discharge if they were going to turn him into a secret agent. It's not like the need to create an interesting plot.

But if he is a Jason Borne type, then i could see why Russia isn't going to be releasing him.

I'm not trying to say we should let him rot in prison BTW, i just know people are going to try and paint him as a loyal veteran who served his country, but he didn't serve his country honorably. He got a bad conduct discharge.

 

[DavidM]

You are reading more into it than you need to.

I’m happy she was released, and I hope she speaks out against Russia after this.

It just seems like the Ceedy Deuce trade all over again. We got less than we could have.

I’m making of it from the words you’re choosing to use.

“I’m happy she was released” but…

Whelan was convicted of espionage by Russia and is being treated as a spy. That’s unfortunate but he shouldn’t be the sticking point for ever securing the release of other Americans.

Don’t forget this administration got Trevor Reed home, too.

 

[triumph]

Don’t forget this administration got Trevor Reed home, too.

And this administration is providing a lot of arms to Ukraine to kick their orc arses. I'm surprised they negotiated at all.

 

[Complex Kid]

Hopefully she now understands while we in the USA have grown more accepting of Weed, cannibus products over the years, its very serious business in other countries. Russians were throwing the book at her, like 9 years or something like that over something we consider to be ridiculously stupid in the USA. She definitely found out in Russia.

The offense she was found guilty in Russia for normally carries a 3 month sentence.

 

[Complex Kid]

I’m making of it from the words you’re choosing to use.

“I’m happy she was released” but…

Whelan was convicted of espionage by Russia and is being treated as a spy. That’s unfortunate but he shouldn’t be the sticking point for ever securing the release of other Americans.

Don’t forget this administration got Trevor Reed home, too.

From what I'm reading the US offered a 2 for 2 swap and Russia turned it down and would only do the Griner deal.

 

[El Caliente]

I’m making of it from the words you’re choosing to use.

“I’m happy she was released” but…

Whelan was convicted of espionage by Russia and is being treated as a spy. That’s unfortunate but he shouldn’t be the sticking point for ever securing the release of other Americans.

Don’t forget this administration got Trevor Reed home, too.

But Dave, I am happy she was released, BUT I’m just disappointed we couldn’t get Whalen back as well. I think that even in this country’s political climate we can all agree that it’s a shame we couldn’t get 1 more person back in return for the CIA’s biggest competition in arms dealing. Right?

 

[efil4stnias]

But Dave, I am happy she was released, BUT I’m just disappointed we couldn’t get Whalen back as well. I think that even in this country’s political climate we can all agree that it’s a shame we couldn’t get 1 more person back in return for the CIA’s biggest competition in arms dealing. Right?

I dont agree its a shame. Negotiating from a place of less leverage is always hard.

Griners' "brand" gave Russia the upper hand in any negotiation. The publicity around her jailing was simply too much. A decorated athlete, public outcry...this is all what Russia wanted- to force the US hand thru public awareness.

US got what Russia was willing to give. They took it. Doesnt mean they stop working on getting Whelan home. So relax with this whole undercurrent theme of "THIS administration should have done more" as if its some politically driven deal.

 

[DavidM]

But Dave, I am happy she was released, BUT I’m just disappointed we couldn’t get Whalen back as well. I think that even in this country’s political climate we can all agree that it’s a shame we couldn’t get 1 more person back in return for the CIA’s biggest competition in arms dealing. Right?

When you’re dealing with a rogue autocratic regime, it isn’t surprising that these kinds of swaps seem unequal when one country is taking a foreign citizen hostage for an insignificant amount of cannabis.

Of course we all want every American home but fairness doesn’t exist when dealing with somebody like Putin and a country like Russia. If fairness was part of it, she would have been expelled at the time of the incident and that would have been that.

 

[EGLSShin]

The offense she was found guilty in Russia for normally carries a 3 month sentence.

Now come on, you know Russians aren't gonna play fair when Americans are involved. Its still a you know what and find out situation.

 

[Cage1]

I voted for Biden, so I'm not just looking for tribalistic reasons to criticize. And I generally want presidents/leaders to succeed and do the right by our country whether I vote for them or not.

That disclaimer out of the way, I don't like the trade and the precedent. Basically Russia kidnapped a "celebrity" with the intent of using her as a political game piece and we just fell right into it. We released a dangerous criminal back into the world during a time when violence against the West is at a boiling point. This will bolster Putin's regime, make him look stronger, fortify his position against the West, and very possibly lead to more violence against American interests. If even one American dies as a result of this dude being back in the world, then there is no metric by which this is a defensible trade. You're not even winning votes with it.

And I don't like to "value" citizens. An American is an American, who should deserve the protection of our country, but I can't help but add those valuations anyway between a dissident who's good at a sport vs. someone who has served their country. Trading for a POW or civil servant wouldn't have irked me nearly as much (and that might be wrong of me, but there it is).

It sucks what happened to her and I'm glad she's not being subjected to that torture anymore, but it wasn't worth the cost. At least LeBron is appeased though.

 

[ChrisinNOLA]

She is free! Can everyone just be happy!