Britney Griner released 12-08-2022 (3 Viewers)

[El Caliente]

Why should we be working on lessening sanctions placed on Russia?

Why should we not? Many of the restrictions placed on Russia are working, however several aren’t (or are slow to get the expected result). By lessening these sanctions that don’t work, you give Putin something to sell to his people (much like giving up Griner gave Biden something to sell to his).

 

[Brandon13]

Why should we not? Many of the restrictions placed on Russia are working, however several aren’t (or are slow to get the expected result). By lessening these sanctions that don’t work, you give Putin something to sell to his people (much like giving up Griner gave Biden something to sell to his).

I really doubt Putin would have traded Whelan for the lifting of whatever sanctions you're referring to that are not effective.

I personally would have had a much bigger issue with this if we were willing to help out Russia to that extent in order to secure the release of the two of them.

 

[DavidM]

Why should we not? Many of the restrictions placed on Russia are working, however several aren’t (or are slow to get the expected result). By lessening these sanctions that don’t work, you give Putin something to sell to his people (much like giving up Griner gave Biden something to sell to his).

Which sanctions and what makes you think Putin would have accepted a discontinuation of restrictions that weren't working anyway? To that extent, what is known about what was proposed during negotiations?

 

[efil4stnias]

Why should we not? Many of the restrictions placed on Russia are working, however several aren’t (or are slow to get the expected result). By lessening these sanctions that don’t work, you give Putin something to sell to his people (much like giving up Griner gave Biden something to sell to his).

Let me get this straight- you want to remove sanctions that arent working ( that Putin knows arent working) in the hopes he goes on state TV to say "hey yall look what i got" when they already know those sanctions arent working?

And he will sign off on this?

genius. absolute genius.

 

[livefromDC]

Exactly. So how does one negotiate from a position of ZERO leverage?

El Caliente apparently knows and im waiting for him to share.

How do you negotiate with a country who agreed to a ceasefire so civilians can evacuate only to attack the evacuation route slaughtering innocent people?

Russia ‘breaks ceasefire in attack on evacuation route in Mariupol’, Ukraine claims

Residents have been trying to flee shelling as Russia lays siege to the southern city

www.independent.co.uk

What's missing from this conversation, and what's been missing from American sensibilities (since baby boomers took over this country but I digress) is the idea that USA values American life over all else. The sentiment would have been, "we don't give a ****, we'll just catch him again. One American's life is worth a thousand of his. We could give you a hundred Putins and it wouldn't matter because we're that much stronger than you."

And the fact of the matter is, we're even more stronger than Russia today. The rest of the world will see this as the US bringing home one of their own, and making a trade that's insignificant to the US because they are so powerful. The rest of the world knows and understands what Russia is, a country ruled by an evil, abhorrent, amoral regime that only deals in double-crossing and deceit.

 

[livefromDC]

It just seems other countries always have the upper hand on us. with that said, i'm glad she's out.

Who are these other countries?

 

[El Caliente]

I really doubt Putin would have traded Whelan for the lifting of whatever sanctions you're referring to that are not effective.

I personally would have had a much bigger issue with this if we were willing to help out Russia to that extent in order to secure the release of the two of them.

Which sanctions and what makes you think Putin would have accepted a discontinuation of restrictions that weren't working anyway? To that extent, what is known about what was proposed during negotiations?

Let me get this straight- you want to remove sanctions that arent working ( that Putin knows arent working) in the hopes he goes on state TV to say "hey yall look what i got" when they already know those sanctions arent working?

And he will sign off on this?

genius. absolute genius.

I wouldn’t have a problem lifting sanctions that don’t work (or are slow developing) if it led to the release of another American. No point in keeping a bad contract on the team if the player isn’t helping the team.

Why sanctions against Russia aren't working — yet

When sanctions were enacted against Russia in February of this year, many forecasts were of an imminent collapse in the Russian economy. A new report looks at why that hasn't happened.

www.npr.org

And it’s not just El Caliente saying that sanctions are ineffective, leaders in Europe are saying it too.

Sanctions on Russia Are Working. Here’s Why.

The Kremlin’s ability to wage war is already constrained, but the worst is yet to come.

foreignpolicy.com

As the son of Cuban parents who were born and raised under US sanctions placed on Cuba, I can appreciate what sanctions are meant to do, but Castro never left, he only got wealthier, things never got better, and the restrictions were never lifted.

I don’t think the restrictions are helping the people y’all seem to think they are mean to help.

 

[FLIPPY]

Sounds like an even trade to me... Sarcasm button on...

 

[Brandon13]

I wouldn’t have a problem lifting sanctions that don’t work (or are slow developing) if it led to the release of another American. No point in keeping a bad contract on the team if the player isn’t helping the team.

Why sanctions against Russia aren't working — yet

When sanctions were enacted against Russia in February of this year, many forecasts were of an imminent collapse in the Russian economy. A new report looks at why that hasn't happened.

www.npr.org

And it’s not just El Caliente saying that sanctions are ineffective, leaders in Europe are saying it too.

Sanctions on Russia Are Working. Here’s Why.

The Kremlin’s ability to wage war is already constrained, but the worst is yet to come.

foreignpolicy.com

As the son of Cuban parents who were born and raised under US sanctions placed on Cuba, I can appreciate what sanctions are meant to do, but Castro never left, he only got wealthier, things never got better, and the restrictions were never lifted.

I don’t think the restrictions are helping the people y’all seem to think they are mean to help.

I think we probably got the Castro stuff wrong especially after many years.. but this is just a very different scenario.

I would say my takeaway would be that instead of lessening sanctions to better figure out how to pinpoint them so that they are most effective.

 

[DavidM]

Sounds like an even trade to me... Sarcasm button on...

Nobody is making the argument that Bout isn't a terrible person.

 

[Devildog]

He's not a retired marine.

I'm not one of those people who are all "tHe MeDiA iS eViL" but I absolutely hate when they report on anything related to the military, because 95% of the time they fork it up.

He had a bad conduct discharge. He didn't serve "honorably." He can't even get any veteran benefits with that type of discharge. I still want him home, though, as I believe every American in custody should be home, no matter their background.

 

[FLIPPY]

Nobody is making the argument that Bout isn't a terrible person.

So you're ok with the exchange?

A weed smoking basketball player for a notorious arms dealer and terrorist?

 

[livefromDC]

Sounds like an even trade to me... Sarcasm button on...

Sounds like you don't value American life as much as Russia. Considering your posting history, I'm pretty sure that if it were announced that Whelan was traded for Bout you'd have been more okay with it. #BLM

 

[El Caliente]

I think we probably got the Castro stuff wrong especially after many years.. but this is just a very different scenario.

I would say my takeaway would be that instead of lessening sanctions to better figure out how to pinpoint them so that they are most effective.

We got the Castro stuff wrong, and from leaders in Europe we may have not approached this set of sanctions any better (but something had to be done to show Putin that we weren’t playing around). I think ultimately not only will the Russian people be left holding the bag, but many Europeans as well.

But yeah, lax a restriction or two if it nets us a political prisoner.

 

[Brandon13]

So you're ok with the exchange?

A weed smoking basketball player for a notorious arms dealer?

Would have much preferred both Whelan and Griner to have been included, but yes.

I would also say the same thing if we had gotten back only Whelan in this deal and not Griner.