Should U.S. Swap ‘Merchant of Death’ for Brittney Griner?

[05_never_again]

Haven't researched or heard anything about him.

His story is essentially identical to Griner's, except he isn't a known figure to the general public.

 

[Grand Vol]

The downside is that, according to even the Whelan family, that was the best deal to be had.

We cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good.

In what way, shape or form is this "good"?

I really want to see your mental gymnastics on this one.

 

[Majors]

The desire to bring Whelan back is absolutely legitimate and should be a priority.

But it's not as shown today

 

[the_todd]

That piece of $hit Biden just showed his true colors. He chose to trade an arms dealer for a gay female woman beater who disrespects this country over a us vetern who served the country that she disrespects. Hope it was worth it because his choice of prisoner swap just cost him his re-election.

 

[Tman44]

This is a joke. Just like everything else associated with Biden.

 

[Tman44]

That piece of $hit Biden just showed his true colors. He chose to trade an arms dealer for a gay female woman beater who disrespects this country over a us vetern who served the country that she disrespects. Hope it was worth it because his choice of prisoner swap just cost him his re-election.

This will not cost him re-election. Major media will never let the sheeple know what a sham this deal was. Biden will be praised for allowing a monster free in exchange for a stupid American leftist.

 

[utvolpj]

Paul Whelan's family welcomes Brittney Griner's release

“It’s great news. Any time an American comes home is wonderful news. I”m so glad for Brittney and Cherelle. It’s a wonderful day,” he told CNN.

In his statement, Whelan said, “I am so glad that Brittney Griner is on her way home. As the family member of a Russian hostage, I can literally only imagine the joy she will have, being reunited with her loved ones, and in time for the holidays.”

How many would have preferred Griner remain in jail? I'm guessing much too high a number

He also noted that the Biden administration “made the right decision” and that it was better to make the deal than to wait for “one that wasn’t going to happen.”

 

[Franklin Pierce]

Moment WNBA star Brittney Griner was swapped for Russia's grinning Merchant of Death Arms Dealer Viktor Bout at Abu Dhabi airport in deal Brokered By Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince

Video has emerged of the moment Russian Merchant of Death arms dealer Viktor Bout was swapped for WNBA star Brittney Griner in a widely criticized deal that was brokered by Saudi Arabia.

The footage shows Bout emerging from one jet and walking past Griner this morning.

A UAE official is nearby watching, but it is unclear if it Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

But many see it as a gift to Putin and his war effort in Ukraine. They consider it a damning indictment on Biden's diplomatic track record.

Brittney Griner shakes hands with a UAE official on the tarmac of at Abu Dhabi today as she was swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in a deal brokered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The footage shows Bout emerging from one jet and walking past Griner this morning

War criminal Bout smiled as he made his way towards the jet waiting for him

The deal was brokered with Vladimir Putin, responsible for the genocide in Ukraine – and with the help of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, just 48 hours after the U.S. dropped a lawsuit holding him responsible for the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy called it 'unconscionable' to leave behind Whelan.

'Merchant of Death – that's the nickname of the prisoner Biden returned to Putin. He was convicted of conspiring to kill American law enforcement.

Video of WNBA star Brittney Griner being swapped for Russian Merchant of Death Viktor Bout | Daily Mail Online

 

[n_huffhines]

Sounds like Putin played Biden

We got people more worried about optics and "winning" than justice.

 

[VolStrom]

In what way, shape or form is this "good"?

I really want to see your mental gymnastics on this one.

She ticked three boxes; black, lesbian, and a sports "celebrity"

 

[CagleMtnVol]

The desire to bring Whelan back is absolutely legitimate and should be a priority. But bashing Biden over this turn of events of getting someone else back as opposed to Whelan, which everyone knows is not entirely in his control, is petty, rings hollow, and reflects your lack of sophistication.

Biden has no leverage what so ever now! Putin got who they wanted and needed at this time!

 

[Weezer]

Paul Whelan's family welcomes Brittney Griner's release


How many would have preferred Griner remain in jail? I'm guessing much too high a number

I would say for many critical of the swap, it's not about wanting Griner to stay in jail. I didn't want her to stay in jail. But trading an arms dealer for a basketball player is absolutely a lopsided trade that favors Russia. Not sure how you can argue it doesn't.

 

[LadyVolette]

Moment WNBA star Brittney Griner was swapped for Russia's grinning Merchant of Death Arms Dealer Viktor Bout at Abu Dhabi airport in deal Brokered By Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince

Video has emerged of the moment Russian Merchant of Death arms dealer Viktor Bout was swapped for WNBA star Brittney Griner in a widely criticized deal that was brokered by Saudi Arabia.

The footage shows Bout emerging from one jet and walking past Griner this morning.

A UAE official is nearby watching, but it is unclear if it Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

But many see it as a gift to Putin and his war effort in Ukraine. They consider it a damning indictment on Biden's diplomatic track record.

Brittney Griner shakes hands with a UAE official on the tarmac of at Abu Dhabi today as she was swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in a deal brokered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The footage shows Bout emerging from one jet and walking past Griner this morning

War criminal Bout smiled as he made his way towards the jet waiting for him

The deal was brokered with Vladimir Putin, responsible for the genocide in Ukraine – and with the help of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, just 48 hours after the U.S. dropped a lawsuit holding him responsible for the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy called it 'unconscionable' to leave behind Whelan.

'Merchant of Death – that's the nickname of the prisoner Biden returned to Putin. He was convicted of conspiring to kill American law enforcement.

Video of WNBA star Brittney Griner being swapped for Russian Merchant of Death Viktor Bout | Daily Mail Online

This was all effing stupid.. that guy is going to go kill people now

 

[volinbham]

We got people more worried about optics and "winning" than justice.

my only real concern revolve around the consequences of this type of swap (criminal for hostage). IIRC the guys we released for the AWOL soldier were back on the battlefield against us/allies

 

[VolStrom]

What this boils down to is Russia had a deuce, we had an ace, and we folded.

 

[utvolpj]

This was all effing stupid.. that guy is going to go kill people now

Would he kill fewer people if they included Whelan?

 

[utvolpj]

I would say for many critical of the swap, it's not about wanting Griner to stay in jail. I didn't want her to stay in jail. But trading an arms dealer for a basketball player is absolutely a lopsided trade that favors Russia. Not sure how you can argue it doesn't.

It was always going to be lopsided right? Even with Whelan you're still setting an arms entrepreneur free

 

[volinbham]

Would he kill fewer people if they included Whelan?

if he kills anyone is that victim less important than anyone we traded for him?

no easy answers here and Biden isn't the first person to face this situation and trade dangerous people for innocent people so I'm not criticizing him specifically - just the action in general

 

[Weezer]

It was always going to be lopsided right? Even with Whelan you're still setting an arms entrepreneur free

But you gain more political capital if Whelan is involved.

Let's be honest for a moment. In any trade, it comes down to value. Does what you get equal out what you get in return. In this case, it does not. It's not even close. This was a slam dunk for Russia.

I'm happy that BG is free and will be back with her family for the holidays, but it's dumb to pretend like this was a political "victory" for the U.S. or Biden, or anyone but Russia.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

If the Russians said they would not make that deal, period, are you saying Biden should have left Griner there to suffer just because we couldn't get the perfect deal?

YES

 

[utvolpj]

if he kills anyone is that victim less important than anyone we traded for him?

no easy answers here and Biden isn't the first person to face this situation and trade dangerous people for innocent people so I'm not criticizing him specifically - just the action in general

Future victims are irrelevant. Is Whelan more important? My point is the ones complaining Whelan wasn't included shouldn't be worried about the danger caused by the trade.

He's also a dealer of inanimate objects that don't kill anyone. Only others using those objects inappropriately can kill others. I think that's how it works

 

[utvolpj]

But you gain more political capital if Whelan is involved.

Let's be honest for a moment. In any trade, it comes down to value. Does what you get equal out what you get in return. In this case, it does not. It's not even close. This was a slam dunk for Russia.

I'm happy that BG is free and will be back with her family for the holidays, but it's dumb to pretend like this was a political "victory" for the U.S. or Biden, or anyone but Russia.

who cares about political capital other than party hacks? You would either trade for the guy or you wouldn't. Those complaining the loudest wouldn't care who Biden got in return

 

[volinbham]

Future victims are irrelevant. My point is the ones complaining Whelan wasn't included shouldn't be worried about the danger caused by the trade.

He's also a dealer of inanimate objects that don't kill anyone. Only others using those objects inappropriately can kill others. I think that's how it works

disagree that future victims are irrelevant

if his actions of weapons trading are not dangerous then why would we be holding him? If a Taliban leader never killed anyone himself but instructed others how to effectively conduct suicide attacks are we just supposed to say he's not dangerous because he personally never killed anyone?

 

[lawgator1]

I'm saying giving up Bout for Griner was lopsided as hell. An arms dealer for a basketball player?....

The Real Deal Behind the U.S.–Iran Prisoner Swap

Trump swapped an Iranian scientist sending out tissue research for a college student. That was lopsided, too, in favor of Iran.

 

[CagleMtnVol]