Russia looking for a prisoner swap…

[Ooh-Rah]

My initial reaction being, “eh, that’s okay, you keep her.”

Reports: Russia wants 'Merchant of Death' in exchange for Brittney Griner

For the first time since Brittney Griner’s arrest almost three months ago, Russia appears to have publicly signaled its asking price for her safe return, if multiple reports by Russian state media are to be believed.

Russia is looking to exchange the WNBA star in a prisoner swap for notorious convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, several state-owned Russian news outlets reported Friday, citing unnamed government sources.

Bout, whose exploits earned him the nickname the “Merchant of Death,” flooded fierce conflicts in Africa and the Middle East with weapons, U.S. authorities say. He was arrested during a sting operation in Thailand in 2008, extradited to the U.S. and sentenced to 25 years for conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles and providing aid to a terrorist organization.

ETA:
If you were not aware, and personally I applaud you if that is true, she is sitting in a Russian prison because she tried to take Vape cartridges filled with hashish oil through customs.

 

[Gunz]

The Russians must have a keen appreciation of the power of wokeness in America to convince them this is an even trade. There's no way anybody in their right mind would ever release the likes of Viktor Bout for her. And yet, Black Lives Matter to the point where it just might fly.

PS. This is the woman who wanted the National Anthem banned from WNBA games.

 

[Blizzard]

I agree with @Ooh-Rah on this...hard pass.

 

[Marauder06]

would still be a better trade than the one we made for Bowe Berghdahl

 

[AWP]

This is satire, right? This is some... Duffel Bee shit or something, right? They want us to give them a war criminal in exchange for... a basketball player? Okay, okay, I'd ship Lebron to the USSR for a bucket of cheese, but this move is hilarious.

Just keep her.

 

[Locksteady]

My initial reaction being, “eh, that’s okay, you keep her.”

Reports: Russia wants 'Merchant of Death' in exchange for Brittney Griner

For the first time since Brittney Griner’s arrest almost three months ago, Russia appears to have publicly signaled its asking price for her safe return, if multiple reports by Russian state media are to be believed.

Russia is looking to exchange the WNBA star in a prisoner swap for notorious convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, several state-owned Russian news outlets reported Friday, citing unnamed government sources.

Bout, whose exploits earned him the nickname the “Merchant of Death,” flooded fierce conflicts in Africa and the Middle East with weapons, U.S. authorities say. He was arrested during a sting operation in Thailand in 2008, extradited to the U.S. and sentenced to 25 years for conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles and providing aid to a terrorist organization.

ETA:
If you were not aware, and personally I applaud you if that is true, she is sitting in a Russian prison because she tried to take Vape cartridges filled with hashish oil through customs.

I am surprised and grateful that the predictable segments of the American public haven't played right into Putin's hands by amplifying any unrest over her confinement.

 

[AWP]

I am surprised and grateful that the predictable segments of the American public haven't played right into Putin's hands by amplifying any unrest over her confinement.

I agree, but we're assuming the American people know what we're talking about.

 

[Locksteady]

I agree, but we're assuming the American people know what we're talking about.

Too too true.

 

[RackMaster]

Let's all rejoice...


Viktor Bout: Russian arms dealer known as the 'Merchant of Death' swapped for Brittney Griner | CNN

 

[757]

Let's all rejoice...


Viktor Bout: Russian arms dealer known as the 'Merchant of Death' swapped for Brittney Griner | CNN

Dislike because I wish it was Paul Whelan instead...IF we were gonna prisoner swap...which I'm also not happy about...

 

[Ooh-Rah]

Let's all rejoice...


Viktor Bout: Russian arms dealer known as the 'Merchant of Death' swapped for Brittney Griner | CNN

In my cartoon bubble, I’m choosing to imagine that at some point in the near future, he will wish he was back in American prison. I’m guessing mother Russia will not be gentle when they ask him what he told the Americans.

Probably won’t make a difference to her, but I’d also like to believe that the next time the national anthem plays, her ass will stand at attention instead of kneeling .

 

[AWP]

(smirk) I was worth 5 terrorists, not 1. - B.B.

 

[ThunderHorse]

Let's all rejoice...


Viktor Bout: Russian arms dealer known as the 'Merchant of Death' swapped for Brittney Griner | CNN

Hate because we should have left her blood money seeking ass to rot. She is not worth Viktor Bout...but whatever, clownshoes administration.

In my cartoon bubble, I’m choosing to imagine that at some point in the near future, he will wish he was back in American prison. I’m guessing mother Russia will not be gentle when they ask him what he told the Americans.

Probably won’t make a difference to her, but I’d also like to believe that the next time the national anthem plays, her ass will stand at attention instead of kneeling .

He'll either find a hospital window off the 15th floor or go right back to work. Doubt he told us much otherwise he wouldn't have been in prison.

 

[Marauder06]

Let's all rejoice...


Viktor Bout: Russian arms dealer known as the 'Merchant of Death' swapped for Brittney Griner | CNN

I'm glad she's home. I don't like our people being held by anyone, for any reason. See also: Bowe Bergdahl.

That said, two days ago we (US) dropped the Keshoggi thing. Now we're giving up the 'merchant of death" for a minor athlete. Seems kind of... unethical. But hey, good thing President Biden runs "the most ethical administration" we've ever seen.

The above snark notwithstanding, I think all governments are, and by rights ought to be, amoral and aethical (is that a word?) when it comes to international affairs. But I think we end up getting hosed in our attempts to bring our people home. It always seems very asymettrical, in that we give up a lot more than we receive. . See also: Bowe Berghdahl.

 

[Blizzard]

Fuck this woman. That is all.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1600913129747419136

 

[757]

In fairness, this is the first time anyone has been aware of a WNBA trade.

 

[Muppet]

Fuck that bitch. It's all about race and sexual orientation.

No doubt, this nonsense will reverberate for decades.

Are we even surprised by what this fucking government does?

 

[Ooh-Rah]

Fuck that bitch. It's all about race and sexual orientation.

No doubt, this nonsense will reverberate for decades.

Are we even surprised by what this fucking government does?

I wish you would stop suppressing how you really feel and let it all out!

 

[Marauder06]

Fuck this woman. That is all.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1600913129747419136

Wait, Paul Whelan wasn't part of the deal?? We let Viktor Bout go for... Brittney Griner? Jesus we suck at prisoner exchanges.

Well at least Whelan has his white privilege to keep him warm and fed in the gulag.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/08/politics/paul-whelan-cnn-interview-brittney-griner/index.html

 

[AWP]

In other news, Vice President Harris made a statement today: "No woman of color should ever go to jail for a minor drug possession charge. That's a black man's role in our society and I should know."