WNBA player Britney Griner arrested in Russia: updated: wokes expected sellout crowd, nope lol

even some center-left-leaning folks are uncomfortable with the swap

Britney Griner Freed in Prisoner Swap

https://www.outsidethebeltway.com/b...ampaign=britney-griner-freed-in-prisoner-swap

excerpt:

That Griner has finally been freed from her outrageous imprisonment is unalloyed good news. I do not, however, like the precedent of turning over an actual criminal in an even exchange. Doing so not only legitimates her treatment but incentivizes other regimes to do likewise.

As I noted in my previous post on this situation, “Russia’s Absurd Demands for Griner and Whalen Release,” Whelan isn’t a “retired” Marine; he’s a former Marine who was dishonorably discharged. Still, it’s odd that the Biden administration prioritized a basketball player who has been held since February over another citizen who has been held for four years.
​

more at the link

 

The most severe charge for drug possession and smuggling does not meet the same level of state scrutiny as espionage dude.

 

I’m not saying what she did was egregious, certainly not by our standards. I think she’s dumb, but I think any American going over there is dumb.

And you’re right about the last part, which makes it worse in my mind. America just allowed the cost of doing business increase substantially

 

Am I saying that? You keep putting words in my mouth and having an argument with yourself.
I’m saying you’re minimizing one charge and not the other.
I’ve used what each party was charged with

 

Do you know when Bout was sentenced and when he was going to be released?

Do you even ask these very basic questions that should influence any rational human on the "equity" of the trade?

Like what if Bout was going to be released in 2 years after serving 90% of his sentence? Is he as valuable in that situation as he would be if he was freshly sentenced and served like a few months of a 20 year sentence?

Do any of these things even cross your mind in terms of intellectual curiosity on this matter?

 

I'm not minimizing one charge. I'm telling you that a nation-state sees espionage as a far more severe crime than drug smuggling.

 

It doesn’t matter when, the severity of his crimes is far greater than any one person wrongfully imprisoned in Russia.
That is the bottom line.
There is no one for one trade I would have done.
This only strengthens Russias resolve to detain any American with “status” on trumped up charges. Because America will bend over and give the worst of the worst

 

No you’re not. You’re moving the goalposts of the conversation.
You said weed charge. That’s not what the charge was.
You minimized her smuggling narcotics charge while basically agreeing with the espionage charge

 

I think we are at the point where you aren't debating in good faith.

Yes her drug smuggling charge is a weed charge because that is what she smuggled.


And smuggling weed isn't as severe in the eyes of a nation than espionage and that has been my premise from the very beginning.

 

It absolutely matters. If Bout was naturally going to released tomorrow for example, you think he holds the same value in a prisoner swap?

Really?

Ask yourself I'd toy are starting away from sincere good faith conversation at this point.

 

No bud, you’ve been disingenuous this entire conversation.
That is not what you were doing.
So don’t try to change it up now.
Smuggling narcotics is a lot worse than weed possession, even if that’s what it was. The laws there are different. You can’t pick and choose which you think are more serious or not.
It’s even worse in Griners case because she lives there half the year.

 

Bout was set to be released in 7 years. That’s not a short term

 

I'm not picking and choosing what is more serious. I'm telling you what is more serious.

Drug smuggling in any form is less serious than espionage charges.

She was charged with smuggling vape cartridges. He was charged with carrying a USB thumb drive with state secrets.

If you seriously think both are equal in terms of what nation-states care about you either have left the realm of good faith discussion or you are that stupid.

 

Would the best option have been to just leave Griner and Whelan there to serve out their sentences since it looks like no fair swap is possible for either one?

they weren’t gonna take this arms dealer for Whelan, and Idk what higher caliber of Russian prisoner the United States has

 

U.S. citizens should have have enough warning now, and the State Department should publish official warnings/guidelines that U.S. citizens should not work/travel/visit the Russian Federation for any reason and if you do, you're on your own.

The U.S. looks weak dealing with these terrorists. We keep exchanging real criminals for what are essentially American hostages arrested and imprisoned on pretexts with a political end.

Don't go there, and if you do, that's on you.

 

Now we circle back. You’re too radicalized to have a serious conversation.

You have been disingenuous this entire conversation.
Both charges are BS, but one you minimized because it fits your political spectrum. You’re a sad individual

 

No, I’m glad Griner is home. I want all Americans home.
Doesn’t mean we as a country didn’t get bent over in negotiations.

 

Yes I'm too radicalized because I believe state governments are harsher towards those who are charged with espionage than those who are charged with smuggling drugs.

Explain the radical thought here.

 

I just have a feeling that the personal responsibility angle wouldn't have been so prevalent if this was an exchange for Whelan.

 

That’s not what you were doing or saying, until you were called out on it.
The fact you can’t see that or acknowledge that shows your radicalism.
There’s a reason I don’t come to this forum, because of you and your opposites on the other side. Angry people that want so bad to be right that you can’t even see how wrong you are.