Griner freed - marine left behind

[Rainger99]

Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in exchange for the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The exchange does not include retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Whelan has been in Russian custody for nearly four years.

[RedChariot]

Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in exchange for the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The exchange does not include retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Whelan has been in Russian custody for nearly four years.

Why her first? Shouldn't Paul Whelan be first to come home?

[Rainger99]

Why her first? Shouldn't Paul Whelan be first to come home?

Griner pleaded guilty and Whelan pleaded not guilty.

So we make a deal for the one who admitted she committed the crime and we don’t make a deal for the one who didn’t commit the crime.

[Keefelane66]

Retired USMarine was issued a bad conduct discharge relating to larceny.
Arrested on charges of espionage and convicted he carries American, Canadian. Irish and British Citizenship a real James Bond?

[JSR22]

I am happy she was released, and hope other American prisoners are released.

[Caymus]

Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in exchange for the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The exchange does not include retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Whelan has been in Russian custody for nearly four years.


Just had to trade "The Merchant of Death"

[tophcfa]

Hmmmm, so we traded a brutal arms dealer termed “the merchant of death” for someone who refused to respectfully stand for the national anthem. The anti gun crowd is cheering and celebrating that justice has been achieved, you just can’t make this stuff up. Now Russia knows exactly what strings need to be pulled to get other brutally horrible criminals released.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Retired USMarine was issued a bad conduct discharge relating to larceny.
Arrested on charges of espionage and convicted he carries American, Canadian. Irish and British Citizenship a real James Bond? I want to see him get out , but your right about him . I’ve thought for a long time that he’s the real deal and would take more to get him out.

[BrianL99]

Hmmmm, so we traded a brutal arms dealer termed “the merchant of death” for someone who refused to respectfully stand for the national anthem. The anti gun crowd is cheering and celebrating that justice has been achieved, you just can’t make this stuff up. Now Russia knows exactly what strings need to be pulled to get other brutally horrible criminals released.

Refused to stand for the Nation Anthem, is the least of her sins. She had a contract to play basketball in Russia, for at least the last 5-6 years and lived there for 6 months out of the year and got paid over $1,000,000/year. She was no "innocent American caught up in a Russian scam" .... she was as much a citizen of Russia, as she was of the USA.

[Kelevision]

Why her first? Shouldn't Paul Whelan be first to come home?

It wasn’t really her first since they freed Trevor Reed earlier this year and left both Griner and Whelan behind. The US offered this trade for both Griner and Whelan but Russia said not both, only Griner. Should we have said, no keep them both? I’m happy she’s out. As every single American should be.

[JSR22]

It wasn’t really her first since they freed Trevor Reed earlier this year and left both Griner and Whelan behind. The US offered this trade for both Griner and Whelan but Russia said not both, only Griner. Should we have said, no keep them both? I’m happy she’s out. As every single American should be.

agree. am very happy she s out and on the way home to her family.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I’m sure there are many TV residents that may have protested the war in Vietnam , maybe even a few that cheered when someone burned a flag during the protest. Would you be okay with one of those protesters being incarcerated in a penal colony for years for a minor crime .You want to criticize her for a expressing her feelings go ahead , but being ok with her spending years in a penal colony because of it is just wrong . You may not have liked her actions , but free speech and peaceful protests no matter how distasteful is one of the things I and many others fought for .

[Stu from NYC]

I’m sure there are many TV residents that may have protested the war in Vietnam , maybe even a few that cheered when someone burned a flag during the protest. Would you be okay with one of those protesters being incarcerated in a penal colony for years for a minor crime .You want to criticize her for a expressing her feelings go ahead , but being ok with her spending years in a penal colony because of it is just wrong . You may not have liked her actions , but free speech and peaceful protests no matter how distasteful is one of the things I and many others fought for .

I would agree with you but she did commit the crime she was accused of.

[Tvflguy]

Do not want to get “political” and end up in TOTV penalty box.

My only comment is grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Taltarzac725]

agree. am very happy she s out and on the way home to her family.

Me too. And I give her the benefit of the doubt about her packing her bag in a rush.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I would agree with you but she did commit the crime she was accused of.do you really think the punishment fits the crime??

[Taltarzac725]

I’m sure there are many TV residents that may have protested the war in Vietnam , maybe even a few that cheered when someone burned a flag during the protest. Would you be okay with one of those protesters being incarcerated in a penal colony for years for a minor crime .You want to criticize her for a expressing her feelings go ahead , but being ok with her spending years in a penal colony because of it is just wrong . You may not have liked her actions , but free speech and peaceful protests no matter how distasteful is one of the things I and many others fought for .

You have that right.

And I am not sure she had the intent to commit the crime but was a celebrity of sorts not paying close attention to her environment. Maybe her head was in her next basketball game.

[Caymus]

do you really think the punishment fits the crime??


It is not the US. They have their own laws.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Refused to stand for the Nation Anthem, is the least of her sins. She had a contract to play basketball in Russia, for at least the last 5-6 years and lived there for 6 months out of the year and got paid over $1,000,000/year. She was no "innocent American caught up in a Russian scam" .... she was as much a citizen of Russia, as she was of the USA. in case you haven’t noticed lots and lots of people live and work in different countries there still citizens of there own countries, I don’t know how whatever your higher power feels about it ,but pretty sure it’s not a sin .I’m also pretty sure that a person should get paid whatever her or his skill is whatever they or there employer think they are worth

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I would agree with you but she did commit the crime she was accused of.yes she did , but do you really think the punishment fits the crime , or is this just people wanted her punished for her PEACEFUL PROTEST ,I’m headed for gym now I don’t think I’ll revisit this thread because I’m quite sure over the next few hours it’s sure to go way down hill lol

[tophcfa]

She had a contract to play basketball in Russia, for at least the last 5-6 years and lived there for 6 months out of the year and got paid over $1,000,000/year.

She claimed she had to play in Russia because she couldn’t make enough money playing in the USA. Perhaps if she stood respectfully for the national anthem more fans would be willing to watch her play, generating more revenue and higher salaries for the players? Wonder if she’ll stand for the anthem now that our country bailed her out for breaking the law in Russia?

[manaboutown]

You have that right.

And I am not sure she had the intent to commit the crime but was a celebrity of sorts not paying close attention to her environment. Maybe her head was in her next basketball game.

She had the intent. Every druggie keeps track of his/her stash!

I wonder if she picked up some Russian prison tattoos on her short stay.

[Bogie Shooter]

You have that right.

And I am not sure she had the intent to commit the crime but was a celebrity of sorts not paying close attention to her environment. Maybe her head was in her next basketball game.

Did you really mean to say “she had the intent”?

[Caymus]

The movie "Lord of War" based on "Mr" Bout was made in 2005. If even included Bridget Moynahan (a Tom Brady ex).

https://screenrant.com/lord-war-movie-true-story-viktor-bout/

[BrianL99]

I’m sure there are many TV residents that may have protested the war in Vietnam , maybe even a few that cheered when someone burned a flag during the protest. Would you be okay with one of those protesters being incarcerated in a penal colony for years for a minor crime .You want to criticize her for a expressing her feelings go ahead , but being ok with her spending years in a penal colony because of it is just wrong . You may not have liked her actions , but free speech and peaceful protests no matter how distasteful is one of the things I and many others fought for .

You apparently have missed the reason she was in prison. She didn't protest or believe she had the "right of free speech" in Russia, she was carrying DRUGS into the county. That's not a "minor crime" in Russia, as it should be in the USA, it's a MAJOR crime.

She got the right to protest and avail herself of all the rights and liberties she's entitled to in the USA, she has no right to break Russian laws and it shouldn't have been any concern of the U.S. Government, how Russia exercises it's sovereign right to enforce its laws and impose whatever sentence they deem appropriate.

[dtennent]

Having traveled internationally quite a bit, I learned very early that every country has its own laws and customs. As a result, I walked the straight and narrow in everything I did - what I packed, how much I drank, not jay walking, etc.

I remember many years ago I had a bad cold in the Netherlands. Went into a pharmacy and asked for Sudafed. The horrified clerk looked at me and told me it was a dangerous drug. (This was when you could still buy it off the shelf in the US.) Added that to the list of things I didn’t pack.

[BrianL99]

She claimed she had to play in Russia because she couldn’t make enough money playing in the USA. Perhaps if she stood respectfully for the national anthem more fans would be willing to watch her play, generating more revenue and higher salaries for the players? Wonder if she’ll stand for the anthem now that our country bailed her out for breaking the law in Russia?

Yeah, she had trouble earned enough money, playing in the USA.

She has a (3) year deal with the Phoenix Mercury, for $200,000/year.

She has a deal with Nike Sports, that pays her $1,000,000/year.

It's tough to get by on $1,200,000/year.

10 years ago, she was getting paid $600,000/year to play in China.

The woman is at the gates of poverty.

[Stu from NYC]

yes she did , but do you really think the punishment fits the crime , or is this just people wanted her punished for her PEACEFUL PROTEST ,I’m headed for gym now I don’t think I’ll revisit this thread because I’m quite sure over the next few hours it’s sure to go way down hill lol

The punishment was harsh but than again when one travels into a country such as Russia one should be very careful what you pack.

[bob47]

I am happy she was released, and hope other American prisoners are released.

I'm not happy she was released. Because of her careless, self-serving behavior, she put our country in a ridiculous negotiating position. She owes the country big time.

[Tvflguy]

Not good. As usual we play right into the enemy’s hands.

Russia picks up her a week or so before the Ukraine invasion Trumped up charges or not. We have a world class really bad arms dealer from Russia in our system. So with all the woke pressure our admin makes the deal for a trade. And btw what else was given to Putin and Co?

So she comes back home and Russia gets their Kingpin Arms Dealer back there. Perfect timing for obtaining more horrible weapons to counterattack ours in Ukraine. More Ukrainians die and the war goes on snd we continue the nonstop treasury-draining in our poor country.

And Russia will pick up yet another innocent to use as a bargaining chip in the future.

[I'm Popeye!]

How this towering pothead can pay America back: 3 years of active duty in the United States military, branch selection of her choice. :police:

[mtdjed]

Me too. And I give her the benefit of the doubt about her packing her bag in a rush.

The punishment was harsh but than again when one travels into a country such as Russia one should be very careful what you pack.

Quite frankly, there are likely many persons throughout the world incarcerated because they chose to defy a law in a country they are/were visiting. I have a hard time sympathizing with any of them. There should be no expectation that our government should bail them out. Trading prisoners is participating in blackmail and will ultimately encourage more of the same. It takes a civil infraction and turns it into a government issue. How many of our tax dollars were used on this deal? Probably paying for her trip home. Perhaps the government should bill her for their costs like a private lawyer would.

[Blackbird45]

Who was left behind and who wasn't and why at this point doesn't matter. What this government should do today is put out a list of countries Americans should not visit and if they do, they're on their own. Just off the top of my head I would put on the list places like Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

[Kelevision]

How this towering pothead can pay America back: 3 years of active duty in the United States military, branch selection of her choice. :police:
:ohdear:

[Kelevision]

:ohdear:

The Marine was left behind…….
Obviously, nobody wants anyone to be in a Russian prison. Paul Whelan is an interesting situation… he was arrested on espionage charges. That’s a huge deal. Yes, he’s a former American Marine but he was born in Canada and has citizenship in Canada, Britain, Ireland and the USA.

[Dan2020]

Family of Marine veteran Paul Whelan backs Griner prisoner swap (https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/veterans/2022/12/08/family-of-marine-veteran-paul-whelan-backs-griner-prisoner-swap/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=marine-dnr)

[Worldseries27]

retired usmarine was issued a bad conduct discharge relating to larceny.
Arrested on charges of espionage and convicted he carries american, canadian. Irish and british citizenship a real james bond?
surely the cia would not use a discredited american to participate in an american spy operation in russia? Who would believe it? They should make a tv series

[RiderOnTheStorm]

I recall that Griner was very much anti-American before she discovered that she was not above Russian laws while in Russia. Nonetheless the State Department went to extraordinary measures, including passing on a detained US Marine, to spring her from her 9 year prison sentence. I hope that she kisses the (US) ground upon her return and begins saluting our flag prior to WNBA games, but probably not.

[Cobullymom]

Griner pleaded guilty and Whelan pleaded not guilty.

So we make a deal for the one who admitted she committed the crime and we don’t make a deal for the one who didn’t commit the crime.
The anti American comes home first, the patriot gets left again after almost 4 years. And more excuses. It's infuriating.

[Byte1]

Hmm, wonder if her being black and a lesbian had anything to do with her getting preferential treatment by our leaders. Seems like we could have gotten a better deal for someone that Russia wanted so bad. Since we don't know exactly what went on during negotiations behind closed doors, I doubt we will ever know the actual facts.

[kenoc7]

Griner pleaded guilty and Whelan pleaded not guilty.

So we make a deal for the one who admitted she committed the crime and we don’t make a deal for the one who didn’t commit the crime.

The facts - Griner was arrested by Russian officials in an airport near Moscow on February 17, 2022, for drug smuggling after they allegedly found less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner had a prescription for medical marijuana from her doctor,

[Caymus]

The facts - Griner was arrested by Russian officials in an airport near Moscow on February 17, 2022, for drug smuggling after they allegedly found less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner had a prescription for medical marijuana from her doctor,

Another fact. She violated the laws of Russia.

[Catalina36]

The drug smuggling WNBA player should have been in the Russian prison for at least 4 years just like our U.S. Marine Veteran.
The Biden Administration did not negotiate hard enough.!! The drug smuggling WNBA player should have spent more time in prison to learn her lesson. Now she will come home and probably get interviews on TV shows and write books about her experience making hundreds and millions of dollars while our U.S. Marine Veteran is still in prison for 4 years. REALLY?????

[George Page]

A sign of the times……..
A female black lesbian given preference over a white male veteran.

[me4vt]

Welcome to the New America! Get out and VOTE🇺🇸

[me4vt]

🧐 🥜

[me4vt]

Do you think🧐

[tvbound]

I, just as Whelan's sister/family, am happy that Russia released Griner. I can't help but wonder, given that Whelan was arrested in 2018, why there isn't the same outrage on the impotence of us being unable to get Whelan released - from the time he was arrested? I also wonder, how much outrage now is primarily precipitated on her being a gay, black woman, playing a sport that many denigrate? The Russians made it absolutely clear, that it wasn't a choice of which American was to be traded, it was a choice of Griner - or no one. Why can't "we," as Americans first, be happy that at least we got one of our own back? Never mind, I think the answer to that is pretty obvious.

Here's hoping that we can figure out a way soon, to get the other American (and British/Canadian/Irish) citizen...released also.

[44Apple]

No one is going anywhere unless Putin says so. Case closed.

[NoMo50]

The facts - Griner was arrested by Russian officials in an airport near Moscow on February 17, 2022, for drug smuggling after they allegedly found less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner had a prescription for medical marijuana from her doctor,

Ahh, those pesky facts. Yet, you cannot conflate U.S. laws with Russian laws. The fact that she had a prescription for her drugs in the U.S. means nothing under Russian law. The real facts are: she broke Russian law. She got caught. She was tried, convicted and sentenced in the Russian system. Then, she got used as a pawn in a much larger game.

[NoMo50]

This story is horrible on many levels. Griner is an insignificant nitwit, and what does or does not happen to her will not impact very many folks. Viktor Bout, on the other hand, is an international bogeyman who should have remained behind bars forever. Without a doubt, there are people somewhere on this planet who are going to die as a result of him being back in the wind. Whose hands will their blood be on?

[tvbound]

Could a post be more political?

That question is fully answered - in posts after yours. lol

[coconutmama]

He's not a Marine. He was a DISHONORORABLY charged Marine, as of 15 years ago. So you can't even call him a veteran. He was a persona non grata.

Funny how no one made this much of a fuss when the previous administration released 5000 Taliban members, and then invited their leader to Camp David.

Thanks for your post. How quickly people forget the whole story

[sarvbill]

She claimed she had to play in Russia because she couldn’t make enough money playing in the USA. Perhaps if she stood respectfully for the national anthem more fans would be willing to watch her play, generating more revenue and higher salaries for the players? Wonder if she’ll stand for the anthem now that our country bailed her out for breaking the law in Russia?

So, how many of you that complain about people not standing for the national anthem actually stand for it in the privacy of your own home when no one is watching?? I served 25 years in the Army and respect everyone's decision on how they show their patriotism.
And yes, I do stand for the national anthem in the privacy of my own home.

[bimmertl]

Shows who means more to our government-an overpaid athlete who uses drugs rather than an American hero. So sad! Soon the arms dealer will return to sell to people who may attack us. Ouch!!

"American hero'"? Whelan was demoted to private and received a bad conduct discharge from the Marines for larceny. Lucky he faced military justice versus US criminal justice or he'd be in jail.

Doubt many Marines would refer to him as a "Marine". I'm sure with a bad conduct discharge he's barely hirable anywhere.

Call him what you want, but calling this clown a hero is absurd.

[JMintzer]

The facts - Griner was arrested by Russian officials in an airport near Moscow on February 17, 2022, for drug smuggling after they allegedly found less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner had a prescription for medical marijuana from her doctor,

Which is not the same as the hashish oil she had in a vape pen...

[forebubba]

Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in exchange for the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The exchange does not include retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Whelan has been in Russian custody for nearly four years.

Ask Putin why he refused. Paul Whelan's brother understands the situation. Watch the interview he gave yesterday....you wont find it on fox news

[Number 10 GI]

A very dangerous and evil man has been released from well deserved imprisonment that will allow him to inflict further injury and death on innocent people. Not a good exchange at all. Shameful! There is no intelligent and reasonable excuse for it.

[me4vt]

He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1994.[7] He took military leave from Kelly Services to serve with the Marine Corps Reserve from 2003 to 2008, including service in Iraq. He held the rank of staff sergeant with Marine Air Control Group 38 working as an administrative clerk and administrative chief, and he was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.[8] After a court-martial conviction in January 2008 on multiple counts "related to larceny", he was sentenced to 60 days restriction, reduction to pay grade E-4, and a bad conduct discharge.[9][10] The specific charges against him included "attempted larceny, three specifications of dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, wrongfully using another’s social security number, and ten specifications of making and uttering checks without having sufficient funds in his account for payment."[11]

[Taltarzac725]

Which is not the same as the hashish oil she had in a vape pen...

Brittney Griner Russia drug case timeline - Prison, trial, release (https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34877115/brittney-griner-russia-drug-case-line-prison-trial-more)

I have met various Villages who take this oil. It is MJ oil and you can find it at Publix the last I looked. On a twirling stand. They have it for many uses.

Cbdmedic Massage Therapy Pain Relief Oil Deep Absorbing Oil | Publix Super Markets (https://www.publix.com/pd/cbdmedic-massage-therapy-pain-relief-oil-deep-absorbing-oil/RIO-PCI-583701)

[RatattacK79]

Griner pleaded guilty and Whelan pleaded not guilty.

So we make a deal for the one who admitted she committed the crime and we don’t make a deal for the one who didn’t commit the crime.

I hope you are being cynical…’

[tophcfa]

A very dangerous and evil man has been released from well deserved imprisonment that will allow him to inflict further injury and death on innocent people. Not a good exchange at all. Shameful! There is no intelligent and reasonable excuse for it.

And what kind of message does this send to the brave people who risked their lives to capture the scumbag, only to watch him get let free.

[Stu from NYC]

And what kind of message does this send to the brave people who risked their lives to capture the scumbag, only to watch him get let free.

Very true