[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]

Originally Posted by kenoc7

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]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Could a post be more political?

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

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

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]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

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]

Originally Posted by Regorp

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]

Originally Posted by kenoc7

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

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

Brittney Griner Russia drug case timeline - Prison, trial, release

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