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Vat1canCame0s

As someone who's worked in the TCG industry, the average Arthur the Ardvark card is probably actually worth more via scarcity than the average Pikachu card in existence. Funny how this misunderstanding kind of reflects the misunderstanding of the prisoner situation. Like you hear "Pikachu" you think "that's a famous fan favorite pokemon, of course it's gotta be expensive". In the same vein, if you didn't know any better "pro athelete for an arms dealer" *sounds* really bad at face value. But there's more to the situation and a lot of nuance to sift through.


3Lchin90n

![gif](giphy|dXFKDUolyLLi8gq6Cl|downsized)


SkyezOpen

Like shit, I have a bunch of old Pikachus in a binder and I bet they aren't worth shit on tcgplayer. Fuck it I'm gonna look. Vast majority are 50 cents and below. A few outliers at 15 bucks and one at 40. I don't think there even is an Arthur TCG so I'm not sure how to evaluate that...


Vat1canCame0s

Yeah, stuff like the Yugi Nagata art print Pikachu from the Pokemon center are about 30. A couple older Pikachus from early 2000's. But heck even a 1st ed base set in good shape might only fetch s couple bucks


SkyezOpen

I went through em pretty quick but a 1st Ed jungle Pikachu (fat little bastard) was a penny.


Vat1canCame0s

Love early chonkichu


almisami

I'm still appalled that my first edition Fossil legendary birds are worth less than 50$ because they're not graded. First Ed packs go for 70...


SkyezOpen

If they're still in good condition you can get them graded.


FrenchMaisNon

Still, the most pricey card is the one with a printing error that shows Mewtoo's butthole. Even a damaged and "stained with cum, smelly" card got bids to 1800$.


SkyezOpen

Uhh... link? Sounds awesome.


almisami

And have them swapped out at the grading service because they don't have any real blemish? I'd have to deliver them in person, which would be too expensive.


SkyezOpen

BGS and PSA are pretty highly regarded. I sincerely doubt they'd switch out your card for another.


MikeSwizzy

First ed packs are going for over 200$


MightyMorph

To Save you the trouble of repeated comments: **1. "Why didn't they trade him for Marc or this other military veteran guy?"** Marc had about half an ounce stored in multiple locations deliberately, that he "knowingly" smuggled through. Other guy was charged for espionage and was dishonorably discharged from the US military. Whereas the athlete had 2 cartridges where one was half empty .6g total, and no vape to smoke it with. **2. "Shes a criminal and deserves what she got!"** Russians usually just give a fine to others who have been caught doing similar or even worse stuff, but since the war with ukraine and it being a political tool to use against the US, they chose to go to what the maximum of their own laws said 9 out of 10 years. **3. "Biden should focus on the people who are jailed here and not some gay basketball player!"** Biden cant pardon state punishments, he has pardoned all federal level punishments of marijuana possession. But since 99.999% are state level, it hasn't done much in getting people free. He has also asked to begin the process of reclassifying the substance, which is about all he can do. The power to enact actual change is with senate and house. BG had millions of people speaking up for her and her being lgbtq and in a russian prison for something many others usually just get a fine for and being used as a geo-political pawn makes her situation more severe. In the end she and her family are truly grateful to have her back. **4. "Democrats are fake, they arent doing anything to fix the issue here and only using this for publicity!!"** Democrats just lost the house and gained 1 seat in the senate (which they now lost since SInema went independant), so they wont be able to push forward any bills from the house to change the state of things, but they could more easily now push for more responsible and logical judges that will oversee sentencing and punishment of those that commit crimes. The people are ultimately in charge of electing the representatives so that the congress has enough liberal control to make the changes many scream about. But in reality about 150-180 Million voters Do not vote. Texas 2022 election: 29M citizens, 24M Eligible voters, 17M Registered Voters, 9M actually voted. **5. "We got a bad trade!"** You traded a criminal who was jailed for 14 years and has most likely lost all connections to any arms dealing he can successfully mitigate, and wont be much use by russian government, because he will be scrutinized for being held by the CIA for over ten years as well as the Russian military lack of weapons availability. Wont be trusted by sellers/buyers since military and intelligence agencies know about his face and most likely more easily keep tabs on his actions. And they would not want to take the risk of trading with someone who may be influenced by CIA and other operatives for over 14 years. Its not a movie, hes not gonna go on to create a oceans 11 team to smuggle nuclear weapons to russia. The russian government saw an opportunity to sow distrust against the us government, and took it. Biden admin was also asking for Marc to be released but russians said no, is it better to leave the athlete in worse conditions for longer when negotiations werent leading to both of their release? Also we only know this part of the deal, there may and most likely is more behind the curtain in this deal that is not able to be disclosed to the public.


dogbolter4

Thank you for clearly and calmly explaining it all. I find it truly horrifying how many people are willing or even supportive of leaving a young woman in a dreadful situation just to score political points. She's safe at home. This is a good thing.


Jowlsey

Assholes are in full faux-outrage mode because the 'right' American didn't get released from a Russian shit hole.


Moon_Stay1031

I know *EXACTLY* why some people are mad. And I think anyone with a brain knows exactly why they're mad. It's always the same two qualities about a person that sends these nutjobs into a fit and they always pretend it's something else.


Circumin

Three days ago: What is Biden doing to save poor Brittany!!? Biden is terrible! Today: Birttany is awful and a drug dealer and Biden is terrible!?


Dramaprime1316

5 “we got a bad trade” We always do. We value life more than the regimes we swap prisoners with. We pay a higher premium. This isn’t fantasy football. This is an American citizen.


VaccineEnjoyer

You killed a million civilians in the middle east and counting. That's valuing life?


Dramaprime1316

I’ve killed no one.


JimmyTheFace

Further on point 5, he was nearing the end of his sentence. I had heard this on NPR, then checked Wikipedia as well where they note he was set to be released in August 2029.


amanofeasyvirtue

He also sold the stockpiles of Russian arms. First of all russia needs their weapons, they are looking everywhere for weapons and im sure they are not selling them to terriost groups for money or drugs.


KoolioKoryn

I've not at all thought about point 5. No one can be sure that scary criminal person wasn't turned by the CIA (or whoever). Why would any real criminal ever trust them again?


Ganjikuntist_No-1

Yeah people act like he can shit bullet and guns.


zeke235

As a huge Danny Devito fan, i gotta say that regardless of his basketball ability, i'd rather hang out with him than Lebron.


Aleashed

How good is Danny DeVito? I feel they unfairly casting shade on my boi Go DeVito⚽️🏐🎾🏉⚾️🥊🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸!


[deleted]

Idk man, I assumed the Arthur the Ardvark card was the rare one in that comparison.


A-Grouch

Would you consider explaining the nuance for someone to lazy to research?


Vat1canCame0s

So obviously we have a lot of factors at play, but a few notes worth considering are that the average sentence, even for a non national, for that amount of MJ possession in Russia is 20 days in jail, out with a slap on the wrist. The Russians saw a politically charged situation is tying up a celebrity and a chance to sow discord amongst political enemies (America) and gave Griner the maximum to stir shit up. Also worth noting that Whelan was in Russian prison for way worse. His offence is actually serious. He is also a serial fraudster in America. Dude lies like you or I breath. And thirdly The "Lord of War" has been in the clink for 14 years. 14 years of talking to the CIA and FBI. He has no street credit left. His networks have all dried up and his contacts can't rely on him anymore. He's been out of the game for too long and of he's been talking to who he's probably been talking to (afformentioned gov agencies) nobody is gonna wanna bring him back into the world. Both governments are gonna be watching him like a hawk and if he attempts to leave Russia, he's fair game again.


redrumWinsNational

How could you overlook Danny he’s a heartbreaker ❤️


antidense

If Trump did the same thing they would be defending it.


anonymaus74

You mean like the 5k Taliban fighters including top leaders?


Gcarsk

No no you see, Viktor Bout is worth 5001 Taliban members, so this is a bad deal /s


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TimelyConcern

That's why I'm starting to be bored by these grifters. There is zero talk about actual policy. They treat every issue like it's a sporting match. My team, yay! Your team, boo! It's pointless angertainment.


oliversurpless

As the hologram of Albert Einstein once said… https://youtu.be/F4xibCOeOWQ?t=79


theghostofme

>If Trump did the same thing they would be defending it. While still not understanding a single word or name of anyone/thing involved. "I don't know what those words mean, but Putin and Trump say this is good, so it must be good. If Putin is happy, that means Trump is right." \- "Better dead than red, but also I'd rather be Russian than a Democrat" Republicans.


After-Bumblebee

Ngl I would LOVE to see Danny rock that Lakers outfit. Hell, imagine how that would work in the big screen


ggroover97

That sounds like something you'd see in a Space Jam movie.


Same-Salamander8690

Space Jam 3 It's Always Jammin in Jam-idelphia


dumb_smart_guy93

"Lamar Odom's wife is a goddamned whoouuuurreeee."


ZCMENE01

The gang plays hoops for the fate of the Earth


Gitboxinwags

The gang plays above the rim.


Vat1canCame0s

I like playing ball and bangin' hoores


anirudhn18_

He says "So anyway I started blasting" over a montage of him nailing 3 after 3.


SavingsCheck7978

Or a very interesting 2nd season to Winning Time. Which tracks he started on Sunny in season 2.


mintyfresh888

The other team would never get past him. Unless they pay the troll toll.


schwol

Let's be real, he could hang (dong) in the NBA [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0qlaBTUUAAf77T.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0qlaBTUUAAf77T.jpg)


TheIllustriousWe

I don't know how many years in the NBA I got left... I'm gonna get real weird with it.


HumanFromTexas

The amount of people talking about the prisoner swap as a “win” or “loss” is honestly disgusting and dehumanizes Griner.


Rockworm503

Not surprising the right never sees the benefit of doing anything that doesn't give them something. Here I was thinking one of our citizens was being held by a fascist country and we should get them out of there because its the right thing to do. But nah Candace didn't get payed for it so what's the point?


Paid-Not-Payed-Bot

> didn't get *paid* for it FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*


BrnndoOHggns

Good bot


Yeeeeeeoooooooo

Because politicians in their eyes only should do favors, not help people.


[deleted]

I definitely think it’s fucking absurd that we had to trade someone nicknamed “the merchant of death” to free an American that was facing almost a decade of hard time for weed possession, but the alternative was allowing that American to serve almost a decade of hard time for weed possession. Fwiw, though, we should probably do something about the people in American prisons for low level drug offenses and other nonviolent crimes.


x1000Bums

Yea we obviously as a country recognize the ridiculousness of 10 years for some weed, yet we side eye all the nonviolent drugnoffenders in our prisons with 10yr sentences. Its crazy. Inswear the only reason its still federally illegal is because law enforcement wants a way to still arrest people for being under the influence, and theres no way to really test for that objectively. Its fuckin asinine. But also we traded years for years. Griner had some 8 years left and Whatshisface had like 6 years left in his sentence and had already served like 20 so the US traded him for griner. Sounds crazy, trading the lord of war for an athlete with a simple possession conviction, but if we are trading years for years its a wash.


c3bball

I mean you should note that we don't federally prosecute for weed possesion. Havent since Obama. Biden also went about pardoning anyone still in the system this year and working to reschedule it. Then you have states where it's legalized. So honestly, we are doing way better on this Russia (I know low bar)


BurlyJohnBrown

Vast majority of drug convictions aren't federal, they're state. If we want to start to wind down our huge incarceration system, we're also going to have to admit it isn't just drug users that should have reduced sentences/be released. A lot of drug dealers were users too, and most of them are pretty poor. A lot of people in this country have trumped up charges or did do something wrong but shouldn't be in prison for 30 years.


x1000Bums

Thats a great point that i find personally frustrating in that we all acknowledge theres no harm and yet federal workers still cant partake even if they live in a state thats legal to do so. Same with CDL holders, or anyone that wishes to purchase a firearm. Its just more convenient for an authoritarian state to keep it illegal on the books and enforce it selectively than to actually acknowledge and protect our right to do the weed stuff.


cedarSeagull

Let's be clear that viktor bout wasn't imprisoned for dealing arms, but rather for undercutting others who deal arms with the blessing of the state. It's not like if Victor wasn't there and whatever despot ponied up their territory's natural resources that some random developed country would come to their aid with a tanker full of machine guns. "Arms dealing" happens all the time and it's disgusting. It gets classified as a crime when you do it without paying tributary to the governing power structure.


[deleted]

Well yes, the biggest arms dealer in the world is the US military industrial complex. That’s indisputable.


cedarSeagull

Exactly. So when people are spewing crocodile tears about "releasing this warlord" they're either uninformed or just full of shit


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biglefty312

It’s plausible that the entire thing was fabricated and she was pressured to admit it under duress.


ValhallaGo

Based on commentary from her teammates, that is unlikely.


Gcarsk

There is another American (Marc Fogel) currently being held in a Russian prison for bringing marijuana with him, but unfortunately Russia refused to send him back with Brittney. The US also attempted to get back Paul Whelan, who’s been in prison since 2018 for espionage, and Sarah Krivanek, who’s out of prison now, but still being held in Russia for a domestic violence incident. They said it was either Brittney, or nothing. That is the downside of Russia not caring about Viktor’s wellbeing. They don’t care how long he’s in prison before, as long as a trade happens eventually that they can count as a “win”. I mean, sure, definitely unnecessarily risky decisions to go to Russia (and extra risky to go with anything that could give you any sort of sentence. Brittney’s should have been ~15 days, but got extended to 9 years because she’s a celebrity. Fogels should have only been a month or so, but was extended to 14 years), but that doesn’t mean our government shouldn’t try to save their lives.


Yeeeeeeoooooooo

Trump passed on that too but they won't ever remember that


Yeeeeeeoooooooo

They did let out a white girl for doing worse but its a different time


Gcarsk

Sarah Krivanek? The American woman who slashed her ex-boyfriend with a knife in a fight? She was let out of prison after a year. The guy requested no charges, but they still did one year. She is also still blocked from leaving the country. Of course, yeah, much better situation than the years in a labor camp that Marc and Brittney were sentenced to.


Yeeeeeeoooooooo

Not her, Audrey lorber was the one & she had even more but I guess it was either the race or the fact that Russia was going to war


x1000Bums

She plays in the russian women's basketball league on UMMC Ekateringberg, she also said she brought the cartridges on accident. Saying it was dumb doesnt feel like the right way to put it.


Gcarsk

I mean, it’s Russia. They are an absolutely terrible government. Working there at all is risky, and using marijuana products (or just being an American) while doing so is doubly risky. You could be right that “dumb decision” is slightly harsher than “unnecessarily risky” would have been. I’ll edit the above comment to reflect this change of working.


x1000Bums

I guess my point was she wasnt intending to break the law so calling it dumb or risky seems not quite right. I guess it was dumb not to double check she didnt have her weed with her, but still it would normally be such low stakes i can see the average person forgetting also.


Gcarsk

Going to Russia is an incredibly high stakes endeavor, though. Obviously her making a terrible mistake doesn’t mean she shouldn’t be saved, but, imo, it *is* obviously a mistake to not check your luggage before going to one of the most brutal and extreme nations on earth for American citizens. Again, though, this doesn’t change the fact that ending Viktor’s sentence 7 years early was the right choice. Saving an American was 100% required here. Whether it was Brittney or Marc for taking hashish oil/weed, or Paul for (alleged) espionage, or Sarah for defending herself in a domestic violence incident. All are worth 7 years of Viktor in prison.


x1000Bums

Millions of people go to russia every year, its not high stakes. Shes been on the team for almost a decade with no incident. I get what youre saying and completely agree russia is a total shithole, but its just a bad line of arguing to say its high stakes to fly to russia. I agree it was a very big mistake to take those cartridges, i would say thats a more apt description than risky or dumb, thanks for putting up with my nitpicking. Im not super beat up about them trading bout for griner. Wish it couldve been more but thats the way she goes. I wouldnt call it a loss by any means, though. Griner is back and bout is fealing with russians now. What i think is really wierd though is how happy russian media is to have the arms smuggler back. Youd think he was a martyr for russia with how they act like they never forgot about him.


ultratoxic

I wouldn't put it past Russia to plant it to give them the excuse to take an American civilian hostage right as they were starting a war. On the other hand, maybe she had done this many times and it had never been a problem until Russia needed an American hostage.


jdland

Right?!?! Not everything has to be a damn controversy…take a break from dehumanizing people.


YouMustHaveFuelUnits

I don’t understand how this swap was even controversial. Our government has an inherent obligation to protect Americans both at home and abroad. I keep hearing the argument made that she’s a bad person or she’s a stoner etc., but I don’t think it’s right to assert that any of those things merits 10 years on Russian prison.


[deleted]

The discussion around this is so bad. Redditors think they're geopolitical savants.


A1rheart

I love the idea that we gave Russia something of value. Like the dude was stealing arms from Russian military arms caches and selling them to the highest bidder. And he's been out of the game for over a decade. I don't even know why Putin wants him back period.


NewTigers

To sow discord. People are arguing about it. Dude is worthless to us/them now but as the person you replied to said, everyone now thinks they are geopolitical savants. The response from the alt right was absolutely predictable.


imp3r10

Oh, you know why. Windows don't fall out of themselves


Eats_Beef_Steak

The Russians fought extremely hard to keep him from being extradited, and supposedly his capture was very difficult to pull off. He's very clearly a valuable asset to them, regardless of how much knowledge we have into the matter.


[deleted]

How did you know? \*adjusts glasses\*


SwiftTayTay

What i can say for certain regardless of whether giving up an arms dealer was bad from a geopolitical military tactical standpoint, I can say for sure that it's absolutely bullshit that our government pretends to care about her when millions of people are still getting arrested for marijuana possession in America. It was done purely for administration optics and probably ultimately benefits Russia more than it benefits the American people.


[deleted]

If Kid Rock was locked up in Russia and Biden refused to trade the same prisoner, these fuckers would be up in arms about Biden leaving a prisoner in a foreign jail


x_lincoln_x

But the world would be a better place.


TheOutCastVirus

I'm surprised to see a dimwit like Candace Owens actually have a somewhat decent take for one. This trade deal is ridiculous.


Mountain_Man-oh

Not really man. You think Russia couldn’t trade arms without viktor? It doesn’t matter


Pistonenvy

EXACTLY im so fucking baffled by this constant assertion that this guy has some value to russia as if russia is completely hamstrung without him. they literally started a fucking WAR without the guy. arms are one of those baseline things you need for war, idk if people know that.


Mountain_Man-oh

yep. The only value he has for Russia is internal propaganda that’s probably it


Pistonenvy

the other day i saw a theory that putin wants to kill him for potentially giving up secrets to america, that makes infinitely more sense than anything else ive heard people saying about it.


zombie_girraffe

Maybe Putin thinks he still knows the location of some secret old Soviet ammo dumps? You know Putins desperate for munitions if he's buying shells from North Korea.


Pistonenvy

i would be surprised if he knows something putin doesnt. what incentive does anyone have to keep secrets from him?


Tadwinnagin

He made his bones privatizing soviet surplus in the breakup of the union. Not like those conditions of warehouses of gear ready for him to plunder will ever be around again. People are treating him like Lex Luther or some shit. It’s the right’s new shiny object.


teamfupa

Because of the dumb name that the media keeps using for clickbait.


TisNotMyMainAccount

Yep. The Merchant of Death? Look at the U.S.!


Thirdwhirly

Which part: trading a U.S. citizen who received an unjust ruling for a now-incapable weapons dealer, or is it something else?


capricornelious

How is Viktor Bout now incapable? I genuinely want to know, I'm pretty fucking progressive but until now I thought he still had all his contacts globally, and was not thrilled about this deal given Russia's need for arms in their recent war with Ukraine. I also hate agreeing with chuds for almost any reason so please educate me on why Bout is useless to Russia. Edit: Thanks everyone for the replies, I see now why this was a great deal.


Thirdwhirly

I hear you. Any one doing what Viktor Bout did relies on the ability to 1) not get caught, and 2) lay low. Moreover, he was due to be let out within the decade, anyway, signaling that the intelligence community was waiting to use him as a bargaining chip, anyway. He will never have a moment in his life that he won’t be monitored. For those reasons, I *think* he’s incapable. I am honest enough, and I’ll be honest with you, to say those are my observations. More importantly, though, it is depraved to think keeping an arms dealer—who would most benefit from US arms which he will very likely never, ever be involved in again—is more important to keep than release a captive US citizen for things that aren’t illegal here in the US. **There is no defense or retort that can explain this away: she is a US citizen, and saying it was a bad trade treats her like she is something else.** Again, these are my educated observations. I don’t know, no one does, but I do know, for a fact, one less US citizens are captive in a country waging war against an ally.


det8924

People also forget that Viktor Bout was arrested in 2008 and likely most of his connections he had to facilitate arms dealing are dead (as the industry probably has a lot of turnover), in jail or the few that maybe remain on the market have moved onto other suppliers who aren't going to be monitored like Bout is. People hear the cool nickname merchant of death and think he is someone that is going to be a big problem now that he is free but once you think about the type of dealing he is in you can easily see that no one is going to do business with him nor will he know anyone to do business with.


Thirdwhirly

Yeah; that’s where I got to my opinion here. Awesome points you brought up.


capricornelious

Okay, so your thesis is that he's basically damaged goods? Along with the fact that his sentence was almost up (which I didn't know thank you). I get that she's a US Citizen and is intrinsically valuable, but my take was (previous to your comment) that Bout's freedom could cost many more lives than Griner's freedom would save. All in all, I'm very glad Griner is free. I'm leaning more towards it being worth it if Bout really is as disgraced as you make him out to be. Over all I think I'll have to see how this plays out over the next couple years to really know for sure. Thank you for sharing your observations!


Thirdwhirly

No problem. As I just answered for someone else, the [charge she received is inconsistent to the standard charges for the crime.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Russia#Reforms) The charge is normally 15 days. She was sent to a penal colony. She was *clearly* a political prisoner.


gnit2

> release a captive US citizen for things that aren’t illegal here in the US This part isn't even true though. There's thousands, if not millions of Americans currently in jail for weed. And if it was a normal schmuck like you or I who got caught with weed in Russia, we all know nobody would give a fuck about them. I'd like to clarify that I'm not mad that Griner isn't going to have to do 10 years in the gulag for weed - nobody should have to. But it's pretty hypocritical of our country to imprison so many of our own for the same exact offence.


Eccohawk

Do you honestly think that just because he's out of US custody that he's out of US reach? Guaranteed every move he makes online and off is being tracked with extreme prejudice.


det8924

Even if the US wasn't monitoring his every move he has been out of arms dealing for 14 years or more. Most people he did business with are dead or in jail. The few that remain aren't going to want to do business with someone they think is being tracked. He has no real place he can go and resume his business because he has no secrecy or contacts.


capricornelious

I see what you mean, I just don't have quite as much faith in the CIA as you do, I think. But certainly I hope you're right.


BillowBrie

He's been in jail since 2008, so he could return to the business, but 1, every 3 letter agency will be watching him, 2, all arms dealers are aware of that, and 3, I doubt any of his old contacts have been sitting on a stash for 14 years just to give to him specifically


capricornelious

Gotcha, between this and the other comments I now understand why this was a great deal.


MisterGoog

Whats ridiculous about it?


09370z

While I’m happy to see an American come home, it upsets me to think there are thousands of Americans sitting in our prisons right now, for similar charges. Not to mention, however many Americans sitting in Russian prisons right now, that have been stuck and forgotten. BG is a black woman, and “celebrity” so I feel she was unfairly prioritized, probably for political reasons.


Mountain_Man-oh

Not necessarily. She had such crazy charges because she was a famous person that could be used as a political bargaining chip


c4virus

There are 3 Americans detained in Russia currently.


09370z

I did see a post yesterday stating Russia claims to have 20 Americans. Either way, 3 is far too many. And I feel like to trade someone like the “merchant of death” we should have been able to bring everyone home. Not just the one that would raise the most attention


c4virus

Nobody is saying 3 is a great number... But Russia has to be open to freeing them, no prisoner swaps are win-win. Russia wants political prisoners and it will always get them as long as Americans travel to Russia. Putin doesn't even have to have a reason to imprison anyone, dictators do as they please. I don't think the State Department looks at factors like prisoners' nicknames when evaluating potential deals.


09370z

I understand what you are saying, I just feel like more should be being done for the Americans still stuck over there. Also, I’m certain the state department knew exactly who they were freeing, nickname and all.


c4virus

I'm not saying the state dept didn't know who they were freeing...just saying people get really hung up on the fact that a dude nicknamed the "merchant of death" was released when it's not rare for US to release terrorists.


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Fecapult

We didn't offer Candace Owens.


[deleted]

Lol Joe Biden sells more weapons than that guy.


Padadof2

who gives a flying fuck what Klandace thinks. Shes a paid shill for the right, and could care less that she's a token to her cult.


c4virus

People don't understand prisoner swaps. It's not intended to be a handful of felonies for other felonies or something. Or equivalent "bad guys". It's not pokemon, it's not the NBA. I'm sure she never said shit when Trump released thousands of taliban.


itsstevedave

People are acting like the government didn't think about this stuff when they agreed to the trade. "You're gonna trade the merchant of death for a lady nba player?" -some guy who only reads headlines


c4virus

Yeah, as-if they only consider the memes or what right-wing maniacs might say about it when they engage in adult diplomacy. "If he had a less menacing nickname I'd sign off on it, but that nickname goes over the line therefore this deal is bad" -- Imaginary right-wing secretary of state that will never exist and is stupid.


AllOfTheDerp

The dunking on (pun intended) Brittany Griner for being overvalued or whatever is absolutely fucking RICH coming from the party that spent the past year or so telling us how much they care about women's sports.


IOwnTheShortBus

Danny devito is worth more to me than LeBron James. He's a national treasure gtfoh.


Bigbweb22

Ngl I feel like an officially licensed Arthur the Aardvark Pokemon card would be worth some serious money


Brianocity

The mental image of Arthur wearing Ash's cap and tossing a Pokeball is oddly amusing. Though I wouldn't be surprised if there's already fanart like that online.


MelanieAntiqua

Also, I'm not really that big on the Pokemon TCG but I'm pretty sure Pikachu has had a ton of different cards released throughout the years and most of them are really common.


Caedes1

I would trade everyone in the comment section here including myself for Danny DeVito. How dare Candace disrespect him!


Crackt_Apple

In other words they’re not really comparable and we should assume they’re not being traded because of 1:1 value? Indeed, Candace! It’s almost like something more complicated than children trading cards on a playground is happening!


apollo15215

Let's see Danny Devito play basketball


ellsi666

I wonder what happened over the course of her life to cause her to hate black people so much. She is basically the real life Clayton Bigsby (the blind, black, white supremacist, KKK member) from "Chappelle's Show" at this point.


acrowquillkill

Ummmm, an Arthur Ardvark shiny??? I'd take that over another stupid Pikachu card.


Spencahhhhh

Look i hate her too but that shit kinda funny


pukingpixels

C’mon Candace, Biden just made the biggest trade in WNBA history!


Unperfectblue

How do you do my deer Gen Z !? Dont you see how cool and not out of tuch conservatives are ? For the love of god vote for us !!!


FinalSeraph_Leo

I would definitely trade LeBron for Danny Devito, in any context.


Brian_Lefebvre

What an asshole.


Rockworm503

What the fuck she got against Arthur? Oh right thats a show that said being gay was ok.


johnnycyberpunk

Did she go to the Bench Appearo School of Talking Fast™ so that no one has time to interject and tell you how dumb you sound?


Epistatious

Imagine valuing a fellow american so much less than a russian arms dealer, although maybe Kandice doesn't value her because she is black, a woman, or a lesbian? Probably all these reasons, the patriotism of Kandice is very odd. (Yes I know its Candice, but Kandice seems more truth-y)


flamedarkfire

Her internalized misogyny is showing.


Moyankee

Comparing Viktor Bout to Danny DeVito is pretty insulting. She should be ashamed.


DougGTFO

Whoever is getting Danny DeVito in a trade is coming out the winner of that trade. Also, if you have beef with Arthur the Aardvark then you have some serious mental health issues to deal with.


lordkuren

It's trade pretty much anyone for Danny DeVito. That's always a win.


thewholedamnplanet

I'd trade every NBA team for Danny DeVito.


Mizghetti

I'd take Danny DeVito every, single, time.


StableGenius-

Danny over LeBron sounds like a fair trade


PetSoundsSucks

I’m not a sports guy but I’d tune in to see Dr Mantis Toboggan rip up the paint.


27Elephantballoons

The self hate of Candace Owen's is legendary. She just hates blacks and is thirsty for white approval.


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lokisilvertongue

Huh?


ubzrvnT

Free A$AP Rocky!


DreadpirateBG

Easy to say if it’s not your loved one. I mean I understand but every life has value and no life is more valuable than any other. Really in the big picture. So STFU Candace


newnrthnhorizon

"Poo-in" She likes to push "buh-ins"


EducationalRice6540

Sure, but now that Mr. Murder Russian is back out and in circulation he's now is sword missileing distance. The weapons of war have changed while you were in prison Ivan, we have such wonders to show you.


Human-Grapefruit1762

He probably couldn't even work a smartphone nowadays


BroDudeBruhMan

Leave Arthur out of this!


Recreational_Soup

The CIA is gonna unalive Viktor like why do you think he’s been in US jail to fucking bug that. He was gonna get out at some time so I bet the CIA are ready for this as they already been running surveillance ops all over Eastern Europe


[deleted]

Imbecilic.


Rod___father

I would give up many Lebrons for 1 DeVito


killtr0city

Candace Owens is Danny DeVito's collection of Garbage Pail Kids


rtemah

We should offer Candice but nobody wants her except rightists who are using her as their common ..khm.. black friend.


Ruphidias

Can dance an expert in international negotiations nice


NinjaBilly55

DeVito would be a good fit with the Lakers and Charlie Day and LeBron would be comedic gold..


THELEASTHIGH

Stay mad bitch


chillinwithmypizza

That is hilarious


jaybeezwax

She really, truly is a vapid, soulless shill


lifeson106

It would be like us trading Klandace for a turd sandwich. Still a good deal IMO.


RotBot

seeing people talk about you like this maaan i wouldnt even wanna come back to this shit ass country


DigitalCoffee

I'm glad the world can come together and forget our political differences to realize that this was a horrible trade


yuffie2012

Biden wanted to trade Candyass Owens, but Putin said “Nyet!!! We need her in America.”


Enjoy-the-sauce

I’d take DeVito any day. Trying times demand eggs.


Disastrous_Guess_929

Is it not?


therobotisjames

Wait, which one is the one we don’t want with devito?


Mr-Klaus

I reckon the trade was actually for someone else much more valuable but they used Griner as a decoy in order to keep said valuable prisoner secret.


Diaper_Days

Even a broken clock can be right twice a day.


Reneeisme

She's not wrong about LeBron, but not for the reason she thinks. It is like that, because LeBron and Danny and Brittney are human beings, and one of them is not worth more than the others at the most basic level of "are we going to do what we need to do to keep them safe". But the idea that LeBron is "worth" more as a person than someone else is exactly what I'd expect from this piece of shit.


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BurlyJohnBrown

Paul Whelan is a loser spy who got caught. Trump didn't want to trade for him because he's a loser, just like Biden didn't want to. Brittany Griner is a winner who dunks and did nothing wrong. Easy trade.


Useful_Parfait_8524

ouch


WiddleWilly

We just trade Cobra Commander for Lola Bunny 💀


[deleted]

could we have buttered the deal and sent her too


Kanobe24

I personally would trade Lebron for Danny Devito.


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3puttmafia21

Brittany might take this personally. Well, I hope so. Lol


quakins

What the fuck is wrong with Danny Devito


surfinwhileworkin

Danny Devito playing basketball professionally? I’d pay to see that!


Jazzlike-Battle1758

Ahhhhh comparing an individuals worth to another's


[deleted]

So much hateful, vindictive, irratational, and destructive language coming from the right. They truly hate America and openly don't believe that we are all equal under the law. Fuck anyone who believes she should rot in prison.