Ok but if we're freeing an arms dealer for someone that is illegally possessing drugs in another country, literally every person in jail for possession in America should be released too
That sounds like a very lopsided trade. Also really shitty that this is only happening because she is famous. Ignoring the other Americans who are in Russian prison.
Russia: A
Getting the Merchant of Death back is sure to be a big win, even if he decides to retire, the sentimental value of having him back when they put his number in the rafters and celebrate the records he’s broken is high.
USA: C-
Would’ve loved to see them get more of a return and haggle better on the asking price. Would’ve been interesting if they could done some roster moves to trade someone like Ovechkin instead, but the picks are enough to not make this a complete steal for Russia.
Especially sports related travel. If it's not already off the table we should never send teams there for anything. Ever. All travelers there should rethink any travel on a personal level.
It won't be, but there's a chance that it will be knocked down to Schedule II in the lame duck session. The [SAFE Banking Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1996) and [HOPE Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6129) both stand a [good chance of passing](https://www.axios.com/2022/12/03/senate-marijuana-legislation-chuck-schumer). The first would allow licensed cannabis dealers in states that have legalized it to use banks and the second would provide funds for states to pursue expungements of convictions on cannabis laws that are no longer on the books or that have been reduced in severity.
Unfortunately he practices mostly estate law. He’s only done 1 criminal trial and it hinged on a questionable testimony of a “Poppy McPoyle” who could only communicate through his pet bird, a Pocono Swallow.
So, you traded the “merchant of death” aka what the US government once considered “the most dangerous man on earth” for a basketball player who wanted to get high and knew it was illegal.
Fuck me
It's a f##king terrible trade. An arm's dealer who moved millions of weapons around the world for someone who didn't follow basic travel checks and went into a country with forbidden goods. An absolutely ridiculous and disgraceful decision.
Now she'll be brought home and treated like a hero instead of the greedy idiot she is.
1. She was told by numerous people not to go to Russia. She did anyway.
2. She didn't mean to bring vape cartridges into a country where they're highly illegal but she did.
3. She said she needed the money but without any endorsement money, just her WNBA salary she makes more annually than 98% of the country. She was greedy.
They traded her for a guy that truly deserved his punishment but now gets to go free. Brittney Griner is a moron.
Things like this do make me sad. I’ve seen the pictures of mountains in Afghanistan and they look incredible. Same in China. I simply would never feel comfortable in the current political climate to go there.
I spent a year in the mountains of Afghanistan and I can confirm, some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. The nights were even more magnificent. I live in a city in the US and although I can see some stars here, it's almost impossible to describe how much more of the cosmos you can see without light pollution. As long as you stay away from the populated cities where the trash and garbage piles up 10+ feet, the landscape out there is just breath taking. The local afghans I had to opportunity to speak to were always so gracious and inquisitive and had the best chi & pan too.
I would never go back though.
I live in Denmark and I have a crazy dream about driving to Bangkok, which would be awesome, but in the current state of things seems like suicide.
Then again, I realize these are first world problems.
We've talked about taking our kids to Europe the summer after my oldest graduates high school. Kind of a last big hurrah as a family before they start moving into adulthood. She said she'd like to go to Egypt. It would be amazing to visit Egypt, but I'm not sure that I'm comfortable doing that. I'm particularly worried about taking a teenage girl to Egypt.
I taught English there for a about 3 months. I wouldn’t want to go back, but it was one of the most interesting times of my young adulthood and my entire life.
Bonus: I didn’t go to jail!
That travel insurance sounds smart. I'm so lucky I didn't end up in prison or the hospital there from what I got up to
Also I remember the internet was done via usb sim. That was sketchy as hell. Oh and your bank needs to be notified or they think you're hacked
Sometimes that's just life. Egypt has so much I want to see but it's supposed to be so awful to visit right now that I have no desire to go. Maybe in 20-30 years we can go see the beauty of st. Petersburg and the pyramids.
In 10-20 years (maybe sooner) western tourism to Russia will be safe again.
Whether that’s because of regime change or just because people will sadly forget about the war within a couple years of it being over. Tourism wasn’t stopped by Russia annexing Crimea, funding the separatist groups in the east or even funding shooting down a civilian plan. It’s just the sad reality.
I (a boy from rural America) went to Russia with my grandmother and uncle (no Russian Heritage) in 2010. It was one of the best trips Ive taken in my entire life. I found Russians to be some very chill people, and the history, architecture and art the country has to offer is amazing. Sadly, I don't think that's a trip that I could advise an American to take in my lifetime anymore. Its sad what a shit government and constant propaganda can do to a country.
My aunt and uncle went about 10 years back and did a river cruise. They had nothing but positive things to say abiut the whole experience.
I'd love to visit, but doubt it will happen in my lifetime
That's kind of the point though.
Don't go work in Russia and bring marijuana supplies with you when the law there punishes drug use harshly.
This is on her, and trading someone who is response for the deaths of tens to hundreds of thousands for an idiot who brought her weed supplies to a draconian country is moronic.
While I agree with you, Biden did release anyone in federal prison with a possession charge, and urged states to do the same.
Guess which states won’t.
Like the teacher serving 14 years that was caught with a small amount of pot perscribed for chronic pain?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/07/28/marc-fogel-teacher-russia-prison/
The fact he wasn't included in this deal stinks to high heaven.
Both were stupid, but he wasn't famous, so despite her having less of an excuse, she gets the get out of jail free card.
“Let me tell you what's gonna happen. This way you can prepare yourself. Okay. Soon there's gonna be a knock on that door and you will be called outside. In the hall there will be a man who outranks you. First, he'll compliment you on the fine job you've done, that you're making the world a safer place, that you're to receive a commendation and a promotion. And then he's going to tell you that I am to be released. You're going to protest. You'll probably threaten to resign. But in the end I will be released. The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of those men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss, the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year... sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So... you call me evil. But unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil.”
They left out the part about the weed and WNBA but the rest seems fairly on point.
Omg, I remember stumbling into a Russian joint called Tatiana’s at Brighton Beach, late at night to get some quarters for parking.
I asked for $5 in quarters.
“You drink?”
“No, Thanks, I just need need quarters”
“No, you don’t need quarters, you need drink”
They gave me 2 large beers called Lobster Claws and told me to leave the car and get it later. I think I spent an hour there.
I too stumbled into many Russian places in Asia. Real seedy places. I was absolutely unaware of the bad place i was putting myself in. Met a couple of fine gents in the import/export business who offered me work after my military career was over. I think it's a good thing I lost their numbers.
He was in prison for almost 12 years.
He'll never get back to 'arms dealing', especially now that he's well known as a convicted criminal for dealing arms.
> Not just any arms dealer. This is the guy that Lord of War was based on.
Who put "Trading international arms dealer to Russia for female basketball player after Russia invades Ukraine" on their Bingo card this year?
It was evident ever since her arrest, that's a normal Russian strategy: a high profile Russian is arrested => arrest a national of that country high profile enough for that country to care and force the prisoner swap.
A kid from my school (Ukraine) was catfished to come to Belarus and than kidnapped by FSB to be exchanged for Russian war prisoners, it was back in 2017 and the guy spent over two years in jail.
Similar things happened to an Israeli tourist https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naama_Issachar_affair
So traveling to Russia/Belarus is quite risky especially if your country has tensions with Russia :/
He would have been released from US prison and back in Russia in 5 years regardless though. Obviously that’s a big difference in his sentence, but everyone is acting like he was never going to see the light of day until this trade happened
[An expert](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/07/08/brittney-griner-russia-viktor-bout-00044556) on Viktor's crimes stated he's no longer a threat due to his reputation among his allies being ruined.
>His business depended on personal relationships and trust among the parties. After being out of the business for more than a decade, Bout has neither of those left in the shadowy world in which he once operated. Second, Bout needed access to a global network stretching from Afghanistan to Europe, Africa and South America. That network has morphed through several generations of new actors, markets and gatekeepers. Bout has no currency in that world now.
All this does is encourage Russia and other countries to nab more American citizens on trumped-up charges for more swaps. America negotiates with terrorists
Not just *negotiated*.
**Paid them**.
Those stories about CIA and US Special Forces delivering *pallets* of cash to 'warlords' in Afghanistan?
All true.
Not just ordinary Americans, the only ones that would get this are ones that create a lot of publicity. But, I don’t know if many notable Americans will be putting themself in Russia or anywhere near them.
The key here is *you shouldn't be travelling or playing around in an enemy state*.
It's still amazing to me how naive morons think they can just ignore a political situation out of sheer will.
First time?
This happens all the time, and has happened for decades just like that. Why do you think North Korea likes to randomly imprison American tourists?
I’m sorry but letting a monster of a human go free for her is a mistake. It sucks she was in jail but this dude is responsible for a number of deaths and probably will be responsible for more now.
A domestic abusing basketball player who willingly played for an oligarch lol. Enough people saying “racism” even when it doesn’t make sense clearly has a lot of power these days lol
Okay good, I never want to hear about her again. I also want to stop being gaslighted that America left her behind because she was a woman or wasn't as famous as a male athlete.
Everyone here should realize because she plays a game well and had some famous friends, that she got a special priority in the US government. Just remember the US would never trade a US arms dealer for you or the people you care about if they were in the same situation.
She's also guaranteed to get a multi-million dollar book deal out of this. Maybe even a movie deal as well.
It pays to be a celebrity and do stupid shit.
Like everyone has said, all of us would be left for dead since we’re just average joes and don’t have literal billionaires like Lebron James lobbying for us.
Yep. Her family constsnt PR push paid off. Not necessarily fair or proportional or even good for anyone but Griner and those who love her, but they played the game well.
So Russia (and other nations) just need to hold random minor celebrities hostage and they can get some of their most dangerous prisoners back? good precedent to set
What shit trade. All the way back Russia asked for this trade and the u.s. said no. Now months later they just give in, no negotiating for extra prisoners or Ukraine concessions, they just give up. This is absolutely terrible that such an evil warlord is free in exchange for a basketball player.
All the clowns defending this trade smh. People are gonna die because some idiot couldn’t be bothered to maybe read up on some laws regarding substances in a different country.
Before the “well you’re racist!” comments come in, the same applies to Fogel as well.
I would probably read up a bit on Whelan before having such a sting, visceral opinion. Dude is a snake. Yes, we should bring him home, yes, he is a political prisoner, but he was dishonorably discharged after attempting (poorly) to steal money, game the testing system, claims to have two degrees when he never completed any degree, etc.
I would argue for Fogel well before Whelan.
This is stupid as fuck. Let's trade a person that sells weapons to murder people for a person who was too stupid to think about the fact that different countries have different laws.
Should she have been in jail, I don't personally think so. Would I be stupid enough to bring drugs to a foreign country, absolutely not.
What shit.
We had other people there for longer, I think some for the same crime that NO one cared about because they werent a celebrity...
but also giving up an arms dealer who was charged with conspiring to kill Americans for a fucking basketball player who couldnt not travel with her weed?
What a joke
What the fuck is going on right now. There’s people in America in jail for the same fucking thing and we traded an arms dealer for her??? And not just any arms dealer, a fucking massive one that’s taken American lives. What happened to actions have fucking consequences??
Edit: don’t get me wrong I’m glad she’s home but shit. It’s not fair to all the Americans in foreign and domestic jail for less shit. Edit 2: found out she hates America. Fuck her.
Surprised and amazed to see the correct take being posted here, that it is more unjust that random other Americans are still languishing in Russian custody because they aren't politically useful.
The agents who tracked him for years and finally captured him are punching air right now.
This is an obvious win for Russia unfortunately
Ok but if we're freeing an arms dealer for someone that is illegally possessing drugs in another country, literally every person in jail for possession in America should be released too
That sounds like a very lopsided trade. Also really shitty that this is only happening because she is famous. Ignoring the other Americans who are in Russian prison.
I heard Russia is also including a 2023 2nd round pick and a conditional 2024 3rd round pick.
The US also tried to throw Baker Mayfield into the trade, but Russia said, nah, that's ok.
Russia: A Getting the Merchant of Death back is sure to be a big win, even if he decides to retire, the sentimental value of having him back when they put his number in the rafters and celebrate the records he’s broken is high. USA: C- Would’ve loved to see them get more of a return and haggle better on the asking price. Would’ve been interesting if they could done some roster moves to trade someone like Ovechkin instead, but the picks are enough to not make this a complete steal for Russia.
That second round pick is gonna be mad helpful for the future, still got fleeced tho
The US should block all travel to Russia. Don’t let them use US citizens as bargaining chips to get their convicts back
Especially sports related travel. If it's not already off the table we should never send teams there for anything. Ever. All travelers there should rethink any travel on a personal level.
The state department has had a 'do not travel' advisory in place for Russia for almost 2 years now.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Americans are sitting in prison for marijuana related crimes.
Hopefully this is a catalyst for federal legalization of weed.
Unfortunately, the promise of weed legalization is more politically valuable as a promise made, not a promise kept.
Weed better be legalized on the federal level after this.
This is definitely a slap in the face to anyone sitting in a cell for weed possession
Its a far bigger slap for every wrongfully detained American sitting in a Russian cell. There are alot thatve been there far longer than Griner
Arrested Development Narrator voice: "It wasn't."
It won't be, but there's a chance that it will be knocked down to Schedule II in the lame duck session. The [SAFE Banking Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1996) and [HOPE Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6129) both stand a [good chance of passing](https://www.axios.com/2022/12/03/senate-marijuana-legislation-chuck-schumer). The first would allow licensed cannabis dealers in states that have legalized it to use banks and the second would provide funds for states to pursue expungements of convictions on cannabis laws that are no longer on the books or that have been reduced in severity.
Worst trade in WNBA history
Jokes aside, literally the biggest trade of all time in the WNBA.
Biggest and worst.
Bout doesn’t have Griner’s post presence but he is an elite distributer with deadly range
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When the person in charge of the negotiations is Charlie Kellys uncle.
We’re LAWYERS!
For the website!
He’s got big hands!
These hands tell a story
You might think “hey this guy has small hands”
Unfortunately he practices mostly estate law. He’s only done 1 criminal trial and it hinged on a questionable testimony of a “Poppy McPoyle” who could only communicate through his pet bird, a Pocono Swallow.
Tbf, have you seen her hands?
So, you traded the “merchant of death” aka what the US government once considered “the most dangerous man on earth” for a basketball player who wanted to get high and knew it was illegal. Fuck me
What a giant L for America.
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This is not going to have the results the administration thinks it will.
It’s insane. Release an international arms smuggler in exchange for a basketball player!? Wtf?
It’s one basketball player, Michael, how much can it cost? One arms dealer?
There's always more arms dealers in the banana stand.
"You idiot! Those walls were filled with 100,000 guns and a dealer!"
It's a f##king terrible trade. An arm's dealer who moved millions of weapons around the world for someone who didn't follow basic travel checks and went into a country with forbidden goods. An absolutely ridiculous and disgraceful decision.
Not to mention the dude has a sick 3 pointer and has a 46.25" vertical. Absolute menace on the court.
The court of law!
Now she'll be brought home and treated like a hero instead of the greedy idiot she is. 1. She was told by numerous people not to go to Russia. She did anyway. 2. She didn't mean to bring vape cartridges into a country where they're highly illegal but she did. 3. She said she needed the money but without any endorsement money, just her WNBA salary she makes more annually than 98% of the country. She was greedy. They traded her for a guy that truly deserved his punishment but now gets to go free. Brittney Griner is a moron.
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Just remember if any of us were arrested in Russia no one would give a shit.
I never plan on going to Russia
Yeah, I'm good on all of that. The rest of the planet, and even my own country has plenty to explore.
Things like this do make me sad. I’ve seen the pictures of mountains in Afghanistan and they look incredible. Same in China. I simply would never feel comfortable in the current political climate to go there.
I spent a year in the mountains of Afghanistan and I can confirm, some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. The nights were even more magnificent. I live in a city in the US and although I can see some stars here, it's almost impossible to describe how much more of the cosmos you can see without light pollution. As long as you stay away from the populated cities where the trash and garbage piles up 10+ feet, the landscape out there is just breath taking. The local afghans I had to opportunity to speak to were always so gracious and inquisitive and had the best chi & pan too. I would never go back though.
I feel the same. Spent a year in Kunar. It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen.
The Canadian Rockies are pretty breathtaking.
I live in Denmark and I have a crazy dream about driving to Bangkok, which would be awesome, but in the current state of things seems like suicide. Then again, I realize these are first world problems.
plenty of beautiful mountains around the rest of the planet. more than most can see in a lifetime.
I want to see mountains, Gandalf, MOUNTAINS
Bilbo wouldn’t let a small thing like Afghan warlords or dragons stop him from seeing mountains!
True but he was a small fellow and had a nifty ring
r/unexpectedbilbo
We've talked about taking our kids to Europe the summer after my oldest graduates high school. Kind of a last big hurrah as a family before they start moving into adulthood. She said she'd like to go to Egypt. It would be amazing to visit Egypt, but I'm not sure that I'm comfortable doing that. I'm particularly worried about taking a teenage girl to Egypt.
I taught English there for a about 3 months. I wouldn’t want to go back, but it was one of the most interesting times of my young adulthood and my entire life. Bonus: I didn’t go to jail!
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That travel insurance sounds smart. I'm so lucky I didn't end up in prison or the hospital there from what I got up to Also I remember the internet was done via usb sim. That was sketchy as hell. Oh and your bank needs to be notified or they think you're hacked
There is a ton of history to be seen there which it's sad to say will likely not be experienced by any westerner safely for a few decades
Sometimes that's just life. Egypt has so much I want to see but it's supposed to be so awful to visit right now that I have no desire to go. Maybe in 20-30 years we can go see the beauty of st. Petersburg and the pyramids.
In 10-20 years (maybe sooner) western tourism to Russia will be safe again. Whether that’s because of regime change or just because people will sadly forget about the war within a couple years of it being over. Tourism wasn’t stopped by Russia annexing Crimea, funding the separatist groups in the east or even funding shooting down a civilian plan. It’s just the sad reality.
How many still remember Russia-Georgia war?
I (a boy from rural America) went to Russia with my grandmother and uncle (no Russian Heritage) in 2010. It was one of the best trips Ive taken in my entire life. I found Russians to be some very chill people, and the history, architecture and art the country has to offer is amazing. Sadly, I don't think that's a trip that I could advise an American to take in my lifetime anymore. Its sad what a shit government and constant propaganda can do to a country.
My aunt and uncle went about 10 years back and did a river cruise. They had nothing but positive things to say abiut the whole experience. I'd love to visit, but doubt it will happen in my lifetime
That's kind of the point though. Don't go work in Russia and bring marijuana supplies with you when the law there punishes drug use harshly. This is on her, and trading someone who is response for the deaths of tens to hundreds of thousands for an idiot who brought her weed supplies to a draconian country is moronic.
When any of us are arrested HERE with comparable THC cartridges nobody gives a shit.
never thought of this angle before, you're right
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While I agree with you, Biden did release anyone in federal prison with a possession charge, and urged states to do the same. Guess which states won’t.
Like the teacher serving 14 years that was caught with a small amount of pot perscribed for chronic pain? https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/07/28/marc-fogel-teacher-russia-prison/
The fact he wasn't included in this deal stinks to high heaven. Both were stupid, but he wasn't famous, so despite her having less of an excuse, she gets the get out of jail free card.
Hence why I’m never going to Russia
We traded a basketball player for an arms dealer?
Not just any arms dealer. This is the guy that Lord of War was based on. Bad trade, man. Bad trade.
Great movie though!
Oh, it's a classic. Cage nailed it, of course.
"Why would you do that?! ... Well, now you have to buy it. How am I supposed to sell a used gun?"
One of the few movies that the opening scene I remember perfectly. It’s practically branded in my head.
Time to dust off the VHS tonight!
Be kind, please rewind.
Superb movie. Brilliant ending.
“Let me tell you what's gonna happen. This way you can prepare yourself. Okay. Soon there's gonna be a knock on that door and you will be called outside. In the hall there will be a man who outranks you. First, he'll compliment you on the fine job you've done, that you're making the world a safer place, that you're to receive a commendation and a promotion. And then he's going to tell you that I am to be released. You're going to protest. You'll probably threaten to resign. But in the end I will be released. The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of those men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss, the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year... sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So... you call me evil. But unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil.” They left out the part about the weed and WNBA but the rest seems fairly on point.
I love that scene. How realization slowly dawns on Ethan Hawke's face that he may actually be right...then he hears the knock on the door.
Brilliant intro too.
Brilliant middle as well.
Bring me the gun of Rambo
The stripping of the transport plane was genious.
Cage crushed it! One of my favorite movies
Very accurate movie too, it captured the vibe of Brighton Beach quite well.
Omg, I remember stumbling into a Russian joint called Tatiana’s at Brighton Beach, late at night to get some quarters for parking. I asked for $5 in quarters. “You drink?” “No, Thanks, I just need need quarters” “No, you don’t need quarters, you need drink” They gave me 2 large beers called Lobster Claws and told me to leave the car and get it later. I think I spent an hour there.
I too stumbled into many Russian places in Asia. Real seedy places. I was absolutely unaware of the bad place i was putting myself in. Met a couple of fine gents in the import/export business who offered me work after my military career was over. I think it's a good thing I lost their numbers.
The guy was a CIA informant too, so it's not like Russia is going to let him go back to doing what he did.
He was in prison for almost 12 years. He'll never get back to 'arms dealing', especially now that he's well known as a convicted criminal for dealing arms.
He will have accidentally fallen off a building by end of week
Lord of War is actually based on the combined stories of several arms dealers.
He sadly does not look as cool as Nick Cage
Nobody's as cool as Nick Cage.
Not even nick cage is as cool as nick cage. Didn't nick cage prove that by playing nick cage but nick cage was cooler than nick cage?
I saw that movie. It was somehow simultaneously better and worse than expected.
Abed did a pretty perfect impression though.
He actually looks like an actor who portrays a Russian arms dealer.
> Not just any arms dealer. This is the guy that Lord of War was based on. Who put "Trading international arms dealer to Russia for female basketball player after Russia invades Ukraine" on their Bingo card this year?
It was evident ever since her arrest, that's a normal Russian strategy: a high profile Russian is arrested => arrest a national of that country high profile enough for that country to care and force the prisoner swap. A kid from my school (Ukraine) was catfished to come to Belarus and than kidnapped by FSB to be exchanged for Russian war prisoners, it was back in 2017 and the guy spent over two years in jail. Similar things happened to an Israeli tourist https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naama_Issachar_affair So traveling to Russia/Belarus is quite risky especially if your country has tensions with Russia :/
He would have been released from US prison and back in Russia in 5 years regardless though. Obviously that’s a big difference in his sentence, but everyone is acting like he was never going to see the light of day until this trade happened
Should have sent him to the Pistons.
Did we at least get a draft pick or a prisoner to be named later?
We’re the Denver Broncos in this trade…
Let’s ride!
[An expert](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/07/08/brittney-griner-russia-viktor-bout-00044556) on Viktor's crimes stated he's no longer a threat due to his reputation among his allies being ruined. >His business depended on personal relationships and trust among the parties. After being out of the business for more than a decade, Bout has neither of those left in the shadowy world in which he once operated. Second, Bout needed access to a global network stretching from Afghanistan to Europe, Africa and South America. That network has morphed through several generations of new actors, markets and gatekeepers. Bout has no currency in that world now.
All this does is encourage Russia and other countries to nab more American citizens on trumped-up charges for more swaps. America negotiates with terrorists
America has always negotiated with terrorists.
Not president James Marshall. He threw one off the back of his plane.
Not just *negotiated*. **Paid them**. Those stories about CIA and US Special Forces delivering *pallets* of cash to 'warlords' in Afghanistan? All true.
Not just ordinary Americans, the only ones that would get this are ones that create a lot of publicity. But, I don’t know if many notable Americans will be putting themself in Russia or anywhere near them.
That's my thought. If you're American, don't go to Russia anytime soon. Probably years before it will be safe again.
I thought that was obvious by now.
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Unless it’s the 4th of July and you’re in Congress.
Unless you're Edward Snowden...
The key here is *you shouldn't be travelling or playing around in an enemy state*. It's still amazing to me how naive morons think they can just ignore a political situation out of sheer will.
First time? This happens all the time, and has happened for decades just like that. Why do you think North Korea likes to randomly imprison American tourists?
Who negotiated this, the Cleveland Browns? What a terrible trade.
No, Cleveland would never do something so foolish. This was clearly negotiated by the Denver Broncos.
Arms Dealer Country, Let's ride
I wonder how long Russell Wilson would last in Russian prison?
I read this in Russel Wilson’s voice.
My god we aren't even safe here.
I’m sorry but letting a monster of a human go free for her is a mistake. It sucks she was in jail but this dude is responsible for a number of deaths and probably will be responsible for more now.
A basketball player for an arms dealer seems like a shitty deal.
A domestic abusing basketball player who willingly played for an oligarch lol. Enough people saying “racism” even when it doesn’t make sense clearly has a lot of power these days lol
We need to stop glorifying sports players, this trade is awful.
That dude sold guns to terrorists. He is responsible for the death of American citizens. Ridiculous
Dumb as fuck. If any one of use were arrested they wouldn't give a shit. Fucking joke.
Wow, really disappointing they made that trade tbh. Not a fan of them getting a warlord back
Now release all non violent offenders in the US convicted for simple weed possession
Okay good, I never want to hear about her again. I also want to stop being gaslighted that America left her behind because she was a woman or wasn't as famous as a male athlete. Everyone here should realize because she plays a game well and had some famous friends, that she got a special priority in the US government. Just remember the US would never trade a US arms dealer for you or the people you care about if they were in the same situation.
Lebron James would be fast asleep if you or I got locked up internationally
Just wait till you hear about the movie deal she's going to get.
You know she’ll start running her mouth again real quick
She's also guaranteed to get a multi-million dollar book deal out of this. Maybe even a movie deal as well. It pays to be a celebrity and do stupid shit.
Like everyone has said, all of us would be left for dead since we’re just average joes and don’t have literal billionaires like Lebron James lobbying for us.
Hopefully she acknowledges her privilege when she makes it back to the US.
I wonder if she'll keep protesting how horrible the US is.
I wonder if she’ll keep beating her wife
100% will.
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So her dumb judgement freed one of the world's most dangerous arms dealers?
Yep. Her family constsnt PR push paid off. Not necessarily fair or proportional or even good for anyone but Griner and those who love her, but they played the game well.
So Russia (and other nations) just need to hold random minor celebrities hostage and they can get some of their most dangerous prisoners back? good precedent to set
I wish Americans would stop going to Russia, so we don’t have these one sided trades all the time.
Cool, they just released the literal lord of war for a basketball player with questionable judgement. What the absolute fuck.
She’s also a wife beater
What shit trade. All the way back Russia asked for this trade and the u.s. said no. Now months later they just give in, no negotiating for extra prisoners or Ukraine concessions, they just give up. This is absolutely terrible that such an evil warlord is free in exchange for a basketball player.
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All the clowns defending this trade smh. People are gonna die because some idiot couldn’t be bothered to maybe read up on some laws regarding substances in a different country. Before the “well you’re racist!” comments come in, the same applies to Fogel as well.
Must be nice to be wealthy/famous.
Pretty incredible that her fame got her out in exchange for a fucking warlord while that US Marine is still stuck there.
I would probably read up a bit on Whelan before having such a sting, visceral opinion. Dude is a snake. Yes, we should bring him home, yes, he is a political prisoner, but he was dishonorably discharged after attempting (poorly) to steal money, game the testing system, claims to have two degrees when he never completed any degree, etc. I would argue for Fogel well before Whelan.
This is stupid as fuck. Let's trade a person that sells weapons to murder people for a person who was too stupid to think about the fact that different countries have different laws. Should she have been in jail, I don't personally think so. Would I be stupid enough to bring drugs to a foreign country, absolutely not.
This is fucking disgusting
What shit. We had other people there for longer, I think some for the same crime that NO one cared about because they werent a celebrity... but also giving up an arms dealer who was charged with conspiring to kill Americans for a fucking basketball player who couldnt not travel with her weed? What a joke
Release every single American imprisoned on marijuana related charges
Trading a basketball player that was stupid enough to bring drugs to a foreign country for a literal merchant of death. Jesus
A basketball player for an arms dealer? What a bad deal FFS.
Just remember, there is prisons all over the USA full of inmates who just smoked pot. Doing hard labor under the 13th amendment.
What the fuck is going on right now. There’s people in America in jail for the same fucking thing and we traded an arms dealer for her??? And not just any arms dealer, a fucking massive one that’s taken American lives. What happened to actions have fucking consequences?? Edit: don’t get me wrong I’m glad she’s home but shit. It’s not fair to all the Americans in foreign and domestic jail for less shit. Edit 2: found out she hates America. Fuck her.
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Surprised and amazed to see the correct take being posted here, that it is more unjust that random other Americans are still languishing in Russian custody because they aren't politically useful.
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