Travis Reed was also a marine. Was exchanged for a drug smuggler who wasn’t accused of trying to kill Americans Apples to oranges
There was an exchange made. Whelan was not part of it. Was anyone upset then that it was Reed instead of Whelan is all I ask. Seems like even before Bout was mentioned, people were questioning why her instead of Whelan. Didn't know if the same energy was applied in April.
Do people think Bout is the only “arms dealer” or “merchant of death”, like nobody (or many people) haven’t taken his place? The world is loaded with terrible people. This moves the needle like adding Arron Afflalo did.
Like I said, no good options. Leave her to rot or free a bad guy. I hope that they get Whelan out soon.
You serve time in prison for crimes in the past, not crimes in the future. Who cares if someone "took his place". He did terrible things and was put in jail.
I think @calvin natt's point is that holding him for the duration of his sentence won't make the world any safer than exchanging him does. Now, I happen to disagree with that position, but I at least understand the logic behind it.
I don't think they would have traded this guy unless they have either flipped hin or neutralized his past connections. More likely they've flipped him even though the Russians claim he's never turned...that's what they would say anyway. The scarier prospects not in the past or future but in the present are the death dealers that have never been caught and have neutrality for massive financial gains. or political currency...for example...Putin's inner circle is no longer his inner circle and he's got way more power than Bout ever had. In that world loyalty has a shelf life. Bout could just as easily be killed now in Russia by a competitor who doesn't want to give back his past contracts.
She's a woman. And has never been a soldier. You get the woman out first. Maybe it's not politically correct, but I don't even see how this is a question. Of course you make the trade to get her out of that hell.
A US official was quoted saying Russia told us get Griner only or no one. And that US continues to work to get Whelan. Unfortunately there are no nice Russians Putin is willing to trade for Americans.
Whelan is also locked up for espionage whether it’s true or not it’s a very serious charge. they aren’t gonna give him up for someone who’s been replaced like Bout they wouldn’t even accept this guy for griner until the saudis helped out
I'm not a big fan of this. She was entirely responsible for her predicament. It should not have been a priority of the government to make sure she didn't suffer the predictable consequences of her actions. barfo
How dangerous is he currently, really? Is the thought he just jumps right back in and starts arms dealing? Still has all of his connections, nobody's taken his spot over the last 10 years?
Russia is responsible for her predicament. The usual sentence is 2 weeks. She was arrested just prior to invasion of Ukraine. I can't help thinking if it was some clean cut straight white dude we would not hear blame the victim.
Curious what this story looks like, or whatbthe reaction to it looks like, if it's a cute blonde girl in place of Griner.
This is an interesting question. Would we? I feel like most of us would feel the same but some wouldn't. What about a less likable personality, like say Kanye West or Candace Owens? I think many of the same people would laugh and think they got what they deserve. So it's really hard to draw parallels in this situation.
