Should U.S. Swap ‘Merchant of Death’ for Brittney Griner?

Devil's advocate, but this Whelan guy has an interesting bio. And the circumstances around his arrest, at least on the surface, give off red flags. IMO, I think this guy already was under close scrutiny because he was a frequent visitor to Russia, and this guy ended up getting entangled with some honey pot that set him up after he likely lied and bragged on Russian social media about being some important figure in the US.

Lastly, he has US and British citizenship (the Canadian and Irish citizenships don't matter s much). Britain should be fighting for his release just as much as anyone else. It shouldn't rely solely on the US.

Paul Whelan (security director) - Wikipedia

Lying about his CV? That’s the one Biden probably sympathizes with.
 
Enes Kanter Freedom rips LeBron James over Brittney Griner remarks: 'Keep taking your freedom for granted'

Enes Kanter Freedom ripped LeBron James over his Brittney Griner remarks in a trailer for the latest episode of his HBO show "The Shop."

James was heard in the trailer questioning whether the U.S. has the detained WNBA superstar’s back and floated the possibility that if he was in her situation he would be wondering whether he even wants to go back to the States.

James tried to clarify by saying his remarks were not meant to be a knock on "our beautiful country." Kanter Freedom was not buying it.

"You call it a step back, we call this a walk back," he tweeted


"You are free to leave buddy or you can even volunteer for an exchange for her.

"Some people literally have NO idea what is it like to live in a dictatorship.

"Keep taking your freedom for granted."

Enes Kanter Freedom rips LeBron James over Brittney Griner remarks: 'Keep taking your freedom for granted'
 
Brittney Griner returns to Russian court after admitting drug possession as it's claimed guilty plea could expedite prisoner swap with Arms Dealer dubbed the 'Merchant of Death'

  • Russian media have speculated that basketball star Brittney Griner could be swapped for Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, the 'Merchant Of Death'
American basketball star Brittney Griner has returned to Russian court for the third hearing in her trial on drugs charges for which she could face up to a decade in prison.

Griner was seen wearing her jail scrubs as she was escorted to her hearing at Khimki Court in Moscow on Thursday.

The news comes amid reports Griner could be swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, convicted in 2011 and known as the 'Merchant of Death' to US officials.


Nicolas Cage's character in 'Lord of War' was inspired by Bout, with the Hollywood actor going by the pseudonym Yuri Orlov in the film.

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Russian media have speculated that Griner could be swapped for Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, pictured, nicknamed The Merchant Of Death

Brittney Griner could be part of prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer dubbed 'Merchant of Death' | Daily Mail Online
 
I feel bad for her but I don’t. On one hand I think she should look at the bright side and realize she won’t have to hear our national anthem. On the other I don’t believe in leaving Americans behind. That all being said, I feel like we should make a trade but not a terrorist for an athlete. Then again, why wouldn’t Biden do that? I mean he’s already gotten marines killed. His open border policies has gotten several killed, trafficked and raped. He’s already left hundreds behind in Afghanistan. What’s the difference?
Leaving Americans behind??? She wasn't deployed there as an armed forces member. She went willingly. She (allegedly) committed a crime in a foreign country... willingly. Why should the US spend one dime negotiating her release? Her situation comes under 'play stupid games...'
 
Enes Kanter Freedom rips LeBron James over Brittney Griner remarks: 'Keep taking your freedom for granted'

Enes Kanter Freedom ripped LeBron James over his Brittney Griner remarks in a trailer for the latest episode of his HBO show "The Shop."

James was heard in the trailer questioning whether the U.S. has the detained WNBA superstar’s back and floated the possibility that if he was in her situation he would be wondering whether he even wants to go back to the States.

James tried to clarify by saying his remarks were not meant to be a knock on "our beautiful country." Kanter Freedom was not buying it.

"You call it a step back, we call this a walk back," he tweeted


"You are free to leave buddy or you can even volunteer for an exchange for her.

"Some people literally have NO idea what is it like to live in a dictatorship.

"Keep taking your freedom for granted."

Enes Kanter Freedom rips LeBron James over Brittney Griner remarks: 'Keep taking your freedom for granted'

This dude is so thirsty for attention. A Lebron quote was taken out of context, meaning was inferred by the mob, Lebron clarified it, and then Kanter won't allow Lebron to explain that he's on his side on this one. It's so funny how divided we are, we literally won't let our opponents explain that they are on our side.

And then Kanter goes on to unironically explain that Russia is a dictatorship and The US is free, yet we have thousands and thousands of people locked up for marijuana. He can say we're ignorant about dictatorships, but he's ignorant about America's problems, obviously. Not everybody gets to live here as a millionaire athlete. Those dudes are doing pretty well in Russia, too.
 
This dude is so thirsty for attention. A Lebron quote was taken out of context, meaning was inferred by the mob, Lebron clarified it, and then Kanter won't allow Lebron to explain that he's on his side on this one. It's so funny how divided we are, we literally won't let our opponents explain that they are on our side.

And then Kanter goes on to unironically explain that Russia is a dictatorship and The US is free, yet we have thousands and thousands of people locked up for marijuana. He can say we're ignorant about dictatorships, but he's ignorant about America's problems, obviously. Not everybody gets to live here as a millionaire athlete. Those dudes are doing pretty well in Russia, too.

James is not a fan of Russia, but he will say nothing negative about China.
 
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This dude is so thirsty for attention. A Lebron quote was taken out of context, meaning was inferred by the mob, Lebron clarified it, and then Kanter won't allow Lebron to explain that he's on his side on this one. It's so funny how divided we are, we literally won't let our opponents explain that they are on our side.

And then Kanter goes on to unironically explain that Russia is a dictatorship and The US is free, yet we have thousands and thousands of people locked up for marijuana. He can say we're ignorant about dictatorships, but he's ignorant about America's problems, obviously. Not everybody gets to live here as a millionaire athlete. Those dudes are doing pretty well in Russia, too.

Sorry but your America hating basketball player stepped on his own d!ck with his comment. Screw him and screw Griner too. I guarantee that when that b!tch with an Adams apple gets her butt back on our shores, she trashes the US like you won't believe.
 
James is not a fan of Russia, but he will say nothing negative about China.

OK, what a random thing to say in a thread about Brittney Griner, Russia, and the US.

It's highly doubtful that James will say anything negative about any international market. What does his business acumen have to do with anything?
 
Leaving Americans behind??? She wasn't deployed there as an armed forces member. She went willingly. She (allegedly) committed a crime in a foreign country... willingly. Why should the US spend one dime negotiating her release? Her situation comes under 'play stupid games...'
I was referring to Biden leaving Americans behind in Afghanistan to prove the point that he would be willing to do it to her as well. Americans nor America mean chit to him.
 

[Millions of Americans express hatred/apathy for Griner while she's living an absolute nightmare.]

Lebron: would she even want to come back to America?

Mob: Lebron hates America

Try being 7' tall and living your life knowing half the people you see will recognize you and a good portion of them hate you enough to wish you ill. You don't think you would question living in that country? You guys have no ability to look at anything other than through your tiny, myopic world view. Lebron doesn't look at it like you do. He's looking at it like someone with fame looks at it. You're looking at it like somebody who gets his panties in a wad when you think the USA might be getting slighted. Kanter is looking at it like he can stay relevant by continuing to attach his name to Lebron's.
 
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[Millions of Americans express hatred/apathy for Griner while she's living an absolute nightmare.]

Lebron: would she even want to come back to America?

Mob: Lebron hates America

Try being 7' tall and living your life knowing half the people you see will recognize you and a good portion of them hate you enough to wish you ill. You don't think you would question living in that country? You guys have no ability to look at anything other than your tiny, myopic world view. Lebron doesn't look at it like you do. He's looking at it like someone with fame looks at it. You're looking at it like somebody who gets his panties in a wad when you think the USA might be getting slighted.
Do you think LeBron would have a pot to piss in if he wasn't a great basketball player? He's far from a genius.
 
Sorry but your America hating basketball player stepped on his own d!ck with his comment. Screw him and screw Griner too. I guarantee that when that b!tch with an Adams apple gets her butt back on our shores, she trashes the US like you won't believe.
Without a doubt.
 
Brittney Griner had doctor’s recommendation for medical Cannabis in U.S.

Brittney Griner was back in a Russian courtroom on Friday and a lawyer for the WNBA star presented a doctor's note recommending the use of medical cannabis in order to treat pain.

Griner, who pleaded guilty to drug charges last Thursday, has been held in Russia since February after Russian authorities say they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. The guilty plea does not bring an end to the trial.

GettyImages-1241909248.jpg

US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner sits inside a defendants' cage during a hearing at the Khimki Court in the town of Khimki outside Moscow on July 15, 2022. - Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

"The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis. The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health," lawyer Maria Blagovolina said.

Brittney Griner had doctor’s recommendation for medical cannabis in U.S.
 
Brittney Griner had doctor’s recommendation for medical Cannabis in U.S.

Brittney Griner was back in a Russian courtroom on Friday and a lawyer for the WNBA star presented a doctor's note recommending the use of medical cannabis in order to treat pain.

Griner, who pleaded guilty to drug charges last Thursday, has been held in Russia since February after Russian authorities say they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. The guilty plea does not bring an end to the trial.

GettyImages-1241909248.jpg

US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner sits inside a defendants' cage during a hearing at the Khimki Court in the town of Khimki outside Moscow on July 15, 2022. - Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

"The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis. The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health," lawyer Maria Blagovolina said.

Brittney Griner had doctor’s recommendation for medical cannabis in U.S.
That's nice, but so what? She was in a foreign country.
 
Brittney Griner had doctor’s recommendation for medical Cannabis in U.S.

Brittney Griner was back in a Russian courtroom on Friday and a lawyer for the WNBA star presented a doctor's note recommending the use of medical cannabis in order to treat pain.

Griner, who pleaded guilty to drug charges last Thursday, has been held in Russia since February after Russian authorities say they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. The guilty plea does not bring an end to the trial.

GettyImages-1241909248.jpg

US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner sits inside a defendants' cage during a hearing at the Khimki Court in the town of Khimki outside Moscow on July 15, 2022. - Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

"The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis. The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health," lawyer Maria Blagovolina said.

Brittney Griner had doctor’s recommendation for medical cannabis in U.S.
So? WTF does what she had prescribed in US have to do with the laws of other countries?

If she was here in America, I would have a lot more sympathy because this is supposed to be a free nation. But the same freedoms we enjoy and expect here don't carry over to other countries.

When in Rome...
 
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