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

[n_huffhines]

Are we defending women sports again?

Are you a proponent of transgender competing in women sports?

No, but I also think it should be up to the governing bodies in sports, like TSSAA, to decide and not the state/federal legislatures. It just gets way too ugly, politicized, and centralized at that level.

 

[n_huffhines]

For Huff and any other white knights coming to Griners fictional rescue. She would also punch you in your face llike she has been arrested for doing to her girlfriends...if you were hitting on her woman. She beats her women...this isnt Mother Teresa we are talking about. Go VOLS

Omg, she was with a pro athlete and they both got charged with assault. Let's not act like this is Stanley vs. Stella.

I don't even know what your point is. I've literally said nothing positive about Griner.

 

[n_huffhines]

Since the 1990s, Bout has been an international weapons trafficker. As a result of his weapons trafficking activities in Liberia, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control within the Department of Treasury placed him on the Specially Designated nationals list in 2004. The designation prohibits any transactions between Bout and U.S. nationals, and freezes any of his assets that are within the jurisdiction of the United States.

Between November 2007 and March 2008, Bout agreed to sell to the FARC millions of dollars’ worth of weapons – including 800 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), 30,000 AK-47 firearms, 10 million rounds of ammunition, five tons of C-4 plastic explosives, “ultralight” airplanes outfitted with grenade launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles. Bout agreed to sell the weapons to two confidential sources working with the DEA (the “CSs”), who represented that they were acquiring them for the FARC, with the specific understanding that the weapons were to be used to attack U.S. helicopters in Colombia.

During a covertly recorded meeting in Thailand on March 6, 2008, Bout stated to the CSs that he could arrange to airdrop the arms to the FARC in Colombia, and offered to sell two cargo planes to the FARC that could be used for arms deliveries. He also provided a map of South America and asked the CSs to show him American radar locations in Colombia. Bout said that he understood that the CSs wanted the arms to use against American personnel in Colombia, and advised that, “we have the same enemy,” referring to the United States. He also stated that the FARC’s fight against the United States was also his fight and that he had been “fighting the United States…for 10 to 15 years.” During the meeting, he also offered to provide people to train the FARC in the use of the arms.

The evidence presented at trial included a recording of the March 6, 2008 meeting between Bout, the CSs, his former associate Andrew Smulian, and others. Smulian was charged along with Bout in the government’s March 2008 complaint and pleaded guilty in May 2008 to the four conspiracy counts of which Bout was just convicted. Smulian cooperated with the government and, along with the two CSs, provided testimony at the trial.

International Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Convicted in New York of Terrorism Crimes

Hey, thanks for this. Something of actual substance for once. I still don't see how this is any different from our government's behavior. Are we criminals conspiring to kill the enemies of everybody we armed because we see them as a common enemy?

I don't think we have to worry about arms in Colombia if we mind our own fkn business, so I still don't see his actions as that big of a big concern. The biggest concern is that we don't mind our own fkn business. WE have been putting Americans in harm's way in S America for decades because of an unjust war on drugs.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

From that prison photo..that is not in the US. Maybe extradited.

He was captured in Thailand I believe.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

He was captured in Thailand I believe.

Correct

Thai alphabet in the pic below.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

How about freeing Griner is 1000x less complicated than ending the war in Ukraine.

Did you figure out the details of the conspiracy, yet?

And how about what Maria Zakharova said today? That Russia has far more pressing needs right now than to address this.

Maybe the US has far greater things to be worried about at this time also.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Hey, thanks for this. Something of actual substance for once. I still don't see how this is any different from our government's behavior. Are we criminals conspiring to kill the enemies of everybody we armed because we see them as a common enemy?

I don't think we have to worry about arms in Colombia if we mind our own fkn business, so I still don't see his actions as that big of a big concern. The biggest concern is that we don't mind our own fkn business. WE have been putting Americans in harm's way in S America for decades because of an unjust war on drugs.

Its OK for the US to arm people, but we can't allow others to get into dealing arms. The US is the exceptional nation. We are the good guys, remember?

 

[Hunerwadel]

And how about what Maria Zakharova said today? That Russia has far more pressing needs right now than to address this.

Maybe the US has far greater things to be worried about at this time also.

How much trouble is it to put a couple of people on a plane and send them home?

 

[n_huffhines]

And how about what Maria Zakharova said today? That Russia has far more pressing needs right now than to address this.

Maybe the US has far greater things to be worried about at this time also.

Honestly, do you really want Biden addressing anything more important than this? Today would be a good day for his presidency if he freed BG and the ex-marine and then just went back to sleep.

 

[Franklin Pierce]

American Private School Teacher who was Jailed in Russia after being caught with a Medical Marijuana Prescription Blasts Biden for working to release Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan But Not Him

A private school teacher jailed for 14 years in Russia after being caught with medical marijuana has blasted Joe Biden's attempts to free Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan - but not him.

Marc Fogel, 61, penned a furious letter home to Pittsburgh from his hellish penal colony, writing: 'Teachers are at least as important as bballers.'

He spoke as his wife Jane and his two nieces attempted to turn up the heat on Biden to push for his release. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and convicted in January.

'There's a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that Marc will be left behind,’ said Fogel’s wife, Jane, to the Washington Post on Wednesday.

And Fogel's niece Ellen Keelan told CBS Pittsburgh: 'I want people to understand this is a death sentence for my uncle. He is 61, he already has these health issues, and we're talking about a maximum-security prison in Russia. We're distraught, we're beside ourselves. We did not see this coming. The only explanation is that this is political.'

Fogel had 17 grams of prescription marijuana hidden in a contact lens case to treat pain following a knee replacement and other injuries.

The family of Marc Fogel, pictured earlier this year, have pleaded for US officials to make the same efforts to free him from a Russian jail as are being afforded to Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan

Her worries come after the White House confirmed it was working on a possible prisoner swap to free Griner and American Paul Whelan, who was accused of being a spy in Russia and has been given a 16-year sentence.

Whelan complained of not being treated the same way Griner was, and President Biden eventually gave his sister a call after she took to TV to speak out about it.

Marc Fogel, left, with wife Jane, center left, son Sam, 22, center right, and son Ethan, 24, right. Jane has spoken out for the first time in a bid to bring attention to her husband's plight

Private school educator jailed in Russia after being caught with medical marijuana blasts Biden | Daily Mail Online

 

[Franklin Pierce]

CNN Exclusive: Russian officials requested Adding Convicted Murderer to Griner/Whelan Prisoner Swap

(CNN )Russian government officials requested that a former colonel from the country's domestic spy agency who was convicted of murder in Germany last year be added to the US' proposed swap of a notorious arms dealer for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, multiple sources familiar with the discussions told CNN.

The Russians communicated the request to the US earlier this month through an informal backchannel used by the spy agency, known as the FSB, that they wanted Vadim Krasikov released in addition to Viktor Bout, the sources said. Krasikov was convicted in December of murdering a former Chechen fighter, Zelimkhan "Tornike" Khangoshvili, in Berlin's Kleiner Tiergarten in 2019 and sentenced to life in prison.

CNN Exclusive: Russian officials requested adding convicted murderer to Griner/Whelan prisoner swap - CNNPolitics
https://www.cnn.com/profiles/natasha-bertrand-profile

 

[Gandalf]

He wasn't respected at home or abroad. He was, outside of his cheer squad, thought of as a buffoon.

Well, I cannot speak for all foreign leaders but the ones I know directly did not think of him that way. They mostly thought of him as a businessman. Transactional vs ideologue.

Early on, they were very concerned about his rhetoric though. I had a meeting with the (then) relatively new ambassador to the US just after Trump was elected. He asked me my thoughts on Trump since he was told the organization I helped run had significant insight into his political positioning, though I myself had not dealt with him that much. They were especially concerned about immigration and whether there would be an outright ban on immigrants and what relations between the countries would be like as this country has a delicate history with the US.

My comment then, and I stand by it today was - "the key to understanding Trump is not to take what he says literally but certainly to take it very seriously". And this, I think they understood while many in our media missed it. He is vain, egotistical and bombastic but he is meticulous at some things while preferring to stay at the big picture level on others, letting minions handle it. Main thing is never cross the dude, he does not forgive or forget. He is very practical, focused on personal loyalty and genuinely loves America, he really does in a way that many of the jet set do not.

He talks a lot of blah blah blah but he is a cold eyed shark when it comes to the deal. He is almost practicing thick face black heart Asian style of business and uses the bluster as a cover.

He also has an uncanny read on the public mood. Not what the media mavens are chattering but what main street thinks.

 

[Orangeburst]

How about a UFC fight between Griner and the Merchant of Death..Winner takes freedom.
All proceeds go to either Ukraine or Russia.

 

[82_VOL_83]

Homosexual, Black, Female broke the law in another country.
Only a homophobic, racist, sexist would not want her back to contribute as a citizen until she served her time for her crime.
Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.
Is "she" and "her" too many gender pronouns for a single post?
If Biden makes a trade for her, every single American prisoner incarcerated for weed should be released from custody.
Putin making Biden look like a bigger fool.

Not possible

 

[82_VOL_83]

American Private School Teacher who was Jailed in Russia after being caught with a Medical Marijuana Prescription Blasts Biden for working to release Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan But Not Him

A private school teacher jailed for 14 years in Russia after being caught with medical marijuana has blasted Joe Biden's attempts to free Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan - but not him.

Marc Fogel, 61, penned a furious letter home to Pittsburgh from his hellish penal colony, writing: 'Teachers are at least as important as bballers.'

He spoke as his wife Jane and his two nieces attempted to turn up the heat on Biden to push for his release. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and convicted in January.

'There's a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that Marc will be left behind,’ said Fogel’s wife, Jane, to the Washington Post on Wednesday.

And Fogel's niece Ellen Keelan told CBS Pittsburgh: 'I want people to understand this is a death sentence for my uncle. He is 61, he already has these health issues, and we're talking about a maximum-security prison in Russia. We're distraught, we're beside ourselves. We did not see this coming. The only explanation is that this is political.'

Fogel had 17 grams of prescription marijuana hidden in a contact lens case to treat pain following a knee replacement and other injuries.

The family of Marc Fogel, pictured earlier this year, have pleaded for US officials to make the same efforts to free him from a Russian jail as are being afforded to Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan

Her worries come after the White House confirmed it was working on a possible prisoner swap to free Griner and American Paul Whelan, who was accused of being a spy in Russia and has been given a 16-year sentence.

Whelan complained of not being treated the same way Griner was, and President Biden eventually gave his sister a call after she took to TV to speak out about it.

Marc Fogel, left, with wife Jane, center left, son Sam, 22, center right, and son Ethan, 24, right. Jane has spoken out for the first time in a bid to bring attention to her husband's plight

Private school educator jailed in Russia after being caught with medical marijuana blasts Biden | Daily Mail Online

Oh noes, another inconvenient truth for Unca Joe.

 

[82_VOL_83]

Well, I cannot speak for all foreign leaders but the ones I know directly did not think of him that way. They mostly thought of him as a businessman. Transactional vs ideologue.

Early on, they were very concerned about his rhetoric though. I had a meeting with the (then) relatively new ambassador to the US just after Trump was elected. He asked me my thoughts on Trump since he was told the organization I helped run had significant insight into his political positioning, though I myself had not dealt with him that much. They were especially concerned about immigration and whether there would be an outright ban on immigrants and what relations between the countries would be like as this country has a delicate history with the US.

My comment then, and I stand by it today was - "the key to understanding Trump is not to take what he says literally but certainly to take it very seriously". And this, I think they understood while many in our media missed it. He is vain, egotistical and bombastic but he is meticulous at some things while preferring to stay at the big picture level on others, letting minions handle it. Main thing is never cross the dude, he does not forgive or forget. He is very practical, focused on personal loyalty and genuinely loves America, he really does in a way that many of the jet set do not.

He talks a lot of blah blah blah but he is a cold eyed shark when it comes to the deal. He is almost practicing thick face black heart Asian style of business and uses the bluster as a cover.

He also has an uncanny read on the public mood. Not what the media mavens are chattering but what main street thinks.

But mean tweets!!!

 

[Franklin Pierce]

Marc Fogel: Family of American man detained in Russia begs Biden, Blinken to add him to Britney Griner deal

The family of a man being detained in Russia is pleading with the highest ranks of the United States government to include the beloved Pennsylvania schoolteacher in their deal with the Kremlin to have those in its custody safely returned to the U.S.

​

"A 14 year sentence in a Russian prison colony is, at best, a life sentence and, at worst, a death sentence"

Marc Fogel, 60, is serving what attorneys have called an "exorbitant" 14-year sentence for being caught in Russia with medical marijuana that he used to treat a severe back injury. When news broke that the U.S. government was working on a deal to bring home Americans detained in Russia, his family and representatives had hoped Fogel would be on that list – and were devastated to learn otherwise.

Marc Fogel: Family of American man detained in Russia begs Biden, Blinken to add him to Britney Griner deal

 

[EricStratton]

Break the law and do the time. Just like that Warmbier *******. He was a bad guest and paid the price. So should these other aholes. Britney Griner should be used an example to show some respect and reverence to your country.

 

[n_huffhines]

Russia countered asking for a murderer.

 

[n_huffhines]

Break the law and do the time. Just like that Warmbier *******. He was a bad guest and paid the price. So should these other aholes. Britney Griner should be used an example to show some respect and reverence to your country.

With that attitude, you would have been a loyalist fighting against George Washington and the revolutionaries. Have respect and reverence for human rights, **** a construct like nations, governments, and their symbols. I can't believe people's brains work this way. But a lot of people'a do and that's why we're all slaves to the state.

 

[EricStratton]

With that attitude, you would have been a loyalist fighting against George Washington and the revolutionaries. Have respect and reverence for human rights, **** a construct like nations, governments, and their symbols. I can't believe people's brains work this way. But a lot of people'a do and that's why we're all slaves to the state.

You really are just that dumb.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Honestly, do you really want Biden addressing anything more important than this? Today would be a good day for his presidency if he freed BG and the ex-marine and then just went back to sleep.

You have a point.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Holy crap, Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years, for Pot?

Russia turned down a 2-1 prisonwr exchange? That is awful.

 

[Devo182]

Holy crap, Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years, for Pot?

Russia turned down a 2-1 prisonwr exchange? That is awful.

"Drug smuggling" lmao

Russia.is.just.the.worst.

 

[BarnesIsCaliparisDaddy]

Holy crap, Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years, for Pot?

Russia turned down a 2-1 prisonwr exchange? That is awful.

Note to self: don’t smuggle drugs to a powerful country that hates America