OPINION: Biden demonstrate his weakness on the global scene - gives Russia back their "Merchant of Death"

Always in His Presence · Dec 8, 2022

Who is Viktor Bout? "Merchant of death" arms dealer in Brittney Griner swap

The Kremlin has long sought Viktor Bout's release, calling his sentencing in April 2012 "baseless and biased."

www.newsweek.com

Bout, a 55-year-old former Soviet military officer, was serving a 25-year sentence in the United States. He was convicted of conspiring to kill U.S. citizens and officials, of selling millions of dollars of weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and aiding a terrorist organization.

That is neither the sign of a strong President, nor a good negotiator.

Occams Barber · Dec 8, 2022

hislegacy said:
Who is Viktor Bout? "Merchant of death" arms dealer in Brittney Griner swap

The Kremlin has long sought Viktor Bout's release, calling his sentencing in April 2012 "baseless and biased."

www.newsweek.com

Bout, a 55-year-old former Soviet military officer, was serving a 25-year sentence in the United States. He was convicted of conspiring to kill U.S. citizens and officials, of selling millions of dollars of weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and aiding a terrorist organization.

That is neither the sign of a strong President, nor a good negotiator.

Judging from what I've read about the concerns the US public had for Griner I suspect that Biden will be remembered as the person who got Griner back.

It would be interesting to see a survey of whether or not Americans thought it was worth swapping Bout for Griner.

OB

Always in His Presence · Dec 8, 2022

Occams Barber said:
Judging from what I've read about the concerns the US public had for Griner I suspect that Biden will be remembered as the person who got Griner back.

It would be interesting to see a survey of whether or not Americans thought it was worth swapping Bout for Briner.

OB

We would have to include the people murdered by the "Merchant of Death" for their opinion

GoldenBoy89 · Dec 8, 2022

hislegacy said:
Who is Viktor Bout? "Merchant of death" arms dealer in Brittney Griner swap

The Kremlin has long sought Viktor Bout's release, calling his sentencing in April 2012 "baseless and biased."

www.newsweek.com

Bout, a 55-year-old former Soviet military officer, was serving a 25-year sentence in the United States. He was convicted of conspiring to kill U.S. citizens and officials, of selling millions of dollars of weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and aiding a terrorist organization.

That is neither the sign of a strong President, nor a good negotiator.

What would you have done instead?

Always in His Presence · Dec 8, 2022

GoldenBoy89 said:
What would you have done instead?

Now it is what about me? Please.......

My opinion: releasing someone who has aided and abated the death of people on a global level should not even be on the table.

Occams Barber · Dec 8, 2022

hislegacy said:
Now it is what about me? Please.......

My opinion: releasing someone who has aided and abated the death of people on a global level should not even be on the table.

As a result, you could, quite reasonably, be accused of failing to take action to free an American citizen allowing revenge to cloud your decision.

It's easy to manufacture a "damned if you do or damned if you don't" scenario out of situations like these.

This situation is not black or white as you would have us believe. It's a lot harder to bite the bullet, make a decision and accept the consequences.

OB

Always in His Presence · Dec 8, 2022

Occams Barber said:
As a result, you could, quite reasonably, be accused of failing to take action to free an American citizen allowing revenge to cloud your decision.

It's easy to manufacture a "damned if you do or damned if you don't" scenario out of situations like these.

This situation is not black or white as you would have us believe. It's a lot harder to bite the bullet, make a decision and accept the consequences.

OB

I am not trying to make anyone believe anything. Only offering my opinion.

Saucy · Dec 8, 2022

Occams Barber said:
As a result, you could, quite reasonably, be accused of failing to take action to free an American citizen allowing revenge to cloud your decision.

It's easy to manufacture a "damned if you do or damned if you don't" scenario out of situations like these.

This situation is not black or white as you would have us believe. It's a lot harder to bite the bullet, make a decision and accept the consequences.

OB

It is a black-and-white issue...quite literally. She's a black, gay woman who all the liberal celebrities wanted released, so to boost his popularity, Biden makes a horrible trade, releasing a global terrorist to get it done. 100% a PR stunt and nothing more. While an actual vet has been stuck in prison there for over 4 years. If Brittney was a white Trump supporter, I guarantee you she'd still be in prison.

GoldenBoy89 · Dec 8, 2022

hislegacy said:
Now it is what about me? Please.......

My opinion: releasing someone who has aided and abated the death of people on a global level should not even be on the table.

Fair enough. I think the right decision was made since I don't know of anyone else we could have offered up for her release. The thought of anyone having to endure such a ridiculously long prison sentence, in Russia of all places, over something so stupid as an empty CBD cartridge in her luggage is just unfathomable. I'm glad she's coming back home and consider this a win for Biden, and especially for Griner considering the current state of relations with Russia.

NxNW · Dec 8, 2022

hislegacy said:
We would have to include the people murdered by the "Merchant of Death" for their opinion

How many people did he personally murder?

NxNW · Dec 8, 2022

Saucy said:
If Brittney was a white Trump supporter, I guarantee you she'd still be in prison.

There seem to be a lot of Trump supporters in prison these days.

Always in His Presence · Dec 8, 2022

GoldenBoy89 said:
Fair enough. I think the right decision was made since I don't know of anyone else we could have offered up for her release. The thought of anyone having to endure such a ridiculously long prison sentence, in Russia of all places, over something so stupid as an empty CBD cartridge in her luggage is just unfathomable. I'm glad she's coming back home and consider this a win for Biden, and especially for Griner considering the current state of relations with Russia.

And the Marine who is still there? Where is the win for Biden in his case.

If you did not know the Russians are holding a Marine, you might need a new news source.

Always in His Presence · Dec 8, 2022

NxNW said:
How many people did he personally murder?

He was not called the Merchant of death for his Girl Scout cookies sales.

NxNW · Dec 8, 2022

hislegacy said:
My opinion: releasing someone who has aided and abated the death of people on a global level should not even be on the table.

So all weapons manufacturers and dealers should be in prison?

Fantine · Dec 8, 2022

The Russian has already served about 15 years. He is unlikely to ascend to his previous position. He will be looked at with suspicion and watched closely by American intelligence.
I have no problem with this trade.

BPPLEE · Dec 8, 2022

GoldenBoy89 said:
What would you have done instead?

There is a Marine who was accused of spying who is imprisoned in Russia and Biden chose Griner over him. It is a good thing that an American is coming home but a better negotiator might have gotten both

BPPLEE · Dec 8, 2022

GoldenBoy89 said:
Fair enough. I think the right decision was made since I don't know of anyone else we could have offered up for her release. The thought of anyone having to endure such a ridiculously long prison sentence, in Russia of all places, over something so stupid as an empty CBD cartridge in her luggage is just unfathomable. I'm glad she's coming back home and consider this a win for Biden, and especially for Griner considering the current state of relations with Russia.

I’m glad she’s coming home but I thought she had THC in a vape cartridge. Why Pros Like Brittney Griner Choose Cannabis for Their Pain

comana · Dec 8, 2022

BPPLEE said:
There is a Marine who was accused of spying who is imprisoned in Russia and Biden chose Griner over him. It is a good thing that an American is coming home but a better negotiator might have gotten both

Are you sure he was offered a choice between the two?

Saucy · Dec 8, 2022

NxNW said:
There seem to be a lot of Trump supporters in prison these days.

Yep that's what happens when you have a system that caters the left and throws anyone in prison for opposing them when they do the very same things and get a slap on the wrist. Leftists who burn down cities in a rage get no time at all.

Friedrich Rubinstein · Dec 8, 2022

At least Biden gave Russia, Saudi-Arabia and the UAE something to laugh about. First I thought it was a joke that the US would even think about trading the Merchant of Death (who inspired a movie even) for an athlete who broke Russian law. But nope, Biden really wanted that award for facilitating the worst prisoner exchange in history.

Quite telling when Russia is able to make such an amazing deal (from their perspective) with the United States at a time when Russia is supposed to be weak.

OPINION: Biden demonstrate his weakness on the global scene - gives Russia back their "Merchant of Death"

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