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Originally Posted by miami_fan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward64 View Post
No mention of others. Paul Whelan has been imprisoned for 3+ years. He's accused of espionage which is more serious vs recreational drugs.
It comes down to how much damage the Russian guy can do now. He's been out of the game for a while, will he resume his activities which (presumably) hurt US interests?
Biden is in a tough spot. Bringing Gringer out without bringing out Whelan (or others) doesn't sit well with me e.g. the LIFO model. But she did get disproportionate sentencing because of Biden's support of Ukraine so there's some justice there.
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This reads like why Brittany as opposed to someone else jailed in Russia, no? |
This is specific to above quotes as I was mentioned in and not to the broader conversation (because I don't want to be that guy who jumps in without fully understanding the discussion). Just want to clarify my specific position on the Griner trade.
I can see why one believes that I preferred Paul Whelan to be released first based on my first paragraph. But note that was in response to a question that Henry296 asked if there were any other prisoners. I just answered him and was not meant to imply I preferred Whelan over Griner.
My second and third paragraphs show that I am conflicted. It is primarily because I don't know if Bout would continue his escapades. If he is able to help Putin substantially (beyond just pure propaganda) with his old contacts, the havoc he would cause to the Ukrainians in deaths, prolonging the war etc. would far outweigh a Griner or Whelan release. In other words, if you can tell me for sure that Bout will ramp up again, neither Griner or Whelan or Tom Brady or LeBron James would be worth the trade.
I don't know the answer to that question and hence my internal struggle on whether this trade was worth it (regardless of Griner or Whelan).