First, welcome home, Brittney Griner. Make no mistake about what Russia is doing with this swap.

[Samrob]

By releasing Brittney and not Paul, Putin is driving another stake into the heart of American democracy and unity. Putin knows exactly how to rile up the Trumpian MAGAs who are all too willing to have yet another grievance against Biden, democrats, blacks and everyone who is not like them. Wait for the MSM to continue to do Putin's bidding, either intentionally or unintentionally.

[NoMoreRepugs]

1. THIS. The dupes are either willing or willing dupes.

[Walleye]

2. I have just decided I don't care anymore about their white grievances

The Republicans want to be the party of the butt-hurt. It’s their choice. They don’t have to be crazy

[TheBlackAdder]

17. Where was Trump for 2 years when Putin and he were besties? If Trump couldn't. . .

[Walleye]

18. I swear to God when the breaking news thing came on the CBS news this morning

I thought just for an instant “oh fuck that madman Putin has finally started World War III”, such a relief to find out it was actually good news

[mitch96]

19. Agree. No matter what Biden did with Griner or Whelen they would bitch, and play the victim.

Anything to "own the libs" ........ fuck'em...
m

[Walleye]

20. Lately i just keep thinking, they must be miserable people

What kind of mental health is constantly seeking vengeance. Looks like they’re living in some 50s western TV series. Or the movie Mad Max or something

[mitch96]

25. I think it's Orwells 1984.. black is white, good is bad, war is peace... uff makes no sense..nt

[gab13by13]

3. Give me a break with this right wing talking point.

Welcome home Brittany.

[JohnSJ]

12. +++

[bullimiami]

4. They can go f themselves. Anyone who isn't relieved by this is a real ass.

It was such a gross miscarriage of reality to use her as political fodder.
The entire Russian govt including the courts is a sham.

[Omnipresent]

5. Trading her for an arms dealer was a bad move.

This guy is a killer.

[bullimiami]

7. Worth the price. Well worth.

[obamanut2012]

22. No it wasn't

Just stop.

[Omnipresent]

24. Can you put some meat on that bone?

You know, substance to support your argument?

[louslobbs]

30. So if you were being held prisoner by Russia

You would have declined the negotiated release and refused to leave the Russian prison right?

[Omnipresent]

32. Yes, because I'm not a Republican.

[louslobbs]

33. Thank you

N/T

[Omnipresent]

35. I'm glad you finally understand.

[jcgoldie]

41. Do you think no-one has been dealing arms since he's been in jail?

He deserved to be punished for his crimes yes, but its not like those crimes have or will go uncommitted if he stays incarcerated along with Griner.

[Sympthsical]

6. So if you don't think an arms dealer for a minor celebrity was great

You're just being divisive and mean?

(Do people hear themselves sometimes?)

[Omnipresent]

9. They obviously don't...

Putin got a real bargain in this trade.

[TheBeam19]

10. Exactly. It's an attempt to shut down

any dissenting opinion on this swap.

Not even worth debating people who employ that tactic.

[obamanut2012]

23. She was a citizen, wtf does her "celebrity" have to do with it??

Jfc this place can just be hsteful sometimes.

[Sympthsical]

29. What of Bout's victims?

The man is responsible for countless deaths.

Ignoring them? That's hateful. And some people seem awfully determined to do it. Hand wave that all away. So let's not talk about hate when that is happening.

Let's have some perspective and proportion here, seriously.

[ripcord]

34. Paul Whelan is a citizen also

This is the second time the Biden administration has left him behind, things seem to different when you are a pro athlete with hordes of celebrity supporters.

[Johnny2X2X]

40. Guy is no longer an arms dealer

He has spent 15 years in prison.

[JI7]

8. There was a white guy released even before Brittany Griner

but some people are resentful of her.

[onenote]

16. I assume you are referring to Trevor Reed

Who was released in a trade for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot who was convicted of conspiracy to smuggle drugs into the US.

[MerryHolidays]

11. Weren't you one of the ones here on DU on Tuesday night fearing

that Senator Warnock was going to lose? https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217439238

If so, your post is right up that same alley: wrong and pointless.

Do you REALLY think Putin is smarter than Joe Biden? Really??? Do you REALLY care what MAGAs think? Really???

[Paladin]

13. Can we have even half an hour of pleasure over the Griner release?

I mean, is that too fucking much to ask?

[ChazII]

15. Agree with your comment.

I am making the decision to be happy that she is on her way home.

[Bettie]

14. His family has released a statement

that should blunt that a little.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217445271

[marmar]

21. "is driving another stake into the heart of American democracy and unity"

A bit dramatic, no? First off, there can't be much less political unity than there is now. MAGAs are going to MAGA no matter what, but as the election demonstrated, their influence is waning, so who cares what they think or say?
Nobody will be talking about this next week.

[Takket]

26. Biden eating ice cream riles up MAGAts

Really “how are MAGAts going to feel” is about the dumbest reasons imaginable to do, or not do, something.

You make that deal every time. In two weeks no one will even remember this happened except for Grindr being home.

[underpants]

27. I see this as a first step toward negotiations on Ukraine

That’s my take.

[Zorro]

28. I'm with you

It's an icebreaker.

[karynnj]

36. I don't think so because it changes nothing re Ukraine

Unless Russia recognizes that it's annexations are not real, there can be no negotiations. In fact, negotiations have to be mostly between Ukraine and Russia. Not to mention, the earlier release of Trevor Reid. There is a reason these are on separate tracks.

[underpants]

37. Ok. Not arguing

It just felt like a good faith effort of some kind.

[karynnj]

38. I was just remembering when Secretary Kerry was asked about some people held by Iran

He explained to the Republican congressman harassing him about a preacher from Idaho who returned to Iran to convert people AFTER he was imprisoned and released once. The answer was that the administration had two tracks that were purposely not working together. The reason, he told them was it would be wrong to negotiate away anything that would make the nuclear deal stronger..

In fact though,, there was a synergy in moving all issues forward. When a US navy vessel went into Iranian water days before the deal was suppose to happen, it was Kerry who called his counterpart to get their release within a day.

[dalton99a]

39. Yep