Quote (bogie160 @ Dec 8 2022 02:13pm)

Whether it's arms dealing or mercenaries, they're effectively extensions of the Russian government. Bout's value isn't personal, he's not going to do any deals, but it's a message that Putin will come and get those who work for the regime.

The US doesn't negotiate with terrorists because they don't want to encourage the taking of American hostages. The Economist ran an analysis a few years back, and true to form, Americans were far less likely to be taken hostage overseas. If the United States won't pay you, and you're likely to get an air strike for your trouble, the cost benefit analysis is pretty clear-cut. The same rule should have applied here. If Russia wants to grab WNBA players for weed, then don't bring weed to Russia, or preferably don't go at all.

Quote (bogie160 @ 8 Dec 2022 13:13)

Whether it's arms dealing or mercenaries, they're effectively extensions of the Russian government. Bout's value isn't personal, he's not going to do any deals, but it's a message that Putin will come and get those who work for the regime.

The US doesn't negotiate with terrorists because they don't want to encourage the taking of American hostages. The Economist ran an analysis a few years back, and true to form, Americans were far less likely to be taken hostage overseas. If the United States won't pay you, and you're likely to get an air strike for your trouble, the cost benefit analysis is pretty clear-cut. The same rule should have applied here. If Russia wants to grab WNBA players for weed, then don't bring weed to Russia, or preferably don't go at all.

Quote (Sixers @ Dec 8 2022 06:05pm)

The best part about this is the right wing poster boy being Paul Whelan, the former Marine currently locked up in Russia still. People sharing his pic with his story as if he was left behind, what a disgrace, etc.

....yet don't even realize he was court-martialed in 2008 for attempted larceny, false statements, dereliction of duty, and other offenses and received a bad conduct discharge from the Marine Corps. :wallbash:

Quote (SwamiVivekananda @ Dec 8 2022 06:00pm)

Anyone who thinks this was even close to a fair swap is suffering severe brain damage and should probably head to the ER immediately.

I'm sure a pot-smoking WNBA player who only SJW's give a shit about can do so much for our country! Forget the real POW's who Biden neglected despite saying, "We tried".

As for those who also think an International Arms Dealer can't do shit from prison in Russia you are sadly mistaken. He now has access not only to his people but is closer to his assets as well.

#BidenISaCUCK

# If you bring cannabis on a plane to a country that it's illegal you should serve out every day for being retarded.

Quote (Rare_Rose8830 @ Dec 10 2022 02:41am)

Agree 100% with this. The US Marine is the one who should have came home they had a choice of who to pick but they chose a POS over a service member who fought for their country. Sad day

Quote (YeeHaw @ Dec 10 2022 11:20am)

There is another us citizen, name escapes me at the moment, who is in a labor camp in Russia for the past few years for the same thing, besides him being a medical marijuana user.

Also this is pretty sketchy. It seems original reporting stated there was a choice, and later edited to align with the white house’s “official response”.