Brittany's release: Karine Jean-Pierre said: "It was one or none. The choice of who was Russia's."

[Hekate]

This is in response to the numerous DUer’s who think she got some sort of undeserved preferential treatment from the White House. Who repeated the Russian charges as though they are truth itself. Who demanded to know why she was there in the first place.

Don’t ask me who — not only is it against TOS to do call-outs by name, but I lost count.

One or none. Biden’s admin is still working on Whelan’s case and whoever else is there. Whelan’s brother isn’t blaming Biden.

[yankee87]

1. How??

How can anyone crap on this great accomplishment of the Biden administration? I swear if President Biden cured cancer, they would complain that he didn’t cure the common cold. Celebrating here in Ohio.

[tulipsandroses]

2. Gee, you would think any Democrat, Any American period would be elated

at the fact that an American is heading back to America. What do these naysayers want? For the Biden Admin to say no keep her imprisoned if we can’t get both at the same time?

She was arrested because of her celebrity status. Whose fault is that? Biden? Or is that the fault of a maniacal dictator?

One could just be happy with the return of one of our own citizens AND actually appreciate that her celebrity status pulled more interest towards other Americans held in Russia and other places around the world.

[Alhena]

3. Depends whether this Russian guy goes back to selling arms to bad guys the world over

If so, would be hard to make the case the greater good has been served.

[tulipsandroses]

6. If that's the thinking. There will never be an acceptable hostage negotiation deal

This made major headlines but America has a long history of negotiating with bad guys, outside of the headlines. Whenever there is an opportunity to bring our people home, we should do so. Those people buying arms, didn’t stop doing it because this guy was in prison.

[Elessar Zappa]

7. Better a 100 guilty go free than one innocent unfairly locked up.

[inthewind21]

10. She was arrested

because she took hashish oil into Russia, even she admits that. Which by the way, can get you arrested right here in the US as well depending on what state you are caught in. The bonus for Russia was she was a known name who broke a Russian law and she would be better leverage. Why anyone would give the Russians a reason to throw you in their clink is beyond me. US law doesn't apply in Russia any more than Russian law applies in the US. Anyone remember Otto Wombier? Or his parents (Trumps props, until they were no longer useful) Do I think it was bullshit in both cases? Yes, I do. But US law means nadda in foreign countries. And going to a hostile country, like N. Korea or Russia, and giving them a reason to knab you it just about the stupidest move ever.

[tulipsandroses]

14. She had to plead guilty. There could be no negotiations without it

They were not going to negotiate otherwise. I don’t trust propagandists. Russia’s courts are a sham. We are not dealing with people who do things honestly or fairly.

[moonscape]

13. This isn't a popular opinion, but she knew

enough about Russia to enter squeaky clean, so the fault is hers. Dumb mistake, reckless chance. Very glad she’s coming home, but had she not been so stupid, we wouldn’t have had to make that trade. Hopefully, this is a teaching moment, but my concern is how effective authoritarian regimes will think planting small evidence could be.

[TheBlackAdder]

4. Putin doesn't really give a fuck who is in prison or released, so he could hold out until he dies.

[Wounded Bear]

5. Complainers love to ignore the fact that we were negotiating with a foreign power...

one that doesn't like us much to boot.

Getting Ms Briner home is a great accomplishment on its own merit.

[inthewind21]

8. Right

Like the POTUS can just decide what happens in a foreign country.

[tulipsandroses]

9. I still believe this case was bullshit

I don’t buy that it was missed here in America and found in Russia. What a coinkidink!
The nonsense that some people come up with, makes me go huh? When this initially happened, some posters said “she must have gotten away with it a bunch of times and got busted this time”. I said this then, if you believe that, then we have much bigger problems.
If US airports, consistently fail at detecting illegal substances. Boy are we in trouble.

[inthewind21]

12. I have news for you

US airports consistently fail at detecting pretty much everything.

https://reason.com/2021/11/19/after-20-years-of-failure-kill-the-tsa/

[stopdiggin]

15. got there before me

and in addition - cartridges are just cartridges, until tested for what they contain. Griner has admitted backwards and forwards that the 'goods' were hers - with the addition of a (U.S.) doctor's prescription submitted by her own defense ...

All of which says nothing to the fact that this celebrity sports figure was employed as a bargaining chip and had the misfortune to fall into the Russian legal system at a time when - well, that part is fairly self-evident. But the continued contortions necessary hold up a claim of 'innocent' or a 'frame up' ... Nope.

I'm glad the young lady is home. Kudos to all those involved in effecting her release. And - strongly suspect that nothing Biden and team attempted were going to avail .. until most recently, when Valdimir himself, felt the need for some positive publicity.

[jcgoldie]

19. I smuggled a cat home from Mexico 5 years ago on an airplane

It was a stray cat that we found coming into our casa from the jungle every night to eat our leftover fish. I bought a huge bag of bulk catfood for the owner to take care of her when we left. She refused. So I brought her home in a duffle bag right under the seat on the plane. Through the metal detector in Puerto Vallarta. Through US customs in Houston. Onto another plane home and out the door in StLouis. She lives happily in our farmhouse in Illinois to this day.

[Hortensis]

11. Agree. Seeing that the WH got Brittney out was a great start to the day.

My complaint is about those who seem to see Brittney mostly in terms of identity group.

As an old straight white woman, they make me feel I'd rot and die without their noticing in a hard-labor penal colony. Wrong political identity. A nobody at best. A "white woman" at worst.

God! This is DU. But this is not typical Democratic thinking. Democrats are generous and inclusive. We believe everyone has the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

We contain multitudes.

[betsuni]

16. It's Worst Case Scenario time!

Bout, out of the loop in prison for fifteen years, is immediately going to kill everyone because his old customers (terrorist groups and dictators are known for their steadfast loyalty and longevity) are eagerly awaiting his calls because the arms dealing business totally stopped when Bout was arrested. BAD DEAL, the Worst Case Scenarios say. Suddenly there are an awful lot of experts on arms dealers, prisoner exchanges, and of course they can all tell the future. Not possible that Bout might just want to see his mama and taste her soup again and maybe enjoy being out of prison before launching into his plans to kill everybody.

Whatabout! Whatabout Whelan? Whatabout other prisoners? The Biden administration only paid attention to Griner's case because they were forced to, blah blah blah.

These kinds of comments are everywhere.

[Stinky The Clown]

17. Thank You! Brava!

I've had to stand on my tongue and sit on my hands at reading and interpreting what was being said right here in River City.

[Hekate]

18. You guys are all making me feel better. Really you are