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© 2022 AFPFreed arms dealer Bout praises Putin, backs Ukraine assault
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86 Comments
Haaa Nemui
Business as usual then.
dagon
Fact is stranger than fiction sometimes.
Unfortunately in the real world it is rare that a war profiteer or oligarch has a change of heart and stops their actions because it is causing death and misery to many.
fallaffel
Wow, someone freed from prison by Putin is agreeing with Putin. And in other news, grass is green.
Yrral
He probably ate better ,than he eaten ever in Russia,lots of US jail have policies,where you can buy snacks,you bought on the outside of jail,by having a money account or people putting money on your book in jail
Moonraker
I suppose he has to say that now. If he really thought about it he couldn't possibly believe it. Shame would be part of his vocabulary, rather than pride.
painkiller
Bout, 55, said he "fully" supported Russia's military offensive in Ukraine and would have volunteered to go to the front if he had the "opportunity and necessary skills".
He will be back in business, selling to Russia this time.
Nemo
Bet he’s not stupid enough to depart Russian territory again. Shame that.
Might want to steer clear of open windows, Vic.
bass4funk
Most definitely! This is going to bite the US in the rear in the long run.
painkiller
Woke-US politics in play, as Whelan languishes away in prison for 4 years.
Yrral
Whelan got kicked out of the military,he choose to go to Russia by choice,and made bad decisions while their ,beating up a Russian cop
Bob Fosse
Oh, so he was in prison before Biden became president? Why didn’t the last guy care about him until now?
Yrral
People that live in other countries,the same can happen to you ,even in Japan
Nemo
Wheelman’s family said “We agree with the Biden Administration’s decision. While we would love to have Paul back, it was the right thing to get One American home instead of holding out for a deal that wasn’t going to happen.”
Thats not an exact quote, but it’s very close.
The Whelan family also said in an interview that none of our Faux devotees saw because it was on MSNBC, “The Biden Administration brought us in a day early and told us what was going on. We found out about Trevor Reed coming home, but not Paul on TV.”
IN ADDITION, there was thus Gem.
“Trump mentioned Paul more in the last 24 hours than he did in the 2 years in which he was president and Paul was detained which was never.”
I want Paul home too. And I don’t care that he was dishonorably discharged from the Marines for dereliction of duty.
He's an American held on a bs charge I want him home.
And I would have been willing to do some extra-legal things to leverage Victor. He’s not an American. He doesn’t have the same rights. I would have supported sending him to Gitmo as an enemy combatant and let him BBQ Under the warm Cuban Sun
But that’s not what we do for better or for worse. There was an American to be brought home and Joe pulled the trigger because unlike Dotard Don, he is capable of looking beyond his narrow self-interest.
Yrral
Julius Jones is being held on BS charges in America,an Biden has not advocated for freeing ,and he is an American
painkiller
Bob FosseToday 08:45 am JST
The last guy, who got three Americans out of North Korea?
The last guy--who didn't trade a woke athlete for a terrorist?
Bob Fosse
I’m sorry. I thought we were talking about Paul Whelan. Why would you change the topic?
Let’s go back to your first comment and start again
Yes. Isn’t it odd that 45 didn’t do anything then but can’t stop talking about it now.
Your turn.
bass4funk
What?
Well, that’s one sad way of putting it.
Apparently, you don’t know Biden’s political history. Anytime an American is brought home from a foreign country as a former hostage is great news for the most part, the problem is, the trade-off for the release. Allowing one of the most dangerous men in the planet to be traded was just not only an irresponsible decision, but it one that may have devastating repercussions down the road. This is what happens when you allow yourself to be checkmated by your political adversary.
Russian arms dealer nicknamed the “Merchant of Death” who had been in US custody since 2008. He was convicted in 2011 of conspiring to sell tens of millions of dollars worth of weapons for use against Americans by narco-terrorists and was in the middle of a 25-year federal prison sentence.
https://nypost.com/2022/12/08/ex-kremlin-op-on-brittney-griner-putin-outplayed-biden/
painkiller
Bob FosseToday 09:30 am JST
We were--along with Biden.
Why would you change the topic?
wallace
There are no different standards of Americans, there are only Americans.
Next year Viktor Bout would have served two-thirds of his prison term and probably would have been released and reported.
Last year Trump refused to swap Bout for Paul Whelan. Now Putin wants a spy-for-a-spy and refused to swap Whelan for Bout.
The Russians, the official said, told the U.S. that they would swap Whelan for Vadim Krasikov, a Russian assassin who is part of the Kremlin's domestic spy organization — and who is being detained in Germany for murder.
The last guy had 5,000 Taliban terrorists released.
Bob Fosse
That’s it? That’s your response?
How terribly disappointing.
painkiller
Bob FosseToday 09:35 am JST
I understand your disappointment--stopped your argument cold.
Canada, the UK, and Ireland can all get in the mix now to try and get Whelan free.
bass4funk
Paul Whelan reportedly told CNN on Thursday that he was happy to hear of Griner's release, **but said he was "greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up."**.
He not only got 56 other hostages out during his 4 years which is more than average, but you can’t get every single person. Ok, so back to the topic of Whelan and this administration. As Paul Whelan stated, he’s deeply disappointed that now more is done when the man knew more could have been down. But yeah, they got Griner…..
dagon
Not aware there are averages for Presidents in the hostage release stats.
Got any comparative stats to back that up for the last guy?
Lepyon
A woke second tier athlete traded for a dangerous arms dealer ...disgraceful
Antiquesaving
Let's see pot smoking female basketball player in exchange for a well connected arms dealer that can give the location of where he sold to and what he sold the mostly Russian or Soviet type weapons.
So now Putin can ask him to retrieve anything still available and deal to get more supplies.
While Biden can watch her play in a WMBA game if she isn't stoned for the several months as part of her recovery.
Honestly this lets you know the west is pulling the wool over the eyes of the population.
Great PR for Biden but bad for the war on his side but that has been the image all along hypeva few good things over and over again and ignore the factual downsides.
Blacklabel
Paul Whelan’s lawyer and John Bolton both say the trade could have been for Whelan not the woke America hating identity politicker.
bass4funk
Well, exactly.
Cards fan
You mean the person paid to advocate for Paul Whelan is advocating for Paul Whelan? Shocking! And John Bolton? lol The war hawk John Bolton is now a reliable source on what could have been done?
I can really see how the right loves free speech right here. "She shouldn't be freed, because she's an America hater!" lol
Strangerland
Personally, the thing that makes me happy about Biden being so awesome in getting her back, is seeing how angry it makes the right!
Rodney
This news sickens me. I spent two years of my life getting this monster to pay for his crimes against humanity in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Two years of my life gone, because a basketball player smokes harmless grass on her relax time.
he should be sitting in a Hague prison with cocaine buddy Charles Taylor for the rest of his life. Forced labor…make replacement arms and legs for over 20,000 civilians he is responsible for.
I guess there will be no mention he hired Ukrainian pilots for his illegal arms dealings.
the worst thing, he will probably make a Hollywood movie about his life and retire in a massive beachside castle on the coast of Crimea.
Strangerland
Remember Trump let Whelan rot in jail for two years, so...
Yrral
10 of thousands of American,choose still too live in Russia, even when they were told to go home,she had celebrity sport fan ,that got her the pressure,she needed,she was not beloved by people,she played against,she played rough in the paint
Blacklabel
not as a priority over a decorated US marine who has been there longer and didn’t bring drugs into their country, no.
do I have to explain “first” and “last” to you again? She can be last, identity politics made her first.
now Bout is back in the game, to the detriment of Ukraine. Thanks Joe!
painkiller
StrangerlandToday 10:07 am JST
The Canadian government has let him rot for 4 years.
Cards fan
You mean a dishonorably discharged US marine?
Why didn't Trump get him out? Why didn't any of the other countries he is a citizen of free him?
We know why he couldn't have been freed: Russia wanted a German prisoner released- not exactly something Biden can do on his own.
Antiquesaving
Because as pointed out most military and DOJ as well as others said it was a bad idea to let the Arms dealer go!
So the DOJ and other USA security specialist thought it was a bad idea releasing this Arms dealer for a former Marine/cop, etc...
But Biden ignored that and got a toking basketball player back.
That is like giving Putin a Mercedes in exchange for a Lada.
Strangerland
Not Biden's problem. Whelan is Trump's leftover.
Blacklabel
Let’s get to basics:
how does Griner being back in the USA strengthen the US and weaken Russia? (Zero, in either)
now how does Bout being back in Russia strengthen then and weaken the USA? (A lot, in both)
there is your answer.
Strangerland
By giving Russia political leverage over America, as prior to this event, there were never any Americans so unpatriotic and hyper-partisan to complain about bringing home an American, rather there was an expectation to bring Americans home.
Not anymore though, now that bringing home Americans is a political attack vector, I think you'll be seeing a lot LOT less of it from both sides.
Which of course is better for America, right? It's not like you guys want to travel around the world or anything do you?
Antiquesaving
Nope!
Go back read everything I have ever wrote, I don't like Trump never have but facts are facts.
For once he listened to his DOJ advisers saying not to release the Arms dealer.
You and other can try and spin this anyway you like but the facts are this was a PR stunt that is a political and war/battlefield bad move.
Yrral
Antique,this woman made million playing in Russia,money she couldn't make in the US playing basketball ,it not like she lost anything really,she still has shoe deal with Nike,but she should compensate the US taxpayers,for money spent to fly her home
TokyoLiving
And the great winner of this episode is.....
Vladimir Putin !!!..
Blacklabel
Once a Marine always a Marine.,Irrelevant if he committed a crime, so did Griner, an international one at that.
Like Russia said, its unfortunate that he is white, male and straight or he would be home.
Strangerland
I can't be the only one that thinks that criticizing bringing home Americans captured by other countries is a strong indicator of a healthy, unified nation, and that it's good for American democracy, can I?
lincolnman
It's not surprising our far-right friends merely mimic what they hear in the far-right media fever swamp...
There everything is reflexively anti-Biden...Joe could cure cancer tomorrow and they'll say it was a huge mistake...it puts hospitals and doctors out of business...
And they conventionality forget that Whelan was arrested on Trump's watch - and it was Trump's responsibility to get him released - which he had TWO YEARS to do - and utterly failed... Kind'a like having FOUR YEARS to build a measly wall and failing at that...
Given what Trump said about our vets while in Europe - that they were "losers" for defending their country, not surprising he didn't lift a finger for Whelan.
He no doubt was too busy writing tax fraud checks to Weisselberg or stealing classified to hide at MAL and who knows where else to either read on the throne or "quid-pro-quo" with his BFFs Putin and MBS...
Strangerland
I do know that if I were Putin I would be loving all the division this caused in America. The right-wing in America complaining about bringing home one of their own, while Russia celebrates bringing home one of their own, is a propaganda gold mine for Russia. Putin won massively with this trade, due to the outrage and division it caused from the right.
wallace
David Whelan has four nationalities and passports. American, Canadian his birth country, British, and Irish.
"Whelan worked as a police officer in Michigan in the US before signing up to the US Marine Reserves. He was deployed on two Iraq tours, in 2004 and 2006. It was during his military service that he first took a trip to Russia."
Trying to steal more than 10,000 USD worth of currency from the US government during his second tour in Iraq, and writing nearly 6,000 USD worth of bad checks. He kept that a secret from his family.
"He was discharged from the Marines for bad conduct in 2008 after being convicted of charges related to larceny, according to military and court records. Whelan then spent over a decade working as a corporate security expert."
The CIA has said he wasn't suitable for a spy given his record.
Putin will swap him for Vadim Krasikov, a Russian assassin who is part of the Kremlin's domestic spy organization — and who is being detained in Germany for murder.
Putin called it a spy-for-a-spy.
Yrral
This woman made more money than the average American,she chooses too go to places ,were human rights are ignored,still she should of not been held ,but deported
Strangerland
Yes. An American was brought home, so one party must attack the other party for it.
Right now, the Republicans are up 1-0 over the Democrats. The question is whether Biden will let any more goals in, by bringing home more Americans.
painkiller
wallaceToday 10:49 am JST
She broke federal law.
Marijuana remains a drug listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Strangerland
She broke American law by flying internationally with cannabis.
Which was fortunate for the Republicans, as it gave them a goal, putting them one up on the Dems.
bass4funk
But Russian laws
She does in Russia
Others didn’t.
painkiller
Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer dubbed the "Merchant of Death", praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and backed Moscow's assault on Ukraine.
Looking again at who the US gave up----completely insane.
I watch Sportscenter frequently--and when they show the 3 minutes of WNBS highlights, I go make a cup of coffee.
Strangerland
Yes, attack the Dems, you guys won this point fair and square, and need to teach Biden a lesson about bringing home Americans.
wallace
How many Americans are being held hostage or illegally?
A State Department official said over the summer that there were between 40 and 50 Americans being wrongfully detained by foreign governments.
An analysis finds that at least 153 Americans have been wrongfully detained by state actors since 2001. Like Marine Corps veteran Matthew Heath in Venezuela.
"Heath is one of at least eight Americans currently known to be wrongfully detained in Venezuela. In addition to Heath, five of the six American oil executives known collectively as the “CITGO 6” – Tomeu Vadell, Jorge Toledo, Alirio Jose Zambrano, Jose Luis Zambrano, and Jose Angel Pereira – who was arrested in Venezuela more than four years ago remain detained there, as do Americans Luke Denman and Airan Berry. Two Americans who had been detained there, including one of the CITGO 6, were released in March following the visit of two top US government officials to Caracas."
Not all Americans detained are listed as wrongfully detained. Like Marc Fogel detained in Russia for drugs.
Bring Our Families Home (BOFH)
https://www.bringourfamilieshome.org/
Yrral
Whelan did not have a shoe deal with Nike, probably make her a special line of shoes, because of the publicity
Yrral
Antique,this woman is wealthy,she made million in autocratic countries
Strangerland
That's correct, you should revel in Biden giving you guys this point. He scored an own-goal on this one, and you guys get the point, and didn't even have to do anything!
If Biden scores any more own-goals this season by bringing home more Americans, I don't think they'll re-sign him for another contract next season.
wallace
painkiller
As you post numerous times,
"innocent until proven guilty".
Griner has never been found guilty of any American laws.
Griner had a medical note from a doctor recommending medical cannabis for her pain relief.
Nemo
There was a deal to be made. Biden made it. Dotard didn’t. The fact that that drives some nuts has a lot to do with insecurities for supporting a narcissistic sociopath. It also has to do with issues of race and sexuality and the intrepidity of exercising one’s 1st Amendment rights.
That it drives you nuts when it plainly doesn’t the Wheelans, says a lot more about you than anyone else.
Strangerland
Not anymore, it's too politically risky. This could cost Biden the next election. It's not safe to be bringing home Americans in today's America, it opens up too large a political attack vector.
bass4funk
Which was horrible, but expected sadly from this admin.
He wasn’t president and when he was, doing so would have been a stupid move.
No, it has everything to do with the continued incompetency geopolitical tactics by this administration
No, that’s the lefts wanting to keep the race narrative going because they have nothing to support their weak arguments.
“
Antiquesaving
So does my 85 year old mother in Canada.
But she isn't stupid enough to cross the border into the USA with her cannabis oil or board a plane to another country with it.
To be exact she and my father double check everything to make sure not a drop of anything that can get them in trouble is anywhere in their belongings they are traveling with.
If my 85 year old parents can think ahead a young woman should also
Haaa Nemui
Biden made a mistake I think. Bout shouldn’t have been traded, not for Whelan and not for Griner. That Whelan vs Griner argument is just stupid, and Trump bringing it up only makes it look like he doesn’t get the point either.
Blacklabel
A BAD deal to be made. Putin still can’t believe how dumb Biden was. He’s ready to trade again, Putin said.
Trump got 50 people back from 22 counties and never had to trade an international arms dealer for a basketball player.
Antiquesaving
That is the most on point statement so far.
Strangerland
That's correct. Putin knew he would win a gold mine off this, because Biden was scoring an own-goal against his team by opening a political attack vector. Praise Putin's genius, and Biden's own-goal.
bass4funk
100% agreed!
Nemo
And Biden got an American home. Thats one more then Trump.
Antiquesaving
Sure show it again doesn't mean there isn't a different treatment under the system.
Come on Japan is ranked low on human rights especially for non citizens.
Try and be honest!
stormcrow
War criminals are Bout's bread and butter. Of course he loves Putin. Bout's the Merchant of Death.
Nemo
Trump never gave a damn about any of these people. That’s why he never them before.
Now for the first time he has concerns. It’s pathetic.
Blacklabel
any? Not even the 50 he got released from 22 countries without trading “the Merchant of Death”?
wallace
bass4funk
No support from you for Griner who was guilty of less than 1 gram of cannabis oil in vape capsules. But you give full support to David Whelan, guilty of trying to steal $10,000 from the government and issuing 6,000 dud checks.
wallace
According to the twin brother of David Whelan, Trump has not mentioned him during the last two years, and very little during the time he was in office. More in the past 24 hours than all the times before it.
Obama brought home more than 100 wrongfully detained Americans. Trump 50. But failed over Whelan.
starpunk
Did this hellhound supply weapons to the militia traitor scumpots who stormed the Capitol in support of Trump on Jan. 6? If he did, then the US doesn't need him around here to stir up more trouble. He would've found some means to do that too, there are some Trump-loving quislings who haven't received their punishment yet.
As for Griner, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The charges against her were bogus right from the start. But if she has any sense, she won't ever go to Russia again. And she's better off NOT playing the hoops in another country as well like some players do, just stick to the WNBA.
bass4funk
That is according to him, but we don’t know what was said in Washington, or if Trump mentioned him during his time in the White HousE
Well, they both did what they had to, good.
wallace
bass4funk
if you think Griner was guilty of breaking the law then you must also think David Whelan is also guilty. Both were found guilty.
I guess he tracks his brother 100%. Anything Trump said about David Whelan in public was noted.
lincolnman
Facts are facts - even if they're inconvenient ones for our far-right friends...
Fact: Whelan was arrested in Russia in Dec 2018 - on Trump's "watch"....
Fact: Trump did nothing to get Whelan released when he was arrested - then failed for TWO YEARS to get him released...
Fact: Rather than pressing for a release as he was leaving office, Trump instead put all his effort into pardoning convicted or soon to be convicted felons; Manafort, Stone, Flynn, et.al....not Whelan...
All the faux outrage now when Trump clearly ignored and failed Whelan for two years just shows what utter hypocrites Trump and his supporters are....a daily occurrence in MAGA-world...
ClippetyClop
I see you have the Creepy Pathetic Infant following you around again today @wallace
Bob Fosse
If it only now occurs to you to start asking him questions about his arms deals I’d say that’s a failing on your part.
His captors had many years to do so. You think they didn’t?
theFu
So, arms dealer praises country that may need shady dealers to get more arms. Call me surprised.
Bush-2 didn't crash the economy. The bankers putting together shaky "debt instruments" without any collateral did that. The greedy from around the world funded these extremely low-quality investments. I remember people where I worked trying to buy 2-5 houses since money was so easy to get. I suggested they shouldn't quit their day jobs, but a number did anyway, since for 3 yrs, house values were raising faster than even crazy overvalued tech stocks. They all lost everything and had to spend their retirement money, with penalties, to service the huge debt when nobody was buying or renting. Empty houses don't provide any income, but the mortgages still need to be paid.
Bob Fosse
Good idea! I recommend Nicolas Cage to play him! /s
MilesTeg
Huge price to pay for a mediocre basketball player who wanted to smoke hash oil in Russia. She in no way was a tool for Russia or setup. She not only was guilty of possession but also for smuggling an illegal substance into Russia. Her sentence was appropriate for both crimes for which she was guilty. Now she's a victim and a dangerous felon who will continue his trade is released.