Prisoner Swap
I’m all for protecting U.S. citizens, without question. I’m also for making smart decisions—both personally and from a governmental standpoint. We all fail on that score at times…we make poor decisions and then often suffer consequences.
By all rights, Brittney Griner had in her possession a substance that is not legal in Russia. Whether you or I would have been subjected to arrest for that could be debated; she was a well-known professional athlete, and it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that the Russians were making an example out of her. But it was clearly a mistake to presume that any substance that may be legal here would be legal there.
Regardless, her case became national news. She had some modicum of celebrity status, the punishment seemed excessive for the crime…and she is gay with a wife who worked to keep her case in the news. Ms. Griner was also one of those who took a knee during the playing of the National Anthem, protesting how bad the USA is.
After months of discussion—and a transfer to a penal colony, which is probably what ratcheted up the Administration’s release efforts—yesterday the President proudly announced a prisoner swap…our pro athlete who had CBD, in exchange for a Russian arms trader, who had earned the nickname “merchant of death”. They even made movies about him.
We get an all-star center…they get someone who deals in weapons under the table. Probably helpful to Russia, given their war in Ukraine.
All the while, other Americans remain in Russian custody…the President said the Russians look at those cases differently.
I’ll bet they do. Having an American released from Russia is a good thing. But let’s be honest…if she were not a gay professional athlete who demonstrated against the U.S. anthem and flag, would this Administration have worked this hard to secure her release?
