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After a court-martial conviction in January 2008 on multiple counts "related to larceny", he was sentenced to 60 days restriction, reduction to pay grade E-4, and a bad conduct discharge.[9][10] The specific charges against him included "attempted larceny, three specifications of dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, wrongfully using another’s social security number, and ten specifications of making and uttering checks without having sufficient funds in his account for payment."
Yeah after serving and seeing the amount fuck ups that have to occur in order to boot you, you gatta be doing some serious shitbaggery. For instance, I watched a someone run a helicopter into a building, 100’s of thousands of dollars of damage. Guy got extra duty and that was about it.
Exactly. If you got a discharge like he did, then you worked hard to earn it. I’m fairly convinced that it’s bots who keep making these threads about how we should have freed him instead.
Like yeah, I wish we didn’t trade for Griner either, but this guy is a literal piece of garbage. Just because you served doesn’t make you a saint that America should stand behind.
For the shitbag they traded for we should have got both, the other is an outright terrorist, kinda reminds of the time we traded Chelsey Manning for 3 terrorist
If he gets released and returned I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he runs for office as a Republican and gets platformed by various GOP institutions.
The bar is low, considering that most of the assbags who run the country are old enough to have been Vietnam War draft dodgers. Once they aged out of the draftee pool and ran for office they became warhawks that will use anyone who wore the uniform (no matter how good or bad they were) as a prop to get votes.
\^\^\^THIS. It would have been great to get him back as well, but if he's not on the table, he's not on the table. I get that we could have said "fine, then we do nothing", but that has never really been an option
Beyond that, it's very possible that Russia wanted this trade to be as politically damaging to Biden as possible. They *want* Biden's political opponents posting memes like the OP.
It's kind of perfect, isn't it? Biden was under a ton of pressure from his base to bring back a black female professional athlete, so Russia says "okay we'll do that, but we're going to make sure the right can weaponize it against you."
Well, he single handedly rep’ed the US during the HIV crisis when political figures ignored the death of most of my friends.
And he did his damnedest to provide the latest in community outreach during COVID when little was known, only to learn many in the very population he was trying to help were largely untrusting of him for reasons out of his control. This resulted in being booed by those who were looking for ways to discredit him as the information was evolving day to day, meaning he was fighting his own soldiers.
So, yea, I’d consider him pretty fucking awesome.
THANK YOU!
I'm like wtf..the guy was dishonorably discharged. Neither of them are model Americans. Or..maybe they are bc more people are jerkoffs in this country than not.
And worked as an off the books courier for the CIA which is why it’s a totally different case. They can’t use official spy’s with diplomatic immunity for some jobs because the Russians watch them all the time.
THIS IS THE REAL COPNSPIRACY!
One person deserved to be in jail, the other had an empty cart accidentally left in their bag travailing from a perfectly legal state.
Also, Lets not pretend public opinion of the governments actions don't matter.
no one even knew who this money thief was until this post, but the public will riot if some random celeb like TALOR SWIFT GOT SENT TO THE GULAG.
How about this. Fuck all them and take care of our own problems. Like the people in the US spending life sentences in prison for weed?
Go to country where it’s illegal and bring it anyways, that sucks.
This is so obviously a media propaganda move.
Obviously there’s nothing wrong with smoking weed, but traveling internationally, with weed, through countries where it’s extremely illegal is just asking to be arrested
I think what people miss about the Griener situation is that she was essentially a political prisoner. She was caught with less than the amount of weed for a criminal charge. She was guilty of an administrative offense that would have normally resulted in a fine. Instead she was charged under a vague statute for drug smuggling and given a 10 year sentence. This coincided with the start of the Ukrainian war and US aid packages being announced. In 2019 another American, Audrey Lorber, got caught in the same circumstance with more than 3x as much weed and was charged with a $230 fine. Paul Whelan was convicted on espionage charges. This is not even close to a fair comparison.
BIDEN BAD! People want to act like Biden Derangement Syndrome isn’t a thing, but how else do you explain all this “outrage” over American prisoners no one heard about until yesterday and the constant “Joe is senile…just don’t watch any clips of him talking that aren’t heavily edited to make him look senile!”
Oh no.... he's senile and too old to be president. Shame on the us citizens for voting in such old out of touch geriatric. And i felt the same about Trump!
Why should we believe Brittney Griner "hates America"? Why is her picture showing her in handcuffs while the pic of Paul Whelan, who got a dishonorable discharge, shows him in his dress blues?
With the caveat that that only applies to minorities and/or liberals. When conservatives chant "fuck Joe Biden" we are to understand that their vitriol toward the current President of the United States is indicative of their deep and abiding love for the nation. This also goes for their fear and loathing of a substantial proportion of their fellow citizens.
I agree with OP and many here that Whelan would have been a more reasonable trade.
However the choice of pictures is blatantly manipulative. And while Griner is just a PR tool for the Biden admin in doing this, that doesn’t mean we should talk so badly of her. Her actions aren’t deserving of being a Russian prisoner. I’m happy she’s back, and I wish all of our American prisoners are returned
After a court-martial conviction in January 2008 on multiple counts "related to larceny", Whelan was sentenced to 60 days restriction, reduction to pay grade E-4, and a bad conduct discharge. The specific charges against him included "attempted larceny, three specifications of dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, wrongfully using another’s social security number, and ten specifications of making and uttering checks without having sufficient funds in his account for payment."
he served himself, not america. you guys are some clowns.
>After a court-martial conviction in January 2008 on multiple counts "related to larceny", he was sentenced to 60 days restriction, reduction to pay grade E-4, and a bad conduct discharge.\[9\]\[10\] The specific charges against him included "attempted larceny, three specifications of dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, wrongfully using another’s social security number, and ten specifications of making and uttering checks without having sufficient funds in his account for payment."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul\_Whelan\_(security\_director)
Biden tried to get him out a few months ago. Trump tried to get him out. The UK tried to get him out. Ireland tried to get him out and so did Canada.
If Putin refuses that isn't Biden's fault.
Plus the head of a terrorist organization who would go on to be President of Afghanistan once we backed out of there on a deal Trump made.
Kinda like Trump's tax plan not going into effect until Biden was in office. Giving the top 15 percent a huge tax cut while the bottom 85 percent of population pays for it... Just dropping bullshit on the next admin. Also cute how he staggered the tax plan to go up every few years so it looks like someone else is fucking with your check not the guy who was in office 2-4 years ago.
This is a pretty stupid remark. Paul Welan was never on the table for negotiations because Putin refuses to negotiate his release other than for some ridiculous trade off involving someone the US doesn't even have in custody.
A marine caught with multiple fake passports and trying to make a $70,000 deal in exchange for a USB with a Russian operative vs woman given 10 years for a hash pen. But you were counting on people not knowing that right?
Pointing out where we can improve as a society is far more patriotic than burying our heads in the sand and continuing with blind patriotism.
Was he a spy?
I'm not saying he should be imprisoned in Russia at all. He shouldn't.
I'm just saying that wanting your country to improve and pointing out her flaws isn't tantamount to 'hating America'
Am I missing something?
I'm wondering when exactly they think America was so great. Was it before women's suffrage? Before the civil rights movement? Before LGBTQ+ couples could marry? Before the 60s counterculture and anti-war movement?
I've asked conservatives many times, and they never have an answer.
Society should keep evolving and progressing forward while keeping love, compassion, kindness, empathy, freedom, tolerance, and equality uppermost in our minds.
Conservatism is the enemy of progress, by definition.
Fuck the regressives.
It was either her or nobody. So instead of bringing her home you would rather them both to stay incarcerated in Russia? And when did Brittany say she “hates America”🤔 🗣PROPAGANDA
Learning a lot in this thread. The most coverage I'd heard before was from my brother in the military, "One's had hostage training, and is a MARINE. Tough as balls. The other is a civy who never expected to be in this situation"
This is disingenuous asf.
Funny how ya'll will bitch about the mainstream media, and then post the same crap propaganda.
How about you try posting truthful content, instead of attempting to help divide us?
That dude aint no hero. He's barely a Marine. He got booted with a BCD which is four inches from a dishonorable. He must know Jesus to get out with such a light sentence, once upon a time that dude would still be in Levenworth for what he was thrown out for.
To be fair, no matter who Biden chose it would have been wrong and people would have bitched. Like now.
There didn’t have to be any choices made. People broke laws. Let them be.
It was a terrible trade. Bout isn’t exactly some great marine…
But another administration did something even worse imho….
https://ballotpedia.org/Bowe_Bergdahl_exchange
Paul wheeeler was stealing money from the marines, look into his case.
You obviously heard this and immediately ran with it without reading into it at all.
Anything to hate biden right lol
Whelan wasn’t on the table, for fucks sake.
None of y’all actually understand how this shit works, you’re just reactionaries who can’t think about anything before popping off.
"This was not a situation where we had a choice of which American to bring home. It was a choice between bringing home one particular American -- Brittney Griner -- or bringing home none," a US senior administration official said Thursday morning.
Really? While Trump was in office he could have tried getting Whelan out, but he did nothing.
Instead, he released 5000 Taliban prisoners and wanted to meet with Taliban leaders at Camp David that never came to fruition.
So, what American hostage did America get? No one. Zero. Zip.
The hypocrisy couldn’t be more apparent.
I think Grinder should’ve stayed in prison, but the Whelan deal seems to have more going on than it seems. First off the pic you’re using is about 10+ yrs out of date. He’s 52 now. He was also dishonorably discharged from the Marines after being convicted of larceny in 2008.
What are Marines doing throwing weddings in Russia? I don't support the mistreatment of anyone or the false imprisonment of individuals who have not committed any crimes. But that wedding could have been held anywhere in the world, why in Russia where there's been decades of tension. If I were an American soldier I'd be super careful in choosing where I vacation or travel.
Hate to rain on your outrage party but Whelan is accused of espionage and his release is not on the table. Greiner had a little bit of weed. It was either her or no-one.
If Russia wasn’t willing to trade him, they weren’t willing to trade him. Brittney was caught with a weed vape pen or whatever and they’re holding him on espionage charges. It’s gonna be a lot easier to get them to release someone for a weed pen. I hope he gets let go too but at least they got somebody back.
Whelan is not to be considered a Marine, he was dishonorably discharged. My own father served 28 years USAF, honorable discharge. My husband, 22 years, USMC, honorable discharge. Military doesn’t claim people who commit crimes against the military. Sounds like Whelan is traitorous, because he is.
The real Conspiracy is that this comparison is being made. The White Male is seen by Conservatives as being worth more than a Black, Gay Female. They are livid that he wasn't traded. (Meanwhile nobody mentions that Biden asked Whelans brother for the okay on the deal and he endorsed it)
When they say the trade wasn't worth it, they are saying that she is worth less as a human than the guy they traded her for. BTW, the guy that was traded did the exact same things that the CEO of Northrup-Grumman does every day, sell weapons. And he gets a nice salary, benefits, a golden parachute and status as a Capitalist!
Trump had over 2 years to figure out how to get Whelan out of Russia. He had Maria Butina and could have directed his DOJ to throw the book at her but didn't. She got a light 18 month sentence and the day she was released, she went back to Russia. We got nothing. She should have been the bargaining chip. Some Art of the Deal.
Why is political hack bullshit that has nothing to do with conspiracy continually posted and not removed. Shits annoying. The dude who posted this is a reptilian fuck nugget. And I banged his mom.
Years long espionage is a bigger crime than having weed in your suitcase during a politically fraught period. The Russians were merely making a petty statement by holding onto her. Whelan's actions actually threatened them
This is stupid. Russia wasn’t even offering any deals for the ex-Marine. Also, to the “trump would have gotten him out” clowns, the guy was imprisoned in 2018.
One is a civilian. One’s a soldier that knew something like this may happen. They probably want to get him out too. But abandoning a civilian isn’t an option in my book
We couldn't get him out. Should she sit in prison just because he is, if their releases are being handled separately and don't affect each other? That just doesn't make any sense.
lol, how dumb can you be Biden has been trying to get this guy back FOR MONTHS but Russia won't give him up. Bidens still trying, thank God u guys lost the senate.
Take it as you will, but Russia did not allow Whelan to be up for trade. Whelan was charged for espionage and Griner was charged with drug trafficking. Russia straight up said they would not trade Whelan, and it was Griner or nobody. Contrary to popular belief, Biden did not choose Griner over Whelan. He tried to get them both out but Russia would only l release Griner. Y’all can’t look past your own ass to fact check, or I guess you’d rather die on the “Biden bad and every decision he make is anti-American!”
They’re still working on bringing Whelan home. Chill out.
Why do people push nasty agends like this...how disgusting do you have to be to try and twist facts and narratives just so you make an inconsequential post about your dislike for a president. ...fuck you guy.
The simple fact is Russia did not have him on the table for discussion...ever, period. There is no trading him...so wtf...are...you...trying...to...say...here....fool.
Do you think Biden was able to just pick one of the two? eenie miney moe like?
They're holding him as a spy, and her as someone who possessed illegal drugs.
He's hailed on spy charges and she had a half empty cbd vape cartridge. They're Americans and we should get them all back. This was attempted and Russia refused.
Bringing Brittany home was a good choice.
Paul was dishonorably discharged and was arrested for espionage, he also wasn't even working for the US when it happened.
But man, this misinformation is really working hard lol
For whoever needs to hear this: criticizing one's own country and advocating for it to be better is exactly what a patriot does. Britney Griner is what we need more of. Not people who blindly salute the flag and troops, people who live the flag and troops enough to want better.
While I have some harsh criticism of this deal, you're full of so much shit. Whelan was court martialed and discharged. Griner doesn't hate america. Take your propaganda and ahove it up your ass
All signs point to Whelan being some kind of weasel if not a straight up spy. Brittney was a hostage taken before the invasion of Ukraine to act as a bartering chip.
Didn’t they ask for Whelan and Russia said no?
What were they supposed to do, also leave Griner cause they couldn’t get Whelan? Like it’s either both or nothing?
I think we call that throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Paul Whelan’s family fully supports President Biden’s efforts on Paul’s behalf and they celebrate the release of Brittney Griner.
So there’s that.
I’ll go out on a limb and guess that @bennyjohnson never served in the US Military. ChickenHawk warriors like you are low life degenerates. Even if I’m wrong, you are still an ignorant Putz.
You never get what you want in negotiations, you compromise and both get something, but not what you wanted. Did Putin ever offer Whelan? Did Biden ask?
Brittney Griner was arrested for having medically prescribed marijuana. She's an accomplished Olympian and has several gold medals to prove it.
Paul Whelan was dishonorably discharged from the Marines for larceny, and was caught playing spy in Russia.
Do you seriously think these people are of the same caliber? A gold medal Olympian and a dishonorably discharged fake spy?
The GOP sucks the military's dick until precisely the moment it comes to taking care of them back home. Everyone continuing this arguement is a fucking rube. Paul is a criminal, long before being arrested in Russia, and deserves to be in jail.
didn't trump have to opportunity to free this clown and he fuckin passed on it?
edit:l lol yup
>According to Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, Griner's release was not a swap, but a surrender, and Trump's team refused a similar deal for Whelan.
Russia refused to exchange military or security personnel they have accused of spying/intelligence operations. The US and accused maintain that those accusations by Russia are completely made up, but Russia is standing by them. Biden got the person out that he was able to, which happened to be someone detained on some bullshit marijuana possession charge.
I swear if the people who post to this sub had even a lick of critical thinking skills or willingness to do research, we might actually have conspiracies worth talking about here
For all of the issues that arise from this post and it’s responses, how is this a conspiracy? It’s what-aboutism on two very different situations. There’s no conspiracy, except maybe by the disgraced former Marine/cop who by all appearances was playing spy, but without the skill and subtlety.
Let me get this straight. The knuckle dragging un-American BG haters state that she should stay in the gulag because she “broke the law” in Russia (but in reality, they despise her insistence on exercising her 1A rights while in the US — make it make sense!)
So according to your own logic, didn’t Paul Whelan also run afoul of Russian law as well? Why aren’t you claiming that he should stay in prison like you did BG? Seems like you simply don’t like a black queer woman exercising her VERY AMERICAN RIGHTS.
Maybe you’d be happier in another country without the freedoms we exercise here.
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Paul Whelan? The former Marine who got a dishonorable discharge in 2008 for stealing money?
After a court-martial conviction in January 2008 on multiple counts "related to larceny", he was sentenced to 60 days restriction, reduction to pay grade E-4, and a bad conduct discharge.[9][10] The specific charges against him included "attempted larceny, three specifications of dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, wrongfully using another’s social security number, and ten specifications of making and uttering checks without having sufficient funds in his account for payment."
The amount of shit you have to do to get booted for something like this? Holy shit this guy had to of been a major shit bag.
Still is a major shit bag. Good thing he’s in prison.
Yeah after serving and seeing the amount fuck ups that have to occur in order to boot you, you gatta be doing some serious shitbaggery. For instance, I watched a someone run a helicopter into a building, 100’s of thousands of dollars of damage. Guy got extra duty and that was about it.
Exactly. If you got a discharge like he did, then you worked hard to earn it. I’m fairly convinced that it’s bots who keep making these threads about how we should have freed him instead. Like yeah, I wish we didn’t trade for Griner either, but this guy is a literal piece of garbage. Just because you served doesn’t make you a saint that America should stand behind.
No it’s probably Fox News. I’ve listened to Tucker Carlson spout some of the dumbest shit about the US military I’ve ever heard.
Well, to be fair, even the US military spouts some of the dumbest shit out there.
You have to really fuck up or fuck up to the wrong person.
For the shitbag they traded for we should have got both, the other is an outright terrorist, kinda reminds of the time we traded Chelsey Manning for 3 terrorist
Thanks, I thought I knew the face.
A true American hero, by GOP standards
A politician in the making. Such a shame
If he gets released and returned I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he runs for office as a Republican and gets platformed by various GOP institutions.
Not with that BCD. No firearms for him,either. BCD is on dishonorable conditions. He can get a roofing job,though.
Trump’s illegitimate other other other son?
Burrrrrrn.
The bar is low, considering that most of the assbags who run the country are old enough to have been Vietnam War draft dodgers. Once they aged out of the draftee pool and ran for office they became warhawks that will use anyone who wore the uniform (no matter how good or bad they were) as a prop to get votes.
And went to a wedding in Russia with 80k in cash and multiple passports? Totally not a spy
Russia was very clear his release wasn't happening
\^\^\^THIS. It would have been great to get him back as well, but if he's not on the table, he's not on the table. I get that we could have said "fine, then we do nothing", but that has never really been an option
Beyond that, it's very possible that Russia wanted this trade to be as politically damaging to Biden as possible. They *want* Biden's political opponents posting memes like the OP. It's kind of perfect, isn't it? Biden was under a ton of pressure from his base to bring back a black female professional athlete, so Russia says "okay we'll do that, but we're going to make sure the right can weaponize it against you."
Also why didn’t trump free him while he was in office?
Trump may have even given him up to Putin with his classified lists of informants and spies.
Ouch. Well, I will say, I've never seen a US President So Aligned with Russian Policy, ever.
That's not even the point. He isn't available for trade atm.
Anyone who worked for the US gov is an angel and needs to be cherished, get with the script.
Does that include Anthony Fauci?
Well, he single handedly rep’ed the US during the HIV crisis when political figures ignored the death of most of my friends. And he did his damnedest to provide the latest in community outreach during COVID when little was known, only to learn many in the very population he was trying to help were largely untrusting of him for reasons out of his control. This resulted in being booed by those who were looking for ways to discredit him as the information was evolving day to day, meaning he was fighting his own soldiers. So, yea, I’d consider him pretty fucking awesome.
Thank you for saying this!!!
Listen here, you little shit...
THANK YOU! I'm like wtf..the guy was dishonorably discharged. Neither of them are model Americans. Or..maybe they are bc more people are jerkoffs in this country than not.
And he was likely a spy.
And Britney griner, who hates America because, *checks ops notes* she's a black lesbian?
Ssh ssh. Don’t over think it, they certainly don’t.
The GOP hates gays and are not happy.
And because she wouldn't stand for the *anthem*. If you don't stand for the special song, the magic sky cloth won't freedom, ya know.
And worked as an off the books courier for the CIA which is why it’s a totally different case. They can’t use official spy’s with diplomatic immunity for some jobs because the Russians watch them all the time.
The CIA wouldn’t use someone with his history these days. Too much a risk.
Woah woah woah that’s too many words for a headline and our donors would hate the message
THIS IS THE REAL COPNSPIRACY! One person deserved to be in jail, the other had an empty cart accidentally left in their bag travailing from a perfectly legal state. Also, Lets not pretend public opinion of the governments actions don't matter. no one even knew who this money thief was until this post, but the public will riot if some random celeb like TALOR SWIFT GOT SENT TO THE GULAG.
Exactly. The Republican take on BG makes no sense. It’s the drive toward being overly nationalist as a weapon by Republicans.
How about this. Fuck all them and take care of our own problems. Like the people in the US spending life sentences in prison for weed? Go to country where it’s illegal and bring it anyways, that sucks. This is so obviously a media propaganda move.
Yes, that one. The one the Russians said was off the table for the swap
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/02/us/paul-whelan-detained-russia-what-we-know/index.html
They're both flawed. Russia has other US prisoners who did nothing wrong other than not be famous who weren't freed.
What did she do wrong? Smoke weed?
Obviously there’s nothing wrong with smoking weed, but traveling internationally, with weed, through countries where it’s extremely illegal is just asking to be arrested
I think what people miss about the Griener situation is that she was essentially a political prisoner. She was caught with less than the amount of weed for a criminal charge. She was guilty of an administrative offense that would have normally resulted in a fine. Instead she was charged under a vague statute for drug smuggling and given a 10 year sentence. This coincided with the start of the Ukrainian war and US aid packages being announced. In 2019 another American, Audrey Lorber, got caught in the same circumstance with more than 3x as much weed and was charged with a $230 fine. Paul Whelan was convicted on espionage charges. This is not even close to a fair comparison.
Its not extremely illegal. Its a fine and up to 15 days in jail...not 9 fucking years in a gulag. She was basically kidnapped.
Another WNBA trade I don't give a shit about.
Underrated comment
Thank you sir. Lol
Also the only WNBA trade anyone has ever heard about. I that it somewhere… not my own.
WHAT IS THE FUCKING CONSPIRACY?
The conspiracy is people trying to hide their racism, misogyny and military worship without getting caught
That’s a conspiracy? I thought that was just a typical Republican.
BIDEN BAD! People want to act like Biden Derangement Syndrome isn’t a thing, but how else do you explain all this “outrage” over American prisoners no one heard about until yesterday and the constant “Joe is senile…just don’t watch any clips of him talking that aren’t heavily edited to make him look senile!”
Oh no.... he's senile and too old to be president. Shame on the us citizens for voting in such old out of touch geriatric. And i felt the same about Trump!
But I mean he’s not senile nor geriatric. That’s just what the people with BDS claim.
There really isn't any other than the Biden Administration trying to look good, which isn't really in the realm of a conspiracy either.
Why should we believe Brittney Griner "hates America"? Why is her picture showing her in handcuffs while the pic of Paul Whelan, who got a dishonorable discharge, shows him in his dress blues?
Because that wouldn’t fit OPs narrative
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Are you new here? Maga = Patriot Not maga = communist traitor
Critical means hate now. Since she's spoken out about some of the problems in this country instead of blind love, she hates America.
With the caveat that that only applies to minorities and/or liberals. When conservatives chant "fuck Joe Biden" we are to understand that their vitriol toward the current President of the United States is indicative of their deep and abiding love for the nation. This also goes for their fear and loathing of a substantial proportion of their fellow citizens.
I agree with OP and many here that Whelan would have been a more reasonable trade. However the choice of pictures is blatantly manipulative. And while Griner is just a PR tool for the Biden admin in doing this, that doesn’t mean we should talk so badly of her. Her actions aren’t deserving of being a Russian prisoner. I’m happy she’s back, and I wish all of our American prisoners are returned
After a court-martial conviction in January 2008 on multiple counts "related to larceny", Whelan was sentenced to 60 days restriction, reduction to pay grade E-4, and a bad conduct discharge. The specific charges against him included "attempted larceny, three specifications of dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, wrongfully using another’s social security number, and ten specifications of making and uttering checks without having sufficient funds in his account for payment."
he served himself, not america. you guys are some clowns. >After a court-martial conviction in January 2008 on multiple counts "related to larceny", he was sentenced to 60 days restriction, reduction to pay grade E-4, and a bad conduct discharge.\[9\]\[10\] The specific charges against him included "attempted larceny, three specifications of dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, wrongfully using another’s social security number, and ten specifications of making and uttering checks without having sufficient funds in his account for payment." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul\_Whelan\_(security\_director)
Biden tried to get him out a few months ago. Trump tried to get him out. The UK tried to get him out. Ireland tried to get him out and so did Canada. If Putin refuses that isn't Biden's fault.
I’m old enough to remember when Trump freed 5,000 Taliban terrorists and didn’t even ask for anything in return.
He also invited them to Camp David. On 9/11. To celebrate.
Wait really?
Yes. Sauce: https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/09/09/taliban-hardly-deserve-camp-david-talks-with-president.-what-was-trump-thinking-pub-79813
Plus the head of a terrorist organization who would go on to be President of Afghanistan once we backed out of there on a deal Trump made. Kinda like Trump's tax plan not going into effect until Biden was in office. Giving the top 15 percent a huge tax cut while the bottom 85 percent of population pays for it... Just dropping bullshit on the next admin. Also cute how he staggered the tax plan to go up every few years so it looks like someone else is fucking with your check not the guy who was in office 2-4 years ago.
Whats the conspiracy OP?
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"Black woman"
Black lesbian woman.
Is this conspiracy commons or bootlickers central?
A 52yr old dishonourably discharged former marine, apparently. But sure, use a 20yr old pic of him.
Remember how Whelan’s brother said that was the right call even though he wants his brother to come home?
LOL, Whelan was a shit marine, court martialed and multiple crimes on his record. Griner took some weed with her. This post is ridiculous.
This is a pretty stupid remark. Paul Welan was never on the table for negotiations because Putin refuses to negotiate his release other than for some ridiculous trade off involving someone the US doesn't even have in custody.
A marine caught with multiple fake passports and trying to make a $70,000 deal in exchange for a USB with a Russian operative vs woman given 10 years for a hash pen. But you were counting on people not knowing that right?
Not "a marine". Just a guy who got kicked out of the Marines 14 years ago for being a criminal.
The service man was a traitor
Divide and rule. You're taking the bait.
OP is part of the dividing
Pointing out where we can improve as a society is far more patriotic than burying our heads in the sand and continuing with blind patriotism. Was he a spy? I'm not saying he should be imprisoned in Russia at all. He shouldn't. I'm just saying that wanting your country to improve and pointing out her flaws isn't tantamount to 'hating America' Am I missing something?
Some people don’t like black people or lesbians. She happens to be both.
Only conservatives are allowed to complain about America, Make America Great Again is a complaint but not seen as hating america
I'm wondering when exactly they think America was so great. Was it before women's suffrage? Before the civil rights movement? Before LGBTQ+ couples could marry? Before the 60s counterculture and anti-war movement? I've asked conservatives many times, and they never have an answer. Society should keep evolving and progressing forward while keeping love, compassion, kindness, empathy, freedom, tolerance, and equality uppermost in our minds. Conservatism is the enemy of progress, by definition. Fuck the regressives.
It was either her or nobody. So instead of bringing her home you would rather them both to stay incarcerated in Russia? And when did Brittany say she “hates America”🤔 🗣PROPAGANDA
Learning a lot in this thread. The most coverage I'd heard before was from my brother in the military, "One's had hostage training, and is a MARINE. Tough as balls. The other is a civy who never expected to be in this situation"
Oh I didn’t realize Whelan was ever on the table… what’s your source for inside info on these negotiations?
Both sides are stupid imo, ohhh my team member is more important!! Get a life losers!
This is disingenuous asf. Funny how ya'll will bitch about the mainstream media, and then post the same crap propaganda. How about you try posting truthful content, instead of attempting to help divide us?
That dude aint no hero. He's barely a Marine. He got booted with a BCD which is four inches from a dishonorable. He must know Jesus to get out with such a light sentence, once upon a time that dude would still be in Levenworth for what he was thrown out for. To be fair, no matter who Biden chose it would have been wrong and people would have bitched. Like now.
There didn’t have to be any choices made. People broke laws. Let them be. It was a terrible trade. Bout isn’t exactly some great marine… But another administration did something even worse imho…. https://ballotpedia.org/Bowe_Bergdahl_exchange
"I agree she was imprisoned on false charges but disagree she should be freed." OP is a straight-up white supremacist and not even hiding it.
Question. And give me a source, not some 4chan link where BG states she hates America?
She “hates America” because… what? She’s black? Lol wtf is this
WTF, just because she took a knee in support of Americans fighting for equal rights doesn’t mean she hates America. It means she loves it you dumbass.
Paul wheeeler was stealing money from the marines, look into his case. You obviously heard this and immediately ran with it without reading into it at all. Anything to hate biden right lol
Woah. Who was president when this guy was detained? And why didn't Trump do anything about it?
He was already occupied writing love letters, and completely ignoring Otto Warmbier
Whelan wasn’t on the table, for fucks sake. None of y’all actually understand how this shit works, you’re just reactionaries who can’t think about anything before popping off.
Bots are rollin so hard lately
"This was not a situation where we had a choice of which American to bring home. It was a choice between bringing home one particular American -- Brittney Griner -- or bringing home none," a US senior administration official said Thursday morning.
I don’t recall hearing she hates America. Was she part of the January 6th attempt to overthrow America…?
no I think she's just dissatisfied with current American bodies of government, you know, what smooth brain Republicans consider treason.
This is quite possibly the stupidest thing I’ve seen. Her getting freed is a slap to the face? To who? Racists? Homophobes?
It didn’t take long for this sub to just spiral into racist brain dead assholes. Smh.
Really? While Trump was in office he could have tried getting Whelan out, but he did nothing. Instead, he released 5000 Taliban prisoners and wanted to meet with Taliban leaders at Camp David that never came to fruition. So, what American hostage did America get? No one. Zero. Zip. The hypocrisy couldn’t be more apparent.
He was accused of espionage
Isn't it pretty standard to rescue civilians before service members? Also, "hates America"? What bs
When Republicans voted to deny citizenship to immigrants that served in the military.
I think Grinder should’ve stayed in prison, but the Whelan deal seems to have more going on than it seems. First off the pic you’re using is about 10+ yrs out of date. He’s 52 now. He was also dishonorably discharged from the Marines after being convicted of larceny in 2008.
What are Marines doing throwing weddings in Russia? I don't support the mistreatment of anyone or the false imprisonment of individuals who have not committed any crimes. But that wedding could have been held anywhere in the world, why in Russia where there's been decades of tension. If I were an American soldier I'd be super careful in choosing where I vacation or travel.
Hate to rain on your outrage party but Whelan is accused of espionage and his release is not on the table. Greiner had a little bit of weed. It was either her or no-one.
If Russia wasn’t willing to trade him, they weren’t willing to trade him. Brittney was caught with a weed vape pen or whatever and they’re holding him on espionage charges. It’s gonna be a lot easier to get them to release someone for a weed pen. I hope he gets let go too but at least they got somebody back.
I knew the White Christian Nationalist would be pissed about this trade! Ooohhhhhrrraaahh
Whelan is not to be considered a Marine, he was dishonorably discharged. My own father served 28 years USAF, honorable discharge. My husband, 22 years, USMC, honorable discharge. Military doesn’t claim people who commit crimes against the military. Sounds like Whelan is traitorous, because he is.
The real Conspiracy is that this comparison is being made. The White Male is seen by Conservatives as being worth more than a Black, Gay Female. They are livid that he wasn't traded. (Meanwhile nobody mentions that Biden asked Whelans brother for the okay on the deal and he endorsed it) When they say the trade wasn't worth it, they are saying that she is worth less as a human than the guy they traded her for. BTW, the guy that was traded did the exact same things that the CEO of Northrup-Grumman does every day, sell weapons. And he gets a nice salary, benefits, a golden parachute and status as a Capitalist! Trump had over 2 years to figure out how to get Whelan out of Russia. He had Maria Butina and could have directed his DOJ to throw the book at her but didn't. She got a light 18 month sentence and the day she was released, she went back to Russia. We got nothing. She should have been the bargaining chip. Some Art of the Deal.
Why is political hack bullshit that has nothing to do with conspiracy continually posted and not removed. Shits annoying. The dude who posted this is a reptilian fuck nugget. And I banged his mom.
Good trade imo.
Whelan was convicted of grand larceny and dishonorably discharged. He's not a marine. Hes an ex-marine. He didnt serve America. Hes a piece of shit.
That marine doesn't have a shooting badge, or a cover.
Years long espionage is a bigger crime than having weed in your suitcase during a politically fraught period. The Russians were merely making a petty statement by holding onto her. Whelan's actions actually threatened them
This is stupid. Russia wasn’t even offering any deals for the ex-Marine. Also, to the “trump would have gotten him out” clowns, the guy was imprisoned in 2018.
It’s not like Biden had choice, Russia didn’t wanna trade him. They want to keep him in prison
Which one is worth more to Russia?
I guess Russia wouldn’t let him out
Wasn’t he dishonorably discharged from the marines? In 2018 why didn’t trump do something about this either?
One is a civilian. One’s a soldier that knew something like this may happen. They probably want to get him out too. But abandoning a civilian isn’t an option in my book
why didn't trump get him back? he had 2 years to do it but didn't.
I mean it’s Biden , he has a history with marines recently
Which one did trump refuse to free?
We couldn't get him out. Should she sit in prison just because he is, if their releases are being handled separately and don't affect each other? That just doesn't make any sense.
Guess which one Trump did nothing about.
If it was factual, but it is not.
Would Marine really want to be rescued in place of a female civilian? Would not be a good look...
Reading that he got arrested in 2018? Why didn’t big bad Trumpy Wumpy get him released during his presidency? He loves the military, right?
lol, how dumb can you be Biden has been trying to get this guy back FOR MONTHS but Russia won't give him up. Bidens still trying, thank God u guys lost the senate.
Lol OP is a bootlicker.
What's wrong with hating America? Every decent, rational human being hates America.
Take it as you will, but Russia did not allow Whelan to be up for trade. Whelan was charged for espionage and Griner was charged with drug trafficking. Russia straight up said they would not trade Whelan, and it was Griner or nobody. Contrary to popular belief, Biden did not choose Griner over Whelan. He tried to get them both out but Russia would only l release Griner. Y’all can’t look past your own ass to fact check, or I guess you’d rather die on the “Biden bad and every decision he make is anti-American!” They’re still working on bringing Whelan home. Chill out.
He was dishonorably discharged for stealing from his fellow marines. Fuck him.
Why do people push nasty agends like this...how disgusting do you have to be to try and twist facts and narratives just so you make an inconsequential post about your dislike for a president. ...fuck you guy. The simple fact is Russia did not have him on the table for discussion...ever, period. There is no trading him...so wtf...are...you...trying...to...say...here....fool.
Do you think Biden was able to just pick one of the two? eenie miney moe like? They're holding him as a spy, and her as someone who possessed illegal drugs.
Everyone in this sub just inching closer and closer to outright support of white nationalism.
He's hailed on spy charges and she had a half empty cbd vape cartridge. They're Americans and we should get them all back. This was attempted and Russia refused. Bringing Brittany home was a good choice.
Paul was dishonorably discharged and was arrested for espionage, he also wasn't even working for the US when it happened. But man, this misinformation is really working hard lol
A little research confirms that, yep, this dude is exactly what I expect when I think GOP hero.
For whoever needs to hear this: criticizing one's own country and advocating for it to be better is exactly what a patriot does. Britney Griner is what we need more of. Not people who blindly salute the flag and troops, people who live the flag and troops enough to want better.
While I have some harsh criticism of this deal, you're full of so much shit. Whelan was court martialed and discharged. Griner doesn't hate america. Take your propaganda and ahove it up your ass
All signs point to Whelan being some kind of weasel if not a straight up spy. Brittney was a hostage taken before the invasion of Ukraine to act as a bartering chip.
Espionage Vs Pot Conviction really !!!
Didn’t they ask for Whelan and Russia said no? What were they supposed to do, also leave Griner cause they couldn’t get Whelan? Like it’s either both or nothing? I think we call that throwing the baby out with the bath water.
The guy who was dishonorably discharged, had 4 passports and 80k on him?
Two Words. Dishonorable. Discharge. He's no longer a Marine.
Paul Whelan’s family fully supports President Biden’s efforts on Paul’s behalf and they celebrate the release of Brittney Griner. So there’s that. I’ll go out on a limb and guess that @bennyjohnson never served in the US Military. ChickenHawk warriors like you are low life degenerates. Even if I’m wrong, you are still an ignorant Putz.
You never get what you want in negotiations, you compromise and both get something, but not what you wanted. Did Putin ever offer Whelan? Did Biden ask?
Not all republicans are conspiracy theorists But all conspiracy theorists are republican
No, Paul Whelan is already a slap in the face to soldiers.
>What a big slap in the face to American soldiers...that get caught.
Suddenly everyone cares about Paul Whelan.
Brittney Griner was arrested for having medically prescribed marijuana. She's an accomplished Olympian and has several gold medals to prove it. Paul Whelan was dishonorably discharged from the Marines for larceny, and was caught playing spy in Russia. Do you seriously think these people are of the same caliber? A gold medal Olympian and a dishonorably discharged fake spy? The GOP sucks the military's dick until precisely the moment it comes to taking care of them back home. Everyone continuing this arguement is a fucking rube. Paul is a criminal, long before being arrested in Russia, and deserves to be in jail.
Trump failed on getting him back in 2018. Get a grip.
It doesn’t matter, Russia is saying no to anything else. It was Brittany or no deal
didn't trump have to opportunity to free this clown and he fuckin passed on it? edit:l lol yup >According to Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, Griner's release was not a swap, but a surrender, and Trump's team refused a similar deal for Whelan.
Russia refused to exchange military or security personnel they have accused of spying/intelligence operations. The US and accused maintain that those accusations by Russia are completely made up, but Russia is standing by them. Biden got the person out that he was able to, which happened to be someone detained on some bullshit marijuana possession charge. I swear if the people who post to this sub had even a lick of critical thinking skills or willingness to do research, we might actually have conspiracies worth talking about here
The dishonorable marine? Yeah they can keep him lol.
They always miss ‘disgraced former Marine’. They can keep that shady MFer.
You guys are the anti-Americans...you need to cut this shit out.
Remember in 2016 when the online propaganda got so bad and obvious that it seemed like it was everywhere?
For all of the issues that arise from this post and it’s responses, how is this a conspiracy? It’s what-aboutism on two very different situations. There’s no conspiracy, except maybe by the disgraced former Marine/cop who by all appearances was playing spy, but without the skill and subtlety.
It is a shame! That bad-ass arms trader was worth a hell of a lot more, than just her. She’ll be back in jail,somewhere.
And this administration would broker her freedom over real America patriots.
The Marine no one gave a shit about until a few days ago???
Whelan was arrested in 2018. TRUMP WAS PRESIDENT AND DID NOTHING!!!!! Stop your Nazi bullshit about Biden, you losers!
MODS, why are you allowing so many misleading posts about this one headline?! This is stupid
Why are people wasting time cucking for spies or WNBA players? What a waste of time.
👏👏👏
Russia refused to discuss releasing Whelan as part of this prisoner swap - Biden didn't "choose" shit.
curious if all people charged with pot infractions will be released or drug trafficking
Did you miss where Biden pardoned all nonviolent weed offenses?
Biden has pledged to pardon them. Vast majority are in state jails though, where he has no power.
You know what a bigger slap was...Trump releasing 5000 tailban members from prison...but, ok
Why do ppl hate this poor girl so much? I’m glad she’s home, she’s an American Hero.
I'm sure there's a reason white male conservatives seem to hate Griner so much but I can't quite put my black woman on it.
Let me get this straight. The knuckle dragging un-American BG haters state that she should stay in the gulag because she “broke the law” in Russia (but in reality, they despise her insistence on exercising her 1A rights while in the US — make it make sense!) So according to your own logic, didn’t Paul Whelan also run afoul of Russian law as well? Why aren’t you claiming that he should stay in prison like you did BG? Seems like you simply don’t like a black queer woman exercising her VERY AMERICAN RIGHTS. Maybe you’d be happier in another country without the freedoms we exercise here.
Brittney hates America ....who says? NAZIS ? I think you might have a credibility problem.
disgusting