February 1, 2023
Aw. We got a black eye.
“Brittney Griner trade fiasco just latest example of American enemies using woke culture against us.” Fox News Commentary
Wah.
“Viktor Bout, the arms dealer the US swapped for Brittney Griner, joins Russian ultranationalist party and could run for parliament.” Insider
Oh no!
“What a stupid and unpatriotic embarrassment for the USA!” Trump on Truth Social, commenting on the swap of Griner for Bout.
Umm, Mirror, Mirror, Lyin’ Don?
“Freedom-Loving Conservatives Are Mad that Brittney Griner Is No Longer in Russian Jail.” TNR
Well gosh, those Freedom Lovers are always angry about sumpin, aren’t they?
We traded a stale, aged bargaining chip for Britney Griner.
As an “ultranationalist” politician, Bout’s days as a criminal are over: he will hurt way more Russians than Americans. He is no longer the ‘Merchant of Death’, and one more criminal in the corrupt politburo that is Russia feels inconsequential to America.
Do we believe Russians are cheering the return of Viktor Bout?
Griner deserved to come home. She was clearly over-prosecuted. She IS consequential, in many ways, to many Americans.
And we know many Americans ARE cheering the return of Britney Griner.
The only true cost to us is a bit of embarrassment.
We got a little black eye.
A Shiner for a Griner.
I’ll take it.
