Qasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 9, 2022

I'm not an expert on prisoner trades so I'll limit my comment to this: If you're upset that Biden exchanged an arms dealer for Brittany Griner—but approved Trump releasing 5,000 Taliban terrorists who then took over Afghanistan—stop pretending its national security you care about.

Moreover, for the people pearl clutching that the U.S. “traded an arms dealer” for the release of an innocent American woman—wait til you hear about the worlds largest arms dealer. (Hint: It’s the USA).

Show thread✡️ MG ✡️ #VoteBlueDec 9, 2022
@QasimRashid the guy had served 10 yrs on a 25 yr sentence. He would likely have been paroled & deported in another yr or two anyway. Can't be fussed. If he did it again, we will just arrest him again.
Show threadAgoraDec 9, 2022
@knitvspurl @QasimRashid exactly this!!
Show thread✡️ MG ✡️ #VoteBlueDec 9, 2022
@Agora @QasimRashid Conversely, I'm of the opinion that Griner brought this on herself, breaking Russian law. She didn't desperately need the money & I can't imagine choosing to work in a country where your existence is illegal. But I still agree with bringing her home because her sentence was unjust & Russian gulags are inhumane.
Show threadAgoraDec 9, 2022
@knitvspurl @QasimRashid I agree. She probably loved the status of being a great and revered player over there.
But, whatever her reasons, the sentence didn’t match the crime. I would say this for anyone.
Besides, we can say this for Paul Whelan too. Why would a former marine go to Russia? We can say he brought this on himself too. But, he still doesn’t deserve what is happening to him.
Show thread✡️ MG ✡️ #VoteBlueDec 9, 2022
@Agora @QasimRashid Whelan deserves to be brought home because the charges against him are BS. Very different story.
Show threadAgoraDec 9, 2022
@knitvspurl @QasimRashid well, Russians still live in the Cold War mentality of spies. If you are former military going to Russia, they will suspect you of spying. Even I know that.
So, everyone going to Russia is making terrible decisions.
Show thread✡️ MG ✡️ #VoteBlueDec 9, 2022
@Agora @QasimRashid Still not the same thing. They have no evidence that he was spying. Whether we agree it's a crime or not, Griner committed one by having those vape cartridges.
Show threadAgora
@knitvspurl @QasimRashid there is no evidence to what Griner was accused of doing either. You are splitting hairs here for some reason. The two individuals shouldn’t have gone to Russia in the first place and they shouldn’t have been jailed either.
Dec 9, 2022 at 8:46pmWeb