OPINION:
A basketball player who has refused to stand for the national anthem has been traded for an international weapons dealer whose
intent is to kill Americans (“U.S. cheers Griner’s release from Russian prison, but doubts loom about fate of Paul Whelan,” Web, Dec. 8)
But what about the true American hero, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, who remains imprisoned in a Russian gulag? Why was he not included in this exchange?
As Ms. Griner has now been returned to American soil, perhaps the once-disrespectful athlete will now stand for Old Glory. Mr. Whelan has been forced to languish in a Russian prison for four years, with no apparent opportunity for freedom in sight.
As news of the Griner exchange broke, NBC’s Andrea Mitchell, an astute Washington insider for five decades, communicated that the release offer had been based on a choice between Ms. Griner or Mr. Whelan or no exchange at all. Thereafter, the White House press secretary cleansed Ms. Mitchell’s remark by asserting that the Russian offer involved Ms. Griner or none.
In essence, President Biden chose Ms. Griner, a basketball player, to assuage the feminist, minority and LGBTQ sects controlling the Democratic Party over a Marine veteran who served this nation with honor. This is utterly despicable.
EARL BEAL
Terre Haute, Indiana
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