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It’s actually quite simple
“It’s interesting to see the uproar implying it was not a “fair” trade… that some how WE lost because we gave up a ruthless arms dealer in exchange for a black American female athlete. Moments like these can reflect what we value in our society. Russia wanted to release a ruthless killer. We wanted someone who made a mistake, either intentionally or accidentally. In other words, we valued the life and freedom of a black athlete. Russia valued a man who traffics in death. That doesn’t make us weak. It makes us strong. Think of what Griner’s release represents to Americans and what Bouts’ represents to Russians. There is something profoundly strong in setting an example by saying we believe every American, even when they make mistakes, has incredible value and deserves our support when they are unjustly held. Russia values killers. We value a basketball player. In other words, your importance and your value to our government are not derived simply by what function you play for the US government. Russia wanted Bout released because he represented and served a strategic interest for their country. We wanted Griner even though her release serves no strategic objective for the US. Trying to analyze this by saying they are not “equal” misses the point. We shouldn’t be trading our criminals for their criminals. We should be signaling that releasing every American held captive by adversaries is important regardless of their strategic value. That makes Griner’s release an important example of how we value our citizens and their lives not in relation to how they serve our government but the opposite. Yes we must work to release Paul Whelan and other captives. And we should work to release more Americans unjustly held in our own prisons. They too are worthy. “
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
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