Griner sentenced to 9 years

[Rainger99]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

[retiredguy123]

What's worse, Russia sentencing her to 9 years for drug smuggling, or the U.S. releasing 2 Fentanyl smugglers after 2 days?

[MrFlorida]

She should have watched " Midnight Express" before going.

[PugMom]

you got THAT right

[Babubhat]

Well at least some good news today

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

She brought it from home - where she got it -legally-. She made a stupid mistake, but the mistake wasn't having it. The mistake was bringing it with her to Russia.

[retiredguy123]

She brought it from home - where she got it -legally-. She made a stupid mistake, but the mistake wasn't having it. The mistake was bringing it with her to Russia.
Legally? Under what law was it legal, State law or Federal law? I don't think they disclosed what the THC content was. So, it could have been illegal under Federal law.

[Stu from NYC]

How foolish to take it to Russia. She deserves what she got

[Taltarzac725]

Brittney Griner trial: Verdict expected Thursday | AP News (https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-trial-verdict-live-updates-40eccfc427da65b3c02eeabc8a7410ff)

Seems Draconian.

[manaboutown]

Do the crime; do the time.

[Taltarzac725]

Do the crime; do the time.

I do not believe she had the intent required. She had said she put those into her luggage by mistake. Brittney Griner situation explained: WNBA star sentenced to nine years in Russian prison - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/brittney-griner-situation-explained-wnba-star-sentenced-to-nine-years-in-russian-prison/)

A day before Griner testified, her defense team focused their angle on how cannabis has a medicinal use. However, they still emphasized that Griner had no criminal intent and accidentally put it in her luggage while packing in a rush. That explanation may not have much bearing in Russian court, however, as Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reportedly said the legalization of cannabis in the U.S. has no impact on Russia laws.

[Tvflguy]

Do the crime; do the time.

Yep, unless the crime occurs in some municipalities and jurisdictions…. You may be out scot-free.

[Rainger99]

I do not believe she had the intent required. She had said she put those into her luggage by mistake.

Do you really believe that it was a mistake? Putting something in your luggage is a conscious decision. I don’t think I have ever packed something by mistake but I have forgotten to pack some items. If I were the Russian judge, I would be upset that she lied to the court!

[tophcfa]

Although she exercised very poor judgment bringing that stuff to Russia, she is getting a really raw deal. That being said, it’s a very bad idea to exchange the merchant of death for her release. Doing that sends a strong message to Putin that he can keep snatching up American travelers and exchange them for his criminal thugs.

[JGVillages]

Although she exercised very poor judgment bringing that stuff to Russia, she is getting a really raw deal. That being said, it’s a very bad idea to exchange the merchant of death for her release. Doing that sends a strong message to Putin that he can keep snatching up American travelers and exchange them for his criminal thugs.

Raw deal? She traveled to a country that enforces their laws. Remember when the USA used to do that! Here’s a person that continued to protest the “National Anthem” by keeling, yet she wants this Nation to bring here home. Her ignorance by bringing the drug, or stupidity by not considering that when she packed her luggage, will not be overlooked in many countries that choose to enforce their laws.

[manaboutown]

She should be left there to rot in prison. She knew what she was doing and then compounded her crime by lying to get out of it. Fortunately Russia is not like the US has become in recent years with criminals left on the loose and running wild. They do not tolerate and even encourage criminal behavior as we do. To give up a big time Russian thug for her is just plain crazy, like paying a million dollars for a handful of peanuts.

She'll have a great opportunity to add to her collection of tattoos. Russian prisoners have the most incredible tattoos. Decoding Russian criminal tattoos – in pictures | Art and design | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2014/sep/18/decoding-russian-criminal-tattoos-in-pictures)

[Rapscallion St Croix]

On the bright side, she gets to learn a new language.

[manaboutown]

On the bright side, she gets to learn a new language.

Da! Vy ga-va-ree-tye pa-rus-kee? Do you speak Russian? in Russian - How to Say - Examples and Audio (https://learnrussianwords.com/do-you-speak-russian-in-russian/)

[bimmertl]

My favorite statement so far is that the "Russians do not tolerate and even encourage criminals like we do". Really

This is the country that invaded Ukraine, is killing innocent citizens on a daily basis and is committing war crimes as a result.

They hunt down and try to kill, and do kill, dissidents no matter where they are in the world.

This is a kangaroo court that results in conviction over 99% of the time. The same "legal" system also locked Paul Whelan for 16 years for "espionage". Pure nonsense.

So I guess everybody is OK with the Whelan conviction also. So let's here all the Griner haters tell us true justice was done for Whelan. Or is the Russian system only correct when the convicted person is an African American professional basketball who won two gold medals for the US in the Olympics?

[Taltarzac725]

Although she exercised very poor judgment bringing that stuff to Russia, she is getting a really raw deal. That being said, it’s a very bad idea to exchange the merchant of death for her release. Doing that sends a strong message to Putin that he can keep snatching up American travelers and exchange them for his criminal thugs.

He would seem to encourage kangaroo courts working for his benefit which is pretty much what we have here in this situation.

The punishment hardly warrants the "crime".

[manaboutown]

He would seem to encourage kangaroo courts working for his benefit which is pretty much what we have here in this situation.

The punishment hardly warrants the "crime".

I can't wait to see her prison tattoos and hear what her Russian speech will sound like. Moscow, St. Petersburg or some kind of hardcore criminal rough talk?

[Caymus]

She brought it from home - where she got it -legally-. She made a stupid mistake, but the mistake wasn't having it. The mistake was bringing it with her to Russia.

Is it no longer illegal to transport it through US Airports? How did she get to Russia?

[BigSteph]

Is she wrong -- both literally and figuratively -- yeah. She brought something into a sovereign nation that is prohibited. Even if it was only a wee bit (cartridge), and legal in a province or state, and it wasn't even all that good -- ditch weed, it was still not allowed.

What if you go to the airport tomorrow, forget that you have a 22 derringer in your overnight bag, but you have a concealed permit in FL and UT (UT honors dozens of state with reciprocity agreements). The TSA finds the gun. You go, dang, I didn't mean to have it. It is legal in Florida, and I can carry it in 30 other states. Does the TSA go, yep, I can see it is a tiny amount of a gun, and you really didn't mean to have it. Go ahead, brah, no problem.

What if you have a few brews at World of Beer. You begin to sober up. but need more time. You get into your golf cart, and turn it on to hear some rad tunes. You slump over and fall asleep. Minutes later, Wildwood or Lady Lake's finest approaches you, wakes you up, and asks you to turn the ignition off. You say, brah, I'm resting it off -- I knew my limits and didn't drive home. He asks you to perform some tests and you say you didn't drive it. He informs you that you cannot have the key in the ignition of a motor vehicle when intoxicated. You say, I'm knot Toxinacated and I knowed my Writes." He responds, oh, that clears things up, go ahead, and be safe citizen.

Does the lady's transgression in Russia warrant 9 years -- of course not. Russia is an A-whole country. We are in a proxy war with them. Did you think they wouldn't turn the screws on us, as we are turning it on them.

Would a young black women, whose father works at Publix bagging groceries, who saved up to send his little girl to UCF to study language, who then travels to Russia on a school trip, but has a wee bit of weed oil in a cartridge get all the presidential, political, and media focus that the basketball woman gets? I'll answer that, freakin NO!

It is not even a racial, or sexual orientation thing, it is just a fame thing.

We are all equal, all of us.

[Babubhat]

Swift and decisive justice is the best kind.

[frose]

She brought it from home - where she got it -legally-. She made a stupid mistake, but the mistake wasn't having it. The mistake was bringing it with her to Russia.her mistake was disrespecting this country. 9 years is not enough.

[Number 10 GI]

First thing, you don't go to another country that has an extreme dislike for our country and get caught doing something that violates their law. You will become a pawn in an international political power play that has no rules. Remember Otto Warmbier who was convicted by a North Korean court for stealing a political banner? He was another pawn in an international power play and he paid for it with his life. Doing stupid things in the wrong places can be fatal!

When you leave our country your constitutional rights end at our border. You are subject to that other country's laws whether they are fair, draconian or very permissive. In some countries she could face the death penalty or a very lengthy prison sentence. We can scream, kick and holler that the punishment is far more severe than what she would face in the U.S. but that argument is totally irrelevant. Those punishments are what their laws dictate.

My opinion about her punishment is that it is far too severe. Nine years in a Russian prison would be Hell. I do not agree to the swap that has been proposed, that man should never see the light of day again.

[Djean1981]

Our laws mean nothing in other countries and she should have known better. Although I don't like her behavior, nine years seems extreme. I feel bad for her family...

[bimmertl]

her mistake was disrespecting this country. 9 years is not enough.


God forbid, "disrespecting" Russia!!

Obviously satire, nobody could possibly be serious about such a stupid statement!

[TNLAKEPANDA]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

A full 9 years!

[Bill14564]

My favorite statement so far is that the "Russians do not tolerate and even encourage criminals like we do". Really

This is the country that invaded Ukraine, is killing innocent citizens on a daily basis and is committing war crimes as a result.

They hunt down and try to kill, and do kill, dissidents no matter where they are in the world.

This is a kangaroo court that results in conviction over 99% of the time. The same "legal" system also locked Paul Whelan for 16 years for "espionage". Pure nonsense.

So I guess everybody is OK with the Whelan conviction also. So let's here all the Griner haters tell us true justice was done for Whelan. Or is the Russian system only correct when the convicted person is an African American professional basketball who won two gold medals for the US in the Olympics?

You realize you live in a glass house, right?

Some of our operations in Afghanistan are difficult to defend and we recently celebrated locating and killing someone in another country after 20+ years of searching.

I don't care what color, sex, or skills they have, it was a mistake to carry an illegal substance into a foreign country. We wouldn't excuse a foreigner breaking our laws and we shouldn't expect a foreign country to excuse an American breaking their laws, female black Olympian or not.

Of course, she should not be made an example of simply because she is American but it looks like that is what is happening. *That* we can agree is not right.

[Badger 2006]

My favorite statement so far is that the "Russians do not tolerate and even encourage criminals like we do". Really

This is the country that invaded Ukraine, is killing innocent citizens on a daily basis and is committing war crimes as a result.

They hunt down and try to kill, and do kill, dissidents no matter where they are in the world.

This is a kangaroo court that results in conviction over 99% of the time. The same "legal" system also locked Paul Whelan for 16 years for "espionage". Pure nonsense.

So I guess everybody is OK with the Whelan conviction also. So let's here all the Griner haters tell us true justice was done for Whelan. Or is the Russian system only correct when the convicted person is an African American professional basketball who won two gold medals for the US in the Olympics?

Didn’t take long to play the race card! We may not agree at all with the Russian system but it’s theirs as are all the other country’s judicial systems in this world unique to each. If you choose to travel outside our judicial system to not know the laws of their land, especially concerning drugs, is plain and simple stupid. By the way winning Olympic Gold Medals should not qualify for a get out of jail free card!

[Djean1981]

Yes, she did break their law and should not have, but she got 9 years because Russia hates the US right now. The sentence is insane. Hopefully, this will serve as a lesson to others to not travel in areas that are hostile to the US. Like with Britney and Warmbier, it may not go well.

[Taltarzac725]

God forbid, "disrespecting" Russia!!

Obviously satire, nobody could possibly be serious about such a stupid statement!

Satire. I kind of doubt it. They are very serious.

[manaboutown]

I can't wait to see her Russian prison tats. I wonder if they will allow her to post them on instagram or other social media from the gulag.

She'll just love a Siberian winter!

[Djean1981]

So, you are happy that she was sentenced to 9 years...

[Taltarzac725]

Russian court gives Brittney Griner nine years on drugs charges | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/4/russia-us-brittney-griner-guilty-drugs-charges)

Al Jazeera is a fairly objective source of news.

They do not say it but I would not put it past Putin's goons from planting something to get a high level athlete in a bind and make her a political pawn.

“I still don’t understand to this day how they ended up in my bag,” she told the court on July 27. “If I had to guess on how they ended up in my bags, I was in a rush packing.”

[manaboutown]

Russian court gives Brittney Griner nine years on drugs charges | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/4/russia-us-brittney-griner-guilty-drugs-charges)

Al Jazeera is a fairly objective source of news.

They do not say it but I would not put it past Putin's goons from planting something to get a high level athlete in a bind and make her a political pawn.

lol. She is a liar!

[manaboutown]

My favorite statement so far is that the "Russians do not tolerate and even encourage criminals like we do". Really

This is the country that invaded Ukraine, is killing innocent citizens on a daily basis and is committing war crimes as a result.

They hunt down and try to kill, and do kill, dissidents no matter where they are in the world.

This is a kangaroo court that results in conviction over 99% of the time. The same "legal" system also locked Paul Whelan for 16 years for "espionage". Pure nonsense.

So I guess everybody is OK with the Whelan conviction also. So let's here all the Griner haters tell us true justice was done for Whelan. Or is the Russian system only correct when the convicted person is an African American professional basketball who won two gold medals for the US in the Olympics?

Whelan is a scumbag. Bad conduct discharge from the USMC. Lied about his academic credentials and much more.

Paul Whelan (security director - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Whelan_(security_director))

[Taltarzac725]

Whelan is a scumbag. Bad conduct discharge from the USMC. Lied about his academic credentials and much more.

Paul Whelan (security director - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Whelan_(security_director))

Paul Whelan (https://apnews.com/hub/paul-whelan)

More links to Paul Whelan.

[mrrmauu]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

I couldn’t care less.

[tsmall22204]

It was not poor judgement, she did not pack it by mistake. If we bring her home, she should be made to serve her sentence here in the US.

[La lamy]

She deserved to pay a price for bringing drugs into Russia and lying to the court, but 9 years is crazy. It's not as if she was bringing a bunch to sell, it was obviously for personal use. Why should they care what she does to her own body? If it lead to a real crime, that I could understand, but 9 years in jail for a personal vape is insane IMO.

[ValPal58]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?
No sympathy. You need to know the rules of the countries you travel to before you travel. She could’ve gotten 10 years she only got 9. Entitlement should get you nowhere when you break the law. I have no sympathy for Americans that don’t love America.

[daca55]

Many countries have hard and fast rules concerning drugs which are far severe then the US and if you get caught you will pay the price. I know a guy who got jammed up in Scotland for having pot and he too got several years in prison. She was told not to bring any drugs to Russia and she did and got caught and now she is a pawn that they can use to get what they want. She didn’t like standing for our national anthem but now she will have no choice but to respect Russia’s anthem

[me4vt]

What’s the international law on trafficking? No biggie she took a knee whenever she could!! She only wanted to be American when it benefited her!

[ThirdOfFive]

My favorite statement so far is that the "Russians do not tolerate and even encourage criminals like we do". Really

This is the country that invaded Ukraine, is killing innocent citizens on a daily basis and is committing war crimes as a result.

They hunt down and try to kill, and do kill, dissidents no matter where they are in the world.

This is a kangaroo court that results in conviction over 99% of the time. The same "legal" system also locked Paul Whelan for 16 years for "espionage". Pure nonsense.

So I guess everybody is OK with the Whelan conviction also. So let's here all the Griner haters tell us true justice was done for Whelan. Or is the Russian system only correct when the convicted person is an African American professional basketball who won two gold medals for the US in the Olympics?
Don't know as I agree with that.

There was never any argument over whether or not Griner broke the law. Her only "defense" was IGNORANCE of the law. And ignorance of the law, in Russia as here in America, is never an excuse to break it.

I doubt she'll serve the entire sentence. She'll get out, probably in a couple of years.

[Eg_cruz]

While I am not her fan, 9 years is over kill. It’s a vape pen for goodness sake.
No she didn’t get 9 years because she gay, nor because she black. She got 9 years because Russia is using her to show US they don’t care what US thinks.

What really gets me is her wife wants us to feel bad because she she to go to other countries to play to make up for not making enough money playing in the US because she only make $225,000 a year in US so it not her fault she she to go overseas to supplement their income.

Again, I get do the crime do the time but is 9 yrs doing the time or is it “Take that US”

[Bay Kid]

The White House will spring her in return for the Merchant of Death

That would be terrible. Only a fool would make that deal.

[WiscoGirl]

Raw deal? She traveled to a country that enforces their laws. Remember when the USA used to do that! Here’s a person that continued to protest the “National Anthem” by keeling, yet she wants this Nation to bring here home. Her ignorance by bringing the drug, or stupidity by not considering that when she packed her luggage, will not be overlooked in many countries that choose to enforce their laws.

100% true! It's too bad we don't enforce our own here. But we understand why: the criminals are in charge of the prisons and the mentally ill are in charge of the streets. The police are in charge of nothing and they'll bow down to the criminal elements. We had to change our traditions, our history; a transformation has occurred in the past decade. The snake is here. It's past time to bite off its ugly head and feed it back to the Fire.

[Sandy and Ed]

Although she exercised very poor judgment bringing that stuff to Russia, she is getting a really raw deal. That being said, it’s a very bad idea to exchange the merchant of death for her release. Doing that sends a strong message to Putin that he can keep snatching up American travelers and exchange them for his criminal thugs.
Agree. Another reason certain countries are not on my own favored nations to visit list.

[Sandy and Ed]

100% true! It's too bad we don't enforce our own here. But we understand why: the criminals are in charge of the prisons and the mentally ill are in charge of the streets. The police are in charge of nothing and they'll bow down to the criminal elements. We had to change our traditions, our history; a transformation has occurred in the past decade. The snake is here. It's past time to bite off its ugly head and feed it back to the Fire.
Gotta love the poetry in this reply. Hit the mark!!

[jparsoneau@aol.com]

Cannabis in all forms is still illegal under federal law only state laws has medical marijuana and recreational there is no federal marijuana allowed in the United States

[rsmurano]

If you commit a crime in a foreign country you get what you deserve. How about that kid that got caught stealing in China or some other country and they caned him. The US tried to get him home before this happened but from what I remember, they ended up caning him.
Actually we should be much more aggressive in how we handle people that do crime, we should throw the book at them as the law states so we will start limiting the amount of crime we have these days. What happened yesterday in our state is a start

[terenceanne]

Supposedly hates America - so a good lesson is being learned - wonder if she will change her mind about the USA now.
Having said that the trial is political and nonsense - one or two years in a Russian jail would be a good wake up call.

[Ronald Phillips]

Jailed in Russia. Wonder what see feels like now to hear the good old US National Anthem played and wants to come begging for help. Now she now knows how great she has it living in the USA. For me let her spend the next 9 years thinking about it and come back and tell the others what see went through. Also point out when back how good they have it in the USA where what she did would of maybe been a $50 fine not 9 years

[Joe C.]

Stupid is, as stupid does. No sympathy here......
She can now be a role model for what not to do.
If weed, THC, etc. was still illegal here, maybe she wouldn't still be there.

[Kelevision]

Well at least some good news today

You think it’s good news that a girl from America just got sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison?

[Babubhat]

Clearly didn’t watch midnight express movie

[NoMo50]

She disrespected the American flag, and did not want our national anthem played at her basketball games. Now, she is crying in her borscht begging the country she hates to bring her back. How hypocritical and disingenuous is that? Perhaps she should have spent some of her down time watching episodes of Locked Up Abroad.

[Stu from NYC]

She disrespected the American flag, and did not want our national anthem played at her basketball games. Now, she is crying in her borscht begging the country she hates to bring her back. How hypocritical and disingenuous is that? Perhaps she should have spent some of her down time watching episodes of Locked Up Abroad.

Really hope she spend time there pondering her behavior and comes out a better person.

Not going to happen and do hope we do not exchange her.

[jimkerr]

She disrespected the American flag, and did not want our national anthem played at her basketball games. Now, she is crying in her borscht begging the country she hates to bring her back. How hypocritical and disingenuous is that? Perhaps she should have spent some of her down time watching episodes of Locked Up Abroad.

Exactly. Now she can learn the Russian Anthem since she hated our National Anthem so much.

9 years is excessive but it’s hard to feel sorry for her. You don’t bring any form of a drug to a country like Russia.

[HJBeck]

Your right. Do the crime, do your time. None of this I didn’t know stuff.

[Whitley]

She brought it from home - where she got it -legally-. She made a stupid mistake, but the mistake wasn't having it. The mistake was bringing it with her to Russia.

So you agree with her getting prison time then?

She knowingly broke Russian law, and now the US is pressured to release a terrorist who is responsible for many deaths in an attempt to get her free. She was not working on behalf of the USA (unless we just do not know about it).

[MandoMan]

Although she exercised very poor judgment bringing that stuff to Russia, she is getting a really raw deal. That being said, it’s a very bad idea to exchange the merchant of death for her release. Doing that sends a strong message to Putin that he can keep snatching up American travelers and exchange them for his criminal thugs.

Yesterday, in a book I’m writing, I told about nearly being arrested on the train station platform in Novosibersk, USSR, for running when a cop tried to confiscate the film in my camera because I was taking a couple photos. Stupid, I know. I was riding the Trans-Siberian Express. I hid and got away with it. I could have ended up in a Siberian prison. Like her. It’s scary. But this is mostly political. It’s unlikely that a Russian would have been arrested for this or received this sentence, even though it could happen. Lots of people use drugs there.

[Whitley]

My favorite statement so far is that the "Russians do not tolerate and even encourage criminals like we do". Really

This is the country that invaded Ukraine, is killing innocent citizens on a daily basis and is committing war crimes as a result.

They hunt down and try to kill, and do kill, dissidents no matter where they are in the world.

This is a kangaroo court that results in conviction over 99% of the time. The same "legal" system also locked Paul Whelan for 16 years for "espionage". Pure nonsense.

So I guess everybody is OK with the Whelan conviction also. So let's here all the Griner haters tell us true justice was done for Whelan. Or is the Russian system only correct when the convicted person is an African American professional basketball who won two gold medals for the US in the Olympics?


You should probably start a new thread for Whelan. This one is about that female (Though I have not asked for her pronouns)basketball player.

[Greg L]

Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time

[Stu from NYC]

Yesterday, in a book I’m writing, I told about nearly being arrested on the train station platform in Novosibersk, USSR, for running when a cop tried to confiscate the film in my camera because I was taking a couple photos. Stupid, I know. I was riding the Trans-Siberian Express. I hid and got away with it. I could have ended up in a Siberian prison. Like her. It’s scary. But this is mostly political. It’s unlikely that a Russian would have been arrested for this or received this sentence, even though it could happen. Lots of people use drugs there.

When you go to a foreign country and want to bring drugs with you best to know their policies first. Why in the world take a chance unless you think you are better than everyone else.

[MrFlorida]

Well I guess she realizes America wasn't so bad after all....

[Bellavita]

Speaking as a mother who raised 4 children. All I can say is if you have the perfect kid congratulations. If you said you do, you are lying.

What one of us would think a trade for our child would not be good? No matter what evil.

She was wrong, but 9 years? Really?

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

[HRDave]

I love how she complained to the court that she wasn’t read her “rights “ 😂😂 Sweetie, you’re in Russia! You have no rights!
I bet the American National Anthem would sound good now! 😎

[Moderator]

We've had to remove several political remarks. Please stay on topic without making it political.

Moderator

[Glennjy]

My opinion, if she did kneel to the ground to the US Flag, she does not deserve any help from the US. Just my opinion.

[airstreamingypsy]

Well at least some good news today

How is that good news?

[MSGirl]

I do not believe she had the intent required. She had said she put those into her luggage by mistake. Brittney Griner situation explained: WNBA star sentenced to nine years in Russian prison - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/brittney-griner-situation-explained-wnba-star-sentenced-to-nine-years-in-russian-prison/)
Regardless of intent or not, any American should not have been allowed to go to Russia during these difficult times. Russia should never have been on the board!

[Luggage]

she is GUILTY - PERIOD ...

[Chuckndianne]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?
How long she will spend in jail? That’s a political question. How long should she spend in jail? - 9 years.

[Sherry8bal]

Seems to me if she wasn't smart enough to know to NOT take drugs to another country, especially one like Russia, then she should pay the consequences. She "dised" her own country anyway so they shouldn't help her out now that's she's crying because she's in trouble. WE (the U.S.) should also NOT trade her for this dangerous terrorist that Russia wants back. That's like trading a million dollars for a penny - not a smart thing to do!

[Bill14564]

she is GUILTY - PERIOD ...

I'm impressed by your confidence in the Russian legal system, especially when dealing with Americans.

She was *found* guilty, no question about that.

[SUENRAN]

Another entitled elite. America hater, hope she enjoys her stay.

[bp243]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

Would we determine this nine year sentence in the US? This is what life in a dictatorship is about! Anyone want to move there?

[Speedie]

She chose to go to Russia. So she needs to follow their laws. Actually the US needs to enforce our drug laws and immigration laws. Other countries in the world do enforce their laws.

Do the crime, spend the time

Maybe she can kneel and protest America while in jail there

[ex34449]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

1. Who cares.
2. Probably not long enough.

Keep her please!

[ex34449]

She was wrong, but 9 years? Really?

After thinking about it I agree. 9 years isn't nearly long enough. This country has enough trash. We should be thanking Russia for hauling some of it away for us.

[jhoffha]

All this for the person who disrespects the US Flag. Kneels when patriots stand with respect. Maybe this will be a wakeup call to her, to value and respect the freedoms she enjoyed before entering Russa. I have little sympathy for all these far left leaning types.

With regards to the sentencing, 9 years is unjust. I suspect she will be traded of for the Russian arms dealer currently in US custody. When she returns to the states, I wonder if she will stand in reverence to the US Flag?

[ex34449]

You think it’s good news that a girl from America just got sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison?

Don't know about him but I sure as hell do. Let's see what this "Girl from America" thinks about us in 9 years (if we are still here).
Being a "Girl from America" doesn't make you right, it doesn't put you above anyone's laws, and in her case, it doesn't mean you automatically acquire some higher level of intelligence.

[Taltarzac725]

Don't know about him but I sure as hell do. Let's see what this "Girl from America" thinks about us in 9 years (if we are still here).
Being a "Girl from America" doesn't make you right, it doesn't put you above anyone's laws, and in her case, it doesn't mean you automatically acquire some higher level of intelligence.

Law and order in Putin's Russia. Now that is an oxymoron.

[Nellmack]

Stand back and look at this situation.

This isn't about a vape pen or kneeling at the national anthem.

Russia invaded a sovereign country (Ukraine) and the strongest military country on the planet (USA) sided with Ukraine. Without endangering any of our military personnel we have successfully pumped billions of our tax dollars in defense of that country. I'm going to guess that everyone will agree that the USA is the leader of the "free world" and with that title comes the requirement that we believe everyone is free, period. That means we can protest if we believe something is wrong without retribution. We can look different, have different religious beliefs, vote for whoever we want without retribution. If we believe in the USA we must believe in the ability to be free even if someone is a different religion, different color or protests something that we believe otherwise. You can't say you believe in USA policy or that the USA is the greatest place on earth and pick and choose what USA policies you like. You might not like or agree with the protest but it's our right. The USA is the greatest place to live and the ability to protest without retribution makes it the greatest place to live. Kneeling at the national anthem bugs me but that's what makes the USA great. That's why everyone's trying to move here. Russia is using her as a pawn for our involvement in their war, plain and simple. She deserves the support of the US like any one our our sons or daughters would deserve. IMO

[Taltarzac725]

Well said.

Stand back and look at this situation.

This isn't about a vape pen or kneeling at the national anthem.

Russia invaded a sovereign country (Ukraine) and the strongest military country on the planet (USA) sided with Ukraine. Without endangering any of our military personnel we have successfully pumped billions of our tax dollars in defense of that country. I'm going to guess that everyone will agree that the USA is the leader of the "free world" and with that title comes the requirement that we believe everyone is free, period. That means we can protest if we believe something is wrong without retribution. We can look different, have different religious beliefs, vote for whoever we want without retribution. If we believe in the USA we must believe in the ability to be free even if someone is a different religion, different color or protests something that we believe otherwise. You can't say you believe in USA policy or that the USA is the greatest place on earth and pick and choose what USA policies you like. You might not like or agree with the protest but it's our right. The USA is the greatest place to live and the ability to protest without retribution makes it the greatest place to live. Kneeling at the national anthem bugs me but that's what makes the USA great. That's why everyone's trying to move here. Russia is using her as a pawn for our involvement in their war, plain and simple. She deserves the support of the US like any one our our sons or daughters would deserve. IMO

[JSR22]

Stand back and look at this situation.

This isn't about a vape pen or kneeling at the national anthem.

Russia invaded a sovereign country (Ukraine) and the strongest military country on the planet (USA) sided with Ukraine. Without endangering any of our military personnel we have successfully pumped billions of our tax dollars in defense of that country. I'm going to guess that everyone will agree that the USA is the leader of the "free world" and with that title comes the requirement that we believe everyone is free, period. That means we can protest if we believe something is wrong without retribution. We can look different, have different religious beliefs, vote for whoever we want without retribution. If we believe in the USA we must believe in the ability to be free even if someone is a different religion, different color or protests something that we believe otherwise. You can't say you believe in USA policy or that the USA is the greatest place on earth and pick and choose what USA policies you like. You might not like or agree with the protest but it's our right. The USA is the greatest place to live and the ability to protest without retribution makes it the greatest place to live. Kneeling at the national anthem bugs me but that's what makes the USA great. That's why everyone's trying to move here. Russia is using her as a pawn for our involvement in their war, plain and simple. She deserves the support of the US like any one our our sons or daughters would deserve. IMO

I totally agree. Hopefully, she will be home within a month.

[ex34449]

Law and order in Putin's Russia. Now that is an oxymoron.

Let her try the same in the mid east. She'd be buried to her neck and stoned. I don't know if you've noticed recently but law and order in any country has somewhat fallen off the wagon.

[Siegfried]

Haven't been able to work up much sympathy for Brittney Griner's 9 year sentence for trying to smuggle Cannabis into Russia. Quite a number of our allies impose the death penalty for the same offense -- including Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, UAE, and elsewhere. China also has the death penalty for this.

In addition to the death penalty or life imprisonment in Singapore, you'll be subjected to a public caning. In Japan, you get 5 years for the first offense for weed possession. Even France gives you prison for weed possession. In Turkey, you'll get up to 24 years for weed possession. What did he expect might happen in Putin's Russia?

Do stupid things in a country run by a dictator who hates the United States, expect stupid things to happen to you. Then toss in the fact that he does this while Putin is invading Ukraine. Maybe he doesn't follow the news.

Kinda felt the same way about Otto Warmbier. What is an American student doing in North Korea in the first place? And if there, what did he expect might happen if he steals the dictator's propaganda poster from his hotel room and tries to smuggle it out of the country for a souvenir and as some kind of joke?

Predictably, the genocidal sociopath Communist dictator had him beaten to death. This is a country where people are shot on the spot for getting Covid. That's one way to stop the spread! In this country, the dictator had one of his generals strapped to a chair and executed him with an anti-aircraft missile for amusement.

The schools should be teaching decision-making skills instead of anti-America woke ideology. In most countries, the people have no rights.

The schools should be teaching kids to be grateful every day that they live in America. To have the great fortune to live in America is to win the lottery of life. And don't go acting up when you visit other countries, especially dictatorships and the Third World..

[coconutmama]

Stand back and look at this situation.

This isn't about a vape pen or kneeling at the national anthem.

Russia invaded a sovereign country (Ukraine) and the strongest military country on the planet (USA) sided with Ukraine. Without endangering any of our military personnel we have successfully pumped billions of our tax dollars in defense of that country. I'm going to guess that everyone will agree that the USA is the leader of the "free world" and with that title comes the requirement that we believe everyone is free, period. That means we can protest if we believe something is wrong without retribution. We can look different, have different religious beliefs, vote for whoever we want without retribution. If we believe in the USA we must believe in the ability to be free even if someone is a different religion, different color or protests something that we believe otherwise. You can't say you believe in USA policy or that the USA is the greatest place on earth and pick and choose what USA policies you like. You might not like or agree with the protest but it's our right. The USA is the greatest place to live and the ability to protest without retribution makes it the greatest place to live. Kneeling at the national anthem bugs me but that's what makes the USA great. That's why everyone's trying to move here. Russia is using her as a pawn for our involvement in their war, plain and simple. She deserves the support of the US like any one our our sons or daughters would deserve. IMO

Great post. Totally agree. Thanks

[Taltarzac725]

Let her try the same in the mid east. She'd be buried to her neck and stoned. I don't know if you've noticed recently but law and order in any country has somewhat fallen off the wagon.

That hardly ever happens as far as know even in the Mid East.

[Taltarzac725]

Let her try the same in the mid east. She'd be buried to her neck and stoned. I don't know if you've noticed recently but law and order in any country has somewhat fallen off the wagon.

Woman, 20, is sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery in Sudan | Daily Mail Online (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11010403/Woman-20-sentenced-stoned-death-adultery-Sudan.html)

I only see one stoning death sentences passed in the last decade. Like something out of the oldest books of The Bible.

[ex34449]

That hardly ever happens as far as know even in the Mid East.

We know very little about what happens in the middle east. It takes us a decade to find the worlds most wanted criminal/s and you think we know what happens in some village in the mountains somewhere?

[ex34449]

Sorry but I have little sympathy for someone, anyone that goes to another country and has their stupidity and/or ignorance turned into an international incident. And now we are considering trading a murderer for a ignorant pot head that dislikes our country to start out with. Yeah, that makes perfect sense. NOT!

[Vikingjunior]

Actually 10 years is the Russian sentence for such a crime. Crazy but she didn't get any extra time for being American.

[Vikingjunior]

According to CNN the reason for her having to play basketball in Russia is because of gender pay inequality. So if she got paid what the men get paid she wouldn't have to go to Russia and wouldn't have gotten arrested.
So that's it, gender pay inequality in sports is the real reason she is in a Russian prison.

I'm glad we cleared that up.

[ThirdOfFive]

If this is nothing else, it is a good lesson on how much trouble you can get into exercising the "entitlement" mentality in a country that doesn't respect it.

She did the crime. Nine years isn't excessive under Russian law.

That is what matters.

[ex34449]

According to CNN the reason for her having to play basketball in Russia is because of gender pay inequality. So if she got paid what the men get paid she wouldn't have to go to Russia and wouldn't have gotten arrested.
So that's it, gender pay inequality in sports is the real reason she is in a Russian prison.

I'm glad we cleared that up.

haha. Bad career choice. She should have taken up bobsledding in Jamaica. She'd have a statue in Mobay by now.

[ThirdOfFive]

We know very little about what happens in the middle east. It takes us a decade to find the worlds most wanted criminal/s and you think we know what happens in some village in the mountains somewhere?
I remember seeing a sign the first time I went to Thailand (quite a few years ago now), right outside Don Mueang International Airport. It was in Thai, but my wife translated it:

"If you bring illegal drugs into Thailand, we will shoot you".

Things have changed somewhat. You no longer get shot if you play around with illegal drugs in Thailand, but they WILL sentence you to quite a few years locked up as a guest of the Thai government. And it is hardly a resort. Anyone here watch the movie "Brokedown Palace"? Pretty realistic.

In light of that, nine years doesn't seem so bad.

[Caymus]

According to CNN the reason for her having to play basketball in Russia is because of gender pay inequality. So if she got paid what the men get paid she wouldn't have to go to Russia and wouldn't have gotten arrested.
So that's it, gender pay inequality in sports is the real reason she is in a Russian prison.

I'm glad we cleared that up.

How did CNN explain the reason that American Men play(ed) basketball in Russia?

[SHIBUMI]

The American government should seize all Russian owned business's and real estate in America and auction it off to Americans and deny any Russian citizen any ownership in America due to the taking over of the Ukraine. Turn about is fair play....like her or not she is just a pawn.......fair trial-russia get real.....russians have no business in ownership in America just like they dont want us over there.....so be it said, so it should be done...
and that includes the stock market...........if not we are all just hypocrites


How did CNN explain the reason that American Men play(ed) basketball in Russia?

[jimjamuser]

She brought it from home - where she got it -legally-. She made a stupid mistake, but the mistake wasn't having it. The mistake was bringing it with her to Russia.
She has already spent TOO much time in prison. She was a favorite player of the Russian PEOPLE. She became a much-publicized PAWN used by the Russian Dictator to take a "cheap shot" at America for our military support for the Ukraine.

[jimjamuser]

How foolish to take it to Russia. She deserves what she got
Let those who have NEVER made a stupid MISTAKE........throw the 1st STONE.

[Caymus]

The American government should seize all Russian owned business's and real estate in America and auction it off to Americans and deny any Russian citizen any ownership in America due to the taking over of the Ukraine. Turn about is fair play....like her or not she is just a pawn.......fair trial-russia get real.....russians have no business in ownership in America just like they dont want us over there.....so be it said, so it should be done...
and that includes the stock market...........if not we are all just hypocrites

The same when China decides to take over Taiwan????

[jimjamuser]

Do you really believe that it was a mistake? Putting something in your luggage is a conscious decision. I don’t think I have ever packed something by mistake but I have forgotten to pack some items. If I were the Russian judge, I would be upset that she lied to the court!
Some people in some situations (like being in a hurry to board a plane flight) make mistakes - everyone knows that. She might have left it in a pocket of her coat and been unaware of it. She is only guilty of being a famous American at the wrong time and the wrong place. It is a "cheap shot" at EVERY American by a Dictator that poisons his own people and now sends them to fight and die in a war that makes Russia poorer and weaker. Historically, Dictators only have brought destruction to their own people. Torturing Brittany Griner is one small step backward for Russia.

[ex34449]

Let those who have NEVER made a stupid MISTAKE........throw the 1st STONE.

Everyone has made stupid mistakes. It's human. But to be from another country and take an illegal substance into said country is just a little beyond stupid don't you think? Seriously, I've smoked a lot of weed in my life and have been to at least a dozen other countries but guess what? I never took it with me nor did I ever buy any when I was out of country. To the contrary, I did everything I could do to be a wallflower. It's called common sense. Something she obviously had none of... or she thought she was above the countries law.

[ex34449]

She is only guilty of being a famous American at the wrong time and the wrong place

A famous American (and a stupid one too) that had absolutely zero love for her country. America!

[jimjamuser]

On the bright side, she gets to learn a new language.
True, but she will have to learn the language of being tortured in INHUMAN Russian prison conditions, which I could not wish on my worse enemy.

[ex34449]

The same when China decides to take over Taiwan????

Oh they've already decided. They just haven't taken any action yet.

[jimjamuser]

My favorite statement so far is that the "Russians do not tolerate and even encourage criminals like we do". Really

This is the country that invaded Ukraine, is killing innocent citizens on a daily basis and is committing war crimes as a result.

They hunt down and try to kill, and do kill, dissidents no matter where they are in the world.

This is a kangaroo court that results in conviction over 99% of the time. The same "legal" system also locked Paul Whelan for 16 years for "espionage". Pure nonsense.

So I guess everybody is OK with the Whelan conviction also. So let's here all the Griner haters tell us true justice was done for Whelan. Or is the Russian system only correct when the convicted person is an African American professional basketball who won two gold medals for the US in the Olympics?
100 % correct. Great post.

[JayK!]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

According to Russian Law, she has been found guilty and sentenced to nine years for transporting illegal items. Did she think she had immunity just because she is an NBA player??? I’m sure she was given a lengthy list of ‘What not to bring into a foreign country” from her team’s PR rep. Did she read it??? How stupid can she be??? The US government should stay out of it. It’s on her shoulders, not our nation’s. She just threw away her career. Too bad!!!

[MrChipster]

“ We wouldn't excuse a foreigner breaking our laws and we shouldn't expect a foreign country to excuse an American breaking their laws,”

WHAT!!!!!!

Have you taken a look at the southern border of the US being run over.

[rrtjp]

A famous American (and a stupid one too) that had absolutely zero love for her country. America!

What is she famous for, shooting a basketball, being gay or hating her country?
I never heard of her before this moronic incident she pulled.

[rrtjp]

“ We wouldn't excuse a foreigner breaking our laws and we shouldn't expect a foreign country to excuse an American breaking their laws,”

WHAT!!!!!!

Have you taken a look at the southern border of the US being run over.

Exactly

[jimjamuser]

She deserved to pay a price for bringing drugs into Russia and lying to the court, but 9 years is crazy. It's not as if she was bringing a bunch to sell, it was obviously for personal use. Why should they care what she does to her own body? If it lead to a real crime, that I could understand, but 9 years in jail for a personal vape is insane IMO.
Several people here have stated that Ms. Griner was lying to the court. I can NOT be sure of that. If she said that she was NOT aware that the vape cartridge was in her luggage, that statement could be true OR false. Only Britany and God will EVER know for certain.

[ex34449]

What is she famous for, shooting a basketball, being gay or hating her country?

All of the above. I'd never heard of her either but she's famous now. lol

[ex34449]

Only Britany and God will EVER know for certain.

Well apparently he wasn't too wild about her either. = )

[jimjamuser]

No sympathy. You need to know the rules of the countries you travel to before you travel. She could’ve gotten 10 years she only got 9. Entitlement should get you nowhere when you break the law. I have no sympathy for Americans that don’t love America.
She loved America enough to play for America in the Olympics. It is possible to for someone to "take a knee" to protest racism, which everyone knows exists........ and STILL love America.

[mlmarr]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

for a very long time, she hates America, let's see how she likes it in a Russian prision .. or is she being used as an example. will be set free just before midterms and the joke thinks they did a great job of freeing her.. my thoughts

[ex34449]

She loved America enough to play for America in the Olympics. It is possible to for someone to "take a knee" to protest racism, which everyone knows exists........ and STILL love America.

Lets say you owned a company but one of your employees was bashing it as publicly as possible. Would you keep that employee on? She loved the money? Fame?, it's pretty obvious she didn't love the country.

[bimmertl]

Sorry but I have little sympathy for someone, anyone that goes to another country and has there stupidity and/or ignorance turned into an international incident. And now we are considering trading a murderer for a ignorant pot head that dislikes our country to start out with. Yeah, that makes perfect sense. NOT!

"there" stupidity

[ex34449]

"there" stupidity

Yeah that was bad. Thanks for pointing it out. It's been corrected.

[tophcfa]

She loved America enough to play for America in the Olympics.

Or perhaps she was looking to increase her chances of landing some lucrative sponsors?

[Eg_cruz]

I totally agree. Hopefully, she will be home within a month.
At what cost

[ex34449]

At what cost

Many of the same folks that want guns outlawed are happy with trading a gun runner for her. Some things you just can't make up. lol

[brockli]

Bet she’s happy that she doesn’t have to hear the USA National Anthem for 9 years.

[jimjamuser]

So you agree with her getting prison time then?

She knowingly broke Russian law, and now the US is pressured to release a terrorist who is responsible for many deaths in an attempt to get her free. She was not working on behalf of the USA (unless we just do not know about it).
I, for one, am not sure that "she KNOWINGLY broke Russian law". I believe that she testified that she was not AWARE that an illegal substance was in her suitcase. If that is true, then no one can ever be sure about the "knowingly" part of the story.

[jimjamuser]

Yesterday, in a book I’m writing, I told about nearly being arrested on the train station platform in Novosibersk, USSR, for running when a cop tried to confiscate the film in my camera because I was taking a couple photos. Stupid, I know. I was riding the Trans-Siberian Express. I hid and got away with it. I could have ended up in a Siberian prison. Like her. It’s scary. But this is mostly political. It’s unlikely that a Russian would have been arrested for this or received this sentence, even though it could happen. Lots of people use drugs there.
I bet that they do drugs - to keep their minds off how their leaders have siphoned off their country's wealth and made them into "a gas station masquerading as a country". They do NOT believe ANYTHING that the government and government TV tells them. I doubt that they EVEN have a middle class. At least Britany Griner gave their sad lives some form of entertainment through her basketball skills.

[Stu from NYC]

I, for one, am not sure that "she KNOWINGLY broke Russian law". I believe that she testified that she was not AWARE that an illegal substance was in her suitcase. If that is true, then no one can ever be sure about the "knowingly" part of the story.

Sorry from what I have read she brought the pot into Russia and is now going to pay the price. She hates it in America maybe she can apply for Russian citizenship while in prison.

[DaleDivine]

:popcorn::popcorn::clap2:

[gatman16]

Raw deal? She traveled to a country that enforces their laws. Remember when the USA used to do that! Here’s a person that continued to protest the “National Anthem” by keeling, yet she wants this Nation to bring here home. Her ignorance by bringing the drug, or stupidity by not considering that when she packed her luggage, will not be overlooked in many countries that choose to enforce their laws.

I agree 100%. She disrespected our flag, our anthem and our veterans, but once in trouble, wants our country to help save her.

[dshoberg]

Raw deal? She traveled to a country that enforces their laws. Remember when the USA used to do that! Here’s a person that continued to protest the “National Anthem” by keeling, yet she wants this Nation to bring here home. Her ignorance by bringing the drug, or stupidity by not considering that when she packed her luggage, will not be overlooked in many countries that choose to enforce their laws.
Right on!

[gatman16]

She loved America enough to play for America in the Olympics. It is possible to for someone to "take a knee" to protest racism, which everyone knows exists........ and STILL love America.

She played in the Olympics for the glory and the medal. You don't disrespect the flag and the many veterans who died defending it because you LOVE the country.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

She played in the Olympics for the glory and the medal. You don't disrespect the flag and the many veterans who died defending it because you LOVE the country.

1. People who died defending something aren't veterans. They're dead soldiers. Veterans are the ones who lived to tell about it.

2. They didn't die defending the flag. They died defending the freedom of our country's citizens. This includes the freedom to protest peacefully, and that includes the freedom to kneel.

There is nothing disrespectful about kneeling to peacefully protest when you feel the government is doing something wrong. There IS something disrespectful about pretending otherwise and weaponizing the flag.

[bimmertl]

Putin chose to punish Brittney Griner to exploit US culture wars (https://nypost.com/2022/08/04/putin-chose-to-punish-brittney-griner-to-exploit-us-culture-wars/)

[manaboutown]

The USA will foolishly swap her out for far more valuable assets; Putin will come out way on top in the deal giving up a small time toker for one or more big time thugs. Then she'll find and pay some ghost writer to write a book about her Russian penal adventures and make some bucks and maybe some rubles off it. One thing is for sure, she is now world famous. Frankly I had never heard of her but I cannot remember the last time I watched a basketball game of any league, male or female. I doubt she could have dreamed up a better publicity stunt to make worldwide headlines and eventually cash in big time.

Maybe they'll make a movie of it!

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

Although she exercised very poor judgment bringing that stuff to Russia, she is getting a really raw deal. That being said, it’s a very bad idea to exchange the merchant of death for her release. Doing that sends a strong message to Putin that he can keep snatching up American travelers and exchange them for his criminal thugs.

You realize the CIA has been dealing arms to third-world insurgents since the 1950s. But I guess that's ok because they're legally authorized to do covert deals. Very hypocritical to make a big deal out of releasing a Russian arms dealer when our own government has been doing it for decades.

And I thought what she had was just CBD in which there is little or no THC and which is totally legal in the U.S., though I maybe wrong about what she had.

It's all just a political ploy by Russia. She did nothing wrong; she simply made a mistake.

[manaboutown]

Looks like Griner is in the country club of Russian prisons. No gulag for her! She has her own bathroom and refrigerator and can order food on-line. Inside Brittney Griner's possible new home locked up in Russian prison (https://nypost.com/2022/08/04/inside-brittney-griners-possible-new-home-locked-up-in-russian-prison/)

[mtdjed]

So, if one of us responding to this thread decided to go to some country, ignore their rules and laws, and be caught, charged and imprisoned, would we get national attention and prisoner exchange consideration?

[Driller703]

Raw deal? She traveled to a country that enforces their laws. Remember when the USA used to do that! Here’s a person that continued to protest the “National Anthem” by keeling, yet she wants this Nation to bring here home. Her ignorance by bringing the drug, or stupidity by not considering that when she packed her luggage, will not be overlooked in many countries that choose to enforce their laws.

Hates the USA, doesn’t want the National Anthem played. Wants the government to bring her “home”. Ooo -Kaaaaaaaaay!

[Taltarzac725]

1. People who died defending something aren't veterans. They're dead soldiers. Veterans are the ones who lived to tell about it.

2. They didn't die defending the flag. They died defending the freedom of our country's citizens. This includes the freedom to protest peacefully, and that includes the freedom to kneel.

There is nothing disrespectful about kneeling to peacefully protest when you feel the government is doing something wrong. There IS something disrespectful about pretending otherwise and weaponizing the flag.


What our flag stands for are the values in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

[Rainger99]

Looks like Griner is in the country club of Russian prisons. No gulag for her! She has her own bathroom and refrigerator and can order food on-line. Inside Brittney Griner's possible new home locked up in Russian prison (https://nypost.com/2022/08/04/inside-brittney-griners-possible-new-home-locked-up-in-russian-prison/)

I read the article. The country clubs in The Villages are much nicer!

[biker1]

Whether it is legal in the US is irrelevant. She did do something wrong; she violated Russian laws and she admitted it. She has been playing ball in Russia for several years. You would have thought she would be aware of the laws. You don't screw around with foreign drug laws.

You realize the CIA has been dealing arms to third-world insurgents since the 1950s. But I guess that's ok because they're legally authorized to do covert deals. Very hypocritical to make a big deal out of releasing a Russian arms dealer when our own government has been doing it for decades.

And I thought what she had was just CBD in which there is little or no THC and which is totally legal in the U.S., though I maybe wrong about what she had.

It's all just a political ploy by Russia. She did nothing wrong; she simply made a mistake.

[kaseydog]

She now has 9 years to ponder her poor choices starting with her disrespect of US by kneeling at Nation Anthem.

[Dot Rheinhardt]

She should have known what she packed. However, 6 months in a Russian prison might be the same as 2 years here. They haven't been trying to get the man out before now. Why is a basketball player more important.? Her letter went straight to Biden. If I wrote him about HR 82, it would never get to him.

[Larchap49]

How long will she spend in jail?

How long should she spend in jail?

For a non patriot that does not respect America or it's Flag and smuggled drugs, I don't really concern myself. Way more problems here at home to be concerned about.

[Taltarzac725]

For a non patriot that does not respect America or it's Flag and smuggled drugs, I don't really concern myself. Way more problems here at home to be concerned about.


Just because someone salutes the US Flag hardly makes one a "patriot". All kinds of charlatans play with symbols which mean next to nothing to them.

I would say this woman cares for US values more than most.

[NoMo50]

And I thought what she had was just CBD in which there is little or no THC and which is totally legal in the U.S., though I maybe wrong about what she had.

Reportedly, what she was carrying was hash oil, which is a super-refined version of marijuana. Much higher THC levels. Think Everclear vs Fireball.

Also, don't forget she PLED GUILTY. This was not some sham trial where she was railroaded by a kangaroo court. Folks may not agree with a foreign justice system or their sentencing guidelines, but she admitted her guilt, and is suffering the consequences within that system.

[Stu from NYC]

Just because someone salutes the US Flag hardly makes one a "patriot". All kinds of charlatans play with symbols which mean next to nothing to them.

I would say this woman cares for US values more than most.

Sorry but she only cares for herself.

[MSGirl]

Although she exercised very poor judgment bringing that stuff to Russia, she is getting a really raw deal. That being said, it’s a very bad idea to exchange the merchant of death for her release. Doing that sends a strong message to Putin that he can keep snatching up American travelers and exchange them for his criminal thugs.

Her arrogance allowed her to bring her US legal drug to Russia ( actually only legal in the state she received it). And she deserves her sentence. But this situation is a double edge sword. She, and her teammates, should have never been allowed to go to Russia to play basketball, with the conflicts we are having with them. The statements made by this president to Putin seals the control Putin has over the Americans over there.

[DeeCee Dubya]

Well said man about!

[mikeycereal]

She should have watched " Midnight Express" before going.

Ha, those were exactly my thoughts.

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

I agree 100%. She disrespected our flag, our anthem and our veterans, but once in trouble, wants our country to help save her.

What a crock. The national anthem represents more than just the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It also represent 400 years of racism and a century of imperialism and imposing our power and influence on other nations -- which is why I detest the national anthem and "its rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air," which represents a nation of violence and is being reflected today as we speak. How much better to have "America the Beautiful with brotherhood from sea to shining sea" as our anthem.

[manaboutown]

I would say this woman cares for US values more than most.

You are joking right?

She did not want our National Anthem played at her games. She kneeled when it was played, openly disrespecting our country and what it stands for.

There is some serious irony here. She is asking our country, which happens to be her country, a country she hates, to get her out of jail for a crime she committed in a country that hates our country. Her arrogance is unbelievable! Let her rot in prison.

[Keefelane66]

I have a feeling if she was white, definitely would be a different story.

[Caymus]

I have a feeling if she was white, definitely would be a different story.


The news stories would be reduced to Paul Whelan's previous level. The media coverage of Griner's arrest was the best thing to happen to him.

[Taltarzac725]

You are joking right?

She did not want our National Anthem played at her games. She kneeled when it was played, openly disrespecting our country and what it stands for.


Our country stands for its history, laws, culture, etc. and not whether or not athletes chose to salute the US Flag. So what if they kneel. They do have the Freedom of Speech this represents. Which is one of the things this great country stands for and not the phony patriotism of wags on television trying to keep their ratings by pandering to the lowest instincts of people.

[Pgcacace]

It’s a rather harsh sentence but this is not the USA. She played in Russia for several summers. I’m surprised she didn’t learn any Russian. Cannabis is legal in some states but it is still illegal at the federal level which means she also was not allowed to cross state lines with it. Too bad for her that she did not get caught in the US with it. She would have gotten a slap on the wrist.
There are sniffing dogs at the airports. Live and learn!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

What our flag stands for are the values in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

I don't stand when I'm reading the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Do you? When you look up the Amendments on the internet to make sure you know what you're talking about when you offer an opinion, do you stand up at your computer desk? No? Then why would you stand for a symbol of that document? You don't stand for the actual document.

I stand during the Pledge. I don't put my hand over my heart, and I don't recite the pledge. But I do stand, out of respect for those who choose to exercise their right to recite it.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

What a crock. The national anthem represents more than just the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It also represent 400 years of racism and a century of imperialism and imposing our power and influence on other nations -- which is why I detest the national anthem and "its rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air," which represents a nation of violence and is being reflected today as we speak. How much better to have "America the Beautiful with brotherhood from sea to shining sea" as our anthem.

Amen. When asked "what would Jesus do?" - my immediate response would be "Jesus would kneel in protest."

[jimjamuser]

Lets say you owned a company but one of your employees was bashing it as publicly as possible. Would you keep that employee on? She loved the money? Fame?, it's pretty obvious she didn't love the country.
If I owned a company, I would want all employees to be well paid and happy - because then they would have the desire to make the company succeed and they would have more of a TEAM mentality. If an employee was bashing my company I would NOT necessarily think that he or she was wrong. Maybe we, the company, need to change and meet her or his needs better. I would 1st look to see if the company could be improved and in what way.

In this way, the company is analogous to US society, and the disgruntled employee represents Britany Griner. Everyone knows that the US has a racist history and tendency that way today. With a little bit of EMPATHY, we could put ourselves in Griner's shoes! She grows up with 2 prejudices against her, being a woman and being black. Then she has the added flack of being a foot or more taller than even the boys when she is in grade school. Given all those strikes against her, it is amazing that she grew up SANE and not a delinquent. So, I think that her story is an American tale of overcoming adversity and should be celebrated by Americans! And now she has a 4th strike against her through very LITTLE fault of her own - just the fact that 2 of the world's superpowers are flexing their muscles against each other and she is caught in the turmoil. Her situation can be thought of as being a CASUALTY of a renewed and more intense COLD WAR !

To expand the company analogy, and understand the Grider dilemma better, it may actually be informative to ask, "did Britany Griner let down America, or did America let Britany down"?

[jimjamuser]

I have a feeling if she was white, definitely would be a different story.
100% agree.

[Joe C.]

The "rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" is in reference to what the British were doing. The Americans were physically holding onto the flagpole to keep it upright after it being hit. When all was said and done, there were a great many dead Americans at the flagpole, whose last conscious act was to keep the flag flying. That alone, deserves RESPECT.

[Kenswing]

I have a feeling if she was white, definitely would be a different story. Someone always has to play the race card. I think the fact that she is a "Celebrity" B-ball player had a lot more to do with it than her color. She chose to put herself in the public eye by playing professional sports. She further placed herself in the public eye by participating in a divisive issue (kneeling during the anthem). If she wasn't a professional ball player and she didn't kneel for the national anthem, we probably wouldn't have even heard about it regardless of her color. This story wouldn't have even made the front page and she would have just been left to rot in prison without anyone hardly even knowing about it.

There are Americans all over the world in foreign prisons that we'll never hear about. We're just hearing about this one because she's famous and because it's Russia who we are at odds with right now. Leave your race baiting out of it.

[Taltarzac725]

She kneeled and did other stuff to protest police brutality of African Americans.

So the issue of race in the US is in this matter.

She is now, however, just a pawn in a political battle involving Putin and his relations with the US.

Britney Griner will protest during the national anthem all season - Outsports (https://www.outsports.com/2020/7/29/21346824/brittney-griner-national-anthem-breonna-taylor-police-brutality-protest-wnba)

Someone always has to play the race card. I think the fact that she is a "Celebrity" B-ball player had a lot more to do with it than her color. She chose to put herself in the public eye by playing professional sports. She further placed herself in the public eye by participating in a divisive issue (kneeling during the anthem). If she wasn't a professional ball player and she didn't kneel for the national anthem, we probably wouldn't have even heard about it regardless of her color. This story wouldn't have even made the front page and she would have just been left to rot in prison without anyone hardly even knowing about it.

There are Americans all over the world in foreign prisons that we'll never hear about. We're just hearing about this one because she's famous and because it's Russia who we are at odds with right now. Leave your race baiting out of it.

[maistocars]

Excellent news! Finally, an unpatriotic US citizen actually not being allowed back to the country she hates for 9 years!

[Taltarzac725]

Excellent news! Finally, an unpatriotic US citizen actually not being allowed back to the country she hates for 9 years!


She does not hate this country. And will probably be exchanged within a year.

[manaboutown]

She does not hate this country. And will probably be exchanged within a year.

Her words and actions clearly demonstrate she bitterly hates the USA. Requesting the National Anthem not be played at her games and kneeling when the National Anthem is played are abhorrently anti-American.

[Taltarzac725]

Her words and actions clearly demonstrate she bitterly hates the USA. Requesting the National Anthem not be played at her games and kneeling when the National Anthem is played are abhorrently anti-American.

Anti-American by whose definition? Some wag on FOX? Someone like Martin Luther King, Jr. would applaud it as being very American.

[manaboutown]

Anti-American by whose definition? Some wag on FOX?

By her behavior, her own actions and words, of course: If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck...

This might be helpful in assisting one to understand. Your Guide to Deductive, Inductive, and Abductive Reasoning (https://www.servicescape.com/blog/your-guide-to-deductive-inductive-and-abductive-reasoning)

[dsgreen3]

100% agree.

You sir are correct the way things are today we would not even hear about a white person in this situation it's all about equity now.

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

The "rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" is in reference to what the British were doing. The Americans were physically holding onto the flagpole to keep it upright after it being hit. When all was said and done, there were a great many dead Americans at the flagpole, whose last conscious act was to keep the flag flying. That alone, deserves RESPECT.

Yes, but the "bombs bursting in air" are images of violence. Why does that deserve more respect than "brotherhood from sea to shining sea"?

Today, we honor veterans who allegedly sacrificed themselves for a good cause, but in many cases it was not, but only to support some dictator or genocide, or something awful like defoliating the Vietnam countryside. That is not honorable even if the individual deed is. We need to get off the military kick and become a truly honorable nation who cares about the lives of people and don't simply cast if off as "collateral damage," the military euphemism for civilians killed in combat.

[Dusty_Star]

I do not believe she had the intent required. She had said she put those into her luggage by mistake. Brittney Griner situation explained: WNBA star sentenced to nine years in Russian prison - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/brittney-griner-situation-explained-wnba-star-sentenced-to-nine-years-in-russian-prison/)
Disagree. If intent was a valid excuse every single drug trafficker in the world would use it.

But I also think she purchased the oil, intended to use it, & intended to take it to Russia with her.

[manaboutown]

Additionally galling to me is what it will eventually cost hard working tax payers financially to get this America hating individual out of a Russian prison she deserves to remain in for the crime she committed there; sadly, it will no doubt happen. The amount to me is unfathomable and a total waste of taxpayer money. Repatriating her is an oxymoron of course.

[Dusty_Star]

I'm impressed by your confidence in the Russian legal system, especially when dealing with Americans.

She was *found* guilty, no question about that.

She was found guilty because she admitted to it. She then made varying conflicting excuses, but that doesn't change admitting the charge.

[jimjamuser]

Her words and actions clearly demonstrate she bitterly hates the USA. Requesting the National Anthem not be played at her games and kneeling when the National Anthem is played are abhorrently anti-American.
I disagree. She likely "takes a knee" to protest racism and race and gender inequality The average woman makes 30% less wages in the same job as a man - a woman does NOT have to be black to protest that fact. America's birth in Colonial times came about by PROTESTS (give me liberty or give me death. Protests are American, NOT unAmerican. The quote is "TOWARD a more perfect union". No country has achieved a perfect union of its citizens - certainly NOT the US.

So, Brittany Griner protested by taking a knee - there are millions of "other Brittanys" that would, also, protest if they had HER platform. And there are millions of white men that would have traveled to Russia to play any sport if they could have made the MONEY that she did. And a few of them would have forgotten something illegal in their suitcase as they tried to board a plane ( every day of the year some guns turn up at a US airport). I imagine that about 75% of those people FORGOT that a gun was in their coat pocket or somewhere in a suitcase.

In general, I find it surprising that there is so much ANIMOSITY toward Brittany. Especially taking Russia's side over a US citizen. Personally, if I were to guess, I would say that the animosity is part of the recent, general lack of cohesion among all the various ethnic groups of the US. And Russia encourages this ! They have learned that UNITED the US stands tall, but DIVIDED the US falls on its collective face !!!!!!!!!

[manaboutown]

I have a feeling if she was white, definitely would be a different story.

Marc Fogel would likely agree with you. Nothing whatsoever is being done for him and he only had "medical marijuana", not hashish oil.

"An American educator imprisoned in Russia said he feels “hurt” to be overlooked as the Biden administration works to bring Brittney Griner home, arguing that educators “are at least as important” as basketball players.

Marc Hilliard Fogel, 61 — who was arrested last August at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport for trying to enter the country with about 20 grams of medical marijuana — worries about his own fate after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that the US made a “substantial proposal” to bring home Griner and ex-Marine Paul Whelan.

“That hurt. Teachers are at least as important as bballers,” Fogel wrote in a letter sent to his home in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, of the news reports of the possible exchange for convicted “Merchant of Death” Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout."

From: Teacher in Russia prison blasts Biden over Griner (https://nypost.com/2022/07/29/teacher-in-russia-prison-blasts-biden-over-griner/)

[Taltarzac725]

Disagree. If intent was a valid excuse every single drug trafficker in the world would use it.

But I also think she purchased the oil, intended to use it, & intended to take it to Russia with her.

And I think someone put it in her suitcase to get on Putin's good side with the firestorm it would create. Or Putin goons engineered it.

[manaboutown]

And I think someone put it in her suitcase to get on Putin's good side with the firestorm it would create. Or Putin goons engineered it.

She admitted she put it in her suitcase. She pleaded guilty.

"Griner had admitted having the vape cartridges containing hashish oil..."

From: Russia sentences Griner to 9 years in prison, White House calls for her release | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/basketball-star-brittney-griner-awaits-fate-russia-drugs-trial-2022-08-03/)

[Taltarzac725]

She made a different statement a week or so ago.

In her testimony last week, Griner said she was puzzled about how the vape cartridges had ended up in her luggage.

“I still don’t understand to this day how they ended up in my bag,” she told the court on July 27. “If I had to guess on how they ended up in my bags, I was in a rush packing.”

Russian court jails Griner for nine years; US calls for release | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/4/russia-us-brittney-griner-guilty-drugs-charges)

She admitted she put it in her suitcase. She pleaded guilty.

"Griner had admitted having the vape cartridges containing hashish oil..."

From: Russia sentences Griner to 9 years in prison, White House calls for her release | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/basketball-star-brittney-griner-awaits-fate-russia-drugs-trial-2022-08-03/)

[dsgreen3]

I have a feeling if she was white, definitely would be a different story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=537ddnPR93c

[lpkruege1]

Face it, If it was anyone of us, would the government care? Play stupid games and win stupid prizes. It's like carrying a banned weapon to anyone of our airports. You go to jail. Understand the country's laws you're traveling to. Singapore canes people. You can also be arrested for littering, spitting and jaywalking and fined for failure to flush the toilet.
For some drug offenses, there is mandatory death penalty.

Officials do not distinguish between drugs consumed before entering the country or those taken in Singapore.

The police are able to force both residents and non-residents to submit to random drug testing.

[manaboutown]

Anti-American by whose definition? Some wag on FOX? Someone like Martin Luther King, Jr. would applaud it as being very American.

This guy? The plagiarist, alleged womanizer and alleged woman abuser? Whose original birth certificate first name was Michael, not Martin?

"King’s far-from monogamous lifestyle, like his binge-drinking, may fit albeit uncomfortably within his existing life story, but the suggestion—actually more than one—that he either actively tolerated or personally employed violence against any woman, even while drunk, poses so fundamental a challenge to his historical stature as to require the most complete and extensive historical review possible."

From: https://www.davidgarrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DJGStandpoint2019.pdf

50 years on, what they won’t tell you about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr… Like How He Plagiarized the overly romanticized ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech - St. Lucia News From The Voice (https://thevoiceslu.com/2018/04/50-years-on-what-they-wont-tell-you-about-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-like-how-he-plagiarized-the-overly-romanticized-i-have-a-dream-speech/)

and his dissertation, too. Boston U. Panel Finds Plagiarism by Dr. King - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/11/us/boston-u-panel-finds-plagiarism-by-dr-king.html)

[Taltarzac725]

Wow. What a revelation. You can find all kinds of junk about people online. Publix check-out stand kind of stuff.



This guy? The plagiarist, alleged womanizer and alleged woman abuser? Whose original birth certificate first name was Michael, not Martin?

"King’s far-from monogamous lifestyle, like his binge-drinking, may fit albeit uncomfortably within his existing life story, but the suggestion—actually more than one—that he either actively tolerated or personally employed violence against any woman, even while drunk, poses so fundamental a challenge to his historical stature as to require the most complete and extensive historical review possible."

From: https://www.davidgarrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DJGStandpoint2019.pdf

50 years on, what they won’t tell you about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr… Like How He Plagiarized the overly romanticized ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech - St. Lucia News From The Voice (https://thevoiceslu.com/2018/04/50-years-on-what-they-wont-tell-you-about-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-like-how-he-plagiarized-the-overly-romanticized-i-have-a-dream-speech/)

and his dissertation, too. Boston U. Panel Finds Plagiarism by Dr. King - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/11/us/boston-u-panel-finds-plagiarism-by-dr-king.html)

[manaboutown]

Wow. What a revelation. You can find all kinds of junk about people online. Publix check-out stand kind of stuff.

Like The Gray Lady, the NYT? A Pulitzer Prize winning author? His Martin Luther King Biography Was a Classic. His Latest King Piece Is Causing a Furor. - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/04/arts/king-fbi-tapes-david-garrow.html)

Maybe.

But probably not the University study by BU.

BTW these are demonstrable facts.

[jimjamuser]

She admitted she put it in her suitcase. She pleaded guilty.

"Griner had admitted having the vape cartridges containing hashish oil..."

From: Russia sentences Griner to 9 years in prison, White House calls for her release | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/basketball-star-brittney-griner-awaits-fate-russia-drugs-trial-2022-08-03/)
The article quoted in that post said that Brittany "inadvertently" packed the illegal substance in her suitcase. That is different than saying that she "admitted" packing the illegal substance. If you are unaware that you packed something, that is the same as "inadvertently" packing something. People all over the world are "inadvertently" packing things that they don't know is in their suitcases. That is why so many guns are found in suitcases in airports. Basically, people make mistakes. That's what people do!

[jimjamuser]

She admitted she put it in her suitcase. She pleaded guilty.

"Griner had admitted having the vape cartridges containing hashish oil..."

From: Russia sentences Griner to 9 years in prison, White House calls for her release | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/basketball-star-brittney-griner-awaits-fate-russia-drugs-trial-2022-08-03/)
I am not sure that she even has a good lawyer or any lawyer to advise her correctly. And it doesn't EVEN matter because Russian courts convict 99.5 % of all defendants. And there was probably GREAT pressure on her to get a conviction. What I can't possibly understand is WHY so many here are so going out of their way to trash her as if she had just strangled their 1st born son? I realize that residents of TV Land prefer golf and baseball to basketball, but, that can't be the ONLY reason.

[jimjamuser]

This guy? The plagiarist, alleged womanizer and alleged woman abuser? Whose original birth certificate first name was Michael, not Martin?

"King’s far-from monogamous lifestyle, like his binge-drinking, may fit albeit uncomfortably within his existing life story, but the suggestion—actually more than one—that he either actively tolerated or personally employed violence against any woman, even while drunk, poses so fundamental a challenge to his historical stature as to require the most complete and extensive historical review possible."

From: https://www.davidgarrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DJGStandpoint2019.pdf

50 years on, what they won’t tell you about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr… Like How He Plagiarized the overly romanticized ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech - St. Lucia News From The Voice (https://thevoiceslu.com/2018/04/50-years-on-what-they-wont-tell-you-about-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-like-how-he-plagiarized-the-overly-romanticized-i-have-a-dream-speech/)

and his dissertation, too. Boston U. Panel Finds Plagiarism by Dr. King - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/11/us/boston-u-panel-finds-plagiarism-by-dr-king.html)
And perhaps that answers my question about why so much ANTAGONISM here towards a lady basketball player?

[HRDave]

What a crock. The national anthem represents more than just the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It also represent 400 years of racism and a century of imperialism and imposing our power and influence on other nations -- which is why I detest the national anthem and "its rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air," which represents a nation of violence and is being reflected today as we speak. How much better to have "America the Beautiful with brotherhood from sea to shining sea" as our anthem.

I think it’s time you went back to the PRC or DPRK from whence you came. 😎

[bimmertl]

Looks like a lot of people are upset Griner is apparently anti American. If you really want to be upset about being anti American, look no further than right here in the Villages.

Griner did nothing compared to Villages own retired Navy Captain David Lausman, a convicted felon facing 20 years in prison. He accepted bribes while a Captain in the US Navy.

So let's here the outrage over this clown!


Villages man charged in Navy bribery scandal - Orlando Sentinel (https://digitaledition.orlandosentinel.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=ccc5420b-bae0-4ceb-b951-b4d8fbd1f874)

[Rainger99]

This has gotten off topic!

[tophcfa]

What a crock. The national anthem represents more than just the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It also represent 400 years of racism and a century of imperialism and imposing our power and influence on other nations -- which is why I detest the national anthem and "its rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air," which represents a nation of violence and is being reflected today as we speak. How much better to have "America the Beautiful with brotherhood from sea to shining sea" as our anthem.

Where is the thumbs down button?

[tvbound]

What a crock. The national anthem represents more than just the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It also represent 400 years of racism and a century of imperialism and imposing our power and influence on other nations -- which is why I detest the national anthem and "its rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air," which represents a nation of violence and is being reflected today as we speak. How much better to have "America the Beautiful with brotherhood from sea to shining sea" as our anthem.

"It also represent 400 years of racism and a century of imperialism and imposing our power and influence on other nations..."

You are absolutely correct. In my lifelong goal of trying to constantly educate myself and increase my knowledge, I'm often staggered by the true/actual/complete history of ours (and most other countries) - that I never learned from 'formal education.'

[Taltarzac725]

"It also represent 400 years of racism and a century of imperialism and imposing our power and influence on other nations..."

You are absolutely correct. In my lifelong goal of trying to constantly educate myself and increase my knowledge, I'm often staggered by the true/actual/complete history of ours (and most other countries) - that I never learned from 'formal education.'


Good for you. Wondrium is a great source for continuing education. They have many of what they consider the best professors in the US and abroad giving their lectures. And some of these are on US history. A rather new one covers recent African American history. Stream Entertaining Nonfiction Learning | Wondrium (https://www.wondrium.com/)

[manaboutown]

"It also represent 400 years of racism and a century of imperialism and imposing our power and influence on other nations..."

You are absolutely correct. In my lifelong goal of trying to constantly educate myself and increase my knowledge, I'm often staggered by the true/actual/complete history of ours (and most other countries) - that I never learned from 'formal education.'

This is totally off topic and a hijacking of the thread. It has nothing to do with Griner being locked up for her crime in Russia.

She committed the crime; she should do the time.

[manaboutown]

Good for you. Wondrium is a great source for continuing education. They have many of what they consider the best professors in the US and abroad giving their lectures. And some of these are on US history. A rather new one covers recent African American history.

Why are you hijacking the thread? This post has nothing to do with Griner committing a crime in Russia for which she was imprisoned.

She committed the crime; she should do the time.

[manaboutown]

Looks like a lot of people are upset Griner is apparently anti American. If you really want to be upset about being anti American, look no further than right here in the Villages.

Griner did nothing compared to Villages own retired Navy Captain David Lausman, a convicted felon facing 20 years in prison. He accepted bribes while a Captain in the US Navy.

So let's here the outrage over this clown!


Villages man charged in Navy bribery scandal - Orlando Sentinel (https://digitaledition.orlandosentinel.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=ccc5420b-bae0-4ceb-b951-b4d8fbd1f874)

Start a new thread. You are hijacking this thread about Griner being imprisoned in Russia for possessing hashish oil.

She committed the crime; she should do the time.

[Taltarzac725]

This is totally off topic and a hijacking of the thread. It has nothing to do with Griner being locked up for her crime in Russia.

Griner's predicament is very closely connected to racism in the United States and her stance of kneeling during the National Anthem or her AND her teammates and others requesting not having it played at all. Certain people are stoking the fires for their own gain and the amusement of their target audience.

[manaboutown]

Griner's predicament is very closely connected to racism in the United States and her stance of kneeling during the National Anthem or her AND her teammates and others requesting not having it played at all.

Griner has been convicted of committing a crime in Russia, not the USA. She needs to pay the price. It is that simple. That is what Marc Foley is doing. He is white by the way as if it matters one way or the other. It does not since race is not an issue in this matter. What matters is Griner packed hashish oil in luggage she took to Russia, breaking Russian law.

[tvbound]

This is totally off topic and a hijacking of the thread. It has nothing to do with Griner being locked up for her crime in Russia.

She committed the crime; she should do the time.

And this is on topic? In fact, I would go as far as to say that a big reason so many denigrating comments have been made about her arrest/conviction is for the same reason you went through such effort on your post here, thereby making mine - very much "on-topic."

This guy? The plagiarist, alleged womanizer and alleged woman abuser? Whose original birth certificate first name was Michael, not Martin?

"King’s far-from monogamous lifestyle, like his binge-drinking, may fit albeit uncomfortably within his existing life story, but the suggestion—actually more than one—that he either actively tolerated or personally employed violence against any woman, even while drunk, poses so fundamental a challenge to his historical stature as to require the most complete and extensive historical review possible."

From: Page not found | David J Garrow (https://www.davidgarrow.com/wp-conte...dpoint2019.pdf)

50 years on, what they won’t tell you about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr… Like How He Plagiarized the overly romanticized ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech - St. Lucia News From The Voice

and his dissertation, too. Boston U. Panel Finds Plagiarism by Dr. King - The New York Times

[tvbound]

Duplicate.

[manaboutown]

And this is on topic? In fact, I would go as far as to say that a big reason so many denigrating comments have been made about her arrest/conviction is for the same reason you went through such effort on your post here, thereby making mine - very much "on-topic."

My post was in response to another's post citing this particular individual as a hypothetical adjudicator I did not introduce into this thread. It is indeed off topic but no post of mine was the causation.

Again, this thread is about what happened in Russia when Griner committed a crime there. It has nothing to do with her race. Some others have brought her race up, not me. Marc Foley who is white was imprisoned for having 20 grams of medical marijuana. Griner had hashish oil which I see as more grievous. Both are in Russian prisons not on account of their race but because they broke Russian law.

[44Apple]

Not much racism or pro-Russia, pro-Commie feelings in the Villages is there?

[mtdjed]

I have a feeling if she was white, definitely would be a different story.

Right! No one would be talking about it. Remember, she is a star and entitled.

Would you have presidential attention if it were you?

[Stu from NYC]

Griner's predicament is very closely connected to racism in the United States and her stance of kneeling during the National Anthem or her AND her teammates and others requesting not having it played at all. Certain people are stoking the fires for their own gain and the amusement of their target audience.

Why if people think that she deserves what she got are you playing the racism card?

Not everything is about racism. Commit a crime in a foreign country and get put in jail. Simple as that.

[Taltarzac725]

Why if people think that she deserves what she got are you playing the racism card?

Not everything is about racism. Commit a crime in a foreign country and get put in jail. Simple as that.

It is not clear she committed a crime and certainly not in Putin controlled Russia. There was no intent on her part. And it is very much about her disrespect for the playing of the National Anthem at her games and her kneeling. She kneels to protest against police brutality of blacks.

[manaboutown]

Why if people think that she deserves what she got are you playing the racism card?

Not everything is about racism. Commit a crime in a foreign country and get put in jail. Simple as that.

Exactly! Marc Foley who is a white teacher is also imprisoned in Russia. He had medical marijuana, which to me seems a lesser offense than Griner's as she had hashish oil.

[Taltarzac725]

Race, sexual orientation play a big role in WNBA star Brittney Griner'''s arrest in Russia, scholar says | The World from PRX (https://theworld.org/stories/2022-03-08/race-sexual-orientation-play-big-role-wnba-star-brittney-griners-arrest-russia)

She knows what she is talking about.

Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon, a historian and a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, focuses specifically on race and Blackness in the former USSR and GDR.

She's been following Griner's case closely and joined The World's host Marco Werman to discuss Griner's situation.

She says that Russia has a long history of making "examples" of Americans like Griner who get detained in the country, often on "incredible, trumped-up charges."

[manaboutown]

It is not clear she committed a crime and certainly not in Putin controlled Russia. There was no intent on her part. And it is very much about her disrespect for the playing of the National Anthem at her games and her kneeling. She kneels to protest against police brutality of blacks.

Well, she admitted she put her stash of hashish oil vape sticks in her luggage. She put hashish oil in her luggage - no one else. She is guilty no matter who is running Russia or whatever her race or politics.

[Taltarzac725]

Well, she admitted she put her stash of hashish oil vape sticks in her luggage. She put hashish oil in her luggage - no one else. She is guilty no matter who is running Russia or whatever her race or politics.

That is an assertion and not backed by the facts. And again no INTENT.

[Kenswing]

This is precisely why Russia arrested, tried and sentenced her. They knew it would be just one more thing for Americans to be divided over. As an added bonus (for them)they’ll probably get a much better deal in any prisoner exchange. Time to start waking up about how we’re being manipulated.

[manaboutown]

That is an assertion and not backed by the facts. And again no INTENT.

Her admission is on the record. Frankly, I find it absurd to allege she had no intent to pack her hashish oil stash in her luggage. She is a toker. She put it in there so she could get high, stoned or whatever effect one gets with hashish in Russia. She got caught and was duly arrested, tried and convicted.

[Taltarzac725]

This is precisely why Russia arrested, tried and sentenced her. They knew it would be just one more thing for Americans to be divided over. As an added bonus (for them)they’ll probably get a much better deal in any prisoner exchange. Time to start waking up about how we’re being manipulated.


They do that a lot. Putin is very shrewd and a master at manipulation.

[Caymus]

This is precisely why Russia arrested, tried and sentenced her. They knew it would be just one more thing for Americans to be divided over. As an added bonus (for them)they’ll probably get a much better deal in any prisoner exchange. Time to start waking up about how we’re being manipulated.

Fogel does not appear to be famous.

Russia Sentences U.S. Citizen To 14 Years In Prison For Marijuana He Says Was Prescribed (https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-american-medical-marijuana-prison/31902563.html#:~:text=Mark%20Fogel%20was%20detaine d%20in%20August%202021%20upon,says%20was%20prescri bed%20to%20him%20after%20back%20surgery).

[Taltarzac725]

Fogel does not appear to be famous.

Russia Sentences U.S. Citizen To 14 Years In Prison For Marijuana He Says Was Prescribed (https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-american-medical-marijuana-prison/31902563.html#:~:text=Mark%20Fogel%20was%20detaine d%20in%20August%202021%20upon,says%20was%20prescri bed%20to%20him%20after%20back%20surgery).

Not all cases fit the same narrative.

[Caymus]

Not all cases fit the same narrative.

I wonder how many American Cannabis "traffickers" they don't arrest?

[Dusty_Star]

That is an assertion and not backed by the facts. And again no INTENT.
Griner didn't INTEND to get caught. She certainly did INTEND to bring her oil into Russia for her own use. See her previous medical marijuana excuses.

[Taltarzac725]

Griner didn't INTEND to get caught. She certainly did INTEND to bring her oil into Russia for her own use. See her previous medical marijuana excuses.

If you were in a country with harsh drug laws would you admit to intending to bring drugs into that country? Probably not. Her latest statement that I know of was that she was not sure how those drugs even got into her luggage.

And she is in a very bad place right now compared to where she had been. Maybe not as bad as Putin's real enemies in Russia. She is just a pawn to manipulate us here in the US. Create more division.

[jimjamuser]

Looks like a lot of people are upset Griner is apparently anti American. If you really want to be upset about being anti American, look no further than right here in the Villages.

Griner did nothing compared to Villages own retired Navy Captain David Lausman, a convicted felon facing 20 years in prison. He accepted bribes while a Captain in the US Navy.

So let's here the outrage over this clown!


Villages man charged in Navy bribery scandal - Orlando Sentinel (https://digitaledition.orlandosentinel.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=ccc5420b-bae0-4ceb-b951-b4d8fbd1f874)
Reference........post # 192

[jimjamuser]

Griner has been convicted of committing a crime in Russia, not the USA. She needs to pay the price. It is that simple. That is what Marc Foley is doing. He is white by the way as if it matters one way or the other. It does not since race is not an issue in this matter. What matters is Griner packed hashish oil in luggage she took to Russia, breaking Russian law.
I wonder what matters MORE - an illegal substance brought by SOMEONE into Russia - a substance that probably 25% of Russian citizens consume often. OR......OR does it matter MORE that "the SOMEONE" that accidentally brought in a substance is an AMERICAN? And a famous American at that! And is it a great PROPAGANDA tool to be used to PUNISH the US for its support of the Ukraine in their opposition to the illegal and sadistic war that Russia promoted against ALL the free world's and UN standards for respecting an individual country's SOVEREIGNTY?

[jimjamuser]

Race, sexual orientation play a big role in WNBA star Brittney Griner'''s arrest in Russia, scholar says | The World from PRX (https://theworld.org/stories/2022-03-08/race-sexual-orientation-play-big-role-wnba-star-brittney-griners-arrest-russia)

She knows what she is talking about.
Brittany Griner is MERELY a PAWN used by Russia to score propaganda points and cause chaos between the races in the US (and it is easy to see that Russian PROPAGANDA has carried the day) But, we are told that there is NO racism here, Somehow, I, personally, can NOT buy into that.

[jimjamuser]

Well, she admitted she put her stash of hashish oil vape sticks in her luggage. She put hashish oil in her luggage - no one else. She is guilty no matter who is running Russia or whatever her race or politics.
I don't believe that Brittany Griner poisoned anyone in the UK with Plutonium as has Russia done. and often! So, I tend to root for the AMERICAN basketball player over the Plutonium poisoners !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jimjamuser]

This is precisely why Russia arrested, tried and sentenced her. They knew it would be just one more thing for Americans to be divided over. As an added bonus (for them)they’ll probably get a much better deal in any prisoner exchange. Time to start waking up about how we’re being manipulated.
Yes, the objective of the Brittany Griner international incident - from the Russian viewpoint, is to cause chaos in America! They employ whole troll farms to attack America. It is cheaper for Russia to use Propaganda, than to improve their Army's equipment. It is CHEAP psychological warfare. And we can see how EFFECTIVE it is in this Brittany Griner SHAME TRAIL.

[jimjamuser]

Her admission is on the record. Frankly, I find it absurd to allege she had no intent to pack her hashish oil stash in her luggage. She is a toker. She put it in there so she could get high, stoned or whatever effect one gets with hashish in Russia. She got caught and was duly arrested, tried and convicted.
That is a description of the "small picture". The "big picture" is a clever Russian plot to PUNISH the US for supporting the Ukraine in their gallant, and righteous cause to defend themselves from an unprovoked attack by a SUPERPOWER!

Brittany Griner is only a PAWN in a clash of SUPERPOWERS................bring Brittany home!!!!!!!!!!

[jimjamuser]

Fogel does not appear to be famous.

Russia Sentences U.S. Citizen To 14 Years In Prison For Marijuana He Says Was Prescribed (https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-american-medical-marijuana-prison/31902563.html#:~:text=Mark%20Fogel%20was%20detaine d%20in%20August%202021%20upon,says%20was%20prescri bed%20to%20him%20after%20back%20surgery).
He is guilty of being an AMERICAN !

[manaboutown]

If you were in a country with harsh drug laws would you admit to intending to bring drugs into that country? Probably not. Her latest statement that I know of was that she was not sure how those drugs even got into her luggage.

And she is in a very bad place right now compared to where she had been. Maybe not as bad as Putin's real enemies in Russia. She is just a pawn to manipulate us here in the US. Create more division.

We do know she is a liar as she changed her story.

[Taltarzac725]

We do know she is a liar as she changed her story.

Unbelievable. Put yourself in her shoes if that is at all possible.

U.S. may do '''2-for-2''' prisoner swap to get Griner, Whelan out of Russia: Ex-ambassador - ABC7 San Francisco (https://abc7news.com/brittney-griner-paul-whelan-russia-swap-national-anthem/12107144/)

[Rainger99]

Put yourself in her shoes if that is at all possible.


That would be tough. Griner wears a men's U.S. size 17 shoe.

[JSR22]

Unbelievable. Put yourself in her shoes if that is at all possible.

U.S. may do '''2-for-2''' prisoner swap to get Griner, Whelan out of Russia: Ex-ambassador - ABC7 San Francisco (https://abc7news.com/brittney-griner-paul-whelan-russia-swap-national-anthem/12107144/)

Hopefully, the swap will happen quickly.

[manaboutown]

Unbelievable. Put yourself in her shoes if that is at all possible.

U.S. may do '''2-for-2''' prisoner swap to get Griner, Whelan out of Russia: Ex-ambassador - ABC7 San Francisco (https://abc7news.com/brittney-griner-paul-whelan-russia-swap-national-anthem/12107144/)

Indeed she is unbelievable. She has shown herself to be a liar.

[Taltarzac725]

That would be tough. Griner wears a men's U.S. size 17 shoe.

I did see some of these lady basketball players in the airports when flying from San Francisco to Minneapolis and back from 1986-1991 or so. Probably women from one of the SF Bay area college teams or who were there to play them.

They were often almost a head above everyone else.

[manaboutown]

Hopefully, the swap will happen quickly.

And they will be able to get Marc Foley swapped out along with the two miscreants Griner and Whelan.

[Kenswing]

This is getting nuttier than even the gun control threads. :1rotfl:

[Taltarzac725]

Trevor Noah Seethes Over Brittney Griner Sentencing on ‘The Daily Show’: “Bullsh*t” | Decider (https://decider.com/2022/08/05/trevor-noah-rips-brittney-griner-sentencing-the-daily-show/)

I wish I had seen this.

[Taltarzac725]

This is getting nuttier than even the gun control threads. :1rotfl:

True! Reminds me of Who's on First!

[oldtimes]

She broke the law but apparently the law does not apply if you are ________ (famous, female, black, gay) insert your favorite.

[Taltarzac725]

She broke the law but apparently the law does not apply if you are ________ (famous, female, black, gay) insert your favorite.

Happens a lot in the US too as well as just about everywhere else in the world.

[oldtimes]

Happens a lot in the US too as well as just about everywhere else in the world.

So that makes it OK

[Taltarzac725]

So that makes it OK

It is usually rich white men who get away with a lot of obviously criminal acts. And fame usually helps.

In this case it is a famous black lesbian basketball star and she again showed no intent to bring this illegal medication into Russia. That is what I expect she said under oath in the Russian court a few days ago. And I expect intent is also necessary in Russian Criminal Law.

The Tasks and Principles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (http://www.russian-criminal-code.com/PartI/SectionI/Chapter1.html)

[oldtimes]

It is usually rich white men who get away with a lot of obviously criminal acts. And fame usually helps.

In this case it is a famous black lesbian basketball star and she again showed no intent to bring this illegal medication into Russia. That is what I expect she said under oath in the Russian court a few days ago. And I expect intent is also necessary in Russian Criminal Law.

In my travels I have forgotten to bring a lot of stuff but I have never packed anything I didn't know was there. I do not believe her and neither do they.

[Stu from NYC]

In my travels I have forgotten to bring a lot of stuff but I have never packed anything I didn't know was there. I do not believe her and neither do they.

Very very true

[manaboutown]

In my travels I have forgotten to bring a lot of stuff but I have never packed anything I didn't know was there. I do not believe her and neither do they.

:agree:

[bimmertl]

She broke the law but apparently the law does not apply if you are ________ (famous, female, black, gay) insert your favorite.

The most obvious answer to that question isn't allowed since it would be political.

[jimjamuser]

In my travels I have forgotten to bring a lot of stuff but I have never packed anything I didn't know was there. I do not believe her and neither do they.
It is MUCH more about making America forget about the ATROCITIES and the unprovoked attack that Russia has engaged in during their attempted CONQUEST of their peaceful neighbor. Brittany Griner is a PAWN in a Russian sideshow designed to distract. The sad part is that it is successful because for some reason US people are blaming Brittany.

If their daughter or granddaughter were beginning to ROT in an inhumane Russian prison - now that would be a WHOLE different story. I can imagine and visualize the tears and outcries for HELP that would generate in America !!!!!!!

[oldtimes]

It is MUCH more about making America forget about the ATROCITIES and the unprovoked attack that Russia has engaged in during their attempted CONQUEST of their peaceful neighbor. Brittany Griner is a PAWN in a Russian sideshow designed to distract. The sad part is that it is successful because for some reason US people are blaming Brittany.

If their daughter or granddaughter were beginning to ROT in an inhumane Russian prison - now that would be a WHOLE different story. I can imagine and visualize the tears and outcries for HELP that would generate in America !!!!!!!

They are blaming Brittany because she BROKE the law. Why should she get a free pass because she did it in Russia?

[manaboutown]

It is usually rich white men who get away with a lot of obviously criminal acts. And fame usually helps.

Oh, that explains why these are the most dangerous cities in the USA.

"To determine which cities in the United States the most dangerous, 24/7 Wall Street looked at data from the FBI’s 2018 Uniform Crime Report, including each city’s murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Only cities with populations of 100,000 people or more were evaluated. The poverty rate and unemployment rate were also evaluated for each city, as these economic factors often correlate with crime rates. The 50 most dangerous cities in the United States were determined from this data.

Based on this information, the ten most dangerous cities in the United States are:

Detroit, MI
Memphis, TN
Birmingham, AL
Baltimore, MD
St. Louis, MO
Kansas City, MO
Cleveland, OH
Little Rock, AR
Milwaukee, WI
Stockton, CA"

From: Most Dangerous Cities in the US 2022 (https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-city-rankings/most-dangerous-cities-in-the-us)

[Stu from NYC]

It is MUCH more about making America forget about the ATROCITIES and the unprovoked attack that Russia has engaged in during their attempted CONQUEST of their peaceful neighbor. Brittany Griner is a PAWN in a Russian sideshow designed to distract. The sad part is that it is successful because for some reason US people are blaming Brittany.

If their daughter or granddaughter were beginning to ROT in an inhumane Russian prison - now that would be a WHOLE different story. I can imagine and visualize the tears and outcries for HELP that would generate in America !!!!!!!

She knowingly broke the law in a foreign country and deserves to pay the price. Not to mention she seems to hate the US.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

This thread can reach a thousand replies and not one mind will be changed.