[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by JohnN

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]

Originally Posted by JGVillages

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

Agree. Another reason certain countries are not on my own favored nations to visit list.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by WiscoGirl

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]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.