Brittney Griner in jail

[Thepeopl]

If you can't do the time, then don't do the crime.

When traveling to another country, you have to obey their laws. Being American doesn't give you a free pass.

This. While I understand Brittney might've genuinely thought of CBD oil as nothing illegal, she ought to have educated herself on foreign laws before traveling abroad. I'm saying this as a frequent traveler myself. If Brittney's tournament had been in Singapore or Malaysia, they might've given her far shorter shrift than the Russians.

She's fortunate that she's such a high profile individual, in that her government and thousands of her countrymen are invested in her case and she's likelier to incur preferential consideration from the Russian authorities.

The "foreign " law states: a fine or 15 days jail. She has been detained 40 times longer already.
It is because she is a high profile individual AND lesbian that Russia is bending the rules for her. NOT so fortunate.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Russia

[Krasny-Volny]

This. While I understand Brittney might've genuinely thought of CBD oil as nothing illegal, she ought to have educated herself on foreign laws before traveling abroad. I'm saying this as a frequent traveler myself. If Brittney's tournament had been in Singapore or Malaysia, they might've given her far shorter shrift than the Russians.

She's fortunate that she's such a high profile individual, in that her government and thousands of her countrymen are invested in her case and she's likelier to incur preferential consideration from the Russian authorities.

The "foreign " law states: a fine or 15 days jail. She has been detained 40 times longer already.
It is because she is a high profile individual AND lesbian that Russia is bending the rules for her. NOT so fortunate.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Russia

“A fine or 15 days jail” is the penalty for possession. Transportation and smuggling of cannabis is what the Russian state has charged her with, and it carries up to a 10 year sentence.

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/cu ... 79087/amp/

[Elwher]

And now she has pled guilty. We shall see what develops.

[Green Nape]

And now she has pled guilty. We shall see what develops.

Do you think they introduced her to the Russian tradition of bottling?

[Atlantic Isles]

I’m not really sure what to think.

It’s pretty clear that she did commit a crime, and I don’t think her status as an athlete (or a black person, or a woman, or a lesbian, or a black gay woman, etc) means anything. She committed a crime, and the rules apply to her. She should be punished, maybe more so because she is an athlete and a role model (to some), and as such, drug use should not be tolerated.

However, I do think that Russia likely will mistreat her for a multitude of reasons. She does not deserve that. IMO, Russia and the USA ought to agree to ship her back home, where she should receive sufficient punishment for bringing a significant amount of cannabis products into Russia. Perhaps some prison time, and definitely some punishment from the WNBA, at least a suspension or fines, ideally both if not a removal from the league.

I think the way that she’s previously displayed very anti-American sentiments and is now asking for help from the very same thing that she previously protested against is horrendous, and it’s unfortunate that such a person is seen as a role model, but it’s not at all without precedent. We’ve seen it before with BLM protestors/rioters, who disrespect and generalize police officers only to call the police when someone has the audacity to tell them they’re wrong or to carry a weapon in public.

You must believe, then, that America is perfect. Because if you don't believe that America is perfect then you, like Griner, have criticisms of it. And by your own standards this would mean that you ought to be sent to a North Korean prison to straighten you out.

Or perhaps are you about to tell us that any criticisms you have of America are fair and valid and should certainly not diminish your rights in any way, much less be cause for punishment, but her criticisms do void her rights and she deserves to suffer for them.

I’m not saying that criticisms of America are wrong, and I’m not saying that people who just criticize the US should be sent to authoritarian states. (I was meaning for that to be more directed to the extreme cases among us who idolize dictators like Stalin, Lenin, and Mao. These folks often say things like “well, that wasn’t true communism, if I were in power… etc etc”, and IMO they need to realize why communism and socialism will never work.) I do think there are plenty of things that we need to work on here in America, but I think that we’re much better-off than many people believe, and that people need to realize that. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t work to fix what’s wrong in this country, but that we need to truly appreciate how wonderful it is to be an American, and all of the freedoms that we have compared to many other nations.

It also boils my blood to see this woman receiving so much attention in the media, while other (lower-profile) American citizens, who did nothing wrong, whereas Griner plead guilty to bringing contraband into Russia, receive almost no attention and have been there for literal years.

[Ifreann]

You must believe, then, that America is perfect. Because if you don't believe that America is perfect then you, like Griner, have criticisms of it. And by your own standards this would mean that you ought to be sent to a North Korean prison to straighten you out.

Or perhaps are you about to tell us that any criticisms you have of America are fair and valid and should certainly not diminish your rights in any way, much less be cause for punishment, but her criticisms do void her rights and she deserves to suffer for them.

I’m not saying that criticisms of America are wrong, and I’m not saying that people who just criticize the US should be sent to authoritarian states. (I was meaning for that to be more directed to the extreme cases among us who idolize dictators like Stalin, Lenin, and Mao. These folks often say things like “well, that wasn’t true communism, if I were in power… etc etc”, and IMO they need to realize why communism and socialism will never work.) I do think there are plenty of things that we need to work on here in America, but I think that we’re much better-off than many people believe, and that people need to realize that. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t work to fix what’s wrong in this country, but that we need to truly appreciate how wonderful it is to be an American, and all of the freedoms that we have compared to many other nations.

So that's a yes on it being okay for you but not for others.

It also boils my blood to see this woman receiving so much attention in the media, while other (lower-profile) American citizens, who did nothing wrong, whereas Griner plead guilty to bringing contraband into Russia, receive almost no attention and have been there for literal years.

Griner also did nothing wrong.

[Neon Lunar Eclipse]

I’m not saying that criticisms of America are wrong, and I’m not saying that people who just criticize the US should be sent to authoritarian states. (I was meaning for that to be more directed to the extreme cases among us who idolize dictators like Stalin, Lenin, and Mao. These folks often say things like “well, that wasn’t true communism, if I were in power… etc etc”, and IMO they need to realize why communism and socialism will never work.) I do think there are plenty of things that we need to work on here in America, but I think that we’re much better-off than many people believe, and that people need to realize that. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t work to fix what’s wrong in this country, but that we need to truly appreciate how wonderful it is to be an American, and all of the freedoms that we have compared to many other nations.

So that's a yes on it being okay for you but not for others.

It also boils my blood to see this woman receiving so much attention in the media, while other (lower-profile) American citizens, who did nothing wrong, whereas Griner plead guilty to bringing contraband into Russia, receive almost no attention and have been there for literal years.

Griner also did nothing wrong.

She broke the law. Being an American doesn't you give you a free pass to break the laws of other countries.

[Ifreann]

So that's a yes on it being okay for you but not for others.


Griner also did nothing wrong.

She broke the law. Being an American doesn't you give you a free pass to break the laws of other countries.

You really gonna tell me that the laws of the Russian Federation hold some deep moral value such that to break them, no matter how inconsequentially, is an unquestionably an immoral act? I don't think you believe that.

[Neon Lunar Eclipse]

She broke the law. Being an American doesn't you give you a free pass to break the laws of other countries.

You really gonna tell me that the laws of the Russian Federation hold some deep moral value such that to break them, no matter how inconsequentially, is an unquestionably an immoral act? I don't think you believe that.

All I am saying is that when you travel to foreign country, you obey their laws. Being a famous American isn't a fucking excuse. If you can't do the time then don't do the crime. If you don't like the law and don't want to obey it, then just don't go to that country. Simple as that.

If you don't want to be eaten by crocodiles, then don't swim with them. If you don't want to be arrested, then don't break the fucking law.

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

I thought the Russians positively encouraged athletes to take drugs.

[Necroghastia]

You really gonna tell me that the laws of the Russian Federation hold some deep moral value such that to break them, no matter how inconsequentially, is an unquestionably an immoral act? I don't think you believe that.

All I am saying is that when you travel to foreign country, you obey their laws. Being a famous American isn't a fucking excuse. If you can't do the time then don't do the crime. If you don't like the law and don't want to obey it, then just don't go to that country. Simple as that.

If you don't want to be eaten by crocodiles, then don't swim with them. If you don't want to be arrested, then don't break the fucking law.

People get arrested all the time despite not breaking the law.

[Ifreann]

You really gonna tell me that the laws of the Russian Federation hold some deep moral value such that to break them, no matter how inconsequentially, is an unquestionably an immoral act? I don't think you believe that.

All I am saying is that when you travel to foreign country, you obey their laws. Being a famous American isn't a fucking excuse. If you can't do the time then don't do the crime. If you don't like the law and don't want to obey it, then just don't go to that country. Simple as that.

If you don't want to be eaten by crocodiles, then don't swim with them. If you don't want to be arrested, then don't break the fucking law.

Please explain why you believe the laws of the Russian Federation to be morally good.

[Neon Lunar Eclipse]

All I am saying is that when you travel to foreign country, you obey their laws. Being a famous American isn't a fucking excuse. If you can't do the time then don't do the crime. If you don't like the law and don't want to obey it, then just don't go to that country. Simple as that.

If you don't want to be eaten by crocodiles, then don't swim with them. If you don't want to be arrested, then don't break the fucking law.

Please explain why you believe the laws of the Russian Federation to be morally good.

I never said shit about laws being morally good or not. Laws are laws. You fucking obey them if you don't want to get sent to fucking prison. Griner chose to break the law and is paying the consequences. If you don't want to get eaten by fucking crocodiles, then don't swim with them. If you don't want to get sent to a Russian prison for bringing illegal shit into their country, then don't bring that shit.

She is actually lucky it was Russia and not Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, UAE, or so many other countries where she would be facing the death penalty for her dumbassery.

[Ifreann]

Please explain why you believe the laws of the Russian Federation to be morally good.

I never said shit about laws being morally good or not. Laws are laws. You fucking obey them if you don't want to get sent to fucking prison. Griner chose to break the law and is paying the consequences. If you don't want to get eaten by fucking crocodiles, then don't swim with them. If you don't want to get sent to a Russian prison for bringing illegal shit into their country, then don't bring that shit.

She is actually lucky it was Russia and not Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, UAE, or so many other countries where she would be facing the death penalty for her dumbassery.

Do you also think that all the people who get locked up in Russia for protesting against Putin are dumbasses who got what was coming to them? Just how far does your angry insistence that laws must be obeyed stretch? Especially in light of the source posted up-thread which suggests that the appropriate punishment of her offence is a fine or 15 days in jail. Why are you not screaming that Russia must free her immediately, less a few thousand rubles?

[Green Nape]

Do you also think that all the people who get locked up in Russia for protesting against Putin are dumbasses who got what was coming to them? J

I mean... what's the intended outcome?

[Neon Lunar Eclipse]

I never said shit about laws being morally good or not. Laws are laws. You fucking obey them if you don't want to get sent to fucking prison. Griner chose to break the law and is paying the consequences. If you don't want to get eaten by fucking crocodiles, then don't swim with them. If you don't want to get sent to a Russian prison for bringing illegal shit into their country, then don't bring that shit.

She is actually lucky it was Russia and not Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, UAE, or so many other countries where she would be facing the death penalty for her dumbassery.

Do you also think that all the people who get locked up in Russia for protesting against Putin are dumbasses who got what was coming to them? Just how far does your angry insistence that laws must be obeyed stretch? Especially in light of the source posted up-thread which suggests that the appropriate punishment of her offence is a fine or 15 days in jail. Why are you not screaming that Russia must free her immediately, less a few thousand rubles?

1. Those protestors knew the consequences of their actions and are facing them. That said, I am not calling them dumbasses because they are protesting a horrific invasion.

2. Griner is just a stereotypical entitled American who thinks she is above the laws of other countries. She wasn't protesting shit. She was just getting high and possibly profiting selling drugs. She knew it was illegal but chose to do it anyway.

3. Griner was smuggling drugs which is illegal in pretty much every country, including her USA who she hated so much but now wants to help her.

4. 15 days in jail is for possession. She was smuggling them. That's 10 years.

5. If you don't want to get eaten by crocodiles, don't swim with them.

[Ifreann]

Do you also think that all the people who get locked up in Russia for protesting against Putin are dumbasses who got what was coming to them? Just how far does your angry insistence that laws must be obeyed stretch? Especially in light of the source posted up-thread which suggests that the appropriate punishment of her offence is a fine or 15 days in jail. Why are you not screaming that Russia must free her immediately, less a few thousand rubles?

1. Those Russians are protesting what they believe in.

They broke the law. Laws are laws. You fucking obey them if you don't want to get sent to fucking prison. They chose to break the law and are paying the consequences. If they didn't want to get eaten by fucking crocodiles blah blah blah, you get my point.

Griner is just a stereotypical entitled American who thinks she is above the laws of other countries. She wasn't protesting shit. She was just getting high and possibly profiting selling drugs.
2. Griner was smuggling drugs which is illegal in pretty much every fucking country, including her USA who she hated so much but now wants to help her.
3. 15 days in jail is for possession. She was smuggling them. That's 10 years.

Do you seriously believe the Russian government's version of events here? Like, fucking hell, why would she have even bothered selling hashish oil vape cartridges? She's a professional athlete playing for a team owned by a billion dollar mining company, she obviously doesn't need the money. And I can hardly imagine a less profitable drug dealing venture than selling hashish oil vape cartridges in Russia. She'd probably make more money driving an Uber.

[American Legionaries]

1. Those Russians are protesting what they believe in.

They broke the law. Laws are laws. You fucking obey them if you don't want to get sent to fucking prison. They chose to break the law and are paying the consequences. If they didn't want to get eaten by fucking crocodiles blah blah blah, you get my point.

Griner is just a stereotypical entitled American who thinks she is above the laws of other countries. She wasn't protesting shit. She was just getting high and possibly profiting selling drugs.
2. Griner was smuggling drugs which is illegal in pretty much every fucking country, including her USA who she hated so much but now wants to help her.
3. 15 days in jail is for possession. She was smuggling them. That's 10 years.

Do you seriously believe the Russian government's version of events here? Like, fucking hell, why would she have even bothered selling hashish oil vape cartridges? She's a professional athlete playing for a team owned by a billion dollar mining company, she obviously doesn't need the money. And I can hardly imagine a less profitable drug dealing venture than selling hashish oil vape cartridges in Russia. She'd probably make more money driving an Uber.

There's a pretty hefty gulf between believing the Russians, and being outraged over Garner's imprisonment.

[Ifreann]

They broke the law. Laws are laws. You fucking obey them if you don't want to get sent to fucking prison. They chose to break the law and are paying the consequences. If they didn't want to get eaten by fucking crocodiles blah blah blah, you get my point.

Do you seriously believe the Russian government's version of events here? Like, fucking hell, why would she have even bothered selling hashish oil vape cartridges? She's a professional athlete playing for a team owned by a billion dollar mining company, she obviously doesn't need the money. And I can hardly imagine a less profitable drug dealing venture than selling hashish oil vape cartridges in Russia. She'd probably make more money driving an Uber.

There's a pretty hefty gulf between believing the Russians, and being outraged over Garner's imprisonment.

I'm sure that there are some people who can see a person facing ten years in a penal colony whose "crime" was really an administrative offence warranting no more than 15 days in jail and feel no outrage at all. It is no surprise at all to learn that some people are not moved by a clear injustice.

[American Legionaries]

There's a pretty hefty gulf between believing the Russians, and being outraged over Garner's imprisonment.

I'm sure that there are some people who can see a person facing ten years in a penal colony whose "crime" was really an administrative offence warranting no more than 15 days in jail and feel no outrage at all. It is no surprise at all to learn that some people are not moved by a clear injustice.

*shrug*

What is just will always be a matter of some debate.

[Ethel mermania]

And now she has pled guilty. We shall see what develops.

In order for putin to pardon her, her case has to be completed.

[Ethel mermania]

There's a pretty hefty gulf between believing the Russians, and being outraged over Garner's imprisonment.

I'm sure that there are some people who can see a person facing ten years in a penal colony whose "crime" was really an administrative offence warranting no more than 15 days in jail and feel no outrage at all. It is no surprise at all to learn that some people are not moved by a clear injustice.

Smuggling is not an administrative offense.

[Khurkhogur]

In a country where 99% of trials end in convictions, one has to doubt the validity of the accusations.

US conviction rate is 99.6

I assumed only Russia and China were that bad in terms of conviction rate. But I checked this out and it turns out, except in cases where the charges are dropped or dismissed, the conviction rate hovers around 90% in the US. I never knew it was that bad.
And according to wikipedia the Russian government statistic doesn't take into account dismissed cases, which are around 25%. That's honestly really surprising to me, I thought Russia was significantly more authoritarian when it came to crime

[Elwher]

Do you seriously believe the Russian government's version of events here? Like, fucking hell, why would she have even bothered selling hashish oil vape cartridges? She's a professional athlete playing for a team owned by a billion dollar mining company, she obviously doesn't need the money. And I can hardly imagine a less profitable drug dealing venture than selling hashish oil vape cartridges in Russia. She'd probably make more money driving an Uber.

No one said she was selling them. She was smuggling them across the border. If you cross the Mexican border with a load of heroin, that is illegal whether you are planning on selling it or using it yourself. As someone who has been crossing into Russia for years, either she knew it was illegal or she's extremely ignorant, your choice.

[The Orwell Society]

I agree with the majority of the first place. They had every right to imprison Griner whether theirs a war on or not.