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craigmont
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
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Location: Bing-town
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 Posted: 03/05/22 5:11 pm ::: |
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| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
You're having trouble believing Brittney Griner would carry a cannabis product?
I hope and pray this turns out okay, but I don't know what's dumber:
1) Traveling to Russia in February 2022 when everyone knows they're building up to invade a neighboring country;
2) Bringing a controlled substance by air into a repressive dictatorship;
3) Vaping
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blaase22
Joined: 28 Mar 2011
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bcdawg04
Joined: 12 Apr 2016
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| Posted: 03/05/22 5:47 pm ::: |
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| craigmont wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
You're having trouble believing Brittney Griner would carry a cannabis product?
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I never said that. I said that I don't trust Russia's version of events.
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okstateguy
Joined: 18 Feb 2021
Posts: 455
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: 03/05/22 6:21 pm ::: |
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| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| craigmont wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
You're having trouble believing Brittney Griner would carry a cannabis product?
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I never said that. I said that I don't trust Russia's version of events. |
I believe the US Government stated in late January that travel to Russia could lead to potential harassment. If so, Griner would have chosen to ignore it and put herself in this position regardless of whether she had the cannabis oil or not
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FrozenLVFan
Joined: 08 Jul 2014
Posts: 3516
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| Posted: 03/05/22 6:34 pm ::: |
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ABC's lead stories tonight...
#1 Putin
#2 Brit's arrest
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TigerVol
Joined: 16 Jul 2008
Posts: 2209
Location: ATL
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justinabina
Joined: 19 May 2014
Posts: 162
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| Posted: 03/05/22 7:17 pm ::: |
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| okstateguy wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| craigmont wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
You're having trouble believing Brittney Griner would carry a cannabis product?
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I never said that. I said that I don't trust Russia's version of events. |
I believe the US Government stated in late January that travel to Russia could lead to potential harassment. If so, Griner would have chosen to ignore it and put herself in this position regardless of whether she had the cannabis oil or not |
She's played for UMMC Ekatrinburg for years... I am surprised that people are being critical of Griner for being in Russia, i.e. reporting to her team. Emma Meesseman and Jonquel Jones and Alex Bentley (and Vandersloot and Quigley?) also played for Ekat until about a week ago. And several more W players were in other parts of Russia until very recently. You can certainly critique players for choosing contracts in a corrupt and repressive country - a choice that has also been made by many other players (Parker, Taurasi, Moore, among others) for many years - but why focus on that now, when she might be in serious trouble?
This is awful news. Griner's family, friends, and teammates, her colleagues in the W, they must all be so worried about her. I really hope she is home soon.
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GlennMacGrady
Joined: 03 Jan 2005
Posts: 8228
Location: Heisenberg
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| Posted: 03/05/22 7:44 pm ::: |
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Yes, this is all too bad, especially since it was so easily avoidable.
If Griner has in fact violated Russian drug possession or smuggling laws, she deserves whatever legal process and punishment is usual for those offenses. However, I doubt she will get the usual.
If it were a few months ago, I'd have guessed she'd get preferential treatment, being a basketball star in the Russian leagues. Today, on the other hand, with the foreign relations between the US and Russia being at the worst and most stressful since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, I'm afraid she'll become a pawn, if not an outright hostage, in the wartime political maneuvering.
The New York Times article seemed to say that she has legal representation in Russia. That's at least some help for her legal situation, if not much psychological help for what must be the deepest and darkest feeling of helpless aloneness. |
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FrozenLVFan
Joined: 08 Jul 2014
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| Posted: 03/05/22 8:02 pm ::: |
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| GlennMacGrady wrote: |
Yes, this is all too bad, especially since it was so easily avoidable.
If Griner has in fact violated Russian drug possession or smuggling laws, she deserves whatever legal process and punishment is usual for those offenses. However, I doubt she will get the usual.
If it were a few months ago, I'd have guessed she'd get preferential treatment, being a basketball star in the Russian leagues. Today, on the other hand, with the foreign relations between the US and Russia being at the worst and most stressful since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, I'm afraid she'll become a pawn, if not an outright hostage, in the wartime political maneuvering.
The New York Times article seemed to say that she has legal representation in Russia. That's at least some help for her legal situation, if not much psychological help for what must be the deepest and darkest feeling of helpless aloneness. |
ABC News quoted her agent as saying Brit has legal representation in Russia.
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jammerbirdi
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
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mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
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Queenie
Joined: 18 Nov 2004
Posts: 18031
Location: Queens
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| Posted: 03/06/22 12:23 am ::: |
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| craigmont wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
You're having trouble believing Brittney Griner would carry a cannabis product?
I hope and pray this turns out okay, but I don't know what's dumber:
1) Traveling to Russia in February 2022 when everyone knows they're building up to invade a neighboring country;
2) Bringing a controlled substance by air into a repressive dictatorship;
3) Vaping |
Emotionally, I agree with your second and third points (she may have felt obligated to fulfill the terms of her contract, regarding point 1). That all being said, does up to 10 years in Russian jail and/or being paraded around as an example/hostage/new favorite target for the Russian government seem like a fair punishment?
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
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craigmont
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
Posts: 981
Location: Bing-town
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| Posted: 03/06/22 1:53 pm ::: |
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| Queenie wrote: |
| craigmont wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
You're having trouble believing Brittney Griner would carry a cannabis product?
I hope and pray this turns out okay, but I don't know what's dumber:
1) Traveling to Russia in February 2022 when everyone knows they're building up to invade a neighboring country;
2) Bringing a controlled substance by air into a repressive dictatorship;
3) Vaping |
Emotionally, I agree with your second and third points (she may have felt obligated to fulfill the terms of her contract, regarding point 1). That all being said, does up to 10 years in Russian jail and/or being paraded around as an example/hostage/new favorite target for the Russian government seem like a fair punishment? |
No, of course it's not fair. Nothing about any of this is fair or could have been expected to be fair, which circles back to point 1.
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FrozenLVFan
Joined: 08 Jul 2014
Posts: 3516
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| Posted: 03/06/22 4:29 pm ::: |
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| Queenie wrote: |
| craigmont wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
You're having trouble believing Brittney Griner would carry a cannabis product?
I hope and pray this turns out okay, but I don't know what's dumber:
1) Traveling to Russia in February 2022 when everyone knows they're building up to invade a neighboring country;
2) Bringing a controlled substance by air into a repressive dictatorship;
3) Vaping |
Emotionally, I agree with your second and third points (she may have felt obligated to fulfill the terms of her contract, regarding point 1). That all being said, does up to 10 years in Russian jail and/or being paraded around as an example/hostage/new favorite target for the Russian government seem like a fair punishment? |
Jail time seems like a fair punishment if an average Russian in the same situation was given the same punishment. Or should Griner be let off because she's an American, or a pro athlete?
One thing she does deserve is a slap side the head for going to Russia after the CDC had issued a level 4 travel warning because of COVID, and the US State Dept had issued a Level 4 warning because of the impending war, and for taking illegal drugs into a country with stringent anti-drug laws.
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010
Posts: 5065
Location: New York City
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| Posted: 03/06/22 6:27 pm ::: |
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The New York Daily News has published an update on what's happening with Griner. They have a paywall; I'm not sure how many here will be able to read this. So I'm posting the link and some notes below:
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-brittney-griner-wife-wnba-russia-20220306-ikqvtbyqnrf7zeq6yb3eedq6uq-story.html
Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, says she's dealing with "one of the weakest moments of my life." She thanks everyone who has reached out to her and has offered prayers and support. She asks: "Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely."
On Saturday both the WNBA Players Association and Griner's agent confirmed that she was indeed the woman shown in the video going through security at the airport outside of Moscow.
The WNBA has expressed concern for Griner's safety and well-being. The Phoenix Mercury has said that it is in "constant contact" with Griner's family, her representation, the WNBA, and the NBA. "We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home," says the Mercury.
Texas congressman Joaquin Castro has said he is "closely monitoring" the situation. His House colleague, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, has called for Griner's immediate release.
All Americans still in Russia have been urged by the U.S. State Department to leave immediately.
In a press conference. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken avoided mentioning Griner, citing "privacy considerations." He added: "Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia."
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johnjohnW
Joined: 11 Aug 2020
Posts: 1846
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| Posted: 03/06/22 7:08 pm ::: |
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https://people.com/sports/brittney-griner-texas-congresswoman-demands-russia-release-wnba-star-arrest/
Texas Congresswoman Demands Russia Release WNBA Star Brittney Griner Following Her Arrest
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| At Saturday's press conference aired by FOX 26 Houston, the Democrat called for the issue to be handled "diplomatically" and said Russia "has no right to hold Ms. Griner, period." |
I'm glad she has someone fighting for her at home but that is an absurd and braindead thing to say. I don't see her heated rhetoric helping this situation.
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 66922
Location: Where the action is
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| Posted: 03/06/22 10:02 pm ::: |
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| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
For real. I wouldn't trust a US official that said someone was carrying. I'm sure as heck not gonna trust a Russian one.
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justintyme
Joined: 08 Jul 2012
Posts: 8407
Location: Northfield, MN
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| Posted: 03/06/22 10:10 pm ::: |
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Before we start questioning the choice of going to play in Russia during the lead up to all this, we need to remember that these teams frequently hold player's paychecks hostage. It's very likely she was told she had to play out the season if she wanted to get paid at all.
Also, consider her everyday dealing with people probably had been a very positive experience for her so far. She was playing with and working for people she knew very well and most likely trusted.
I'd also go as far to say she might well have had an "understanding" with regards to her vape pen. Probably been bringing it back and forth for years.
So while, sure, for them outside it's easy to say "How could you be so dumb" a lot of it is likely that she never even thought about it. Didn't figure in that with everything else that was happening, all bets were off and she couldn't fully trust the people she'd grown to trust.
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010
Posts: 5065
Location: New York City
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| Posted: 03/06/22 10:34 pm ::: |
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| justintyme wrote: |
Before we start questioning the choice of going to play in Russia during the lead up to all this, we need to remember that these teams frequently hold player's paychecks hostage. It's very likely she was told she had to play out the season if she wanted to get paid at all.
Also, consider her everyday dealing with people probably had been a very positive experience for her so far. She was playing with and working for people she knew very well and most likely trusted.
I'd also go as far to say she might well have had an "understanding" with regards to her vape pen. Probably been bringing it back and forth for years.
So while, sure, for them outside it's easy to say "How could you be so dumb" a lot of it is likely that she never even thought about it. Didn't figure in that with everything else that was happening, all bets were off and she couldn't fully trust the people she'd grown to trust. |
Sadly, all of this could be accurate. IF indeed Griner was actually carrying illegal drugs.
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Last edited by Bob Lamm on 03/06/22 10:38 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010
Posts: 5065
Location: New York City
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| Posted: 03/06/22 10:36 pm ::: |
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| pilight wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
For real. I wouldn't trust a US official that said someone was carrying. I'm sure as heck not gonna trust a Russian one. |
Thanks to both of you. Completely agree for Russia, for the U.S., and for many other countries. I'm not saying that Griner wasn't carrying illegal drugs, but I'm definitely not taking it on face value that she was.
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Remember Roe v. Wade. Work for and support legal abortion all over the world and full reproductive rights for everyone.
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SCook
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 3254
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: 03/07/22 8:42 am ::: |
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| FrozenLVFan wrote: |
| Queenie wrote: |
| craigmont wrote: |
| bcdawg04 wrote: |
| I sure as hell am not taking Russia at its word that Griner was carrying illegal drugs while entering the country. |
You're having trouble believing Brittney Griner would carry a cannabis product?
I hope and pray this turns out okay, but I don't know what's dumber:
1) Traveling to Russia in February 2022 when everyone knows they're building up to invade a neighboring country;
2) Bringing a controlled substance by air into a repressive dictatorship;
3) Vaping |
Emotionally, I agree with your second and third points (she may have felt obligated to fulfill the terms of her contract, regarding point 1). That all being said, does up to 10 years in Russian jail and/or being paraded around as an example/hostage/new favorite target for the Russian government seem like a fair punishment? |
Jail time seems like a fair punishment if an average Russian in the same situation was given the same punishment. Or should Griner be let off because she's an American, or a pro athlete?
One thing she does deserve is a slap side the head for going to Russia after the CDC had issued a level 4 travel warning because of COVID, and the US State Dept had issued a Level 4 warning because of the impending war, and for taking illegal drugs into a country with stringent anti-drug laws. |
A slap side the head for going to Russia where she is under contract? I'm sure it's easy for you to decide not to go there when you don't have a job that you're contractually obligated to fulfill. BG plays basketball in Russia. Has for years. This is her occupation. She wasn't heading there for vacation. Who are you to be so self righteous? You don't know anything about her contract or why she felt obligated to head back there. Just because Russian media says that she had cannabis, doesn't mean she actually had it. There is literal footage from the airport and it didn't show the vape.
Your take is very rude and insensitive. This is exactly why I stated in a previous post that we know why she was there. That's not what needs to be questioned or judged. The woman was heading to work like she has been for the past 6 or 7 years. Fiba has it's own rules that players have to abide by, hence why other players were still playing in Russia until last week.
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Luuuc
#NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
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| Posted: 03/07/22 8:52 am ::: |
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Yeah, there seems to be a lot of 20/20 Hindsight being applied to BG around WNBA social media.
I don't think it's fair.
Travelling internationally with (allegedly) dodgy substances? Sure, that's super dumb. But going there at all? I don't agree with that criticism.
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010
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| Posted: 03/07/22 9:20 am ::: |
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| SCook wrote: |
A slap side the head for going to Russia where she is under contract? I'm sure it's easy for you to decide not to go there when you don't have a job that you're contractually obligated to fulfill. BG plays basketball in Russia. Has for years. This is her occupation. She wasn't heading there for vacation. Who are you to be so self righteous? You don't know anything about her contract or why she felt obligated to head back there. Just because Russian media says that she had cannabis, doesn't mean she actually had it. There is literal footage from the airport and it didn't show the vape.
Your take is very rude and insensitive. This is exactly why I stated in a previous post that we know why she was there. That's not what needs to be questioned or judged. The woman was heading to work like she has been for the past 6 or 7 years. Fiba has it's own rules that players have to abide by, hence why other players were still playing in Russia until last week. |
Thank you. Fully agree. And I'd actually like to live in a world where people making public criticisms of women--whether valid or not--never say that any woman deserves "a slap side the head."
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mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
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| Posted: 03/07/22 11:47 am ::: |
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| Luuuc wrote: |
Yeah, there seems to be a lot of 20/20 Hindsight being applied to BG around WNBA social media.
I don't think it's fair.
Travelling internationally with (allegedly) dodgy substances? Sure, that's super dumb. But going there at all? I don't agree with that criticism. |
It appears too, that she was traveling right before things heated up with Russia.
Russia would have known, but she might not have known yet.
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