People actually think Griner brought cannibis vape cartridges into Russia? I think the odds she actually did that are pretty low. She's been working in Russia long enough to know you don't take controlled substances with you. Don't forget the timing of her arrest. Her (carefully planned with her lawyer) defense is that she never intended to pack it and in fact still does not know how it got in her luggage. She cannot outright deny doing it, because Russia has a 99% conviction rate and the only hope she has of not getting sentenced to 10+ years in prison is by pleading guilty. Her statement allows for the possibility that she did it and doesn't accuse anyone of planting it in her luggage, but definitely leaves that option open for how it got there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

Isn’t that last sentence a phrase for the Marines? This is not someone who enlisted or was drafted to protect our country. She chose to take a job in a hostile country in the off season. I’m playing devil’s advocate a bit here but this isn’t the same as a US soldier in Afghanistan or Vietnam.

And just to add about 20 years ago my sister and I were traveling in Eastern Europe and had the opportunity to travel to Russia. We ultimately turned it down because we were hesitant about going to a country that can be hostile to tourists and particularly Americans. So this isn’t totally new.

If you care about your fellow man, it is the same. Like Otto, she could have made a different decision. But it is what it is and we should now work to get her out. Obama left Otto to die a horrid death. We should not repeat that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

Isn’t that last sentence a phrase for the Marines? This is not someone who enlisted or was drafted to protect our country. She chose to take a job in a hostile country in the off season. I’m playing devil’s advocate a bit here but this isn’t the same as a US soldier in Afghanistan or Vietnam.

And just to add about 20 years ago my sister and I were traveling in Eastern Europe and had the opportunity to travel to Russia. We ultimately turned it down because we were hesitant about going to a country that can be hostile to tourists and particularly Americans. So this isn’t totally new.

DP. Griner wasnt a random, ignorant tourist. She had employment in Russia. I can see made the decision.

The concept of "no man left behind" does apply to US citizens kidnapped or wrongfully detained abroad. We try to take care of our people. Thats food. Ita good, not bad that we protect our people.

When did the US consider any of its citizens rightfully detained?

We only list wrongfully detained (we dont have a rightfully detained list). There is only a small selection of wrongfully detained.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

Isn’t that last sentence a phrase for the Marines? This is not someone who enlisted or was drafted to protect our country. She chose to take a job in a hostile country in the off season. I’m playing devil’s advocate a bit here but this isn’t the same as a US soldier in Afghanistan or Vietnam.

And just to add about 20 years ago my sister and I were traveling in Eastern Europe and had the opportunity to travel to Russia. We ultimately turned it down because we were hesitant about going to a country that can be hostile to tourists and particularly Americans. So this isn’t totally new.

DP. Griner wasnt a random, ignorant tourist. She had employment in Russia. I can see made the decision.

The concept of "no man left behind" does apply to US citizens kidnapped or wrongfully detained abroad. We try to take care of our people. Thats food. Ita good, not bad that we protect our people.

When did the US consider any of its citizens rightfully detained?

I'm not sure about "rightfully detained" but there have been many instances of the US not making (enough) efforts to intervene on behalf of US citizens.
Michael Fey
Amanda Knox

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

Isn’t that last sentence a phrase for the Marines? This is not someone who enlisted or was drafted to protect our country. She chose to take a job in a hostile country in the off season. I’m playing devil’s advocate a bit here but this isn’t the same as a US soldier in Afghanistan or Vietnam.

And just to add about 20 years ago my sister and I were traveling in Eastern Europe and had the opportunity to travel to Russia. We ultimately turned it down because we were hesitant about going to a country that can be hostile to tourists and particularly Americans. So this isn’t totally new.

DP. Griner wasnt a random, ignorant tourist. She had employment in Russia. I can see made the decision.

The concept of "no man left behind" does apply to US citizens kidnapped or wrongfully detained abroad. We try to take care of our people. Thats food. Ita good, not bad that we protect our people.

When did the US consider any of its citizens rightfully detained?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The CNN article said their release would be a big political win for Biden- is that generally the feeling? I would think Republicans will run with the idea that Biden released an arms dealer and is a weak leader.

I’m a staunch conservative and don’t really care if this is a big political win for Biden. This is someone’s life at stake in a country known to brutalize their people. Let Biden have the win.

I'm a liberal and trading a major arms dealer who did business from Africa to South America to ME is not a win for Biden. Only for those who are family members of those detained. In fact Biden's swap is so sloppy Fogel isn't included. Strategic - could be 100's for 1 Bout.

https://www.internationalcrimesdatabase.org/Case/3243
https://www.jurist.org/news/2012/08/russia-to-request-us-extradition-of-notorious-arms-dealer/

Who else is in US custody that would be a profoundly ridiculous swap that could endanger lives of US government employees [military or civilian overseas] or countries like Ukraine devastated by Russia? Of course Bout did not limit his profitable endeavors to that which benefits Russia.
Bout is the type who feeds this sort of chaos. Russia's the Wagner Group- also active in Ukraine. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61311272

Trading arms is a business. Lots of food on lots of tables in the DMV area is bought by weapons trading money. I don't know how you get so huffy and puffy and righteous about someone active in a line of business America embraces with a passion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The CNN article said their release would be a big political win for Biden- is that generally the feeling? I would think Republicans will run with the idea that Biden released an arms dealer and is a weak leader.

I’m a staunch conservative and don’t really care if this is a big political win for Biden. This is someone’s life at stake in a country known to brutalize their people. Let Biden have the win.

I'm a liberal and trading a major arms dealer who did business from Africa to South America to ME is not a win for Biden. Only for those who are family members of those detained. In fact Biden's swap is so sloppy Fogel isn't included. Strategic - could be 100's for 1 Bout.

https://www.internationalcrimesdatabase.org/Case/3243
https://www.jurist.org/news/2012/08/russia-to-request-us-extradition-of-notorious-arms-dealer/

Who else is in US custody that would be a profoundly ridiculous swap that could endanger lives of US government employees [military or civilian overseas] or countries like Ukraine devastated by Russia? Of course Bout did not limit his profitable endeavors to that which benefits Russia.
Bout is the type who feeds this sort of chaos. Russia's the Wagner Group- also active in Ukraine. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61311272

Anonymous wrote:Affirmative action rescue! White teacher in jail in Russia for same thing and Biden no care!

+1000 Hard not to be a cynic when politicians only expend efforts when it is politically expedient

Marc Fogel can rot in Russian jail for pot cuz he white!!!!!


https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/07/28/marc-fogel-teacher-russia-prison/

Affirmative action rescue! White teacher in jail in Russia for same thing and Biden no care!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

You believe he actually did? Because I sure don't.

Why does it matter whether he did or he didn't?

1. Because there is some poster here that is trying to state that Warmbier's "crime" is worse than Grimer's.

2. Because even though he DIDN'T do it--the NK government still tried, convicted, and punished him for it. There is no real justice in NK. That should be a warning to everyone not to go there! But people do it anyway. I don't think the US government should be responsible for "saving" people from their willful stupid actions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

You believe he actually did? Because I sure don't.

Why does it matter whether he did or he didn't?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

You believe he actually did? Because I sure don't.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

Isn’t that last sentence a phrase for the Marines? This is not someone who enlisted or was drafted to protect our country. She chose to take a job in a hostile country in the off season. I’m playing devil’s advocate a bit here but this isn’t the same as a US soldier in Afghanistan or Vietnam.

And just to add about 20 years ago my sister and I were traveling in Eastern Europe and had the opportunity to travel to Russia. We ultimately turned it down because we were hesitant about going to a country that can be hostile to tourists and particularly Americans. So this isn’t totally new.

DP. Griner wasnt a random, ignorant tourist. She had employment in Russia. I can see made the decision.

The concept of "no man left behind" does apply to US citizens kidnapped or wrongfully detained abroad. We try to take care of our people. Thats food. Ita good, not bad that we protect our people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you get the same treatment by the US government? So why should some D-list basketball player? Ridiculous.

Otto Warmbier did, and he committed a worse crime. And she's actually an A list basketball player.

He took a poster off a wall. And for that, he was murdered and tortured by a madman. I don’t care what she does or does not do. She’s an American. Get her out. No man left behind.

Isn’t that last sentence a phrase for the Marines? This is not someone who enlisted or was drafted to protect our country. She chose to take a job in a hostile country in the off season. I’m playing devil’s advocate a bit here but this isn’t the same as a US soldier in Afghanistan or Vietnam.

And just to add about 20 years ago my sister and I were traveling in Eastern Europe and had the opportunity to travel to Russia. We ultimately turned it down because we were hesitant about going to a country that can be hostile to tourists and particularly Americans. So this isn’t totally new.