Wanting to clear something up

[nightwing1240]

Yesterday I made a post regarding Brittney Griner in that she used bad judgement in taking hash oil into Russia where it is illegal. All I was trying to say is we are all responsible for our own actions. She was held far longer than she should have I agree and am very pleased she is back home and safe now. A few found my post offensive and that was not my intent.

Please let me share some other opinions I have to give a bit of insight into myself. Most of these are sports related but I hope some can understand what I am trying to convey.

Colin Kaepernick had every right to kneel during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice and not be blackballed by team owners in the NFL for having done it.

Pete Rose on the other hand as Manager of a Professional Baseball team bet on games and should never be admitted to the hall of fame.

Sixty percent of the NFL players are African-American while only nine percent are Head Coaches. That is unacceptable and needs to be
given more than lip service by the league.

Kyle Rittenhouse is a murderer and should be in prison serving a life sentence

I could go on but will stop there. Again, I just believe we are all responsible for our own actions no matter who the person may be.

[secondwind]

1. I read you loud and clear, and I agree

[nightwing1240]

2. Thank you :)

[Luciferous]

3. When you go to another country you need to abide by their laws.

[luv2fly]

4. I agree wholeheartedly

Every point you make, I share your view. I feel no need to apologize nor explain myself. I do hope in the days and weeks that come, we hear directly from BG and whether or not she brought a vape into Russia. If she did, bad move. If it was planted, well that's Russia.

[nightwing1240]

5. Thank you

And I agree with your points

[luv2fly]

10. And ignore the people who want to rip you a new one

Some folks don't like that other countries have laws that we don't agree with.

[Rorey]

8. I hope the risks of going there get through to others

You're right. That's Russia.

[Phoenix61]

16. She admitted it was hers. nt

[luv2fly]

19. Thank you, I had not heard nor read that

The only thing I had heard or read was laypeople saying it was planted, with no evidence one way or the other. I appreciate you clarifying that for me.

[Phoenix61]

20. Couldn't find this earlier.

Reports claim Griner spoke through an interpreter, explaining that she was packing in haste and didn’t mean to include a cannabis vape pen in her luggage when arriving at a Russian airport in February to play overseas during the offseason, according to the Associated Press.

https://theblackwallsttimes.com/2022/07/07/brittney-griner-pleads-guilty-but-says-cannabis-in-bag-was-accident/

[brush]

6. Her sentence was much too harsh. It's obvious she was held as a...

political pawn as Putin/Russians knew they were about to invade Ukraine. If not for that, minor violations like that (vape with cbd oil), are handled by club teams to get their players released.

IMO she was held purposely for future trade bait.

[Rorey]

7. I'm glad she's safe

But she did use very bad judgement.

I honestly don't know why anyone would want to set foot in Russia. I know she went there to make big $$$. Now she'll be making the rounds giving interviews, and will write a book or two. She's lucky to have made it home to do that.

[gab13by13]

11. The WNBA players go abroad

because they are paid more money abroad than they are paid in the US. A heck of a lot of players do this.

I just have one thing to say about Brittney making a bad choice, she did, I agree. Where I worked I wasn't given a choice to go to a dangerous country, I had to go.

My only problem is this; I guarantee that President Biden was working to get both Griner and Whelan released but this is the best and only deal that Putin offered. What would you have done as president? I would have taken the deal.

The problem that upsets me is that the MSM is leading with the right wing narrative that Whelan is still in Russia. Of course his situation needs to be talked about but that doesn't mean that we can't celebrate another President Biden accomplishment.

Welcome home Brittany.

[Rorey]

14. I do agree with you

She made a choice to go for money, as many do. For me, it wouldn't be worth the risk.

I hope we're able to get Whelan home soon. And alive.

[Solomon]

9. Aw Jeezuz. Keep digging.

Don't stop. Let me add a couple: "if he had just complied with the officer... all she had to do was obey as ordered..."

Sure.

[MLAA]

12. Not the same thing. The OP said if you break the law (assuming you weren't framed)

there are consequences and not surprising one may be arrested. Though being arrested in Russia for the smallest offense in this case is likely politically driven and the punishment did not fit the crime (hard labor) according to American justice. You point to major police misconduct.

[gab13by13]

13. It's not the same situation.

I am a white dude and my company forced me to go to dangerous countries. They told me before I left that if I broke one of that country's laws I was on my own. Russia didn't single out Brittney because she was black, they singled her out because she was an American.

[treestar]

18. and both of those things should be done by

civilized people. Who doesn't know that Russia has a doubtful human rights record? Who thinks cops are going to go easier on people who won't cooperate?

You refer to these things like it is unreasonable to expect them. Like people should be able to break the law and nobody should do anything about it.

You cooperate with the cop, and argue your case to the court. You don't go into foreign countries and expect the American system. (And we are spoiled if we think the US is the one that is corrupt).

[nightwing1240]

15. My OP on the matter yesterday

Full disclosure for the record is why.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=17446481

No offense was meant to any one in any way.

Thanks to those that offer support, it is greatly appreciated.

[Phoenix61]

17. Completely agree. I have meds for if/when my back goes out.

I also have plans to travel to Bali. Indonesia has some harsh drug laws so I contacted their embassy. They said if I have a letter from the doctor it shouldn’t be a problem but they couldn’t guarantee that it wouldn’t be a problem. The meds are staying home.

[Duppers]

21. I spent 6wks traveling inside China in 2010.

I lost count of the number of times my possessions were searched and my body was x-ray'ed. Yep, a LOT of unnecessary x-rays -even within the same airports!! I began to worry about possible damage to my brain.

I never would have presumed I could have gotten away with anything even smelling of any sort of contraband. D.H. and I knew we would have been held and charged.

So, yes, I think Brittany was, at best, being extremely naive.