Should U.S. Swap ‘Merchant of Death’ for Brittney Griner?

[mr.checkerboards]

Wait, you think we have to express equal care about them in order to prove we give a **** about human rights? This makes absolutely no sense, but I don't expect too much from people that are trying to prove it's OK to put pettiness over human rights.

Yes. One American is = to another

 

[Vol737]

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate.

If a military member went over to Russia and got arrested and sentenced for this, and it made the news. I'd bet the right would be clamoring to bring he/she home. Willing to swap a war criminal for them even.

Let's be honest with ourselves. The right doesn't care about bringing her home because of her politics and lifestyle - not because it's "not a good trade" or "she deserves it."

We fought to get Ryan Lochte off the hook in Brazil. We are fighting to get a soldier a lesser sentence or brought back after a fatal car crash in Japan. Embassies all over the world work with and negotiate deals with foreign governments to get their citizens released and shipped home. Regular citizens, all the time. Virginia Tech once had a Chinese student murder another Chinese student and the US didn't even prosecute. They just got the guy shipped back to China. We only really keep military criminals.

I disagree with Griner on pretty much everything, but she's an American citizen and should be punished at home. It's entirely a political ploy by Russia. And I'm sure they're loving making American citizens and politicans bicker about what to do. They see how divided we are and they're continuing to do things to drive a wedge because they know the only way we fall is by tearing ourselves down.

Americans are supposed to have each other's backs at the end of the day. The people wanting her to rot in a Russian prison for this are the actual problem here. If anyone reading this falls into that category I pray you do some introspection.

Don’t necessarily disagree with your post. Work to get her released, yes, but I don’t believe the trade in question is appropriate regardless of her politics. I don’t see the examples you provided of past incidents as fair comparisons as trading for criminal arms dealers are not part of those equations. JMO.

 

[hog88]

I am of the opinion that the US should try to bring back as many citizens as possible that are detained in Russia (Griner included) regardless of status. However, if someone breaks the law in another country you must realize that you are at their mercy. Years ago, I was travelling back from Thailand and went through customs. Customs Officers informed me that I had broken their law by overstaying and had to pay a fine to leave the country. Refusal to pay left me with potential problems of no flight back home along with increasing fees for each additional day overstayed or worse jail time. At the time I was oblivious to this law and consequences. Ignorance did not absolve me. Fine was paid right away of course. This is not the same situation as BG but damn she created the problem.

I was arrested in Colon Panama for being drunk and stupid. I thought I was thoroughly screwed but thankfully I had $50 on me. Had the cops not been completely corrupt I could have been in a lot of trouble.

 

[UT_VOLS13]

Blinken: Griner verdict 'compounds the injustice'

 

[EasternVol]

You don't want to be caught in Thailand with drugs

In the rest of SEA too. Thailand is loosening up some recently though.

 

[EasternVol]

can we trade Nick Saban for her?

Throw in Mike Hamilton too.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Wait, you think we have to express equal care about them in order to prove we give a **** about human rights? This makes absolutely no sense, but I don't expect too much from people that are trying to prove it's OK to put pettiness over human rights.

So releasing terrorists and people who kill Americans has nothing to do with humans rights?.

 

[EasternVol]

No. Harsh sentences for realtively safe drug use is usually only found in America.

Nope. Singapore will stretch a neck for just over a pound of weed. Most other countries in the region, and many worldwide, have very harsh penalties too.

 

[EasternVol]

Was there a State Department travel warning or advisement to leave Russia at the time she was arrested?

Their website said something to the effect of 'don't go there fool, they'll target you for being American' about six months ago, before she got busted.

 

[C-south]

Nope. Singapore will stretch a neck for just over a pound of weed. Most other countries in the region, and many worldwide, have very harsh penalties too.

Wonder if they have repeat offenders?

 

[EasternVol]

I agree with that but the question is what should we do? I don't think we should trade the arms dealer for her, maybe for all Americans held over there but not a 1 for 1.

If the sentence is in line with usual Russian terms for the same offence, and it seems to be, we let her serve her term and do the usual checks to confirm she's treated humanely while in custody.

 

[tntar heel]

I was arrested in Colon Panama for being drunk and stupid. I thought I was thoroughly screwed but thankfully I had $50 on me. Had the cops not been completely corrupt I could have been in a lot of trouble.

Ft. Sherman JOTC?

 

[EasternVol]

What I'd like to know is:
1. Will she get her own Women in Prison movie?
2. Would Halle Berry be up for the main role?
3. Will it be streamed on HBO or Pornhub?

1. That's kinky
2. As her mom? You must be around my age.
3. Wait three years and the way we're going it will be on Nickelodeon.

 

[EasternVol]

Wonder if they have repeat offenders?

Just those who didn't get caught the first time.

 

[hog88]

Ft. Sherman JOTC?

This incident wasn't when we were down there for JOTC, it happened about a year later but we were basing out of Sherman then.

 

[n_huffhines]

Yes. One American is = to another

That is true but also doesn't justify your position. You missed the point of my post.

 

[n_huffhines]

Fame shouldn't prioritize caring about human rights either.

Nobody is saying that it should but you guys can't get over this for some reason.

 

[0nelilreb]

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate.

If a military member went over to Russia and got arrested and sentenced for this, and it made the news. I'd bet the right would be clamoring to bring he/she home. Willing to swap a war criminal for them even.

Let's be honest with ourselves. The right doesn't care about bringing her home because of her politics and lifestyle - not because it's "not a good trade" or "she deserves it."

We fought to get Ryan Lochte off the hook in Brazil. We are fighting to get a soldier a lesser sentence or brought back after a fatal car crash in Japan. Embassies all over the world work with and negotiate deals with foreign governments to get their citizens released and shipped home. Regular citizens, all the time. Virginia Tech once had a Chinese student murder another Chinese student and the US didn't even prosecute. They just got the guy shipped back to China. We only really keep military criminals.

I disagree with Griner on pretty much everything, but she's an American citizen and should be punished at home. It's entirely a political ploy by Russia. And I'm sure they're loving making American citizens and politicans bicker about what to do. They see how divided we are and they're continuing to do things to drive a wedge because they know the only way we fall is by tearing ourselves down.

Americans are supposed to have each other's backs at the end of the day. The people wanting her to rot in a Russian prison for this are the actual problem here. If anyone reading this falls into that category I pray you do some introspection.

I don’t care about her politics or personal life , the celebrity status is the only reason she’s in the headlines and we are even aware of her being held . Others that don’t have that status just have to tough it out .

What to know about 2 former US Marines held by Russia ahead of Putin-Biden summit

 

[Electric Orange]

When in doubt, how would Griner feel if it was you in the Russian prison.

Sleep good, she wouldn't care.

She'd probably applaud it happening to you depending on what sort of person you look like.

 

[engineerVOL]

We are releasing the “Merchant of Death” for a woman who hates America. Seems an equitable trade.

… (emoji added for board relevance )

 

[Jackcrevol]

View attachment 477939
We are releasing the “Merchant of Death” for a woman who hates America. Seems an equitable trade.
View attachment 477941
… (emoji added for board relevance )

wtf does Russia want with an arms dealer anyway? Why couldnt it be Jakov Smirnoff?

 

[hog88]

Nobody is saying that it should but you guys can't get over this for some reason.

There are several people saying exactly that.

 

[Majors]

She'd probably applaud it happening to you depending on what sort of person you look like.

Probably say something like "he should know the laws or he wouldn't be in this situation" or if she is sympathetic "glad that is not me"

 

[tntar heel]

This incident wasn't when we were down there for JOTC, it happened about a year later but we were basing out of Sherman then.

If it was in 89 yeah that could have ended real bad.

 

[Electric Orange]

Probably say something like "he should know the laws or he wouldn't be in this situation" or if she is sympathetic "glad that is not me"

It'd have the word privileged in there someplace.