America has failed Brittney Griner

[Jilly_in_VA]

Brittney Griner should be at home right now.

Nobody should be jailed for cannabis in the first place, either in Russia or here. Nobody should be detained for three weeks over hashish oil in their luggage on their way out of a country. should be held prisoner as a means to apply diplomatic pressure, as it appears Russia is doing in detaining a high-profile American athlete as a response to the United States backing Ukraine’s resistance to Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

And Griner isn’t just a regular American. The 31-year-old is a future Hall of Famer, a champion in both college and the pros, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, part of the WNBA’s 25th anniversary team, and the first player to dunk in the WNBA playoffs. She’s also a prominent Black lesbian, and Putin’s record on both race and sexuality is nightmarish.

So, the most important thing is making sure that Griner gets home safely. But Griner should be home right now.

https://deadspin.com/america-has-failed-brittney-griner-1848615381

[DURHAM D]

1. It was also stupid of her to be carrying known illegal drugs. nt

[cate94]

2. I'd agree

If I were sure the Russians didn’t plant the drugs on her.

[LenaBaby61]

8. THIS 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

[Ferrets are Cool]

21. And you are 100% positive they were not planted?

[OneBro]

24. Your statement captures the heart of America so very well.

Because she was OBVIOUSLY guilty, right? I have zip idea whether she's innocent or guilty, but I'm curious as to what gave it away for you.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Biden has said he can no longer provide help to Americans in Russia.

[Chainfire]

4. I don't know what you think that the US could or should do to protect someone

from violating another countries drug laws. Unless these drugs were planted on her for political reasons, I would suggest that she was on her own.

I would also ask what is a regular American? Do you think that sports stars should have some kind of enhanced rights?

[jimfields33]

5. Americans are expected to follow the hosts laws.

Does not matter at all what is allowed here, but what is not allowed in another country. Is it any wonder why Americans have the reputation that we can do as we please overseas.

[LenaBaby61]

10. THIS 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

[stopdiggin]

13. 1+. glad you're making the point

the 'privilege' word gets bandied about a lot ...

And America has not failed Griner - in any sense other than it hasn't been able to leverage her out of Russian authorities hands. (our 'influence' being a little on the thin side right now) But the fact that she is IN those hands ....

[Sneederbunk]

6. And then there is the awkward answer to question:

Why was she in Russia?

[DURHAM D]

9. The linked article in the OP explains it well. nt

[spooky3]

11. Per the news last night, she has played on teams there for 7 years because

The money is good.

[FM123]

7. She has spent seven years working in Russia during her off season

so by now, she probably felt safe enough traveling back and forth.

Little did she know that Putin was just waiting for a prominent American just like her to arrest and use as a political pawn. I am so afraid for her, he is an evil monster with no heart.

[gay texan]

16. Isn't Steven Segall still over there? n/t

[FM123]

29. Steven Seagal is now a citizen of Russia, courtesy of Putin

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/03/500535943/steven-seagal-is-now-a-citizen-of-russia-courtesy-of-putin

[stopdiggin]

12. we don't make the laws

in other parts of the world. With all due sympathy for Griner - the fact that the U.S. has (rather recently, and rather quickly) adopted the stance that cannabis possession is a petty offense, does not mean that the rest of the world has followed suit. Foreign travelers should remain aware that you can't always just walk away from these things when you're on someone else's playground.

I agree this was politically motivated - and also hope that she is soon home. But unless this was a set-up and 'frame' against an innocent individual - Griner bears some responsibility for a really serious lack of judgement.

[Ritabert]

14. What was she thinking?

Putin's looking for any excuse to jail an American. Stupid.

[Lettuce Be]

15. Carrying pot into a country where it is illegal is a risk. She apparently took that risk

I agree it should be legal, but sorry it is not.

[Jilly_in_VA]

17. How do you know

it wasn't planted on her so she could be used as a high-profile hostage? I'm sure she knows the law. Brittney is not stupid.

[Xoan]

18. How do you know it was?

[AlexSFCA]

19. no way around it I'm afraid. She may have to spend years in russian prison

the worst timing ever. One can only imagine putin has no interest releasing her. Not to mention her life might be in imminent danger in a russuian prison as she is reportedly lgbtq. Didn’t she live in russia for a while now, should have known better.
No, America did not fail her. Her family ought to be thinking of offering to pay large fine (millions?) for her return. Russia sure could use some cash now.

[Phoenix61]

20. She would be home if she followed the laws of the

country she was in. I wanted to take gum and my vape into Singapore but…. they are both illegal there so I didn’t.

[Ferrets are Cool]

22. It saddens me to see all the animosity towards Ms Griner. WE have NO way of knowing the truth...

and if you think the TRUTH comes out of Russia....I wont finish that sentence.
Sometimes I can't believe what I read here.

[Phoenix61]

30. I think it's horrible for her and those

who love and care about her. I can’t begin to imagine how frightened they are. It’s not animosity and I sincerely apologize if it came across that way.

[Ferrets are Cool]

31. ...

[IbogaProject]

23. Anti drug laws are all American

We pioneered the anti drug laws and then ramped them up with banning cannabis. This is all the USA in the early 20th Century's fault.

[MichMan]

26. Russia's drug laws were created by the US?

[IbogaProject]

36. UN treaty requirement for decades

Yes the UN Single Convention on Narcotics required nations to regulate a list of drugs, including THC and THC containing cannabis. Repressive regimes like these caught holding the bag laws as they can be used against dissidents and for simple corrupt purposes to steal other property from a framed 'criminal'.

[MichMan]

37. Places where it has been legalized are in violation of the UN?

[IbogaProject]

38. Yes it was only recently removed for medical use

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/un-relaxes-international-control-of-56020/#:~:text=On%20Wednesday%2C%20December%202%2C%202020,Organization%20recommendation%20made%20last%20year.

Cannabis and cannabis resin, formerly classified on the most restrictive schedule under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (Single Convention) were moved to the least restrictive schedule following a historic vote by the UN Commission for Narcotic Drugs on December 2, 2020.

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, the UN’s Commission for Narcotic Drugs voted to remove “cannabis and cannabis resin” for medicinal purposes from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, adopting a World Health Organization recommendation made last year. With input from the Food and Drug Administration, the US voted in favor of removing cannabis from Schedule IV—a schedule reserved for drugs like heroin and fentanyl that pose a high risk of abuse or ill effects as compared to any potential therapeutic benefits. The removal from Schedule IV recognizes the legitimate medical utility of cannabis and cannabis resin and the lack of any significant risk of death or addiction. Cannabis and cannabis resin will still be subject to control under the Single Convention, but on Schedule I, the least-controlled schedule.

The full texts of the three main international conventions governing controlled substances—the Single Convention and the supplementary 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances—and revised schedules of drugs subject to international control

[OneBro]

27. Comments in this thread are a cold little reminder.

Our "liberal friends" are often no different when it comes to practicing INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY for some Americans, and GUILTY AS CHARGED for "others" unless "they" have objectively verifiable, certifiable proof of innocence.

'Merican as apple pie.

[Pachamama]

28. I am worried for Griner and even believe she was likely set up

That said - it’s wartime. And any foreign National who since early February who chose to stay there after the US Govt was releasing information on intelligence that Russia was going to attack Ukraine had to have basic common sense that it was time to leave - especially if you were an athlete or high profile American citizen. And leave with NOTHING on them.

Griner unfortunately had chosen to make money playing in Russia for the last decade. She knows the laws in Russia - she has to know Putin and the risks. I therefore believe she was likely set up. But the reality is that if she is now a prisoner and will be sentenced in a scam trial (like so many that Putin’s Russia has had for decades) and she and her family will have to accept that she is one person and a pawn and as important as her life is to them - she is no more important than every single human being in Ukraine being killed right now and if NATO and US won’t risk nuclear confrontation and let thousands die, she is not going to be allowed to be a propaganda pawn.

It’s harsh. It’s horrible. I say that with the same sadness and horror I feel inside about what is happening. But it’s war. And anytime anyone chooses to go travel, visit, work, live in a foreign country, in particular one that is not a democracy, one cannot rely on themselves being safe - even if they are rich or a celebrity.

How many Rubles was it worth this job for Griner? Sadly no amount. And she is now paying the price.

[TomSlick]

32. I am prepared to believe that Griner is being used as a diplomatic pawn.

However, I am unclear how the US failed her. What would you have the US do to get her out of prison? We are quickly running out of economic sanctions that can be imposed against Russia for invading a democratic neighbor.

Short of an invasion, what do you propose?

[Jilly_in_VA]

33. The point of the article

and sad to say, it looks like some of you didn't read beyond the three posted paragraphs, is that IF Brittney Griner were a MALE athlete of her caliber, she wouldn't be in this mess at all, because she would have been paid what she is worth in this country. But because we treat even our best professional female athletes in a very second-class manner, they go overseas to play in the offseason.

Or maybe some of you are just too fixated on the drug aspects of the story to think about that part.

[MichMan]

34. The NBA should be boycotted until there is wage parity

The top 7 WNBA players are paid $221,450 apiece

The top 7 NBA players are paid an average of $43 million apiece or 200 times as much, for playing the same game, under the same corporate umbrella. The rookie minimum NBA salary is $893,000 or 4x what the top stars of the WNBA are paid.

Think about that for a minute. A rookie playing his first year is paid 4 times what a super star WNBA player makes

[Jilly_in_VA]

35. I don't pay any attention to the NBA anyway

but the WNBA should be getting some wage parity AND should be allowed to expand. For instance, there is a terrific fan base for women's basketball in Tennessee and has been for years (thanks mostly to Pat Summitt) but the WNBA has resisted basing a team in either Knoxville or Nashville. Knoxville has a pretty good arena in either the Coliseum or Thompson-Boling (which the W could probably lease from the University, benefiting both) and Nashville has several good sites. But nooooo.....

[Ptah]

39. Where would the money come from?