OT Brittney Griner Sentenced for 9 years

[NO-KG-AI]

America send people to 20 years in prison for weed. The USA should be the last country pointing fingers at Russia

Uh, the people that love seeing people (mostly people of color, no less) do long stints for weed are the ones that are on here and other places laughing and basically cheering for Griner to get sentenced.

The rest of us aren't being hypocrites like you want us to be.

I don’t want you to be hypocrites, all I’m saying is point the finger at your politicians and lawmakers first before even commenting on anything Russia. She should have educated herself on the laws of the land first before migrating there and breaking the law.

The USA jails foreign law breakers too before deporting them. Griner broke the law and should serve her punishment like any other person. Just because she’s an American shouldn’t warrant being given special treatment. You do the crime, you do the time.

Yea, the USA is **** up too, and we try, and we're outweighed by gerrymandering and corruption. You're blaming people that are against all the things you're talking about for the things you're talking about.

[MrBigShot]

America send people to 20 years in prison for weed. The USA should be the last country pointing fingers at Russia

Like any country, the USA is not a monolith. There is a marbled composition of people within the country with a spectrum of viewpoints and values. There has also been a recent history of legalization at the state level at a rapid pace. The people who are pointing out that this seems to be an outrageous penalty are also among the people who are eager to point out the same about the United States in the places that still criminalize these actions.

Unfortunate that people have to explain this.

[elias808]

I wonder how much of peoples opinions on this is focused more at Russia seeing how they are the “bad guys” of the world these days. Would opinions change at all if this same situation played out in a different country with similarly harsh weed laws, such as Japan for instance?

[Dzon Dilindzer]

Why does Griner get special treatment? There are plenty of other US citizens in Russian jails on similar charges.

What about Mark Fogel who worked at the US Embassy, was arrested for having prescribed medicinal marijuana (he had papers to back this up) and was sentenced to 14 years in jail.

Why is Griners life worth more than his? Because she can put a ball through a hoop?

its cause shes an athlete, a lot of wnba and nba players are calling out president biden to bring her back, media is all over it, black community too, so thats the reason theyre trying to get her back, public outcry is not a good look for biden, he cant ignore it

[JN61]

There are a lot of just plain awful humans in this forum.

Well Griner broke the law. You might not think it's a big deal but many countries have similar rules and even harsher punishment for smuggling drugs. Also lets be realistic. If this wasn't awful country that Russia is a lot more people would think it's justified to get punished for breaking the law. Many, me included, think it's too harsh punishment but laws state she should be sentenced for her unlawful actions.

And I'm sure you break laws every day. Dead sure of it.

What if you were in one of ten US states that have sodomy laws and you decided you wanted to have oral sex with your girlfriend (or boyfriend), and you were jailed for ten years. IS that ... just following the laws of the land like a sheep should good enough for you? OH... didn't know it was a law, (that sodomy includes oral) and that's not fair? Tough. Go to jail.

Jaywalking. Pot smoking. Speeding. Driving drunk or high. Slandering people. Which ever it is, you and we all break laws all the **** time. What now? Put everyone in jail?

There are a lot of people in here mindlessly parroting "there must be order" and "you must follow the laws of the land", sheeping along with no empathy for anyone else, until its them. Your own land has over 25% of the worlds prisoners incarnated in their own country. The only reason you continue to go along with all this law and order bull **** is because you don't have to fear that you could be railroaded into being one of those incarcerated real fast. And we all know why that is. And it isn't just because you are law abiding and orderly

Some people just need to have some damn empathy, and have shown none, and maybe even display an ounce of courage to stand up to the state, whichever that is, for archaic or barbaric laws or punishments. Or the very select enforcement of those laws.

I don't do drugs. Never did. She did and took it on an airport. Level of stupidly in the first place to make such a move just astonishes me.

[JN61]

Why does Griner get special treatment? There are plenty of other US citizens in Russian jails on similar charges.

What about Mark Fogel who worked at the US Embassy, was arrested for having prescribed medicinal marijuana (he had papers to back this up) and was sentenced to 14 years in jail.

Why is Griners life worth more than his? Because she can put a ball through a hoop?

its cause shes an athlete, a lot of wnba and nba players are calling out president biden to bring her back, media is all over it, black community too, so thats the reason theyre trying to get her back, public outcry is not a good look for biden, he cant ignore it

In a big picture the public outcry is miniscule. And as person you quoted said; this has happened to several people. Would it be good publicity for Biden to get her out? Sure, but not getting her out doesn't do anything to his ratings.

[JN61]

I literally dislike most things about Brittney. Like... she exemplifies the mannerisms and personality of most dudes I wouldn't even kick it at the bar with.

She's an idiot that deserves some sort of fine/punishment in Russia for breaking the law.

However, siding with Russia on this, which follows a right wing culture trend for the last 6 years, is about as un-American/undemocratic as you can get.

Please spare us your everyone who disagrees with me is a commie with mix of nonsense patriotic propaganda. Nobody cares a toss about being un American.
She would have gotten jail time for smuggling drugs on an airport in like half of countries in the world (probably in almost every country. Just few might have let her walk with massive fine). Or not because she is semi famous and different rules for such people I guess.. Penalty is too long in almost everyone's mind but a lot of people justified think smuggling drugs is one of rare things that would deserve light prison sentence.
Just because Russia is terrible country doesn't mean everyone should be fine with drug use.

[Sgt Major]

google russian war crimes. then comeback to me.

Lol then google history of the US and its crimes both on its soil and overseas all over the world. Russia is not even close to that level of atrocity.

You really are delusional. Crazy how much you hate the U.S.

Sent from my SM-G988U using RealGM mobile app

Nope, I just hate its army and foreign politics.

[Johnny Bball]

Well Griner broke the law. You might not think it's a big deal but many countries have similar rules and even harsher punishment for smuggling drugs. Also lets be realistic. If this wasn't awful country that Russia is a lot more people would think it's justified to get punished for breaking the law. Many, me included, think it's too harsh punishment but laws state she should be sentenced for her unlawful actions.

And I'm sure you break laws every day. Dead sure of it.

What if you were in one of ten US states that have sodomy laws and you decided you wanted to have oral sex with your girlfriend (or boyfriend), and you were jailed for ten years. IS that ... just following the laws of the land like a sheep should good enough for you? OH... didn't know it was a law, (that sodomy includes oral) and that's not fair? Tough. Go to jail.

Jaywalking. Pot smoking. Speeding. Driving drunk or high. Slandering people. Which ever it is, you and we all break laws all the **** time. What now? Put everyone in jail?

There are a lot of people in here mindlessly parroting "there must be order" and "you must follow the laws of the land", sheeping along with no empathy for anyone else, until its them. Your own land has over 25% of the worlds prisoners incarnated in their own country. The only reason you continue to go along with all this law and order bull **** is because you don't have to fear that you could be railroaded into being one of those incarcerated real fast. And we all know why that is. And it isn't just because you are law abiding and orderly

Some people just need to have some damn empathy, and have shown none, and maybe even display an ounce of courage to stand up to the state, whichever that is, for archaic or barbaric laws or punishments. Or the very select enforcement of those laws.

I don't do drugs. Never did. She did and took it on an airport. Level of stupidly in the first place to make such a move just astonishes me.

If you were going to miss the point by this much, why even bother to respond.

[patman66]

Why is the comparison between countries laws even being discussed? As if the opinions on Russian laws by americans mean a diddly to the Russians and visa-versa. Everybody knows, you go to a foreign country a piece of America doesn't surround you like a bubble. Any American Serviceman who served overseas can tell you that. Throw gum on the ground in singapore and they will cane you. Thier right to live in a city free of filth trumps your right to be a slob. Our opinion on the matter means crap.

You travel to a country that we are having a proxy war with that is wrecking their economy and you expect decent treatment from their government? Her wasting a min our our presidents time with this is the biggest waste of his time.

[leolozon]

I literally dislike most things about Brittney. Like... she exemplifies the mannerisms and personality of most dudes I wouldn't even kick it at the bar with.

She's an idiot that deserves some sort of fine/punishment in Russia for breaking the law.

However, siding with Russia on this, which follows a right wing culture trend for the last 6 years, is about as un-American/undemocratic as you can get.

Please spare us your everyone who disagrees with me is a commie with mix of nonsense patriotic propaganda. Nobody cares a toss about being un American.
She would have gotten jail time for smuggling drugs on an airport in like half of countries in the world (probably in almost every country. Just few might have let her walk with massive fine). Or not because she is semi famous and different rules for such people I guess.. Penalty is too long in almost everyone's mind but a lot of people justified think smuggling drugs is one of rare things that would deserve light prison sentence.
Just because Russia is terrible country doesn't mean everyone should be fine with drug use.

Who justified smuggling drugs?

The problem is 9 years for a very small amount of cannabis. I don't get people like you arguing over something very obvious.

If the sentence was the death penalty, would you also be here saying things like "If you don't want to have the consequences, don't do the crime!"

People aren't arguing about if she should get a punishment or not, they are arguing about the archaic punishment she was given. 9 years in prison for a working person who didn't cause anything negative for anyone. What's even the point to send someone to prison if they did not harm or didn't endanger anyone?

Rape is generally 3 to 6 years in Russia and is defined by only penetration. So please, keep trying to be a devil's advocate for something as stupid as 9 years for personal use of pot..

[ropjhk]

Why does Griner get special treatment? There are plenty of other US citizens in Russian jails on similar charges.

What about Mark Fogel who worked at the US Embassy, was arrested for having prescribed medicinal marijuana (he had papers to back this up) and was sentenced to 14 years in jail.

Why is Griners life worth more than his? Because she can put a ball through a hoop?

its cause shes an athlete, a lot of wnba and nba players are calling out president biden to bring her back, media is all over it, black community too, so thats the reason theyre trying to get her back, public outcry is not a good look for biden, he cant ignore it

And as a result some bad guy will get to go home to Russia in a prisoner exchange.

[Ein Sof]

How do you feel about Nazi Germany?

According to the Reich Citizenship Law from 1935, only persons of "German or kindred blood" were legal citizens.

What is your opinion on this law?

It's pretty bad and inhumane.

Hell, you don't have to go back that far. In some Middle Eastern countries the penalty for engaging in homosexual acts is death. Can't say that's a good law either and I would also say it's inhumane.

Huh? It's the Law, dude. NTA, their country their rules.

No need to criticise fascist dictatorships for being fascist dictatorships. Much easier to victim blame instead.

[ropjhk]

I literally dislike most things about Brittney. Like... she exemplifies the mannerisms and personality of most dudes I wouldn't even kick it at the bar with.

She's an idiot that deserves some sort of fine/punishment in Russia for breaking the law.

However, siding with Russia on this, which follows a right wing culture trend for the last 6 years, is about as un-American/undemocratic as you can get.

Please spare us your everyone who disagrees with me is a commie with mix of nonsense patriotic propaganda. Nobody cares a toss about being un American.
She would have gotten jail time for smuggling drugs on an airport in like half of countries in the world (probably in almost every country. Just few might have let her walk with massive fine). Or not because she is semi famous and different rules for such people I guess.. Penalty is too long in almost everyone's mind but a lot of people justified think smuggling drugs is one of rare things that would deserve light prison sentence.
Just because Russia is terrible country doesn't mean everyone should be fine with drug use.

Who justified smuggling drugs?

The problem is 9 years for a very small amount of cannabis. I don't get people like you arguing over something very obvious.

If the sentence was the death penalty, would you also be here saying things like "If you don't want to have the consequences, don't do the crime!"

People aren't arguing about if she should get a punishment or not, they are arguing about the archaic punishment she was given. 9 years in prison for a working person who didn't cause anything negative for anyone. What's even the point to send someone to prison if they did not harm or didn't endanger anyone?

Rape is generally 3 to 6 years in Russia and is defined by only penetration. So please, keep trying to be a devil's advocate for something as stupid as 9 years for personal use of pot..

Not every country is at the same place socially and trying to impose our values on another country is the type of motivation that was used to excuse the horrors of colonialism. Griner comes from a country who not too long ago pressured other countries to maintain strict laws against cannabis. There's a certain element of hypocrisy to criticize how other countries generally sentence people who break drug laws when you consider the history the US has with drug laws.

The questions that should be asked are whether this sentencing is out of line compared to other cases for the same sort of crime. Is this sentence normal for Russia? Does Griner deserve special recognition (either because of her fame or the fact that her crime is weed related) from the US to consider a prisoner exchange? Did Russia give her a harsher sentence because they know about the media coverage and they are trying to bait the US into doing a prisoner exchange?

[bstein14]

Please spare us your everyone who disagrees with me is a commie with mix of nonsense patriotic propaganda. Nobody cares a toss about being un American.
She would have gotten jail time for smuggling drugs on an airport in like half of countries in the world (probably in almost every country. Just few might have let her walk with massive fine). Or not because she is semi famous and different rules for such people I guess.. Penalty is too long in almost everyone's mind but a lot of people justified think smuggling drugs is one of rare things that would deserve light prison sentence.
Just because Russia is terrible country doesn't mean everyone should be fine with drug use.

Who justified smuggling drugs?

The problem is 9 years for a very small amount of cannabis. I don't get people like you arguing over something very obvious.

If the sentence was the death penalty, would you also be here saying things like "If you don't want to have the consequences, don't do the crime!"

People aren't arguing about if she should get a punishment or not, they are arguing about the archaic punishment she was given. 9 years in prison for a working person who didn't cause anything negative for anyone. What's even the point to send someone to prison if they did not harm or didn't endanger anyone?

Rape is generally 3 to 6 years in Russia and is defined by only penetration. So please, keep trying to be a devil's advocate for something as stupid as 9 years for personal use of pot..

Not every country is at the same place socially and trying to impose our values on another country is the type of motivation that was used to excuse the horrors of colonialism. Griner comes from a country who not too long ago pressured other countries to maintain strict laws against cannabis. There's a certain element of hypocrisy to criticize how other countries generally sentence people who break drug laws when you consider the history the US has with drug laws.

The questions that should be asked are whether this sentencing is out of line compared to other cases for the same sort of crime. Is this sentence normal for Russia? Does Griner deserve special recognition (either because of her fame or the fact that her crime is weed related) from the US to consider a prisoner exchange? Did Russia give her a harsher sentence because they know about the media coverage and they are trying to bait the US into doing a prisoner exchange?

In 2004 the drug policy of Russia was liberalized.[12] For various drugs, the amount that individuals could possess without facing criminal charges was revised upwards.[1] In particular, the possession limit for cannabis was set at 20 grams, so that less than this amount would be only an administrative offense with no threat of jail time.[13] Previously, possessing even a single joint qualified as a criminal offense.[13]

In 2006 Russia again changed the possession limits for various drugs, but this time to lessen the amounts. In regards to cannabis, the amount that triggered a criminal offense was changed from 20 grams to 6 grams.[1] Less than 6 grams qualified as an administrative offense punishable by a 5000 ruble fine or 15 days of detention.

It looks like 6 grams or less is 15 days of detention. From a separate article in 2012, posession with intent to sell was up to 3 years in prison. Not sure if its changed to get harsher in the last 10 years or if BG's sentence was way out of line with what Russians get.

[mack2354]

Who justified smuggling drugs?

The problem is 9 years for a very small amount of cannabis. I don't get people like you arguing over something very obvious.

If the sentence was the death penalty, would you also be here saying things like "If you don't want to have the consequences, don't do the crime!"

People aren't arguing about if she should get a punishment or not, they are arguing about the archaic punishment she was given. 9 years in prison for a working person who didn't cause anything negative for anyone. What's even the point to send someone to prison if they did not harm or didn't endanger anyone?

Rape is generally 3 to 6 years in Russia and is defined by only penetration. So please, keep trying to be a devil's advocate for something as stupid as 9 years for personal use of pot..

Not every country is at the same place socially and trying to impose our values on another country is the type of motivation that was used to excuse the horrors of colonialism. Griner comes from a country who not too long ago pressured other countries to maintain strict laws against cannabis. There's a certain element of hypocrisy to criticize how other countries generally sentence people who break drug laws when you consider the history the US has with drug laws.

The questions that should be asked are whether this sentencing is out of line compared to other cases for the same sort of crime. Is this sentence normal for Russia? Does Griner deserve special recognition (either because of her fame or the fact that her crime is weed related) from the US to consider a prisoner exchange? Did Russia give her a harsher sentence because they know about the media coverage and they are trying to bait the US into doing a prisoner exchange?

In 2004 the drug policy of Russia was liberalized.[12] For various drugs, the amount that individuals could possess without facing criminal charges was revised upwards.[1] In particular, the possession limit for cannabis was set at 20 grams, so that less than this amount would be only an administrative offense with no threat of jail time.[13] Previously, possessing even a single joint qualified as a criminal offense.[13]

In 2006 Russia again changed the possession limits for various drugs, but this time to lessen the amounts. In regards to cannabis, the amount that triggered a criminal offense was changed from 20 grams to 6 grams.[1] Less than 6 grams qualified as an administrative offense punishable by a 5000 ruble fine or 15 days of detention.

It looks like 6 grams or less is 15 days of detention. From a separate article in 2012, posession with intent to sell was up to 3 years in prison. Not sure if its changed to get harsher in the last 10 years or if BG's sentence was way out of line with what Russians get.

I don't think simple possession is the issue. It is the fact that she was going through an international airport with it. Smuggling charges tend to be harsher than just a possession charge.

[Fo-Real]

She should have never went to Russia in the first place.

I want to go there - seems like it would be an adventure. I wouldn't want to bring my family though.

Or weed, its illegal.

[Fo-Real]

I think it sucks that she put this country in this position over something as stupid and obvious as this. Way too harsh for weed yes, did she fully know that what she was doing was wrong and if caught would result in BS, also yes. Did she get railroaded because of political bs and us supporting their enemy during a war, YES. Should she have taken that into account before breaking one of their laws and possible getting caught doing something she knew was illegal..... guess the answer. Should this country try to get her freed.... well.... yes.

[JN61]

I literally dislike most things about Brittney. Like... she exemplifies the mannerisms and personality of most dudes I wouldn't even kick it at the bar with.

She's an idiot that deserves some sort of fine/punishment in Russia for breaking the law.

However, siding with Russia on this, which follows a right wing culture trend for the last 6 years, is about as un-American/undemocratic as you can get.

Please spare us your everyone who disagrees with me is a commie with mix of nonsense patriotic propaganda. Nobody cares a toss about being un American.
She would have gotten jail time for smuggling drugs on an airport in like half of countries in the world (probably in almost every country. Just few might have let her walk with massive fine). Or not because she is semi famous and different rules for such people I guess.. Penalty is too long in almost everyone's mind but a lot of people justified think smuggling drugs is one of rare things that would deserve light prison sentence.
Just because Russia is terrible country doesn't mean everyone should be fine with drug use.

Who justified smuggling drugs?

The problem is 9 years for a very small amount of cannabis. I don't get people like you arguing over something very obvious.

If the sentence was the death penalty, would you also be here saying things like "If you don't want to have the consequences, don't do the crime!"

People aren't arguing about if she should get a punishment or not, they are arguing about the archaic punishment she was given. 9 years in prison for a working person who didn't cause anything negative for anyone. What's even the point to send someone to prison if they did not harm or didn't endanger anyone?

Rape is generally 3 to 6 years in Russia and is defined by only penetration. So please, keep trying to be a devil's advocate for something as stupid as 9 years for personal use of pot..

She smuggled drugs. That is the facts. And country has laws for it. Don't try downplay things because YOU don't think substance should be banned.

[JN61]

Please spare us your everyone who disagrees with me is a commie with mix of nonsense patriotic propaganda. Nobody cares a toss about being un American.
She would have gotten jail time for smuggling drugs on an airport in like half of countries in the world (probably in almost every country. Just few might have let her walk with massive fine). Or not because she is semi famous and different rules for such people I guess.. Penalty is too long in almost everyone's mind but a lot of people justified think smuggling drugs is one of rare things that would deserve light prison sentence.
Just because Russia is terrible country doesn't mean everyone should be fine with drug use.

Who justified smuggling drugs?

The problem is 9 years for a very small amount of cannabis. I don't get people like you arguing over something very obvious.

If the sentence was the death penalty, would you also be here saying things like "If you don't want to have the consequences, don't do the crime!"

People aren't arguing about if she should get a punishment or not, they are arguing about the archaic punishment she was given. 9 years in prison for a working person who didn't cause anything negative for anyone. What's even the point to send someone to prison if they did not harm or didn't endanger anyone?

Rape is generally 3 to 6 years in Russia and is defined by only penetration. So please, keep trying to be a devil's advocate for something as stupid as 9 years for personal use of pot..

Not every country is at the same place socially and trying to impose our values on another country is the type of motivation that was used to excuse the horrors of colonialism. Griner comes from a country who not too long ago pressured other countries to maintain strict laws against cannabis. There's a certain element of hypocrisy to criticize how other countries generally sentence people who break drug laws when you consider the history the US has with drug laws.

The questions that should be asked are whether this sentencing is out of line compared to other cases for the same sort of crime. Is this sentence normal for Russia? Does Griner deserve special recognition (either because of her fame or the fact that her crime is weed related) from the US to consider a prisoner exchange? Did Russia give her a harsher sentence because they know about the media coverage and they are trying to bait the US into doing a prisoner exchange?

Russia is known to give harsher punishment to people who come outside. To prevent obvious drug smuggling since they have big issues with different kind of drugs. Rationally you want to prioritize stopping the import rather than punish the addicts who need the help. This is one of reasons why Griner got stuck and other reason I think it's safe to say is the current world's political order.

But as I've said multiple times in this thread, it's such a pointless argument to make that ''it's just weed'', when it's clearly banned substance and people who smuggle it in an airport are obviously going to see harsher punishment even ignoring other variables. She played with fire and got caught. That level of arrogance and stupidy alone is just headscratcher.