That isn't entirely true. Biden is offering to trade the Merchant of Death for Paul Whelan with Griner thrown in for political optics. I think this is a bad trade for us but a great trade for Russia.
Griner 100% smuggled drugs into Russia. The fact they were for her own use is irrelevant.
Not only are right-wingers arguing that this young American women should be left in a Russian cell to rot for the "crime" of possessing a small amount of plant matter, but they seem to take pleasure in the idea. They WANT her to be punished. Smearing her as a drug trafficker, America hater, thug, etc. What despicable people.
1)Love America- stand facing the flag with hand over heart
2)Respect America- Stand facing the flag
3) Hate America- Kneel
It is so simple... the choice is yours (I am usually #2)
Your show of "respect" for this country is shallow and inauthentic. A true patriot jacks off whenever they play the anthem at the sportsball game. Are you ashamed to love your country properly?
Not only are right-wingers arguing that this young American women should be left in a Russian cell to rot for the "crime" of possessing a small amount of plant matter, but they seem to take pleasure in the idea. They WANT her to be punished. Smearing her as a drug trafficker, America hater, thug, etc. What despicable people.
You cannot apply US standards to laws in other countries. If I am in another country, I have to abide by their laws, not our laws. It's just like when Michael Fay was caned in Singapore for vandalizing cars and street signs. Say what you will about Griner, but she is an idiot and is completely guilty of violating Russian law. The worst thing Biden can do is get involved. They have a financial incentive to have her out of their country (it costs money to detain people). There are thousands of Americans incarcerated abroad (primarily in Mexico), and pretty much all of them are for being stupid in a foreign country (most are for drug, firearm or alcohol related offenses). If you don't want to get arrested in a foreign country, abide by their laws. Why is it that so many people feel the need to misbehave in a foreign country and then ask to get bailed out by politicians? Griner is only a pawn because the administration is showing concern. If they were to show indifference, it would take away that power. Biden negotiating (especially for a notorious arms dealer) endangers other US citizens abroad.
Not only are right-wingers arguing that this young American women should be left in a Russian cell to rot for the "crime" of possessing a small amount of plant matter, but they seem to take pleasure in the idea. They WANT her to be punished. Smearing her as a drug trafficker, America hater, thug, etc. What despicable people.
You cannot apply US standards to laws in other countries. If I am in another country, I have to abide by their laws, not our laws. It's just like when Michael Fay was caned in Singapore for vandalizing cars and street signs. Say what you will about Griner, but she is an idiot and is completely guilty of violating Russian law. The worst thing Biden can do is get involved. They have a financial incentive to have her out of their country (it costs money to detain people). There are thousands of Americans incarcerated abroad (primarily in Mexico), and pretty much all of them are for being stupid in a foreign country (most are for drug, firearm or alcohol related offenses). If you don't want to get arrested in a foreign country, abide by their laws. Why is it that so many people feel the need to misbehave in a foreign country and then ask to get bailed out by politicians? Griner is only a pawn because the administration is showing concern. If they were to show indifference, it would take away that power. Biden negotiating (especially for a notorious arms dealer) endangers other US citizens abroad.
As a further example of her stupidity, here is the travel advisory the US State Department issued over three weeks before her arrest:
On January 23, the Department of State issued an update to the Level 4 Travel Advisory – Do Not Travel – for Russia due to ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine. For the full text of the updated Travel Advisory, please visit the Department’s country information page for Russia. Do not travel to Russia due to ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens, the embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, harassment by Russian government security officials, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law. Due to Russia’s heightened military presence and ongoing military exercises along the border region with Ukraine, U.S. citizens located in or considering travel to the districts of the Russian Federation immediately bordering Ukraine should be aware that the situation along the border is unpredictable and there is heightened tension. Given the on-going volatility of the situation, U.S. citizens are strongly advised against traveling by land from Russia to Ukraine through this region. In addition, there is the potential throughout Russia of harassment towards foreigners, including through regulations targeted specifically against foreigners. The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is already severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow due to Russian government limitations on U.S. staffing and the suspension of consular services at U.S. consulates. If you decide to travel to Russia: Read the country information page. Familiarize yourself with information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas. Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information. Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Review the Country Security Report for Russia. See the U.S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19. Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19. Get a COVID vaccine to facilitate your travel Understand the COVID testing and vaccine requirements for all countries that you will transit through to your destination Assistance: U.S. Embassy Moscow Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8 Moscow 121099, Russian Federation Telephone: +(7) (495) 728-5000 or +(7) (495) 728-5577 Email: moscowacs@state.gov U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs Tel.: +1 (888)-407-4747 or +1 (202)-501-4444
She freely chose to travel to Russia at a time when the US State Department had advised every American citizen not to, and she was dumb enough to bring drugs with her to a country with strict drug laws. There is no reason the government should be getting involved on her behalf and should be offering up the release of an international arms dealer in exchange.
Putin kidnaps United States Marines and holds them hostage for years. He takes advantage of the highest pedestal the world places United States Marines as the World's Toughest Combat Fighters. Wonder if Putin ever held a gun and defended Mother Russia?
Putin never served in the field. He's a Chicken Hawk Coward. Trump, Biden, Obama, W. Bush ... never served in a ground combat unit. Putin has others murder millions of Ukranians. Biden etc has others murder millions of Palestinians, Iraqis, and Afghans.
You cannot apply US standards to laws in other countries. If I am in another country, I have to abide by their laws, not our laws. It's just like when Michael Fay was caned in Singapore for vandalizing cars and street signs. Say what you will about Griner, but she is an idiot and is completely guilty of violating Russian law. The worst thing Biden can do is get involved. They have a financial incentive to have her out of their country (it costs money to detain people). There are thousands of Americans incarcerated abroad (primarily in Mexico), and pretty much all of them are for being stupid in a foreign country (most are for drug, firearm or alcohol related offenses). If you don't want to get arrested in a foreign country, abide by their laws. Why is it that so many people feel the need to misbehave in a foreign country and then ask to get bailed out by politicians? Griner is only a pawn because the administration is showing concern. If they were to show indifference, it would take away that power. Biden negotiating (especially for a notorious arms dealer) endangers other US citizens abroad.
As a further example of her stupidity, here is the travel advisory the US State Department issued over three weeks before her arrest:
On January 23, the Department of State issued an update to the Level 4 Travel Advisory – Do Not Travel – for Russia due to ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine. For the full text of the updated Travel Advisory, please visit the Department’s country information page for Russia. Do not travel to Russia due to ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens, the embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, harassment by Russian government security officials, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law. Due to Russia’s heightened military presence and ongoing military exercises along the border region with Ukraine, U.S. citizens located in or considering travel to the districts of the Russian Federation immediately bordering Ukraine should be aware that the situation along the border is unpredictable and there is heightened tension. Given the on-going volatility of the situation, U.S. citizens are strongly advised against traveling by land from Russia to Ukraine through this region. In addition, there is the potential throughout Russia of harassment towards foreigners, including through regulations targeted specifically against foreigners. The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is already severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow due to Russian government limitations on U.S. staffing and the suspension of consular services at U.S. consulates. If you decide to travel to Russia: Read the country information page. Familiarize yourself with information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas. Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information. Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Review the Country Security Report for Russia. See the U.S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19. Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19. Get a COVID vaccine to facilitate your travel Understand the COVID testing and vaccine requirements for all countries that you will transit through to your destination Assistance: U.S. Embassy Moscow Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8 Moscow 121099, Russian Federation Telephone: +(7) (495) 728-5000 or +(7) (495) 728-5577 Email: moscowacs@state.gov U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs Tel.: +1 (888)-407-4747 or +1 (202)-501-4444
She freely chose to travel to Russia at a time when the US State Department had advised every American citizen not to, and she was dumb enough to bring drugs with her to a country with strict drug laws. There is no reason the government should be getting involved on her behalf and should be offering up the release of an international arms dealer in exchange.
She basically gambled with her safety for a payday and lost. I wouldn't have chosen to go to Russia for any amount of money and I surely wouldn't have brought an illegal substance with me if I did.
Look - I tend to be conservative. And I think she has made some questionable or worse judgments in her life. But they all don't matter. She is being held indefinitely for a minor offense. She is an American citizen. We have to do what we can to bring her back home. The Russians hold all the cards here. This won't be easy.
LeBron thinks that she wouldn't even want to come back to the United States when she is released due to the lack of government support. Must be true that she hates America if Lebron thinks it.