Arrested in Russia, allegedly for drug possession. On the one hand, maybe not the best time to be traveling to Russia.... NYT Article
Outside Topic Brittney Griner
Arrested in Russia, allegedly for drug possession. On the one hand, maybe not the best time to be traveling to Russia.... NYT Article
03-05-2022, 10:06 AM
(03-05-2022, 09:56 AM)PalmTree Wrote: Arrested in Russia, allegedly for drug possession. On the one hand, maybe not the best time to be traveling to Russia.... NYT Article
She's not traveling there as a tourist. She's playing for her Russian basketball team during the WNBA off-season. But yes, NOT a good time to be there, and a stupid move on her part to have drugs in her luggage.
(03-05-2022, 09:56 AM)PalmTree Wrote: Arrested in Russia, allegedly for drug possession. On the one hand, maybe not the best time to be traveling to Russia.... NYT Article
She's not traveling there as a tourist. She's playing for her Russian basketball team during the WNBA off-season. But yes, NOT a good time to be there, and a stupid move on her part to have drugs in her luggage.
03-05-2022, 10:26 AM
My first reaction in reading the story, “Did she criticize the Ukraine invasion?”
Doh - just realized the Cardinal connection here - Griner's agent is former WVB setter Lindsay Kagawa Colas. Paige Bueckers also is a Colas client, btw - she's got quite the client portfolio in fact, and otherwise keeps pretty busy Lindsay Kagawa Colas
Doh - just realized the Cardinal connection here - Griner's agent is former WVB setter Lindsay Kagawa Colas. Paige Bueckers also is a Colas client, btw - she's got quite the client portfolio in fact, and otherwise keeps pretty busy Lindsay Kagawa Colas
03-05-2022, 02:24 PM
It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
03-05-2022, 02:28 PM
(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
Cal delenda est
(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
Cal delenda est
03-05-2022, 06:52 PM
(03-05-2022, 02:28 PM)newguy Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
+1. I'd be much more shocked if it wasn't planted.
Audaces fortuna iuvat
(03-05-2022, 02:28 PM)newguy Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
+1. I'd be much more shocked if it wasn't planted.
Audaces fortuna iuvat
03-05-2022, 08:13 PM
Putin has a long history of hostage-taking via planted drugs and trumped up charges. Griner is now a pawn. Hopefully she will get traded back for something before too many months or years go by. But as a pawn, her life is valuable, and so she will not be ruined the way millions of other lives are being ruined by the same megalomaniac.
Putin has a long history of hostage-taking via planted drugs and trumped up charges. Griner is now a pawn. Hopefully she will get traded back for something before too many months or years go by. But as a pawn, her life is valuable, and so she will not be ruined the way millions of other lives are being ruined by the same megalomaniac.
03-05-2022, 09:17 PM
Kate Fagan had an interesting thread about this topic today: https://twitter.com/katefagan3/status/15...4109957128
...she also includes a link to an ESPN article she did back in 2015 that I think describes why BG probably felt she was safe in her little bubble.
Of course she is being used as a pawn. His happened three weeks ago, and Tass reported it today.
...she also includes a link to an ESPN article she did back in 2015 that I think describes why BG probably felt she was safe in her little bubble.
Of course she is being used as a pawn. His happened three weeks ago, and Tass reported it today.
Kate Fagan had an interesting thread about this topic today: https://twitter.com/katefagan3/status/15...4109957128
...she also includes a link to an ESPN article she did back in 2015 that I think describes why BG probably felt she was safe in her little bubble.
Of course she is being used as a pawn. His happened three weeks ago, and Tass reported it today.
...she also includes a link to an ESPN article she did back in 2015 that I think describes why BG probably felt she was safe in her little bubble.
Of course she is being used as a pawn. His happened three weeks ago, and Tass reported it today.
03-06-2022, 08:15 AM
Never trade your values for money. Ever.
If you value your freedom and things like due process, don't go to Russia, among other places. period.
If you value your freedom and things like due process, don't go to Russia, among other places. period.
Never trade your values for money. Ever.
If you value your freedom and things like due process, don't go to Russia, among other places. period.
If you value your freedom and things like due process, don't go to Russia, among other places. period.
(03-05-2022, 06:52 PM)Mick Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:28 PM)newguy Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
+1. I'd be much more shocked if it wasn't planted.
So Putin, knowing that he would invade Ukraine at some point in the future, and knowing that the U.S. would lead global condemnation of same, gave the order to place drugs in U.S. player's possessions, as a pawn in future negotiations about . . . withdrawal from Ukraine? Germany Nord deal? Um, THRIFT reinstatement?
It's possible - with Putin anything is.
But you'd be "shocked" if it weren't? I dunno, that seems like a stretch.
(03-05-2022, 06:52 PM)Mick Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:28 PM)newguy Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
+1. I'd be much more shocked if it wasn't planted.
So Putin, knowing that he would invade Ukraine at some point in the future, and knowing that the U.S. would lead global condemnation of same, gave the order to place drugs in U.S. player's possessions, as a pawn in future negotiations about . . . withdrawal from Ukraine? Germany Nord deal? Um, THRIFT reinstatement?
It's possible - with Putin anything is.
But you'd be "shocked" if it weren't? I dunno, that seems like a stretch.
03-06-2022, 11:03 AM
(03-06-2022, 10:15 AM)teejers1 Wrote:(03-05-2022, 06:52 PM)Mick Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:28 PM)newguy Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
+1. I'd be much more shocked if it wasn't planted.
So Putin, knowing that he would invade Ukraine at some point in the future, and knowing that the U.S. would lead global condemnation of same, gave the order to place drugs in U.S. player's possessions, as a pawn in future negotiations about . . . withdrawal from Ukraine? Germany Nord deal? Um, THRIFT reinstatement?
It's possible - with Putin anything is.
But you'd be "shocked" if it weren't? I dunno, that seems like a stretch.
Agree. The most likely explanation is that she considered empty vape cartridges to be meaningless, not considering that there could be residue that would get her into trouble. Of course anything is possible in Russia but more likely just unfortunate timing for Griner.
(03-06-2022, 10:15 AM)teejers1 Wrote:(03-05-2022, 06:52 PM)Mick Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:28 PM)newguy Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
+1. I'd be much more shocked if it wasn't planted.
So Putin, knowing that he would invade Ukraine at some point in the future, and knowing that the U.S. would lead global condemnation of same, gave the order to place drugs in U.S. player's possessions, as a pawn in future negotiations about . . . withdrawal from Ukraine? Germany Nord deal? Um, THRIFT reinstatement?
It's possible - with Putin anything is.
But you'd be "shocked" if it weren't? I dunno, that seems like a stretch.
Agree. The most likely explanation is that she considered empty vape cartridges to be meaningless, not considering that there could be residue that would get her into trouble. Of course anything is possible in Russia but more likely just unfortunate timing for Griner.
(03-06-2022, 10:15 AM)teejers1 Wrote:(03-05-2022, 06:52 PM)Mick Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:28 PM)newguy Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
+1. I'd be much more shocked if it wasn't planted.
So Putin, knowing that he would invade Ukraine at some point in the future, and knowing that the U.S. would lead global condemnation of same, gave the order to place drugs in U.S. player's possessions, as a pawn in future negotiations about . . . withdrawal from Ukraine? Germany Nord deal? Um, THRIFT reinstatement?
It's possible - with Putin anything is.
But you'd be "shocked" if it weren't? I dunno, that seems like a stretch.
If the arrest was three weeks ago, that put's it after the President had been annoying Putin by accurately announcing Putin's plans in advance and also most likely after Putin had decided it was a go. Both sides were already locked in. Yea. It's possible that she just messed up, giving the thugs an opportunity. But even if that is the case, fail to see how that amounts to drug trafficking.
(03-06-2022, 10:15 AM)teejers1 Wrote:(03-05-2022, 06:52 PM)Mick Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:28 PM)newguy Wrote:(03-05-2022, 02:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: It's been a few weeks since her detention, I heard, so quiet negotiations have likely not borne fruit. She may be a political pawn now. And I would guess that she may not actually have had any vape cartridges in her possession. Planting evidence is a time-(dis)honored tactic.
this is what i've been thinking.
+1. I'd be much more shocked if it wasn't planted.
So Putin, knowing that he would invade Ukraine at some point in the future, and knowing that the U.S. would lead global condemnation of same, gave the order to place drugs in U.S. player's possessions, as a pawn in future negotiations about . . . withdrawal from Ukraine? Germany Nord deal? Um, THRIFT reinstatement?
It's possible - with Putin anything is.
But you'd be "shocked" if it weren't? I dunno, that seems like a stretch.
If the arrest was three weeks ago, that put's it after the President had been annoying Putin by accurately announcing Putin's plans in advance and also most likely after Putin had decided it was a go. Both sides were already locked in. Yea. It's possible that she just messed up, giving the thugs an opportunity. But even if that is the case, fail to see how that amounts to drug trafficking.
03-06-2022, 07:45 PM
Hmmm, I would think that if they would plant something, it would be a bit more creative than spent vaping cartridges.
BC
BC
Hmmm, I would think that if they would plant something, it would be a bit more creative than spent vaping cartridges.
BC
BC
03-06-2022, 08:00 PM
Whatever the circumstances of Griner's arrest by the Russian state, put it in the context that Russia routinely grabs and holds hostage individuals that it thinks it can use for leverage.
Trevor Reed and Paul Whelen are two similar cases.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/mos...d=78540041
Frequently these victims did commit some minor infraction. In this case it might be "drunk and disorderly." But having committed a minor infraction gets them imprisoned until they get traded for advantage--often after being accused of spying. And it seems that some of the time the charges are entirely fabricated.
That said, Griner's detention might well have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine. Russia routinely engaged in this glorified hostage-taking before the invasion. Although it may think it has greater need of hostages now than ever.
Trevor Reed and Paul Whelen are two similar cases.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/mos...d=78540041
Frequently these victims did commit some minor infraction. In this case it might be "drunk and disorderly." But having committed a minor infraction gets them imprisoned until they get traded for advantage--often after being accused of spying. And it seems that some of the time the charges are entirely fabricated.
That said, Griner's detention might well have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine. Russia routinely engaged in this glorified hostage-taking before the invasion. Although it may think it has greater need of hostages now than ever.
Whatever the circumstances of Griner's arrest by the Russian state, put it in the context that Russia routinely grabs and holds hostage individuals that it thinks it can use for leverage.
Trevor Reed and Paul Whelen are two similar cases.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/mos...d=78540041
Frequently these victims did commit some minor infraction. In this case it might be "drunk and disorderly." But having committed a minor infraction gets them imprisoned until they get traded for advantage--often after being accused of spying. And it seems that some of the time the charges are entirely fabricated.
That said, Griner's detention might well have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine. Russia routinely engaged in this glorified hostage-taking before the invasion. Although it may think it has greater need of hostages now than ever.
Trevor Reed and Paul Whelen are two similar cases.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/mos...d=78540041
Frequently these victims did commit some minor infraction. In this case it might be "drunk and disorderly." But having committed a minor infraction gets them imprisoned until they get traded for advantage--often after being accused of spying. And it seems that some of the time the charges are entirely fabricated.
That said, Griner's detention might well have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine. Russia routinely engaged in this glorified hostage-taking before the invasion. Although it may think it has greater need of hostages now than ever.
Softball Fan
Unregistered
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03-06-2022, 08:20 PM
This is tragic. My guess conditions in jail are not good.
After relations between Putin and western countries calm down which may time a long time, I predict a wealthy person in the sports world will get her out by bribing the right person.
I doubt there's anyone in the Russian government who knows who she is.
After relations between Putin and western countries calm down which may time a long time, I predict a wealthy person in the sports world will get her out by bribing the right person.
I doubt there's anyone in the Russian government who knows who she is.
This is tragic. My guess conditions in jail are not good.
After relations between Putin and western countries calm down which may time a long time, I predict a wealthy person in the sports world will get her out by bribing the right person.
I doubt there's anyone in the Russian government who knows who she is.
After relations between Putin and western countries calm down which may time a long time, I predict a wealthy person in the sports world will get her out by bribing the right person.
I doubt there's anyone in the Russian government who knows who she is.
Of course the speculations about Griner being arrested as part of some Putenesque foreign intrigue could be true. And it’s much more fun to engage in international intrigue than to think in mundane terms, but I think it is more probable that her arrest was routine.
Brittany Griner has not shown good judgement in the past. She cold-cocked a Texas Tech player in a college basketball game because she thought she was being guarded too closely, she was arrested for beating her wife Glory Johnson over a domestic dispute, and now she may have crossed an international border with drug paraphernalia in her luggage. She has been an outstanding basketball player, probably more for her gift of size than for her gift of judgement.
Imagine any international customs or border protection unit. They see a 6'9” woman covered with tats and probably looking outrageously clothed, cocky, and rich. Their interest would pique and, if she showed any attitude or if the resident drug-sniffing dog showed interest in her luggage, they would no doubt use their authority to search the person for any illegal goods. Then imagine that they found something — oh boy, you made my day — look at those vape cartridges with smelly hash residue!
I hear of people that travel with vapes and drugs and get away with it all the time. They look pretty normal and pass through the line unnoticed. It’s stupid behavior because the consequences are so horrendous. One is led away in handcuffs and thrust in a no-man’s land of legal entanglement.
Sounds like a more likely scenario to me. She could languish in a Russian jail for a couple of years unless, as someone pointed out, someone pays off an official. I’m not sure what our government will be able to do.
Sad situation whatever the facts of the case are.
Brittany Griner has not shown good judgement in the past. She cold-cocked a Texas Tech player in a college basketball game because she thought she was being guarded too closely, she was arrested for beating her wife Glory Johnson over a domestic dispute, and now she may have crossed an international border with drug paraphernalia in her luggage. She has been an outstanding basketball player, probably more for her gift of size than for her gift of judgement.
Imagine any international customs or border protection unit. They see a 6'9” woman covered with tats and probably looking outrageously clothed, cocky, and rich. Their interest would pique and, if she showed any attitude or if the resident drug-sniffing dog showed interest in her luggage, they would no doubt use their authority to search the person for any illegal goods. Then imagine that they found something — oh boy, you made my day — look at those vape cartridges with smelly hash residue!
I hear of people that travel with vapes and drugs and get away with it all the time. They look pretty normal and pass through the line unnoticed. It’s stupid behavior because the consequences are so horrendous. One is led away in handcuffs and thrust in a no-man’s land of legal entanglement.
Sounds like a more likely scenario to me. She could languish in a Russian jail for a couple of years unless, as someone pointed out, someone pays off an official. I’m not sure what our government will be able to do.
Sad situation whatever the facts of the case are.
Of course the speculations about Griner being arrested as part of some Putenesque foreign intrigue could be true. And it’s much more fun to engage in international intrigue than to think in mundane terms, but I think it is more probable that her arrest was routine.
Brittany Griner has not shown good judgement in the past. She cold-cocked a Texas Tech player in a college basketball game because she thought she was being guarded too closely, she was arrested for beating her wife Glory Johnson over a domestic dispute, and now she may have crossed an international border with drug paraphernalia in her luggage. She has been an outstanding basketball player, probably more for her gift of size than for her gift of judgement.
Imagine any international customs or border protection unit. They see a 6'9” woman covered with tats and probably looking outrageously clothed, cocky, and rich. Their interest would pique and, if she showed any attitude or if the resident drug-sniffing dog showed interest in her luggage, they would no doubt use their authority to search the person for any illegal goods. Then imagine that they found something — oh boy, you made my day — look at those vape cartridges with smelly hash residue!
I hear of people that travel with vapes and drugs and get away with it all the time. They look pretty normal and pass through the line unnoticed. It’s stupid behavior because the consequences are so horrendous. One is led away in handcuffs and thrust in a no-man’s land of legal entanglement.
Sounds like a more likely scenario to me. She could languish in a Russian jail for a couple of years unless, as someone pointed out, someone pays off an official. I’m not sure what our government will be able to do.
Sad situation whatever the facts of the case are.
Brittany Griner has not shown good judgement in the past. She cold-cocked a Texas Tech player in a college basketball game because she thought she was being guarded too closely, she was arrested for beating her wife Glory Johnson over a domestic dispute, and now she may have crossed an international border with drug paraphernalia in her luggage. She has been an outstanding basketball player, probably more for her gift of size than for her gift of judgement.
Imagine any international customs or border protection unit. They see a 6'9” woman covered with tats and probably looking outrageously clothed, cocky, and rich. Their interest would pique and, if she showed any attitude or if the resident drug-sniffing dog showed interest in her luggage, they would no doubt use their authority to search the person for any illegal goods. Then imagine that they found something — oh boy, you made my day — look at those vape cartridges with smelly hash residue!
I hear of people that travel with vapes and drugs and get away with it all the time. They look pretty normal and pass through the line unnoticed. It’s stupid behavior because the consequences are so horrendous. One is led away in handcuffs and thrust in a no-man’s land of legal entanglement.
Sounds like a more likely scenario to me. She could languish in a Russian jail for a couple of years unless, as someone pointed out, someone pays off an official. I’m not sure what our government will be able to do.
Sad situation whatever the facts of the case are.
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