I am overjoyed for her that she is coming home even if we had to swap a convicted arms dealer to get it done. I look back and think that it could easily have been me. I don't know what the marijuana laws are in Aruba but that was my own stupidity not to check the law before traveling. In 2008 I went to Aruba on vacation and had marijuana in my luggage. As my luggage moved on the shuttle after my airport arrival, they were randomly checking bags. I got lucky and mine was not one of those selected. I shudder to think..........
Now hopefully we can bring back the other U.S. citizens who are being detained in Russia for minor offenses.
In my own mind, punishment should never be more severe than the crime. Also in my mind - if nobody was harmed in any way, no real crime was committed. No harm - no foul - that kinda jazz. At the same time I realize that American laws and allowances are not internationally transferrable. Yes - always check the laws and customs before even considering visiting another country.
I'm probably showing my age but there was a movie called, "Midnight Express" that portrayed (in cinematic fashion) the true story of a young American named William Hayes who got arrested in Turkey trying to smuggle some hashish out of their country. Not to smear any country, but a lot of places are nowhere near as hospitable or forgiving as others. You are not guaranteed a slap on the wrist for even minor violations when abroad.
I was in Morocco once. I encountered a guy who seemed hell-bent on selling me some hash. My spidey senses were tingling off the hook, so I did not bite. My room at the Hotel Mensa overlooked the Medina (market area). From there, I witnessed this same guy selling to people that looked like visitors. After each sale, this guy walked over and notified police officers who not only arrested the buyers - but also gave the confiscated package back to the guy for resale. I watched this happen no fewer than three times.
Trying to smuggle in or out of a foreign country - not a good idea at all!
So glad to hear that Britney is being released! I don't know what Russian goods are available for purchase in the U.S., but I will certainly never buy any of 'em!
I didn't even finish reading your first paragraph when that movie came to mind. If nobody has seen it, I strongly suggest doing so. It is very chilling. Or at least I thought so.
There was a woman on one of the ESPN talks shows this morning and she played pro hoops in Russia for seven years. She said what Griner was convicted of is typically a slap on the wrist. However, given who Griner is, she became basically a political prisoner. Putin played this to a T from his standpoint. He got a convicted arms dealer (I think that what the guy did) freed from prison after being here for many years.
Regarding knowing what you are doing in a foreign country, that is obviously important and doing something like that is a terrible idea. As soon as she was arrested I just thought it was such a stupid thing to do.
I could tell a few stories about Mexico kind of along the same lines. I guess being American can kind of make some be a target. Nothing to do with drugs just having to pay off the authorities for silly things.
Having said all of that, I am certainly glad she is coming home.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
I'm probably showing my age but there was a movie called, "Midnight Express" that portrayed (in cinematic fashion) the true story of a young American named William Hayes who got arrested in Turkey trying to smuggle some hashish out of their country. Not to smear any country, but a lot of places are nowhere near as hospitable or forgiving as others.
Rather, read the book. The film is mostly fiction.
https://tc-america.org/issues-information/tca-issue-papers/apologizes-to-turks-314.htm
William “Billy” Hayes, the “hero” of the movie Midnight Express, visited Turkey last week [2007] and in a widely publicized press conference stated that the movie was a gross exaggeration and one-sided misrepresentation of his experience in Turkey. He expressed his regret and accepted responsibility for the damage the film inflicted on Turkey’s image worldwide for decades.
@porkchopbob As in all "true stories", the movie-mill certainly exaggerated ... or made up certain details. Hayes was initially given a life sentence - which was then lessened to 30 years. He did escape after serving 5 years, even after it appeared that he might be cut loose in 3 years or so - if he was willing to wait. No, nothing like the horror portrayed in the movie, but 5 years in a foreign prison is still a pretty horrific idea. (It's been many years, but I think I have the gist of the details correct.)
Back to Britney - do you think that Biden waited specifically until after the mid-terms - and more specifically, after Warnock (finally) defeated Walker to ... make public the release arrangements? I am completely thrilled that Britney is free! I think that Biden should have insisted that Whelan be included in the deal. An international arms dealer for a female basketballer who transported a miniscule amount of contraband - not a great deal in anybody's book. Still happy to know she's coming home.
I'm not suggesting it's an equal exchange, but remember the arms dealer was due to be released from prison in 2029. So it's not like the evil shit was locked away for the rest of his life.
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/weve-not-forgotten-paul-whelan-135449646.html
Biden: "We've not forgotten about Paul Whelan". I think it would have been wrong not to bring Britney Griner home even though Russia would not agree to a 2 for 1 swap.
Another perspective on the prisoner swap from the DEA agent who put Viktor Bout in jail.
It’s not like some other profiteer weapons dealer didn’t step into the vacuum bringing this guy to Justice created. Sort of like capturing a drug lord knowing full well another was in line behind him/her....
So should have Biden walked away because he couldn’t get both? What exactly would all of the arm chair presidents have done differently? Or more to the point, what did the great deal maker Trump do in the two years he had to free Whelan?
@chain: I agree with you 100%!! It would have been completely wrong to not bring Britney home just because the Russians were not willing to throw Whelan into the package. Another angle on this: It would be EXTREMELY difficult for me to believe that Bout would be able to carry on as he did before now that his name has become so publicized.
I wouldn't be shocked if Bout turns up dead in the future. I could be wrong, but I think he had a lot of enemies and competitors for his business well beyond the authorities who were trying to catch and jail him. After all the world of international arms dealing is as dangerous and competitive as any other illegal, highly profitable commodity business.
Chain, I thought the same thing. When he was walking toward the Russian group I had the idea that one of his "contemporaries" would show up and have him killed.
