Underserved respect and total heroic admiration.

lookin4awin said:

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Underserved respect and total heroic admiration.

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Thanks, I was having a bad hair day and I needed a good laugh - thanks again.

Praying for Brittney

Bring Brittney home.

👉 https://t.co/NilQSPpRHs pic.twitter.com/oITIkoXlxb

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 31, 2022

blueeyedbear said:

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Stefano DiMera said:

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Putin got what he wanted from the previous administration..Listen..I'm not the biggest fan of Biden ..but y'all need to open your eyes and call a spade a spade.

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What EXACTLY did Putin get from Trump ??

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He got Biden.

Sheila Jackson Lee is leading the charge in Houston. I don't agree with the woman's politics but every couple of years she steps up and does something pretty cool. Give her some love.

Praying for Brittney



June 6, 2022
Outside the Toyota Center in Houston TX

Big-O!-Bear said:

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notbubbleboy said:

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Sheila Jackson Lee is leading the charge in Houston. I don't agree with the woman's politics but every couple of years she steps up and does something pretty cool. Give her some love.

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Yeah that's the last person you want in charge of your freedom. She is prolly in heated negotiations with a Indian telemarketer demanding Japan release Brittany right now!

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There is a whole forum for political opinions...this isn't it.

Praying for Brittney

Yesterday I watched the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury WarmUp. Couldn’t stay to watch the game unfortunately cause I had a performance,but while I was sitting I wanted to find a way I could support the WNBA as much as I can and I thought to start by saying. #FreeBrittneyGriner pic.twitter.com/aschlOTPKz

— NLE Choppa (@Nlechoppa1) June 2, 2022

Praying for Brittney

116 days.

Bring Brittney home. pic.twitter.com/9wX62RmU0M

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 13, 2022

Bad news:

https://www.si.com/.amp/wnba/2022/06/14/brittney-griner-detention-extended-july-2-report

Brittney Griner's detention in Russia has been extended again.

The extension is a procedural move that was expected and should have little effect on negotiations for her release, according to several experts. https://t.co/oOGYmq4fQy

— ESPN (@espn) June 14, 2022

BG has certainly lived a storied life in her short 31 years on this planet.

From being 6-9 and able to dunk at a Houston high school; to being the best college basketball player in the nation-to being the number one draft choice in the WNBA draft-to being the most well known LGBT female basketball player in the world-from the most significant Baptist College in America-no less-to the most dominant women's professional player on the planet-to now spending time in a Russian prison for an alleged drug possession-just at the time that Russia invades Ukraine-the world goes bonkers-and American-Russian relations are the worst since the Cold War.

I hope she gets out soon-and my prayers are with her.

But, what if she did in fact have illegal drugs (under Russian law) in her possession?

Do you believe the US Department of State makes a habit of going around saying all US Citizens arrested around the world are wrongfully detained? Or that they have the time and are willing to waste their resources on someone that appears to be lawfully in custody for crimes they appear to have actually committed?

The position taken by the Department carries a lot more weight than the fact that it is always possible for someone with no special knowledge to say "yeah, but what if?" You could literally ask that question to call into doubt every news story, every scientific discovery, and every friendly anecdote ever told.

Bone Squad said:

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"yeah, but what if?" You could literally ask that question to call into doubt every news story, every scientific discovery, and every friendly anecdote ever told.

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Unfortunately in this day and age you might be right more often than not.

There's some truth to that. But for me, I need some logical thought process based on information that is known. Contrast: A) I have doubts that this story is being reported accurately because these facts do not mesh well with that story being true, verses B) I have doubts that this story is true because sometimes stories are not true.

I acknowledge B) has some truth to it. At a fundamental level, I cannot say with absolute certainty that I'm actually writing this sentence right now - there is at least the slight possibility I am currently having a dream.
The problem is that if that is my starting point, then I've cut myself off at the knees to be able to process any information at all. So I'll listen with an open mind to anyone saying A), but I have little patience for B).

SonOfZuno said:

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But, what if she did in fact have illegal drugs (under Russian law) in her possession?

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I'd still pray for her safety and mental health and hope that she gets out soon. However, I am more likely to believe reports that I hear from the United States' State Department than Russian propaganda especially at a time that they are invading Ukraine- and would relish having an American basketball star in custody as a negotiation chip.

And, even if it turns out she did have an illegal substance under Russian law...I imagine there are all sorts of ranges of punishment for offenses such as this under Russian law. I would still pray that BG-as I would any Baylor student or alumni-would get the most minimal punishment available-and perhaps be released for time already served.

For example, a felony I in Texas has like a 5-99 year range or some wide range....

What a waste of time and bandwidth.

Russell Gym said:

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What a waste of time and bandwidth.

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Like I've said, what if she did in fact have the illegal drugs (under Russian law)?

It is a fair option on the table. And one, if you're a reasonable law-abiding human being, you must acknowledge. Otherwise, you're simply condoning athletic entitlement and preferential treatment. Thus, in that world, all athletes in America are above the US law as well.

I was not endorsing the message, just sharing.

Praying for Brittney

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner, a 7-time All-Star,
will be an honorary 2022 WNBA All-Star and starter.

SonOfZuno said:

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But, what if she did in fact have illegal drugs (under Russian law) in her possession?

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I think simple possession of vape cartridges has been established - a minor penalty should be served. As I understand it, Griner is being held for months on end for the investigation of large-scale drug transportion, which can carry a 10-year prison sentence. A few vape cartridges in luggage does not equal large-scale transportation. I believe that this ongoing investigation and detention is what the US and others deem wrongful - not a minor vape possession.

From Sports Illustrated:
Griner, a seven-time All-Star with the Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, was arrested Feb. 17 at Sheremetyevo International Airport, where Russian officials said they discovered vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. According to the customs service statement, a criminal case involving Griner "has been opened into the large-scale transportation of drugs," which can carry a jail sentence of up to 10 years in Russia.

Praying for Brittney

Excerpts from Associated Press
June 27, 2022, 4:20 AM CDT

Brittney Griner is to appear in court Monday
for a preliminary hearing ahead of her trial
.. Expected to be heard by the Khimki City Court in Moscow at 2 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) by Judge Anna Sotnikova
.. Hearing in the court of the Moscow suburb of Khimki is to address procedural issues
.. Trial date has not been announced, but is expected soon
.. Recently ordered to remain in pretrial detention until July 2

Praying for Brittney



Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing
in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia
Monday, June 27, 2022

- Associated Press

Praying for Brittney

UPDATE
.. Russian court set start date for her trial on Friday, July 1
.. Ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial

- Excerpts from Associated Press @ 8:17 AM CDT

This American, just recently, was sentenced to 14 years for less than an ounce of cannabis in his possession in Russia. Doesn't bode well for Griner. I doubt the US will swap her straight up for "The Merchant Of Death" upon conviction. Maybe if Russia packages several Americans in a many-for-one deal.

https://sofrep.com/amp/news/us-embassy-worker-marc-fogel-to-sentenced-14-years-for-drug-smuggling-by-russian-court/