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CalwbbFan
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1474
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Posted: 11/18/22 9:57 pm ::: |
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This is depressing: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/18/ik-2-mordovia-harsh-notorious-penal-colony-brittney-griner
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The US basketball star Brittney Griner will endure harsh conditions inside the remote Mordovian penal colony to which she has been sent this week to serve her nine-year prison sentence, human rights experts and former prisoners of the colony have said.
“Prisons in Mordovia are notoriously terrible, even by Russian standards. The prisons there are known for the harsh regimes and human rights violations,” said Olga Zeveleva, a sociologist at the University of Helsinki who specialises in Russian prison conditions as part of the Gulag Echoes project. “It is a place any prisoner wants to avoid,” Zeveleva said.
One popular saying among Russian female prisoners, underlining the grim reality that Griner is about to face, goes: “If you haven’t done time in Mordovia, you haven’t done time at all.” |
I hope she is free soon…
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scullyfu
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 8864 Location: Niagara Falls
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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Posted: 11/25/22 8:38 pm ::: |
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As Thanksgiving weekend is being celebrated all across the U.S., it is difficult to ponder that Brittney Griner was detained and arrested more than NINE months ago (Feb. 17th) and no definite end is in sight. So horrible, especially for Griner, her wife, and everyone close to her.
_________________ Remember Roe v. Wade. Work for and support legal abortion all over the world and full reproductive rights for everyone.
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WfanFrJmp
Joined: 24 May 2016 Posts: 1427
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Posted: 11/26/22 8:09 am ::: |
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Bob Lamm wrote: |
As Thanksgiving weekend is being celebrated all across the U.S., it is difficult to ponder that Brittney Griner was detained and arrested more than NINE months ago (Feb. 17th) and no definite end is in sight. So horrible, especially for Griner, her wife, and everyone close to her. |
Yes indeed it is...So incredibly sad! Prayerfully, there is some promising news soon.
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willtalk
Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 1099 Location: NorCal
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Posted: 11/26/22 5:09 pm ::: |
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The prisons in Russia and many other nations are no joke. They make the prisons in the USA seem like resorts. Griner is in a bad situation now and wishing, hoping and being outrage will do no good. The Russians are going to do what they believe is in their best interests. She just happened to pick the wrong place at the wrong time to play basketball at. It was a high reward situation that, though circumstance, resulted into a high risk consequence.
Even though she chose to play for a Russian professional team and ended up being caught bringing unlawfull substances into Russia, the consequences of those choices, or in the case of the substance -carelessness, the situation she presently finds herself in was not realistically forseeable. So I am not of the mindset that "she made her bed so she can lie in it" perspective. I truely feel for her situation. However, I take a different tack from that point on.
I am of the mind that Griner deserves no no better or worse consideration than any other human being. It's called equality people. Real equality and not some selective process used to carry out our own personal self serving agendas whether they be socially or emotionally driven. People have the right to their own criterias and motivations, however, they should be honest about them and not pretend to be motivated by pure justice or altruistic intent. Intent is everything. Would we care about some else's situation if it were not Griner?
_________________ No one one is ever as good as their best game, nor as bad as their worst.
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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Posted: 11/26/22 9:36 pm ::: |
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willtalk wrote: |
Would we care about some else's situation if it were not Griner? |
Since I have posted often on this thread, including two comments above yours, I will answer your question. Obviously only for myself.
I've lived in New York City since 1970 and vividly remember the deadly 1971 storming of Attica State Prison ordered by Nelson Rockefeller, then our governor. I know Cinda Firestone, who directed a powerful 1974 documentary, ATTICA, which I strongly recommend. I've cared about the treatment of people in U.S. prisons for a long while. I can document that but I won't.
I have a friend, a gay activist, who had to leave Russia some years ago because his life was in danger. He can't return to his homeland while Putin is in power. He may never be able to return. I am well aware that Brittney Griner isn't the only person facing horrible conditions in Russian prisons--and that life for many Russians outside of prison is also quite rough.
I care about Brittney Griner, but also about the lives of many others who aren't famous. I've joined picket lines in New York four times in the last two weeks to support striking workers and will be back on a picket line on Monday.
I hope you will personally answer your own question. But please note that I have no criticism for any basketball fans here or elsewhere who care deeply about Brittney Griner and not as much about 1000 other human rights issues.
_________________ Remember Roe v. Wade. Work for and support legal abortion all over the world and full reproductive rights for everyone.
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 67013 Location: Where the action is
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Posted: 11/27/22 12:58 am ::: |
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willtalk wrote: |
Would we care about some else's situation if it were not Griner? |
Would we even know about it if it were someone else?
_________________ I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
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mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 19788
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Posted: 11/29/22 5:34 pm ::: |
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I’d argue that a major reason BG is in the position she’s in, is because of who she is.
Russia let a girl come home after a few weeks for the same charge.
_________________ “Anyone point out that a Donald Trump anagram is ‘Lord Dampnut’”- Colin Mochrie
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scullyfu
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 8864 Location: Niagara Falls
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Posted: 11/30/22 7:56 pm ::: |
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mercfan3 wrote: |
I’d argue that a major reason BG is in the position she’s in, is because of who she is.
Russia let a girl come home after a few weeks for the same charge. |
And iirc, she was in possession of a lot more drugs. No doubt about it, BG is a political prisoner.
_________________ i'll always bleed Storm green.
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ChicagoAnnie
Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 9199 Location: St. Paul, MN
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Posted: 12/05/22 12:14 am ::: |
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scullyfu wrote: |
mercfan3 wrote: |
I’d argue that a major reason BG is in the position she’s in, is because of who she is.
Russia let a girl come home after a few weeks for the same charge. |
And iirc, she was in possession of a lot more drugs. No doubt about it, BG is a political prisoner. |
It's so damn confusing...Russia let two American men go in September with no charges, after they were captured by Russian troops fighting alongside the Urkanians.
_________________ The meteor cannot come fast enough. Start this thing over.
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GlennMacGrady
Joined: 03 Jan 2005 Posts: 8235 Location: Heisenberg
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Posted: 12/06/22 11:14 pm ::: |
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mercfan3 wrote: |
I’d argue that a major reason BG is in the position she’s in, is because of who she is.
Russia let a girl come home after a few weeks for the same charge. |
Do you have a name or link for this, Mercfan? I hadn't heard this before. |
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scullyfu
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 8864 Location: Niagara Falls
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Posted: 12/08/22 8:13 am ::: |
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BRIT IS FREE!!!
BG is out of Russia!!! She’s being exchanged for Victor Bout.
She is being medically evaluated & debriefed by the State Dept. before she can come home. WH has been in touch with her wife. Deal was reached a week ago, but just announced due to details.
Happy Holidays indeed.
_________________ i'll always bleed Storm green.
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ucbart
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 Posts: 2819 Location: New York
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Posted: 12/08/22 8:14 am ::: |
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scullyfu wrote: |
BRIT IS FREE!!!
BG is out of Russia!!! She’s being exchanged for Victor Bout.
She is being medically evaluated & debriefed by the State Dept. before she can come home. WH has been in touch with her wife. Deal was reached a week ago, but just announced due to details.
Happy Holidays indeed. |
WAHOOOOOOOOOOO. BG!!!!! I just burst into tears.
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WfanFrJmp
Joined: 24 May 2016 Posts: 1427
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WfanFrJmp
Joined: 24 May 2016 Posts: 1427
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Posted: 12/08/22 8:19 am ::: |
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Gracious! I guess I'm so excited that I can't work tech properly today!!
So happy for her!
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ChiSky54
Joined: 19 Jun 2019 Posts: 672 Location: Chicago
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12552 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 12/08/22 8:44 am ::: |
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Omg praise the lord what a way to start the day. BG is free
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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Hoopsmom
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 680
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Posted: 12/08/22 9:07 am ::: |
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This is a very good news! I’ve got chills!
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Luuuc #NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 21950
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Posted: 12/08/22 9:15 am ::: |
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💜💜💜
Wonderful news!!!!
_________________ Thanks for calling. I wait all night for calls like these.
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 67013 Location: Where the action is
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Posted: 12/08/22 9:18 am ::: |
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Yay!
_________________ I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
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Wiseone1
Joined: 13 Oct 2011 Posts: 266
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Posted: 12/08/22 9:51 am ::: |
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PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12552 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 12/08/22 10:07 am ::: |
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Ive never been so happy to see a thread come to its last day. Thank you all who have contributed positivity in bringing our girl home !! True fans will rejoice today and breath a bit easier. The ones who are upset about her return should keep the same energy if she chooses to return to the WNBA.
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 67013 Location: Where the action is
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Posted: 12/08/22 10:10 am ::: |
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Yeah, it's not really over until this thread is unstickied
_________________ I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12552 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 12/08/22 10:19 am ::: |
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Anyone notice these entire 10 months how BG's dad nor mom have said anything or spoken to the media at all . I honestly did not even think about how they were feeling during this time after the whole BG vs her father story of her coming out and not being on the same page. One could not help but think they were hurting for their baby being imprisoned and afraid and now they get a chance to rejoice in happiness and another chance to fix any issues that kept them a far previously ?
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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Spark4Life
Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 4020
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Posted: 12/08/22 10:22 am ::: |
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YES!!!! BG WILL BE FREE!!!
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