POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT: Locals weigh in on Griner’s Russian captivity | New

Brittney Griner’s arrest has sparked conversations across the county, with some saying the United States should bring her home immediately, while others say she got what she deserved.

The WNBA star was arrested at Shermetyevo International Airport after it was discovered she was in possession of CBD oil, which is a medically prescribed product in the United States.

Cheryl Van Den Handel, an associate professor of political science at Northeastern State University, studies the Russian legal system, and she said the Russian government’s decision was not well thought out. The WNBA plays its regular seasons from early May to late August. She said that because WNBA players don’t receive adequate compensation, it’s not abnormal for players to travel to Russia during the winter to play in the offseason, from October to March.

“She is very popular in Russia. She played for a Russian team for seven years. The team members and her coaches vouched for her,” she said. “If you’re someone who follows basketball, a lot of players here in the offseason play in Russia because they’re better paid. There’s a pay equity issue.”

She explained that those arrested in Russia do not share the same kind of freedoms as those in the United States.

“A lot of innocent people go to jail because they don’t have a chance to defend themselves and they don’t get a public defender,” she said.

Van Den Handel thinks Griner has an advantage over some who have been arrested because she has a lawyer. She also voluntarily disclosed her error.

“She said she packed the wrong cartridges and took them in a hurry. She was prescribed by a doctor and it was approved by her coaches. She was not flagged for doping,” Van said. Den Handel.

According to the professor, the Russian government could detain her for a prisoner exchange. Viktor Bout is serving a 25-year sentence for selling heavy weapons, and Griner could be a bargaining chip for him, or other Russian nationals held by the Americans.

Ultimately, she believes Griner is being used as a pawn and her arrest was politically motivated.

“It’s related to US aid to Ukraine. I don’t think they would have done anything to him if we hadn’t been involved in it. He’s a pawn in the game.” , she said.

Van Den Handel said the longer Griner is left in detention, the more likely Russian public opinion is to turn against him.

“There’s public pressure in Russia to let her go because she’s idolized by the fans. She’s not a small name there,” she said. “As long as this story stays in the media, the more likely she will be sent home.”

Dell Barnes, Vice Chairman of the Cherokee County Democratic Party, said he hopes Griner can come home soon.

“No American citizen should be left at the mercy of a foreign dictatorship. The State Department should have withdrawn all travel and visas to Russian citizens at the time this happened. [the war in Ukraine]”, he said. “We should not arrest civilians from other countries for political reasons, and we should not tolerate this happening to our own people abroad.”

Yolette Ross, chairwoman of the Cherokee County Democratic Party, said she felt bad for Griner, who leaves behind his family, including his wife. Ross said the punishment didn’t fit the crime.

“Ultimately, she went to a country and smuggled a substance, which is against the law. I don’t think she deserves 10 years,” Ross said.

She said it was hypocritical for Russia to detain foreign nationals for doping, given countries that have chosen not to press charges against Olympic athletes caught committing similar crimes.

In a Saturday forum on the TDP’s Facebook page, readers were asked what they thought of the freedoms they enjoy in the United States. Many across the country criticized Griner for refusing to perform the national anthem, while calling on the United States to help them escape captivity.

“If we ban peaceful protest, a free press, the right to disagree with elected officials, access to medical care, suppressing the vote and punishing people for not saluting a flag or standing up for a song, we are Russia,” said Cathy Cott.

But Karen Dodge-Kelso doesn’t think the United States should negotiate to bring Griner home.

“While everyone has the right to criticize our government, you have no right to disrespect our flag or our veterans. I support the right to kneel, I refuse to support those who there’s a significant difference in being able to do something and it’s the right thing to do. I don’t think the government should try any more to negotiate his release as they would for any other citizen who violates knowingly violates the law in a foreign country and is then detained,” Dodge-Kelso said.

Paul Barlett said “contraband” is the wrong word to use.

“The charge is ‘smuggling,’ insinuating that she brought it to sell to the Russians. We all know that’s not true. It’s a pawn for Putin,” he said .

Blake “Cowboy” Stevens and the Cherokee County Republican Party have been contacted, but no comment was received by press time.

What you said

TDP readers were asked if Americans had the right to criticize their country or engage in peaceful protests that may involve rude signs, flag burning, or other behavior that may be offensive to some people. Forty-six percent said they absolutely agreed, followed by 35 percent who absolutely disagreed. Seventeen percent said they somewhat agreed and 3% said they somewhat disagreed.