facing the facts

 So that girl that went to Russia to play basketball was convicted of smuggling drugs into that nation. She has been sentenced to nine years in a labor camp. Rather a harsh sentence, considering what she actually had, but that is gauged against what we allow here in America. The reality is, she isn't in America. Another reality is it was her choice to go to Russia for monetary reasons. It's my understanding she has disparaged the United States in the past, wasn't happy or content with her perceived treatment in America. So, she chose to go to Russia. She packed her bags, she placed the items in there she wished to take with her. She alone is responsible for whatever was found in them. A very unfortunate choice she decided to take illegal drugs into a foreign country. 

 One can argue that the trial wasn't fair, that the punishment isn't just, and it was only a little bit illegal. What can't be argued or denied is that it is their country, their rules. It is more than a little presumptuous to insist that Russia follow our rule of law. Just like being put in Facebook jail, their rules, you have to comply. The United Nations has gotten involved in this case, an attempt at "one world order" perhaps. Is that what we are moving toward? It could be that was the initial intent of the United Nations. The League of Nations preceded the United Nations with the same idea. The reality is this, law is always enforced ultimately by force! Laws are enforced by punishment. Those that are the most powerful control all of that. It's really just a simple basic reality regarding mankind. It has been that way since the beginning and will end the same way.

 As to the fate of Brittney I'm certain she is just being used as a pawn in a much larger game. Russia will secure the release of their citizens being held in American jails. There is no one denying their guilt, that they are criminals and broke our laws. Heck even Russia doesn't deny that. They also won't mind swapping a basketball player for a criminal mastermind. Which committed the greater crime? There are different levels to crime, right? I mean she broke their laws but shouldn't be held accountable for that by their laws, only by what we think is appropriate. Well because our laws are better than their laws. We're the good guys here. Remember law is enforced by strength. Who has the upper hand in this situation? 

 Russia will secure the release of their citizens being held by the United States. That's the bottom line. What will they give in return? How will that impact the perceived strength of the United States in the eyes of other nations? Seems like all you have to do is imprison any American citizen for a violating your law and a trade can be arranged. America will not respond with strength; America will respond with whimpers. It's not fair. Thing is, she chose to go to Russia, she chose to have that contraband in her luggage. She admitted to placing it there herself. Russia is under no obligation to accept her, oops, I'm sorry plea. She is a high-profile person whether she likes that or not. And not just because she plays basketball, her other choices in life enhance that as well. Russia is well aware of all that. Yes, she is a blue chip in this game. Fair or not, it is their game.