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In article <t128ug$2oqh0$[email protected]>
[email protected] wrote:

Trump says that it is justly deserved because Californians vote Democrat.

Adam's apple, no tits, mustache wax rip.

<https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/griner-
1200x675.jpeg>

Former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said those arguing that the
U.S. government should do more to gain the release of WNBA star
Brittney Griner from Russia could actually be hurting her
chances for freedom.

Abdul-Jabbar made his comments in a blog post on Tuesday.

"Anyone who knows anything about my life knows that I'm not shy
about publicly speaking out when it comes to something I
consider an injustice," he said. "I've been doing it for 55
years � with mixed results.

"One lesson I learned over the years is to measure what I want
to say with how much closer those words will bring about my
goal. Taking a stance shouldn't be about me putting my outrage
on display, but about achieving measurable positive change to
the injustice.

"I want to make things better, not worse. But it's not always
easy to know the difference.

"Especially in the case WNBA star Brittney Griner."

Griner, who has played in Russia during off seasons since 2014,
was arrested on Feb. 17 at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport after
vape cartridges containing hashish oil were allegedly discovered
in her baggage, Reuters reported.

"I'm sure there are those out there who think the government
ought to send in a 'Mission: Impossible' squad with latex Putin
masks and cool laser gadgets to spring her," Abdul-Jabbar wrote.
"The rest of us are looking for more practical solutions. But
choosing the best solution has resulted in a lot of online
bickering and backlash among Griner's supporters that has gone
viral. Especially between NBA players LeBron James and Enes
Kanter Freedom.

"Which begs the question: Despite massive celebrity and public
outcry on behalf of Brittney Griner, are we helping or hurting
her chances for freedom?"

Abdul-Jabbar cited some general examples where demands for the
U.S. government to help might work.

"If a social rights activist is being imprisoned in Selma for
protesting or there's a shady police shooting of an unarmed
Black person in New York, then such celebrity calls to action
might be effective," he wrote.

�That's because we live in a country where those in power need
votes and sometimes shining a spotlight on them can bring
pressure. But when we demand our country negotiate Griner's
release right now regardless of the cost, that only strengthens
Russia's negotiating position.

"Imagine being in a room negotiating with someone while outside
the people you represent are shouting, 'Give them whatever they
want!' "

Abdul-Jabbar maintained that Griner's supporters, including
himself, should join to put pressure on Russia � whereas the
United States should not.

"Everyone supporting Brittney Griner has their hearts in the
right place," he wrote. "Good people, one and all. But heart
alone isn't effective in bringing about her release, and by
publicly pressuring the U.S. government, we may be inadvertently
delaying her release."

LOCK IT UP!

https://www.newsmax.com/us/abdul-jabbar-
griner/2022/07/21/id/1079775/

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