Know Your Destination Country's Rules!!!

ClassicCarTunes: I am fed with hearing about Americans whining about being busted for drugs in foreign countries. You would think by now that the lesson of Paul McCartney and that movie "Midnight Express" would have been learned. Countries like Turkey and Russia are HARD on drugs! DUH!

So dont cry to the US of A if you get arrested and your rearend lands in a labor camp.

FYI: the prison in Turkey featured in the movie "Midnight Express" was not actually that cruel to its prisoners. The producer/director drew criticism from Billy Hayes, author of the autobiography of the same name from which the movie drew its source material. But who wants to spend ANY time in a foreign jail or prison?!!! DUH

Sorry, I have no respect or feelings for people stuck in a foreign prison when they know very well that that country is HARD on drugs. It aint the US, folks.

ClassicCarTunes: FYI - Paul McCartney was busted in Japan ... not Turkey ... just to clarify my statement. I was referring to two well known incidents.

EYEOFTHEDESERT: Omg me too sick and tired of hearing about it. For example on the series Lock Up

EYEOFTHEDESERT: lmao Us of A this is too funny. Is this from the movie Borat?

ClassicCarTunes: Here is the story that prompted this post:

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/07/26/marc-fogel-american-teacher-detained-russia-cannabis-atwood-pkg-lead-vpx.cnn

School teacher RETURNING to teach American kids of the embassy staff takes Cannabis with him in his luggage. So he had been there before, knew the rules. This is twice as stupid as the casual traveler who ignores the Russian rules and gets caught on their first time in-country.

EYEOFTHEDESERT: Omg seems like Britney Grimer was not the first to do this crime

ClassicCarTunes: FYI - my cousin JD was a US embassy guard in Moscow while in the USMC. He followed the rules to a T.

Exoticqn1: Isn't Paul McCartney a British citizen? He owns some businesses in the US but maintains his citizenship there.

EYEOFTHEDESERT: Omg I think so

ClassicCarTunes: Nor will he be the last. No matter why people in Europe just shake their heads at American tourists. What if a Russian came to our country and broke one of our rules? Yes, they wouldn't be sent to a labor camp but the idea is to be on your best behavior as a guest any ANY country.

EYEOFTHEDESERT: This is what inteligent people would think or do or the good polite tourist

EYEOFTHEDESERT: One would like to thinn

EYEOFTHEDESERT: think

WHlSKY: I hear ya. The same thing crossed my mind when reading about those cases. Especially when it comes to drugs and visiting strict countries. They then act as if they should not face the same laws as everyone else.

ClassicCarTunes: I was using Paul McCartney as an example of what happens when people assume they can go into another country with drugs. Not a knock on the UK. Just how some people are flaunting their drug use in places where they are outlawed and the penalty is MUCH stricter than in the UK or US.

ClassicCarTunes: More on this:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/05/politics/trevor-reed-brittney-griner-sentence-russia-cnntv/index.html

Yes, when you travel to a foreign country and violate their rules realize that you might end up in the limelight in the wrong way for YOUR country. When you go a foreign country for ANY reason you represent your country. Realize that and think ahead at how your actions may end up involving your state department. I say this as a generic comment not only to US Citizens but to anyone reading this.

Remember that its not your whims and wishes that matter when you are on foreign soil. Its your country that can pay the price too.

Now convicted felons or those up for trial in the US may end up going free. Yes, it was a small amount of Cannabis oil. Just don't take illegal drugs with you. And if you are taking prescription drugs check it out with the foreign embassy first. The drugs you usually take and think nothing of may be illegal in a foreign land. Also know that thieves in those countries target meds and it would be a terrible thing for you to lose access to them for your daily use.

Ravens_caw: My thoughts on this. Just cause she's a WNBA player she's getting all this attention. Its BS. Lots of other people have this happen and literally nobody cares. Do I think its fair for cannabis oil? No, not at all, but its Russia and thats what they do. IT just shows what fame and money does for people in the United States. Biden is offering up a convicted murderer to swap.

ClassicCarTunes: Yes, if it was you or me we would be left to rot in that Russian jail. Oh wait! Its not going to be you or I as we don't expect our country to come rescue us when we screw up big time! ROFL

EYEOFTHEDESERT: Lmao this conversation is getting to be hilarious

The giant midget: It mostly happens to American tourists aboard
It really does not have to be in Russia,China and such other countries.
For some reason or whatever,Americans consider themselves superior and above all laws.

Ravens_caw: Yeah. I can see that. For this case it just pissed me off cause of her fame her life is more important. Imagine like having a family member there that wasnt? Thats my point. Yeah, yo have to respect the laws of other countries.

The giant midget: There are hundreds of American men doing time in jails around the world convicted with sexual crimes involving children and underaged youths.

Ravens_caw: yeah I can imagine....