OK, OK, so it may not be the best Shakespearian play on words, but that is the topic of the day here in Oz - Schapelle Corby has been convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia, and Bali specifically, and has been sentenced to twenty years in prison. Public opinion in Australia is exceedingly ugly about the whole conviction and sentence, I kind of get this feeling that everyone here wasn't prepared for the likely verdict.
I hate to play devil's advocate here, and I would be just as traumatised if I was in the same situation here, but the defence case was basically it wasn't mine and it was placed there by a baggage handler. With the main corroborating statement being a prisoner who overheard other prisoners talking about that happening. Not the strongest of cases, especially since any video tape in Brisbane or Sydney airports were wiped after twenty four hours.
And as for the idea of doing a prisoner swap hmm. First off, we aren't talking the IRA or POWs here, and as if Indonesian convicts in Australia would want to go back to Indonesian prisons - or maybe Howard is thinking of a way to offload the illegal immigrants he has out in the desert in South Australia LOL. And I have the sinking feeling that instead of an ongoing reciprocal agreement this would instead be a one off 'Schapelle's Law' LOL.
Truly, if the accused wasn't a (formerly) bubbly, vivacious, attractive girl, would the media have covered and OVER covered it as much as they have here? Really, did Channel 9 have to do a 'reenactment' documentary and vote in show about the case last week? And why does everyone in Australia think Schapelle is innocent? Thinking not only of the 92% of Balinese who think she is guilty, but also That Case 25 years ago, concerning a baby and a dingo and the lynch mobs towards Lindy Chamberlain. Not that I am necessarily defending Lindy, but just the mob mentality of which way 'public opinion' is shaped is intriguing.
And to even think of comparing one billion dollars worth in tsunami aid and nine navy and air force personnel dead on Nias as some sort of pay off for getting Corby off the charges grr. What the heck is the linkage between the three issues, apart from that Australia and Indonesia are both involved. And the rabid nature of the reaction at work, and apparently the wider community saying that they will never ever go to Bali as a trip ever. Either a - don't take drugs over there, or b - double triple lock and glad wrap your suitcases LOL. And the idea that Fiji or Vanuatu are more stable destinations hmm...
Off down to Melbourne for a four day weekend early early tomorrow morning - of course, will keep a travel log on the road, and will catch you all either Tuesday evening or Wednesday. Might do a quick post regards the American Idol final (which is just playing in the background here as I type), but apart from that adios for four days :)
Pauly
I hate to play devil's advocate here, and I would be just as traumatised if I was in the same situation here, but the defence case was basically it wasn't mine and it was placed there by a baggage handler. With the main corroborating statement being a prisoner who overheard other prisoners talking about that happening. Not the strongest of cases, especially since any video tape in Brisbane or Sydney airports were wiped after twenty four hours.
And as for the idea of doing a prisoner swap hmm. First off, we aren't talking the IRA or POWs here, and as if Indonesian convicts in Australia would want to go back to Indonesian prisons - or maybe Howard is thinking of a way to offload the illegal immigrants he has out in the desert in South Australia LOL. And I have the sinking feeling that instead of an ongoing reciprocal agreement this would instead be a one off 'Schapelle's Law' LOL.
Truly, if the accused wasn't a (formerly) bubbly, vivacious, attractive girl, would the media have covered and OVER covered it as much as they have here? Really, did Channel 9 have to do a 'reenactment' documentary and vote in show about the case last week? And why does everyone in Australia think Schapelle is innocent? Thinking not only of the 92% of Balinese who think she is guilty, but also That Case 25 years ago, concerning a baby and a dingo and the lynch mobs towards Lindy Chamberlain. Not that I am necessarily defending Lindy, but just the mob mentality of which way 'public opinion' is shaped is intriguing.
And to even think of comparing one billion dollars worth in tsunami aid and nine navy and air force personnel dead on Nias as some sort of pay off for getting Corby off the charges grr. What the heck is the linkage between the three issues, apart from that Australia and Indonesia are both involved. And the rabid nature of the reaction at work, and apparently the wider community saying that they will never ever go to Bali as a trip ever. Either a - don't take drugs over there, or b - double triple lock and glad wrap your suitcases LOL. And the idea that Fiji or Vanuatu are more stable destinations hmm...
Off down to Melbourne for a four day weekend early early tomorrow morning - of course, will keep a travel log on the road, and will catch you all either Tuesday evening or Wednesday. Might do a quick post regards the American Idol final (which is just playing in the background here as I type), but apart from that adios for four days :)
Pauly
Totally agree..
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