possum

Thank you for your change of heart and honesty Jack... your last post of support is appreciated.

kate2006

Jack - thankyou for your apology.

I hope we will see more of you here.

kate

jack

thanks kate-I did find it unfortunate that when the president of australia met with the bali president that he really did nothing to help the Bali 9-he merely reinforced the Bali courts position-he had the chance to make a plea for them but he missed it-also I am wondering is Rush's father to blame for all this mess-by reporting his son-I mean if he didn't what are the chances they would have been caught-if I were one of the Bali nine I would be very mad at Rushes dad-his father by alerting the authorities guarenteed his son a long prison term whether in australia or in Bali-rather then having just alerted or warning his son that he would report him if he carried thru with his plans-I do know they all wore horrid flowered t-shirts which gave them away -personally I feel for Rennee but I do not believe their families were threatened by the head of the Bali none-but I probably would have said the same thing-but I do think rushes father is a jerk for having gotten them in this mess-at least not all of them would have been caught-the people in the hotel would not have been-like norman-tell me ur opinions

kate2006

Hi Jack

Good to have your views and see you back with us.

I think that the Bali Nine were discussed the last time our PM visited Indonesia.

All the government will say is that they can’t say anything while the appeals are under way. Who’s to know if once the appeals are completed the government line won’t be that there is now nothing they can do to interfere in the justice system of another country? Our politicians have not been noticably keen to help, despite what might be going on behind the scenes.

It doesn’t help that Mr Howard said publicly that he doesn’t have a problem with the Bali bombers being executed - coming from the PM of a country that does not support capital punishment, that makes it hard for anyone to argue that six of the Bali Nine should not be executed because they are Australians and Australia doesn't have the death penalty.

I think Scott Rush’s father was between a rock and a hard place when he informed the federal police of his suspicions - I’m sure his thinking was that Scott [ and the others] would, at best be stopped from travelling, at worst be arrested in Australia and punished under Australian law, rather than under Indonesian law.

The sad thing is that, from what I have read, that because both the Indonesian and Australian police had everything in place to make arrests in Bali they were not prepared to act on Mr Rush’s plea, despite knowing the probable fate awaiting the Bali Nine.

Perhaps Mr Rush was not able to contact Scott after he left Brisbane and so did what he thought was the right thing by contacting a lawyer friend, who then informed the federal police, asking them to warn Scott off travelling to Indonesia. Under the same circumstances I think I might have done the same thing. I think the arrests would have been made even if he had done nothing.

I think the time for blaming and arguing over who did what, is responsible for whatever, have long gone as far as the Bali Nine themselves are concerned. Interviews such as the one Scott Rush gave to the Bulletin recently may have stirred up some ill feeling, but mainly because of how the resulting publicity would affect their families in Australia, but generally they seem to look out for each other and share what they have.

Scott is the only one of the Bali Nine to agree to give media interviews - mainly because the others feel that they will be misquoted and used to make headlines, but also on the advice of their lawyers to remain silent.

I think that Scott and his parents are using the ‘whatever it takes’ route thinking that whatever publicity they get is better than being ignored. I can see things from both points of view and understand why they came about.

I don’t know if this answers your questions - you will see I disagree with some of your comments, but better we discuss them than not.

possum

Kate, your reply is excellent and absolutely spot on...

For those who are interested please look at Scott Rush's website and see the hardwork his parents are doing lobbying for Australians Against the Death Penalty.

They are both to be commended for their efforts and support of their son and every Australian affected by the Death Penalty.

www.scottarush.com.au

Sandy

Or alternatively you could just not try to import heroin into Australia, I know many people who have traveled to and from Bali without drugs strapped to their body and had a tremendous time.

In a society which encourages people to avoid responsibility for their actions I feel it absurd that a dim view could be taken against Indonesia, who have these laws in place and do advertise them.

Sandy

Im sorry Kate 2006 but really this is advertised as a forum.
according to the disctionary a forum is "a public facility to meet for open discussion ". Open discussion implies that persons with differing points of view can express their point of view. Otherwise you may as well be running a propaganda site. Dont mean to rain on your parade.

kate2006

Welcome to the site Sandy -

In response to your post I quote from Admin’s ‘Welcome to the site’ sticky:

>>We encourage any discussion concerning the plight of the Bali 9 however please keep the following in mind...
• Racism will NOT be tolerated.
• Hate filled or derogatory comments aimed at members of the Bali 9 or their families are NOT acceptable.
• We do NOT support the death penalty.<<

There has been much debate here, as you will find if you read past threads, but open discussion is just that, not bald statements expressing prejuidice, which have and will be challenged by me and other members.

People are welcome to express their views, but this is, first and foremost a support site for the Bali Nine, so people posting here can expect unkind and derogatory comments to be challenged. Other than that anyone can start or respond to a thread and be sure of getting a reply.

That said, what are your views on the death penalty and other such topics?

kate2006

Many of us here would say that the Bali Nine were idiots to think they could get away with their scheme to import drugs - and I know most of them now think so to. They have had plenty of time to see the error of their ways and suffer the consequnces. The ones I know accept that they should be punished and are making the best of the conditions they now have to live in.

Our contention is that the death penalty does nothing to stop the importation and use of drugs, so serves no useful purpose and should not be applied - full stop. We do not argue that Indonesia’s laws should be set aside for the benefit of the bali Nine, only that the death sentence should be commuted.

Presently many of here are holding our breath waiting for the judgement on their appeal to be handed down. It is due any day now; if we are feeling anxious on their behalf think what it must be like for those young men. Meantime though they continue to do the best they can, look out for each other and accept that they will be in Indonesia for a very long time.

Unregistered

The topic of the death penalty is one of universal contention.
I do not believe that the death penalty is a deterrent for any person bringing drugs in/out of Asia. The Bali 9 are case in point.

With that said Indonesia are a sovereign nation and they make the laws and adjudicate the penalty. Indonesian fisherman are routinely imprisoned by Australia for fishing in our waters. You need to ask yourself how you would feel if Indonesia demanded their release as fishing is a recreation in this country.

Whilst the penalty is different the notion is the same.
If Indonesia wishes to execute prisoners for drug related offences I do not believe that Indonesia should be pressured to change their laws to appease our moral values.

Do you believe the Bali Bombers should be executed?
Heroin is a devastating drug that ruins many Australians lives, and destroys their families. Remember that’s where the drugs were traveling to. It is your car getting broken into and your handbag getting snatched.

The lure of money and a free holiday in hindsight may appear disproportionate to the very real threat of firing squad, however you do reap what you sow.

I hope that the accused persons have their sentences commuted to gaol as you do only get one shot at life. I do wish them the best of luck and would actively discourage other people from making the same mistake.