Grennan
Slayer of Stupid Threads
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I'm stuffed if I can see how reminding Indonesia of all the help we have given in the past is taken as a threat. It could be intended that way but it's a far more diplomatic way of suggesting that Australians "generally" disagree with the death penalty, don't want these two executed, and would appreciate Indonesia taking our past assistance into account before acting any further.
And Indonesia IS hypocritical in the manner it handles their executions of foreign nationals, whilst pleading with foreign governments (paying bribes and having some success) not to execute their own citizens. Disagree all you like with that point, but it is rank hypocracy. Nothing less.
So far as your final point. Are we then to continue giving one iota of concern for Indonesia when the next disaster hits them? It will be interesting to see what happens the next time they have a major earthquake or some other natural disaster. I reckon I know the answer already. As stated earlier, we will just buckle under and get reamed out....again., because we are too afraid of what the rest of the world will think of us.
I think it certainly was a threat and to be honest, it is a very fair point on behalf of Australia. They need us a lot more than we need them. They take take take from us and we get very little in the way of cooperation or support in return. Our level of financial contribution should come into play, whether that be goods, aid, tourism dollars.
Indonesia requesting the same of other countries, thats not really an issue. It would be an issue if their point was "we think the death sentence is barbaric". They are doing what almost every other nation does and try and bring citizens home to do their sentence. Does it always work for Indo or us for that matter? No, but they have to be seen to try. Just because they plead the case of other nations, does not mean they should bow to the requests of ours.
At this point Indonesia CANNOT give in and they would be stupid to do so. Any threat from Australia, they know is meaningless. As you say, we are to afraid to be harsh in fear of being labeled racist or something stupid. On the other hand, Indonesia cannot give in because their stance on drug crime is paramount. It would also send a very poor message to travelers.
As far as time spent in jail. These guys had a very nice stay in prison. Money talks over there. Im not very sympathetic.
These guys are drug smugglers. They peddle pain and suffering. Shoot them. Be done with it. What makes me sick are all these candle light vigils and ****. How about a vigil for the people who are killed by drug crime.