This picture of Schapelle was posted on HBO's site about the upcoming HBO premiere of 'Ganja Queen'. I post it here as an example of all I wish for the United States in relation to Schapelle's case.
Personally, I have told many Americans about this case. Many lack sufficient interest to become actively involved, but several ask consistently how things are going....and they ask with compassion. I have a group of people I email off and on about certain updates, though in more recent times, emails have been sparse, due to the lack of much of anything going on. Not to mention the issue of people who move away, or change email addys.....
Such updates seem to do little sometimes. I am never surprised, never NOT disgusted at how so many Americans just seem completely ambivalent about current affairs or situations outside of their tiny podunk town. Still, because niceties and general politeness demand it, I am calm. I explain what I can. I do so nicely. I just wish it stuck.
Schapelle's story is not on the news in quite the same way as, say, the War on Terror....though the level of disinterest seems to generally be the same. What a shame. In relation to Schapelle's case, it is up to supporters to spread the word. Hence blogs like this one and internet discussion sites like the Forum.
For Americans, it would help if there were some public exposure, and finally, in a small way, it has come. HBO's premiere of 'Ganja Queen' and the US/UK publication of 'No More Tomorrows' have arrived. In the US!
SPREAD THE WORD!!!
It is my hope that Americans are awakened to Schapelle's plight, and that many more hasten to her aid.
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5 comments:
She's guilty, you fool, why waste your time on such a waster and such a waster family. Their ancestry probably goes back to those felons from England who were sent to the penal colony to kill the abos. It's a genetic thing.
I am so disgusted in the ignorance of the previous poster "darby" Have you done any research on this case do you know anything about it you ignorant fool??? It is so obvious to anyone with half a brain that she is totally innocent, and is being wrongly punished by a bunch of money hungry judges that do not care about justice. If they would have received their bribe money before word of it got to the media she would be home free. The had to play damage control and make it look like they were only looking for justice after bribery charges surfaced. She had no chance after these allegations on bribery came to light. What a corrupt F-ing government. They make me personally sick playing with peoples lives for their own personal gain!
I agree with you JZ that much of what Darby said is ignorant. The claim of genetics influencing Schapelle into criminal activity is invalid. People make their own decisions. With respect to Schapelle's family and the things that they are accused of....legal cases have cleared them. Mercedes Corby has been cleared of the allegations levelled at her by Channel 7. The results of that lawsuit also cleared Michael Corby of any wrongdoing and verified that he had no apparent connection to drug crimes.
As to your claims JZ about the judges....I agree that their system of justice is flawed. Placing onus on the defense to prove how Schapelle did not commit a crime is absurd. As for being money-hungry....I don't know and I hesitate to make personal attacks.
You brought up an interesting point about Schapelle and the bribes. But I don't fully understand you. Are you saying that Schapelle should have bribed the police or the judges to get free?
That might have worked. For all we know, this *may* (note possibility) have been what Michelle Leslie did. Schapelle might be free. But--her reputation and her honesty would have been in serious doubt. Suppose she bribes people and gets free. Now anyone who thinks she is guilty might just think they've been proven correct, since Schapelle averted a conviction. Or if she was innocent, she chose a liar's way out. Schapelle, for one, has always refused bribes. That is why Ron Bakir and so many of her lawyers have been faulted by her family.
I am not saying bribery is the right way to go by any means, but from what I understand that is how their justice system works as it does in many third world country court systems.. (Mexico for example), and I am sure that an innocent person would rather go that route than be put in prison for 20 years. Her whole life is over... A chance for relationships, to have a family, raise children, be with her ailing parents etc... I think most people would rather loose their reputation than receive a 20 year prison sentence!
I wish such a thing might be able to be done guilt-free. But there is a proverb from the Bible that says "A bribe behind the back perverts justice." And there have been too many perversions of justice already in this case. Schapelle has never wanted to hand over bribes, either.
I do know that she sometimes has to resort to payment in Kerobokan, for example the authorities make her fork over a rental fee for her prison cell!! Certain other systems of barter also come in handy to obtain nicer beds or other "luxuries". I don't agree with the principle of that, but in a prison barter and "pay or no cell" is a bit of a different situation than paying for entire freedom.
I agree that it is sad Schapelle will have 20 years of her life taken away. It is an injust outrage. Schapelle does lament the fact she will have no children, and she vehemently despises her circumstances. But she has refused bribes. I've found it hard to argue against her wishes.
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