Hinch makes some very good points.

[the_bob_delusion]

http://www.news.com.au/national/derryn-hinch-slams-celebrity-backed-bali-nine-mercy-campaign-video/s...

RADIO AND TV personality Derryn Hinch has criticised the decision made by Australian celebrities to call for mercy for Bali Nine masterminds Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, saying their campaign is “hypocritical”.

“In Indonesia, they know that when they commit crimes like this, then you could get the death penalty.

“I say hypocritical because are these people who are up there who are saying ‘I stand for mercy’ — is that for Australian drug dealers or Australians on death row, or for everybody?”

“I mean did they stand up a week ago and say ‘I stand for mercy’ for the Brazilian who was executed in Indonesia, or the one from the Netherlands, or the Indonesian woman or somebody from Malawi? Or is it just Australians?,” he said.

He also questioned whether those celebrities involved in the video were against the death penalty in general, or if they were only against capital punishment for specific offences.

“Also if you are against the death penalty, are you against the death penalty for all offences?,” he asked.

“Are you against the death penalty say for the terrorists? Did you try and campaign to try and save the lives of the Bali Bombers?,” he said.

“Did we put our hands up and say show them clemency? Don’t execute them.”

He concluded with his view: “If you’re going to say ‘I stand for mercy’, stand for mercy for everybody, if you’re against the death penalty, be against it for everybody. you can’t be a little bit pregnant,” he added.

Kinda makes sense to me. 

[polksaladallie]

Amazing.  There must be posters here who have never made a mistake in their youth.  Never been swayed by peers to break any rules.  Never given in to temptation of any sort.  Never regretted any of their past actions. 

Paragons of virtue even. 

But some of their posts tell a different story.  So what are we to think?

Do as I say, not as I do?

[k0llectable5]

Absolutely Polks.  Re: 

Amazing.  There must be posters here who have never made a mistake in their youth.  Never been swayed by peers to break any rules.  Never given in to temptation of any sort.  Never regretted any of their past actions. 

Paragons of virtue even. 

That really is just so well said and true of people that are just generally judgemental.  It's fine to judge people, we all do it. but often our own behaviour does not mimic what we say we are like.  

And some people (not all) deserve to be forgiven for making a stupid decision that they wish they had never made. 

[lloydslights]

Broke rules but not laws. Yep, I rue some decisions and pleasures.  And some dares offered by peers were rejected for personal and/or  social and possible illlegality.

But there were no signs at the Entrance Door of an establishment to say penalty was Death for breaking the Rules.

DEB

[bushies.girl]

So not wishing to be a drug mule is being "virtuous"?   omg

[icyfroth]

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@lyne-flyn wrote:

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@polksaladallie wrote:

Their "garbage" would have made no difference at all.  Drugs are as easy to buy as pizzas.  There are plenty here without their small contribution.

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I agree...whilst I feel sorry for parents who have lost children to drugs...each and everyone of those children took those drugs of their own free will.

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Except once they're addicted, free will goes out the door. It's hard for young people to resist.

Ask any alcoholic, or smoker, or foodie even who wants to stop but can't break free.

Any dealer in addictive substances knows once they've got their victims hooked they have guaranteed repeat business.

[***super_nova***]

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@crosbystills wrote:

It's tricky. You can be against the death penalty in general but it's only natural to become more focussed on the issue when your own citizens are threatened. I sign a lot of petitions for Amnesty International (you can do it by sms) for their campaigns worldwide, but that's only a fraction of all the injustices happening. You can''t do it all.

You can easily turn Hinch's argument around. He's campaigned hard against paedophiles in Australia but has apparently done stuff all to take the fight to other countries. By his logic that's inconsistent.

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Especially since pics of child abused in one country go worldwide.

But i do agree that as nobody was particularly bothered about execution of the people last week, why should Australians be so special?  Actually, i can easier sympathise with people from poor countries who get involved from desperation.

Saying that, i wish they will not get executed, if that could set some precedent for the others. 

[***super_nova***]

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@**bob_on_the_go** wrote:

I have a question. How does anyone know if these people have rehabilitate and will not reoffend again???

The stats on rehabilitation is pretty poor. Should we be more lenient on those with the best acting skills?

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That is not so simple; here in VIC the recidivism is about 40%.  Why do people commit further crime?  Most likely because once they have a criminal record and no qualification they have no chance of getting job.  Or at least they have much less chance than others. 

Will these people try to smuggle drugs again?  I think that is pretty obviously NO!

The problem is that people who were later found innocent are those who were often accused of "not being sorry for their crimes".   And their "attitude"  contributes to harsher sentences. 

[icyfroth]

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@***super_nova*** wrote:

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@**bob_on_the_go** wrote:

I have a question. How does anyone know if these people have rehabilitate and will not reoffend again???

The stats on rehabilitation is pretty poor. Should we be more lenient on those with the best acting skills?

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That is not so simple; here in VIC the recidivism is about 40%.  Why do people commit further crime?  Most likely because once they have a criminal record and no qualification they have no chance of getting job.  Or at least they have much less chance than others. 

Will these people try to smuggle drugs again?  I think that is pretty obviously NO!

The problem is that people who were later found innocent are those who were often accused of "not being sorry for their crimes".   And their "attitude"  contributes to harsher sentences. 

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What are the chances of either Chan or Myuran finding gainful employment in the fields they have chosen to study for? At least enough for a decent living. Not high I would imagine.

I think it's a fair bet that they would fall back into drug dealing.

[j*oono]

Pardoning them from the death penalty doesn't mean they would be released from jail though.  They are useful to others in the jail so I think they are gainfully employed already.

[polksaladallie]

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@bushies.girl wrote:

So not wishing to be a drug mule is being "virtuous"?   omg

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