Poem for Schapelle
May 31st, 2005 by RoseI’m writing this poem to let you know we deeply care
Through this ordeal our thoughts and prayers for you we share
Behind the bars you sit and wait
While ignorance decides your fate.
Don’t lose hope Schapelle it’s the greatest gift
On lonely days your spirit will lift
In the end the truth will be revealed
And the pain you feel will soon be healed.
When you are sad and begin to lose hope
Take strength from God, He’ll help you cope
We won’t forget you Schapelle my friend
We’ll all be here for you until the end.
31/05/05 Rose S.
I have been thinking so much about this poor girl, sending my prayers and good wishes out to her in that awful place.
Thoughts about Schapelle
May 30th, 2005 by RoseLast night Steve and I were talking Schapelles case and we realised without a doubt she must be innocent of this crime, not only the shocking way in which it was handled from the Bali side of things, but I just can’t believe that Brisbane airport would let a Boogie bag pass through its inspection with that amount of drugs going undetected. It was the size of a pillow the bag, and the stench itself would have been enough to give away its contents. It wasn’t even hidden in any way, although Bali police claim her flippers were on top of the bag which they think seems to prove her guilt.
Not sure if you have ever had the pleasure of seeing an airport x-ray machine, I have and it shows up EVERYTHING in the luggage.
I’m not convinced the drugs had they been planted by a baggage handler, that they were actually destined for Bali.
Current baggage handlers have reported it is easy to smuggle things into their workplace which contradicts speculation as to how the drugs ended up in the airport with a baggage handler.
The examination of Corby’s bag and the initial interrogation was not video-recorded or tape-recorded by police, and an official translator was not provided. Most important, the plastic sacks were not examined for fingerprints.
There’s so many reasons why this case is not as clear cut as it would appear and why I believe Schapelle Corby is innocent.
* The value of the drugs makes it exceedingly unlikely this would deliberately occur.
* The risk offset against the value for any method of trafficking makes it unlikely you’d knowingly carry these items into a land where the maximum penalty for trafficking is DEATH.
* Given the risk and penalty, you wouldn’t store such items in baggage that’s CLEARLY going to be X-rayed at both ends.
* Given the stench of the product when the bag was opened, which both Schappelle Corby and the customs officers involved have agreed on, it seems beyond the wit of man that you’d deliberately try to get something like that past sniffer dogs. You’d have to be insane. (Sniffer dogs operate on a regular basis at Melbourne International Airport, so I suspect they do at Brisbane and Sydney too, and even more likely at Bali)
* The handling of the case at the airport was completely bungled. No video tape of what went on, no recorded tape of what went on. All the ‘admissions’ that are mentioned are not corroborated by simple evidence recording measures.
* No fingerprints taken, nor any forensics done to the suspect to ensure that she wasn’t an unwitting party.
* Drug traffickers working at the two airports where this girl passed through were caught doing exactly the things she has claimed happened to her
And in any case, how can 20 years (or death penalty) be a fair punishment for a crime of carrying marijuana into a country that gives lesser sentences for bombers convicted of murdering hundreds of people. The sentence, even if she is guilty, should fit the crime. Marijuana is significantly less lethal than bombs planted in market squares.
Given the alleged total bungling by the customs officers, police force and subsequent legal case, along with much of the evidence that a normal western judicial system would require being missing I believe she should be freed anyway. The case does not stand up strongly enough EXCEPT on the grounds that the bag was found in her luggage. This does not of itself prove HER guilt, only someone’s guilt.
This is a gross mis-trial, regardless of the actual innocence or guilt of the accused.
Happy Anniversary!
May 29th, 2005 by RoseToday is Steve and mine’s first anniversary since we first met in Australia at the airport one year ago. It seems so long ago and I feel like we have always been together.
So here’s to many more years to come!!
I love you ‘P.W’ :D
Stuff n’ that
May 29th, 2005 by RoseOur favourite band member was back in Church today, we didn’t get to meet him this time but I am sure we eventually will. I think he is Aussie, Steve says he is English – time will reveal *grin*
We’ve been writing emails and trying to help raise some awarness to the plight of Schapelle Corby, the only opposition we have encountered are from those who would rebel against anything anyway, so we are not discouraged by their stupid comments.
Father Bob wrote another great entry on his website although sadly it seems may have turned off comments (unless HaloScan is down at the moment).
Celebritites:
Spare a thought for Schapelle Corby, Kylie Minogue and Graham Kennedy, such different people but the same people because they’re celebrities by popular vote.
We go to press well before sentence and verdict are revealed in Schapelle’s case. One comment from Indonesia’s embassy in Canberra however, caught my attention. “All the publicity generated in Corby’s case may encourage others to ask for special treatment.
That reminded me of the plight of prisoners in Australian cells and gaols. A judge in a Victorian court was today reported as highly critical of prisoners in the juvenile justice system. He restated a now old-fashioned principle that detention was meant to rehabilitate and provide genuine care as well as punish.
It seems that we have been lured into becoming more vengeful – if you’ve become a consumer of correctional services. You deserve what you get!
We’ve become impatient with low-achievers and ‘losers’ in general. We’re very quick to condone locking up and throwing away the key.
Even democratic societies, while championing the rights of “we, the white people” have little to offer a considerable number of “we, the people” who fall foul of law enforcement. Do such people become excommunicated from “we, the people”, and become, de-facto, non people?
Back to Schapelle. Justice isn’t the only virtue in the human moral vocabulary. Mercy is another. It’s what not giving someone what they deserve – in the way of penalty, that is. Mercy calls for forgiveness and reconciliation, all in the name of the common good.
This weekend, Catholics celebrate a special day called “Corpus Christi”, in English “the Body of Christ.” It’s one of the first disciples of Christ’s, Paul of Tarsus, favourite themes. Another way of putting it could be Christ incorporated or the Communicator Christ.
It stresses that we’re all in this together. What improves one improves all. What diminishes one diminishes all.
In “e” terms it’s the www.www – the world wide web of wisdom, worship and work. In biblical terms, it’s the kingdom of heaven on earth. It’s the omega point for true believers of every faith, godly and godless.
It’s why we’re obligated to celebrities once we’ve entered their aura. It’s why we’re concerned for Schapelle in her ordeal, Kylie in hers and Graham Kennedy in his journey to the other side.
Schapelle Corby
May 27th, 2005 by RoseAustralia woman 27yo Schapelle Corby received a 20 year sentence from an Indonesia court today, even after being given clear evidence that it was not her drugs smuggled into Indonesia. The 4.1kg of marijuana had a street value of approx .$50,000 in Australia and in Bali just $10,000. HeraldSun artical here
Australian Prime Minister John Howard says ‘We have to respect the justice system of other countries, I do ask the Australian people to accept and understand that when Australians go abroad they are subject to the justice system of the countries they visit.’
Even if they are INNOCENT? What a loser our PM is. So weak.
What can you do to help? Visit here.
My favourite pictures of France
May 26th, 2005 by RoseHad a fabulous time in France and have been inspired to learn some French. Steve’s mum gave me a set of cd’s to help me learn, I also got a set of learn Spanish cd’s for my trip to Spain later this year in August with Tanya.
Bought a beautiful tea set at the Porcelain factory in Limoges. It’s a gorgeous design with silver edging, bought a teapot, milk jug, gravy jug and under-plate and Mum bought me the sugar bowl for my birthday present. There are more things in the set I will buy, namely the tea cups, which I will get on my next visit. My first real grown up tea set *grin*
I took quite a few pictures once again on this my second trip to this beautiful country, here are 3 of my favs.
France 2005
May 21st, 2005 by RoseHaving a great time in France and the weather has been perfect, today is a little cooler and overcast. Already have taken lots of piccies – have done lots of eating and walking, sightseeing and meeting loads of people.
Anyone who tells you the French are rude and arrogant are talking rubbish and obviously have never been here, its my second trip and so far everyone we have encountered in the shops and bars/resteraunts have been so lovely.
I still can’t speak much French except the main things I need to know, hello’s, goodbyes and thank you etc. I do have some cd’s at home to help me learn and I think finally I have been inspired to give it a better go.
:)
Well better get off the computer! Just wanted to pop online and upload the images into the album to make more room for more piccies.
xxx
Flickr photostream
