In Reply to: public reaction to executions posted by despaul on Wednesday, 29. April 2015 at 16:49 Bali Time:
I believe that the entire debate is being side tracked and sensationalised by the Media. The very simple question is do individuals support, or not, Capital Punishment. It can't be qualified by the Crime, or the nationality of the Offenders. It boils down to a basic belief, nothing more. The hypocrisy is amazing. We have a short memory. John Howard stood up in Parliament after the Bali Bombings and said, Australia and Australians expect the terrorists to be executed. This statement attracted bipartisan support from all political persuasions and the general populous. And finally where was all the chest thumping and cries of barbarians in January before or after those executions. Where were the cries for Mercy from world leaders including Australia and Australians. No Australians in that first lot, and I dare say that this groundswell of condemnation will be silent or greatly subdued prior to the next round of executions. And as far as a boycott, why punish the everyday Indonesian people for Government Policy. Should ordinary Australians be punished for our Government's policy and treatment of Asylum Seekers, which receives world wide condemnation. In Indonesia as in Australia the common people have spoken up against Capital Punishment and the opponents should be focusing their efforts on changing Government Policy not punishing the innocent