If Corby was an Indonesian women the media would have left it alone a long time ago. But she is not and she (by no fault of her own) presents (and is constructed by the media) with all the sex appeal of a playboy centre-fold.

The public outpouring of sympathy for Corby is much more aligned with cultural desirability’s and the gaze that this produces about a 'desirable' and thus by virtue and 'innocent' women than a clear understanding the rule of law. Steven Freeland speaks to how this almost erotic myopia has blindfolded an understanding and comprehension of the legal jurisdictions and processes of 'Other' countries.

Hey Kenny, 'please explain?'.

Indonesia is officially one of the most corrupt countries in the world. The Bali bombing mastermind, Abu Bakar Bashir only got four years (for mass murder) and Schappele gets life for allegedly 'smuggling' cannabis.

Go and stick your imaginary racism where it belongs (in the gutter).

20 years - beats life - and it beats the death penalty - two appeals to go - and she already stole a March on them by sending a letter to the President... apparently the Australian gov. have been quietly moving in the background with legal aid and a couple of barristers available for use - so why did Corby's lawyers decline the offer?

The outburst of her sister as relayed on TV News was a disgrace - somehow I felt similarities to the emotional explosion and lack of control seen in Western Sydney riots against the police when a car thief ended up crashing the car and killing the passengers... all reflect a complete denial of responsibility combined with irrational and out of control emotional hysteria.

I think she is as guilty as sin and I think she has got off lightly - not that what I think matters - she committed the offenses in Indonesia and the rules of Australian Law do not extend to Indonesia - Oh I do hope they don't do a deal and bring her back here to serve out her term - we don't need to spend any more money than necessary on drug peddlars when there are plenty of other "more worthy" causes to support.

heres an old saying -

When in Rome - do as the Romans Do -

and I guess - expect Roman Justice to prevail.

While Corby is atttractive enough, that's not why I hold a reasonable doubt about her guilt in this case. Like many others who have some knowledge about Australian marijuana production, distribution and consumption, it has struck me as very strange that anybody would try and smuggle a 4kg bag of cannabis into Bali, of all places - when one of the main attractions of Bali to thousands of young tourists since the 1960s has been the cheap and ready availability of drugs there. Cannabis is still much cheaper in Bali than in Brisbane, so why on earth would anyone risk the death penalty by attempting to smuggle 'coal into Newcastle'?

Having said that, I agree that there is little point in Australians criticising the Indonesian judicial system because the judges found Corby guilty on the evidence. Indeed, had she been busted with 4kg of cannabis in her possession at Brisbane airport it is quite likely that she would have been found guilty on the same evidence - although I suspect that our notion of what constitutes 'reasonable doubt' is somewhat more flexible than that held by the Indonesian judges.

I think that the high probability of her innocence is at least as salient a factor in attracting popular support among Australians as her looks and ethnicity have been. I also think that many Australians would have good reason to rethink any travel plans they may have that include Indonesia, as it is now evident that it is quite possible to be convicted of drug smuggling there, even though you are innocent (coincidentally, my own 29-year old daughter and grandson are holidaying in Bali right now...).

Lastly, I find Col's last post above quite offensive, given that his schadenfreude is clearly based on total ignorance about the realities of cannabis production and distribution in this country and elsewhere. However, it is consistent with some of the other needlessly nasty and ignorant comments that he has posted elsewhere in these forums. I do hope that his regular textual enemas make him feel better, otherwise they would be a complete waste of space.

Garra “Lastly, I find Col's last post above quite offensive, given that his schadenfreude is clearly based on total ignorance about the realities of cannabis production and distribution in this country and elsewhere. However, it is consistent with some of the other needlessly nasty and ignorant comments that he has posted elsewhere in these forums. I do hope that his regular textual enemas make him feel better, otherwise they would be a complete waste of space”

You might think second hand opinion translated from the original Indonesian, reduced to the barest editorial highlights and most emotionally charged hysterical outbursts accompanied by the media circus show trial / kangaroo court which has been presented for the benefit of this drug trafficker. The opinions of radio shock-jocks and the babblings of the emotionally retarded is not a good basis for “juris prudence” – for me it lacks the reason and logic which should be central to the process.

I remain with the view of the Indonesian judges who listened to all the evidence and considered their judgement based on better reason than hysteria.

Oh - your “judgement” of my knowledge is pure conjecture, an assumption devoid of qualitative testing and based alone on your personal bias and cognitive myopia (possible drug retarded).

If you want to challenge my view do so – as for making the suggestions you do above – who cares – if you want to change them use reason and logic not petulance and bluster – for you sure will not gag me from expressing my views

– despite your churlish posturing - better people than you have tried and failed.

Col, you are no more privy to the full evidence than any of the posters here. To vehemently state that you think Corby is as guilty as sin, is simply a vehicle to promote your hard line thinking on drugs which I have observed in other forums.

If Corby is indeed guilty do you believe the punishment fits the crime? 20 years for Corby and 4 years for Abu Bakar Bashir?

Was justice served?