The current frenzy over this case is best explained by reference to Patrick Wests recent book "Conspicuous Compassion" (Centre for Independent Sutdies). Certain people compete with each other to show greater and greater levels of public outrage and ostentatious caring, thus increasing their feeling of self worth. One can only wonder if one percent of the moral indignation was actually translated into real action to help, for example, Pakistani earthquake victims, then the far more lives would be saved.

art2000. Your brilliant. Instead of watching the news on Friday, I'll google up some research on street kids and kids with cancer. Could develope into a productive discussion. Nothing of interest on news Friday anyhow. Catch yer.

One wonders is all the sympathy shown by Australians is coming from those who actually support the legalising of drugs? Children die every day in disgusting circumstances from drug overdoses, and receive no sympathy. The pathetic users raise no universal sympathy, but criminal couriers and pushers are heros, if you believe their friends. "He is a good boy"! No he is a criminal and we must not give him hero status. I do not like hanging, there is more humane ways of execution. But hanging will certainly get media attention in Australia.

As per last Nguyen thread…

To those of you who support Nguyen's hanging and have sooo much respect Singapore's judicial system...

1. Do you also respect the Singaporean government's ties to drug barons?

2. Do you not see their blatant hypocrisy in the whole case?

I hardly see how hanging a drug dealer is going to solve anything when their government is in bed with the "Dons" of the drug world.

It raises the question...

Is it for justice? Or does the Singaporean government simply enjoy killing people?

Their apparent tunnel vision in the case; along with their hypocrisy suggests the latter.

...And it amuses me that none of you execution happy conservatives can see that.

Saving Australian Lifes vs One

Drug profit fuels the worst of all crimes ... have you seen those Films where the old crime lords ironically draw the line because drugs were the worst sin ... and those who dealt in it are truly violent

Something like that ... these drugs fuel the Asian gangs in Australia. Why would you let Aussie youths work as little mules with Asian drug barons. Be outrage your kids are treated with contempt and being laugh at in Asia - being the drug mules for druglords working in concert with terrorists.

So dangerous are drugs ...(like alcohol to indigenous natives) China was brought down by opium ... legally traded by the British. Osama groups harvest them in afganistan to be sold to western countries.

The argument AGAINST capital punishment can go this way ... statiscally it is detection that is more impt on the war on drugs and capital punishment is no deterrent

Walking into our airport... you hear the capital punishment law on drugs.. there are plain clothes and uniform police, soldiers, cameras and dogs ... you sweat ... you twitch ... you get nervous. Drug mules and terrorist have a greater chance to be detected

You want to stop these mules from entering your country ... it seems like a big hammer crushing a small ant ... but each mule that enter into Australia is an infection that wield great damage ... it is like sending 10 in and 9 get caught ... but one enters ... the damage is great ... Nightmarishly the ratio is reversed.

Capital punishment is both a deterrent and detection tool. For it to work, the punishment must be meted out.

Your govt or more accurately your "police" understand the war. They have the information. They want them caught out of your country and face the severe punishment.

I am against capital punishment BIG TIME ! ... Don't do the crime. Capital punishment will then be absent. Its that simple.

Van Nguyen will be in heaven (for christian australian). He made his peace. The last will be first.

An aspect of this issue which those who want to get tough with Singapore might consider.

There are at least 9 other Aussie's in an Asian prison at the moment who may face a similar fate in the future. Our behaviour and attitude towards Singapore and their right to make their own rules might impact on the chances of a backroom deal to spare the lives of those nine or visa versa. My guess is that to much bluster by predominately white Australia may get the backs up of Indonesian authorities. People tend to do that when they feel pushed around or attacked. There may be no room left for Indonesian to work towards sparing their lives without looking to have caved in to Australian pressure. Pressure from Australia is something which does not appear to have ever been well recieved in the region.

R0bert