American writer and political analyst, friend of George Pell, George Weigle, recently says in an interview that Pell would not have been found guilty had there had not been such a “virulent anti Catholic atmosphere in Australia for decades”, as well as mob hysteria from the public.

He was particularly critical of the ABC’s anti-Catholic propaganda, and the fact that this taxpayer-funded organisation has never had any real challenge from the Australian political class. He also found the Victorian judicial system unreasonable. As many of us would agree, Pell should have had the right of a trial by judge only, given that he had already been found guilty by the media and public.

Weigle’s analysis of the case also suggested that the jury had ignored the judge’s instructions on how to construe evidence. He thinks, too, that the gag order following the conviction prevented open examination of the prosecution’s implausible description of the physical act as described by the complainant.

Victoria Police, unsurprisingly, gets a caning for its so-called investigating techniques. Apart from the fact that they never even attended the scene of the alleged crime, American investigators actually laughed at videos of VicPol interviews in the Vatican with Pell, saying that the man’s body language alone would have told competent investigators/interviewers that he didn’t have a case to answer. They wondered who was behind the fishing expedition for victims before they decided to charge Pell.

George Weigle said that question would have been answered if Australia had decent investigative journalists instead of rabble rousers. He also thinks that there was a deliberate campaign to find suitably convenient victims for a planned witch hunt against the Catholic Church.

It is the Australia justice system that is on trial globally, according to Weigle, who wonders if ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ means anything at all in Australia

the left don't care ttbn. Innocent or guilty they are happy to have got there result and use any means or any pawns in the game. They tried it with Kavannaugh, they tried demonising a boy being bullied by an American Indian, they tried it by making up Trumps collusion with Russia. When found wrong they have already achieved their aim of demonization and move on to their next target.

True, runner, and we also have another problem, as written by someone in the last few days:

“It’s a tough time to be a right-of-centre person in Australia these days. The political class supposedly on our side stinks and seems not to have a principle it wouldn’t sell out for the chauffeur and nice pension”.

The 'Benedict Option’ is becoming more appealing all the time.

Reason is being replaced by 'feelings’ or emotions. In the Pell trial, for instance, the function of reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury gave way to the feelings they held about the credibility of one witness.

Reason in Australian public discourse has been eclipsed.

The question whether or not Pell's trial was fair is irrelevant, because it is simply wrong to throw old harmless people in jail.

Yuyutsu,

The establishment needed to please the jackals and their thirst for the blood of not just Pell, but the Catholic Church. He was always going to jail. Like others of us, he trusted the system, thinking things were still the way they used to be; they are not. He could have stayed in the Vatican, and they couldn't have touched him. We are now all at risk if we ever fall foul of what passes for justice in Australia these days.

Dear Ttbn,

I am not confident that Pell could have remained in the Vatican indefinitely. Likely the pope would have ordered him to return to Australia in order to minimise the damage to the Church. I may have advised him to flee to or even hide in some safe third country, but then he would have to break his ties with the pope and the Church.

I don't know whether or not he did what is claimed about him, but in any case I would have taken a cyanide pill with me because nothing is worse than prison. It is just so cruel, so wrong, even crucifixion would have been more appropriate!

Yes, we are all at risk, yet I don't think this is due to recent changes in the "justice" system, but rather due to this whole sickening concept as if anyone has a right to punish others, especially using such horrendous punishments.

Yuyutsu,
Why do you think prison is the worst punishment possible?

What do you think a more appropriate punishment be for the serious crime he was convicted of?

Dear Aidan,

To begin with, I do not believe at all in humans punishing each other. I do believe in divine justice, but this is not for us to carry out.

Protection from further damage is a different matter, but in the case of Pell, even the judge admitted that he poses no further threat to society.

«Why do you think prison is the worst punishment possible?»

I admit, not for everyone. There are some of the lowest type of people for whom prison-life is not even that different than their normal life.

I speak for myself and for people like myself, who are spiritual, sensitive, who try to purify their life, seek only pure influences and stimuli, stay away and shield themselves from the evil and the impure, including even such impurities that are legal and considered "normal" in society.

In brief, prison tears away our shield. Prison cuts us off from pure influences (such as scripture, spiritual guides, good spiritual company, spiritual rites, quietude, pure diet, pure music, etc.) and exposes us to the worst influences, let alone of "normal" society but even of criminal society. This undercuts all our spiritual endeavours for which we came to this world and sets us instead on the path of evil to spiritual ruination - death is much preferable.

Yuyutsu,

I think that Pell could have spent the rest of his life in the Vatican. It has happened before, but I'm sorry that I can't name the cardinal or what he did. Pell certainly should not be in jail given the ridiculous, unbelievable farce that was his trial. The so called Dark Ages were more enlightened than modern Australia.

Like you, I cannot think of punishment worse than incarceration among the scum of the earth for someone like Pell. He is old, he is sick; neither of which conditions would stop him from being physically assaulted and worse by natural low-lives, who presume to have 'standards’ that apparently allow them to judge other people. We know that the hateful Left will be enjoying the prospect of that, even though it is incarceration that is the punishment, and not thuggish behaviour from other prisoners.

For the first time in my life, I am thoroughly ashamed of, and embarrassed for, my country. Like a fool, I honestly thought that we were better; that we would never condemn anyone, irrespective of character or offence, beyond reasonable doubt.

Alasdair MacIntyre warned us a few years ago that: “The time is coming when men and women of virtue would understand that continued full participation in mainstream society was not possible for those who wanted to live a life of traditional virtue”.

I think that time has arrived.

Australians should be extremely uneasy about the fact that the Victorian police began the investigation without a complaint.

‘Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime,’ Lavrentiy Beria assured Stalin.

One can’t help but feel Pell is not being treated like any other convicted prisoner. The live broadcasting of his sentencing hearing was intended to maximise his shame and humiliation and the Victorian County Court chief judge, Peter Kidd, seemed to take considerable pleasure in doing his judicial duty so publicly.

Hi there TTBN & RUNNER...

One of the AFP's former Commissioners was a bloke by the name of, Maj. Gen. Ron GRAY - He was a decorated soldier and Vietnam Veteran. He was quoted as saying, '...he'd rather face a Coy. of Vietnam Regular's, than a single 'media hack'. He went on to say, they never quote you accurately, they often distort your statements, and in some cases lie about what you've said or done.

And my own experiences with the media will bear out all that the Maj. Gen. has said. On one isolated occasion, I arrested a bloke who was complicit in the commission of malicious wounding. The TV media arrived, and I showed the TV Crew the Butterfly Knife used, which was televised that night on the TV News. To say I was misquoted up hill & down dale would be an understatement, so much, so I got a real 'blister' from my Boss (a Supt.). Police have a Media unit who generally look after most news releases from police. And to ensure we don't put our size 12's in the sh.t.

TTBN & RUNNER...Whatever negative opinions you might have about the NSW (Australian) media, I could only concur with you. Apropos Geo. PELL. I don't know whether he's guilty or not. He received a Trial and was found guilty by twelve of his peers. The law (subject to appeal) says he's guilty, as charged. One thing I found curious gentleman, Geo. PELL showed a great deal of dignity during his trial and subsequent imprisonment. The guilty people I've dealt with, usually display either, utter fear, nonchalance, or courage, when sentenced to a prison term. Despite his age and quiet demeanor, Geo. PELL is no wilting violet, despite his high office in the Catholic Church.

thanks o sung wu

I saw one post that describes the media as find the man and then make up the crime. Whether you like Trump or not its hilarous and tragic the way the media along with the extremly questionable Clintons have made up the Russion collusion story. I have stated may times that I am no fan of the Catholic church and would not know Pell from a bar of soap. I have observed the abc's obsession with this man for a couple of decades, That should send alarm bells to anyone wanting truth and justice. They have an atrocious record. Without witness's it is totally puzzling how a man could be found guilty beyong reasonable doubt. The comfort I take is that all will stand before God one day and true justice will prevail. If he is guilty and lying all will be revealed. With the marxist in control of many of our institutions today I expect less and less justice and truth and more and more injustice. They seem to have a self righteousness rarely seen before.

o sung wu,

Fortunately I'm not important enough to be harassed by the media, but if I was, they wouldn't even get a 'no comment’ out of me, nasty, sensationalising and inaccurate with truth and the English language as they are.

George Pell. I think his faith and innocence are the reason for his calm demeanor. A friend of his said that Pell told him that he had no reason to fear the judgement of men, only the Final Judgement

Hi (again) TTBN & RUNNER...

Would the word 'scapegoat' be appropriate when describing Cardinal George PELL'S circumstances, or would 'fall guy' or 'patsy' better fill the bill? If this man is really 'not guilty' as he's pleaded, even our sacred halls of justice are infallibly corrupt?

The media hacks have a lot to answer for, even when they print the truth. The truth rarely satisfies them preferring instead to 'dick around' with it until it suits their narrative. Anyway, railing against the media in this matter serves no useful purpose. Perhaps it's best we await his appeal. By God, justice better be done by then?

'Would the word 'scapegoat' be appropriate when describing Cardinal George PELL'S circumstances, or would 'fall guy' or 'patsy' better fill the bill? If this man is really 'not guilty' as he's pleaded, even our sacred halls of justice are infallibly corrupt? '

O sung wu

that is my greatest fear. I wrote on another post of a good friend of mine who was raped at uni by a muslim. I took her to the police and although they were nice they really did not encourage charges as their were no witnesses. She had nothing to gain by lying except humilation and embarassment. Pell on the other hand was not only charged without witness's but convicted. One can't help but to think that thew abc's 20 year dishonest cruscade against Pell rubbed off on the jury. Again I make no claim to know if he was guilty or innocent. I doubt very much it was proved beyong reasonable doubt.

Scapegoat is a reasonable word to. The Marxists have been after the Catholic Church for some time. Cutting Pell out of the herd is much easier than taking on the entire organisation.

Hi there RUNNER...

Like you, I don't know whether Cardinal PELL is innocent or guilty. But my antennae are quivering with the stench of corruption, by certain elements in the media, who've 'unloaded,' unmercifully on Geo. PELL big time. The poor bugger can't cop a break. 'Proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt'?

As was the erudite, Mr. Bob SANTAMARIA, an arch-conservative (not charged with any crime) one that I admired (though I was not of his faith). You would recall him I'm sure RUNNER, on every Saturday or Sunday morning, with his weekly talks, a man of great moral conviction, and not one of the 'Left' believe me.

;As was the erudite, Mr. Bob SANTAMARIA, an arch-conservative (not charged with any crime) one that I admired (though I was not of his faith). You would recall him I'm sure RUNNER, on every Saturday or Sunday morning, with his weekly talks, a man of great moral conviction, and not one of the 'Left' believe me.'
O sung wu
yeah I remember watching Bob regularly. I must admit that I was to young to understand anything about politics then. I was probably like those very brainwashed kids protesting against gw while going home to enjoy all the benefits of mining.

back to the topic. It always amazed me how the left were so reluctant to do anything about Michael Jackson when he had multiple accuser. No point now but they certainly protect their own.

Hi there RUNNER...

Michael JACKSON, now there's a real 'piece of work' if I ever saw one. With many of the mothers of the young boys he allegedly abused, complicit in his evil-doing, just because he was the great Michael JACKSON. Another 'darling' of the 'Left'.