Stupid People

Prime Minister John Howard has condemned Australians who try to smuggle illegal drugs into South-East Asia as 'stupid'. I agree.

I could be facetious and say they don't need any more, they manufacture their own - lots of it, but that would be stating the bleedin' obvious.

Like the Prime Minister, I just don't get it. There are signs in every airport, in large letters and numerous languages, there are handouts and pamphlets that explain, in no uncertain terms, what will happen should you be caught. What? You think they are kidding? You don't think you'll be caught? It will never happen to you? Guess again.

The high profile case of Schappelle Corby, the so-called Bali Nine... HELLO???

It's unfortunate for Michelle Leslie that she has been caught up in the targeting of Australian Tourists in drug raids, but there is a wonderful word out there, two letters, N and O. It's a mighty word and would have saved her a lot of grief.

Or maybe not. Let's remember that Ms Corby was convicted purely because it was her bag. No fingerprints were taken off the bag; neither the prosecutor nor the judge were interested in anything other than absolute proof she did not do this. If not Ms Corby, then provide someone else we can call guilty. Not even reasonable doubt could save Ms Corby.

So. The Bali Nine. Greedy, stupid, selfish people. They were caught with the drugs taped to their bodies. Nope. Aint got no sympathy for them. Their familes, yes. For the trauma those nine have put their families through because they wanted a 'free' holiday and some 'easy' money, they should stay in prison until they GROW UP! Not going to happen, though. They will all probably face the death penalty. I have no doubt every one of them is thinking they shouldn't have done it. Too late now, and they'd better not be thinking 'this is not my fault.' It is. You made the choice, you accepted the money, the holiday, the drugs with no thought of the consequences. You betrayed yourself and your families for greed. Stupid.

Unfortunately, in this case, being stupid, may very well get them executed. Is that what people need before they will pay attention? The sanctioned murder of our citizens? The Australian government won't be able to stop them from passing the death sentence. And before you weep and wail at the ineffectual government, remember this: you wouldn't allow a foreign nation to dictate how we implement our laws, so why would Indonesia tolerate a similar interference?

One more time, this time with feeling: DO NOT TAKE DRUGS TO SOUTH-EAST ASIA.