Free Schapelle Corby

I may be wrong. I’m ashamed to not have followed this more closely, but didn’t she fly out of Australia? Wasn’t her luggage put on a plane, taken out of her control in Australia? It would seem to me that not only would Indonesians tourist trade be in jeopardy but Australia’s as well. I for one would be hesitant to fly to and from Australia today in this post 9/11 world when at least in America you are not allowed to lock your luggage so that it can be inspected at will no matter where you are flying. How could I feel safe flying back home to the US from Australia.

Unless Corby wins her freedom on appeal, which I think is unlikely but not altogether impossible, the best she can hope for is that the Government will be able to negotiate a prisoner repatriation agreement. Once she's here, the public can exercise an enormous amount of political pressure and influence. While she remains in Indonesia, negative or anti-Indonesian public comment simply galvanizes Indonesian opinion against her - both public and judicial. I say let's NOT stage protests, or engage in other self indulgent displays of frustration and anger. Let's all take a breath, calm down, and let Corby's lawyers do their jobs at the appeal. If that fails, let's help the Govt negotiate a prisoner return agreement, by staying out of their way. If we piss the Indonesians off too much they're never going to let her come home. I know this approach sucks because it doesn't provide the satisfaction of being able to tell 'em where to stick it, however it really is the only way for the public to help Corby get back home.

Now having said all that, my gut-feelings on the question of Corby's guilt or innocence have wavered back and forth over the months as more information has come to light. I suspect I have intrinsically wanted to believe in her innocence in this matter and I admit to being influenced by a range of subjective factors. She is an atractive young Australian in a very vulnerable position, facing harsh judgement in a foreign country with a historically chequered relationship with Australia. Needless to say, her plight strikes a chord with our cultural penchant of 'barracking' for the underdog.

Having confessed my lack of objectivity in this case, I nevertheless find myself with some persistent nagging doubts about Corby's innocence, that is to say her complete non-involvement in the carriage of marijuana to Bali. I have nothing new to offer except more conjecture (and even that is probably not new). I am almost convinced (without attempting to convince others) that the marijuana was not intended for the Bali market, but not convinced that Corby was completely uninvolved.

I can offer no informed insights or considered line of logical reasoning, however I am left wondering if Corby WAS aware at check-in that there was (or would be) a 4.5kg package in her bag. BUT what if the package was actually meant to be removed in Sydney before proceeding onto Bali (as claimed in the baggage handler consipracy theory)? This would seem to be in line with the usual movement of drugs from lower to higher fiscal return markets. Her flight was Brisbane-Sydney then Sydney - Denpasar so there would have been easy access by a confederate at Sydney Airport when she changed planes. Did things just go awry, and are her protestations of innocence so convincing because she genuinely did not intend to smuggle marijuana into Bali? I really don't know.

Anyway, despite that I'm an uncool old fart, I think it incredible that all this fuss is about is a few kilos of grass (not crysto-methamphetamines, heroine or crack) being taken to a region which grows the stuff by the bushell anyway. Its a bit like eskimos legislating snow as an illegal import and then shooting anyone bringing it in. Perhaps Corby's mistake was in not offering to pay duty on the stuff. Technically guilty or not, let's help her get back home. Here's my subjectivity creeping in again.

I saw Henry Rollins perform in Brisbane last Tuesday night and he had a few choice things to say about the case. For instance he brought up facts like how much money we've given to indonesia in support for the tsunami relief. His basic thoughts were to suspend that aid until they saw it "our way" or in the future give no aid at all the next time a wave comes. I realise all that we know about the case is what we are told by the media but it seems that indonesia should have been willing to "play ball" as such with the Aussie government a little more. I think that maybe they would have though if not for the group of teenagers who got caught a few weeks back with the heroin strapped to themselves. It basically makes out that the only reason Aussies are going to indonesia is for drugs. Understanding though that indonesia has to be seen to be enforcing their laws I think every one realises that every government in the world regularly bends and breaks its own laws when convenient so its not like their hands are tied.

They say there is "Honour amongst thieves" I wonder why the baggage handlers that are supposed to have "played" with the bags have not let it be known what happened, via a newspaper etc,they could remain anonamous,

I thought all the baggage points were protected by the security police, dogs etc, how can this still go on these days,

Just shows how we are led to believe that we are "secure" but are we??

Scary en it.