Perhaps before we get too carried away with pleas of clemency for members of the Bali Nine now shortlisted for execution in Indonesia, we should take time to consider the following reality; under Indonesian law, drug smugglers can face execution.
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The Bali Nine presumably knew of that risk yet still put personal greed ahead of all other considerations when they strapped kilos of heroin to their bodies in an attempt to smuggle that vile drug into Australia.
Some now advocating on behalf of these criminals are suggesting that “discovering Jesus” after being caught; as claimed by one of the ringleaders of the Bali Nine, is a ground for clemency for a crime as serious as one with a death penalty attached – drug smuggling.
While execution is barbaric, the same could be said for deliberately feeding heroin into the veins of our youth.
It is hypercritical of Australian politicians to demand Indonesia vary its laws to protect the Bali Nine from execution; for in recent times, those same politicians have ridden roughshod over common law rights of Australians and ignored UN Conventions on Human Rights, claiming Australian law is inviolable and takes precedence of all others.
Barry Swan, Balgownie
Never mind blaming the insurance investigators, expose the low-life public servants that instigate and permit this disgraceful persecution of police to occur, bow your heads in shame you faceless people, you’re a disgrace.
Peter Tornaros, Oak Flats
My family and I have lived at McCauleys Beach, Thirroul for 36 years. We are dog lovers and until recently have owned a dog. Almost every day, summer and winter we have enjoyed the beach; swimming, surfing, walking, beach cricket, ball games, fishing and sand modelling.
That is until McCauleys Beach has become an official ‘‘Off Leash Area’’ or ‘‘Dog Beach’’.
Don’t put your towel on the sand and expect it to be dry when you come out after a dip! Don’t touch any of the grass surrounding the shower or steps near the smelly ‘‘poo bin’’!
I have seen toddlers knocked over, people’s legs scratched, lacerations, bodyboards snapped at and even teeth marks in a fibreglass surfboard.
The sand is overworked, dirty and ‘‘tired’’ looking with lots of covered-up dog droppings.
The pleasure and charm of McCauleys is no longer there. I lodged my objections through the correct channels, but my rights to use the beach were ignored.
A Wollongong City Council representative told me to get in my car and drive to Thirroul or Austinmer beach. Good luck getting a parking spot there!
Why should I drive to a beach when I pay some of the highest rates to live less than approximately 100 metres from a beach I can no longer use?
Name supplied, Thirroul
The artificial reef presently being deployed offshore from Shoalhaven Heads has been stolen from Wollongong and one can only wonder as to what role Gareth Ward has played in that.
Recreational fishermen have once again shown their commitment to providing enhanced habitat for marine life by wholly funding the construction and deployment of this reef with grants from the Recreational Fishing Trust which is the recipient of fishing licence fees in NSW.
Mel Brown, Woonona