I can't quite understand you guys about this case. no need to come to my country if you don't want to. Wrong people You people are blaming wrong people. You shoudnt be directing your anger to Indonesians. in my mind you'all so SNOB..

I don't see why anyone would want to visit Bali after reading this. To say the very least

P.S reading your comment makes me yucks...no need to come my country ,mr.

Icare: Thanks for your comments, I went and read your blog after reading them and I can see you are understandably offended by some of what has been said. I also realise that this incident takes place in a very complex context - I especially see that the colonial history of Indonesia leaves many there feeling angry about criticism that seems self-righteous.

You make some powerful points and I wish I had been less sweeping in my off-the-cuff posting.

I would hope that Indonesians will feel compassion to the individual woman, Schapelle Corby, caught up in this. She is not responsible for the injustices of the past.

It seems very likely to me that she is innocent and I am concerned that she is being treated as if she is guilty.

Thanks for challenging what I wrote.

In this case the "Australian Government needs to do more".
Can you imagine if this was a Polititions daughter.
This woman is innocent, no logic behind taking marijuana into Indonesia worth 1/8 of what it is worth in Australia.
An innocent Australian life destroyed.
No holiday in bali for many ozzies.
Lets just hope the 3 judges involved can take this case on its merits and therefore release this poor woman. (No real evidence that Schapelle Corby is guilty).
In the australian legal system she would have been released and sought damages/claims, against the airline carrier.

It doesn't make any sense! The prosecution have asked to ignore valuable evidence? Have they investigated why she regularly visits family in Bali? She has no drug convictions or evidence of habits, and it is plainly obvious that seeing her suffer disgusting conditions in a Bali prison just shows she is a lady of class and not a dirty drug trafficker/dealer. I hear drugs are much cheaper in Bali ... why smuggle it there?
This country is supporting her, just like we supported Indonesia in the Tsunami disaster and in investigating the loss of life in the Bali bombing. As a Travel Agent, I pushed Bali holiday packages to support their tourist industry after the bombing by that evil Bali cleric - but no longer will I even suggest Bali, I'll most likely advise people not to go. How can I ensure my clients that Ms Corby's horrible situation won't happen to my travellers.
There are so many mysteries in her case and even with this reasonable doubt she should be freed.
Bring home this girl, she is a productive member of my community!

Shapelle Corby is innocent we all know that. They want to put her in jail for life but that muslim cleric who was involved in the bali bombings who has ties to Osama Bin Laden only gets 3 years for killing hundreds of people? I mean really where is the logic? I mean if she is convicted and not bought home i guarantee no one from australia is going to want to go there. And after we gave over $1 billion in donations for the Tsumani to their country they dont even have a proper judicial system what is the world coming to. Shapelle you are in the hearts & thoughts of many people around the world. We are all praying for you and I hope you are allowed to come home asap. God bless Shapelle.

SCHAPELLES INNOCENCE

THE BALI NINE HAVE PROVEN ONE INDISPUTABLE FACT! AND THAT IS, DRUGS ARE SMUGGLED OUT OF INDONESIA INTO AUSTRALIA !
NOT OUT OF AUSTRALIA INTO INDONESIA!

THIS PREMISE ALONE PROVES SCHAPELLE CORBY IS INNOCENT, AND SHOULD BE RELEASED FROM THE BALI PRISON IMMEDIATELY!

IF THE INDONESION JUDGES FIND HER GUILTY AND GIVE HER A SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT; IT PROVES ANOTHER FACT! AND THAT IS, THEY MUST HATE AUSTRALIANS AND LOOK UPON US AS A SOFT TOUCH!

ALSO; IF THE JUDGES FIND HER GUILTY AND IMPOSE A SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT ON SCHAPELLE. WE AS AUSTRALIAN SHOULD RISE UP AND LET OUR WRATH BE KNOWN!

MARCH ON THE INDONESIA EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, AND EVEN OUR OWN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT we must PROTEST ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF SCHAPELLE!

URGE ALL TRAVEL AGENCIES IN AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND AND THE REST OF THE WORLD TO BLACK BAN INDONESIA!
NO MORE TRAVEL TO INDONESIA!

STOP AND WITHDRAW ALL AID FROM INDONESIA.

AUSTRALIANS HAVE EMPATHY AND COMPASSION. WE HAVE GIVEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AID AND FINANCE TO INDONESIA.

WE WARN THEM! DO NOT UPSET US AUSSIES!

LET THEM SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE STOP GIVING THEM AID!

Over the long weekend I had a bench set-up collecting signatures for a petition to free schapelle. It was amazing the number of young people who holiday in Bali. They came up to me and told me that cannabis is rife in Bali and it can be bought from the Indonesian drug dealers for a dollar a bag. So what does that say?

Terry Winship mobile 0421162177

Schapelle is innocent lady and victim of wrong-doing by a certain person. Since Sydney airport is undersurveillance camera, with tight security and so on why don't we ask the Manager of the airport, customs officer that's the only way we can prove that Schapelle know nothing about the drugs inplanted inside her bag. We all know what's going on in Indonesia, muslim country, their law is different from our law in Australia. Drugs here is very linient, how can we solve this drug problems? It is worst than having a Cancer sickness. Don't worry Schapelle I'll pray for you to get a fair judgement. Relax and regards. Flora

Never again shall I offer one red cent in aid to Indonesia, nor shall I ever set foot on its fetid soil.

The hypocrisy and corruption of those 'in charge' over there and their underlings is truly beyond comprehension. After the millions of dollars in aid, not to mention the lives of our service people lost to their cause, that they can turn around and treat one of our people in such a manner on a presumption beggars belief.

Schapelle is innocent. Bring her home and let's leave these people to their paradise of squalor.

I would make a strong presumption of innocence in the case of Schapelle and her incarceration is disturbing.

I don't however support sweeping condemnations of a nation and - by implication - its people. There are few governments in the world that are untainted by allegations of dishonesty and corruption. Inflammatory descriptions of Indonesia (eg "its fetid soil") probably don't help Schapelle's cause, as Alan Singer points out here. I prefer to leave comments unedited and uncensored but I ask commenters to consider their tone on this subject.

I have been to Bali once, and would never go back. The beach at Sunar was like the pits like Kuta, well I didnt think much of that either. I dont know why people are so fascinated with the place, when you get out into the villages its like filth. I would much rather vacation in Australia, at least you know you can get a fair trial if anything goes wrong. I think Schapelle is innocent I hope she gets out. Every Aussie should be outraged with this incident and should definately boycott any travel to Bali in the future. This is scary stuff and the australian government needs to crack down on ppl dealing in drugs at the airport. I think John Howard should definately intervene in this, he is a gutless wonder and if he thinks that indonesian government will give her a fair trial, he should get his head out of his ass for once. well anyway, i hope she gets out. Already almost 1 year of her life has been wasted in that stench hole of a place.

I am due to go to Indonesia next year with the biggest group of Australians (850)that travel outside the country as a group. If they convict Shapelle Corby there is no way in hell i will ever set foot on Indonesian soil ever again. I will do all in my power to try and get the conference I attend to relocate to another country, why bother going to a place that treats us Australians like common criminals. I've had it with Indonesia, they seem to take and take the aid we offer and then turn around and do something like they have done to an obviously innocent person.

I have just been watching the Prime news here in New Zealand and cannot believe that Schappelle has been found guilty. I urge any New Zealander and Australian traveller to totally boycott Indonesia, we need not give them any more of our money, we cannot trust them to be honest and fair. Was it that they had doubt in their mind when handing down their sentence by giving her only 20 years and not a death penalty. If there was doubt in their mind, they have acted out of pure disregard for the criminal system and they themselves need to be punished. I am disgusted.

f#%k i can't believe some old fart and his gay offsider are telling us those who employ them we can not intervien in a f$%ked up legal system. i am putting out the call for a national vote to be held on a greater scale than the tsunami collection as to whether we intervien and act accordingly. let those in power know they will be stripped of there rights if they follow there cause of no action i can not accept an innocent australian being attacked so shamelessly and the country doing nothing. to those that appose involvement 'sleep well' you have nothing to fear your lives are already lost

Indonesia has just kissed its nation brand goodbye and we can watch it sink in Simon Anholt's next survey.

the indonesians can kiss aussie butts when we all stop going there for holidays
there are alternatives like fiji jut next door lets support the fijians and boost our neighbours economy not the economy of a nation of lazy ass asians

Ithakiman, I know you are not happy but you might want to moderate your last sentence. I'm sure that an Indonesian judging panel is not representative of 3.6 billion Asians, many of whom would have been allies of Miss Corby. Indeed, there would be Indonesians who sympathize with Miss Corby's situation.
   However, I do not deny that this judgement will have a severely adverse effect on Indonesia. While this was going on, the United States closed its embassy and consulates in Indonesia, citing terror threats. So with fewer Americans, Australians and New Zealanders (who were as glued to the event, and I do not just mean Derryn Hinch), Indonesia's economy will be in trouble.

   However, longer-term, the Corby affair could well have kicked off some dangerous trends. In its desperation at missing foreign exchange, what if Indonesia becomes a major terror state? It could arm, and be ready to invade neighbouring nations within 10 years.

   I don't want to sound alarmist but I wonder if there are repercussions beyond her sentence. I also hope that Australia does something for one of its nationals. She needs to be brought home and detained in Australia, immediately. And from my layman's perspective, the tsunami aid promised to Indonesia can be used as a bargaining tool.

Mr. Winship,

I hate to rain your parade, but the the Bali Nine were smuggling herion INTO Indonesia, not out of Indonesia as you claim.

While I emphatically agree that that Ms. Corby has suffered a terrible injustice and that the legal system in Indonesia is rife with corruption and hypocracy, you really should do your homework.

On that note, you may be surprised to know that there is significant market for Australian cannibus in Indonesia, which is driven primarily by westerners who want the high quality stuff. Thus, while I do not believe that Ms. Corby is guilty, it would be plausible and lucrative to bring cannabis into Indonesia.

AJ from Colorado, USA

They gave our girl 20 years and handed their tourism industry a death sentence at the same time.

What was that about a monkey in a dress being a monkey no less?

I can't believe how racist everyone is being towards Indonesia. How do you know she is innocent? She was found with the drugs. There was more than one person who testified that she admitted the drugs were hers. She has not produced one piece of hard evidence to rebut what is pretty heavy prosecution evidence. The baggage handler claims from the guy in prison would not be counted even in Australia, as it is only circumstantial. He overheard a conversation - what proof is that? The sad fact is that Indonesian officials had enough evidence to prove guilt and convict. If an Indonesian was in possession of drugs coming into Australia, admitting they were their's, but later denied it and got someone from an Indonesian prison to say that he overheard a conversation... what do you think our response would be?

To AJ from Colorado
Please get your facts right the Bali Nine were alledgely smuggling heroin from Indonesia to Australia, the police over here were criticized for giving information to the Indonesian authorities instead of waiting for the to return to Australia before arresting them!!!
Whilst it might be considered lucrative to smuggle cannabis into Indonesia, I do not think that it would be as lucrative as it would be in Australia

How I agree, Jacqui. This has brought out a lot of 'Johnny Foreigner' comments against Indonesia, which were totally unwarranted.

What a stupid conviction. I hate the Indonesian officials for this. I have given to the tsunami aid, but judging from the way the government officals behave, I wouldn't put it past them to pocket the money and not give it to the victims. No wonder there didn't seem to be any relief, despite the millions of dollars that were sent.

I hate Indonesians anyway and hope they get another tsunami. At any rate, I won't buy
those crappy clothes that say "made in Indonesia"
I will buy and yes you can find clothes that say "Made in USA". I live there so I will
support workers there.

Bush should put sanctions on Indonesia. No tsuami aid.. No trade...until they let that girl go.

I live in the United States, just got up to date today as the 20 year sentence was handed down. I am a 42 year old man and do not cry that easy, I have to tell you that watching Miss Corby's breakdown on the news really tore me up.... I do not think she is guilty... I want to help her

Can we try and find out where to send money for her defence, medical care, and perhaps even send her supplies in prison? And if we send her care packages will she get them?

As I've already said, I think Shapelle Corby is being harshly treated.

I am also dismayed at the level of racist abuse in some of the comments being made here.

I believe in free speech but I would like those who indulge in the crudest racial stereotyping to vent their prejudices somewhere else.

I deeply dislike censoring comments but I have deleted some comments that I feel are most extreme in their language and I will do so again in future. I am still allowing commenters a wide birth to express their feelings but I am drawing the line somewhere.

I support protest at the injustice in this case but I would like this debate to avoid sweeping generalisations about nations and their people - both Australian and Indonesian.

Letter submitted to Crikey.com this morning by Michael Jensen, and I quote.. "Reasons to boycott Indonesia

The Schapelle Corby incident points up a fact that has been overlooked by all of the commentators. That fact is that any Australian citizen who travels to Indonesia is running the very real risk of having their life snatched away by the actions of others. People who are contemplating visiting Indonesia should very seriously consider if the risks associated with being unwittingly caught up in the criminal actions of others is worth a visit to a country that has such a backward, farcical legal system such as we have seen displayed on television in the Corby case. More like a circus than a court of law, with an obvious disregard for the principals of justice, judges with alarmingly little training that would not qualify them as court clerks in this country. No thinking Australian can ignore the fact that an innocent can be caught up in extremely traumatic circumstances that may even mean loss of life in the most barbaric circumstances in this obviously backward country. And yes it could happen to you, it happened to Schapelle Corby! Another point that seems to be overlooked is that the Indonesian Government, whether they like to admit it or not, has turned itself into a terrorist organisation that threatens the lives of innocent travellers to their country. Be very aware that in these primitive societies the actions of others can cost you your life. Indonesia by it’s actions does not deserve the respect or support of Australia until it can bring itself out of the dark ages and take it’s place among civilised peoples. At this point in time travel to Indonesia would appear to be a stupid thing to do and boycotting the country an act of the highest wisdom. End of quote..

I would go one step further and warn importers that my family and many others that I have spoken to, that we will no longer purchase anything made in Indoensia. The message has to be sent back to Indonesia in the only way they know and understand, money. Our hard earned money that we repeatedly take their on holidays and in so doing, supporting their economy should be stopped immediately by us all. Here's hoping that all Australian's are as disgusted as I am and are willing to boycott Indonesia and all things Indonesian.

My heart goes out to Schapelle being stuck in that rat infested hot hell, constantly being surrounded my cockroaches. But I won't hold my breath waiting for our Gov't to act. How piss weak is our Gov't? Its obvious from its lack of help so far, that Australian lives are worth nothing to this Gov't.

My love and prayers go out to Schapelle and family in these extremely distressing and disturbing times.

Natalie
Australia

The main problem here is that Indonesian law does not require evidence beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict a defendant. Rather, the onus is on the accused to prove their innocence. A necessary consequence of putting the burden of proof on the defendant is that large numbers of innocent people will have no hope of securing acquittal and will be sent to jail or in front of a firing squad despite committing no crime. This is a critical failing of the legal system in Indonesia and many other countries, and if you visit or live in these places then you are in deep trouble if you are accused of a crime, even if you are innocent. It is not like more legally advanced countries where innocent people are usually able to go free.

However, in this case you do have testimony from several customs officials which contradicted Corby's claims as to how she handled the bag. In order to believe she is innocent, you have to believe that these customs officers all lied and perjured themselves in court (risking lengthy jail terms and the end of their careers) to knowingly convict an innocent person. Why would they do that? With the intense focus on this case, the risk of any corruption being discovered would be very high. So Corby's supporters have to counteract this eyewitness testimony from law enforcement officials, which is rather damaging to say the least. If a foreigner had come to Australia, Britain or the USA with 4kg of cannabis in their luggage, and 4 customs officers had said she appeared reluctant to open the bag and tried to deflect attention away from the compartment with the drugs, would we even give them the time of day?

There are some weaknesses in the prosecution case, such as the lack of fingerprinting, but even if I think there's a resonable doubt about her guilt, I don't think it's an utterly absurd decision for a panel of judges to find her guilty. There is evidence against her, and not much in the way of concrete evidence in her favour. I think most people are judging this case on emotions rather than the merits of the case - the facts and evidence presented to the court.

Finally, I agree with johnnie that many of the comments are exposing vile racial hatred, xenophobia and prejudice. How are poor Indonesians responsible for the actions of 3 judges, a tourist or possible drug mule (whether willing or unwitting), and a drug-smuggling ring? What good will it do to withold aid from innocent people in a poverty-ridden country, or to try to drive hard-working Indonesians out of work? They have nothing to do with this case. If anything is at fault, it is those responsible for creating the laws at the heart of the Indonesian legal system, and whoever put the drugs in Corby's bag. You can't criticise over 100 million innocent people because of the actions of a handful of politicians, judges, and police.

I am disturbed at the pictures (TV) coming out of the Indonesian Court room, with local Indonesians, clapping and cheering the Schapelle Corby verdict. Made me feel sick to my stomach.
Talk about biting off the hand that feeds you!! Australians won't stand for that, and nor should they. Remember Indonesia is quick to tell us what we should be doing without hesitation*, so why all the political correctness from our Govt??

On many web pages visited, the Aust Govt are being seen by many around the world as gutless, for not looking out for the interests of one of their own. This has been echoed by many, many people in many countries around the world via the web.

One the other hand many people have viewed Indonesia in a very different light, that is,the Govt, their so called legal system, the lot, are all based on a culture rife with bribery and corruption. How can anyone get a fair and just hearing with such a corrupt system as the one that is in place in Indonesia. The mind boggles..

Australians and others, please boycot Indonesia and all things Indonesian,write, email to the Indonesian Consulates and Embassy expressing your disgust. Phone talk back radio and swamp the airways with your views. Indonesia must be made aware of what the world thinks.

How else will we bring about change!!

Natalie
Australia

* (NT News Paper (Aust) - about 3 weeks ago)
Indonesia tells Australia, we should better house their nationals, illegal fishermen that is, who have been caught in Australian waters illegally fishing, that we should be offering them more assistance, better housing facilities, more, more, blah, blah, blah!!.

Natalie: You are disturbed by some indonesians who applauded the verdict.

I am disturbed by Schapelle's plight but I am now becoming more concerned at what seem increasingly vitriolic attacks like yours, calling for a boycott of "all things Indonesian". And by the sanctimoniousness with which you portray the country as mere recipients of alms from Australia. As if the country is a mere charity case, and ignoring a history that many would describe as one of colonial exploitation followed by the cyncial support of tyrannical regimes.

If you believe the country's legal system and government are corrupt, don't you consider that perhaps many millions of Indonesians are suffering as a result? And don't you think it likely that these millions will be the ones to suffer most if they are blanket boycotted?

I am angry that you and others see fit to use this case as an excuse to dump vitriol on an entire society in the name of justice. I believe it undermines the cause - which I support - of getting fair treatment for Miss Corby.

Precisely, Johnnie. We can only help people or change things by interfacing with them, and I am afraid that the long-term solution to a corrupt system is interaction. It's why I posted the dangers of boycotts earlier: what if economic disaster led to Indonesia arming, or waging war? Then we all suffer.
   I personally believe Schapelle Corby is innocent, but it is mostly gut instinct and second-hand knowledge (from others who have been there) about how things "work" in Indonesia. I get the impression that drug-smuggling is a strict liability crime, which means that one can be found guilty of the act despite an absence of mens rea, or intent. Yes, this is abhorrent when one is a victim.
   Despite the cheers that came from some locals, opinion is divided, so grouping all Indonesians into the same category as three judges—who operate in a foreign system which we are not terribly well informed about—is a mistake. The earlier poster who grouped all Asians into one was even more extreme, and wrong. In neighbouring Malaysia, there is a common-law tradition inherited from the British; even more so in Singapore. Don't get me wrong: I think the legal system in Indonesia is crap by the standards I went to law school to learn about.
   To take another of John's points, we can go further into Australia's past and its support of the régimes that led to the current socio-political situation in Indonesia, too.
   No state has come to this matter with clean hands, and the best thing we can do now, in my opinion, is to keep campaigning. Mr Howard's government needs to act, even if it is having Mr Downer negotiate Australian detention for Miss Corby. I see that as the most likely route, and I agree with some commentators that the Australian government can do more, including assisting Miss Corby's earlier defence with more evidence.
   However, I agree with John that a boycott is unproductive, though I have no doubt that some will take that route. Certainly in the short term, especially with this and the American Embassy closure, Indonesia will feel the absence of some American, Australian and New Zealand tourists. That may be enough, coupled with a constant campaign to ensure Miss Corby's release or transfer.

Bonjour,
I am a French living in Denpasar Bali. I feel pity about Ms. Corby fate though I don't have any idea whether she's innocent or not. But it's dissapointed me so much when I heard that Australian and some westerners community call for boycotting Bali and it's innocent people. I never had any thought before that Australians can be that unwise and irrational. The more I heard about asking back money you gave for tsunami victims the more it make me angry. It's like looking at a bunch of morons which I am sure you are all not. It made me sad, what happens with you guys? Loosing control of your rationality? How do you know that she's innocent? Just because of her looks? Don't blame them (Indonesian) for having a different legal system with you. We, from European continent, also have a different legal system with the British system. Is that make us inferior to you? You must learn history of civilization then. It certainly makes me look vraiment down on you, my Australian fellows, if you do such a mindless action. And I surely hope you won't.

Natalie, who's the world? Australian? We are French surely not part of your "New Imperialist" way of thinking! Your way in looking them down is irritating me so much. Do you really like to be looked down by other race or nation that has older and grand civilization than yours? I don't think so!

Jean Marais
(believer of Liberté - Egalité - Fraternité)
Avenue Leon Blum, Antony - Cedex
Now living in Denpasar - Bali.

I HAVE AN IDEA TO FREE HER:

I have done some research on the internet, from what I have read my idea seems very possible.

I read that in most of these prisons you can pay like $100 and get a day pass out of prsion, of course you will have one or two gaurds come along with you. But what a brilliant plan, she should do this over a period of months until they start trusting her.... then have a planned escape out of the country... What will those two gaurds do when faced with 6-10 bad ass Aussie trained mercenaries? I guess they should not kill the gaurds unless they have to. But wisk her right out of the country...thumb our noses at that third world corrupt justice system... Bring her home with NO PRISON TIME

All I know is that if that was my child I would raise millions of dollars and wipe out that entire village if thats what I needed to do to save my daughter.

I also read that Bali would want her to serve at least 8 years in their prison before any prisoner exchange could take place....and then expect her to spend another 12 years in an Australian prison.... what a load of crap!

Jean, vous avez raison d'ecrire votre messagerie. It is good to hear from someone living right there in Bali, and to know that the support for Miss Corby's sentence is certainly not unanimous. A ban is unwise for the reasons that you and I both outline, though I am certain that some will take this action.
   Jim, yours is a fine idea and I had thought of it, too. Though if it were actioned it would have to be done without the official knowledge of the Australian government.
   But call me a pacifist: I quite like the idea I heard at the office today. Natalie mentions Indonesians held by Australia (in a system that is so bad they won't let UN inspectors check it out—at least Indonesia has let people visit Schapelle Corby). A prisoner exchange could be a simple, non-violent, mutually beneficial way to solve this.

I was reading the Jakarta Post yesterday and for the first time became aware of just how much of an unjustice has been done to Schapelle.I believe in her innocence 100%. The Australian goverment would have us believe that a 20year sentence was a good thing, better than life and defenatly better than the death penalty, perhaps they will be able to explain to me then why a Mexican woman found with over 15kg in 2002 only recieved a sentence of seven and a half years and will be out sooner for good behaviour. The Jakarta Post even recognises what a stiff sentence Schapelle copped.This stinks of corruption. I will boycott and will never return to Bali. Our goverment sucks and should have more respect for the people that put them in power and who pay their wages. Oh yes and the little pay rise they have given themselves, very convenient to slip that through why the eyes of Australians were on Schapelle.
My thoughts and prayers will remain with Schapelle and her family until we bring her home.
Leah

I think that there is a key element that is missing from the whole boycotting Bali thing. I dont think it should be so much a case of WE ARE ANGRY so we wont go there. I have no plans to visit Bali as it scares me. I dont smuggle drugs, but fear that if something does get put into my bag that i could be sentenced to the firing squad. It is also my belief that it is not just drugs that they sentence death for. It is a wide range of crimes. Why would i put myself and why would you put yourself into a situation where you could potentially be completely innocent and yet be found guilty and killed.

But another thing to come out of this is everyone is blaming bali, indonesia and the australia government but thats not going to solve the problem. Lets assume that the drugs were planted in her bag. What is Australia doing about security on airlines. What are they doing about the high amount of drugs that is floating around. Things have been done but australia has a tendency to forget when the hype has calmed down. Give it a year or so and there will be another delmia that requires attention. and this will be swept under the rug.

I urge people to think with their heads and not their emotions. Yes its terrible and I agree with not going there (for the reason stated above) but dont punish people because you dont agree with them. Thats arrogant. People were cheering because they belived that she was guilty and they probably found it to be a good thing that they were punishing drug smuggling. As for the people who the tsnuami aid is going to, i think that they DONT CARE ABOUT SCHAPPELLE. Not because they are heartless but dont you think they have other things on their minds, like REBUILDING THEIR VILLAGES???

Come on people

Suzie
Australia

the judicial system in bali is like the southbound part of a northbound horse. They call that justice? And, then they wonder why the rest of the world looks at them like the cretans that they are.

I have never in my life been so ashamed of being australian.

This page of posts communicates nothing more than a nation of arrogance towards the rest of the world.

I cannot believe there are people here who dare speak on behalf on our entire country with such emotionally driven ignorance.

and as a post script, no i do not, just like EVERY SINGLE OTHER PERSON, know whether she is guilty or innocent. The only person that does is S.C herself and the party responsible for this crime, whether or not she is included in that group.

Mike,
their judicial system is similar with what we use here in European continent. They absolutely have it from the Dutch derived from French civil law under Napoleon.

That's true, Jean. While not debating that and getting into a discussion on legal systems, it is correct that the Indonesian system's roots are no older or newer than the common law system of Australia.
   I still believe in a burden on the prosecution to prove guilt, which France and the Netherlands do have within their civil law systems, but I must say some of these anti-Indonesian comments are disturbing. To the xenophobes, I say: if you own a pair of Nikes made by an Indonesian sweatshop, then hush. You're not coming to this dialogue with a clear conscience.

I have to make a quick mention to everyone from Mr Reaper to Cate for being voices of reason on this page. And Suzie raises some very valid questions: what is Australia doing about drugs internally? If these drugs originated there, as the defence claims, then there is a major problem with corruption and smuggling internally. Solve that crime, and we might find who is actually guilty if Miss Corby is not.
   Of course, for some it is easy to criticize another nation than taking a long, hard look at themselves.

Helo,

I'm reni, from jakarta. I'm also feel sorry for the tragedy that Corby get. I'm sure she is not guilty, since I read her statement in the trial. I feel very very sympathy for her. It is not related to politics, or country, but it is related to human rights. I support to free Corby from the jail.

That AJ guy from colorado is a fuckin wanker. Everyone knows that the Bali nine were trafficking out of bali into Australia. DICKHEAD. They were arrested on Sydney bound qantas flights. Those fuckers are gone they are guilty and i am positive that that fat chick is the ringleader. Man ive seen people like her in pubs who bignote themselves about shit like this. Shes a wannabe. You can pick it a mile away. She would have thought she was a big timer in Australia.I would also like to state that i feel so patriotic at the moment. Its good to see that Australians still stand up for each other.

One more thing. Even though i believe in Schappelle Corby's Innocence we are making fools of ourselves in the world. Yeah they are corrupt ,whatever!!!. Did you know that there is an Australian man in Singapore jail awaiting execution in the ocming months? no? or the fact that there is a 16 year old Australian in a Cambodian prison for drugs? surely a 16 year old deserves some attention on par with Corby. Shes innocent no doubt and 20 years is disgusting but dont make fools of yourselves. She still has the chance of a presidential pardon unless this racist rhetoric continues. WAKE UP!!!!

'GODBlessOZ' I'm glad you are against racist rhetoric. I'm sorry you're using this space for name-calling about other commenters.

No i just dont like people who dont know what they are talking about. Or try to make out they know more than they do. I dont suffer fools easily. FREE SCHAPPELLE.

Woops, pardon the oversight. I double checked the article that I read and it did, incorrectly, state that the Bali Nine were headed into Indonesia. I should have checked a few more news stories; how embarrassing. My apologies.

to GodblessOZ
No i just dont like people who dont know what they are talking about. Or try to make out they know more than they do. I dont suffer fools easily. FREE SCHAPPELLE.

What Do You Mean ??
You mean 'I don't know What I'm Talking About ???
I Totally know what I 'm talking about for this comment..

I read this case in two languages
i got my conclusion from two perspective...
you just read this case in english and
from your own media assumption..
everything is true from your own media.
indonesia is suck from your media point of view.

I put my comment in this blog
because i was so Fed Up with you guys
who have irrational reaction

You banned my country to the world sound
ashameful
it's normal reaction from an indonesian like me
and now, because your racism reaction
Indonesian have lost feeling to you guys
You did first
to make my country like a shit.
I deserve to be angry
and all indonesian blame to aussy
because of your blatant racism to us

I dont understand
I m so sympathy for this girl if
she's a victim
but your reaction like a telenovela...
full of emotion
spread your hatred to people like me
indonesian not like what's on your petition
to me your petition it's useless action and not shows you are such as intelligent people...

-------------------------------------------------
Bush should put sanctions on Indonesia. No tsuami aid.. No trade...until they let that girl go.
-------------------------------------------------

yes please , i think it's better.. you think if you give us your money....and we must obey all of your rule..
huh..who do you think you are?

NEVER EVER...

--------------------------------------------------

P.S
Johnny Moore,Thanks for your space and paste my comment here
reading most of these comments make me HHHKKKKKkkk........
yes, a lot racism people in this world who feel holier and better than others....
P.P.S if i had much free time I think i need to reply your outrageous comments...I dont have much time now to read these suck comments...but i just got idea,you guys..yes no doubt..so arrogant...

thanks a lot..

Its sad that you have it all wrong.
We are not a country of overwhelming racism.
in fact we are one of the most generous countries.
We feel genuinly for those who are in need. Hence
the various appeals for things like the tsnaumi
disaster and the like. However we are a very
passionate country as well. and sometimes its in the wrong way. there is no denying that. Boycotting Bali and threating to take away aid is only said out of anger. It wont happen. You want everyone to see your point of view. Well now I am going to try and explain australias. In our country our laws are very different. We dont believe in corporal punishment. We dont kill criminals. We aim for rehab or for incarseration for drug related offences. However we look at all the evidence and there needs to be proof beyond a REASONABLE doubt that the crime was committed. We take into account Mittagating circumstances.This means stuff like airport security and the fact that she doesn't take drugs has a supportive family and hasn't been in trouble before. This is all taken into account. So if she had of been tried here she probably would have gotten off or had a reduce (less than 5-10 years) sentence and serve councelling and rehab. Its a knee jerk reaction for most people to assume all laws should be like ours thats why many can't understand why the possibility of death even came up. Its hard to understand that she might be completely innocent and there is virtually no way to prove that. And in indonesias laws you dont have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. All you have to prove is pretty much she was in possesion of the drugs. it seems to many like Corby was just a sacrifice for people to take your antidrug laws seriously. Well it has backfired because people are becoming to scared to come because it seems impossible to prove innocence.

Please dont get me wrong. If i travel to another country i understand that i have to respect their laws and so one. but please look at it from australias point of view before you start to condem and judge australians. Your as bad as the people that you are judging. Also its not Australia as a nation who is upset with this verdict there are MANY INDIVIDUAL people. but dont generalise us all into one catergorie if your going to whinge that we are generalising you.

Suzie

Australian & Proud

yes..I hope...It's wrong
but..
simply..
people who give comments above have shown..what's ozzies like..

thanks..

So the actions/words of a few outraged people are enought to condem a country who, where you think you need it or not has helped out not only your country but many others.

nice to see years of kindness and consideration has paid off. I hope your sitting high on your pedastol and i hope that you feel you have earn the right to play judge an jury to thousands of people

So the actions/words of a few terorist people are enought to condem a country who, and judge us as barbaric, corrupt, stupid monkey...

where you think you need it or not has helped out not only your country but many others

who needz to get help from its neighbour but when they hate us (our system)...they do action like this :asking back money you gave for tsunami victims ...

funny...

when i give my money to a beggar...my mom said to me..
its better if you give a beggar one dollar but with your sincerity a whole than you give one million but you always talked abt it all the time...it named no sincerity in your generousity..

....

Once again you are generalising.
Many people selflessly gave hundreds of thousands of dollars of aid to people who need it. Exactly who is asking for the money back. Is it the country? has the government made demands that if they dont free Shapelle we want our money back? NO! its a handful of individuals. What i think of you legal system is irrelevant. My point was most Australians dont understand it because they are so used to our system which is varsly different.

My point about the money is not to show that you need us or that we are going to hold it over you for the rest of your life... it goes to show that we help people when they need it.. and at the moment many australians feel that shapelle needs help. I am saying that it is in our nature to become defensive about one of our own. take the hostage in Iraq for an example. This man is an Australian, but has lived in america and iraq for many years. but we still feel as though he needs our help and there has been many outcrys to help him.

I feel that you are taking my opinion as a criticism. which it is not supposed to be. i apprecaite your point of view but i dont not understand as to why you are intent on painting australia as an evil villian who only helps for the wrong reasons.

Im not saying that your system is barbaric. I am saying that i dont find value in corporal punishment, because I FEEL (please dont take my opinions out on Australians) that corporal punishing people is as bad if not worse than the people who committed the offence. If its an eye for an eye everyone would be dead. i dont think your system is corrupt and i dont feel the need to comment on that because i dont understand your system fully. Im say it doesn't make sense TO ME and many fellow australians. but on the same note does our system make sense to you?

Suzie and Rahma: My sense is that you both agree about some things and that some of that agreement is getting lost in the translation.

I think that in the debate as a whole, there is a lot of generalising, often in response to other generalisations. I think there are some people in both countries who have taken this debate to unfortunate extremes and resorted to name-calling of various kinds. And there are others who disavow that and feel hurt at being tarred with the same brush.

As a Brit, I'm aware of my own country's very mixed reputation in the world, based on (I feel) our own very mixed bag of behaviours and history. It's nice to talk about what British people are like in shortand, but it can never really deal with the variety.

Generalised defences of a nation can be as provocative in a way as generalised attacks on another.

What I see you both working towards here is some common ground. A desire for fairness and respect in the way your own country is talked about. Some hurt and anger when you feel that the actions of some of your fellow citizens are seen as typical.

I really appreciate the direction you are taking this conversation, and I feel relieved that we may be starting to move beyond stereotypes towards a desire for more understanding.

DONT FLY QUANTS ! AND BOYCOTT BALI !
SCHAPELLE IS NOT GUILTY................
JOHN HOWARD SUCKS, I FEEL SORRY FOR THE GOOD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN BALI BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE GOING TO LOOSE OVER ALL THIS CRAP ! PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO GO THERE ANYMORE WILL MABY YOU MIGHT BE LUCKY AND GET 10% OF THE ANOUNT OF TOURISTS THAT USUALLY GO THERE, PEOPLE FROM BALI SHOULD GET ON THERE HIGH HORSE AND STAND UP FOR SCHAPELLE ! OR THEY WILL END UP WITH NOTHING, YOU WILL NOT GET ANY AID FROM THE WORLD NEXT TIME SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. AND PERSONALLY I THINK THAT IF ANY OF YOU NEED MONEY OR YOUR BUISNESS IS SUFFERING. GO TO THE AIRPORT AND GET THAT LYING LITTLE TURD THAT LIED ABOUT SCHAPELLE, GET HIM TO SUPPORT YOU ALL. BECAUSE IT WAS HIS BULLSHIT LIES THAT PUT HER WHERE SHE IS ! WELL HIM AND QUANTAS ! THANKS QUANTAS ! THANKS BALI ! I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO BALI ! BUT NOT IN THIS LIFE ! NO WAY NOT WITH LYING LITTLE TURDS RUNNING AROUND THE AIRPORT WITH GUNS UHHHA NOT ME NOT I !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johnnie, thank you for putting some sense into the debate. I, too, find Suzie and Rahma actually have a lot of common ground, and indeed, a lot of the negative comments were directed at other people (on both sides) who were ignorant in theirs.

I was quite happy to hear a young lady temping at my bank planning to leave for Bali on vacation in 10 days' time. While most New Zealanders probably think Schapelle Corby is innocent (I am one of them), those who travel there must realize that banning Bali could have terrible consequences, in particular for all those Indonesians who disagree with the case (including the legislator who drafted the law under which Miss Corby was punished).

I don't have ill feeling toward australian before, but now I am fed up with the whole anti-indonesia/indonesian that pass around on the net triggered by some closed minded australians.
To those aussie who want to boycott bali, please do so. We don't need your kind!!
Bali is not just for australian tourist. People over there prefer tourist from Japan, China, Korea or European since they spend more of their money than just backpacking or sunbathing. LOL:)
So go ahead with you own stupidity.
Oh...yes you can ask for the tsunami aid back too, because donation which is given so insincerely and so many strings attached is a bad karma.

If anything, the comments show that the hatred espoused by the few have negative consequences—they force generalizations, and they are reciprocated. Until someone realizes that most Indonesians are decent people, and that most Australians are decent people.

I agree with natalie. We should boycott Indonesia ans all things Indonesian. Schapelle, innocent or guilty did not deserve 20 years rotting away in some Indonesian prison. The jury was corrupt, having had 49 guilty verdicts before Schapelle, didnt want to spoil their "perfect" record of guilty verdicts. And the "guilty until proven innocent" concept is totally ridiculous! And as for the wimpy Australian government, they are a disgrace!!!! They should be ashamed of how little they did to help her! The Indonesian government are quick to put us in our place, but the Australian government are just apologies and "we've done all we can". Its bullsh*t.

Oh, speaking of what the Australian government is doing, what is the update on the Australian citizen in jail in Vietnam about to face a firing squad? Perhaps the fact his name is Nguyen Van Chinh means there has not been much news about him. How we love our “damsels in distress” in the media—thanks to male editors, no doubt. If we are acting for Schapelle Corby, then we need to act for other Australians, too.

(Natalie, eva and you guys)

So, have you heard about Schapelle Corby? If you’re not from Australia or Indonesia probably not. It’s the story of an otherwise unremarkable drug trafficking trial made remarkable by irresponsible Australian media who have made journalism a profession not worthy of people’s trust.

I don’t want to rabble on about the trial because enough has been said and written about it but boy I really need to get my two cents worth out there. I got a lot to vent! I’m mad because I was fooled and feel shameful about the views I initially held. I want to rip into all the bull**** the pro-Corby camp have served up and throw it in their faces.

In the beginning, admittedly, I was convinced of her innocence, angry at her trial and sentence but eventually snapped out of the media induced psychosis. After a lot of reading, the facts sunk in and the shameful ugliness of the Australian public’s response convinced me I couldn’t be part of this mob so convinced she is innocent. Among my circle of friends, family and workmates etc I am of the few who believe Ms Corby is guilty, if not certainly guilty and only possibly innocent.

One thing is certain in all of this, some Australians can be very nasty and ugly, display inconsistent self-righteousness and indignation, ignorant of the facts and blind to the hypocrisy in their own backyard and if they are the majority of the so called 90% of Australians who are certain of her innocence then it’s a worry.

So is she guilty or innocent? What facts have those who believe she is innocent digested? Not much it seems. Be honest now. Apart from seeing lots of tears on tv and reading obscenely bias, sensationalist and plainly wrong reporting in the tabloid and general media its easy to come to the conclusion that she’s innocent and get all worked up about it. The fact is those who are so convinced of her innocence were not in the court to hear all the facts.

Far from being a closed court, like those in western countries, this trial was open to the media. Every word and emotion up for recording by the journalists but it seems they weren’t reporting everything nor willing to say what they really think of the trial because they were too scared of going against the grain of public opinion. Instead they wrote anonymously to MediaWatch complaining that their editors didn’t want anything that went against Corby reported because it might upset their audience/readship and hence ratings and sales of newspapers. So much for journalistic integrity and “without fear or favor”.

Are the Indonesian courts corrupt? Maybe but more so when you’re on the wrong end of it. If you read the papers and listened to people’s views it would seem corruption is endemic in Indonesia and Indonesians are incapable of telling the truth while Australia is all moral, righteous, fair etc. etc. Racist prejudice? Western superiority complex? Smells like fish. Is fish!

All the cries of corruption and shifty goings-on in Indonesia were wailing away whilst Australian baggage handlers were being arrested left, right and centre for smuggling drugs at airports. And what do you make of the calls for the Australian government to interfere with the judicial process of another country and fix the trial so she can go home? Funny that. Condemning other people’s corruption and all the while calling for it to be enacted for their Schapelle. Reality check. Australia is not free of corruption either folks!

Not fair! Not fair! Bali bomber got 30 months jail for killing 202 people. Schapelle got 20 years for drug trafficking. So very wrong! Abu Bakar Bashir got 30 months for other shiftiness. The prosecutors in his trial could not prove he was directly linked or responsible for the Bali bombings. He was never charged with the Bali bombings. Hang on! They had to prove he was guilty of the Bali bombings!?!? Surprise! You are given a presumption of innocence in an Indonesian court.

Abu Bakir Bashir is not “the Bali bomber”. The real Bali bombers… Amrozi, Mukhlas and Samudra were all sentenced to death by firing squad and by the same judge who sentenced Corby.

Schapelle got more than a fair trial. In fact she got special treatment. If there was any corruption it was all there for the media to pick apart. If they could dig up all the dirt on Corby’s family and past dealings (not a very rosy picture) they could have done the same for the prosecutors and the judges but they didn’t because they couldn’t. No dirt found whatsoever. Okay, I get your point. They’re corrupt because they’re Indonesian. I stand corrected.

Her prosecutors were accused of corruption but this blew up in the face of their accuser, Ron Bakir, who was forced to flee the country because he would’ve ended up in an Indonesian court for defamation. Eventually he retracted his statement and apologised.

Anyway back to Corby’s unfair trial. Again, all those saying it was unfair were not there. No Australian court would even entertain the idea of flying in a convicted rapist to give hearsay evidence but this court did. She got 20 years because, well, she’s a white Australian girl. Everyone else gets the bullet. If that’s not special treatment I don’t know what is.

Her family’s response in court was understandable but still a disgrace. Pointing, swearing and yelling at the judges and carrying on like yobs in a court of law. Oh yeah, this will really go down well with the appeals court.

Oh and the judge didn’t speak English! This is arrogance of the highest level. You go to Indonesia, break their laws and expect their judge to speak your language? If you’re sucking smoke from this funny pipe then judges in Australia should speak hmmm…Chinese… for Chinese nationals who commit crimes in Australia. Yeah. That makes sense.

Now 20 years may seem harsh but its time for another reality check. Gang, there are different cultures, customs, laws, systems and practices outside Australia. Yeah. Its true. Homosexuality might be tolerated here in Australia but your head could end up separated from the rest of you in other countries. We don’t understand Indonesians because we are not Indonesians and we don’t live in Indonesia and vice versa.

Oh and another thing. The head judge was a Christian and the other two were Hindus. So much for the muslims out to kill our Christian girl Schappelle theory. (Thanks Andrew Bolt (Herald-Sun) for revealing this fact.)

If you don’t agree or respect another country’s laws and customs, no matter how whacky it may seem, then don’t go there. Now there’s an idea. Ms Corby obviously had no problems with the Indonesian justice system judging from her numerous visits there. Which gets us to…

Boycott Bali campaign! Poor old David Hicks. Held in Guantanamo for nearly 4 years without a single charge being laid. Beaten, tortured, humiliated and held in far worst accommodation than Corby, he’ll most likely be released in a body bag with a note apologising for an unfortunate accident which caused a bullet to exit the back of his head. No calls for a boycott of the USA. Why not? He maybe a terrorist (or not) but he’s our terrorist.

Poor old Douglas Wood who’s being beaten and might get his head lopped off. Again no calls for a tourist boycott of Iraq. Okay that’s sick a joke.

Peter Halloran anyone? Peter who you say? Jailed in Sierra Leone for raping a 15 year old girl who said she was forced to make up the story. Nice knowing you Peter!

Good luck to all these three and over a hundred other of our lucky bastards languishing in jails all over the world. No tits? Too bad, no media coverage, no tax payer funded QCs, no high level ministerial intervention and sadly nobody cares.

Anyway, since we’re still on the topic of travesties of justices we can’t ignore Australian government treatment of refugees. This mistreatment is condemned by the UN and many other human rights organisations. The stateless people who languish in our detention centres for years and years all for just being refugees. Their children born and grown inside a jail. What are they charged with?

Look up “Chika Honda” on google for a similar travesty of justice perpetrated by our flawless legal system.

Oh the hypocrisy.

What about that billion dollar donation?

Those who call for the donation to tsunami victims to be cancelled should really take a good hard look at themselves. Don’t ever give to charity and brag about it unless you really know the spirit and meaning of the word. Charity, people, is unconditional. It’s not given so you can extort favors when it suits or exempt you from due process. Our Australian generosity forever tarnished. How ugly you people have made Australia look.

I’m going to finish my rant by proposing this hypothetical to Corby supporters. Corby trial in cultural reverse!

Indonesian girl comes to Australia. Customs finds weed in her board bag. She goes to court and denies everything. Judge and jury don’t believe her story, afterall she’s Indonesian and is therefore a liar against the word of our Australian Customs officers who tell the truth because their Australian. Judge laughs at the idea of flying in convicted rapist from Jakarta to talk crap and dismisses the whole idea.

What would you think of Indonesians wanting to interfere with the trial? Would she be found guilty?

So to all those those so convinced of her innocence, calling for a boycott of Bali, wanting to cancel tsunami donations…The media played you like a violin. You got eggs on your face. You’re HYPOCRITES and you’re FULL OF SELF RIGHTEOUS *SHIT*. Shame.

EVERYONE PLEASE ANSWER A QUESTION FOR ME

this has been dogging me snice the verdict. the indonesian judge gave weight to there being no difference to how she came to have the drugs just that she had them on her and there for she is guilty. well so did quantas.my question is this "why is quantas not being charged when the drugs were carried in there vehicle and handled by there staff".i know this sounds like a stupid question but the further you think about it there security failed they are the only ones with the power to check there luggage not the passenger. it has only been a week or so since they stepped up there efforts and already they have caught a dickhead with hard drugs. send him over to pay the price.

to "open your mind guys"

THANK YOU!!!!!!

well yet again we have an expert in everything
someone who has nothing productive to do except write a novel that will not sell.don't know where your from don't care.your the problem with people of today.an interfearing twerp with a keyboard.here's a free lesson for you!. people have emotions people are free to express them, people are hurt that they feel an unjust thing has accurd.people want to help,people don't know what to do. so they vent there anger where it is heard in hope there is someone there to hear it.don't attempt to sound educated it did not work.you yourself wrote a heap of crap saying that you beleaved she was innocent then you changed after "reading the facts" what facts? the ones you got from the media or your friends. here's a second free lesson you were not there the same as the pro corby "gang" so who are you to judge these out spoken people.you hve wrote this shit because you are angry. well everyone else is angry about someones life being taken away not just literature on a internet site.

GROW UP MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!

this one is for the people of indonesia

i feel that the australian people do not want you to suffer. we simply want our girl home guilty or not. we do not want your country to house her for the best part of her life.i myself have joined a boycot and will not change until your government improves it's system.i gave to your country in the relief with everything i could and do not want it back.my sweat was nothing to your pain. and the general impression in this counrty is the same.but we need you to understand we can not fight this cause successfully this far away. we need you to help fight your government if you feel this has been a break in justice.in turn you will be payed back a million fold in a safer world for everyone.DO YOU THINK AUSTRALIANS WANT TO STOP GOING TO A PLACE THEY LOVE OR HURT THE PEOPLE THEY MAY ONE DAY RELY ON. take a step back and think of how we feel the helplessness of passionate people and in turn the rational australians will do the same.please don't destroy what needs to be built

"open your mind guys" raises some very interesting and valid points regarding the Corby saga. Thank you for providing some balance to this 'debate'.
"travis", the only anger I detected in the previous four posts emanated from your own. Oh and here's a free lesson for you. Get some spelling and grammatical help, fool.
You're the moron.

One of the few things that Travis wrote that made sense was the Qantas inquiry, though he shoots himself in the foot given that his own source could be 'the ones you got from the media or your friends.' However, it is a valid point in at least providing Miss Corby with a possible explanation—and culprit.
   However, I don't know how possible it is to reopen a trial there. 'Open Your Mind Guys' wrote a balanced piece, with a lot of perspective. I believe him or her to be an Australian, and one of the hardest things to do is self-criticism. I applaud the comment, because it ext