The Rescuers Down Under

This won't be too long, since comments are still going strong on Cogito Ergo Sum and I don't want to ruin it. I've been paying limited attention to the efforts by Australians to stay the execution of Nguyen Tuong Van, an effort which proved ineffective. Granted, I don't think drug trafficking should be punishable by death, and I don't think hanging really is the most humane method of capital punishment, but I don't think the situation deserved the level of sympathy that has been reported by the global press. Australians have held candle-lit vigils, symbolically rang gongs, and shed tears while stroking the face of a portrait of the convicted heroin mule. Among the mourners was Australian Douglas Wood, a former Iraqi hostage. This strikes me as ironic, as I don't remember any large scale Australian demonstrations pleading for the life of Doug-y back in the day. Twisted priorities? I think so.

If anything, I think this proves the success of capital punishment by the Singaporean(?) authorities. I remember a few years ago when I vowed never to egg cars in Singapore lest I get a good soak and vigorous caning like Michael Fay, and a few days ago when I made up my mind not to carry copious amounts of drugs into Singapore.

Whether or not one thinks capital punishment legally or morally justified, I don't think that there can be any doubt of the preventative measure inherent in a good, well publicized hanging. Singapore has sent a Tyler Durden-esque message to would-be criminals in the world- "Do not FUCK with us!" and you know what? I'm cool with that...