Freedom of expression

[Braid Anderson]

I may be risking my neck here, but I do honestly believe Doc is being rather heavy handed recently. I know he has the right to close any thread, but I think the most recent examples were a poor choice. I found nothing generally offensive in those threads, and can only surmise that the decisions were based on personal beliefs. This is a personal opinion, and in no way designed to denigrate the site. I just hope that freedom of expression is not too severely restricted from here on.

[gray_marian]

I agree Braid, there is no animosity meant in these posts just as you say, freedom of speech

[j.sabourn]

It was a thread that was going nowhere. The only thing is I wish the media also would let it go as a lost cause and stop printing rabble rousing epitaphs, there will soon be public epitaphs going up if they have their way to two would be drug barons. What an example to set to youngsters to make heroes of two common criminals. They are always poor losers when these signing of petitions and such like do not get their own way. People sign such also without reading just so as to not be embarrassed and appear not one of the herd. However it should have been put to bed a ,long time ago Media wise as well. JS

[Braid Anderson]

John, most of the threads on the site go nowhere. They simply wander along of their own volition, no destination ticket required. But that in itself is hardly a valid reason for closing them, since a large part of the site comprises members simply exchanging views and 'chatting'. I completely agree with you that criminals should not be made into martyrs. There are much more important things in this world deserving of sympathy, and media and politicians should be well aware of that.

[gray_marian]

#3, 'I wish the media also would let it go as a lost cause and stop printing rabble rousing epitaphs' The solution to that John is simply don't read them. I don't. I glean what I wish from News Channels.

[Braid Anderson]

I must confess that for a short time I was a 'courier' in Singapore. I took gold Singapore-Indonesia and Singapore-India. On the latter, I usually then took diamonds India-Holland. I would not accept sealed packages, only ones I had packed and sealed myself, as I absolutely refused to touch drugs. For a while there was a ridiculous situation in India. One international flight (maybe more than one) flew Singapore-Madras-Bombay. In Madras it picked up domestic passengers from Madras to Bombay. The trick was to pass the package from Singapore from the international courier to the domestic courier via signals and the aircraft toilet. In Bombay the domestic passenger then walked straight out of the airport, without passing through Customs and Immigration!

[Braid Anderson]

On one occasion I was approached by the 2IC of a Chinese rival syndicate in Singapore, and asked to courier drugs at 4 times the gold/diamonds rate of pay. I politely declined, then dobbed them in to the police, via my brother-in-law, who was a WO1 in Singapore Military Intelligence. In spite of the death threats and so on. My identity was kept strictly secret, with only one police inspector in contact via the B-in-law. No attempt was ever made to kill me, or none that I know of.

[Neil Morton]

A personal view. I am so sick to death of the media, in particular TV news that I refuse to view. ABC Radio is good enough for me.

[j.sabourn]

The Bali nine however has just been one big political football. It has been further aggravated by the newspapers depending on their political leanings. Those that don't agree with another countries laws tuff titty, that's the way of the world, which is far from a perfect place. Years ago exactly the same things were going on, it is only because of the ease of communication and any two bit newspaper reporter calling himself such and relying on the fact of so called free speech that he survives, he should by now if been in the business for any length of time, know that other countries do not hold his views as is their right also. If Australia wants to make the big political mistake of censoring Indonesia, Indonesia will not be the losers as will find other trading partners, I should imagine Russia would be one of their first choices. The whole sorry state has been brought about by bad publicity, poor politicians, posturing of the goodie goodie brigade, which includes empty headed Australian judges spouting off, who if anyone should have a neutral stance, Indonesian Law is not based on Australian. JS Rider to. Also to so called International law which seems to me that only a small percentage of Nations are signed up to, bears similar properties to what people think of International Maritime Laws which also is not observed world wide, JS

[Doc Vernon]

Just to put things in the right perspective Braid

Would like to know besides closing those two threads (I do honestly believe Doc is being rather heavy handed recently) where and what else have I supposedly done to be heavy handed!

The reason for me closing those threads had absolutely nothing to do with my beliefs ,and was done solely that I did think it had run its course ,and was as said going nowhere!
Besides that we all knew what the outcome was and on that I think enough was said!

I did reply to Marian and said that if anyone wanted to carry on with the Subject of Drugs (well that is what was meant) I saw no reason why not!

There is Freedom of Speech on here and closing a Thread does not mean that one cannot still comment on whatever. It has nothing at all to do with Freedom of Speech

I certainly am not here on any paid Duties, and do this because I like it and also to assist Brian out who as all know in recent times,has been under a lot of pressure and strain, besides Monitoring the site as best I can ,I also have much other work I am doing in the background,as can be conformed by Brian himself!

This reply is in no way getting at anyone just plainly stating facts and replying to the Posts.

I wish though that all would understand that just a small reply like there was,brings on these sorts of Posts!
It is indeed really not called for on site!
In the Rules it states in a very clear way that if there is any complaint (such as the one that was posted) it should have been settled in Private!

But however the deed is done once again and I cannot do much about it!

So to end if I or any other Moderator sees fit to do anything about any Thread or post that he may think needs looking at in whatever way then that will be done!
We do not do this willy nilly it is done on Brain,s say so concerning the Rules!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this long post!

No malice intended here .
Cheers