Death Row, Van Nguyen

[Shadow]

what you guys think of this?

I personally feel that my country did the right thing as our harsh laws have given us a virtually durg-free environment and we have no worries of pushers handing drugs to kids on the streets. Also he is a drug trafficker and if we don't deal with him harshly, people like him may start using singapore as a stop over and ruining the socially. So I stand by my government decision of a death sentence.

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[Productivity]

I disagree wtih the death penalty, I think a mandatory death penalty is inhumane, however I respect Singapores sovereignty and their choices in setting their penalties.

[lugh]

I agree with the death penalty, just not for drug crimes. I think it should be reserved for particularly gruesome murders/rapes/assaults. Then again, from what I know, the policy has worked wonders in your country and I'm an advocate of the punishments acting as deterrents too.

I hope they give his mother the visit with him before he dies though, it's a bit callous if they don't.
I don't like the TWUs' threats one bit.

[BDC]

I can't imagine this is really going to help Singapore a lot with Australian tourism and trade, but it's hardly as if their laws are a mystery to anyone. If it was all more dubius, eg he claimed they weren't his, then I'd be more suspicious.

[English assassin]

I disagree with the death penalty in principle in all cases, but I can't see any reason why this person should not expect to have the laws of Singapore applied to him just as they apply to anyone else.

[Kanamori]

Personally, I think most drugs should be legal anyways. People should be able to do w/ themselves as they please. I'm sure the guy did what he did w/ a very concious effort; I wouldn't imagine smuggling drugs in would be very easy. He knew what he was doing.

[Idaho]

I personally feel that my country did the right thing as our harsh laws have given us a virtually durg-free environment and we have no worries of pushers handing drugs to kids on the streets.

Er... I have never seen or heard of 'drug pushers' handing drugs to kids on the streets in England, and we don't kill people for selling drugs.

Prohibition and harsh sentences like this merely drive drugs further underground and create injustices.

[Shadow]

Er... I have never seen or heard of 'drug pushers' handing drugs to kids on the streets in England, and we don't kill people for selling drugs.

Prohibition and harsh sentences like this merely drive drugs further underground and create injustices.

It may not happen in your country but in the past before a concerted effort against drugs was made, pushers were caught outside the gates of some schools and we have herion addicts as young as 12 years of age.

What you mean by injustices?

Those are drug traffickers and they are doing harm to our soicety

I hope they give his mother the visit with him before he dies though, it's a bit callous if they don't.

As for this I am not too sure because prison rules do not allow physical contact for those on death row and their families

[Idaho]

Those are drug traffickers and they are doing harm to our soicety

I would say that state murder is doing harm to your society.

[Shadow]

I would say that state murder is doing harm to your society.

Yes, thats why we also give death sentence to them

[yesdachi]

So I stand by my government decision of a death sentence.

I think it is the right decision.

[kiwitt]

I am against the Death Penalty in principle, so I am against this one.

People who buy drugs, are not forced to buy them. People who sell drugs are just like the people who sold "Alcohol" during the Prohibition. Just criminals not murderers. (Tho some did kill to protect their patch, just like drig pushers today)

He had not killed anyone.

[Adrian II]

I am also principally opposed to the death penalty, but even if I were not I would be of the opinion that it is disproportionate and cruel in this particular case because Nguyen has not killed. I shun Singapore whenever I fly Eastward because two of my fellow countrymen have been convicted there on trumped-up drugs charges that were clearly politically motivated, and since Singapore is not a free country there is virtually no recourse in such cases. If the country gets its house in order at some future date, I will reconsider.

[Alrowan]

singapore is a strange place... although i dont agree with thier laws, i know that if i step foot in the country i am bound by them, so i have to be careful, its a shame others dont realise this as well

[Soulforged]

singapore is a strange place... although i dont agree with thier laws, i know that if i step foot in the country i am bound by them, so i have to be careful, its a shame others dont realise this as well

Actually it's a very good question: Why am I bound to the laws of another country?

On the subject. Everything was said about the irrational and authoritarian approach to the drugs subject that all countries around the world seem to fall into, so I won't repeat my thoughts on that matter. Regarding the death penalty, it seems that many systems have stucked on previous human generations, and still use the excuse of vengeance to transmite either state incompetence or society failures to the individual as a form of purge. The reality is different, and death penalty actually "ends a life" thing that under no circumstances can be done to any person whatsoever, but doing it as an example in a case of drugs? It's terrible, if I were the judge on that case (or the congresist if any) I don't know if I'll be able to sleep at night...

[doc_bean]

Actually it's a very good question: Why am I bound to the laws of another country?

Because you weren't born in the US ?

Anyway, death sentence very bad, drugs trafficing bad, drugs trafficing in Singapore very stupid

[lugh]

The reality is different, and death penalty actually "ends a life" thing that under no circumstances can be done to any person whatsoever, but doing it as an example in a case of drugs? It's terrible, if I were the judge on that case (or the congresist if any) I don't know if I'll be able to sleep at night...

It boild down to what purpose you think this aspect of the justice system serves. I nthis case, it's as much about detterece as punishment. There's good indications that the crackdwon by Singapore with the death penalty has reducedthe level of trafficking. Personally, if the death penalty reduced the level of pre-meditated murder or serial rape for example, in Ireland, I'd be all for it. Then again I also support the stripping of citizenship and constitutional rights for criminals too, so I'm a tad on the right in these things.
All this also applies to anyone saying he shouldn't die since he hasn't killed, it's a deterrent more than punishment.

People who buy drugs, are not forced to buy them.

The first time. Heroin is an agonist opioid, it creates a physical reduction in endorphin and the short story of this is that this is what creates withdrawal. Most other drugs are antagonist, and as a result less addictive, for example cocaine. heroine creates an actual physical dependency, not a psychological one.
The stuff is pure evil, I'd much rather the US moved their Columbian crop spraying operation to Afghanistan and start cracking down on opium production rather than coke.

[Soulforged]

Because you weren't born in the US ?

Huh?

It boild down to what purpose you think this aspect of the justice system serves. I nthis case, it's as much about detterece as punishment. There's good indications that the crackdwon by Singapore with the death penalty has reducedthe level of trafficking. Personally, if the death penalty reduced the level of pre-meditated murder or serial rape for example, in Ireland, I'd be all for it. Then again I also support the stripping of citizenship and constitutional rights for criminals too, so I'm a tad on the right in these things.
All this also applies to anyone saying he shouldn't die since he hasn't killed, it's a deterrent more than punishment.

Death penalty is a rest of vengeance like mentality. Justice is not about vengeance. It doesn't serves a purpose of general prevention, you've life in prison for that (even if it's wrong) at least you can take the person out of jail you cannot bring him back from death. Death penalty for utilitarian purposes is even more terrible, I hope to never see it here, in fact it's unconstitutional here.

[Shadow]

I shun Singapore whenever I fly Eastward

Come on Singapore is not that a scary place, it is really friendly as long as you don't break the law

two of my fellow countrymen have been convicted there on trumped-up drugs charges that were clearly politically motivated

I am not familiar with this, can you tell me more about it

[Adrian II]

Come on Singapore is not that a scary place, it is really friendly as long as you don't break the law

And as long as you do not oppose the money-grubbing Lee clan. As a journalist I would be breaking the law by merely putting my paper to paper. So no, thanks.

[Brenus]

I am not against Death penalty by principles. I am against foor good real reasons: What happend if you execute an innocent? Don't tell me that only the poepel you are sure they are guilty are killed because I hope that nobody will put a personn in jail for 25 years if there is no real proof the accused is guilty...
Sorry for thr spelling mistake, but I am tired... Worked all Saturdays and one Sunday this month... Need money before Xmas

[littlelostboy]

I think he was just executed. Its 5:31am in Singapore. The newspaper stated that he would be executed before dawn on Friday.

[Shaka_Khan]

I'm anti-drug and I never took drugs; however, I know some friends who have taken drugs and distribute them to other students. They are actually good people who need help, not a punishment that's like a revenge. You shouldn't be afraid of those people. They're very different from the people who forced China to import opium many years ago.

[solypsist]

Don't mess with drugs in Asia. If you do, expect to die (officially or unofficially).

[wasabi]

Don't mess with drugs in Asia. If you do, expect to die (officially or unofficially).

Agree...


I was chatting to my friends this morning about the news. As mothers, some of us were thinking, whose responsibility was it, didn't the mother know that her son was on debt and the other one was trying to repay by drug-trafficking? And who is the death sentence really punishing? The one who is being excuted or the ones who love him and watch he die?

[Shaka_Khan]

When I studied in the U.S., I was surprised by how many students took drugs. My roommate's friend shared the drugs with his other friends. I was annoyed when they came over and got high all night; but I never wished them to get executed. They're all people like us. I think Singapore doesn't execute the buyers, but I still think the punishment on the seller is excessive.
I understand the respect one must have on another country's law even if I disagree with it. Actually, Singapore is a wealthy city with low tax. Singapore's laws are not bad when compared to some other countries. Afghanistan under the Taliban comes to mind. I would've gladly broke the Taliban's laws if I was able to get away with it and live (and if the Taliban was still in power).

Btw- Japan and South Korea doesn't execute the people who distribute drugs, and very few of their citizens take drugs.

[Efrem]

I think Singapores society is messed up if it values life so little. Maybe drugs would do you some good.

[Shadow]

I think Singapore doesn't execute the buyers, but I still think the punishment on the seller is excessive.

Yes, most people think that the punishment is excessive but only with such a way can we send the message over to those traffickers that we really mean business.

Singapore is a wealthy city with low taxes too. Afghanistan under the Taliban comes to mind.

Japan and South Korea doesn't execute the people who distribute drugs, and very few of their citizens take drugs.

I agree that our laws are harsh but by comparing it to the Taliban reigme is way overboard as I believe most of our laws are similar to britain except the death penalty and chewing gum ban etc. And because of our laws I can walk home in the middle of the night without fear of being mug or anything.

I don't think Japan is that drug free as for Korea I am not too sure but one think is certain they are no where near the Golden Triangle.

I think Singapores society is messed up if it values life so little. Maybe drugs would do you some good.

We value life more then anything that's why we have such harsh punishment on drug traffickers.

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
I'm pro- death penalty, pro-corporal punishment (yes, including the cutting off of hands) and pro-forced labour vs. imprisonment.

Singapore seems to be following a consistent way with the first two. Anybody remember when they beat the rogue who vandalized cars parked in the street with bamboo sticks, the TV broadcasting it live?
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