Pubdate: Tue, 31 May 2005
Source: Herald Sun (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 Herald and Weekly Times
Contact:  http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/187
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Schapelle (Schapelle Corby)

FAIR GO FOR BALI

THE Schapelle Corby verdict has brought out some of the best and most
supportive aspects of Australians, but also some of the worst.

Possibly the harshest has come in calls for people to boycott
Bali.

You can't blame anyone for having reservations about going to
Indonesia in light of the Corby situation.

But in taking a step back from emotional jingoism to objectively view
the Corby situation, calls to ban Bali or Indonesian travel are
illogical, with a hint of racism.

The main outcome would be to further hurt struggling locals who rely
on tourism for their meagre existence. The've already been victims of
the Bali bombings, personally and economically.

The same gentle families showed selfless love and caring for our bomb
victims.

Seeking vengeance over Corby is futile. Such pressure won't change
their justice system one iota.

Indonesia is a poor nation, crippled by the tsunami, religious and
ethnic strife.

Its people desperately need our help.

Some Australians have reportedly cancelled donations to tsunami
charities. If true, this is shameful.

Schapelle Corby is not a martyr.

Her defence failed to press home any convincing argument -- beyond her
tears -- to counter the prosecution case.

Taking out our anger on ordinary Indonesians is unworthy of Australia.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake