The thing about the Opium Wars is that it's a piece of history deeply, deeply rooted in the minds of Chinese people. So no, there's direct correlation, per se. But Chinese people, especially older ones filling the justice system, have an incredibly negative attitude on drug dealing. There really is a huge culture gap between China and the west when it comes to drugs. This isn't even about the big bad government. It's just an attitude Chinese people in general have on the subject.
Honestly I cracked up hard at the bolded part. Is that why the European West colonized, ohhh, everyone? Was it for economic development? Who knew. I don't think promotion of liberal ideas and way of life will take a backseat to trade and economic "prosperity". I think they will be used for trade and economic prosperity.
True I don't know William Hung personally so I can't say what he would do. That said as a fellow Cal Alumn. I haven't heard any reports in the Alumni grapevine of William Hung becoming a drug dealer or living on the street. What evidence do you have that they didn't try to bring an expert in? It sounds like from the article that hearings were conducted quickly and from what limited knowledge I have regarding the PRC legal system is that due process isn't given as much time as in other systems. Anyway clemency isn't absolving of guilt or finding innocence but showing mercy and showing mercy doesn't mean we set him free but not executing him.
Let me correct you. They killed an allegedly mentally imbalance guy (an allegation in which his family provided **** for proof for), after a trial, in which the evidence against him is overwhelming, then after an appeal, then another appeal, the pleas for clemency, before the Supreme Court rejected his final appeal. You might want to google when he was actually arrested before your moronic "30 minute trial" rant. In any case, he wasn't found with a hole in his head in some grassland. See above. Oh my, the usual "nationalist" line. Colour me surprised. In this case, the US judicial system is irrelevant. I didn't bring it up. Had you actually read the capital punishment thread several months back, which incidently, had nothing to do with China, you'd know that I support capital punishment in all countries, and provided inrefutible arguments for it. The reason you cry foul with your nationalist line is because your tiny brain is incapable of discussing the issue in question, so you took the typical short-cut. As far as I see, your argument is that a talentless musician who thinks he can still cut it is obviously mentally unbalanced. I hardly think it's a stretch comparing him to Bonzi Wells. Bonzi couldn't cut it any more in the NBA, so he went abroad to seek opportunities. This guy? He couldn't cut it in Britain so he went to Poland and Tajikistan. The problem is Bonzi actually had a pre-requisite minimum level of talent. But that is beside the point, your argument thus far involves that "no one in their right mind goes to Poland" and "many homeless people are mentally ill." Why would I bring up Texas? I've made plenty clear my view on capital punishment. Your argument really involves the Chinese penal code doesn't agree with your world views.
I don't have any evidence obviously. It's just applying the same expectations to this case as I would to any other case. Do you have any reason to believe there was something denied?
Oh, you mean the appeal where the judges laughed at him as he begged for his life? Nice - you provided an 'irefutible' argument for capital punishment - lots of people have been looking for one of those for quite awhile, they should be grateful that someone finally created one. Law and Order and Capital Punishment - perfect! So, you have no objections, whatever the circumstances, to the use of the death penalty? Way to go Mr. Statist ... but in reality, do you, personally, have any power at all? Or do you just choose to identify your interests with those of the state in order to get that petty little rush when the state does something awful? You can deny, but it's fairly obvious that you identify yourself with the Chinese state. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, eh? And the 'typical shortcut' in this case is a valid reason to refute your viewpoints ... they have little to do with logic, and much to do with your own needs.
Once again, the appeal where judges ALLEGEDLY laughed at him as he begged for his life. And the only source in which alleged that the judges laughed at him was Reprieve, incidently the group trying to get him clemency. No other, including the British foreign ministry officials made such an allegation. I must say I'm impressed with your faith in special interest/lobbiest groups. Not that I expected you to separate proven facts from allegations though. That is a straw man and you know it. The rule of law is that no punishment should be levied unless there is justifiable crime. What some people including yourself often deny is that the rule of law also means that punishment should be levied if there is justifiable crime. Put simply, no one should be put to death without a crime punishable by such a sentence. But if due process is carried out (as it is in this case) and the sentence is appropriate (as it is in this case), I have no problems putting one to death. The laws are getting more lax everyday as it is and I am pleased that at least some have the balls for appropriate punishment. So what is this "circumstance" you allege that makes the death penalty unjustifiable in this case? Define "the Chinese state." If by the Chinese state you mean the country and its people, absolutely. If by the Chinese state you mean the CCP, on certain issues but not others. Unlike you, I am capable evaluating the actions of the Chinese government on a case by case basis. I believe in capital punishment. I looked up the case and saw due process was carried out. I looked up more at punishment for similar cases and saw that the punishment is appropriate. I have no problem with the sentence. The Chinese government and its ideology/policies/whatever have no bearing on my decision. And you know it's just funny actually, you crying foul over the execution of one Briton, because if you actually are more aware of the situation in China, you'd know it's a common held believe by the Chinese people that laws and punishment in China are only made for the Chinese. Foreigners would commit the most heinous crime and get a slap on the wrist: a fine and deportation. There is a reason he was the first European to be executed in China in 51 years. I'm glad that the court actually had the balls to carry out the execution according to law this time.
I will agree its speculation on my part but given the speed of the process that that the conviction was carried out and from what I know of the speed of PRC justice it sounds like there isn't much time granted to the defense.
Actually this has been brought up a few times in fact I referred to the Opium wars in the OP. That said as I said to another poster it strikes me as petty to consider this case as payback from the Opium wars which was 150 years ago.
That is just a ridiculous comparison you show me where Bonzi Wells in living on the street. That is totally relevant. This guy was living on the street in Poland which says he is homeless many homeless people are mentally ill. No my view of Capital punishment is universal whether it is the Chinese Penal code or the Texas penal code.
I don't have any specific kind of knowledge about the justice process in China and you may be right about the process. But then, this was done two years ago and I believe the appeal was turned down just now. In any event, execution is probably not appropriate here. Life in prison makes sense, but execution is harsh, especially if they succesfully stopped him from completing transactions.
Once again, you've completely missed the point. It's isn't the fact that Bonzi Wells is playing in a league, living in the street, living in a box. It's the fact that Bonzi went elsewhere to seek opportunities when he couldn't cut it here that makes the cases similar. What you are saying is he COULD be mentally ill but then insinuating he IS mentally ill. In that case anybody living the Bohemian lifestyle (including those talentless ones in SoHo and Tribeca) COULD be mentally ill. That alone doesn't amount to much in court. As does mine. So if you wish to revisit the death penalty thread from a while back, feel free to pull it up.
