A mother's tears, a brother's laughs as Van faces the walk to the gallows

The Australian ^ | 2nd December 2005 | Michael McKenna

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Always remember, children, you shouldn't mess with drugs in countries that enforce drug prohibition with capital punishment.

[TChris]

Always remember, children, you shouldn't mess with drugs in countries that enforce drug prohibition with capital punishment.

A country that takes the war on drugs seriously. I'm guessing that it works.

[RichInOC]

"When I was just a baby
"My mama told me 'Son,
"Always be a good boy,
"Don't ever play with drugs,'
"But I'm stuck in Changi Prison,
"Tomorrow I'm bound to die,
"When I hear those jet planes whinin',
"I hang my head and cry."

[Tax-chick]

I'm sad for his family, and I hope that he met the Lord with a truly repentant soul.

[Christian4Bush]

Always remember, children, you shouldn't mess with drugs in countries that enforce drug prohibition with capital punishment.

I've traveled five times to India in the last five years. In so doing, I've had stopovers in Taipei (Taiwan) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). In both airports, there are large, clearly marked signs that say "Drug Trafficking is Punishable By Death."

[lawgirl]

have you seen walk the line? I thought it was great-- and ITA with your tagline. :)

[RichInOC]

Not yet. It does look good, though.

[SF Republican]

Never cared much for Joaquin Phoenix (wasn't he in a movie about drugs, the far east, and a date with the hangman?) - but I hear he did okay doin'- Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.

[Sir Gawain]

Yeah, too bad we don't have the courage to execute people that sell alcohol and tobacco or any other harmful substance. Sell my kid a fatty hamburger? You're getting a gun to the face.

[lawgirl]

He sounds great as Johnny Cash- he does a great job- I loved him as Commodus in Gladiator :) I've seen WTL twice already and I'll probably see it again.

[Sir Gawain]

Sounds like a drug warrior's paradise.

[GAB-1955]

I am delighted Nguyen found his Christian faith before he was hanged. Sometimes God has to use extreme measures to bring a soul into saving faith. As Jesus noted, often you have to give everything away, including an eye, or your hand, to get there. May God strengthen Nguyen's steps, for he has to pay for the crime he committed.

[LucyJo]

While they shared Mrs Nguyen's anguish, Khoa was seen laughing and joking with an unidentified friend as he waited in the visitors' centre after his final meeting with Van. Van claims he was forced to courier heroin by loan sharks to whom Khoa owed money.

====

He did what he did, but that's a sad commentary on the brother, and it is doubly sad if Van is about to lose his life for breaking the law in order to save his brother's sorry hide.

[Narcoleptic]

yea, "return to paradise" i think

i think he's a really good actor in everything i have ever seen him in

[mother22wife21]

did you enjoy signs and the village?sorry about the lowercase,giving thing two a bottle. :)

[Bones75]

"Sounds like a drug warrior's paradise."

Which is ironic because they have quite a drug sub-culture there, as they do just about anywhere.

[yldstrk]

Van's the lucky one - Khoa, the bum, is going to be eaten up with the guilt for the rest of his sorry days....

[Neanderthal]

This guy needs to call Governor Arnold ASAP.

[yldstrk]

Van is almost a Christ figure, a hero in this scenario...