Bushfire survivor

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A “feel good” story in the midst of the devastating Aussie fires: Sam the koala

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Thanks Dennis!

Mind you the comment: “Pictures of Sam, who turned out to be female, travelled around the globe and featured in major newspapers including The New York Times, London’s The Sun and on CNN.” was a bit of a shock. I wouldn’t put the NYT and CNN in the same category, and for the The Sun – I thought they only had Page 3

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Sam now has a ”friend”

And for a map of the fires

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It is such a horrible and devastating tragedy to happen to so many.

In a way it is comforting to see some one take the time from the horrors around him to care for Sam.

I read somewhere that the fires were being considered a criminal act.

Has any thing come out of that investigation?

I have not seen much after I saw that report.

The papers and news here in the US are filled with the BS of the so called “Stimulus” .

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>> I read somewhere that the fires were being considered a criminal act.
>> Has any thing come out of that investigation?

Some of the fires are suspected of being arson – see this article for example.

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Thanks Leif for the link.

I hope if there is some one responsible for this tragedy that they are caught and pay dearly for it.

There cannot be any reason for committing this kind of insane act.

It’s as though some one or some group has declared war on the people of Australia.

They say in the article it can be considered “murder on a grand scale”.

I wasn’t aware that there were 181 lives lost in the fires.

The last I heard was something close to 100, and even that number is a horror to comprehend.

What is the penalty for first-degree murder in Australia?

Is it the same as in the UK?

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> What is the penalty for first-degree murder in Australia?
> Is it the same as in the UK?

This is very unlikely, as there is no crime of “First-degree murder” in the UK.

StuartR

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Hi Paul

The Victorian Police arrested two men but they’ve been subsequently released. If the Police do find the arsonists they are looking at arson charges which carry a maximum penalty of 25 yrs. (I’m not sure what Victorian law says but NZ definition of murder includes an act that the person would know to be likely to cause death).

The authorities suspect the death toll will rise above the current 181, the Coroner preaparing facilities for 300.

And turning back to Sam. It transpires that the Sam incident happen before last weekend’s fires.

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It is still a very touching photo watching Dave Tree feeding some water to Sam.

Kudos to Dave Tree.

What really caught me off guard was when my three year old granddaughter looked at me after viewing the photo of Sam, and with her bright teary eyes, asked me if we could pray for rain to come to that part of Australia.

The priceless, Innocent concerning nature of a three year old angel.

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And always looking for the lighter sides of disasters, here’s the same newspaper’s “funny” of the situation.

Alan

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Hi Gents,

A guy has been arrested & charged for lighting one of the fires http://www.smh.com.au/national/respect-the…90214-87gf.html%5B/url%5D. Now the concern is that he gets a fair trial.

1834 homes destroyed & 7500 residents displaced.

Neville

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I don’t think the issue will be a fair trial, as much as a just sentence. The Aust judiciary and appeals system is such that many criminals end up being treated as victims and end up getting all sorts of reductions, considerations and the like… well after the heat has died down, so to speak.

Alan

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I can only imagine the horror many have gone through because of this heinous crime against the humanity of southern Australia.

It is a shame how sometimes the law deals with those who are known to be guilty of such a crime by treating them as a victim rather than the scum they really are.

But we must look at the possibility that sometimes the law does make mistakes and all efforts must be taken to protect the rights of the one who might be falsely accused of any crime.

I know because I worked in the system of the law for many years and did see one too many accused of doing something that later was proved to be committed by some one else.

Its only my own opinion, but from my experience with the law, most, if not all of the law, was designed to protect the rights of innocent. (Until they can be proven guilty, beyond any reasonable doubt).

My prayers and condolences go out to any and all who are being closely affected by this insanity.

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Bushfire arsonists avoiding jail despite crime growth

And here you were all worried about the rights of those accused.

Nothing like that to worry about here in

Alan

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I don’t understand why “no jail time”.

So far 200 lives have been lost.

I am in agreement with protecting a person rights, but because of these arsonists 200 (two hundred) Innocent lives are no more.

I put that kind of loss of life, (because of a deliberate criminal act) in the same category as being committed by a serial killer.

Is any one in the law making or enforcing circles there really aware of the loss of life?

Or is some one else’s life becoming a very disposal and meaningless commodity to them?

Maybe a bombardment of e-mails from all over the world to them will mean something.

Who’s (are there any names) supposed to be watching the store?

And I thought things were bad else where..

Very confusing???????????

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Folks, I watched the news film of these fires and really could not even relate to what happened, I mean, I have never in my life had an experience that even comes close to what these folks in Aus must have experienced. I can only offer my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to those who lost loved ones, indeed, to those who lost anything.

Best wishes to all,

Ron M

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sadly, Sam died today

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sadly, Sam died today

Thanks for the update.

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sadly, Sam died today

That story and it’s picture, flew around the world, to tear at many heartstrings.
It represented the hope that there are still many great people willing to go out of their way to help the injured and helpless, be they human or animal.

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