While we are all eternally grateful when three lawyers came forward to act pro bono for a little boy clamped in hand cuffs and ankle shackles, their long winded press statement is fast providing fodder for conspiracy theorists across the island. Lawyers are supposed to sally forth with a vigorous defence, not throw their clients under the bus before court is even convened. The horseshit is embedded in paragraph nine:
"9. We would state categorically that we – the Defence Counsel – disapprove of what Amos Yee has posted."
The elements for the done deal are clearly spelled out in 10(d): "To advise him on the sentencing options including those that specifically deal with young offenders."
This being the birth place of kiasuism, it is easy to argue that the esteemed solicitors are just protecting their rice bowl. Not too recently, the law society had just flexed their muscles, resulting in one lawyer being neutered on the grounds of mental incapacity. Meanwhile the head of the Singapore National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) also recently wrote that her daily exercise regime consists of running up and down her 20 metre office corridor 800 times to complete her quota of 16 kilometres.
Before you rush to join those who flew over the cuckoo's nest, there's more food for thought. Suppose the three wise men had simply answered the call of duty to salvage the country's soiled human rights reputation. Which means Public Service Stars (BBM) are in order, in time to make it for the national day honour list. Considering what grab-loot leaders are getting away with these mad days, those awards could be more useful than what degree mills can offer.
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You raise a very important point, Tattler. Mr. Dodwell was quoted in the newspaper, Today, as having stressed that they did not condone the conduct of Amos which landed him in court. In the circumstances, these lawyers cannot represent Amos any further. It is a principle of legal ethics that lawyers shall not judge their clients' culpability. Much less should they express their opinion of such publicly. Their clients are innocent of the charges unless proven guilty in court. In the present instance not only have they, by implication, suggested that Amos was guilty of the charges against him but that he has little or no mitigation with respect to sentencing.
ReplyDeleteAgree, Sir! Initially, I was delighted to learnt that not one but three Lawyers are volunteering their services for free.
DeleteAfter reading their Press Statement, I agree with Tattler and you, that as usual, the Show or Wayang must go on.
Amos may want to dismiss them!
Yeah, i am stunned like a vegetable after reading the statement.
DeleteBut i thought the banana eating photo is a nice mock to Cookie Tan that it is Amos who is putting monster's d*** in his mouth instead.
Don't you think he is cool like a cute-cumber?
Things are really bewildering in Sin, the Squeaky Clean, Corrupt Free First World and Super Rich City States where there are no begger because there is no dead poor.
ReplyDeleteIt is however badly infest with Rats, Bugs, Roaches, Mosquitoes, Flies and Sick Two Legged Species.
As for Justice and Fair Play, Power and Money are the Ways to get them.
patriot
I've lost faith in some human beings. So sad.
ReplyDeletePeople are reading too much into the lawyers' statement - "We would state categorically that we - the Defence Counsel - disapprove of what Amos Yee has posted."
ReplyDeleteNowhere did they say what Amos did was illegal or criminal.
In the less than perfect world in Singapore, that statement stopped PAPies from attacking them. Please remember many lawyers and even judges had gotten into serious trouble with the PAP government when they help/rule for the dissidents.
What other options does Amos have? Maybe some law faculty from Yale-NUS??? (hint, hint)
In any case, we will find out one day when Amos is free to speak again!
Certainly hope that is the case.
DeleteThe way they treated him (with handcuffs and ankle restraints) as they would to an adult (I mean, com'on, did Mas Selamat even get this special treatment?) is almost like he has done something illegal and criminal. This will only fuel his cynicism in his young mind further is what I fear.
All said, I'm still glad that the boy has got a representation from the lawyers.
Yale-NUS does not have a law faculty!
DeleteNo wonder it's pro bono ..the main emphasis of their work is getting their name in papers, not providing the best defence...Amos should learn from this experience...pay peanuts get monkeys,pay nothing get 3 chimpanzees.
ReplyDeleteAre chimpanzees an inferior species to monkeys?
DeletePerhaps, I stand corrected, it should be 3 strays....
Delete/// When given a horse, it would be bad manners to inspect the horse's mouth to see if it has bad teeth. ///
ReplyDeleteThis is not quite the explanation. The reason is to look at the teeth (number, length and shape) to determine the horse's age (the older being less valuable).
/// It is rude to wish for more by assessing its value. /// - exactly.
The more you know...
DeleteI had the same idea as Tattler. Thanks for enlightening us!
Great piece for also speaking out what I thought when I read their statement. This is clearly for their own self preservation and it is tragic that they even had to resort to thAt. And not just one representation, but all three doing so collectively. It speaks volume. And now people understand how when low thia kiang said no service agents in town wants to work for heir grc, you better believe why now.
ReplyDeleteThe elites and cronies would travel to french riviera for their holidays, if only they would google the forlorn statues of easter island to understand this: when a country has too much money, it invites ridiculous wastages on non-productive schemes, often to placate the ego of small interest groups. Before one knows it, the end will be here - the red dot would be bankrupt, just like easter island.
ReplyDeleteNow that their client is put at a disadvantage before the court convened, did the defence counsels break any rules?
ReplyDeleteIt's worse - ST reported that the "Donate to help Amos Yee" page has been taken down. Makes you wonder what other bad advice these guys are giving to him.
DeleteMost likely some PAPies secretly paying these 3 lawyers & the bailor to wayang for Amos. In order to take the heat out of international scrutiny of jailing and treating a 16-yr old as an adult criminal. Therefore these lawyers already collected their gold; doesn't matter if they do a good job or not. In fact they probably paid by the PAPies to kelong & throw the case.
ReplyDeleteYup, the Administration would really look bad internationally if the 16-yr old kid is unrepresented and jailed, for a trivial matter blown out of proportion. A police report is probably overdue on Cookie for criminal intimidation under section 503, or the offence of assault under section 351, of the Penal Code, for his Facebook post:. "For me, I would cut his dick and put in his mouth for blemish Jesus Christ."
DeleteWhere did these 3 lawyers come out from nowhere?
DeleteAre they known for doing such works in this area?
One side of me like to feel there is silver lining that there "ARE" selfless lawyers out there other than Ravi, another part of me can't help but wonder why do they feel the need to issue such a statement which is very rare, and in fact does look like it has the hallmarks of PAPs imprints. And why 3, instead of just 1?
Anyone who has insights care to explain?
Is 3 lawyers from 2 different firms.
DeletePerhaps this case is too big for one to handle it alone.
The younger looking lawyers May also relate to Amos which could help his case.
They would not need to issue statement if from PAP. More like they want to spell out they are not "anti-pap" for fear of reprisal.
Few good men .
I will be a cookie's uncle if they are doing this out of pure altruism. Something just don't meet the eye. How to fight when they have already thrown in the towel? Wouldn't surprise me if they plead guilty and ask the court for leniency because of Amos' age, blah, blah, blah. Short and sharp.
DeleteTo anon 4:08pm
DeleteYou will? So are you going to bail out cookie now since police report has just been lodged too, as reported.
An eye for an eye, when will it stop?
Methinks the real people that should be investigated are the actual bullies who threatened Amos in real life, stalking and exposing his block nbr, sending sms messages to threaten him per his last cny video, as alluded in Amos earlier videos ( one on his philosophy's) , I can now understand why or how these guys operating in shadow ,might ave triggered his exasperation to fight and lash back. I hope Amos get to report on those real harassers .
That aside, while it was nice of Mr law to provide his counselling service, i thought it would be more effective if it were someone who is agnostic/atheist as Amos clearly demonstrate his non- belief in this area. Anyway, let's hope it work out. He does need a guided hand now.
Frankly if they have chosen to represent Amos Yee, who the fuck care what they condone or not? Their first duty is to make sure their client is not found guilty in the court of law.
ReplyDeleteLooks like their first duty was to make clear their own stand known as if they are damn scared they will be penalised later.
It speaks volume what our country is like when it comes to public justice, isn't it? And our leaders don't give a damn, either. That is how I look at it, man.
Frankly, Amos probably is more than adequate to represent himself quite eloquently if he has to. He will likely see this as a good training or challenge to take on given his intellectual curiosity.
DeleteThe lawyers shou,d watch and learn. Especially on guts and courage, without fear or favour.
They, the lawyers, can't be interviewed, can they? Such a dark profession.
ReplyDeleteDid the three volunteer?
ReplyDeleteOr were they volunteered?
Hmmmm?
I hope someone can answer this nagging question, which occurred to me as a I was watching a documentary on TV last night. Everyone knows, Amos is being charged for offending and distressing people. Before the documentary began, there was a disclaimer issued.
ReplyDelete" The following contends scenes and language which might be distressing to some viewers,
Viewer discretion is advised"
So that effectively means you have choice no to watch. Would Amos be in trouble if he had made such a disclaimer. All those people who are offended or distressed, you had a choice not to watch and yet you did.Perhaps can some lawyer clear my doubt
Have you been to Demoncractic FB a page after his lawsuit? I now believe ALL bloggers and cartoonists should have a disclaimer for of sort here in sgp. Because there are just too many stupid people with pitchforks and torches and low esteems around.
DeleteIn their haste to defend AY, the liberal crowd has ignored the fact that what AY said was rude and overboard. Maybe if he was older, he would have phrased his diatribe in non offensive terms.
ReplyDeleteIf a mature adult had said exactly the same things, there would be great outrage, and he would face serious punishment.
Now the worry is solely on what consequences he should face, as he is by definition a child, though charged as an adult. What he said still remains rude, offensive and overboard - and falls outside the realm of freedom of speech.
Under S'pore Penal Code, 16 & above is considered adult. 14 to below 16 is "young person". Below 14 then is "child".
DeleteA 16 yr old who kills will be sentenced to hang or life sentence same as adult.
S'pore law is from old British laws of 1850. In those days, people grew up fast. By 16 yrs old, 99% of people at that time already out of school & working, or enlisted in army / navy. It was quite normal for 14 yr old boys at that time (even from rich families) to join British navy / army.
Very simple.
DeleteIf you support Amos Yee - please vote Opposition.
don't think that is the original british law of 1950 in SG .The angmos are too human rights-eous to regard 16 or 17 as an adult in the eyes of their laws. Understand it was amended by the pap scum leegime not too long ago to what u see it is now.
DeleteThis amendment like amending illegal assembly down to even 1 person. simply reflect the mentality of the scum. Exceptionally ksu n ksi of being challenged, they mus pre-empt and leave no stone unturned for that to happen
We were all humans until
ReplyDeleteRace disconnected us
Religion separated us
Politics divide us and
Wealth classified us
The ONLY people who are mad at you for speaking the truth are those people who are living a lie. Keep speaking the truth.