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Today is a sad day. Many grieve the thousands dead and wounded in Nepal. The death of Freddie Gary and ensuing instability in Baltimore represent the fear and uncertainty that minority populations live with every day. Amongst other saddening news, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan have now been executed. Yet, over the past 8 years of their imprisonment, they showed the innate ability of the human spirit to flourish in times of complete helplessness. Yes, they did deserve to be punished for their crimes (and they very much were). But, the death penalty is degrading, cruel, inhumane and an act of torture, considering the pain their families face. This is a grave and intolerable injustice. When placed in the broader context of Indonesia's political climate and geography it is easy to see that this sentence was used by Widodo to simply prove a point. A point that need not be proven if it wasn't for the corrupt state of affairs in which Indonesia lies today. In fact, to many in the international community, this has done the exact opposite. All it has proven is that society has reached a level lower and more condemnable than that of its worst. Moreover, if prison and judicial systems were capable enough of realising the potentiality and importance of rehabilitation this would not occur. The death penalty does not deter even the most egregious crimes. On days like this I sit in shock and disgust at the state of our world today. What does the Widodo have to say about the fact that they are dead before their trial even faces the Supreme Court? If we cannot manifest the power of decent respect, forgiveness, love or mercy that is integral to the continuation of the human race, or understand the inalienable right that each and every human being has to life... What have we become? My heart goes out to Myuran and Andrew, the other six who have passed tonight with them, and all their loved ones. May you leave this heartless place with dignity and peace. R.I.P.

#ultrachill

Wilson Mclean

1971