It seems that only a few people on this thread are prepared to believe that he had a genuine mental illness.
From my limited experience of my daughter suffering from a condition which is similar to bi-polar,but in a much milder form,I’m pretty sure that he was sane enough to know right from wrong.However,a person suffering from this condition just doesn’t think in a normal rational manner.You or I would never agree to transport a suitcase full of God-knows-what for complete strangers,but presumably he had no doubts about doing so.
I’ve heard not one word of condemnation for the people prepared to expose a mentally-ill man to certain death if caught.
I don’t in any way condone drug trafficking and this may be one of the few crimes where the death penalty is appropriate.
I see the Chinese are proclaiming their “humanity ” in letting his relatives visit him before he was executed.
It’s a pity that any such humanity couldn’t have been extended to spare this man’s life.

As a non-driver I really couldn’t give two hoots about Top Gear,but I just have to share this news item for all those men who insist that women can’t park.
Judging by my daughter’s thirty-eight manoeuvre attempt today,you may well have a point.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8432887.stm

Can you guess I’ve got an interest in this subject ?
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is carrying out a project which involves farmers leaving small patches of wildflowers to provide food for bumblebees.It’s only on a small scale now,but it’s hoped that this will become common throughout the UK in future.

http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/news.htm

Having recently come back from holiday in New Zealand,I was delighted to see how bumblebees are flourishing there.I just wish they’d keep still a bit longer so I could photograph them more easily.
The question of pesticides is a tricky one.The BBCT is working to encourage the protection of bumblebees,but it’s a very small organisation.
We Poms still think in pounds,you won’t find many of us who consider the euro when thinking of money and prices here are still in Sterling.
Fourteen million euros works out as £12,611,913-33 in real money.

Another treat for Sunderland fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15uHq-kk6RQ

Brilliant !

The Temper Trap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3b9E1p9uOA

So it’s two hours to go until Christmas Day in the U.K.

A peaceful and happy Christmas to everyone who visits or posts on the forum.

And if you’re going out in the snow,be careful out there.

Anne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbJf_kOhQ1Q

I’ve mislaid my Haynes’ owner’s manual for men,it must have slipped out of my book of stamps.Anyway IIRC all it said was – Turn up naked / Bring alcohol.