THERE is currently debate raging about the death penalty for the Bali Nine drug smugglers in jail in Indonesia.
It is a controversial subject which draws heated debate from both sides of the argument.
From the outset one thing must be acknowledged.
Human life is precious, yet each country has its own set of rules and regulations.
The severe penalty Indonesia metes out to drug smugglers is anything but a secret.
Yet this still does not dissuade drug smugglers from rolling the dice and risking the highest of penalties.
Relations could be strained, however, no serious harm can be done with the Australian government requesting clemency from Indonesia for its citizens.
However, whether the request will be granted is another matter.
Chances are high it will be dismissed and the executions go ahead.
The Australian government will always defend its citizens and the Indonesian government will always argue its laws are just that.
As Foreign Minister Julie Bishop stated: "It is a sober reminder that drug-related offences carry very, very heavy penalties in other countries, particularly in Indonesia."
The Australian government cannot do much in this instance - it is doing all it can.
The matter is effectively out of its hands.
Regrettably for the Bali Nine, this issue was in their hands and it led them to being arrested on April 17, 2005.
Life is all about making decisions.
We all make bad decisions from time to time, and wish we could take some of them back.
It begs the question of just how much someone has to do in order to redeem themselves and if a person can be acknowledged as rehabilitated after years of apologising.
Can somebody ever truly escape the stigma of their past actions?
Does the "they're just sorry they got caught" comment always ring true?
There are two clear philosophies on this matter.
One side believes rehabilitation and redemption is possible - the other believes an offence cannot be ignored or escaped and it will be punished, even if it is 10 years after the event.
Whether or not this saga leads to fewer cases of drug smuggling remains to be seen.
All of our choices have consequences, positive or negative.
Ultimately we can control only what we do ourselves.