Elohim
For those that have been following the news Dallas Austin (Popular American Producer) has just been pardoned from receiving four years for carrying 1 gram of cocaine through the airport. Does this mean that Dubai's political system can be manipulated just like the United States? I would normally assume if anyone was caught doing this in Dubai there would be punishment no matter who they are. I think this shows once again that money no matter where you are does bend the law. Any comments?
scarlet
Firstly i have no idea who he is, but if he did the crime he should do the time.
The UAE is a drug intolerant country and should stay that way. He should have ben made more of an example of.
kanelli
This place is so corrupt that it isn't funny. Famous friends and a lot of money and you can get out of pretty much any situation. Now there are some moral standards for you. :roll:
yorky500
To be perfectly honest, I think this decision, and I don't care who made it, it, is a disgrace.
This Country, and Dubai in particular, is a place of double standards. what image are they giving to the outside world?
So, if you are rich and famous, you can come to Dubai with drugs, shag whores and do whatever the hell pleases you cos you will get away with it.
The mind boggles.
ajb
So will working close to one of the royal family go a long way to keeping me out of trouble??
ajb
Not that Im planning on any kind of trouble making :lol:
MaaaD
- ajb wrote:
So will working close to one of the royal family go a long way to keeping me out of trouble??
it might, and it might get you into alot of it too ;)
arniegang
I agree with Yorky - its feking disgraceful
Just because he's a name and Madonna and Co called the powers that be.
What sort of message does this send out apart from "if you got friends then you can do what you like"
MaaaD
or maybe they are afraind the US will bomb the shit out of them and take all the oil .. for "human rights violations" :P
Cargirl
- arniegang wrote:
What sort of message does this send out apart from "if you got friends then you can do what you like"
Welcome to Dubai ....
1 Dubai Jobs .com The First Place to Find a Job in Dubai
MaaaD
- Cargirl wrote:
- arniegang wrote:
What sort of message does this send out apart from "if you got friends then you can do what you like"
Welcome to Dubai ....
If your worth $1million or over ;)
arniegang
does that mean i can do whatever i want
8) 8) 8)
MaaaD
- arniegang wrote:
does that mean i can do whatever i want
8) 8) 8)
yes arnie, as long as you invite me to the next coke party.
constantine
blow baby blow...
Liban
- constantine wrote:
blow baby blow...
HP hears that alot when he is on his knees.
tdot
it is a terrible decision, however it's no different then what goes on in the rest of the world. Anyone recall O.J. Simpson?
the_zooter
- MaaaD wrote:
or maybe they are afraind the US will bomb the shit out of them and take all the oil .. for "human rights violations" :P
You're probably not a million miles away from the truth.
Technically speaking, Dubai/UAE is one of those places that isn't a democracy and therefore should fall under the US's "Regime Change" remit!!
jag
- the_zooter wrote:
- MaaaD wrote:
or maybe they are afraind the US will bomb the shit out of them and take all the oil .. for "human rights violations" :P
You're probably not a million miles away from the truth.
Technically speaking, Dubai/UAE is one of those places that isn't a democracy and therefore should fall under the US's "Regime Change" remit!!
well said.
murphy
Be careful what you wish for............
It may not be 'democracy' but what we have here in UK barely passes for that anymore.
Since when was it news that the rich control everything??
Don't waste energy stressing about things you can't change. Be proactive about the ones you can.
:D
Elohim
- murphy wrote:
Be careful what you wish for............
It may not be 'democracy' but what we have here in UK barely passes for that anymore.
Since when was it news that the rich control everything??
Don't waste energy stressing about things you can't change. Be proactive about the ones you can.
:D
Well Murphy as far as the rich controlling things after awhile it becomes quite evident that if you build a strong financial cushion between yourself and the citizen the rules tend to change from one person to another. I would be interested in knowing however what you believe are the things we should even make an effort about being proactive about. You kind of left that statement so broad. 7
kanelli
- tdot wrote:
it is a terrible decision, however it's no different then what goes on in the rest of the world. Anyone recall O.J. Simpson?
OJ Simpson had a full trial that went on for months. Skilled lawyers who twisted and manipulated facts were able to provide enough of a shadow of a doubt that OJ got off. Dallas getting a pardon directly from a judge after celebrities started pleading his case is no where close to the same situation as the OJ Simpson trial.
GAB
I read that MJ may have "helped" in this decision. Owing a favour to MJ or going to jail. The latter thanx.
I agree he should do the time (I think the min. of 1 year taking off time served since May would have been more than fair) but it is a political and economical decision-let's be realistic, they are trying to encourage celebrities here and jailtime could be perceived as a bad rap albeit the correct decision and could be blown out of proportion elsewhere and lead to some damaging press. Not fair.....but that's life.
Concord
- kanelli wrote:
OJ Simpson had a full trial that went on for months. Skilled lawyers who twisted and manipulated facts were able to provide enough of a shadow of a doubt that OJ got off. Dallas getting a pardon directly from a judge after celebrities started pleading his case is no where close to the same situation as the OJ Simpson trial.
You mean OJ was guilty?? He said he was "100% not guilty".
kanelli
Well, that's the thing, we don't really know for sure whether he was guilty or not. When I followed the trial I found that the evidence strongly supported that he did it.
MaaaD
- kanelli wrote:
- tdot wrote:
it is a terrible decision, however it's no different then what goes on in the rest of the world. Anyone recall O.J. Simpson?
OJ Simpson had a full trial that went on for months. Skilled lawyers who twisted and manipulated facts were able to provide enough of a shadow of a doubt that OJ got off. Dallas getting a pardon directly from a judge after celebrities started pleading his case is no where close to the same situation as the OJ Simpson trial.
The pardon was not from the judge, it was from the Sheikh. Its normal that the persident of a country has power to give a pardon to a criminal. I am not agreeing with whether it was the right thing to do, i am just saying there was a trial he pleaded guilty and got a 4 year jail sentence then he got a presdiential pardon. Just wanted to get the facts straight :)
Concord
- kanelli wrote:
Well, that's the thing, we don't really know for sure whether he was guilty or not. When I followed the trial I found that the evidence strongly supported that he did it.
No doubt in my mind: Guilty.
sharewadi
- Concord wrote:
You mean OJ was guilty?? He said he was "100% not guilty".
Well, he would, wouldn't he?
I thought he was found not guilty in the criminal court, but liable for the deaths (and pay up please) in a civil court?
kanelli
- sharewadi wrote:
- Concord wrote:
You mean OJ was guilty?? He said he was "100% not guilty".
Well, he would, wouldn't he?
I thought he was found not guilty in the criminal court, but liable for the deaths (and pay up please) in a civil court?
Actually, I don't know what happened with that civil court case. Did he even pay anything... How weird that someone could be found not guilty in the criminal court, yet liable in the civil court. :lol:
Concord
- kanelli wrote:
- sharewadi wrote:
- Concord wrote:
You mean OJ was guilty?? He said he was "100% not guilty".
Well, he would, wouldn't he?
I thought he was found not guilty in the criminal court, but liable for the deaths (and pay up please) in a civil court?
Actually, I don't know what happened with that civil court case. Did he even pay anything... How weird that someone could be found not guilty in the criminal court, yet liable in the civil court.
He has not paid anything. His football pension is "untouchable". The reason he lives in Florida as many deadbeats do is because the law has a "homestead" exception. Meaning your "homestead" (house regarless of size and value) is inmune from collection of judgments. There is an outstanding judgement against him of $25M which is unlikely to ever be enforced.
The reason one can be found "not Guilty" (different than innocent) in criminal court and then liable in Civil Court, is the standard of proof. For a criminal case the standard of proof by the prosecution is "beyond a reasonable doubt" while in civil court the standard is "by preponderance of the evidence" (i.e. more likely than not - say 51%).
kanelli
- Concord wrote:
- kanelli wrote:
- sharewadi wrote:
- Concord wrote:
You mean OJ was guilty?? He said he was "100% not guilty".
Well, he would, wouldn't he?
I thought he was found not guilty in the criminal court, but liable for the deaths (and pay up please) in a civil court?
Actually, I don't know what happened with that civil court case. Did he even pay anything... How weird that someone could be found not guilty in the criminal court, yet liable in the civil court.
He has not paid anything. His football pension is "untouchable". The reason he lives in Florida as many deadbeats do is because the law has a "homestead" exception. Meaning your "homestead" (house regarless of size and value) is inmune from collection of judgments. There is an outstanding judgement against him of $25M which is unlikely to ever be enforced.
The reason one can be found "not Guilty" (different than innocent) in criminal court and then liable in Civil Court, is the standard of proof. For a criminal case the standard of proof by the prosecution is "beyond a reasonable doubt" while in civil court the standard is "by preponderance of the evidence" (i.e. more likely than not - say 51%).
Very interesting! Well, OJ made out pretty well in the end didn't he. :evil:
SGMD1
******************post edited by Moderator.
No type of reference comparing UAE and terrorism will be tollerated. IF you want to discuss these issues please post your comments in Politics. But what was written would have still been deleted by Liban or myself
Arniegang***********************************************
It was Senator Orrin Hatch who lobbied to have Dallas Austin released. Had a US government official not become involved, I don't think Austin would have received any leniency. As unfair as it is, in the long run I think it will be beneficial for Dubai in that this minor defeat will reap long term benefits when it comes to US/Dubai relations.
Chocoholic
It's totally disgraceful! SO you've got powerful friends and loadsa cash and get off - what a joke! Also guys note that the drunk Bulgarian who killed Ben by driving into the back of the car as he pushed it only got 4 months and had to pay the blood money!!!!!
FOUR MONTHS for killing a person!
Disgraceful!
constantine
- Chocoholic wrote:
It's totally disgraceful! SO you've got powerful friends and loadsa cash and get off - what a joke! Also guys note that the drunk Bulgarian who killed Ben by driving into the back of the car as he pushed it only got 4 months and had to pay the blood money!!!!!
FOUR MONTHS for killing a person!
Disgraceful!
blood money to who?...thought that concept worked only in neferious groups and all...
Chocoholic
Bens family I guess, that's what insurance covers, if you kill someone then you have to pay the family blood money as compensation, doesn't exactly bring the person back though does it.
constantine
- Chocoholic wrote:
Bens family I guess, that's what insurance covers, if you kill someone then you have to pay the family blood money as compensation, doesn't exactly bring the person back though does it.
yes very sad indeed...nothing can compensate for a human being's life...
jag
Yep, seems like the senator who helped DP World's port bid recently, got him off...
Senator helps free producer Dallas Austin from Dubai jail
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a musician in his own right, helped secure the release of Atlanta R&B producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail after a drug conviction, the senator's office confirmed Saturday.
In a statement released through his staff, the conservative Republican said he was contacted by Austin's attorneys, then called the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates in Washington on Austin's behalf.
A Grammy winner who has produced hits for Madonna, Pink and TLC, Austin was arrested May 19 and convicted of drug possession for bringing 1.26 grams of cocaine into Dubai.
On Tuesday a court sentenced him to four years in jail and said Austin, 34, should be deported after serving the term. Hours later, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum pardoned and released Austin.
Beyond saying Hatch has "good relations with the ambassador and other good people in Dubai," his office gave the Associated Press no specifics about Hatch's dealings with the Dubai government.
Hatch spokesman Peter Carr said he did not know whether the senator and Austin had ever met, but he confirmed that both employ Atlanta entertainment lawyer Joel A Katz. Hatch has written and recorded hundreds of religious and patriotic songs.
Katz and Washington attorney Joe Reeder traveled to Dubai to try to secure Austin's release, the New York Times reported in a story published Saturday. Musicians Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones also intervened as character references, the paper reported.
Carr said it was former Hatch staffer Nancy Taylor who contacted the senator about Austin, the Times reported. Taylor, who worked for Hatch on health care issues until 1991, now works with Reeder at Greenberg & Traurig.
Austin's attorneys said they enlisted Hatch's help because he has influence with Dubai, the paper reported. Hatch this year supported the Dubai-based DP World in its bid to manage several American ports.
In his statement, Hatch said he was "grateful to the leaders of Dubai for agreeing to provide a workable and compassionate solution for this situation."
He also said he was confident Austin "will learn from this experience."
sniper420
- jag wrote:
Yep, seems like the senator who helped DP World's port bid recently, got him off...
Senator helps free producer Dallas Austin from Dubai jail
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a musician in his own right, helped secure the release of Atlanta R&B producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail after a drug conviction, the senator's office confirmed Saturday.
In a statement released through his staff, the conservative Republican said he was contacted by Austin's attorneys, then called the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates in Washington on Austin's behalf.
A Grammy winner who has produced hits for Madonna, Pink and TLC, Austin was arrested May 19 and convicted of drug possession for bringing 1.26 grams of cocaine into Dubai.
On Tuesday a court sentenced him to four years in jail and said Austin, 34, should be deported after serving the term. Hours later, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum pardoned and released Austin.
Beyond saying Hatch has "good relations with the ambassador and other good people in Dubai," his office gave the Associated Press no specifics about Hatch's dealings with the Dubai government.
Hatch spokesman Peter Carr said he did not know whether the senator and Austin had ever met, but he confirmed that both employ Atlanta entertainment lawyer Joel A Katz. Hatch has written and recorded hundreds of religious and patriotic songs.
Katz and Washington attorney Joe Reeder traveled to Dubai to try to secure Austin's release, the New York Times reported in a story published Saturday. Musicians Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones also intervened as character references, the paper reported.
Carr said it was former Hatch staffer Nancy Taylor who contacted the senator about Austin, the Times reported. Taylor, who worked for Hatch on health care issues until 1991, now works with Reeder at Greenberg & Traurig.
Austin's attorneys said they enlisted Hatch's help because he has influence with Dubai, the paper reported. Hatch this year supported the Dubai-based DP World in its bid to manage several American ports.
In his statement, Hatch said he was "grateful to the leaders of Dubai for agreeing to provide a workable and compassionate solution for this situation."
He also said he was confident Austin "will learn from this experience."
Hail the great leader who can release thugs to please his freinds and marr the justice system ........ that's one of th ebad things of monarchy
Chocoholic
I nearly fell over laughing though at the story that his Dubai ;awyers are now whining that he hasn't paid them to 'agreed' 1.6 million Dhs for defending him, no written contract and 'how much!' - losers serves them right!
jag
- Chocoholic wrote:
I nearly fell over laughing though at the story that his Dubai ;awyers are now whining that he hasn't paid them to 'agreed' 1.6 million Dhs for defending him, no written contract and 'how much!' - losers serves them right!
Serves them right indeed Choc. Too funny!! :D
Chocoholic
Typical example of money grabbers thinking that because the guy's a celebrity they can charge him whatever they like.
What about mere mortals? So if someone else gets into trouble and can't afford to pay so much they just go to prison.
The lawyers should be ashamed of themselves, also serves them right for getting a celeb off the hook when he should have gone to jail - the double standards are pathetic.