There, but for the grace of God....

I see Susan Austen’s case has been postponed again. She’s been charged with two offences of importing a Class C drug, sodium pentobarbitone, well known as nembutal, the drug of choice for people who may wish to end their own unbearable suffering. Her apparently straightforward case has already been adjourned since charges were laid last year.

Now the Police have asked for more time to bring another charge. Perhaps they are just "kicking for touch". Perhaps they have been warned they have a rather shaky case. Perhaps they are still shrugging off the huge public criticism for their disgraceful and embarrassing Operation Painter last year. Perhaps they are realising that this minor court case could become a major public issue in an election year. Well, why not?

I think if I had been living within a reasonable distance, I, too, would have been protesting in front of the Courthouse the other day. Not because Susan hasn’t done anything wrong—she appears to have broken the law, all right. But because she was equipping herself to do what I want to be able to do legally myself. 

Oddly, having the stuff is illegal. Using it, isn't.