Death penalty and Presidential clemency
December 2nd, 2024 | 
Author: 
When Tharman Shanmugaratnam became the president of Singapore in September 2023, I told several young anti-death penalty activists that he may pardon some death row prisoners. They looked skeptical but did not voice any opinion. The young activists had all been working their guts out for death row prisoners and their families. But none of the cases they worked on succeeded in having their death sentences commuted to life through presidential clemencies.
In the entire history of independent Singapore (since 1965), only six death row prisoners were granted clemencies.
President Benjamin Sheares – 2
President Wee Kim Wee - 2
President Devan Nair – 1
President Ong Teng Cheong - 1.
President Ong also granted the petition to release one prisoner who had earlier had her death sentence commuted to life imprisonment to be released from prison owing to severe illness.
From 1999 till today, a period of 25 years, no death row prisoner had been granted clemency. This dark history started with President S R Nathan who served two terms from 1999 to 2011. After Nathan, Presidents Tony Tan and Halimah Yacob did not grant a single clemency. For my young friends, there was therefore no good reason to be hopeful.
So why was I so hopeful and activists completely skeptical?
It is no secret that Tharman has a social conscience. He once said that there was "no greater purpose in life than serving your own country", adding that "we all have to feel responsible for Singapore".
In 1987, the Internal Security Department had apparently suspected him to be involved in the activities of the 22 people who were accused of being Marxist conspirators intent on overthrowing the PAP government. The allegations were of course, completely false. While the 22 people were arrested and imprisoned without trial under the Internal Security Act, Tharman was not arrested. Instead, he was subjected to intensive interrogation by officers of the Internal Security Department for several days. In the end, he was let off. He did not lose his job with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He continued to rise in his political career from ordinary member of parliament to Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister and finally Senior Minister. When he was proposed to stand for election as president of Singapore in 2023, he vowed to be his “own man”. He told his audience at the Pasir Panjang Townhall meeting on 25 August 2023:
"Everyone in government, in the civil service and frankly everyone outside government knows that I'm my own man. I'm independent-minded, I've always sought to find a consensus with my colleagues on the direction of change and the policy changes required."
President Tharman is a man with vast experience, not only of the government but also of the people on the ground. He was highly popular in his constituency when he was a member of parliament. His poll score at one general election was higher than that of PM Lee Hsien Loong.
President Tharman has full knowledge of how the cabinet works. He praised the workings of the cabinet in that townhall meeting and talked about his role in cabinet proclaiming:
"I'm not known as someone who just toes the line, or is a yes-man ...”
So what happened to his claim of independence and ability to persuade his colleagues to agree with his views and take Singapore forward with regard to the death penalty? Did he ever raise the subject when he was a cabinet minister?
The death penalty concerns every one of us in Singapore and the world. The majority of countries in the world have abolished the death penalty. Why is Singapore retaining the death penalty and actively executing people. Why is Singapore such a strong advocate of the death penalty joining the ranks of China and Saudi Arabia? Does hanging drug mules eradicate the drug problem?
Tharman became president in September 2023. Under his presidency, he has already ordered the execution of at least nine death row prisoners who all belong to the ethnic minority group. Singapore’s population is made up of:
Chinese 75.9%,
Malays 15.4%,
Indians 7.4%,
and residents of other descent make up 1.6%.
I don’t claim to be knowledgeable about the composition of our prison population but I suspect that the majority are made up of the minority ethnic group. I wonder if Tharman as minister and deputy prime minister had ever raised the subject in cabinet.
I am aware that the president acts on the advice of the cabinet. But am I to believe that the president has absolutely no role in the decision? Could the president speak to the prime minister who works next door to his residence about clemency petitions? Could he raise the subject of clemencies when he meets ministers at his residence? Could he use his skill and influence as a former cabinet minister to persuade the main decision makers to grant clemencies? I am sure the past presidents who granted seven clemencies exercised their influence over some cabinet ministers.
If President Tharman had done nothing with regard to the death penalty while in office as minister, I am deeply disappointed. Now as president he has rejected nine clemency petitions in the short duration of 16 months of his presidency.
Last Friday, Masoud Rahimi, aged 34, was executed at dawn after being on death row for 14 years. He was arrested for a drug trafficking offence at the age of 20, shortly after he completed his national service. Apparently, he denied that he was involved in trafficking but the courts disbelieved him. The burden of proof on the accused is extremely heavy. I am told that he filed a last minute application to stay his execution claiming that he had finally found a witness who he was looking for since he was arrested. That witness was, unknown to him, already in prison. He also has a pending constitutional case scheduled for hearing in 2025. The court rejected his plea for stay of execution. The president too rejected his clemency petition, making him the 9th person to be executed under the hand of the President Tharman.
I understand that there are about 50 death row prisoners today. Will President Tharman execute all of them in the remaining four years of his presidency or will he try to influence the ministers to grant clemencies?
Teo Soh Lung
Posted in 
You want to be pardoned for your crime?
First change yoir family name to Biden and change your name to Hunter.
Father Joe Biden pardoned son Hunter Biden.
This is Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights.
Goh Meng Seng, so you and silly Hong Kees wish to nuture US Demoncracy?
Calling all sound minded Singappreans, be ready to sue Opposition for spreading fake news and charge them for Felony crime.
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Poor souls with fat hope.
Not a chance. Better luck to strike Toto first price.
Hopeless voters vote with hope. Go buy toto better.
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Question: Are Myanmese, Cambodians, Filipino and so on considered Chinese/Malay/Indian or Eurasian?
Sad that even a prominent activist would fall for the MIW ethnic profiling that is meant to uphold their divide and conquer strategy. There is only 2 types of people in SG, the fortunate and the unfortunate. Whatever skin colour, race, religion or language we speak there will always be these 2 types.
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It is a very big loophole in law for democracy. Biden pardon his own son for crimes. If PAP president is elected and PAP members in trouble with law, it is possible PAP members is pardon. Imagine someone who commit crime is pardon and against justice. Be very afraid as killing someone can be pardon. Singapore president is too powerful and not good for democracy. Even Biden misuse pardon power, it is hard to say pardon power will not be misuse in future.
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Have faith in our legal system
Have faith in our people in blue uniform
Have faith in them working day and night for the good of everyone in the tiny tropical island.
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He is too busy with other high global appointments to mind the death row prisoners’ clemency petition!
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/parliament-passes-law-allowing-president-tharman-accept-international-appointments
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For those who are against death penalty for criminal, leave your residential address here and we sent them to your house.
You will feed and clothe them for the rest of their lives.
I don’t want to hear anymore complain from you.
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Another S Korea President is in trouble and is likely to go to jail.
Sg Presidents are very safe. No action to excite anybody.
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This is a difficult situation especially pertaining to drug trafficking and violent crimes that are fatal.
A dichotomy indeed.
Even if we spare them and change to life imprisonment without parole,will this deter potential serious serial criminals?
I believe not a few gung-ho criminals would not be afraid of life imprisonment as a “form of sacrifice” for their family members’ “financial” well-being or otherwise.
But,applying harsh sentences on every case is not right either.
Anyway,the best and most just way is to go after the KING-PIN$.
Sentencing to death a low-ranked trafficker does not solve the problem as another “younger,more vicious” trafficker would take his place?
Even so,govt leaders might unknowingly or knowingly drink wine and eat cheese with the KINGPIN$ at social or other events?
What about public policies that affect and inflict the citizens and their families most negatively including pushing elderly into taking their own “old” lives?
BE GRACIOUS AND KIND TO OWN CITIZENS FIRST.
Else,it is all hypocrisy…
God bless SinkingPOOReans.
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Crazy guy talks like he’s the Super-President, can pardon and can designate a prison in any residence. Stewpig!
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Loophole? You are stupid you know.
In God We Tru$t America is World’s beacon of democracy.
https://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Reden/EN/Frank-Walter-Steinmeier/Reden/2024/241018-Order-of-merit-Biden.html
Father pardon son is democracy and this democracy is actively pursued by traitorous Goh Meng Seng and his CIA sponsored Hong Kees counterpart who carries US flag and UK flag.
Joe Biden Goes Back on His Word: Pardons Son, Hunter
https://youtu.be/T5ei9KmLQ5s
HK Christians are so proud of it. They instigate/incite violence.
https://youtu.be/ZFK0jCozq2o&t=2s
Traitorous Goh Meng Send and Hong Kees are eagerly sucking/licking it.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-slams-us-for-passing-the-hong-kong-democracy-act/story-4FPByvKgnibkTsn112FFPM.html
Now, where is Eric, VFO and all Father Pardon Son democracy supporters?
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Yes, have faith in our man in blue.
But having faith is not enough.
We need to work together with the police to weed out all bad people on this tropical island.
Bad people are not just criminals. Chinese Chauvinistic Pi or anyone who think they are super being and above others working against Singapore are bad people too.
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Yes, well said.
Bigotry xenophobic hardcore racist is one category of bad people who are not doing any good for the tiny tropical island.
They should be eliminated totally!
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This is blind faith.
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Everyday,you see law “enforcers” breaking the law.
If only one truly sees and admit in all honesty.
Too many innocent sgs are suffering the “WRONGDOINGS” of THE FEW again and again.
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Ah yes. It depends on who is the offender.
When Papa Joe Biden pardon his son Hunter Biden, all pro democracy went quiet.
Why you never criticized your In God We Trust American Papa for breaking the principle of Democracy?
Please answer. Don’t run away…
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Ah, like blind pro democracy supporters pursuing Papa PARDON Son democracy ?
Papa PARDON Son democracy is World’s beacon of democracy.
https://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Reden/EN/Frank-Walter-Steinmeier/Reden/2024/241018-Order-of-merit-Biden.html
Suddenly all pro democracy supporters went silence ?
Where is Jolovan Wham, Eric the Christian Taliban?
Where is GMS, Lim Tean, Dr Cheee and the likes?
Pro Papa PARDON Son democracy supporters, where are you?
Coward? Dare not criticize U$ and Gone into hiding?
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I dare you to fly to US White House to scold and criticize Father and Son, Papa PARDON Son Democracy.
Opposition such as you are coward.
Only dare to criticize our great PAP government but DARE NOT criticize In God We Tru$t America dishonesty for fear of being kick out of the SWIFT system.
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该死的不死？
那问题就大啰！
大法官有没有权力判生死？
当然有啦！如果没有，那问题也大啰！
该死的快点去死，这样该活的就可以活得无忧无虑，这个社会就会欣欣向荣。
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Outgoing US President Joe Biden is reportedly discussing blanket pardons for prominent critics of President-elect Donald Trump, to shield them from possible future prosecution, according to Politico and CBS News.
A desperate move to protect criminal followers, by a low power leader. A high power leader will appoint them to powerful positions, to create a powerful web to legally catch and devour all troublemakers.
Just look at this country … (Shutup! You wanna die?)
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FR has lost his mind. Incoherent babbling.
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”A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, ”
”Singapore police said they didn’t arrest a Chinese national accused of money laundering because they were not asked to do so by authorities in China, even though an Interpol Red Notice had been issued for him.”
Papigs love for money launderers is giving the country a very bad name.
Looks like PM Wang Yi have to deliver thousands of Interpol red notices personally to papigs before they are forced to act; Wang Yi please come again.
How many more money launderers are still hiding in BROAD daylight in Sinkieland, with Interpol red notices issued for their arrest.
Papigs to money launderers—we love you so much.
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@”The burden of proof on the accused is extremely heavy.”
Response:
Information extracted from pkwalaw.com:”….Section 18 goes further and states that it shall also be presumed until proven otherwise that you knew the nature of the drug.
So, if your friend leaves a packet of cocaine in your guest room after a party and the police find it, you are presumed to possess the drugs and know that it is cocaine. It doesn’t matter that you never physically came into contact with the drugs. The same applies if a friend leaves cannabis or any controlled drug in your vehicle. It will be up to you to prove your innocence.”
After reading the above information and example, I also think that proving innocence is not easy.
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I dare you to go to the DPRK and other democratic places where the father installs the son, and scold them in public. You only dare to scold a place from across the world.
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This, I can’t agree moew.
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Can you imagine if papigs issue a Interpol RED Notice on Mas Selamat and Indonesia refuse to act on it.
It was Indonesia that captured him for us.
Wong CANNOT Sing let him escape twice.
Once from prison.
Second from the country.
Why do papigs love terrorists, scammers, money launderers so much….
Or are they PLAINLY INcompetent.
”Why a Singapore-based Chinese fugitive on Interpol Red Notice was arrested in Indonesia”
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3290206/why-singapore-based-chinese-fugitive-interpol-red-notice-was-arrested-indonesia
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You are an idiot.
Our great PAP DID NOT go around with a BIG CB MOUTH advocating We$tern/America Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights.
On the other hand, YOU, Jolovan Wham, Dr Chee, Lim Tean and GMS Opposition go around with a BIG CB MOUTH parroting We$tern/America Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights.
YOU, Jolovan Wham, Dr Chee, Lim Tean and GMS are all dishonest Opposition.
They don’t DARE to CRITICIZE their Papa PARDON Son America.
Opposition pretend to pursue democracy but in reality, they are just tricking you for your vote. 反对党追求民主是假，骗选票是真。
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”Singapore bank OCBC tightens scrutiny on international clients”
After 10,000 cases floating up..maybe something is being done. Maybe!
If a murderer is wanted by China can papig police ignore the notice.
Or must he commit another murder in sinkingland before action is taken.
What is the point of joining INTERPOL if we do not act on RED notice.
RED not orange or green.
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”https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-11/rich-chinese-migrants-are-snapping-up-singapore-s-good-class-bungalows?srnd=homepage-asia
”Singapore Mansion Deals Are Increasingly Shrouded in Secrecy”
More MAFIA, Tax Evaders, Scammers, MoneyLaunderers and other scums are buying up the island.
Papigs need to charge in court for High Treason for selling the country. .
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”Policy on Anti-Money Laundering.. Singapore has adopted a five-point strategy which comprises:
1. Coordinated and Comprehensive Risk Identification;
2. Strong Legal and Sanctions Frameworks;
3. Robust Regulatory Regime and Risk Targeted Supervisory Framework;
4. Decisive Law Enforcement Actions; and
5. International Partnerships and Cooperation.”
$3B ML criminals were operating in Sinkingland for almost 10 years before action was taken
In the recent case RED notice was sent out by InterPOL for some time.
If Indonesia was also sleeping on the JOB, PR Yan were be in Sinkingland untouched for at least another 10 years.
DECISIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT INDEED!
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Some Sinkies will blame kaypoh Indonesians. Let Yan spend his money here. Profits go up. HDB/GCB go up. GDP bonuses go up. Everybody is happy.
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Biden pardons 1500 convicted criminal. Some president gets more pay and pardons lots less.
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”We adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards money laundering and will decisively act against any persons involved. The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was set up in end-2023 to review our anti-money laundering regime (AML) by drawing learnings from the billion-dollar money laundering case”
…Second Minister for Finance, Ms Indranee Rajah’
Does this episode of MoneyLaunderer PR Yan looks like zero tolerance.
Indonesia arrested Yan, Sinkingland did not. Period.
Can we also ignore RED notice if Jho Lo was hiding in Spore.
Of the 545,000 PRs in Spore, how many have RED Notice on their head.
Should not the police be checking???
We have learnt NOTHING from the Billion dollar case.
You are always judged by your actions not words.
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Tharman had changed his name. He is only allow to rubber stamp all the Lee’s decrees on sensitive issues.
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You are an idiots.
You MUST be charged and jailed for spreading lies and falsehood.
The truth is Papa Biden pardons his own son Hunter Biden under the pretext of pardoning criminal.
And yes, Papa Joe Biden son is a criminal.
Joe Biden Goes Back on His Word: Pardons Son, Hunter
https://youtu.be/T5ei9KmLQ5s
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People who should go to jail were only given stern warnings (Petrobras case).
That’s clemency in action for you. No need to trouble the President for he/she have more important matters to attend to.
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Cheapos ask for freebies.
Large companies ask small local business for freebies.
https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/local-bakery-owner-calls-out-nus-halls-request-for-free-cupcakes-worth-2000
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Dear Sporean Keep Govt Employed,
This is the very reason why you SHOULD NEVER EMPLOYED Singaporeans.
10 Years Series Exam Templated Exam Passer, Low on IQ and 0 on EQ.
This local bakery owner does not deserve any businesses. Period.
Today with AI, you can easily learn how to politely and diplomatically decline the invite to sponsor without offending the inviter and sour the business relationship.
https://www.google.com/search?q=diplomatically+decline+invite+to+sponor&oq=diplomatically+decline+invite+to+sponor&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigXSAQoyMTE5OGowajE1qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Example phrases:
“We are honored to be considered for a sponsorship, however, our current marketing strategy is focused on [specific area] which doesn’t fully align with this event.”
“Thank you for reaching out, but our budget for sponsorships is currently maxed out for the year.”
“We appreciate the opportunity, but unfortunately, our current priorities do not allow us to commit to this sponsorship at this time.”
“We believe in the mission of your organization, and while we cannot sponsor this event, we would be happy to explore other ways to support your efforts in the future.”
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Future leaders of the country want $2000 free food from a small bakery? They think people got $2 million a year salary?
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Please stop barking like a (unprintable).
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Haha.
Or she can counter with a limited sponsorship. Eg if you buy $2000 worth of goods, there’s a 20% discount.
But I applaud her frankness. Those big companies that ask for freebies needs to be called out. Because they are so tiresome. They got money to spend yet want to squeeze small businesses.
Once a NUS law student ask me to donate. I asked what for. He said they are having a party. I declined.
Once I went for Job interview with big organization. In the end they asked me to volunteer. I now understand why people visit them ONLY when they give free entry.
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FR is “no seed” coward.
The bakery owner is an honest, hardworking and enterprising graduate of NUS. More business for her.
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Yes, this is one way too instead of blasting the inviter souring relationship and closing doors to potential business.
Frankness also must see if the situation warrant it.
Therefore, Situational Awareness is very important and requires EQ.
This is something that our 10 years series templated exam passer does not possess.
Yes, this is correct. Don’t import Free Riding culture into Singapore from Ang Mo countries.
We had a lot of free riding Singaporeans already.
It is Ok to volunteer and give back to society.
However, if you are not comfortable with volunteering for this Company, then don’t do it.
甘愿做，欢喜受。施舍不图报。但也不要盲目施舍，尤其不要施舍懒惰人。
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The most cheapskate are the big companies.
I sold magazine advertising space long ago. A LOT ask for free ads. If you do get a deal, they want barter terms.
I think people should bug them for free stuff.
That’s why I have no sympathy for them if they go belly up.
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Quite right EQ, people skills, soft skills are not taught in schools. It is something you acquire and learn on your own. So your private schools might include it as a Skills Future programme.
In my work situations I have encountered many blunt people who say things without considering other people’s feelings.
But at least one lady advised me like this :” whenever I raise a suggestion, I have to make it seem that it is coming from my boss and she is the one making the decision.” She was showing me how to deal with egotistical bosses.
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Ah so you super wu ji like Zelensky right ?
https://youtu.be/SQjGYDpykGk
Ukrainians voted for Western/America Democracy but ran away when they are needed to die defending it.
Please go help Ukrainian fight the Russian. Show us your “wu ji”ness.
Yours truly,
Singaporean R Free Riders
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Fake fake talk the loudest very “wu ji” but when ask him to show his “wu ji”ness to help Ukrainian fight the Russian, he became “bo ji” and disappear.
The is the true face of Singaporean Pro Western/America Democracy supporters aka “bo ji” supporters.
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Confusion says, “When you have no seed, you don’t know what is got seed. You end up a very confused no seed.”
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Dear Very Confused No Seed,
Your master In God We Tru$t America NO SEED and won’t send their soldiers to help Ukraine fight Russia.
So Please show us you got SEED compare to Americunt. Action please.
Go Ukraine die fighting Russia for Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights.
1) No Seed Ukrainian resist conscription
https://youtu.be/Oa7uw4ByZHQ
2) No Seed Ukrainian being detained by conscription patrols go viral
https://tinyurl.com/mry7bhwj
https://www.tremeritus.net/2024/11/18/america-humiliated-as-biden-shunted-at-apec-summit/
Dear Confused one,
This one I agreed with you. Throw some 1 cent coins. You will see ‘Buddhas’ walking around.
From West to East, it is all the same. Religion is about Money Grabbing and Sex Penetration.
1) Money Grabbing Buddhist Venerable Ming Yi
2) Money Grabbing Christian Pastor Kong, Pastor Sun
3) Sex Penetration Monk
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/09/monk-abused-children-for-decades-on-welsh-island-in-plain-sight-review-says
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