Post by Paddy on Aug 24, 2009 14:23:42 GMT -5
A few days ago, the convicted Lockerbie Bomber, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was freed from a Scottish gaol and repatriated to Libya on compassionate grounds - he has terminal prostate cancer and purportedly has 3 months, or so, to live.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8197370.stm
You may or may not have heard about this story, but in the UK, this is headlining controversial news. The Scottish government has come in for a barrage of domestic and international abuse for its decision to free al-Megrahi. Most notably, Obama has criticised the Scots for their error of judgment and even the FBI have sent a furious public letter of disapproval, stating their 'outrage'.
The debate here appears to hinge on questions of compassion and the upholding of the rule of law. al-Megrahi is, afterall, a convicted mass murderer found guilty of bringing down an airliner in Scotland. Many of the passengers were American, hence America's involvement in this matter. However, al-Megrahi is a dying man and it is not unusual for convists to be freed under such circumstances.
Is it insensitive to the families of victims that this man goes free? Does it send a message of softness to terrorist organisations (and governments that sponsor terrorism)? Does it make a mockery of the rule of law that a convicted felon is freed on such apparently arbitrary grounds? Does it undermine the war on terror?
Or...is compassion worthy grounds for his release?
It should be noted that al-Megrahi was afforded a hero's welcome when he arrived in Tripoli. Also, Gordon Brown has been conspicuous in his silence on the matter. There may well be things that we are not being told that may well have influenced al-Megrahi's release (...Libyan oil?), but on face value, what do you make of this news?
In my opinion, the US's (including the Secretary of State) posturing belies an inherent childishness and those who exclaim that they are "ashamed to be Scottish" fed on nothing but pride. I believe critics of the Scottish government are missing out on a great PR opportunity. And Gordon Brown is first-rate idiot - but everyone is on agreement on that.
Perhaps I am missing the bigger picture. His release may further inflame the fires of terror, or perhaps the converse is true, that those who hate the West may have their resolve softened just a notch.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8197370.stm
You may or may not have heard about this story, but in the UK, this is headlining controversial news. The Scottish government has come in for a barrage of domestic and international abuse for its decision to free al-Megrahi. Most notably, Obama has criticised the Scots for their error of judgment and even the FBI have sent a furious public letter of disapproval, stating their 'outrage'.
The debate here appears to hinge on questions of compassion and the upholding of the rule of law. al-Megrahi is, afterall, a convicted mass murderer found guilty of bringing down an airliner in Scotland. Many of the passengers were American, hence America's involvement in this matter. However, al-Megrahi is a dying man and it is not unusual for convists to be freed under such circumstances.
Is it insensitive to the families of victims that this man goes free? Does it send a message of softness to terrorist organisations (and governments that sponsor terrorism)? Does it make a mockery of the rule of law that a convicted felon is freed on such apparently arbitrary grounds? Does it undermine the war on terror?
Or...is compassion worthy grounds for his release?
It should be noted that al-Megrahi was afforded a hero's welcome when he arrived in Tripoli. Also, Gordon Brown has been conspicuous in his silence on the matter. There may well be things that we are not being told that may well have influenced al-Megrahi's release (...Libyan oil?), but on face value, what do you make of this news?
In my opinion, the US's (including the Secretary of State) posturing belies an inherent childishness and those who exclaim that they are "ashamed to be Scottish" fed on nothing but pride. I believe critics of the Scottish government are missing out on a great PR opportunity. And Gordon Brown is first-rate idiot - but everyone is on agreement on that.
Perhaps I am missing the bigger picture. His release may further inflame the fires of terror, or perhaps the converse is true, that those who hate the West may have their resolve softened just a notch.
