Would you have released the Lockerbie Bomber?

[kev]

Since Namepros is a predominantly American forum, I was just wondering what the general consensus was about the release of the Lockerbie Bomber from an American point of view?

I personally think the right decision was made. I was watching MacAskill's speech live today and I have to say, I was proud to be a Scot when our justice secretary said:

"Our justice system demands that judgement be imposed, but compassion be available. Compassion and mercy are about upholding the beliefs that we seek to live by, remaining true to our values as a nation - no matter the severity of the crime committed."

What's everyones view about the compassionate release of a man convicted of 270 counts of murder?

 

[namenut]

You mean the "terrorist"? All "terrorist" should be shot in the head. PERIOD! I don't care what nationality you are. They deserve no sympathy.
big mistake to let him out. Let him die in a cell alone.

NN

 

[GILSAN]

I would never have released the bastard. The British are just too damn tolerant in my opinion. It's insensitive and an enourmous insult to the victims families to release him. NO, NO, NO!!!!! He should die in prison!

 

[RogueWriter]

Eh, he should have been killed shortly after his conviction. Certainly, he should never have been released. His last days should be spent in a dark, windowless cell.

 

[El Bandolero]

Honestly he shouldn't have been released. He wasn't compassionate when he killed all those people or anything of the sort. He deserves to pay for his actions letting him let go like that is a big mistake and a low blow to the victim's family.

 

[kev]

I was born the year the bombing happened not far from Lockerbie, so Ive always taken an interest in the case. I seriously doubt Al Megrahi did this on his own. I supported the 27 year sentence he got, but it isnt right to deny him compassionate release when every other Scottish prisoner is entitled to it, no matter what crime they've committed.

Im glad MacAskill didnt cave in to the bully boy tactics employed by the Americans. Its down to MacAskill to decide whether a Scottish prisoner be released from a Scottish prison or not. Its something Americans have to accept.

Hate begets Hate - we need to be better than those who are sub-human which Megrahi is. Thats why Im proud of the decision. Scotland isnt lowering its levels to his by denying him a right to die with his family.

Heres a few interesting comments from the BBC website

Good to see Kenny Mackasill standing up to pressure from US. The US has an interest in keeping Mr Megrahi in jail to appease the US public. However, there are serious doubts as to the guilt of this man. Is he guilty? Who knows, but it has not been satisfactoraly proven. A head was needed and it fell to Mr Megrahi to provide that. The UN and even Jim Swyre have doubts. Maybe a further inquiry is the only way to get to the truth. In any case the Scottish Govt. has shown compassion when it's needed

Bob Miller, Thurso
Recommended by 73 people

Added: Thursday, 20 August, 2009, 14:39 GMT 15:39 UK
As a Scot, I feel proud that we as a nation can say to the man, "We know what you did, but we know you are dying, and we want you to return home to die"

It is not an act of forgiveness, but an act of compassion. Not to show that compassion would make us no better than he is.

Douglas, Livingston
Recommended by 72 people

Added: Thursday, 20 August, 2009, 13:31 GMT 14:31 UK
Mr MacAskill has undoubtedly taken the correct decision. I am pleased that I voted for this SNP Government.

The magnitude of the 'bully-boy' tactics than have been employed by US politicians beggars belief. Even if Mr MacAskill had been minded to detain Megrahi, that would not have been possible given the attitude of Mrs Clinton, et al. Under the prevailing circumstances, the Scottish Government almost had to release the Libyan in order to show that we would not cave in to US pressure.

Grant McLennan, Edinburgh

Recommended by 71 people

Added: Thursday, 20 August, 2009, 13:23 GMT 14:23 UK
I have never been prouder to be a Scot than I am today!!

Vengeance has no place in a civilised society!!

Well done Kenny for not bowing to pressure from the US!!

The US will complain which means MacAskill has done the decent and just thing!!

What good is keeping a dying man in prison going to do apart from cost taxpayers money!!

The fact that Megrahi was probably innocent will now never be aired and the US and UK intelligence services are now breathing a huge sigh of relief!

[dazzlingpuddock], Buriram/ Aberlour

Recommended by 71 people

Added: Thursday, 20 August, 2009, 14:39 GMT 15:39 UK
I agree with the decision and Mr. MacAskill's comment. Scotland is traditionally more compassionate than its neighbours regionaly and internationally. America will serve its own interests regardless of the ethical issues involved and the United Kingdom Government tends to be led by America. Good old Scotland so we may lose American tourists but surely that will be their loss. That said still not 100% sure that our motives were entirely philanthropic but like to believe they were.

[ambush]

Recommended by 63 people

Added: Thursday, 20 August, 2009, 13:23 GMT 14:23 UK
I am proud of our system of justice. I am proud of our Government's Justice Minister. I know the decision today was the right one.

I am sorry that it has upset some families and I can appreciate their hurt but what kind of dark world would it be without compassion?

I can only feel sorrow for those who say they are "ashamed of Scotland".

John McDonald, Dunoon

 

[GILSAN]

Al Megrahi was inprisioned in 2001, therefore he ONLY SERVED 8 YEARS for killing 270 people. This is ridiculous! It's not only Americans that think this was one of the most insensitive and stupid decisions ever. Terrorists living in the UK must be celebrating. :td:

 

[RogueWriter]

An interesting quote from yahoo news...

"I think it's appalling, disgusting and so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it," said Susan Cohen, of Cape May Court House, N.J., whose 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, died in the attack. "This isn't about compassionate release. This is part of give-Gadhafi-what-he-wants-so-we-can-have-the-oil."

Usually, it's the liberals accusing republicans of oil conspiracy theories.

 

[kev]

Although this might be hard for some Americans to understand; and hard for the relatives of American victims to bear, this process has nothing to do with them at all. I feel for all the victims families but an American opinion is just that: an opinion. It rightly carries no weight in this case.

It was a crime that occurred in Scotland. The Scottish legal system has dealt with it. It shows our wee country isn't bullied into an American view like the UK is. The only reason I feel Americans are angry is that they didn't get their own way and they expect small countries to roll over and accept what ever America says.

Just my opinion :tu:

 

[GILSAN]

He recieved a hero's welcome on his arrival in Libya. The Arab League was very happy about his release and added that Libya should be compensated for all the "suffering" that it was subjected to since the plane crash.
That's right they feel Libya should be compensated. Maybe the Arab league will now sue the families of the victims for compensation.

So much for compassion! Time will show that this was one of the most stupid decisions ever. It appears that the Obama government did not do much to contradict this decision

 

[RogueWriter]

Although this might be hard for some Americans to understand; and hard for the relatives of American victims to bear, this process has nothing to do with them at all. I feel for all the victims families but an American opinion is just that: an opinion. It rightly carries no weight in this case.

It was a crime that occurred in Scotland. The Scottish legal system has dealt with it. It shows our wee country isn't bullied into an American view like the UK is. The only reason I feel Americans are angry is that they didn't get their own way and they expect small countries to roll over and accept what ever America says.

Just my opinion :tu:

JMO as well, but this is bass ackwards, you feel compassion for the victims, not the terrorists. Maybe Scotland thinks letting murderers loose is the new 'in' thing. I don't expect any country to do what the U.S. wants, but I expect them to protect the innocent and punish the criminals, that's not too much to ask.

 

[namenut]

Although this might be hard for some Americans to understand; and hard for the relatives of American victims to bear, this process has nothing to do with them at all. I feel for all the victims families but an American opinion is just that: an opinion. It rightly carries no weight in this case.

It was a crime that occurred in Scotland. The Scottish legal system has dealt with it. It shows our wee country isn't bullied into an American view like the UK is. The only reason I feel Americans are angry is that they didn't get their own way and they expect small countries to roll over and accept what ever America says.

Just my opinion :tu:

Kev, with all due respect .... You seem to be the one not understanding ....
Your bias towards Americans is obvious but then so is your lack of respect
for 270 "human" lives. Only 170 of them were Americans. So even by your
strange sense of justification you still would have 100 or so lives worthy more
respect.

I'll try to figure out how us "Americans" have anything to due with your question.
I'm sure this is a multi ethnic distain for a terrorist bastard being given sympathy. :]

And one more thing Kev. Your wrong and entirely disingenuous when you state
that Americans have no opinion ..... You asked for our opinions with out
premising your question with your prejudice parameters. So it's actually
"you" that make our opinions matter via this thread because you asked.
You act as if we invaded your mother land and forced our opinion on you.

Just my opinion

NN

 

[SpareDomains]

The only reason I feel Americans are angry is that they didn't get their own way and they expect small countries to roll over and accept what ever America says.

If this were a gang member killing another gang member I could see showing compassion as the victim would have made the decision to live that risky lifestyle so kinda their own fault for living that type of life. This case is not about 1 innocent life it is about 270 of them and did any of these 270 innocent people receive notice "you might wanna spend another 5 minutes hugging your family or children before you leave because your about to die" none of these people had notice or said any last words so why this terrorist gets to spend his final days with family is absurd, I hope he drowns on his own vomit. Pan Am Flight 103 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It shows our wee country isn't bullied into an American view like the UK is.

We don't have to bully you, you guys voluntarily wear skirts.
File:Bagpipe performer.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Michelle]

I am not even sure the right person was convicted but anyways IMO NO he should not have been let out. Many people die from illness while serving their sentence for much lesser crimes.

England has become a stupid country - again just my opinion with silly leaders and silly rules... and yes I do know it was scotland

 

[Domainace]

.......

 

[barefoottech]

Release or not to release is not the Question. It is the recognition that the Scots have sole power to decide the fate of their prisoners.
EXACTLY the same argument the US Government put forward when other countries protested about the political prisoners kept at Guantanamo Bay.

 

[kev]

And one more thing Kev. Your wrong and entirely disingenuous when you state
that Americans have no opinion ..... You asked for our opinions with out
premising your question with your prejudice parameters. So it's actually
"you" that make our opinions matter via this thread because you asked.
You act as if we invaded your mother land and forced our opinion on you.

Just my opinion

NN

I didnt mean people on this board have no opinion. I like a good debate like everyone else. I was just stating correctly that they cant affect a decision from MacAskill.

Lets get one thing straight....Al Megrahi's an animal. I supported his 27 year sentence. But in Scot's law, he is entitled to be released, so thats why I support the decision. I hated the reception he received in Libya, but that shouldn't justify whether or not he should have been released or not. Scotland have absolutely no interest in Megrahi and international politics. When was the last time you saw Scotland's First Minister meeting America's President? Im sure many of you couldn't even name our First Minister... He was released because he was entitled to be released....it wasn't based on making Gadhafi happy or for Libyans oil. Incidentally, Aberdeen is the oil capital of Europe so I think its ridiculous to suggest we need Libyan oil when we have the whole of the North Sea to mine!

We don't have to bully you, you guys voluntarily wear skirts.
File:Bagpipe performer.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pretty ignorant if you ask me

---------- Post added at 10:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 AM ----------

Release or not to release is not the Question. It is the recognition that the Scots have sole power to decide the fate of their prisoners.
EXACTLY the same argument the US Government put forward when other countries protested about the political prisoners kept at Guantanamo Bay.

Well said

 

[shaelheart]

If it were true that the evidences presented against the alleged bomber were weak, then releasing a dying man is his redemption.

It is better to acquit a guilty man than to convict an innocent one, so the saying goes.

 

[Keral_Patel]

If the case was proved against him and it was finalized that he was the one who killed 270. Then he shouldn't be living to have a cancer in later years.

He should have been lined up against a wall and a firing squad should have fired around 5000 to 10,000 bullets in his body.

 

[kev]

I think it highlights a massive difference in culture between America and Scotland.
Hopefully this will all blow over since it's not doing relations between our two countries any good.

10% of the American population are Scottish-American and 22 American presidents have Scottish descent :O