Who Let Abdel Baset al Megrahi Go?
And why does this mass-murdering terrorist get off to go 'Scot-Free'?
Abdel Baset al Megrahi is a former Libyan intelligence officer.
On 31 January 2001, he was convicted, by a panel of Scottish Judges sitting in a special court at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands, of 270 counts of murder for his part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on 21 December 1988. Megrahi was sentenced to life imprisonment. Suffering from terminal prostate cancer, with less than three months to live, he was allowed to walk yesterday.
He returned as a hero to Tripoli to an enthusiastic crowd waving Scottish flags(lower right).
Who, then, are the Scots who let this mass killer walk?
They are Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, and Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice minister.
On 18-August, Salmond pre-endorsed MacAskill's decision, promising the Justice minister would
Let me explain myself.
In my book of justice, (as I have said), in an open and democratic society,
In the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie and all 259 passengers and crew members were killed. Megrahi's original sentence was only 27 years. That's one year for every ten people he killed. When he walked, he had served eight years? One year for every 33 he killed?
Terrorists and political assassins should be sentenced to rot to death in prison. And that's what Abdel Baset al Megrahi was doing when he was released.
Abdel Baset al Megrahi is a former Libyan intelligence officer.
On 31 January 2001, he was convicted, by a panel of Scottish Judges sitting in a special court at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands, of 270 counts of murder for his part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on 21 December 1988. Megrahi was sentenced to life imprisonment. Suffering from terminal prostate cancer, with less than three months to live, he was allowed to walk yesterday.
He returned as a hero to Tripoli to an enthusiastic crowd waving Scottish flags(lower right).Who, then, are the Scots who let this mass killer walk?
They are Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, and Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice minister.
On 18-August, Salmond pre-endorsed MacAskill's decision, promising the Justice minister would
Announcing the release, Justice Secretary MacAskill said the country’s justice system was based on both judgement and compassion. In a 20-minute statement explaining his decision, Mr MacAskill claimed releasing Megrahi was an expression of unique Scottish “values":... take a decision shortly in the interests of justice ... I’m absolutely confident that if there’s one person in Scotland I trust to take the right decision for the right reasons it’s Kenny MacAskill .... The most important thing for all of us...is that the person taking that decision will do so on the basis of evidence he’s received and advice he’s received.
That's crap.In Scotland we are a people who pride ourselves on our humanity. It is viewed as a defining characteristic of Scotland and the Scottish people.
The perpetration of an atrocity and outrage cannot and should not be a basis for losing sight of who we are, the values we seek to uphold, and the faith and beliefs by which we seek to live.
Let me explain myself.
In my book of justice, (as I have said), in an open and democratic society,
- There is no place for the death penalty.
- Absent the death penalty, there is no place for mercy and compassion for political assassins. Before last week, I thought that was self-evidently obvious for convicted terrorists.
In the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie and all 259 passengers and crew members were killed. Megrahi's original sentence was only 27 years. That's one year for every ten people he killed. When he walked, he had served eight years? One year for every 33 he killed?
Terrorists and political assassins should be sentenced to rot to death in prison. And that's what Abdel Baset al Megrahi was doing when he was released.
posted by Vigilante at 8/23/2009 07:08:00 AM
25 Moderated Comments:
Vigilante, boycott Scotland.
Even though he is dying,he should not be trusted and he should still be monitored.
Happy not to have you, Petro'.
8-)
I gotta say, this case seemed a difficult one to me. I could understand the argument for giving Megrahi the chance to be with family in his final days. Or rather, giving his family a chance to be with him. Then came the "hero's welcome" in Tripoli. The Libyan government took an act of compassion and abused it. Libya didn't just insult international justice, it buggered it with a broomstick. Shame on Libya.
I have family in Scotland and they share Russell's sentiment with regard to the feckless Petro.
Regardless, the release of this murdering scumbag by Scotland's politicians is the nuttiest thing I have ever heard. I don't care about his prostate cancer. I know lots of people with this disease who are living years, and years after diagnosis. This killer should have been forced to rot in prison for what he did, not returned to Libya where he was celebrated as a hero.
While I haven't had had time to research this as completely as I would like I wager that Jesus has something to do with this insane decision.
He was released in accordance with Scottish law.
You ignorant, arrogant fucktards.
This comment has been removed by the author.
How brave of you, Anonymous, to anonymously call other people "fucktards."
Just FYI, Megrahi's release wasn't required by Scottish law. Officials could have decided not to release him, as this article makes clear:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8216589.stm
I apologise, I thought you were American.
The fact remains that he was released in accordance with Scottish law, regardless of what the article suggests.
More to the point, we all know that we have been 'had'. The Labour government are up to their necks in it, as is Washington. Money makes the world go round....
Hopefully, it wasn't for oil. I mean, as bad as this release was on its face....
Sorry Will, heard that Britain gets 40% of its oil from the Gulf of Sidra with the powers that be looking to up that percentage to 80%.
Ministers pushed Lockerbie treaty 'to protect oil interests'
Gordon Brown has been accused of rushing through the ratification of a treaty with Tripoli that could pave the way for the repatriation of the Lockerbie bomber as part of a British push to protect oil interests in Libya.
Amid signs that a decision on the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi could be made within days, senior MPs and peers said ministers in London had overlooked human rights in their haste to ratify the agreement.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/18/ministers-pushed-lockerbie-treaty-libya
call it revenge for all the cash you fat yankee cunts gave to the IRA.
And what, Sir Octopussy, shall we call it for the 11 Scots killed at Lockersbie?
Listen up & watch Kenny MacAskill's complete statement from the BBC.
Where I agree that the Scottish Courts erred by releasing Abdel Baset al Megrahi,is the rule of the country prevail if the government is wrong? I've vehemently disagreed with many policies in my country. Despite Scottish law, I firmly disagree with this decision.
Note to Anonymous: your comment, "I'm sorry, I thought you were Americans," clearly defines you as a raging bigot. Deal with it. Anyone who takes it upon her/himself to vilify an entire group of people, no matter who they are, is ignorant.
And, by the way, have the balls (or bollocks, in your case) to use your name. Cowards generally hide behind an "Anonymous" post--sort of like the KKK with their silly hoods.
View people as individuals, or your stupidity will be with you throughout your life. Comments like yours reveal a seriously prejudiced mentality. as if you were looking in a mirror. As Swift wrote, "Satire is a sort of glass in which a person beholds everyone by himself."
I no longer support the death penalty, and believe that a life sentence in jail is far more punitive than the death penalty I suggest that Scotland impose a life sentence for Megrahi and allow appeals over measured periods of time.
Maybe it's time to rethink Scottish law instead of merely accepting the judicial system without thought/
From the UK Daily News: Gaddafi embraces Lockerbie bomber and thanks his 'courageous friend' Gordon Brown for releasing him
CNN notes: Megrahi was not a true jihadist Describing terrorists in this way, using the legitimate term ‘jihad'-- which means to purify oneself or to wage a holy struggle for a moral goal – risks giving these murderers the religious legitimacy they desperately seek but in no way deserve,” John Brennan said in a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.jihadist.
The Koran, Book of peace, posts: The Koran is saying to humans, this is the final guidance from your Creator, for the specific purpose of worshipping him and creating a civil society where you can live in peace with one another,
[...]
Muslims believe that the Koran is God's unfiltered message—teaching them how to lead a good life and become a better, more moral person.
"The Koran is very specific with regard to the nature of human struggle... for a human to be at peace with himself, they must control their baser instincts.
[...]
A reference to "lower jihad," a more earthly and physical—and controversial—struggle. "To those against whom war is made, permission is given [to fight] because they are wronged...
More about Megrahi. Fanatical Islamics are analogous to fanatics of all religions. Was Timothy McVeigh "a terrorist"? Or the plethora of White supremacists who call themselves Christians, and justify their bigotry on Biblical scripture.
CNN also reports Megrahi was not a true jihadist Describing terrorists in this way, using the legitimate term ‘jihad’ – which means to purify oneself or to wage a holy struggle for a moral goal – risks giving these murderers the religious legitimacy they desperately seek but in no way deserve,” John Brennan said in a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
National Geo posts the Quran as a Book of Peace:
Muslims believe that the Koran is God's unfiltered message—teaching them how to lead a good life and become a better, more moral person
The Koran is specific with regard to the nature of human struggle... in order for a human to be at peace with himself, they must control their baser instincts.
Terrorism is the fanatic interpretation of certain passages that may allude to peace. True terrorism arises from fanaticism.
In the Quoran is a reference to "lower jihad," a more earthly and physical—and controversial—struggle. "To those against whom war is made, permission is given [to fight] because they are wronged;..This verse speaks of combat or war to be waged against one's oppressors...the Koran also states in 2:160: "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors.
[...]
"If people are intent on using religion to motivate terror or violence, they'll find an excuse there no matter what the actual text says If Jihad is a religious precept to improve one's life, neither Meghrai nor bin-Laden qualify as a jihadists.
People believe what they want.
Terrorism has less to do with Islam than than the fanatics appropriation of certain passages of religious texts that allude to peace.
I guess it's safe to say that the released prisoner has only a few months of freedom left to "enjoy" (if death by cancer can be considered enjoyable), but upon passing, he will spend an eternity of suffering for the murders he has committed. Everlasting justice will prevail.
I thank everyone for this frank and intense conversation.
I am, first and foremost, totally unmoved after listening to Kenny MacAskill's complete statement.
Secondly, I am not persuaded by finely drawn lines between different degrees of jihadism.
Elsewhere in my pages, I made a point to say that Bush made a valid point in him 1st speech after 9-11 that we, the USA, should go to bat against terrorism of global reach. The problem, a deep and fatally painful problem, I have with Busheney and their Neo-cons is that they immediately veered off course into Iraq which had nothing to do with terrorism of global reach. In retrospect I concluded they never intended otherwise.
This case of Megrahi's, however, is definitely one of terrorism-of-global-reach.
I have had extensive discussions on Scottish and British blogs. One one hand, I can report that many agree with me; OTOH, quite a few others believe this is just a pay-back against the USA.
This last reaction leaves me dumbfounded.
Nice job, Stella, ripping this anonymous nincompoop a new one. I completely enjoyed it, my friend. P.S. He sounds a little like Cliffy, no? LOL
I agree Vigil. The real "war on terror" is in Afghanistan not Iraq:-)
As to this piece of garbage who was released by the government of Gordon Brown, a mere 6 weeks after the British government met with Terrorist Ghaddafi, I still can't get my head around it. Who the fuck, in their right mind, would release a dirt hauler who murdered 259 innocent people on an airplane and then 11 more loyal and true Scots who were killed on the ground?
OK enough! I need a "Scotch."
I am British and have already been disappointed by how influential the Middle East has been on the decisions of Tony Blair, and now Gordon Brown. When I read the statements of Scotland officials they seemed too celebratory of the "values" of Scotland...as if they'd found an excuse for another much darker behavior. I suspected payoffs...
What do you all make of American terrorists, as documented on Keith Olbermann's Countdown last night?
At a townhall in Redding California, held by Congressman Wall Herger (R), someone called out from the crowd,
"I am a proud right wing terrorist."
to which the Congressman replied,
"Amen! God bless you - There is a great American."
having taken MM's suggestion, on my first scotch, pausing to read & think, I'd like any of the rest of US to put a definition to 'fucktard'... I don't precisely know! Is it cousin to a 'hunyock' which is a term I knew only my mom to use... but I'm thinking if he's calling US 'fucktards' ... is this language way too familiar to him? or her?
Fucktard, huh? (Insert despoiling profanities known only to sailors)
A really good piece Vig. I understand your point. I agree that the Scots / Brits are most apparently going for the oil. But I don't know if I agree that forgiveness would be such a bad thing... though the release is not right. Not right at all.
Vigilante, one of the smartest guys ever to come out of Newfoundland, a military/international affairs scholar and journalist named Gwynne Dyer, says Megrahi was probably in prison for an offence he didn't commit:
This took me aback, but Dyer generally knows what he's talking about and he makes a convincing case that Megrahi wasn't behind the Lockerbie bombing.
Just thought this might interest you.
Stimpson, thanks for this contribution. I have encountered this conspiracy theory in my meanderings across the Pond. But the way Dyer presents it, it seems much more plausible.
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