Al Megrahi’s release
Scotland did those who wish Western civilization great harm, a HUGE favor by releasing the Lockerbie Bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi. They essentially bent over and said “we’re waiting!”
For those of you who don’t know what Al Megrahi is guilty of, on December 21, 1988 PanAm Flight 103 was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland… resulting in the deaths of 270 people (189 Americans). Al Megrahi was sentenced in 2001 (YES, it took 13 years to try the bastard and convict him) for his part in the bombing. He was sentenced to life in prison for his act of terrorism. He served 8 until his release this week due to terminal prostate cancer and the compassion of the Scottish government.
Scotland doesn’t have crappy health care, in fact it’s ranked amongst the better systems in the world… why he had to be sent home to die is beyond me. Why should anyone extend compassion to a terrorist who showed zero compassion to the 270 people whom he wiped from the Earth and the untold number of lives that he affected as a result. Why should such a person get to die at home amongst those he loves?
Al Megrahi returned to Libya on Gaddafi’s private jet and was given a heroes welcome, met by thousands of Libyans cheering his release followed by a PARADE in his honor. If anything the reaction to his release should raise a HUGE red flag to the rest of the world… they’re laughing their ASSES off at us.
We capture or imprison terrorists, give them meals according to their personal belief systems or diets, establish prayer centers and essentially coddle to their every whim. One guy gets cancer and we’re supposed to show him compassion and let him return to his loved ones and live out his days in peace? If any of us got captured by terrorists this is how it would pan out… beat up, tossed on TV to beg for my life, beat up, on TV again… beheaded on camera and a limited edition DVD created and sent to the Press.
Way to go Scotland…
Anon
21 Aug, 2009
It’s how you treat the lesser parts of society (not your equal or better) that defines the sort of person you are.
What’s done is done. Giving one dying person a week of compassion doesn’t make what has happened in the past any worse.
Jeff Smail
21 Aug, 2009
Living your life full of spite and contempt for others, even those who have committed sins, will leave you an empty shell of a man. Mr. Megrahi will be judged for his sins in short order.
James
21 Aug, 2009
It’s not as much the person as it is the message it sends to those who share his goals.
If you’re captured by a western nation, you’ve got it made. We’re wimps to them… They have nothing to fear.
Anon… you’re assuming their predictions on his remaining life expectancy are correct.
Anon
22 Aug, 2009
I’d be surprised if they let someone out on compassionate grounds if they weren’t certain that he’s going to die.
I think the message it sends is possibly the most important part here. Rather than torturing and executing somebody who *has* done something really terrible, showing compassion spits all over extremist teachings that we’re pure evil. It’s clearly something that meant a lot to a lot of Lybians.
And if you need to be cynical about it, this way means the UK’s NHS doesn’t have to pay for the final stages of his palletive care or funeral. They’ve just saved the taxpayer a considerable chunk of money.