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Lockerbie bomber row could bring down Scots government
Sunday Post ^ | 23rd August 2009 | Campbell Gunn

Posted on 8/23/2009, 10:54:03 AM by the scotsman

'THE decision to release convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi could bring down the Scottish Government.

Opposition leaders are now understood to be seriously considering calling for a vote in the Scottish Parliament on the issue.

Tomorrow, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill will make a statement to the recalled Parliament and answer questions from MSPs.

However, no vote is scheduled for the end of the session and Opposition leaders will wait until it is over before deciding whether to call one.

The likelihood is this would be a vote of “no confidence” in Mr MacAskill following the full return of Parliament after the end of recess, next week.

In that case First Minister Alex Salmond would consider it a vote of no confidence in his Government, as he cannot be put in the position where Opposition parties say who can and who cannot be members of his ministerial team.

All three main Opposition parties — Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats — opposed Mr MacAskill’s decision so the 47 SNP MSPs would be heavily outnumbered in any vote.'

(Excerpt) Read more at thesundaypost.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; United Kingdom; War on Terror
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1 posted on 8/23/2009, 10:54:04 AM by the scotsman
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To: the scotsman

This travesty reminds me of Arlen Specter’s reference to Scottish Law.

Just sayin’...


2 posted on 8/23/2009, 11:07:03 AM by Peter W. Kessler (Dirt is for racing... asphalt is for getting there.)
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To: Peter W. Kessler

i can only hope our goverment makes as big a mistake and is rendered impotent.


3 posted on 8/23/2009, 11:14:07 AM by wiggen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WayzmX0WQvg)
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To: the scotsman

I vote no confidence on DC.


4 posted on 8/23/2009, 12:55:34 PM by bgill (The evidence simply does not support the official position of the Obama administration)
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To: the scotsman
Ach, those lovely crazy Scots, especially the SNP, the country and party that lives from a movie, "Braveheart", as performed by an American-Australian actor, about a semi-mythical time and place, just like the SNP vision of Scotland! I wonder if anybody has gotten to Sir Sean Connery to get his reactions to this fiasco!

I especially love the fact that these officials sent an official letter 'requesting' a low-key reception of this Multiple Murderer to crazy Qaddafi and actually expected it to be observed! This act of stupidity, by its own self, should be enough to overturn both the devolved Scottish Government AND that stupid twit Brown's National Labor Party in London.

5 posted on 8/23/2009, 1:07:35 PM by SES1066 (Cycling to conserve, Conservative to save, Saving to Retire, will Retire to Cycle.)
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To: the scotsman

This is being discussed as if releasing that mass murderer were a decision of the Scottish, or even the British government. In the US a judge, or a parole board, could make such a decision with no input from other governmental officials. Is it any different in Scotland?


6 posted on 8/23/2009, 2:02:13 PM by Will88
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To: the scotsman

If Reagan were president or maybe even GWB we would have sent f-16 planes to divert that flight to Guantanamo.


7 posted on 8/23/2009, 3:00:18 PM by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: Peter W. Kessler

Q. What’s under the Scots governments’ kilts?
A. Nothing


8 posted on 8/23/2009, 3:01:35 PM by Noumenon (Work that AQT - turn ammunition into skill. No tyrant can maintain a 300 yard perimeter forever.)
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To: the scotsman
Letter from FBI Director Mueller to Scottish Minister on release of Lockerbie bomber
9 posted on 8/23/2009, 3:02:50 PM by EternalVigilance ( "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." - G. Washington)(Listen up, Republicans!!!)
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To: SES1066

I’ve a good Scottish friend I chat with on a daily basis. She told me about how angry she was about this two days before I ever heard a peep about it in any other media, even before FR!

By the way, Braveheart is one of her favorite movies.

The anger about this Lockerbie release is REAL and a more powerful story in Scotland than it is in the US.


10 posted on 8/23/2009, 3:28:51 PM by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))
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To: the scotsman

Is the Scottish National Party hard left in their philosophy? If they are then that explains much about the decision.


11 posted on 8/23/2009, 3:47:06 PM by saneright
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To: Will88

This was a decision by the Scottish govt.

Actually if it had been a judge, we Scots could argue that it was the decision of an old fart who should have been removed years ago. Not a 40-something clown of a Justice Minister.


12 posted on 8/23/2009, 4:20:31 PM by the scotsman
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To: EternalVigilance

Bad, good or utterly appaling decision, this decision was Scotland’s. Not the US. Mueller is making no sense by arguing that there should have been consultation.

Thats like saying we should be part of any Sept 11th prosecution because scores of Scots, Irish, English and Welsh died. I understand his anger, but thats a slippery slope.

Countries have to make their own decisions free from interference, even if those decisions are abysmal.


13 posted on 8/23/2009, 4:23:47 PM by the scotsman
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To: saneright

In theory, centre-left.

In practice, the modern SNP is left. Not loonie left, but not centre-left anymore.


14 posted on 8/23/2009, 4:24:38 PM by the scotsman
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To: AFPhys
"By the way, Braveheart is one of her favorite movies"

Is that supposed to be linked to intelligence in someway?

Braveheart is one of the most inaccurate historical movie ever made.

Moreover, if the Scots want independence from the English, so be it.

But as things are playing out, we are all screwed the more fragmented we become.

The IRA spent over 20 years against " British" rule, but not a peep about the foreign invasion that is called immigration.

Either the Brits choose to " Hang Together" or assuredly, they will "Hang Apart".

15 posted on 8/23/2009, 4:34:18 PM by Jakarta ex-pat
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To: the scotsman

It should bring down the British govt as well.


16 posted on 8/23/2009, 4:42:18 PM by kabumpo (Kabumpo)
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To: Jakarta ex-pat

I’ve never seen BraveHeart, but I’ve known many Scots who LOVE it. It seems more to inspire a patriotic feeling rather than to portray history. I probably wouldn’t like it since I’m very critical of movies based on history that don’t portray it reasonably accurately. By the way, I’ve known a lot of non-Scots who love it, too, and who are intelligent.


17 posted on 8/23/2009, 5:14:02 PM by AFPhys
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To: AFPhys
I'm quite surprised you haven't seen Braveheart.

And you are correct; liking Braveheart is not a prerequisite to intelligence.

Nevertheless, my main message to Braveheart lovers remains in my last post.

The Scots are well screwed if they abandon the English.

Keep smiling,

Philip

18 posted on 8/23/2009, 5:25:07 PM by Jakarta ex-pat
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To: Jakarta ex-pat

I would like to pursue Bolton’s suggestion that we look to see what part the US Administration (President Wee-Wee) had in all this.

Either it is pay-back for the Muslims released to Bermuda without consulting the UK or perhaps Little o signed off on it. I bet there is SOME connection ...


19 posted on 8/23/2009, 5:53:09 PM by bboop (Tar and feathers -- good back then, good now)
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To: bboop

The Europeans have been releasing Middle East terrorists for as long as their have been Middle East terrorists.

Hopefully this one will die before he participates in new terrorists attacks, but, it seems, that by his enthusiastic reception he in effect already has.

We aren’t sending Gitmo “detainees” to Scotland are we?


20 posted on 8/23/2009, 9:29:17 PM by sarcastipontificus
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