A tremendous shame upon Scotland to have these murderous, ignorant scumbags wave the Scottish flag.
Posted on 08/23/2009 1:25:58 PM PDT by devane617
KENNY MacAskill's political career was on the line last night after the head of the FBI said that his decision to free the Lockerbie bomber had "made a mockery" of justice. FBI director Robert Mueller wrote to MacAskill to tell him he had given "comfort to terrorists" around the world as opposition MSPs planned to force a vote of censure that could result in his departure as justice secretary.
Mueller called the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi "inexplicable and detrimental to justice" as international fury grew over MacAskill's decision to free the mass-murderer convicted of killing 270 people two decades ago.
In his letter, Mueller said: "Your action makes a mockery of the rule of law. Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world." He added: "Your action rewards a terrorist even though he never admitted to his role in this act of mass murder and even though neither he nor the government of Libya ever disclosed the names and roles of others who were responsible.
"Your action makes a mockery of the emotions, passions and pathos of all those affected by the Lockerbie tragedy: the medical personnel who first faced the horror of 270 bodies strewn in the fields around Lockerbie, and in the town of Lockerbie itself; the hundreds of volunteers who walked the fields of Lockerbie to retrieve any piece of debris related to the break-up of the plane; the hundreds of FBI agents and Scottish police who undertook an unprecedented global investigation to identify those responsible; the prosecutors who worked for years – in some cases a full career – to see justice done."
Before Mueller's intervention the pressure on MacAskill was already intense. Libyan television showed Colonel Muammar Gaddafi embracing Megrahi before thanking the SNP for releasing the bomber on the grounds that he is suffering from terminal prostate cancer.
"To my friends in Scotland, the Scottish National Party, and Scottish prime minister, and the foreign secretary, I praise their courage for having proved their independence in decision making, despite the unacceptable and unreasonable measures they faced," Gaddafi said.
"Nevertheless, they took this courageously right and humanitarian decision.
And I say to my friend (Gordon] Brown, the Prime Minister of Britain, his government, the Queen of Britain, Elizabeth, and Prince Andrew, who all contributed to encouraging the Scottish Government to take this historic and courageous decision, despite the obstacles."
The Libyan dictator's behaviour provided more evidence of his determination to defy calls from Brown and US president Barack Obama for the bomber's return to be handled in a low-key fashion.
Suggestions that Megrahi's release was part of a Libyan trade deal intensified when it was reported that Gaddafi's son Saif had said it was linked to a deal between the UK and the oil-rich north African state.
Yesterday, former prime minister Tony Blair denied that there had been any such deal while Business Secretary Lord Mandelson added that the suggestion was "quite offensive".
However, Hans Kochler, a United Nations' international observer of the Lockerbie trial, told Scotland on Sunday he suspected that a deal was behind Megrahi dropping his appeal against his conviction.
Kochler said: "I can only say that I strongly suspect that he was pressurised into dropping his appeal. And you cannot say you're compassionate if Megrahi was induced in such an emotionally desperate situation to give up judicial proceedings, which could have easily gone ahead even once he was dead."
Tomorrow, MacAskill will face another huge test when he makes a ministerial statement at Holyrood and attempts to justify his actions to rival politicians.
There will not be a vote when parliament is recalled early from the summer recess tomorrow, but opposition politicians are planning to raise the issue when Holyrood convenes permanently next month.
Opposition politicians are discussing calling a debate that would include a vote on MacAskill's handling of the performance, a poll that would effectively amount to a vote of no confidence in the minister.
An embarrassing defeat in such a debate would fatally damage MacAskill's position as justice secretary.
The prospect of MacAskill being subjected to that ordeal appeared inevitable when former first minister Jack McConnell called for such a vote.
McConnell said the damage caused by the Scottish flags welcoming Megrahi home would take years to overcome and called on Holyrood to tell the world that the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish people did not support his release.
Scotland on Sunday understands that McConnell will speak in favour of a Labour motion condemning the handing of the case.
"The sight of Scottish flags welcoming home a convicted bomber to Libya has shamed Scotland, and the damage done will take years to recover," McConnell said.
"The Scottish Parliament has a responsibility to take action to repair some of the damage done. I believe that the Scottish Parliament should make clear that this decision was not made by the people of Scotland and that it does not have the endorsement of the Scottish people."
The former Labour first minister added: "It is now too late to change the decision made by the current Scottish Government, but the voice of the people can be heard through their parliament. We owe it to the victims to make clear that this mistake does not have the support of the nation as a whole."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott also backed calls for a vote.
Scott said: "Megrahi should have been kept in Scotland. I am sure there will be a parliamentary majority in condemnation of Kenny MacAskill's decision."
Labour also tried to deflect some of the pressure on to Alex Salmond with Scottish leader Iain Gray claiming the reception that Gaddafi gave Megrahi showed that the SNP leader was "not up to the job of First Minister".
Gray argued that Salmond had failed to take the international situation into account when dealing with the Lockerbie bomber.
Labour sources disputed Salmond's insistence that the decision was entirely down to MacAskill, pointing out that Scottish compassionate release legislation was the responsibility of "Scottish ministers" rather than just the justice secretary.
Gray said: "Alex Salmond cannot wash his hands of the Libyan reaction and the international consequences of his decision. He is trying to dodge any responsibility for the inevitable scenes in Libya at Megrahi's return. For the First Minister to say he 'did not consider matters of international politics from whatever source' is astonishing."
Gray added: "Gaddafi has praised the Scottish Government, but Alex Salmond has shown weakness throughout this affair. He is not up to the job of First Minister."
Most Labour MSPs are thought to take the view that the Scottish Government could have shown compassion to Megrahi without letting him return to Libya, where he has been reunited with his mother, wife, four sons, his daughter and two grandsons.
His villa in Tripoli has been festooned with fairy lights in celebration of his homecoming. In an interview, Megrahi claimed that before he died he would release evidence that would prove that he was innocent of blowing up Pan Am flight 103 in December 1988.
The claim was made, even though he has dropped his appeal in Scotland.
His Scottish lawyer, Tony Kelly, was said to be scheduling a visit to Tripoli within weeks to discuss the matter.
The defence team is believed to have numerous documents, evidence and reports pertaining to the case that have never been made public.
A Scottish Government spokesman last night said: "The justice secretary reached his conclusions on the basis of Scotland's due process, clear evidence, and the recommendations from the parole board and prison governor. Mr MacAskill did not seek the applications for prisoner transfer and compassionate release, but once lodged he was required by law to judge them on their merits. Compassionate release is not part of the US justice system, but it is part of Scotland's."
One thing that this reflects on is that 'Life in Prison' sentences are malleable given political expediency. This is not something that Obama wants as an all too visible precedent as he keeps trying to close Guantanamo. Especially since this is not the only example from our allies in Europe.
Remember the Achillie Lauro / Leon Klinghoffer murder of a wheelchair innocent in 1985? Youssef Magied al-Molqui was just released 7 years early from a Sicilian (good behavior) in April of this year. He was the last of the 4 terrorist-murderers still in custody.
A tremendous shame upon Scotland to have these murderous, ignorant scumbags wave the Scottish flag.
I’m sorry but there is no chance of the SNP falling and Gordon Brown has not been hit with this at all.
at the article link, see the comments section at the end of the story. Lots of interesting comments and speculation.
You are over there right now.
What is the general publics take on this situation?
If you are talking England, Wales and Northern Ireland I would say the general feeling is one of surprise and shock, but as I do not live there it is hard to gauge.
In Scotland, I would say the intelligentsia are split down the middle, but no-one I have spoken to in person has anything other than disgust at the decision.
The rubbish about compassion has fooled the usual naive people but I would say most don’t understand why the SNP would go out of their way to make a decision that harms them as much as Scotland.
This hasn’t been done for a single reason. This is a multi-faceted decision and I think there are three main (but not exclusive) reasons I think why this decision has been allowed:
1. The SNP are an other-worldly idealistic bunch. Being in charge of Scotland domestically but having no control over foreign affairs or defence has created a mindset that sees the world in terms of unbending principles. They are like adolescents who appease, not because they are bad people but because they believe being nice to your enemy works. If they were an independent government those tough choices would mature them.
2. The UK government, although an enemy of the SNP gave a nod and a wink (along with the US government who if privately had told the SNP it would be an act of an unfriendly executive would have backed down I am sure) so they could keep Libya out of Nuclear and Terrorist activities and gain trade deals.
3. This is the most important. Many within the Scottish Justice system really believe Megrahi was innocent and the guilty verdict very unsafe. As Megrahi was on appeal, they were terrified that it would show how unsafe the verdict was and this would destroy confidence in Scottish Justice.
Now let me be clear on this. For all their faults, they do not believe Megrahi was innocent as some sort of whacko anti-Americanism. In fact many believe it was the Syrians and Iranians who did it for revenge over the downed Iran Air Flight 655 and that the UK and US know this (hence the muted response).
So they pressured him to drop his appeal and the deal was that they would let him go as he was dying anyway.
This last part is speculation, but I have heard this from so many people and informed journalists over the years that I tend to think there is some truth in it. As I said last week, do you really think if Obama had phoned the SNP (who think he is the messiah) and really had a go at them that Megrahi would have been released?
In regard to your second point. There was a thread earlier today that mentioned that the SNP had discussions with our Sec. of State prior to his release.
I wish for the sake of those who died the whole truth will some day be revealed.
If I have known for a month that Megrahi would be released then so did Clinton. She could have been more outspoken.
There is also an additional point. There may be a small element of payback by the UK government here. They are still raging that the US deliberately sent 4 Gitmo detainees to Bermuda - which is a British Overseas Territory - without telling the UK government.
Of-course this would not be the main or deciding factor in any way, shape or form, but it may be a small element.
The SNP are more than just a naive, idealistic bunch. They have roots which are fascistic and even somewhat pro-Nazi. Paradoxically, they used to admire the Kennedys, while being anti-Jewish and anti-Black. Over the years, they somehow managed to get the public to overlook their fringe connections.
There is really no good reason for the British Isles to be broken up into separate countries. In my opinion, that is a big mistake. Even separating Ireland from Britain was harmful, especially for the Irish. There are few things more foolish than Irish nationalism.
“The SNP are more than just a naive, idealistic bunch. They have roots which are fascistic and even somewhat pro-Nazi. Paradoxically, they used to admire the Kennedys, while being anti-Jewish and anti-Black. Over the years, they somehow managed to get the public to overlook their fringe connections.”
I can’t stand the SNP but - with respect - that is all pure nonsense.
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