Scotland Sucks

[guido911]

My apologies to those of Scottish descent, but I cannot believe the Scottish government released one of those Lockerbie bombers that killed 270 people (189 Americans) on grounds of mercy/compassion. Poor guy has prostate cancer and will likely die soon. Where was this fckr's mercy for those that were minding their own business and were blown out of the sky.

http://www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_13167472

And where was our government? I thought this scum is under a U.S. indictment for this act that killed mostly Americans, why did we not demand the Scottish government turn him over to us pursuant to treaty for prosecution?

[we vs us]

Actually it's pretty interesting.  It points up a marked difference in culture.  As the article says:

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said Abdel Baset al-Megrahi's condition had deteriorated from prostate cancer. Al-Megrahi had only served some eight years of a life sentence, but MacAskill said he was bound by Scottish values to release him.

"Our belief dictates that justice be served but mercy be shown," MacAskill said, ruling that al-Megrahi "be released on compassionate grounds and be allowed to return to Libya to die."

"Some hurts can never heal, some scars can never fade," MacAskill said. "Those who have been bereaved cannot be expected to forget, let alone forgive ... However, Mr. al-Megrahi now faces a sentence imposed by a higher power."

Kind of an interesting counterpoint to our own American Fury/Justice system.

And as to our government's reax, just read on in the same article:

The White House said Thursday it "deeply regrets" the decision to free al-Megrahi.

"As we have expressed repeatedly to officials of the government of the United Kingdom and to Scottish authorities, we continue to believe that Megrahi should serve out his sentence in Scotland," the White House said in a statement. "On this day, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families who live every day with the loss of their loved ones."

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton phoned MacAskill urging him not to release al-Megrahi, and seven U.S. senators wrote a letter with a similar message.

[guido911]

Kind of an interesting counterpoint to our own American Fury/Justice system.

Whatever, you America-bashing tool. Hey, let's let John Gotti go because he had cancer. This terrorist killed 189 AMERICANS, so stuff the American fury crap.

[we vs us]

Whatever, you America-bashing tool. Hey, let's let John Gotti go because he had cancer. This terrorist killed 189 AMERICANS, so stuff the American fury crap.

Look, our justice system has a hefty investment in vengeance.  Compared to other justice systems that give mercy and forgiveness a higher premium, such as -- mirabilis dictu! -- the Scots!

We're the people who created the Supermax prison.  We believe in the death penalty.  We believe in vengeance.  Europeans, as a rule, do not.  Or believe in it less than we do. That's my entire point here.  It's self evident, based on your response to the Scots. 

I'm not bashing anybody here, just pointing out the difference.  So back off with the unAmerican bullsmile, douchebag.

[Breadburner]

It's really unbelieveable.... What a slap in the face to all those families that had loved ones killied the crash......I have no words....But some on this forum more than likely think we deserve it....

[Breadburner]

Look, our justice system has a hefty investment in vengeance.  Compared to other justice systems that give mercy and forgiveness a higher premium, such as -- mirabilis dictu! -- the Scots!

We're the people who created the Supermax prison.  We believe in the death penalty.  We believe in vengeance.  Europeans, as a rule, do not.  Or believe in it less than we do. That's my entire point here.  It's self evident, based on your response to the Scots. 

I'm not bashing anybody here, just pointing out the difference.  So back off with the unAmerican bullsmile, dou

O.... and btw....I hope we can meet some day so I can kick you in the balls.....

[we vs us]

Thanks for the civil discussion, gents.  This thread is all yours.

[Hoss]

Thanks for the civil discussion, gents.  This thread is all yours.

Did you really expect anything more from them?

[waterboy]

Good headline.

Yeah, everyone who disagrees with us (conservative, well educated, wealthy, capitalist, militarist, chauvinist).... sucks. Scotland sucks. France sucks. Those countries with "socialized medicine"?? England, Canada, France? They all suck. We know Russia sucks. Any country who didn't join the Iraq Freedom Coalition are charter members of the suck club. And don't get me started on those socialist Scandanavian countries. They really suck. India, in fact all Hindus, suck. We're watching Japan, Germany and the Phillipines real closely. Some indication they might suck too. China? Huge suck.

In fact, the suck list is now so large that it is threatening to engulf major parts of the United States. Blue states suck. Demographically speaking, Progressives, Moderates, RINO's, mainstream religion, anyone without a loaded gun....they all suck.

Pretty soon most of the civilized world will just be one big sucking sound.

[guido911]

Thanks for the civil discussion, gents.  This thread is all yours.

Civil discussion? You come right out of the box talking about American "fury" and "hefty investment in vengeance" and you expect civility? 189 Americans were murdered. I demand justice, and you take the pu$$y side of the debate and complain that Americans are just too darned tough on people. This guy was being punished for murder.

I am 100% pro-life (i.e anti-abortion and anti-capital punishment), which is well documented on this forum. I guy that kills 270 innocent people, however, does not deserve compassion. Incidentally, he was welcomed as a hero in Libya:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/08/21/scotland.lockerbie.bomber/

[guido911]

Good headline.

Yeah, everyone who disagrees with us (conservative, well educated, wealthy, capitalist, militarist, chauvinist).... sucks. Scotland sucks. France sucks. Those countries with "socialized medicine"?? England, Canada, France? They all suck. We know Russia sucks. Any country who didn't join the Iraq Freedom Coalition are charter members of the suck club. And don't get me started on those socialist Scandanavian countries. They really suck. India, in fact all Hindus, suck. We're watching Japan, Germany and the Phillipines real closely. Some indication they might suck too. China? Huge suck.

In fact, the suck list is now so large that it is threatening to engulf major parts of the United States. Blue states suck. Demographically speaking, Progressives, Moderates, RINO's, mainstream religion, anyone without a loaded gun....they all suck.

Pretty soon most of the civilized world will just be one big sucking sound.

And Waterboy sucks.

[Conan71]

The victim's families have their say:

Susan Cohen, who lost her 20-year-old daughter, was adamant about her position, calling al Megrahi a "mass murderer" and his release "appalling."

"Are we so devastatingly weak now, have we lost all our moral fiber that you can say that Megrahi can be released from prison for a compassionate release? Where was his compassion for my daughter? Where was his compassion for all those people," Cohen told "American Morning." Bert Ammerman, whose brother died in the bombing, called al Megrahi's release "ludicrous."

"First of all, he got his compassionate release when he got life imprisonment and not capital punishment, which Scotland doesn't have," Ammerman told CNN. He should have remained in prison, then after his death, his body could have been returned to Libya, he said."

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/08/21/scotland.lockerbie.bomber/

Interesting to put it into another perspective.

[USRufnex]

Thanks for the civil discussion, gents.  This thread is all yours.

The church at Our Lady of Ad Hominem Hyperbole welcomes you..... 

The problem here is that you've over reached..... Scotland released the only convicted terrorist in the Lockerbee bombing, a bombing that killed 259 people--11 on the ground, and he was given a hero's welcome the minute he got back to Libya.

Want to argue about our country having the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world?  I'm there.
Want to argue against capital punishment?  I'll respectfully disagree, but admit how disgusted I was at how many people on death row in Illinois were wrongfully convicted....

I fear the decision in Scotland has more to do with politics and "diplomatic relations" than it does justice or "mercy" ---

After Lockerbie bomber's return, silence in Libya
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY (AP)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gN5mvrwjbdEXgoGbOvFyoOJsAtggD9A79SR00

[we vs us]

When I say "fury" I actually mean "super angry."   You can look at Guido's post and find "super angry" right there plain as day.  Guido is not alone in how he feels in this.

When I say "vengeance" I actually mean "revenge for deeds previously committed."  Take a gander at Guido's post and you'll find that, too.  Guido is not alone how he feels in this.

Look at the Scottish guy's actual statement for evidence that he released the Lockerbie bomber because of "mercy."  He actually says it. 

It's pretty well known that Americans tend to favor a heavy mix of punishment in with our sentencing. We are not by and large big on mercy or forgiveness or rehabilitation.  Especially when compared with Europe (of which, for this argument, Scotland should be considered a part).  Europeans by and large do not believe in the death penalty, do not approve of supermax-style incarceration, and in general favor mercy and rehabilitation. 

While what I wrote was seemingly taken as a classic "blame America first" response, I was in fact stating some pretty obvious facts.

I then ended with "kind of an interesting counterpoint to our American Fury/Justice system."  Which I think it is. 

But you know, it's useless for me to argue with people who want to "kick me in the balls" for my perceived unamerican-ness. Those of you who have open minds or who have met me know how ridiculous that is. 

Anyway, the raving-maniac discourse on here is just over the top.  Again, the thread is yours gentlemen.

[guido911]

I fear the decision in Scotland has more to do with politics and "diplomatic relations" than it does justice or "mercy" ---

Nailed it. +1