So Scotland caved: they released a mass murderer on grounds of "compassion." The man convicted of blowing 259 innocent civilians out of the sky at 30,000 feet and killing 11 more on the ground below.
And only in Libya--or perhaps North Korea--would this monster be welcomed home as a hero.
9 comments:
and only in amherst would they condemn a formerly hailed citizen....to poverty
amherst 250th committee and mangler conspire to defraud local artisan
maybe he should have billed them for $4999.00
Take solice in knowing he'll suffer from cancer and will get 72 virgins but won't be able to enjoy them.
He deserves 72 virgins into S&M with wicked sharp knives, whips and chains.
"and only in amherst would they condemn a formerly hailed citizen....to poverty"
Take them to small claims court. At least he would get something and not have any attorney's fees.
at least one writer has the balls to cover this story
Best joke ever - and I was in DC when it was told, you have to have the southern accent.
Mohammad Atta and company arrive in the afterlife and are confronted by a 6'2" Thomas Jefferson who demands "what did you do to my people." Along come others, half of whom you only know of if you are from Virginia and steeped in the local culture.
Atta goes "where are my virgins" and the response is
"you misunderstood - it is 72 Brown-eyed Virginians."
Getting back to Mr. Kelley's original post, I am seeing this story in the context of what I know from the annals of crime and punishment, not just international cases, but local ones that get appealed, too.
The experience of victims and their families, including those horrible moments when a person realizes that he/she is going to die and can do nothing about it, but also the ensuing uncertainty, pain, anger, and endless regretful questions of loved ones, all of that tends to recede into oblivion in the public discussion, as time goes on. And the resolve to carry out the punishment of the offender weakens.
I don't know whether the Scottish official responsible for this decision offered to meet with the victims' families to listen to them and to explain his logic, perhaps offering to fly them to his office at government expense? I've read the coverage in both the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal and haven't seen any reference to such an offer. In Massachusetts, we have what's called a "victim impact statement" which is provided at sentencing. Perhaps the Scottish gentleman needed a refresher, because I'm sure that the pain of Lockerbie still lingers for many.
I'm looking forward to further reporting as to what went into this apparently unfortunate decision.
Rich Morse
Yes, Mr. Morse (my grumpy prosecutor friend) even the normally stuffed-shirt, laid-back, don't-rock-the-boat bureaucratic FBI Director Robert Mueller is beyond incensed.
BECAUSE, as a young pup prosecutor he was "the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the investigation and indictment of Megrahi in 1991."
Therefore Mr. Mueller walked a mile (or more) in the shoes of 270 innocent victims.
So like you, he actually gives a shit.
Eh, many of the families are unconvinced this guy had anything to do with it. I'd prefer if it went to trial or something rather than releasing a man who is officially guilty - but not my country.
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