Lockerbie bomber released

Originally Posted by Supervox

At the risk of de-railing this thread somewhat, to those of you who have stated that life should mean life for a convicted terrorist & that he should be left to die in jail - do you also feel the same way about Nelson Mandela ?

I think we recognise that at the time the South African regime was self-serving, corrupt, despotic. However I understand that Mandela is not as innocent as some might believe but I don't have the facts on what he did so I can't comment.

Originally Posted by Supervox

At the risk of de-railing this thread somewhat, to those of you who have stated that life should mean life for a convicted terrorist & that he should be left to die in jail - do you also feel the same way about Nelson Mandela ?

If someone is a convicted mass murderer and given life then they should get life. This is quite a seperate idea from if a conviction is overturned or new evidence comes to light.

[Biker Biggles]

Point being missed here is that he was released in order to prevent his appeal going ahead.Why?Because there is too much evidence accumulating that is very embarassing to several countries.Anyone notice the barbed comment from the Scottish minister about the British reluctance to give him information about what deal had been done with the Americans?

Originally Posted by Supervox

At the risk of de-railing this thread somewhat, to those of you who have stated that life should mean life for a convicted terrorist & that he should be left to die in jail - do you also feel the same way about Nelson Mandela ?

I dont know much about all that cos im only a nipper, but wasnt that all more a case of "oi you know too much go to prison where no one can hear you scream"

I know no system is without flaw, but Im not judging this bomber senario based on him been innocent and wrongfully imprissoned Im assuming we got it right and this is the guilty person. Which on paper is exactly what it says, we're letting a mass murderer walk free becuase *he's not feeling too perky THATS what I have a problem with.

* may be understated for dramatic effect

I think he should have been released.

But released from a 747 doing 500mph at about 5'000 feet.

We'd want him to be awake for the deathfall afterall.

Sickening. Where was the compassion he showed to 270 innocent people? There is much more to this story then we know.

But then maybe, as they waffle on in church, we should forgive?

Hell no. See you there!

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

As stated by others, he showed no compassion yet we do to him. That is precisely how it should be. The Scottish Justice Minister said exactly that:

"Mr al-Megrahi did not show his victims any comfort or compassion. They were not allowed to return to the bosom of their families ... No compassion was shown by him to them, but that alone is not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his dying days. Our justice system demands that justice be imposed but compassion be available..."

We hold ourselves to a higher moral standard than to the morals of terrorists.

He now faces a sentence imposed by a higher power.

Exactly and well said. Some moral traits separate us from animals, some would say. As does this.

B.Biggles' point is also well made. An appeal may not have ended well. A possibly innocent may may now be able to die in freedom OR a guilty man has been shown compassion. The Scot's can be justifiably smug.

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by the white rabbit

Exactly and well said. Some moral traits separate us from animals, some would say. As does this.

B.Biggles' point is also well made. An appeal may not have ended well. A possibly innocent may may now be able to die in freedom OR a guilty man has been shown compassion. The Scot's can be justifiably smug.

I appreciate your point, However I am devoid of compassion.

I put myself in his position, and unfortunately the position of many innocent men. If I am innocent I would fight to clear my name. I would rather die proclaiming my innocence than shut up, do my stir and get an early parole for having repented of my crime. Even if that means I die protesting.

I think of Stefan Kisco, the Birmingham six, John Kamara, the Guilford bombers, and lately Sean Hodgeson. All innocent men who protested their innocence until somebody was forced to find out the truth.

[Wideboy]

he was simply a fall-guy..... but still shouldn't have been released or shown any compassion as he believed it was a good thing

[Sid Squid]

If we as a society show compassion, (the wrong word, but the one being used here), in such a circumstance that makes us better than states which use or encourage terrorism.

This isn't for Al-Megrahi, it's not for the dead in Lockerbie, it's not even for a smug, stage managed, spin doctored demonstration of decency by the Scottish Judiciary, it's for us, you and me.

We're better than the people that would do terrible things. Revel in it.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

We're better than the people that would do terrible things. Revel in it.