Lockerbie bomber: Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi

[Govangirl]

You start off by saying you know very little about the machinations of world politics then go on to assume a hell of a lot and state some blatant speculation as if it was a fact.

So please enlighten me Ranald, where is the assumption/speculation - the idea that this release was a trade deal or that politicians may lie and deceive?

[ionnsaigh]

Megrahi received compassion when he didn't receive the death penalty. He received compassion when he wasn't thrown into a cold, rat-infested, dark cell. He received compassion when he received every comfort including Sky TV. He received compassion when he was granted an appeal in 2007. He received compassion when he received the best medical care for his illness. He received compassion when his family were given permission to visit him.

You have a knack of making hell sound like heaven. Conditions in Scotland's prisons are bleak by all accounts - apart from the red top headlines - and the ongoing negative stereotypical notion -that conditions within Scottish Jails are too comfortable.
Anyway back to the point at hand. I would hazard a guess, that you don't like the idea of nationalism - Nazi Germany springs to your mind every time - doesn't it ? You feel acutely embarrassed that an SNP Scottish Government - made international headlines - Oh my, what will your politically aware - circle of friends think of those political amateurs.
Everyone that I've spoken to about this - think that the SNP should be congratulated - and that the decision raised Scotland's profile - her justice system - and her self esteem. Great stuff - glad I've not lost - what's internal to being a Celt.

[Govangirl]

Conditions in Scotland's prisons are bleak by all accounts

Not bleak enough for murderers, rapists, etc. in my opinion.

Anyway back to the point at hand. I would hazard a guess, that you don't like the idea of nationalism

Not at its worst, no.

[bill]

Everyone that I've spoken to about this - think that the SNP should be congratulated - and that the decision raised Scotland's profile - her justice system - and her self esteem. Great stuff - glad I've not lost - what's internal to being a Celt.

Obviously everyone you have spoken to about this must have been at the Scotish Liberation Armies weekend training camp.The result of a poll has come up with completely differing view from you and the people you have talked to.

"The ICM poll of 1,005 people across Scotland also showed that a clear majority disagreed with the decision to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi, with 60 per cent opposed and just 32 per cent in favour."

"The Scottish Government fared even worse, with 76 per cent believing it was now held in lower esteem."

"Even 53 per cent of those who agreed with Mr MacAskill's decision accepted that the Scottish Government's reputation had been damaged."

"But the greatest concern is over Scotland's reputation abroad, with 74 per cent believing it has been dealt a serious blow "

As we all know you are very keen on conducting polls so I am sure you must abide by the results of the above poll.
Or maybe not.

[blueboyno1]

As usual ionns you manage to turn topics around to your way of thinking ,but once again you are talking piiiiish

In the eyes of the world Scotland has been shamed .I am just back from Turkey which is full of different nationalities and lost count of the amount of arguments i got into over this .I do not and will never agree to this piece of garbage being released ,but at the same time i had to stand up for my country .Only a matter of time until some poor jock gets assaulted or worse over it .

[Govangirl]

[The result of a poll. . . across Scotland

Did this poll question what people think about Megrahi's illness? I'm asking this because I would bet my last pound that we'll be seeing pictures of him eat his Christmas Turkey on December 25th.

[Ship called Dignity]

Perhaps some of you could stop and think for a second that this man may in fact be innocent? If this was your father, husband, brother how would feel about him being imprisoned in foreign land for a crime he did not commit?

While the reception Megrahi received when he arrived back in Libya was indeed embarrassing I respect the decision made by Kenny McAskill. A very brave one indeed.

Some people should stop jumping to conclusions and learn more about the whole case. Megrahi, in my opinion, is innocent and to let an innocent man die in prison is equally embarrassing.

If people don't want to come to Scotland because of their ignorance then............

In the eyes of the world Scotland has been shamed .I am just back from Turkey which is full of different nationalities and lost count of the amount of arguments i got into over this .I do not and will never agree to this piece of garbage being released ,but at the same time i had to stand up for my country .Only a matter of time until some poor jock gets assaulted or worse over it .

And then again......

[LANDROVER ROGER]

ScD.In your opinion he is innocent.Please explain your reasoning.Do you have evidence?I am not trying to start yet another argument.Just keen to know why you hold this opinion.

[hugh]

Some people should stop jumping to conclusions and learn more about the whole case. Megrahi, in my opinion, is innocent and to let an innocent man die in prison is equally embarrassing.

Yes, SCD, he may well be innocent. But since his appeal was dropped after MacAskill spoke to him in jail, we may never know. The point is he was convicted of the crime, and MacAskill has to treat his case in the light of that fact. To do anything else would be an abuse of his position. A true act of compassion would have been to allow an appeal or an enquiry.
The way MacAskill's handled it, it looks more like a convenient compromise and there's nothing brave about that.

Again I'll say this. Just my opinion, nothing to do with nationalism.

[bassett]

Ofcourse if you were to ask the inmates of any prison 99% would claim to be innocent.

AlMegrahi has been convicted after a trial under Scottish law.Obviously he is not the only guilty party,but he was the one convicted.END OFF !

[Ship called Dignity]

ScD.In your opinion he is innocent.Please explain your reasoning.Do you have evidence?I am not trying to start yet another argument.Just keen to know why you hold this opinion.

It's just a personal opinion that Megrahi was madethe scape goat. The case hinged on some shop keepers evidence who since retracted his story.

I am equally interested to know why you know he is guilty?

Some people should stop jumping to conclusions and learn more about the whole case. Megrahi, in my opinion, is innocent and to let an innocent man die in prison is equally embarrassing.

Yes, SCD, he may well be innocent. But since his appeal was dropped after MacAskill spoke to him in jail, we may never know. The point is he was convicted of the crime, and MacAskill has to treat his case in the light of that fact. To do anything else would be an abuse of his position. A true act of compassion would have been to allow an appeal or an enquiry.
The way MacAskill's handled it, it looks more like a convenient compromise and there's nothing brave about that.

Again I'll say this. Just my opinion, nothing to do with nationalism.

Hugh, I always enjoy reading your posts and can see your points. I must admit my response was to some other posts - particuarly blueboys post the other day. I just think if more people would look at the whole picture then they may see why this decision was reached.

Perhaps the appeal was dropped because they know what would come out? Would show an innocent man was jailed? Interesting to read that Megrahi is calling for a public enquiry into the case because he still wants to prove his innocence. Perhaps, just perhaps the man is innocent? But hey, feck it, he did it and let him rot. I do wonder how people would feel if this was a Scot in prison in another country that has always protested his innocence and as Scots we always felt he was framed? Shoe would be the other foot I am sure.

Don't get me wrong I've had mixed emotions about the whole thing but the more I have read about it the more open minded I am about it. I wonder if more people afforded the same open mindness if the Polls would be the same that Bill refers to.

Anyway, just to add to the discussion as this is a good debate. I've not really been posting for the last few weeks because I've took a right scunner to the forum because of a few posts elsewhere so lets hope you can afford me my personal opinion like I do yours.

END OFF !

Did you mean to put another word instead of END there?

[bassett]

END OFF !

Did you mean to put another word instead of END there?

No not at all ScD, END it is meant to be.

[Bertie]

Ship called Dignity wrote:

I am equally interested to know why you know he is guilty?

Possibly because a Scottish Court said so?

[Ship called Dignity]

Ship called Dignity wrote:

I am equally interested to know why you know he is guilty?

Possibly because a Scottish Court said so?

I knew someone would say that. Of course, we are never wrong.

Interesting article in the Herald today on the subject.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/di ... r_dies.php

[Bertie]

We may well be ScD but, until proved otherwise, it's a fact and now we'll probably never know and we will just continue to speculate.