Terrorists win.

[Dimmauk]

Kin of victims: Release of terrorist 'sickening'
AP

By GEOFF MULVIHILL, Associated Press Writer Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 19 mins ago

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. – Relatives of Americans killed when Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland nearly 21 years ago expressed outrage at Scotland on Thursday for releasing the only person convicted in the bombing.

"I think it's appalling, disgusting and so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it," said Susan Cohen of Cape May Court House, N.J., whose 20-year-old daughter Theodora died in the attack.

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi was released Thursday after serving eight years of a life sentence in a Scottish prison. Scottish officials said the former Libyan intelligence officer's prostate cancer was advancing and that they were bound by Scottish values to release him. He was recently given only months to live.

The bombing turned the families of some of the 270 victims into activists who became deeply versed in terrorism policy and international relations.

From the beginning, many were bitter that neither the United States nor other nations spoke out more strongly about the attack, although the White House on Thursday said Scotland should not have released him.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the United States had repeatedly asked Scotland to keep al-Megrahi in custody.

"On this day, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families who live every day with the loss of their loved ones," Gibbs said.

The State Department released a brief statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is on vacation, saying she is "deeply disappointed" by the decision.

Cohen said it was because world leaders wanted to appease Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi because access to his nation's oil is so important. The Times of London reported that al-Megrahi was to return to Libya in Gadhafi's jet.

The result, she said, is that the attack is not recognized the way it should be.

"Lockerbie looks like it never happened now," she said. "There isn't anybody in prison for it."

Kara Weipz, of Mount Laurel, whose 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti was a Syracuse University student aboard the flight, said she doesn't understand the release.

"I think it's horrible," she said. "I don't show compassion for someone who showed no remorse."

In a way, Thursday's release closes the saga.

"Twenty years later this is the last sad chapter in this odyssey," said Bert Ammerman of River Vale, whose brother Tom was killed on the flight.

http://www.talkingproud.us/ImagesEag...S/PanAm103.jpg

http://www.terrorismcentral.com/Libr...999/373333.jpg

Lockerbie, Scotland a plane was blown up after a mid-air bombing killing all 259 passengers and crew, and 11 people on the ground on December 23, 1988. Many of those people who died were young kids returning home from Spring Break.

Why did the judge let him go? He should have just died in jail. He was convicted in 2001. Was Religion or Oil money a factor?

[Milkster]

inb4religion/Neo/Fir/Plow

[Olo401]

in b4 FREEEDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

[Neosutra]

lolReligion.

Oh wait, fuck I dont know. Let the bastard die in prison. "Scottish Values" my ass, you all wear kilts, what the hell do you know about values when your junk is all hanging out.

[EternityEnd]

Neo, I think this can be the new religion thread. Time to abandon Firas' shitty one.

[Brill Weave]

Anyone ever have up close and personal experience with terminal cancer? If the answer is yes then you know that he may be out of prison, but he sure as shit isn't experiencing any freedom. Hope he enjoys his "freedom" as his literally wastes away before finally dying.

[Dimmauk]

The guy spent 8 years in jail for murdering 270 people. WTF!?


Scotland frees terminally ill Lockerbie bomber

By BEN McCONVILLE, Associated Press Writer Ben Mcconville, Associated Press Writer – 27 mins ago

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Scotland freed the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds Thursday, letting the Libyan go home to die despite American pleas to show no mercy for the man responsible for the 1988 attack that killed 270 people.

The White House declared it "deeply" regretted the Scottish decision as Abdel Baset al-Megrahi left prison and flew to Libya on an Airbus dispatched to Glasgow Airport.

Scotland's justice secretary said freeing the bomber was an expression of the Scottish people's humanity but U.S. family members of Lockerbie victims expressed outrage.

"I think it's appalling, disgusting and so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it," said Susan Cohen of Cape May Court House, New Jersey, whose 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, died in the attack. "This isn't about compassionate release. This is part of give-Gadhafi-what-he-wants-so-we-can-have-the-oil."

Some men outside the prison made obscene gestures as al-Megrahi's prison van drove by toward the airport.

Al-Megrahi, who had served only eight years of his life sentence, was recently given only months to live after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said although al-Megrahi had not shown compassion to his victims — many of whom were American college students flying home to New York for Christmas — MacAskill was motivated by Scottish values to show mercy.

"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."

Al-Megrahi, now 57, was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988. He was sentenced to life in prison. The airliner exploded over Scotland and all 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground died when it crashed into the town of Lockerbie.

The former Libyan intelligence officer was sentenced to serve a minimum of 27 years in a Scottish prison for Britain's deadliest terrorist attack. But a 2007 review of his case found grounds for an appeal of his conviction, and many in Britain believe he is innocent.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday the United States disagreed with the decision to free al-Megrahi.

"We continue to believe that Megrahi should serve out his sentence in Scotland," Gibbs said. "On this day, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families who live every day with the loss of their loved ones."

"I don't understand how the Scots can show compassion. It's an utter insult and utterly disgusting," said Kara Weipz, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, whose 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti was on board Pan Am Flight 103. "It's horrible. I don't show compassion for someone who showed no remorse."

MacAskill said he stood by al-Megrahi's conviction and the sentence for "the worst terrorist atrocity ever committed on U.K. soil."

He said he ruled out sending the bomber back to Libya under a prisoner-transfer agreement, saying the U.S. victims had been given assurances that al-Megrahi would serve out his sentence in Scotland. But he said that as a prisoner given less than three months to live by doctors, al-Megrahi was eligible for compassionate release.

Later Thursday, MacAskill released a letter from al-Megrahi, appealing for mercy.

"I am a family man: first and foremost I am a son, husband, father and grandfather," al-Megrahi wrote. "I have been separated from my family as a result of what I consider and unjust conviction. I have tried to bear that with a degree of equanimity and dignity."

Compassionate release is an established feature of the British judicial system when a prisoner is near death. According to officials, there have been 30 requests for release on compassionate grounds in Scotland over the last decade, 23 of which were approved.

Al-Megrahi's return will be a landmark event in Libya and a cause for celebration. His countrymen see him as an innocent victim scapegoated by the West in a campaign to turn their country into an international pariah. Many will also view his release as a moral victory for their country.

Yet it was not immediately clear exactly how al-Megrahi would be received Thursday night. He could be taken to meet Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi or appear at an annual rally held every year on Aug. 20 for Libyans to hear a progress report from Gadhafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, on projects he is working on.

However, al-Megrahi may also go directly to a hospital if he needs immediate medical care.

Gadhafi engineered a rapprochement with his former critics following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He renounced terrorism, dismantled Libya's secret nuclear program, accepted his government's responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and paid compensation to the victims' families.

Western energy companies — including Britain's BP PLC — have moved into Libya in an effort to tap the country's vast oil and gas wealth.

Gadhafi lobbied hard for the return of al-Megrahi, an issue that took on added urgency when al-Megrahi was diagnosed with cancer last year.

Freeing al-Megrahi divided the Lockerbie victims' families, with many in Britain in favor and many in the U.S. adamantly opposed.

Al-Megrahi had been a known figure in the Scottish community near his prison, receiving regular treatment at the hospital. He was visited often by his wife and children, who lived in Scotland for several years.

Briton Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora died on Flight 103, welcomed the Libyan's release, saying many questions remained about what led to the bomb that exploded in the cargo hold.

"I think he should be able to go straight home to his family and spend his last days there," Swire told the BBC. "I don't believe for a moment this man was involved in the way he was found to be involved."

Among the Lockerbie victims was John Mulroy, the AP's director of international communication, who died along with five members of his family.

[Brill Weave]

Stop bolding things. I have a migraine

[Faris]

Neo, I think this can be the new religion thread. Time to abandon Firas' shitty one.

you're cute when you bandwagon.


but yeah, why lock him up for 8 years?? shoulda just hanged the fucker the moment they arrested him. If whats stated is true.

also 27 years in prison isnt enough for what he did. I guess there is in fact a hidden agenda to this..

[Dimmauk]

Stop bolding things. I have a migraine

I hope its not Swine Flu

[EternityEnd]

you're cute when you bandwagon.


but yeah, why lock him up for 8 years?? shoulda just hanged the fucker the moment they arrested him. If whats stated is true.

also 27 years in prison isnt enough for what he did. I guess there is in fact a hidden agenda to this..

I don't think you know what bandwagon means.

And this is absolutely disgusting. What the fuck...

[Faris]

bandwagon is when you follow what others say, just cus. right???
cus thats what i'm trying to say. hehe.

and whats disgusting?

P.S: this thread gona die out fast, cus we wont be having 2 sides on this issue, so no arguments.

unless someone derails it in to something controversial.

[Kajii]

P.S: this thread gona die out fast, cus we wont be having 2 sides on this issue, so no arguments.

one can only hope so. bg never ceases to amaze

[ZarakiKujata]

you're cute when you bandwagon.
If whats stated is true.

Why wouldnt it be?

Also what purpose does killing him serve? An eye for an eye and the whole world is blind.

I do think that he should've been allowed to rot in prison and why would this have turned into a religious thread? Terrorism didn't become truly religiously motivated until Bin Laden, old school terrorism was largely for entirely national/geopolitical reasons and religion was left out of it.

[Kajii]

What are you talking about? Being a Nigger faggot jewbag is a choice.

I heard what you said!
YouTube - National Spelling Bee

[Egon]

I think they released him because of what I call "feel good policies."

Feel good policies have no benefit to the lawmaker (in this case a judge) or to anyone else other than the person or group to whom its about. Usually includes unintended consequences like hurting everyone else not directly related to the law/judgment.

Kinda like Obamacare. People want Obamacare so 100% of Americans will have health insurance. That's all fine and good, but I don't want to pay for it. Then it will have a domino effect, putting more polices in effect with rationing health care.

[Faris]

Why wouldnt it be?

Also what purpose does killing him serve? An eye for an eye and the whole world is blind.

ok ghandi, rotting in jail isnt all bad tbh, people get used to it after a couple of years. unless the inmates make his life a living hell.inside.


Ghandi's ideology wouldnt work all the time, imo. Its a beautiful philosophy but no

[Effluo]

Anyone ever have up close and personal experience with terminal cancer? If the answer is yes then you know that he may be out of prison, but he sure as shit isn't experiencing any freedom. Hope he enjoys his "freedom" as his literally wastes away before finally dying.

^

He's dying from the asshole out. Would have been nice for him to die in prison, but he's still going to go in a rather painful way. His suffering will be prolonged and absolute...

[jmc]

Anyone ever have up close and personal experience with terminal cancer? If the answer is yes then you know that he may be out of prison, but he sure as shit isn't experiencing any freedom. Hope he enjoys his "freedom" as his literally wastes away before finally dying.

I took care of my father, with terminal cancer for years...... from my expierence, because they (doctors) gave him a few months to live does not mean he will die in a few months. He could die next week, or he could live in for a few more years.

Hence speaking.... my father was given 4 months to live with stomach/lung/brain cancer, and he lived for another 3 years including returning to work full time with a feeding tube in his stomach. Just because a doctor says someone has 3 months to live, doesn't mean shit..... I highly doubt this guy is gonna die anytime soon.

Family members of people killed in the attack, should have shot this guy the minute he walked out of prision. This guy served 8 years for killing over 200 people, so if someone kills they guy....... they will serve, a Day?

[Dimmauk]

He was sentenced to LIFE in prison, and that is where he should have died.
This Compassionate release thing seems to have some religious undertones to it. Who cares what he is dying from? The guy murdered 270 people.


Egon, Compassionate release is just like Obamacare? You already pay for socialized medicine. Everyone should have free health care. Its less expensive than the Bank bailouts, and the Iraq war.