Americans turn on Britain over Al-Magraghi

I just hope the SNP get voted out for it...even if I do think they did the right thing.

Yep.

Exactly. I don't care what they do and I was reading about the compassionate release rules (or whatever they're called...I can't remember now!) and releasing him makes sense under those rules.





I agree with this too. I don't care where you come from. If you're an ass, you're an a**

This won't happen. Non-alcoholic single malts? This is Scotland we're talking about!

I actually want to see the SNP continue in government, I think they're doing ok and this decision proves they're nobodies puppets. However it's not because I'm much of a fan of the party, I'm not a nationalist, but mainly I hate the opposition. Who are we going to put in instead? The "Labour" party? The f***ing Lib Dems? Come on.

Some people like bashing the French as well, ok a lot of the things said about them are justified but I'll tell you one thing, they don't take s*** off of anyone, including their government. When they don't like something they'll let you know. And they stick together too. We tend to just accept things in Britain without taking action, and I imagine (though I can't say for sure) America's a bit like that too. We could do with learning some things from the French.

They stick together because they don't bathe.

I think the SNP are terrible. The reason I'm not getting a job at a bar down the road is because of the SNP's new alcohol laws, it is too expensive for me to go through the training so for the time being they are only employing staff with at least three months bar training.

Sucks major balls.

First of all, I'd like you to show me the American news article or politician that said "they are ragheads and that's what ragheads do."

Second of all, isn't it possible that the decision is being condemned because it's a bad decision and not because Scotland is not "toeing the American line"?

Of course the only reason the SNP did that was to prove a political point, saying 'Labour pander towards American wants, we, the SNP, do not'.

Maybe thats a bit of a conspiracy theory, but it seems weird to me that the media knew he was getting out a full week before there was any 'official' announcement from anyone.

This won't happen. Non-alcoholic single malts? This is Scotland we're talking about!

I actually want to see the SNP continue in government, I think they're doing ok and this decision proves they're nobodies puppets. However it's not because I'm much of a fan of the party, I'm not a nationalist, but mainly I hate the opposition. Who are we going to put in instead? The "Labour" party? The f***ing Lib Dems? Come on.

Well you could vote Conservative, or maybe your late lamented Champagne and perma tan socialist (a flower of Scotland if ever I saw one ) Tommy Sheridan will beat da rap.

Some people like bashing the French as well,

I like bashing the French......lots

ok a lot of the things said about them are justified but I'll tell you one thing, they don't take s*** off of anyone, including their government. When they don't like something they'll let you know. And they stick together too. We tend to just accept things in Britain without taking action, and I imagine (though I can't say for sure) America's a bit like that too. We could do with learning some things from the French.

Ah you little revolutionary you, tumbrills rolling down the gallowgate, Madam Guillotine in the place of honour in George Square, the ladies from the steamies smoking pipes and knitting bunnets, and the Clyde red with blood.

Now that would get the Yank tourists back dont you think.

There are loads of American tourists here at the moment actually. Went to a pub near the castle yesterday afternoon and the castle is crawling with them and Japanese.

I just received an e-mail from Iain Gray, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, it reads thusly:

Dear Mr. Charlton

I believe the whole of Scotland was shamed by the scenes of Saltires and jubilation in Tripoli on Mr Al-Megrahi?s return.

As a result, the eyes of the world are now on Scotland, but the decision to release him was a decision for Scotland alone.

I know that there are strong and sincerely held views about the decision.

Mine is that Kenny MacAskill made the wrong decision and I want to tell you why.

My views are held not because it is convenient, or politically advantageous, or calculated ? but because I believe that compassion must be tempered with justice.

In this case I think that compassion for Mr Al-Megrahi has to be balanced against compassion for the families of the victims of Lockerbie, the enormity of the crime, and the fact that he had served only eight years of a twenty seven year sentence. That is why I have said that I would not have freed him to return to Libya.

This was a difficult decision which Kenny MacAskill had to make. It is about when it is right to show mercy, and when it is wrong. So I respect those who take a different view from mine. I know that members of the Labour Party will hold differing views about whether or not it was right to free Mr Al Megrahi or not.

But there is no doubt that pain and anger has been caused by the manner in which Scottish ministers reached their choice.

Kenny MacAskill has spoken a great deal about "due process" but the process was flawed.

* Why does he refuse to instigate a leak inquiry to explain how the media knew about the release a full week before the decision was made?
* Why did he meet with Mr Al-Megrahi face-to-face in prison?
* Why did the he mislead the Scottish Parliament ? and the whole world ? by saying that he was obliged to meet him in person when we now know he was not?
* Why did he drag out the application for prisoner transfer even though his own law officers? appeal made it a non-starter?
* Why did he not consider other ways of showing compassion, short of allowing Mr Al-Megrahi to return to Tripoli?
* Why was the medical evidence less than clear about whether Mr Al-Megrahi?s prognosis meant he met the criteria for consideration for release, and why did he refuse to seek the advice of a palliative care specialist?

The people of Scotland deserve answers to these questions.

Only a full debate in the Scottish Parliament will truly hold Kenny MacAskill to account for his actions.

The debate will take place next week and I give you my commitment that we will approach that debate with probity, true compassion for all involved, and a firm belief that those who claim to take decisions for our country must account to Parliament for them.

Yours sincerely

Iain Gray

Frankly I can't stand Iain Gray. The politicising of this event is shameful, and strikes me as clutching at straws. There are far more important issues to be discussing. To be honest, you could answer each of the questions he poses with the answer, "who cares?". The other parties are getting desperate and are looking for any excuse to score political points. He - and many others - seem to be upset about this because of the US reaction. At the end of the day, how America or others would react was rightly not considered in Mr MacAskill's judgement (which is refreshing I think). It was about what was the right thing to do. And I think he took the right decision.

The scenes in Tripoli, ofcourse, were not helpful. But is Mr Gray trying to blame Scotland for this? We couldn't force them into how they received Megrahi. Maybe they were celebrating because they think he's innocent anyway, which he probably is.

Oh, and jmo, I'm not a fan of the alcohol laws either, I don't agree with the SNP on that issue, so I understand why you're angry with them on that. However, I like what they say on other issues. Labour has totally lost touch with reality and are in denial I think. As for the Tories, I'd rather receive a bullet to the brain than vote for them

Being opposed to Scottish nationalism I just can't vote for SNP on that issue alone. I think I'll always vote Labour, though I don't like the Scottish Labour party much to be honest.

Being left wing I should be voting Labour, but the fact is that Labour have long ago sacrificed the principles on which they were founded. I can't bring myself to vote for them after the way they've behaved in power for the last twelve years. Hopefully they can rediscover themselves in opposition. Then I'd consider voting for them.