The Scottish Executive – the government, MY government, the government representing everyone eligible to vote here – have decided to release the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, on compassionate grounds. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8197370.stm. Reactions have been mixed.
In typical fashion, the BBC have statements from relatives of victims on both sides of the fence. Twitter is also all a-tweet with reactions. One in particular caught my eye:
The Lockerbie bomber walks. The Scottish government should not get off lightly. Boycott Scottish products and travel for 1 month.
(http://twitter.com/bobharp/status/3427704605)
We shouldn’t get off lightly for taking a soveriegn decision? Interesting. I understand 189 Americans were on board that flight, but the reason I take exception to this kind of remark is that it does more (collateral) damage to independent businesses. Back when my parents were running a B&B they lost quite a number of bookings due to “British involvement in the Iraq war”. There are better ways of getting your message across, although if you are going to boycott a nation for the actions of the government, please actually write to the government to explain that you are doing it.
Anyway, enjoy your month of no golf, burgers from BK, penicillin, etc.
Other tweets are fun:
Lockerbie bomber released. Scotland, YOU SUCK
I’m sorry.
Obama could have stopped the release of Lockerbie terrorist if he really wanted to stop it.
“My fellow Americans, I regret to announce that a state of war exists between our two great democracies…”
Actually, a lot of the tweets are reasonable (dang!). Some even make mention of the dubiety of evidence presented against him.
Anyway, as a Scottish citizen here is my completely-official real-FOR-SURE deal to all Americans who are unhappy with al-Megrahi’s release. Are you listening, Hillary? If you all (*all* of you) apologise for calling our lovely NHS evil, uncaring, killing poor helpless ill people and “a terrorist breeding ground” (Fox News I think, look it up) then we’ll divert his chartered plane to the nearest CIA extraordinary rendition camp and call it square. Fair’s fair!
For real.
Another boycotter!
http://twitter.com/Rxrthepoet/status/3427581514
http://twitter.com/Rxrthepoet/status/3427548677
I understand the boycott here as a vacation destination (which would be a shame for both of us), but:
Whose standards? Who has to pay the cost? What? I think I fail at comprehension today. Either that or someone needs to be a little less poetic and a little more clear in their communication.
Also, it is to laugh:
10 points if you can identify Mr Macaskill’s first name. No cheating and looking up CNN either!
Oh lordy.
(http://twitter.com/george_lol/status/3433464367)
Either a masterful, masterful troll (if so, what the fuck are you doing on twitter Mr @george_lol ? there are vast fields of fora waiting for you to generate hearty discussion!) or this guy just… has no fucking clue. You decide!
And he has released more documents saying he didn’t do it. Can we just agree he was a scapegoat now, please? The evidence was tortuous to begin with.