Given the way Scottish authorities handled the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi last summer, the only thing left for them to do now is act like Captain Renault in Casablanca by exclaiming that they’re shocked, shocked to find that Megrahi is still alive!
For here’s a little of what I wrote about this release back then:
[N]otwithstanding his alleged illness, Megrahi’s release is such an affront to common sense that I’m inclined to believe that the Scots released Megrahi for the same reason many believe the Americans invaded Iraq: oil.
I am sensible enough to appreciate, however, that incurring the moral wrath of the Americans for releasing him was a small price to pay for sweetheart oil deals with Libya…
I just wish Scottish authorities did not insult our intelligence by citing compassion as their justification for releasing this mass murderer; especially since they have refused to show similar compassion for many other convicts who are (or were) relatively more worthy…
Also, don’t be surprised if Megrahi lives well beyond the three months he purportedly has to live … all praise be to Allah!
[Release of Lockerbie bomber: compassion v. justice, TIJ, August 24, 2009]
Well, Allahu Akbar! (God is greatest!)
Because, just as I predicted, Meghrahi is evidently coping exceedingly well with his “terminal illness.” So much so in fact that an indignant US Senator Charles Schumer is now demanding that he be extradited back to his prison cell in Scotland, immediately.
Here is a quote from a letter he sent to British PM Gordon Brown over the weekend in this regard:
The bottom line is Megrahi should have never been released in the first place but it would be even more outrageous if he were to be able to live a long and free life after his release… Justice in this case was life in prison, no exceptions.
No matter Schumer’s moral demands (or President Obama’s political entreaties), however, the British simply cannot afford to renege on their Faustian exchange with Libya. Therefore, this is a done deal!
Now all that is left for Libyan authorities to do is announce that Megrahi has had a spectacular recovery thanks to the superior medical treatment he has received in Libya since his release.
Senator Schumer is a notorious grandstander. But, in this case, I share his moral outrage.
Related commentaries:
Release of Lockerbie bomber…
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