As promised, here is Stephens response.
Finally, someone who wants to have a sensible argument. I like that. I have spent countless hours arguing with toothless rednecks who only read half a story. They typically end the argument in a contradictory or downright infuriatingly uninformed manner. However, I also like to direct a hate filled rant towards people who show that kind of ignorance, such as that demented Englishman on your website. Just because a Scotsman (Gordon Brown) is in charge of England and the rest of the UK, doesn’t mean I care about his opinion. My rant was a direct result of the title of your post ‘Fuck Scotland’ and the comments of that bottom feeder.
Having read your response (and admittedly not reading your initial story), I was pleasantly surprised and totally prepared to have a civilized discussion with yourself and discuss the rights and wrongs of this situation. Sadly, your last paragraph changed my mind completely - ‘As to agreeing with John about bombing Scotland back into the Stone Age, well, maybe that was over the top’. Maybe? To any civilized person, there is no maybe about it. Stupid and childish comment. Complete waste of pixels. Also, seeing that Scotland has the majority of Britain’s nuclear arsenal, I don’t see England doing a bombing run over Edinburgh any time soon.
As for the cluster bomb over First Minister Salmonds office? As sure as I am that you were being humorous, Salmond played a miniscule part in the release of Al-Megrahi, he stated that he left the decision to the safest pair of hands in Scotland with regards to justice, Kenny MacAskill. Here’s the simple fact. Yes he was convicted, and as I believe the Scottish justice system to be one of the best in the world, I believe Megrahi is guilty. However, if I choose to trust the Scottish legal systems conviction of the man, I must trust the Scottish legal systems right to release the man, as long as it’s lawful.
This whole argument ‘He showed them no compassion so we show him none’ is poor and sets a rotten example. We should never lower our standards to that of a barbaric people. His release was legal, therefore, there is no argument to be had here. If you want to argue about something, maybe we should be debating the law itself. Being 21 years old, I don’t remember the USA releasing a prominent Nazi on compassionate grounds, but according to the history books it happened. It was a US issue and a US decision. Fine by me. This was a Scottish issue and a Scottish decision.
To me, this Megrahi issue has no basis for an argument and that is what I would like people to realize. And all this boycott Scotland stuff? Childish. I know the majority of US citizens are well educated and well(ish) informed, so it must infuriate you (Angry Jew) as a seemingly well educated American, that only the brain-dead variety of your people seem to be making themselves heard.
As a side note, seeing as it’s the anniversary of Sept 11th, I wish to extend my sincerest condolences and best wishes. We may have our differences and may not agree on everything, but we are both respectful and civilised nations fighting for the same cause. We are stronger together than apart.
Stephen, you make some very valid points and I applaud you for making them so well, however, I am afraid we are going to have to agree to disagree on this matter.
Yes, history teaches us that most nations are willing to trade their integrity when it comes to their own security and economic interests. The United States has a long history of this. Nazi scientists played a key role in the development of our space program. We have routinely supported despots of all flavors when it was top our benefit.
Marcos in the Philippines, Noreiga in Panama, The Shah in Iran and even Sadam Hussien had all enjoyed the generosity of the United States Government. With so many examples, my cynical mind finds it hard to accept that the decision to release Megrahi was based solely on compassionate grounds. Some one benefited from this decision.
Just because something is legal does not make it the right thing to do.
That is part in parcel of what this website is about. You must remember, it is often those who write the laws who have the most to gain by their implementation. It is a sad and sorry state of affairs when murders go free, but again, we need only look to the case of OJ Simpson to know that our nation, and perhaps the world, live by the golden rule, which is simply, he who has the gold, makes the rules.
I thank you for your input. The fact that you are 21 and able to make such a well thought out argument gives me hope. Most 21 year olds here in America are lucky enough to be able to string together a conscious thought in the characters provided by Twitter.
Your rants and thoughts are always welcome here and I hope to hear more from you in the future.
