tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post4993605774216882714..comments2024-03-28T07:16:39.621+00:00Comments on Lallands Peat Worrier: Megrahi decision: Undevolved reaction...Lallands Peat Worrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276270498204697708noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-19614792565408059062009-08-21T10:55:14.519+01:002009-08-21T10:55:14.519+01:00"Scotland the Brave" sometimes has an ar..."Scotland the Brave" sometimes has an artificial, hollow ring and can be put alongside the tartan and shortbread and tourist attractions, but yesterday was the real thing.<br /><br />This was true Government (with Kenny MacAskill acting in a quasi-judicial role) based on principles of justice and compassion. It was a real moment of truth for the Scottish Government.<br /><br />I don't pretend to know whether the original conviction of Al Megrahi was the right decision, but a Scottish Court, (sitting on Dutch soil) made a judgement based on the evidence and the law. There continues to be debate about Al-Megrahi's guilt or otherwise and a number of the relatives of the Scottish victims at Lockerbie seem to be convinced that the real plotters and perpetrators of the outrage have never been brought to justice. Many more of the American victims' families are equally convinced of his guilt and remain angry and sometimes vengeful. However, Al Megrahi - a convicted mass murderer - is a dying man.<br /><br />Seen through the eyes of the victims' families, all they ever wanted was to see their own loved ones walking down the stairs of a plane after that fateful journey. I did have mixed feeling watching the perhaps inevitable celebrations at Tripoli Airport and the strange site of St Andrew flags being waved, but it was a good day.<br /><br />Over and above the rights and wrongs of the case itself, what struck me most about yesterday's events was that this was a glimpse at the future. Scotland taking responsibility for its own affairs and the consequences for its actions.<br /><br />Despite heavy pressure on both sides of the Atlantic, in the full glare of the world's media spotlight, Kenny MacAskill made a brave decision yesterday and his clear and dignified statement set out the case convincingly. Scotland standing tall saying this is us, this is what we believe, this is what we stand for.<br /><br />The future is within our grasp.<br /><br />http://loosechange-cruachan.blogspot.com/Cruachanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12247076776969308931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-39998813058825714362009-08-20T18:14:57.624+01:002009-08-20T18:14:57.624+01:00I don't think English people are bothered.
It...I don't think English people are bothered.<br /><br />It was more directed to an American/Scottish audience I believe - hence the very slow delivery, he must have been told to slow down or the Americans wouldn't understand him.<br /><br />I think he was genuinely trying to explain what the basis of compassionate leave is.Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04383904151475839441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-31376642088302101972009-08-20T17:42:12.833+01:002009-08-20T17:42:12.833+01:00"youse English willnae unnerstaun"
The ..."youse English willnae unnerstaun"<br /><br />The sneering slurred words of a single issue hasbeenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-75271921432009869022009-08-20T16:43:53.369+01:002009-08-20T16:43:53.369+01:00Your last paragraph hits the mark. MacAskill's...Your last paragraph hits the mark. MacAskill's statement was studiously <i>Scottish</i>, in the contrived and exclusive sense in which he would project it. Perhaps the clearest example of that was when he said:<br /><br />“In Scotland, we are a people who pride ourselves on our humanity. It is viewed as a defining characteristic of Scotland and the Scottish people.”<br /><br />In other words: youse English willnae unnerstaun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com